HIS original constitution was strong, and his make and stature such, as, humanly speaking, indicated health and long life. He seemed free from those incumbrances of constitution which some have to struggle with well nigh all their days. His complexion tended rather to the melancholic, although from his fervour of spirit, one would have thought the contrary. But the grace of God, is powerful to alter, and even invert the course of nature. However, the natural temperature of his body seemed well calculated both for the service of God, and of his neighbour. But in fact, if his bones had been brass, and his flesh iron, they must have yielded to the violence which his labours offered to his constitution. He enjoyed good health till above nineteen, which was the year of his conversion to God. But from the twentieth to the twenty-eighth, his life may be said to have been a lingering death; as he never was a day free from pain or weakness. A slow fever, and pain at his stomach were, for the most part, his companions, day and night. The manner of his preaching, intense study, little rest, and frequent fatigues, broke the very frame of his nature, and brought him in a short time to such a habit of body, as no medicines were able to remove. “It is, as he once expressed it, (speaking of his illness) in the work of God, in the cause of Christ! Therefore I rejoice; for I count not my life dear to myself, if I may but glorify my Lord God, and only Master, Jesus Christ.” It is surprizing, that, considering his weakness and habitual disorders, he could go thro’ such daily and nightly labours as he did: nor can it be accounted for otherwise, than that the strength of God was made perfect in his weakness. Sometimes (says he) when I begin the labour of love, I am hardly able, either to walk or speak; but after I have laboured a while, I find new strength, and am even better than when I begun!” As to the use which he always made of his illnesses, it will be best gathered from his own words. *“_Tuesday, January 18, 1751._ I preached on _Matthew v. 3._ but could not finish; being seized with an ague. Immediately I went to bed. I could rest in the will of God, being persuaded it was for the better. True it is, that afflictions are not joyous, but grievous while they last, though afterwards they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. How great, O my God, are thy goodness, and tender mercies towards me! If I had a thousand tongues, I could not praise my God as he deserves. He remembers me in the time of my trouble, and leaves not my soul comfortless. Lord, there is nothing good in me, that thou shouldst regard, and so remember me. All is of thy free grace, and undeserved mercy. O the ravishing joy that seizes my heart, in meditating on the dying love of my Saviour! It raises me above all human things, and carries my soul deep into the mysteries of godliness.” Two things he then especially remarked,