Page:Life and character, of the late Reverend and learned Mr Thomas Boston.pdf/7

 ascetical rigidy, that generally possesses men of a retired life. He fed and watched with diligence the flock over which the holy Ghost made him overseer; and, nothwithstanding his eager puirsuit of that study which was his delight, he abated nothing of his preparation for the sabbath, nor of his work abroad in the parish; nor did he so much as use the short hand, whereof he was master, but always wrote out his sermons fair, and generally as full as he preached them: Far from serving the Lord with that which cost him nothing. It was his delight to spend and be spent in the service of the gospel. Was a faithful, and at the same time a prudent reprover of sin. Was endued with a rich measure of christian wisdom and prudence, without craft or guile, whereby he was exeeding serviceable in judicatories, and excellently fitted for counsel in intricate cases. Zeal and knowledge were in him united to a pitch rarely to be met with. Had a joint concern for purity and peace in the church: No man more zealous for the former, and at the same time more studious of the latter, having observed and felt so much of the