INTRODUCTION.

ALTHOUGH the reality and excellence of vital

religion has, in every age, been exemplified in the lives and deaths of eminent Christians, yet the pen of genius has seldom been attracted to the delineation of Christian character. It has chosen rather to celebrate the praises of human worth and human glory. Hence Poets, Orators, and Historians, have always vied with each other, in enthusiastic descriptions of the intrepidity, valour, magnanimity, and exalted virtue of heroes; the illustrious eats, the brilliant accomplishments, and the deep penetration of the great, and honourable, and learned of the world: While that conduct, those principles and motives, those virtues and graces, which originate from Heaven, and eventually raise the soul to a crown of righteousness and a throne of glory, are left for the admiration of persons of less distinction and supposed inferior taste.

Agreeable to the declaration of Scripture, that "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called," the charms.

of Christian character have been generally unnoticed, or resisted, by the great men of the world. When united with the appendages of human honour, religion has indeed been respected and applauded in the higher circles; but when viewed in the more humble walks of life, it has usually been mistaken for a weak and despicable fanaticism. Hence it is, that those exercises of heart, which the exalted spirits of heaven, and the Supreme Author of all goodness and greatness view with complacence and delight, are too often regarded only with aversion and contempt. This accords with the declaration of the Apostle, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." But as it pleases God, in making "foolish the wisdom of this world," to impart divine grace to those in common life, so that grace may be honoured, and the cause of Christ benefited, by the publication of their piety, when it has been signal, and afforded many good and important examples for imitation. In no case ought records of religious experience to be made for the applause of the creature, however distinguished his Christian attainments, but to magnify and extol that divine grace which gave him this distinction. This object, the compiler cannot but fondly hope and trust, will be in some measure answered, by a review of Doct. Coleman's Life, as exhibited in

this volume. In examining his writings, to judge of the expediency of publishing, it was thought, notwithstanding the many publications of this kind, and the similarity, usually, of Christian experience in private life, that they presented such evidence of ardent piety, of intimate communion with God, and of high attainment in the divine life, that, to the gratification of family friends, might be added, the expectation of more extensive usefulness. And besides, it is believed, that the power of religion on the mind, in producing elevation of thought, and grandeur of aim, is more plainly seen in the humble, than in the higher walks of life; and a fairer comparison drawn between man in his natural state, and when renewed by divine grace. Here it is clearly discerned, that the latter rises far above the former, not only in point of happiness of heart, but enlargedness of mind and elevation of soul. And not until it is found, that some other than the principles of the Gospel, produce disinterested aims at the glory of God, in all the common actions of life; growing conformity to his will and perfections; satisfaction and contentment in any situation of life, however low; quiet submission and resignation to the providences of God, however afflictive; habitual benevolence, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness; comparative contempt of the enjoyments of time, and support and triumph in death; will it be conceded, that religion is not the highest attainment of which the A 2

soul of man is capable.

But this point has

And if a perusal of

long since been established. the following pages might be blessed, to the excitement of any to seek this noblest attainment, and to the edification, encouragement and perseverance of any who have already chosen the good part, the highest object of the compiler will be answered.

A SKETCH

OF THE

LIFE AND CHARACTER

OF

DOCT. SETH COLEMAN.

DOCTOR COLEMAN was born of respectable and pious parents, at Hatfield, Massachusetts, March 17th, 1740. When he was two years old, his parents removed to Amherst, where they continued through life. In consequence of their faithful religious instructions, the subject of this sketch was seriously impressed in his early youth. The operations of the Holy Spirit were very powerful upon his mind at several times: and having been educated in the belief that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is a converting ordinance, and that all who are seriously disposed ought to join the church, he accordingly made a profession at the age of eighteen: of the impropriety of this practice he afterwards became fully convinced. In the twenty-first year of his age, after a course of the most pungent convictions, he was hopefully born into the