ALDERMANBURY POSTERN. Independent. by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Mr. Towle lived to be the father of the Dissenting ministers in London. He had been pastor of the congregation first in Rope-makers'-alley, and afterwards in Aldermanbury Postern, nearly fifty-nine years; and during that time discharged his ministry with constancy, fidelity, and diligence. For this important service he was eminently qualified by his natural endowments, which were improved by diligent study, and sanctified by divine grace. His application to private studies was close and intense. For this purpose, he redeemed his time by early rising, so that his diligence at home might not interfere with the exercise necessary for his health; and the many duties which called his attention abroad. "He was one of the most patient, penetrating, and investigating readers of books, (says Mr. Kingsbury,) I ever knew. Few publications, which were new and important, on interesting, and especially theological subjects, escaped his attention. Most of the volumes of his unadorned, but valuable, and well selected library, bear evident marks of his having followed the rule of the ancient poet, Nocturnâ versate manu, versate diurna." Mr. Towle was indeed, an unwearied scholar, and in the knowledge of the classics, and of general literature, he was surpassed, perhaps, by none of his contemporaries. As a preacher, his sermons were very methodical and exact, addressed mostly to the understanding. Indeed, his opinion was, that ministers should chiefly aim to elucidate the scriptures, and with this view he had for many years been engaged in an exposition of the Bible; and having gone through the whole of the Old Testament, had proceeded some way through the gospel of Matthew, in the New Testament. Though he delivered his discourses, in the latter part of life, for the most part, without the use of notes, yet he was remarkably careful in the arrangement of his thoughts, as well as accurate in the choice of his words. When called ALDERMANBURY POSTERN. - Independent. to preach upon public occasions, he sometimes wrote his sermons at full length. But it was in prayer he was most peculiarly admired. The sublimity, pathos, humility, and devotion he displayed in his adorations, confessions, petitions, and intercessions, could not fail to influence the affections of those who had the happiness of witnessing his addresses to the Throne of Grace. In exercising the duties of a pastor, he watched over his people with affectionate caution and paternal jealousy, lest they should fall into error, or be led away by the blind impulse of the passions. He paid a strict regard to the discipline of his church, and had an accurate knowledge of its state and condition, both secular and religious. The religious system to which he attached himself, and adhered with steadiness through the whole of his life, was consonant with the doctrines of the Assembly's Catechism. Never, on any proper occasion, was he backward to defend his principles. Any attempt to conceal, or disguise, what was of importance in religion, he reprobated with disgust; and would never sacrifice what he considered to be truth, through fear of offending, or a desire to please any person, or party whatsoever. Nevertheless, his knowledge of the world led him to behave to every one, in their social and civil relations, with all that urbanity and politeness, which their respective situations demanded. If persons candidly avowed their opinions, though they differed widely from him in religious matters, and he might judge them erroneous, yet they had a share in his respect; and with several, from whom he differed in religious matters, he cultivated, and preserved an affectionate intimacy. While in health, he was a most entertaining and instructive companion, ever ready to communicate knowledge from out of the abundant stores of his mind; fond of society, esteemed by the wise and good of every denomination; and enlivening every party to which he was invited by pleasing urbanity, and the most chaste effusions of attic wit. Mr. Towle deserves to be held up as a pattern of exact ALDERMANBURY POSTERN.-Independent. ness in apportioning and laying out his time, of punctuality in keeping his engagements, and of accuracy and fidelity in all his temporal affairs. He had much to do in public charities, for the fatherless and widow, and for poor ininisters, in regard to whom he proved himself to be a faithful and benevolent steward, devoting his personal attention to their concerns, while he employed and paid others for managing his own. To young students for the ministry he was a kind and liberal friend; and a judicious counsellor to ministers and churches in circumstances of difficulty and distress. His advice was eagerly sought for in cases of difficulty, he being, as it were, the chamber-counsellor of Dissenters, and none more proper than him for that office; for if the proper study of mankind is man, he certainly had prosecuted that study to the utmost. His penetrating mind was able to dive into the deepest recesses of the human heart, and he possessed an accurate judgment in forming his decisions. As Mr. Towle knew well the value which was set upon his judgment, he was in general very cautious in giving his opinion, without sifting every subject to the bottom. Several instances of the shrewdness of his answers to various questions might be given, but the following anecdote may suffice. A person one day applied to him for advice, on a case which he affirmed lay on his mind. He was about to marry a young lay of property, who, as a sine qua non, insisted on a settlement previous to marriage. "Sir, (said this person to Mr. Towle,) it is not that I have such an objection to grant this request, but there is a text in scripture which oppresses me very much, and militates against the demand; it is 1 John, iv. 18. Perfect love casteth out fear. Now if this lady perfectly loved me, she would have no fear to marry me, without requiring a settlement." Mr. Towle, who quickly perceived his artifice, instantly replied, "Why, Sir, Divines may differ in their interpretation of this text; I myself think, in this case, it bears a different meaning. Let us examine the words: Perfect love casteth out fear, that ALDERMANBURY POSTERN. - Independent. is, if you perfectly love this lady, you will not be afraid to grant her a settlement." It is needless to add, the person left him mortified indeed.* As Mr. Towle was a firm and consistent Protestant Dissenter, and attached to his principles from the fullest conviction, he could not endure to hear them spoken of contemptuously, without animadversion. When duty called him, he was not backward in testifying his zeal as to this particular; an opportunity for which presented itself upon the following occasion. Having heard that the celebrated Mr. Romaine had thrown out some severe reflections upon the Dissenters, Mr. Towle determined one day to wait upon him, for the purpose of conversing upon the subject. This he did; and having made some observations and complaints, Mr. Romaine replied, " I do not want to have any thing to say to you, Sir."-" If you will hear me, Sir," rejoined Mr. Towle, " I will tell you my name and profession :-I am a Protestant Dissenting Minister."-" Sir," said Mr. Romaine, " 1 neither wish to know your name, nor profession." Mr. Towle bowed, and left him. But some little time after, Mr. Romaine returned the visit. "Well, Mr. Towle," said he, " I am not come to renounce my principles; I have not changed my sentiments; I will not give up my preference to the Church of England, &c. but I am come as a Christian, to make some apology. I think my behaviour to you, Sir, the other day, was not such as it should have been." They shook hands, and parted friends; both agreeing to maintain their respective sentiments, with, a mutual esteem for each other's person. The above anecdote, while it gives us a high opinion of Mr. Towle's zeal and steadfastness to principle, places in a very conspicuous light the humility of Mr. Romaine. • Mr. Kingsbury's Sermon on the death of Mr. Towle.-Gent. Mag. for December, 1806,-and Private Information. VOL. II. + Cadogan's Life of Romaine, p. 91. 4 B ALDERMANBURY POSTERN.-Independent. Mr. Towle's publications consist of a sermon, preached at Thaxted, in Essex, at the ordination of the Rev. John Fell, 1770; and five funeral orations, viz. for the Rev. Mordecai Andrews, 1750; Dr. Zephaniah Marryat, 1754; the Rev. Edward Hitchin, 1774; Dr. Samuel Morton Savage, 1791; and the Rev. Nathaniel Trotman, 1793. Mr. Towle married about the year 1746, to Miss Brent, of Rotherhithe, with whom he received a considerable fortune, which he afterwards improved. Upon Mr. Towle's tomb-stone, in Bunhill-Fields, is the following inscription : Here lies the body of Late of Mansell-street, Goodmans-Fields, Gent. Also, the body of THOMAS TOWLE, Grandson of the above-mentioned Mr. Thomas Towle, Who died Dec. the 14th, 1750, aged 1 year and 8 months. Also, The Rev. THOMAS TOWLE, B. D. Who departed this life BAXTER COLE. - This learned Divine was a native of Essex, and pursued his academical studies under Dr. Marryat, at Plasterers'-Hall. His first engagement was in a school at Peckham; and at the same time he became morning-preacher to the congregation in Rope-makers'-alley, of which Mr. Towle was pastor. This situation he quitted in 1765, upon the building of the new meeting-house, and went to Wymondham, in Norfolk, where he preached for a few months, till May, 1766, when he gave up that, also, and never undertook any pastoral charge. Henceforward he employed his time wholly in literary pursuits. He was a close student, and during the summer-time used to rise with the |