LITTLE ST. HELEN'S.—Presbyterian, Extinct. sant, for fear I shall live to no purpose." Not long afterwards, however, he received an invitation to succeed Dr. Annesley at Little St. Helen's, where he continued in the faithful discharge of his ministry, till his death. Within a few days of that event, he took a solemn leave of his people, in a sermon delivered with his usual warmth and affection. He enjoyed the exercise of reason till the last; prayed with great fervour; was full of inward comfort; and died without a groan, in the year 1700, but at what age does not appear. (R) BENJAMIN ROBINSON, a learned and respectable minister among the Presbyterians, was born at Derby, of pious parents, in the year 1666. His mother died only a few days after his birth, but Providence designing him for eminent service in the church, watched over his tender years; and his good father took strict care of his education. At a proper age, he was sent to the grammar-school at Derby, under the superintendence of that polite scholar and valuable minister, Mr. Samuel Ogden. Having made considerable proficiency in the learned languages, he was placed under the tuition of the Rev. John Woodhouse, at Sherif-hales, in Shropshire, where he finished his academical studies. From under the care of Mr. Woodhouse, he removed into the family of Sir John Gell, where he applied so closely to study, as greatly to injure his health. He there became personally acquainted with that great and good man, the venerable Mr. Richard Baxter, in whose defence, against the charge of Socinianism, he, many years after, wrote an accurate and learned Plea. After some time, he removed into the family of Mr. Samuel Saunders, of Normanton, as (R) Mr. Woodhouse published, a Sermon on the Death of Mrs. Jane Papillon. Rev. xiv. 13. 1698.-A Catalogue of Sins, (highly useful for self-examination.) 1699.-And a Sermon to the Societies for Reformation of Manners. LITTLE ST. HELEN'S.—Presbyterian, Extinct. domestic chaplain. The conversation of this family, and a valuable library to which he had access, rendered his situation very agreeable; and he had the satisfaction of being greatly respected. Here, he also preached publicly in turn with several other ministers, (s) and his labours found great acceptance and success. Mr. Saunders dying, and Mr. Robinson altering his condition, he removed to Findern, in Derbyshire. There he was solemnly ordained to the work of the ministry, Oct. 10, 1688, in conjunction with his much-esteemed friend, Mr. Nathaniel Oldfield. Notwithstanding the discouraging state of the times, he applied to his work with great zeal, and becoming seriousness of spirit. His labours were not confined to his own immediate charge, but extended to other places, and he established several lectures at considerable distances. His learning, piety, and good sense, united with a most obliging behaviour, introduced him to an acquaintance with many worthy persons among the clergy and others, from whom he received such offers of preferment in the national church, as were not to be resisted, except upon a principle of conscience. At Findern, he set up a private grammar-school, in the year 1693, for which he was cited into the bishop's-court; but upon personal application to Dr. Lloyd, the then Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, with whom he was acquainted, he soon obtained relief. The good bishop took this opportunity of entering into an amicable debate with Mr. Robinson, on the subject of nonconformity, which continued till two in the morning; when Mr. Robinson was dismissed with particular marks of favour from that prelate, who afterwards held a correspondence with him in writing. About this time, if not sooner, he became acquainted with that great and excellent man, Mr. John Howe, who discovering his great worth, resolved to embrace the earliest opportunity of bringing him to London. (s) The Rev. Mr. Whitlock, Mr. Barret, Mr. Reynolds, and Mr. Cross. LITTLE ST. HELEN'S.-Presbyterian, Extinct. From Findern, Mr. Robinson was called to Hungerford, in Berkshire. This invitation he accepted upon the recom mendation of Mr. Howe, who meeting him there, conducted his settlement with a solemnity peculiar to himself. He exercised his ministry in that place, with great acceptance, for seven years; and, at the earnest request of some of his brethren, in 1696, set up a private academy. This procured him enemies; and complaint being made to Dr. Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, he was sent for by that excellent prelate, then in his progress, on a visitation, through Hungerford. Mr. Robinson having waited on the bishop, gave him such satisfactory reasons for his nonconformity, and for that undertaking in particular, as laid the foundation of an intimate friendship ever after. As he was well qualified for the work of a tutor, so he laboured in it with great constancy, and was favoured with remarkable success. He had the honour of training up many persons, who proved useful ornaments to the church; and was a skilful guide to many younger ministers, in private conversation, and upon public occasions. Mr. Howe, who, from their first acquaintance, had entertained an uncommon esteem for Mr. Robinson, longed for an opportunity of bringing him to the metropolis. This he at length effected. For in the year 1700, upon the death of Mr. Woodhouse, who had recommended Mr. Robinson to his people, as a fit person to succeed him, he received an unanimous invitation to take the pastoral charge of the congregation in Little St. Helen's, which he accepted. When he removed to London, he was in the prime of life, and his mental powers in full vigour. Besides his stated work, while his strength permitted, he frequently engaged in lectures, and other occasional services; so that there were few pulpits in London, of any note, that were not sometimes favoured with his presence. Upon the death of that worthy minister, Mr. George Hammond, in 1705, he was chosen one of the preachers of the Merchants' Lecture, at Salters' LITTLE ST. HELEN'S.-Presbyterian, Extinct. Hall; and he supplied his turn with great constancy, and encouraging success. In his declining state, when growing infirmities would not admit of constant labour, he has sometimes reserved himself for that pulpit; knowing that at Salters'-Hall he should not only meet with some of his own people, but have an opportunity of preaching to greater numbers, and to a mixed congregation. And it was remarkable with what zeal and fervency he would address so large as well as serious an auditory.* As this eminent man bore a faithful testimony for God by an honourable and useful life, so he was peculiarly favoured in the circumstances of his death. It is a mercy to some, who cannot so well bear a lengthened conflict with the king of terrors, that God takes them to himself by some critical distemper, that soon puts an end to the combat. This tried soldier of Christ had a long and sensible engagement with the last enemy, but his soul was always triumphant. For several months before his last confinement, he had a bad state of health, which frequently disabled him from public service. At this time, those who conversed with him, could not but observe, that the more he was oppressed with bodily indisposition, the more flourishing and vigorous were his Christian graces. When the great subjects of religion were the topics of conversation, the powers of his mind did not seem in the least impaired. His patience and resignation were surprising to all around him; for though he longed to be at rest, he was willing to wait God's time, and humbly submit himself to whatever awaited him. A worthy minister who visited him a few days before he was taken speechless, gives the following account of their conversation. "I found him in a most heavenly frame. The grace that was in him shined forth with wonderful strength and lustre, as it had done all the time of his sick ⚫ Sermon on the Death of the Rev. and learned Mr. Benjamin Robinson, by John Cumming, M. A. p. 51-62. |