with arguments, excellent thoughts, liberal views of the christian doctrines, and just discrimination of the contested points. His polemical pieces gave him a high reputation abroad, as well as in New England. The Whitefieldian controversy employed the pens of several divines, some of whom exposed his vanity and enthusiasm, which he had enough of when he was a young man, as he afterwards confessed; none wrote in such an engaging and interesting manner as professor Wigglesworth. He wrote in an animated and nervous style, and mingled the glow of resentment with a delicate, satirical mode of reproving a man who had endeavoured to blast the reputation of an institution, which he knew nothing about. Dr. Wigglesworth wrote his answer to Mr. Whitefield's reply to the college testimony, in 1745. In 1754, he preached two lectures upon the distinguishing characters of the ordinary and extraordinary ministers of Christ." sioned by Mr. Whitefield's preaching at Cambridge, and were printed at the request of the students.

66

These were occa

The latter years of Dr. Wigglesworth's life were years of infirmity and pain. He was patient and submissive, an example to those who highly estimated his character. He died, January 19, 1765, in the 73d year of his age.

WIGGLESWORTH EDWARD, D. D. son of the first Hollis professor of divinity, was graduated at Harvard College, 1749; was tutor when his father died, and chosen to succeed him in the professorship. He was a learned man, and very much attached to the interests of the college. Upon the death of Dr. Winthrop, in 1779, he was elected fellow of the corporation. When the society in Scotland for propagating the gospel among the Indians

* Other printed works of Dr. W. are, lectures upon the punish ment of the wicked; on the imputation of Adam's guilt; upon reprobation; inspiration of the O. T. trial of the spirits; Dudleian lecture, upon the infallibility of the church of Rome; also a sermon on the death of president Wadsworth.

in North America, established a corresponding board in Boston, he was chosen secretary. He received a diploma of doctor of divinity from the university of Harvard in the year 1786.

Dr. Wigglesworth was one of the original members of the American academy of arts and sciences. Being unable to attend his professional duties by reason of paralytical affections, which greatly debilitated his mind and body, he resigned his professorship in 1791. But the legislature of the college continued him as professor emeritus till his death, in 1794.

two ser

He published, in the year 1775, "calculations on American population, with a table for estimating the annual increase," &c. He printed two mons, one "upon the death of Dr. Winthrop;" the other was the Dudleian lecture" against the errors of the church of Rome," 1786.

WILLARD SAMUEL, pastor of the Old South church in Boston, and vice president of Harvard College, was one of the most celebrated divines of Massachusetts. His descent was honourable. His father was a member of the council, and at the head of the militia. He sent his son to Harvard College, that he might receive a liberal education. His genius was uncommon, and he made such progress in his studies, as gave lively hopes of future useful

In 1654, major Simon Willard commanded the army sent against the Narragansetts. The commissioners of the united colonies agreed to raise 270 foot and 40 horse. The Indians, with Ninigret their sachem, retired into a swamp. Willard did not think it prudent to attack them in that situation, and the forçes returned with no other success, than taking a few Pequods who had been with the other Indians after the destruction of their tribe. The commissioners were displeased with this retreat, and charged Willard with neglecting an opportunity of humbling the pride of Ninigret, which had always been insufferable, and would now be increased. Hutchinson observes, that major Willard, being a Massachusetts man, might comply with the views of the colony. They were averse from a war with the Indians, or Dutch. It was the second time of their preventing an open war, contrary to the minds of six commissioners. The court acted

with more policy, than honour and justice.

ness. He was settled in the first place at Groton, an obscure situation for a man of such great abili ties, who was not only a profound scholar, but an eloquent speaker, possessing every qualification necessary to give a great man a splendid reputation. The place where he dwelt being destroyed by the Indians, and the flock of which he was pastor scattered in the wilderness, he was invited to fix his station in the metropolis, where he became a great blessing to the churches, and of eminent service to the college. "The providence that occasioned his removal to this place," says his eulogist, "was an awful judgment upon the whole land; yet was eventually a mercy in this respect, that it made way for the translation of this bright star to a more conspicuous orb, where his influence was more extensive and beneficial; and in this it was a great blessing to this congregation, to this town, and to all New England. His common sermons might have been pronounced with applause, before an assembly of the greatest divines. But as a writer he has been more known to the succeeding generations. He was fond of publishing his works, and was called upon on all great occasions to deliver his sentiments from the pulpit. No divine, except Dr. Cotton Mather, in this country prepared more works for the press; and they were all calculated to do honour to the author, and edify pious people. He died in the 68th year of his age, Sept. 12, 1707, having been minister of the third church in Boston from April 10, 1678.†

Pemberton's discourses, page 137.

His works are numerous. In 1673, he published three ser. mons, containing useful instruction for a professing people; the artillery election sermon, 1676; a funeral sermon on gov. Leverett, 1679; animadversions upon the Baptists, 1681. From this time to 1690, about 20 sermons, or tracts. In 1682, miscellane. ous observations on witchcraft, in a dialogue between S. and B. ; in 1693, the covenant of redemption, and rules for discerning the times; in 1694, the election sermon; and artillery election sermon in 1699. The same year, a course of sermons upon spiritual devotions; in 1700, a volume of sermons on the blessed man,

WILLARD JOSIAH, secretary of the province of Massachusetts bay, son of that famous divine, Mr. Samuel Willard, was born in Boston. He was graduated at Harvard College, 1698. The next year he was chosen tutor, and continued in that office till he entered on his travels. Having visited several parts of the West Indies, and Europe, he returned to his own country, improved in mind and manners. His piety gave a lustre to his moral character, and he appeared with the dig. nity, grace and politeness of the gentleman in his private walk, and in every publick station. In 1717 he was appointed secretary of the province; in 1731, judge of probate; in 1734 he was elected one of his majesty's council. He resigned most of his publick offices as he grew into the vale of years; but continued to do his duty as secretary till his death. He departed this life, Dec. 6, 1756, in the 76th year of his age. Dr. Sewall, and Mr. Prince, each printed a funeral sermon upon the occasion, in which his character is fully delineated. These gentlemen were intimately acquainted with him; Mr. Prince had been his pupil.

WILLIAMS ROGER, minister of the gospel, and governour of the Providence plantations, was born in Wales, and educated at the university of Oxford. He was a minister of the church of England before he came to Boston, but disliking the form and ernment of the episcopal church, he left his native gov. country, and came into this American wilderness. Here he expected to enjoy liberty of thinking, and and a number of single sermons on particular texts of scripture, for particular occasions; in 1701, a number of sermons upon Satan's temptations; two upon brotherly love, &c.; in 1703, a brief reply to George Keith; in 1704, a sermon, Romans viii. 31; in 1706, the just man's prerogative, a sermon, Prov. xii, 21.

His posthumous works are, a thanksgiving sermon upon the return of a young gentleman from his travels, 1709; sacramen. tal meditations, a volume, 1711; in 1726, the body of divinity, being 250 lectures upon the assembly's shorter catechism, which is a very complete view of the doctrine of the New England churches.

acting, without any peculiar restraint from the civil power. He was then a young man, singular in his notions, and fond of manifesting his singularities. He arrived at Boston, Feb, 1631, and from this place went to Plymouth, where he resided two years, and spake freely his sentiments upon religion, without offending the brethren of that church. He was peculiarly gifted as a preacher, and was willing that they should speak at publick and private meetings; hence they were always attached to him, and were ready to help him in the time of his greatest necessities. He was not willing to settle with the church at Plymouth, but went to Salem, while Mr. Skelton was living, in whose pulpit he prophecied, according to the language of the times, when a man preached who had not been inducted into the office of pastor or teacher. The church of Salem invited him to be their pastor when Mr. Skelton died. This gave offence to the government of the colony. It was the opinion of the ministers of the bay, that if Mr. W. was allowed to propagate his opinions, the churches might run into heresy and apostacy, and the people defy the civil magistrate. The church of Salem was censured, as well as their teacher. When the court met, he was ordered to appear before them. He was charged with writing two letters. One to the churches, complaining of the magistrates for injustice and extreme oppression, &c. the other to his own church, persuading them to renounce communion with all the churches in the bay, because they were filled with antichristian pollution, &c. He justified these letters, maintained his opinions, and offered to defend them in a publick dispute. Mr. Hooker was chosen to confer with him, but could not convince him of his errors. He was ordered to depart from the jurisdiction in six weeks. The church at Salem acknowledged their fault in joining their voice with Mr. W. in the letter he sent to the churches. The banishment of Mr. W. was in 1635. He went to Secunke, now called Rehoboth.