The life & death of Mr. Joseph Alleine, late teacher of the church at Taunton, in Somersetshire, assistant to Mr. Newton whereunto are annexed diverse Christian letters of his, full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of Godliness, both in persons and families, and his funeral sermon, preached by Mr. Newton.

Speaking of Exhortations and Reproof, he said, It's the safest course (where it may be done) to take the opportunity, and not to suffer our backward hearts to cheat us of the present, on pretence of staying for a fitter time.

As advice for profitable Discourse, he said, It is good for such Christians as need it, to study before-hand what to speak, that they may alwayes have something in readiness to bring forth for the benefit of others, which will prevent impertinencies.

Of Prayer with others he would say; We have need to watch against confining our Thoughts and Desires to the cases of our own Souls, with the neglect of those that joyn with us; but a∣bove all, with the neglect of the miserable World, and of the Church of Christ. For though indeed Hypocrites use to Indite almost all their publick Prayers from the supposed case of those that are present, and meddle but little with their own sins and wants, unless in formality: Yet sincere Christians are at first too apt to dwell upon their own Cases almost alone, insomuch that they have need to be called outward; and as they grow in Love, they will grow enlarged in the case of their Brethren, but especially of Publick and Universal Conse∣quence.