The sentiments of another cotemporary we have in the following tract:

When he did catechise in public, before he was silenced, his manner was to begin with prayer for a blessing upon that exercise. And having proposed some questions out of the Catechism to them, he was careful, not only to make them perfect in rehearsing the answers there set down, but also to ring them to a clear understanding of the sense and meaning of the answers, and of all the terms and phrases in which they are expressed; and to draw some practical, useful inferences from those heads of divinity contained in them.

In the evening of the Lord’s-day, his course was to repeat his sermon again, in the public place of worship, where abundance of people constantly resorted to hear him; which when he had done, several youths were called forth, who gave him an account of the heads of all his sermon by memory.

As for his method in going from house to house, for the instructing of private families, it was this: - He would give them notice of his coming the day before, desiring that he might have admittance to their houses, to converse with them about their soul’s concerns; and that they would have their whole family together when he came. When he did come, and the family were called together, he would instruct the younger part in the principles of religion, by asking several questions in the Cathechism; the answers to which he would explain to them. Also he would inquire of them about their spiritual state and condition, labouring to make them sensible of the evil and danger of sin, the corruption and wickedness of our natures, the misery of an unconverted state; stirring them up to look after the true remedy proposed in the gospel, to turn from all their sins unto God, to close with Christ upon his own terms; to follow after holiness, to watch over their hearts and lives, to mortify their lusts, to redeem their time, to prepare for eternity. These things, as he would explain to their understandings, that they might have clear apprehensions about them, so he would press the practice of them upon their consciences, with the most cogent arguments and considerations, reminding them of the great privileges they enjoyed, the many gospel-sermons that they did or might hear, the many talents they were intrusted with, and the great account that they had to give to the God of heaven; telling them how sad it would be with them another day, if after all this they should come sort of salvation. Besides, he would leave with them several counsels and directions to be carefully remembered and practised for the good of their souls. Those that were serious and religious, he would labour to help forward in holiness, by answering their doubts, resolving their cases, encouraging them under their difficulties. And before he did go from any family, he would deal with the heads of that family, and such others as wee grown to years of discretion, singly and apart, that so he might, as much as possibly he could, come to know the condition of each particular person in his flock, and address himself in his discourse as might be suitable to every one of them. If he perceived that they did live in the neglect of family duties, he would exhort and press them to set up the worship of God in their families, as reading, and prayer; and directing them how to set about it, and to take time for secret duties too. Such as were masters of families, he would earnestly persuade and desire, as they regarded the honour of Christ, and the welfare of their children and servants’ souls, to let them have some time every day for such private duties, and to encourage them in the performance of them: neither would he leave them before he had a promise of them so to do. Sometimes also he would himself go to prayer before his departure. This was his method in general; although with such necessary variations in his particular visits, as the various states and conditions of the several families required. If the family where be came were ignorant, he would insist the longer in instructing and catechising; if loose, in reproving and convincing; if godly, in encouraging and directing.

He used to spend five afternoons every week in such exercises, from one or two o’clock, until seven in the evening. In which space of time he would visit sometimes three or four families in an afternoon, and sometimes more, according as they were greater or less. This course he would take throughout the town; and when he ad gone through, he would presently begin again, that he might visit every family as often as he could. He did often bless God for the great success that he had in these exercises, saying, that God had made him as instrumental of good to souls in this way, as by his public preaching, if not more. When the ministers of this county of Somerset, at one of their Associations, which heretofore they held, were debating whether and how far it were incumbent upon them to set up private family instruction in their particular charges, Mr. Alleine was the man that they pitched upon to draw up the reasons for that practice, together with a method for the more profitable managing of it.^*

There is one thing more, in which his self-denial and other graces were very exemplary; namely, his faithfulness in reproving the inconsistent and false conduct of professors, sparing none, whether high or low, whether ministers or private Christians; yea, although they had been never so dear in his affections, and never so obliging in their behaviour to him, yet if he found in them any thing that was reprovable, and blame-worthy, he would deal with them faithfully and plainly about it, whatever the issue and event might be.

One time when he was going about such a work, he told a Christian friend, with whom he was very intimate and familiar, "Well," says he, "I am going about that which is like to make a very dear and obliging friend to become an enemy. But however, it cannot be omitted; it is better to lose man’s favour than God’s." but God was pleased then, as well as many other times besides, when he went about business of this nature, to order things for him better than he could have expected, and so to dispose of the heart of the person with whom he had to deal, that he was so far from becoming his enemy for his conscientious faithfulness to him, that he loved him the better ever after, as long as he lived.

He was a man of a very calm and peaceable spirit, on e that loathed all tumultuous proceedings; he was far from having any other design in his preaching than the advancement of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, by the conversion and salvation of souls. This was the mark that he had in his eye; this was that for which he laboured, and ventured, and suffered, and for which he thought he could never lay out himself enough.

Though he were but a young man, yet in his carriage he was exceeding serious and grave, and withal very humble, courteous, and affable, condescending to discourse with the poorest and meanest persons, for their spiritual good, as soon as with the greatest and richest.

And indeed so unblameable and convincing was he in the whole of his conversations, that thee were very few religious and sober persons that knew him, either in town or country, either ministers or people, yea, though some of them differed in judgment from him, but did highly approve of him. And for his brethren in the ministry here in these parts, such was his holy and discreet deportment amongst them, that he had as great an influence upon them, as few others had the like.

He was full of holy projects, often bethinking himself by what ways and means he might more effectually promote the honour of Christ, and the benefit of souls; and whatsoever he apprehended to be conducing to these highest ends, he would prosecute with that wisdom and vigour, that he seldom failed of bringing it to a comfortable and successful issue.

Of which projects, this is one which I shall here insert. Having considered how much the conscientious and frequent performance of the duty of self-examination might tend to the bringing down of sin and furtherance of holiness, both in heart and life, he did earnestly press the said duty on his bearers in his preaching, directing them in the performance; and not only so, but dealt with them also in private about it, and got a promise from the most of them, that they would every night, before they did take their rest, set about this duty; and spend some time in secret, on purpose to call themselves to an account, how they had carried it that day, by proposing several questions to their own hearts, which questions he had referred to several heads, and drawn up for them in writing.

And not a few of them acknowledged, that they have cause to bless God, who stirred him up to put them upon this practice, which they have found very helpful to them in their daily Christian walk.