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virtue, the various branches of it, the means subservient to it, and the sanctions by which its precepts, considered as God's natural law, are enforced: Under which head, the natural evidence of the immortality of the soul was largely examined. To this was added some survey of what is, and generally has been, the state of virtue in the world. From whence the transition was easy to the need of a revelation, the encouragement to hope for it, and the nature of the evidence which might probably attend it. From hence the work naturally proceeded to the evidence produced in proof of that revelation which the Scriptures contain. The genuineness, credibility, and inspiration of these sacred books, were then cleared up at large, and vindicated from the most considerable objections which infidels have urged.

When these foundations were laid, the chief doctrines of Scripture were drawn out into a large detail; those relating to the FATHER, SON, and SPIRIT; to the original and fallen state of man; to the scheme of our redemption by Christ, and the offices of the Spirit, as the great agent in the Redeemer's kingdom. The nature of the covenant of grace was particularly stated; and the several precepts and institutions of the gospel, with the views which it gives us of the concluding scenes of our world, and of the eternal state beyond it. What seemed most evident on these heads, was thrown into the propositions, some of which were problematical; and the chief controversies relating to each were thrown into the scholia, and all illustrated by a very large collection of references; containing, perhaps, one lecture with another, the substance of forty or fifty octavo pages, in which the sentiments and reasonings of the most considerable authors, on all these heads, might be seen in their own words. It was the business of the students to read and contract these references, in the intervals between the lectures, of which only three were given in a week, and sometimes but two. This was the Author's capital work as a tutor; he had spent much labour upon it, and was continually enriching it with his remarks on any new productions upon the several subjects handled in it. This system his pupils transcribed: It is now published, and the world will judge of its value and suitableness to answer the end proposed. Critical lectures on the New Testament were weekly delivered, which the students were permitted and encouraged to transcribe, to lead them to the better knowledge of the divine oracles. These contained his remarks on the language, meaning, and design of the sacred writers, and the interpretations and criticisms of the most considerconsiderable commentators. Many of these he has inserted in the "Family Expositor." In the last year of the course, a set of lectures on preaching and the pastoral care was given: These contained general directions concerning the method to be taken to furnish them for the work of preaching, the characters of the best practical writers and commentators upon the Bible, many particular rules for the composition of sermons, their proper style, the choice and arrangement of thoughts, and the delivery of them; directions relating to public prayer, exposition, catechizing, the administration of the sacraments, and pastoral visits: To these were added many general maxims for their conversation and conduct as ministers, and a variety of prudential rules for their behaviour in particular circumstances and connections, in which they might be placed. While the students were pursuing these important studies, some lectures were given them on civil law; the hieroglyphics and mythology of the ancients; the English history, particularly the history of nonconformity, and the principles on which a separation from the church of England is founded. The tutor principally insisted upon those laid down by Dr. Calamy, in his introduction to the second volume of his defence of moderate nonconformity.

One day in every week was set apart for public exercises; at these times the translations and orations of the junior students were read and examined; those who had entered on the studies of pneumatology and ethics, produced, in their turns, theses on the several subjects assigned them, which were mutually opposed and defended. Those who had finished ethics, delivered homilies (as they were called, to distinguish them from sermons) on the natural and moral perfections of God, and the several branches of moral virtue; while the senior students brought analyses of Scripture, the schemes of sermons, and afterwards the sermons themselves, which they submitted to the examination and correction of their tutor. In this part of his work he was very exact, careful, and friendly, esteeming his remarks on their compositions more useful to young preachers, than any general rules of composition which could be offered them by those who were themselves most eminent in the profession. In this view he furnished them with subordinate thoughts, and proper scriptures for proof or illustration, retrenching what was superfluous, and adding what was wanting. It was his care, through the whole course of their studies, that his pupils might have such a variety of lectures, weekly, as might engage their minds without distracting them. While they were attending and studying lectures of the greatest importance, some of less importance, though useful in themselves, were given in the intervals: these had generally some connection with the former; and all were adapted to make the man of GOD perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. He contrived that they should have as much to read between each lecture as might keep them well employed, allowing due time for necessary relaxations, and the reading practical writers: he recommended it to them, and strongly insisted upon it, that they should converse with some of these daily, especially on the Lord's Day, in order to subserve, at once, the improvement of the Christian and the minister: And he frequently reminded them, that it argued a great defect of understanding, as well as of real piety, if they were negligent herein. He often examined what books they read, besides those to which they were referred in their lectures, and directed them to those which were best suited to their age, capacities, and intended profession; and in this respect they enjoyed a great privilege, as they had the use of a large and valuable library, consisting of several thousands of volumes: many of them the Doctor had purchased himself, others were the donations of his friends, or their several authors; and each student, at his admission, contributed a small sum towards enlarging the collection; the student's name was inserted in the book or books purchased with his contribution, and it was considered as his gift.

To this library the students had access at all times, under some prudent regulations as to the time of keeping the books. The tutor was sensible, that a well-furnished library would be a snare rather than a benefit to a student, except he had the advice of a more experienced friend in the choice of those he should read: as he might throw away his time on those which were of little importance, or anticipate the perusal of others which might more properly be reserved to some future time. To prevent this, he sometimes gave his pupils lectures on the books in the library, going over the several shelves in order, informing them of the character of each book and its author, if known; at what period of their course, and with what special views particular books should be read, and which of them it was desirable they should be most familiarly acquainted and furnished with, when they settled in the world. His pupils took hints of these lectures, which at once displayed the extent of his reading and knowledge, and

and were in many respects very useful to them. The Doctor's manner of lecturing was well adapted to engage the attention and love of his pupils, and promote their diligent study of the lectures. When the class assembled, he examined them in the last lecture, whether they understood his reasoning; what the authors referred to said on the subject; whether he had given them a just view of their sentiments, arguments, and objections; or omitting any that were important. He expected from them an account of the reasoning, demonstrations, Scriptures or facts, contained in the lecture and references.

He allowed and encouraged them to propose any objec tions which might arise in their own minds, or which they met with in the authors referred to, of which they did not think there was a sufficient solution in the lecture; or to mention any texts that were misapplied, or from which particular consequences might not be fairly drawn, and to propose others, which either confirmed or contradicted what he had advanced; and, if at any time their objections were petulant or impertinent, he patiently heard, and mildly answered them. He was solicitous that they should thoroughly understand his lectures, and what he said for the illustration of them: If he observed any of them inattentive, or thought they did not sufficiently understand what he was saying, he would ask them what he had said, that he might keep up their attention, and know whether he expressed himself clearly; he put on no magisterial airs, never intimidated nor discouraged them, but always addressed them with the freedom and tenderness of a father: He never expected nor desired that they should blindly follow his sentiments, but permitted and en- couraged them to judge for themselves. To assist them herein, he laid before them what he apprehended to be the truth, with all perspicuity, and impartially stated all objections to it; he never concealed the difficulties which affected any question, but referred them to writers on both sides, without hiding any from their inspection. He frequently and warmly urged them not to take their system of divinity from any man, or body of men, but from the word of God. The Bible was always referred and appealed to upon every point in question, to which it could be supposed to give any light. Considering him as an author, in which character he is in much reputation; he was not fond of controversy, and was determined, if he could possibly avoid it, never to engage in any of those disputes which have been, and still are, agitated among protestants.

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protestants. He had often seen and lamented this as the event of many a voluminous controversy, that men, of contrary parties, sat down more attached to their own opinions than they were at the beginning, and much more estranged in their affections: He left, therefore, this work to others.

The first piece he published (except some papers in the Present State of the Republic of Letters') can scarcely be called controversial, though it was an answer to another. This was entitled, "Free Thoughts on the most probable Means of reviving the Dissenting Interest: Occasioned by the late Inquiry into the Causes of its Decay: Addressed to the author of that Inquiry, 1730." He treats the author with great civility, and, instead of criticising upon his performance, offers some remarks which may be of general use; and they deserve the regard of all ministers. He points out the principal reasons why many learned and good men are so unpopular and unsuccessful; and hath shewn great knowledge of human nature, and what careful observations he hath made on the dispositions of mankind. This tract is little known, especially by the ministers of the established church; but at its first publication it met with a favourable reception among persons of different parties and sentiments; and it deserves to be read as a model of a candid, polite manner of remarking upon another author's writings and opinions. The only proper controversy that he was ever engaged in, was with the author of a treatise, entitled, Christianity not founded on Argument,' &c. published in the year 1742, to whom he wrote Three Letters, which were published soon after one another, in 1743. The author of this treatise, under the form of a most orthodox and zealous Christian, pretends to cry up the immediate testimony of the Spirit, and asserts its absolute necessity in order to the belief of the gospel, while at the same time he endeavours to expose all kind of rational evidence by which it could be supported, and advances several very cunning insinuations against the truth of it, in the most pernicious view. Dr. Doddridge, therefore, chose to publish some remarks upon it, not only to defend Christianity in general, but to explain and support some important truths of it, particularly the agency of the divine Spirit, which some had denied, because others had misrepresented. He thought this treatise affected the foundation of natural as well as re

vealed religion, and that the ludicrous turns given to Scriptures in it, and the air of burlesque and irony which

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