Behmenists or Sir Henry Vane; some- I know not if they came to your hands, Sir, "Your true friend and servant, "Windsor Castle, "December 14, 1658. "I wish I knew any were fit to translate your books; I am sure they would take hugely abroad, and I think it were not amiss to begin with the Call to the Unconverted. "Some books I have got out of Holland, most of Amyrault his works; among the rest a smart piece in French, of Church Government against the Independents. I have also got the Mystery of Jesuitism in Latin, trans lated by the approbation of the author, (who wrote it most eloquently in French, under the title of Lewes Montalte his Provincial Letters). This Latin copy is much longer than the French or English; with replies to the Jesuits' pitiful answers: it is done by an able divine, a Papist, and printed at Collen. If you have a mind to see it, I shall send it to you. "For Mr. Richard Baxter, "Minister of the Gospel "At Kiderminster." LETTER VII. "Reverend and much-honoured Sir, time, I shall go on as speedily as I clesiastic histories, viz. the Indians. Sir, "Your truly affectionate friend and Armenia. As for apparitions and pos servant, sessions, (besides the books which you "LAUDERDAILL. "Windsor Castle, "10th January, 1658-9. "For "Mr. Richard Baxter LETTER VIII. "Reverend and much-honoured Sir, "Yours of the 13th January was long by the way, for I had it not till Saturday last, 22d, so late that I could do nothing till Monday. Here is as full an account as I can give you concerning your three questions. I have transcribed his words, and must give you the testimonies in English, be cause Blondel puts them in French, and not in the language of the authors. I must again beg your pardon for its English, which I do willingly, that I may express my author's meaning, and to you intelligibly (though not to an unlearned reader). As for example, dotes for gifts, grade for degree, Sacerdoce, Eloge; for the first three are no more French than they are English, and seeing Blondel makes French of those three Latin words, I may to you make them English. Neither would I alter his word numerosity. In the first question I hope you will be satisfied; as for the other two I am sorry Blondel is not pleased to In the second, prove what he says. I conceive he takes it for granted that the Pope could not pretend to more than a primacy in the Roman empire, for he proves that Scripture And the councils gives him none. consisted only of the Roman empire; so if it be proved that the countries were Christian which were never parts of that empire, it is all that is necessary. One of the people mentioned may be clearly proved by all the ec As faction I shall write them to you when ment, I shall endeavour to satisfy you. "26th January. "I am advanced in Blondel 300 and some others, to have happened in pages more. June and July 1612. But it looks like a Popish forgery, for the spirit's actions and discourses tend wholly to confirm the Popish purgatory, messes and such trash, and it is alleged to have been seen only by three wenches; so it might shame the Papist, but would rather harden than convert an Atheistical Sadducee. If you know any will employ their time about it, I shall most willingly send them the books; but I hope you will not desire me to take such a task. And, indeed, I may justly be ashamed to have been so slow in a much better work; but I hope you have goodness enough to forgive me, when I have told you that "Sir, "Your real friend and servant, "For "Mr. Richard Baxter. LETTER IX. "Sir, have been often desired to make my applications thither, because my case is most extraordinary. But the same reasons which you suggest do hinder me, and the greater public affairs obstruct my making any applications, except to the throne of grace for patience, submission and a sanctified use of all the Lord's dispensations. To his rich grace I recommend you and your labours. I need not again repeat that I am by very many obligations, I could not well help it, having had these six weeks so many unavoidable avocations and interruptions. After I had written my last to you, I intended great diligence till I had finished it, But I was much discouraged by find ing nothing to your purpose in that long debate concerning the Primates of Africk (where I did please myself with expecting so much for you). That dispute is wholly spent in the examination what was the reason of primacy in Africk. And since that time, (though I have no business,) yet I could not promise myself one whole day to this work. But I had determined to begin again this week, when your self hath interrupted me, for having received your two books on Saturday at night, I can do nothing till I have read them. And, besides, your Key for Catholics being now abroad, I conceive you are in no such haste. Al ways after I have read these two books of yours, I shall go about finishing Blondel. But because I do not exactly remember how much of my notes out of Blondel I have transcribed and sent you, be pleased to write me word if the 26th observation, referring to page 453, was not the last which I sent to you (excepting what I wrote the 26th January, in answer to some queries of yours of the 13th January). This you may please to answer at your convenience. "c Now give me leave to return you hearty thanks for your two books; but I was much surprised to see you take notice of me in print, and with a character which I can no way pretend to be due to nie: it is a great temp tation to pride to be commended by such a man as you are, but I hope the knowledge I have of how little I deserve, the reflection on your not knowing me, and on your charitable disposition, shall preserve me from being lifted up by such a favour. Something else occurred to me upon my first view of both your books, which is not fit to be written, but if ever I have the happiness to see you, I will take the freedom to speak with you of it. I have read more than the half of your Key: it is like yourself, I need say no more, and I trust in God it shall be of great use to his church. "I must also return you my thanks for your recommending my business to some members of the House. I "Much-honoured Sir, "Your real and most affectionate "Friend and servant, "LAUDERDAILL. "Windsor Castle, "I doubt not but you will be wary in your dispute with those Papists you inention, for they use to make very unhandsome relations of such business. "Here is a young man belonging to a good friend of mine, he was bred a Protestant, but ill-company, and the diligence of some juggling priests, have put Popish notions into his head. He is melancholy and reserved, no scholar, and so worse to deal with. My friend hearing from me that you was engaged in a dispute, would have sent him to you, but I diverted it, thinking the dispute would be over. Be pleased to let me know if you are to dispute any more, for it may be such a dispute might do the young man good." noured friend, "Mr. Richard Baxter, "Minister of the Gospel at "Kiderminster." [The reader of these letters may be interested in being informed that when Lauderdale became a great man, and indeed the ruler of Scotland, he offered Baxter what place in that country he would choose, either a church, or a college in a university, or a bishopric. Baxter honestly and sagaciously declined the offer, as appears by a letter of his, dated June 24, 1670. Shortly after, Lauderdale, on one of his jour neys to Scotland, sent for Baxter at Barnet, where Baxter gave him the same answer as in his letter. "When Lauderdale got to Scotland, (says Baxter, thus tenderly describing the most savage persecution and the most wanton tyranny,) such acts against Conventicles were presently made, as are very well worthy the reader's seri ous perusal who would know the true complection of this age."-Reliq. Baxter. Part III. p. 75.] Remarks on the second Edition of the Sermons of the late Rev. Hugh Worthington. June 2, 1823. Some to the fascination of a name Surrender judgment, hoodwink'd. COWPER. I from any invidious wish to depreciate the character of the late Rev. Hugh Worthington, as a Christian preacher. His memory will be ever honoured by me, for his personal worth, and for the pre-eminent useful ness of his services in the pulpit. In common with many individuals, I am grateful to the editor of these discourses, for giving them to the public. It is not merely to the warm admirers of Mr. W., but to the world in general, that they are a most welcome and beneficial present. The habit of attentive observation and clear recollection, as the effect of which they appear in this form, claims a high degree of praise. In the Sermons themselves I perceive every mark of genuineness. They abound in the peculiarities, in the excellencies and blemishes, of the writer. The excellencies, however, considerably prevail, and scarcely permit us to think on the alloy. Mr. Hugh Worthington was among the most deservedly popular preachers of his age and country. His style, like his delivery, was singularly impressive. What Dr. Bates said of Baxter's Works, is applicable to these discourses: "there is a vigorous pulse in them, which keeps the reader awake." It is probable, that this posthumous volume, which, because it is posthu mous, comes forth at once with advantages and disadvantages, will fall into many hands, and pass through at least a third edition. * In every place and, perhaps, most of all in the metropolis-favourite preachers have a considerable sway over the opinions and the feelings of one description of their hearers. Their very name possesses a fascination, which, against their own wishes, will frequently produce the effect represented by the poet, and secure implicit acquiescence. It would be too much to say, that Mr. Worthington was destitute of this ascendancy over a certain class of persons, while he lived: and it may well be apprehended, that, even now, some of his recorded sentiments and expressions may unduly bias those who were indiscriminately partial to him as a religious teacher. becoming deference and candour, point out a few passages, which I conceive to be erroneous in respect of accuracy of recollection, precision of statement or allusion, justness of taste, propriety of language, and correctness of theological reasoning and scriptural interpretation. The following passage is extracted from the discourse on Religious Prejudices: Pp. 14, 15. "I once heard a sermon on the subject of prejudice, from a man I am proud to call my friend, the late Dr. Price. It was delivered in this house; and the impression it made upon my mind will cease but with life. Prejudice,' said this truly excellent man, may be compared to a misty morning in October; a man goes forth to an eminence, and he sees, at the summit of a neighbouring hill, a figure appa rently of gigantic stature, for such the imperfect medium through which he is viewed would make him appear; he goes forward a few steps, and the figure advances towards him; his size lessens as they approach; they draw still nearer,-and the extraordinary appearance is gradually, but sensibly diminishing; at last they meet ;-and, perhaps,' said Dr. Price, the man I had taken for a monster, proves to be my own brother. Never was prejudice more forcibly delineated." Let individuals, familiarly conversant with the respective styles of Dr. Price and Mr. Hugh Worthington, determine, from which of those justly celebrated preachers this language Fun, Serm. for Mr. Baxter, (2d ed.,) proceeded. I would not speak with excessive confidence in a case where p. 112. |