In the Year 1753 the Doctor published. Reflections on the late Lord Bolingbroke's Letters on the Study and Ufe of History, especially fo far as they relate to Chriftianity and the Holy Scriptures †.

Thus did this good Man most laboriously exert himself in the Defence of our holy Religion. And being more and more fully perfuaded of the Truth and divine Original, as well as of the great Excellence and Importance of Christianity to the Virtue and Happiness of Mankind, he published Answers to the feveral Authors, who with great Art and Industry endeavoured to undermine it, and expofe it as an Imposture. And his Anfwers are very highly and generally esteemed as among the beft Defences of Chriftianity. He was indeed a Master in this Controverfy; and his Hiftory of it, ftiled, A View of the Deiftical Writers, that have appeared in England in the laft and prefent Century; with Obfervations upon them, and fome Account of the Anfwers which have been published against them; as we are well affured it has been exceedingly useful, fo it will do lafting Honour to his Name with all who have the Intereft of Religion truly at Heart. The third Edition of it, improved, was published in two large Volumes 8vo, closely printed, in the Year 1757. In the Conclufion of the Preface he says, "It gives me fome † Vol. II. p. 265, &c.

"Concern,

"Concern, that this Work is become fo "much larger than was at firft intended, " which I am afraid will prove a Disad

vantage to it, and disgust or discourage "fome Readers. But I hope favourable "Allowances will be made, confidering "the Extent of the Design, and the Variety "of Matters here treated of. I believe it "will appear, that there are few Objec"tions which have been advanced in this "Controverfy, but what are taken Notice "of in the following Work, and either "fufficiently obviated, or References are "made to Books, where fuller Anfwers "are to be found. May God in his holy "Providence follow what is now published "with his Bleffing, that it may prove of "real Service to the important Interests of "Religion among us; to promote which,

66

as far as my Ability reaches, I fhall ever "account the greateft Happiness of my "Life. And it fhould be the Matter of "our earnest Prayers to God, that all those "who value themselves upon the honour"able Name and Privileges of Chriftians,

may join in united Efforts to fupport "fo glorious a Caufe, in which the Pre"fervation and Advancement of true Religion and Virtue, the Peace and good "Order of Society, and the present and "eternal Happiness of Individuals is fo "nearly concerned."

Nor did he undergo this extraordinary
Labour

Labour only in the Prime and Vigor of Life. His Zeal in the Cause of Religion did not permit him to take Rest even when advanced to old Age. When he was past feventy he was feized with a violent Fever, from which none expected his Recovery. Though he was thoroughly refigned to the Will of Heaven, yet he was not only fatisfied but pleased to have Life a little prolonged, that he might put his finishing Hand to a Work, which had coft him far more Labour and Pains than any of his former Writings, and which he hoped would be of Service to the World, as he intended it to be the last in which he would engage. The Work foon after appeared to the World in two Volumes 4to, under the Title of The Advantage and Neceffity of the Chriftian Revelation, fhewn from the State of Religion in the ancient Heathen World, efpecially with respect to the Knowledge and Worship of the one true God; a Rule of moral Duty; and a State of future Rewards and Punishments: to which is prefixed, a long preliminary Difcourfe on natural and revealed Religion. This indeed is an amazing Work confidering his Age and Infirmities, as he had Recourse to all that great Variety of Books, and generally in the Original, which are referred to in it. Nor did the Reception it met with in the World disappoint his Expectation. It has been lately reprinted in two large Volumes 8vo.

5

After

After what has been faid, it need scarcely be mentioned, that his many eminent Writings, and unwearied Labours to serve the Christian Caufe, in an Age fo prone to Infidelity and Licentioufnefs, and profecuted often in ill Health, and, at beft, in a very infirm State of Body, procured him a great Name in the learned World, and uncommon Marks of Generofity and Respect from Perfons in the highest Rank, in the eftablished Church, both here and in England.

Two of the Universities in Scotland alfo prefented him with Teftimonies of their great Regard to his Merit, on account of his great Abilities, and useful Services to the Chriftian World: Glasgow with his Degree of Mafter of Arts, which was preparatory, according to the Rules of that College, to their conferring on him the Degree of Doctor of Divinity: which, in the mean Time, was fent to him in the most respectful Manner by the University and King's College of Aberdeen, in the Year 1739.

But it was not only his great Learning, Abilities as a Writer, or his Miniftrations ás a Christian Paftor, which attract our high Efteem and warm Affection. These were accompanied by an amiable Temper, and a most exemplary Life. His natural Powers muft appear, from what hath been already faid, to be very good. He had a quick

3

Appre

Apprehenfion, Vivacity of Thought, a solid Judgment, and a Memory that was really amazing; fo that he was often called a walking Library. But his moral Character was truly lovely. As he entertained the nobleft Sentiments of the Deity and his Perfections, his Providence and moral Administration, so his Piety and Devotion was liberal, rational, and manly, free from Superstition and Enthusiasm. A Zeal to promote the Glory of God, and his Kingdom of Truth and Righteousness in the World, feemed to be the governing Principle of his Life. He walked with God, and had pleafing Communion with him in facred Meditation, and the Exercise of Prayer and Praise. And he enjoyed with fuch Relish that Delight, which is to be found in Fellowship with God, that he could from his own Feelings teftify, that the Ways of religious Wisdom are Ways of Pleasantnefs, and that the perishing Pleasures of Sense are not worthy to be compared to the pure and noble Joys of Religion and Virtue.

His Acquiefcence in and Refignation to the Will of his heavenly Father, was exercised by many fevere Trials and Afflictions, which he bore with an unrepining Submiffion, and truly Chriftian Patience and Fortitude. When he had an Account brought him of the Failure of fome Perfons, in whofe Hands the greatest Part of what Money he had was placed, he made [Vol. I.] fuch