iniquitous bubble of the day! He was a solid impressive preacher, a judicious and weighty writer, pleading ably the truth and excellence of Christianity. He wrote a masterly vindication of revealed religion, which was noticed by the prelates of the established church. His Four Volumes of Sermons, as well as his Paraphrase on the Galatians, Ephesians, and Thessalonians, published after his death, are worthy of his reputation; besides many pamphlets in his lifetime on the politics and literature of the times. He was an ornament of the dissenting denomination.

80.

NATHANIEL LARDNER, D.D.

DIED 1768.

A BRANCH of moderation towards such as differ from us, is mildness and gentleness in all debates and arguments for the truth of our religion: which we find recommended in the writings of Christ's Apostles. Says St., Peter: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. That direction seems to be addressed to Christians in general. St. Paul, speaking more especially of those who were in the ministerial office, says: And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness in

structing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth. Whether it be any just ground of offence, that others differ from us or not; yet men are apt too often to take it amiss, that others differ from them, and yield not to the force of those arguments which convince and satisfy themselves. It is, therefore, a branch of mildness, and very laudable, to bear patiently with those who differ from us in point of religion, and calmly to propose our best arguments, and be willing to renew those methods of conviction, which hitherto have been ineffectual.

Christians have the most forcible arguments and inducements, and the best assistances of any men, for the practice of moderation, mildness, and equity. Forasmuch as they have had experience of the mercies of God and Christ Jesus in forgiving them, and showing towards them great mildness, tenderness, and equity. They have also been taught to love one another, and all men, so as no other men have been taught, and the principles of love will mightily dispose to mildness and gentleness, for love suffereth long and is kind; is not easily provoked, is not puffed up; it beareth all things; believeth all things; hopeth all things; moreover, they know and expect the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his work. We may reasonably conclude, that mildness, or moderation, or equity among Christians, will be to the honour of their religion, otherwise certainly the apostle had not di

rected Christians to let their moderation be known to all men. Some might possibly be apt to think, that rigour, harshness, and severity, might be more useful than moderation and mildness. But since mildness towards men is not an approbation of any thing that is wrong, and men may be differently treated according to their different conduct, moderation, or mildness, will not be hurtful but advantageous.

And, indeed, we may be assured, that moderation or mildness is a great virtue; it being often commanded and enforced, under many other words, in the writings of the apostles. For the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and meekness. And St. James says, The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Sermon on Christian Moderation.

NATHANIEL LARDNER was born, 1684, at Hawkhurst, Kent. He was educated under Dr. Oldfield; then went to Utrecht, and finished at Leyden. On his return, he became private tutor to the son of Lady Treby-travelled with him on the continent, but his pupil afterwards soon died; he, however, continued in her Ladyship's family till her decease. Being excessively deaf, he was never popular as a preacher; but at length became lecturer at Salters' Hall on The Evidences of Christianity. in 1727, published the first volume of his Credibility of the Gospel History, which was not finished till

He,

many years afterwards. His Supplement obtained at place in Bishop Watson's Theological Tracts. Dr. Kippis, with an admirable Memoir, published his works in ELEVEN large octavo volumes,―a durable monument of the author's talents, learning, and piety! The first six comprise his Credibility; the seventh, eighth, and ninth his Jewish and Heathen Testimonies; the tenth his Sermons; and the last his Tracts. He died at an advanced age at Hawkhurst, the place of his nativity. A posthumous work, on the Testimony of Heretics, was printed by the Rev. Mr. Hogg of Exeter. His unpopularity as a preacher has been mentioned. He succeeded Dr. Harris at Crutched Friars; but it was not till the forty-fifth year of his age that he obtained this settlement. The name of LARDNER stands high amongst Dissenters, and with the established church. Even Gibbon compliments his candour, diligence, and accuracy. Priestly calls him the prince of modern divines! A monument is erected in the parish church of Hawkhurst, from which I transcribed the following inscription:-" NATHANIEL LARDNer, D.D., drew his first and latest breath at Hall House in this parish. Benevolent as a gentleman, indefatigable as a scholar, exemplary as a Christian minister wherever he resided, his usefulness was prolonged to his eighty-fifth year, when, having established the Credibility of the records of our common salvation without partiality and beyond reply, their promises became his eternal inheritance, July 8, 1768!" At the top is a representation of THE

"God

NEW TESTAMENT, encircled by these words: said, let there be light, and there was light!" His tomb may be seen in Bunhill Fields.

81.

JOHN ASH, LL.D.

PERSHORE. DIED 1779.

THE man who is actuated by a truly humble and contrite spirit, who sincerely desires to follow the holy and humble example of the Son of God, whether he were a Jew or a Gentile, whether he now acknowledge the Bishop of Rome or the Patriarch of Constantinople as the supreme head of the church; whether he be a Papist or a Protestant, a disciple of John Calvin or a follower of Martin Luther, a member of the Church of England or of the Kirk of Scotland, or a dissenter from either or from both, making all reasonable allowances for the prejudices of education, in spite of all that bigotry may suggest to the contrary, in obedience to the law of charity and the law of God, we pronounce him a MAN of true religion, and cordially embrace him as a real Christian. But should he be wholly destitute of such a truly humble and contrite spirit, should he pay no regard to so humble and so edifying an example, be his character in other respects ever so fair, his profession ever so splendid, his zeal for a party in religion ever so warm and ever so properly di