MASTER OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. 41

and consumeth all other graces, and the general principle of all our doings. St. Peter enjoineth us, that to all other virtues we add charity as the top and cream of them; and above all things (says he) have fervent charity among yourselves. St. John calleth this law, by way of excellence, the commandment of God; and our Lord himself claimeth it as his peculiar precept. This (saith he) is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another; and maketh the observance of it the special cognizance of his followers: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another. These indeed are lofty commendations thereof, yet all of them may worthily yield to this; all of them seem verified in virtue of this, because God hath vouchsafed to place this command in so near adjacency to the first great law, conjoining the two tables, making charity contiguous, and, as it were, commensurate to piety. Sermons.

ISAAC BARROW was born 1630, in London. Educated at the Charter-house, he was more fond of fighting than of his learning. In 1645 he entered Trinity College, and soon distinguished himself in almost every branch of knowledge. In 1655 he went abroad, and underwent many adventures, particularly in opposing an Algerine Corsair, declaring that he was less afraid of death than of slavery! On his return he was ordained. At the restoration, though he had suffered from his loyalty, he re

ceived no preferment. He was, however, soon chosen Greek Professor at Cambridge, as well as Professor of Geometry in Gresham College. He afterwards became Mathematical Professor at Cambridge, which he resigned to Sir Isaac Newton, of immortal memory! He was then made Master of Trinity College, Charles the Second declaring, he had given it to the best scholar in England. In 1675 he was chosen Vice-Chancellor of the University, but soon after died, in the 42d year of his age. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. He was a man of intense study, and of a ludicrous absence of mind. His SERMONS, in several volumes, are remarkable for their copiousness and fertility.

9.

ROBERT LEIGHTON, D. D.

ARCHBISHOP OF GLASGOW.-DIED 1684. THE wisest and godliest find (and such are sensible of it) that disputes in religion are no friends to that which is far sweeter in it, but hinder and abate these pious and devout thoughts that are both the more useful and truly delightful. As peace is a choice blessing, so this is the choicest peace, and is the peculiar inseparable effect of this grace, with which it is jointly wished, grace and peace-the flower of peace growing upon the root of grace!

But, brethren, receiving of the same spirit from their head, Christ, are most strongly bent to the good one of another. If there be but a thorn in

the foot, the back boweth, the head stoopeth down, the eyes look, the hands reach to it, and endeavour its help and ease. In a word, all the members partake of the good and evil, one of another. Now, by how much this body is more spiritual and lively, so much the stronger must be the union and love of the parts of it to each other. You are brethren by the same new birth, and born to the same inheritance; and such a one shall not be an apple of strife amongst you to beget debates and contentions. No, it is enough for all, and none shall prejudge another; but you shall have joy in the happiness one of another, seeing you shall then be perfect in love, all harmony, no difference in judgment or affection, all your harps tuned to the same new song which you shall sing for ever! Let that love begin here which shall never end.

Commentary on Peter.

ROBERT LEIGHTON was born, 1613, in London; having received the usual grammar learning, he was sent to the University of Edinburgh. Finishing his education with eclat, he went abroad, and lived several years in France. On his return he attached himself to the church of Scotland; disgusted at Laud, who had treated his father, a puritan divine, with barbarous severity. He was ordained in the 30th year of his age, and settled at Newbottle, near Edinburgh. He was chosen Principal of the University of Edinburgh, which he retained ten years, delivering lectures in divinity. In 1662 he became

Bishop of Dunblane, and afterwards Archbishop of Glasgow, where he did all he could to reform the clergy. Disgusted with the violent measures of the court, he protested against their treatment of the Presbyterians, and at length he resigned his Archbishopric,-a memorable proof of his integrity. He retired to Broadhurst, in Sussex, but died in London, 1684, in the 71st year of his age, with distinguished serenity. The principal work of this truly Christian Prelate is his Commentary on the First Epistle of Peter, with his Remains, which has been often republished. Dr. Doddridge sent forth an edition of this work, with a warm eulogium on the author's good sense, eloquence, and piety.

10.

EZEKIEL HOPKINS, D. D.

BISHOP OF LONDONDERRY.-DIED 1690.

ONE party reports the other to be all profane and superstitious; and the other reports its opposite to be all hypocritical and seditious, and both suffer from each other's envenomed tongues; and, between both, truth suffers, and charity perisheth, and is utterly lost. For shame, O Christians! is this the way to promote God's cause, or Christ's kingdom? Doth he or it stand in need of your lies? Will you speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for him? Shall his honour be maintained by the Devil's inventions? I shall not speak partially, but wheresoever the fault lies, there let this censure fall,-

that it is, certainly, a very strong presumption of a very weak and bad cause, when the refuge and support of it are lies.

I beseech you, therefore, O Christians! for the peace of the church, which else will continue sadly rent and divided; for the sake of Christianity, which else will be discredited and reviled; for your brethren's sake, who else will be discouraged or exasperated: be very cautious what reports you either receive or make of others. Their good name is very precious; precious to God, when their blameless conversation deserves it; and precious to themselves. Howsoever, unless there be absolute necessity, and you be constrained to do it for the glory of God and the good of others, divulge not their imperfections, though they be real; and in no case whatsoever, feign or devise false rumours concerning them. Take heed, lest if ye bite and devour one another, ye be not consumed one of another, and one with another. Exposition of the Commandments.

EZEKIEL HOPKINS was born at Sandford, Devonshire; and, in 1649, became Choirister of Magdalen College, Oxford. He was also Chaplain, and would have been Fellow, had his county qualified him. All this time he lived and was educated under Presbyterian discipline; but at length became assistant to Dr. Spenstow, about the time of the restoration. He was elected Preacher of one of the City churches, but the Bishop of London refused to admit him, because he was a favourite with the