metically, that the former proportions of the outfield to the church-going population are not sensibly affected by it; that the elements of depravity are nearly in as great force as ever, and the counteractions which have been provided for it, nearly in as great feebleness as ever; and, in a word, that, thoroughly to fill up the neglected spaces, which have so widened and multiplied over the expanse of a town or of a kingdom, something far more gigantic must be done, than appears to

lie within the means either of Govern

ment or of any inferior municipality in the land." pp. 135, 136.

The truth then is, that the aid hitherto granted by Parliament falls in almost every instance in finitely short of the exigencies of the case, and only deludes us with a shew of good. It may indeed be unreasonable to expect that the national purse, especially with the present enormous demands upon it, should supply the wide-spread deficiency of churches which un happily exists in the land; and it may be true, that the only adequate fund for that purpose is the purse of the people themselves. But surely it is in that case the bounden duty of Government to give free scope to popular benevolence and piety. If this were done, we confess that, for our selves, we should have little doubt that the religious zeal and Christian benevolence which prevail among us, would in no long time supply abundant means for the erection of the requisite number of places of worship. What, then, is the encouragement which is necessary to promote the building of churches by private contributions? It is simply this" to give to the builders and endowers of places of worship the patronage of them, at least for a time." It is a curious fact, that a clause to this precise effect, which was introduced about three years ago into an Act of Parliament by the present Chancellor of the Exchequer, had nearly pass ed the House of Commons, when an almost casual circumstance ex

cited an opposition to it, in which some individuals who, had they known the real merits of the quesferently inconsiderately joined; tion, would have acted very difand little zeal being manifested in defence of the measure, excepting by the Chancellor of the Exche quer himself, the clause was re jected, and the country doomed, we fear, in consequence, to a prolongation, for perhaps another century, of the same lamentable dearth of Christian instruction which pre vails at this moment. We hope, however, that the eyes of the nation will at length be opened; and that the necessity will be felt of converting what in too many cases is a merely nominal, into a real and effective, establishment, by actually provid ing for the spiritual wants of the multitudes within its pale. Parishes must be divided and sub-divided. Churches and chapels must be multiplied. The minister must be qualified and disposed with affectionate and persevering earnestness to search out that part of his people who are disinclined to attend the ordinances of religion, and to draw them within the holy influence of the doctrines of truth and righteousness. He must have affection and zeal sufficient to lead him to labour unweariedly, to rescue some as from the fire;" to guide others on their heavenly way; "to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering," every creature whom he finds loitering on the verge of eternity, or in danger of sinking to eternal perdition. He must, in short, be ready at all times to feed and watch over the flock of which he has received the oversight, and, with St. Paul, to spend and be spent for their sakes.

But we must not suffer these tempting topics to detain us. Enough has been said, we fear, to try the patience of some of our readers. Would to God that enough had been said to lead our men of influence to set to work in

removing the absurd and mischievous impediments which the law, as it now stands, presents to the erection of places of worship, where wanting. In case of their removal we feel confident of the result. Multitudes would immediately avail themselves of the scope thus given to the march of their benevolence, and would combine to carry on this labour of love. We are aware that many will be incredulous of the efficacy of such a plan, and will make their very incredulity the justification of their inactivity. They will not even exert themselves with the view of obviating the existing counteractions, because they eannot believe that either the disposition or the means of the Christian public are such as to make the conce sion when obtained of any mater al use. It was a maxim of the ancient mistress of the world, that no man should "despair of the republic." In the spirit of that maxim, and with an application infinitely less questionable, we would say, "Let no man despair of the church of Christ." Let no man conclude a priori, that others will not do their duty when an opportunity is given to them of glorifying God and conferring extensive benefits on their fellow-creatures. Let our legislators put the benevolence of their constituents fairly to the test. Let them supply us with a model, if it so please them, in the forward liberality of their own conduct; but, above all, with a sphere for our activity. Let them but clear the ground, and assist in laying the foundation, and they will soon have the satisfaction of seeing temples to the living God rising like exhalations from the earth, and crowded with thousands and tens of thousands of worshippers who are now outcasts from every Christian privilege, and doomed to helpless, hopeless ignorance. For ourselves, we have no question that there is in England a hitherto unworked and most productive mine of religious benevo

lence, which, if existing shackles and restrictions were removed, would prove adequate to the supply of all the church-room that is wanted; and the only consideration that would remain would be, how to fill the pulpits when erected, with able and pious ministers. But this is a topic on which we mean not now to enter. Our next paper will be exclusively devoted to it.

The Life of William Sancroft Archbishop of Canterbury, compiled principally from original and scarce Documents. With an Appendix, containing Fur Prædestinatus, Modern Policies, and Three Sermons by Archbishop Sancroft. Also, a Life of the learned Henry Wharton; and Two Letters of Dr. Sanderson, now first published from the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth Palace. By GEORGE D'OYLY, D. D. F. R.S. Domestic Chap lain to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury; Rector of Lam beth, and of Sundridge, in Kent. In Two Volumes. London: Murray. 1821.

THE acquaintance which we form with the celebrated individuals of past ages, by reading the general history of their times, is, for the most part, superficial and unsatisfactory. They enter and pass over the stage in a manner both too rapid and too formal to allow of our conversing with them at ease, and of developing their real character: we see them only as they appeared before the public, and are seldom allowed to follow them to their houses, and to track them into the retirement of private life. Hence it frequently happens, that their political conduct is greatly misunderstood; and, although when certain acknowledged facts of national interest are discussed, conjecture is rarely at a loss to account for them, and to explain the secret springs by which the political machine was set in

motion; we know that our speculations are very liable to err, and that the opinions of one age have been completely disproved and set aside by the more accurate intelligence of a later period. To this correction of erroneous historical assertions, biographical researches have materially contributed; and in proportion to the rank and consequence of the person whose memoirs are laid before us, and to the degree in which he participated in the great events of the times in which he lived, will usually be the benefit conferred upon authentic history by the publication of such memoirs.

Instances of this sort will readily present themselves to every reader: and it is unnecessary to state how important in this view is a correct life of Archbishop Sancroft. He lived at a very turbulent period; and his name will go down to posterity as connected with some of the most remarkable occurrences of those distracted times. A judicious memoir of this eminent man is important likewise on many other accounts: if he have hitherto been misrepresented, it is due to himself, to the high station which he held, and to the church of which he was so distinguished a member, that his principles should be fairly stated and his name be rescued from reproach. The task could scarcely be under taken in a satisfactory way without a ready access to the library of Lambeth palace. This privilege, Dr. D'Oyley possessed; and, whilst availing himself of the opportunity thus afforded, he has neglected no means of information, whether in print or in manuscript, which might render his work more worthy of the public eye. For a statement of particulars on this head we refer to the preface, and shall proceed to lay before our readers the result of his inquiries, with such observations as occur to us on the perusal.

William Sancroft, the subject of this memoir, was born at Fresingfield, Suffolk, in the year 1616-17,

and was descended from an ancient and respectable family. He is said to have received his education at Bury, and to have given early proof of considerable abilities. At the age of eighteen he began his studies in the university of Cambridge as a member of Emanuel College, of which his uncle, Dr. William Sancroft, was at that time master, and under the tuition of Mr. Ezekiel Wright. Toward this gentleman he seems to have cherished the warmest feelings of respectful gratitude; and we have upon record decisive proof of that feeling long after the cessation of much personal intercourse, and when the relation of tutor and pupil might seem to be forgotten. The situation which Sancroft obtained in the list of competitors, on commencing Bachelor of Arts, indicates a creditable proficiency in mathematical learning; but to studies of this sort he probably did not apply any particular attention: his fa vourite pursuits appear to have been the various branches of classical learning, together with poetry, history, and theology; and he is said to have made a progress in them, which was calculated to give a very favourable impression of his application and talents.

The life of a student seldom admits of much variety; and we can not be surprised if few particulars have been recorded of the early years even of Archbishop Sancroft. Dr. D'Oyly has, however, presented us with two of his letters, written when he was about twenty-five years of age, which may assist us in form ing a judgment of the character of his mind. They exhibit him in a very pleasing and amiable point of view. The first of them is addressed to a beloved friend in a dangerous illness; the second to his own father, announcing its fatal termination. The last of these we subjoin; aud there are few persons who will not be affected by the pe, rusal of it.

"Dear Father, The sad news which

is very creditable to the taste and judgment of Sancroft.

About this period, his character and attainments procured for him several friends, who took a warm interest in his welfare: and two situations were proposed to him, highly honourable in themselves, and sufficiently tempting to a young man who was to depend mainly upon his own exertions. It does not appear that he accepted either of these offers, or any other of a similar nature: but the applications thus made to him served to exhibit in a very pleasing manner the filial deference which he paid to the judgment of his father, and his unwillingness to take any step without the sanction of parental authority..

The aspect of public affairs had now become very serious and alarming and the universities were doomed to feel all the violence of factious and unprincipled men. In the visitation of Cambridge by the

Earl of Manchester, who came to carry into effect the design of the famous Covenant, sixty-five Fellows were soon deprived of their situations: and it became necessary for every one who derived emolument from the colleges to determine upon the line of conduct which he meant to pursue The case came with peculiar force to Mr. Sancroft, on account of the expulsion of Dr. Holdsworth, the master of his own college, who, besides his connexion with the ciety at Emanuel, was, moreover, one of Sancroft's personal and luable friends: and he seems not to have hesitated for a single moment to stand by his sovereign and the church, and to reject the Covenant. In a letter addressed to Dr. Holdsworth, soon after his renoval, he expresses himself in terms of honest indignation at the pretended patrons of liberty and religion, and avows his resolution under all circumstances to maintain his integrity.

va

me vivere hanc mortem-a small matter would prevail with me to take up the resolution to go forth any whither where I might not hear nec nomen nec facta give up our stations; I fear we cannot Pelopidaram. Nor need we voluntarily long maintain them. And what then? shall I lift up my hand? I will cut it off first. Shall I subscribe my name? I will forget it as soon. I can at least look up through this mist and see the hand of my God holding the scourge that lashes; and with this thought I am able to silence all the mutinies of boisterous passions, and to charm them into a perfect calm." p. 32.

principles and such determination How it happened that with such of character he was suffered to remain within the walls of his college, when so many worthy persons, not more eminent than himself, and certainly not more conscientious, were swept away by the storm, it is perhaps, at this day, impossible to ascertain: whether, as Dr. D'Oyly thinks, "bis talents and excellent qualities recommended him to fa vourable consideration with the

leaders of the opposite party, and inclined them to overlook him," or whether some other circumstance operated in his favour, the fact was, active business of tuition, till the that he remained undisturbed in the and the murder of the king. total overthrow of the monarchy,

The manner in which he writes

to his father, concerning this tragical event, is very characteristic; and there were many in the university who sympathized in his loyal and generous feelings..

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When we meet," he observes," 'tis but to consult to what foreign plantation we shall fly, where we may enjoy any liberty of our conscience, or lay down a weary head with the least repose; for the church here will never rise again, though the kingdom should. The unithe story you have in the country of versities we give up for lost; and Cromwell's coming amongst us will not be long a fable; and now 'tis grown treason (which in St. Paul's time was duty,) to pray for kings and all that are in authority; the doors of