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his hearers. When controversies came in his way, he discussed them with great acuteness and judgment, and discovered no less skill in applying them to practice. Though his preaching was considered by some persons as too high for the vulgar, and better suited to the more intelligent sort of Christians, yet, if sometimes deep, he was never abstruse, and handled the great mysteries of the gospel with much clearness and perspicuity: "So that if he were above most, it was only because most were below him."

In his younger days, he delivered his sermons without notes, but as he grew in years, and his memory began to fail, he penned and read them verbatim. Though he was not popular, on account of his disadvantageous way of reading with a glass, yet his preaching was much esteemed by the more judicious sort of hearers. He spent most of his time in his study, which made him somewhat reserved in conversation; but where he was well acquainted, he could be very free and communicative; and he selected his Society from the more serious, as well as intelligent part of mankind. His library, furnished with a curious, though not a very large collection of books, was unfortunately destroyed in the fire of London. In such reputation was he held by his brethren, that many able ministers loved to sit at his feet, for the benefit of those instructions which they could not get by many books, or by the sermons of others. In the course of his ministry at Crosby-Square, he intended to have presented his hearers with a complete body of divinity ; but his sun was set at the threshold of this design. He had entered upon a set of discourses on the Existence and Attributes of God, which he did not live to finish. While he treated upon these subjects, they inspired him with so lively an interest as seemed to indicate his near and rapid approach to his everlasting rest. It was, for some time. before his death, his longing desire to be in heaven, where there is the perfection of grace and holiness; and he ex

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pressed a lively hope that he should quickly enjoy that felicity.*

Mr. Charnock published nothing in his lifetime excepting a single sermon on "The Sinfulness and Cure of Thoughts;" in the Supplement to the Morning Exercise at Cripplegate. His other valuable writings were given to the public after his death, by Mr. Adams and Mr. Veal, to whom he had committed his papers. The first piece they published was his excellent "Discourse on Divine Providence," in 1680; to which they prefixed some account of the life and character of the author. This was followed, in 1681, by his " Discourses on the Existence and Attributes of God," in one large volume folio; to which was afterwards added another volume, consisting of discourses on "Regeneration, Reconciliation, The Lord's-Supper," and various other important subjects. A second edition of his works, in two volumes folio, appeared in 1684; and a third edition in 1702. To these several expressions was prefixed a good portrait of the author, engraved by R. White. His "Two Discourses on Man's Enmity to God, and on the Salvation of Sinners," were printed separately in octavo, in 1699. These several discourses were left behind him in the same form he usually wrote them for the pulpit. It is no unfavourable sign of the present times, that the works of Charnock are rising in the estimation of the religious world, and consequently, becoming scarce. Their merit, indeed, can scarcely be rated too high; for though they may want that perfection and beauty of style which they would, doubtless, have received had the author himself prepared them for the press; yet for ⚫ strength of reasoning, solidity of judgment, and sublimity of genius, they are equalled by few, and excelled by none. To these observations, we shall subjoin the testimony of

• Mr. Johnson's Sermon on the Death of Mr. Charnock-and Preface to Mr. Charnock's "Discourse on Divine Providence."

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a late writer, Mr. Toplady; "I have met (says he) with many treatises on the Divine Perfections; but with none which any way equals that of Mr. Charnock. Perspicuity, and depth; metaphysical sublimity, and evangelical simplicity; immense learning, and plain, but irrefragable reasoning, conspire to render that performance one of the most inestimable productions that ever did honour to the sanctified judgment and genius of a human being. If I thought myself at all adequate to the task, I would endeavour to circulate the outlines of so rich a treasure into more hands, by reducing the substance of it within the compass of an octavo volume. Was such a design properly executed, a more important service could hardly be rendered to the cause of religion, virtue, and knowledge. Many people are frightened at a folio of more than 800 pages, who might have both leisure and inclination to avail themselves of a well-digested compendium." Few of our readers need be informed that this task was executed, in 1797, by the Rev. Griffith Williams. In the course of the present year (1808) the inestimable "Treatise on Divine Providence," was reprinted, in a neat manner, in crown octavo, and accompanied with a fine portrait of the author.

SAMUEL SLATER, M. A.-This pious and excellent Divine was a native of London, and had the honour to descend from pious parents. Of his father, the Rev. Samuel Slater, who was ejected from St. Katherine's, Tower, we have spoken in a preceding article.* After passing through the elementary principles of learning at the grammar-school, Mr. Slater was sent to complete his studies at the University of Cambridge, where he proceeded M. A. He there attained great proficiency in the most useful parts of knowledge, and upon his appearance in public, discovered that he was qualified for eminent usefulness in the sta

•See the WEIGH-HOUSE, Little Eastcheap.

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tion assigned him by Providence. The first place that was favoured with his stated labours, was Nayland, in Suffolk, where he continued several years. From thence he removed to Bury St. Edmunds, in the same county, a sphere of more extensive labours and usefulness. There he exercised his ministry with great diligence, faithfulness, and success, till disabled by those in power, whose spleen and malignity against persons of his spirit and temper, supplied the place of law. This evil disposition discovered itself at the first assizes after the restoration, when he, and Mr. Claget, his fellow-labourer in the same town, were prosecuted for not reading the book of common-prayer.* Thus early did he begin to feel that storm, which about two years afterwards, on Bartholomew-day, 1662, drove him, and many other excellent ministers, for some years, into obscurity.

Mr. Slater being vigorously opposed for nonconformity at Bury St. Edmunds, removed to London, where he took advantage of the indulgence granted by King Charles the Second, for the employment of his talents in the ministry, and cheerfully embraced every opportunity put into his hands for public service and usefulness. Upon the death of the reverend and learned Mr. Stephen Charnock, in 1680, he became joint pastor of a congregation in Crosby-Square, where he laboured with great acceptance and fidelity to the day of his death.

Mr. Slater possessed very considerable talents for the mimistry. His public discourses, both as to the matter and style of them, were admirably suited to the great end of preaching the edification of his hearers. As his composures were drawn up with great exactness, so his matter was solid and substantial; his style plain, pithy, and sententious; and he possessed a grave, natural elocution, calculated to leave impressions of seriousness upon those who heard him. He was thoroughly acquainted with the scriptures, which he

• Calamy's Account, p. 646.

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studied with close attention; was well versed in practical divinity; and always kept a considerable stock of sermons beforehand. Though he enlarged upon most subjects beyond what is usual, yet, it was always with an useful and entertaining variety; and his applications were at once so mild and gentle, and at the same time so close and convincing, that they stole imperceptibly upon the hearts of his hearers. Being of a tender sympathizing spirit, he was enabled to discharge, with great advantage, one part of his ministerial work-visiting the sick. On those occasions his expressions were remarkably tender, his prayers fervent, and much to the purpose; for he possessed a singular felicity of adapting his petitions to the particular exigencies of the persons he prayed for. In the whole of his ministry, his great aim was to do good. And it pleased God to crown his labours with much success, making him an instrument of great usefulness, in his day; and though he lived to a good old age, he had a large congregation to the last. He adhered strictly to the good old Protestant doctrines, was a singular honour to the ministerial character, and much valued by all who knew him, or were acquainted with his. writings.*

His natural temper was excellent and amiable; and the grace of God had rendered it much more so. In this particular he had few equals, and no superior. A cheerful serenity always sat upon his countenance, and pourtrayed the benignity of his disposition. In his behaviour he happily united the gravity of the Divine, and the good breeding of the gentleman. He was very easy of access, condescending to his inferiors, and obliging to all: not of a meddling or censorious temper, nor did he affect to intrude into the affairs of others. Instead of interfering with other men's vineyards, he took care to keep and dress his own. He was an extensive blessing to all who knew him; a bright orna

* Mr. Alexander's Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Samuel Slater,