PREFACE.

WHEN the works of a divine have been so long held in public esteem, as in the instance of Dr. Doddridge, the prefatory introduction of his Correspondence to the world may probably be considered a matter of etiquette rather than of necessity. Thus a brief notice of the excellent and learned men, whose sentiments on a variety of important subjects are there unfolded, with a statement of the interesting circumstances under which many of the letters were composed, would perhaps constitute a satisfactory preface, and comprehend all that the Editor would wish to communicate, were he an indifferent party.

With me, however, the claim of kindred and early associations have inspired a deeper interest, and rendered it judicious to explain the sentiments with which the work has been un

dertaken, and the mode of arrangement I have consequently adopted.

That the self-consuming labours of Dr. Doddridge in the cause of piety were successful, and that they have formed a rampart for the defence of those holy principles which were in his estimation far dearer than life! must to those who treasure his memory be a delightful recollection. Were it indeed as judicious as it would be grateful, abundant proofs of that success might be advanced, and eloquent passages eulogising his works quoted from writers of all parties, particularly from the charges of some of the most eminent of our bishops.

Instead of this, however, I confess myself not contented with the reputation he has acquired as a theologian, and anxious that he should be better known as a man; that the perfect catholicism of his spirit should be apparent, and that the joyous urbanity of his disposition should be manifest. Nor am I unconscious of the important influence which the thrilling fervour of his private devotions, as they stand recorded in his Diary, will exert. These are circumstances which cannot fail of interesting the heart; and that heart, which thus, as it were, cements a personal friendship with Dr. Doddridge, will have obtained a lasting advantage.

The dissemination of principles which tend

to encourage christian forbearance and social cheerfulness must ever be useful; and if from a highly artificial state of society spiritual pride brood like an incubus over the land; if a counterfeit sanctity impose unnecessary restrictions; if meek-eyed Piety be loaded with the fetters of formality until her smile of innocent vivacity is exchanged for the frown of austerity, or sunk into the vacuity of unsocial indifference, then is the period arrived when the influence of that manly faith, which shines forth in the example of our forefathers, becomes most desirable.

Party spirit is ever to be deplored, but when it obtrudes into matters of religion it becomes something more than odious; it is even as if the pure eyes of infancy should beam with unholy fires. But when the very name of such a party is in itself an assumption of superior sanctity, stands it not self-convicted? What did the Jesuits but assume the name of the meek and unresisting Jesus, to sanction a system of remorseless tyranny? and may not a christian blush, when on every side he hears the members of an influential party lauding each other with the term evangelical, until the plain man of upright intentions, and humble hope in divine mercy, stands disregarded!

As the sanguine tides of life are propelled through every portion of the animal frame,

so should the influence of christian example, to be effective, pervade the general body of society. A system of interdiction, exclusion, and suspicious reserve may gratify pharisaical pride, but will never reform the world. On the contrary, the man of enlightened piety, in the benevolence of his heart, will delight to mingle in "the busy hum of men," participating in innocent amusement, reproving with brotherly kindness, and often by the mere circumstance of his presence preventing intended mischief.

Such is the line of conduct most in unison with that great example which all profess to follow; and that this benign temper was cultivated by Dr. Doddridge and the majority of the nonconformists, who then ornamented the catholic church, by such men as Watts, Jennings, Barker, Wood, Clark, Somes, Neal, and Lardner, their own letters will here evince.

The present peculiar circumstances of the protestant faith also render it desirable that the fortress of sound argument and practical devotion which it owes to the wisdom of our forefathers should be relieved from the false zeal, which, like ivy round a tower, presents, as it were, a ready ladder to the foe; in a word, that every thing which savours of fanaticism should be discouraged.

The undeviating attachment of the noncon

formists to the Hanoverian dynasty has in the present illustrious reign been duly rewarded. The cause of sound policy and christian charity in the relief of British Romanists owes a second and still more valuable boon to the same gracious hand. That the able and fearless counsels under which this great measure was achieved have by it added new splendour to the crown, and power to the empire, time will demonstrate! But it is equally certain that theological questions have in consequence gained a new and important interest.

The preposterous conceits with which vulgar prejudice had clothed the church of Rome, and the political stigma which attended the profession of her creed being removed, it will probably be found that certain attributes of that ecclesiastical system, singularly well suited for popular effect, will not be without their result, when brought into action with that temperate skill that prudence dictates.

Proselytism must in some instances ensue, and will find the fairest field for its operations among those classes of the community with which the dissenters are most in contact; and among those plain people whose minds are already oppressed with crude and mysterious systems of divinity.

Such being the case, it is a matter of moment that the nonconformist clergy should be fully