by the death of the queen, which palsied the arm of Oppression at the very instant that it was raised to strike! her decease occurring on the day from which the operation of the act was dated.

The accession of George the First not only disconcerted the machinations of their enemies, but appeared to establish those principles of civil and religious freedom with which their well being was identified, on a new and permanent foundation. The wishful eye of partiality cast on the pretensions of the house of Stuart by the High Church party of the day, was a fact not only natural in itself, but too notorious to be doubted; so that a sort of impotence existed in the mystical union of Church and State, which rendered the Executive glad to avail itself of that support from the Nonconformists, which was at once sincere and without rivalry; for the Dissenters rejoiced in the ascendancy of the Brunswick Dynasty, not only as a security for their own toleration, but as a rampart against the then insidious projects of the church of Rome, although they were debarred from participating in the emoluments and honours of official station.

It may perhaps be remarked that the terms Nonconformist and Dissenter have in these pages been employed in a way which would infer a distinction, although every dissenter must necessarily be a nonconformist. This fact is of course admitted; but those ministers of the Church of England who suffered deprivation under the act of uniformity, and their congregational followers, having been emphatically designated Nonconformists, and being upon the whole

superior to the mass of other dissenters in point of education and liberality of sentiment, a distinction not only existed, but should be inferred.

Thus the Academies of that period, unconnected with the establishment, were, on the other hand, far from being the sectarian schools of an exclusive and peculiar denomination; but being conducted on the broad basis of non-subscription alone, that is, without a direct or indirect imposition of formulas of faith, remained open to men of all parties. Thus it frequently happened that the clergy and lay members of the national church, to whom the expense of the Universities was an object of difficulty, availed themselves of these Academies with advantage, and without any fear that an undue influence would be exercised upon the minds of their children. These seminaries were also useful in furnishing Chaplains and private Tutors to families of distinction, persons then considered as indispensable in every opulent establishment.

It may be proper to add, that the Nonconformists and the more liberal Presbyterians gradually became amalgamated, so as to constitute that moderate body of Christians known by the term English Presbyterians, although rather improperly, as their church government assumes the simple congregational form.

Of this denomination was the Rev. John Jennings, and the Academy over which he presided was conducted upon the catholic plan before explained; so that a youth at his admission was merely called upon to show that his moral character was unobjectionable, and his preparative studies sufficiently

advanced.

Some other circumstances relative to

this subject will perhaps best appear in the following letters.

FROM THE REV. SAMUEL CLARK*.

St. Albans, March 28, 1720.

DEAR PHIL†, I RECEIVED both your letters; the former when at London the week before last, and the latter yesterday. I had written to you sooner, but that I have been very busy in preparing a piece for the press, viz. "A Collection of the Promises of Scripture, arranged under their respective heads, with the texts at length, and in two parts; containing the blessings promised, and the persons to whom the promises are made; with an appendix, of promises relating to the future state of the church; and a preface, giving an account of the use, and rules for the application of the promises." I at first designed it only for the use of the young people of this congregation, but am now persuaded to print it, as it may be more generally useful.

I have herewith sent you Langius for Mr. Jennings's perusal: there are some things in it with which I doubt not he will be pleased, and particularly the stress which the author lays upon the necessary methods for rectifying the disorders of the will and affections, as

* Afterwards Dr. Clark, and descended from the Rev. Samuel Clark, late pastor of Bennet Fink, London; author of "The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History," published in 1654; "The Mirror, or a Looking-Glass, both for Saints and Sinners," &c.

+ Dr. Doddridge was then in his eighteenth year.

the essential business of education; which yet is generally too much overlooked, and measures taken rather to puff up with pride and vanity, than to implant and cultivate the habits of piety, humility, and self-government. You will therefore find in that book what will deserve your consideration.

I am glad to hear you have so well recovered your health. I hope it is because God designs to make use of you as an instrument of his glory, and that you will look upon this providence as laying you under a further obligation to do what you can to fit yourself for that purpose. You have now an opportunity for treasuring up valuable knowledge under the conduct of a very worthy tutor; and as I doubt not but that you improve that advantage to the uttermost, so I am desirous it may be continued to you as long as possible: for I would have you furnished, not with a bare superficial taste of literature, but with so rich a stock of solid knowledge as may abundantly qualify you for whatever service God may call you to in his church. Therefore now is your time for thorough improvement; for when you are called to public work, you will meet with a thousand avocations. Close reasoning, a perfect acquaintance with the Scriptures, and the method of applying most effectually to the consciences of men, are what I would in particular recommend to your diligent application. In order to acquire some skill in the latter, it is necessary to study the passions and the secret springs by which men are moved, and the several principles upon which they generally act, but

especially your own heart; for a thorough knowledge of that will lead you the most direct way into the breast of another. But I need not by such hints anticipate the instructions of Mr. Jennings.

It would give me, I doubt not, an agreeable entertainment, if you would, when you have an opportunity, send me some of your public exercises, and particularly your observations upon the different style of some of the penmen of scripture.

I desire my humble service to Mr. Jennings and his lady; and heartily recommending you and your studies to the divine blessing, I am,

Your affectionate Friend,

SAMUEL CLARK.

For Mr. Philip Doddridge,

at the Rev. Mr. Jennings's, Kibworth, Leicestershire. (By the Harborough bag.)

REV. SIR,

TO MR. CLARK.

Jan. 3, 1721.

THE principal reason of my writing now is to transmit you the following account which I received of Mr. Jennings last week :-"Bill to Christmas, 1720; half year's board and tuition, eight pounds ten shillings; King's Inquiry, four shillings and three-pence; Appendix to Logic, two shillings and sixpence; a