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the heathens in general, that they worshipped the creature. Accordingly Mr. Hutchinson hath shewn, that the most ancient names of the gods of the Gentiles denote some or other of the powers of the natural creation, either the sun, or the moon, the air, fire, &c. that the attributes of these were the attributes of their deities; and the rites and ceremonies performed in their worship were emblematic of their operations. He hath shewn that, as the whole ritual and ceremonies of the sacrificature amongst the heathens were not from nature, but from the perversion of sacred tradition, so their image-worship was from the same original, having been derived from the symbolical capacity and use of the cherubic figures, first set up at the east_of Eden, and afterwards in the tabernacle and temple: that from what is said in the prophets, and in the law, and in the New Testament, it is sufficiently clear, that the animals in that mystical figure had relation to the divine persons in the Godhead, and to the elementary powers of nature, on which account the heathens, in their worship of nature, retained it, and added to it in many ways, some of them monstrously profane and absurd. By considering what species of animals were chiefly used in image-worship by the heathens, with the sense and meaning of them, and then comparing what was there found, after the manner of Mr. Hutchinson, with what the scripture hath delivered concerning the cherubim, his Lordship would see such a scene of divinity, philosophy, and heathen mythology, opened before him as could not fail to captivate his understanding, and perhaps induce him to say, as Mr. Jones was wont to say, that he would not for the world but have met with Mr. Hutchinson's works."" Such is the summary of Hutchinsonianism as applied to theology; and though not presuming to decide upon its merits, yet, as in supporting those opinions, there seems to be nothing

hostile to the soundest principles, the utmost piety to God, and good-will to mankind, they ought never to have raised as they did, in the minds of some men, such hostility and inveteracy against the supporters of Hutchinson. In short, though no good man will implicitly follow any master but ONE, yet no great danger is to be apprehended from the nature and tendency of this doctrine; for when, as Bishop Skinner says, "it has been warmly espoused and ably defended by some of the most distinguished characters of the Church of England, and particularly by a bishop, priest, and layman of that church, so eminent for their learning, and so justly admired for their piety and worth, as were Bishop Horne, the Rev. William Jones, and William Stevens, treasurer of Queen Ann's bounty, the less inquisitive Christian need not take alarm at the name of Hutchinson. For it may be truly said, of many, both of the opposers and supporters of this certainly considerable man, that these good men were all walking to the same great end; and whether they be Hutchinsonians or not, if there be any individuals, who by the shining of their light, render the path more plain and pleasant, let us agree to make the most we can of them, and be followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Such were the studies and pursuits of this uncommon man! His intimate friends at this time were not only Dr. Horne, and Mr. Jones, but he passed many most pleasant and delightful hours with the Rev. Dr. Morice, Secretary to the Society for propagating the Gospel, an old and much valued friend; with the Rev. Dr. Samuel Glasse, Rector of Wansted, author of many works on religious subjects; with the Rev. Dr. Gaskin, Secretary of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, a man better versed in the constitution and discipline of the Christian Protestant Church

than any man I know; and who, I verily believe, has never taught his flock what he himself did not rigidly believe, nor inculcated any duties which he himself did not humbly endeavour to fulfil. He was also intimate with Dr. Wetherall, the learned Dean of Hereford, Master of University College, Oxford; and with the Rev. Mr. Parkhurst, who has favoured mankind with those stupendous works, which are of such importance to the Christian world, the Greek and Hebrew Lexicons. The fourth edition of the latter of these works Mr. Parkhurst has dedicated to Mr. Stevens, Bishop Horne, the Rev. Dr. Glasse, and the Rev. Jonathan Boucher, described as the favourers and promoters of that work: a pregnant proof that that great biblical scholar conceived Mr. Stevens to be one at least of four eminent persons, who, from the extent of his learning, his acquaintance with the Hebrew language, and the depth of his theological knowledge, was well able to judge of the nature of that work thus submitted to his protection. But of all Mr. Stevens's then acquaintance, there was none, in whose society he took more delight, than in that of Thomas Calverley, Esq. of Ewell, in Surry. They were nearly of an age, and had been on terms of the greatest intimacy from their earliest youth. Both engaged in trade, Mr. Calverley does not appear to have dedicated himself to the same studies with his friend, Mr. Stevens; but in the studies of a holy life, devotion to God, beneficence and good-will to man, they seem to have gone hand in hand. Mr. Stevens, being a bachelor, for the most part spent from Saturday till Tuesday in every week with his friend. Here it may be truly said, "they took they took sweet counsel together, and "walked in the house of God, as friends." Till Mr. Calverley's death, in September, in 1797, when he dropped down dead suddenly, his house in the country was a regular residence for Mr. Stevens;

and thither he also very much resorted, for the ten years which he himself survived Mr. Calverley; visiting the widow, and afterwards the only son of his departed friend, the heir of his fortune and his virtues. Mr. Stevens, who had been thus the companion and friend, through life, of Mr. Calverley, and who knew him well and thoroughly, described him, soon after his death, in the Gentleman's Magazine, "as a character, whom fully to delineate, would be to enumerate the several virtues and graces that adorn the man and the Christian. In every situation in life, in which it pleased Providence to place him, his conduct was uniformly amiable and correct. A firm believer in the doctrines of the Church of England, he was constant in his attendance at the stated hours of public worship; nor did he content himself with worshipping God in public only once a day on the sabbath (at present so much the prac tice) but cheerfully obeyed the call to evening as well as morning prayers; and never turned his back on the Lord's table: and was no less punctual in daily prayer with his family, and in private devotion. As a member of society he did not shrink from the duties of it, but was active and diligent; ever ready to take his share of the common burdens, and to promote to the utmost of his power the public welfare. Government he regarded as the ordinance of God, for the benefit of man; and was therefore a steady friend to our admirable constitution in Church and State; praying for the peace and prosperity of both, and meddling not with them who are given to change. While too many make self interest and private advantage the measure of their obedience, he was obedient for conscience sake. To the poor, as his various charities, public and private, testify, he was a most generous benefactor: and the distressed among the clergy were cer

tain objects of his attention." I have given this sketch more full than was perhaps necessary; because it was written by Mr. Stevens; because I wished to do justice to the character of a most excellent man, upon the authority of one who knew him well; and because the reader will be to judge how applicable every part of what he has said of Mr. Calverley is to himself. But I cannot here withhold part of a letter written by him on the same subject to Mrs. Gunning, which will give the highest idea of his own character, both as the resigned Christian, and the sincerely affectionate friend.

Ewell House of Mourning, Oct. 7, 1797.

"As Dr. Randolph, your brother, you say, is not very communicative, he has not perhaps told you of the heavy loss I have sustained; and the great void made in the comforts of my life, by the death of my dear, invaluable friend, Mr. Calverley. So young for his years, so circumspect in his ways, and so temperate in all things, I ever concluded I should drop through the bridge before him: but, alas! an unseen trap-door let him in, and he suddenly disappeared, leaving me to bemoan, not his, but my fate. A friendship of threescore years standing is not to be dissolved without a pang. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity. Occupied as my thoughts have been, and now are, you will not wonder at my not writing sooner; nor at my writing in a gloom now. To every purpose under the sun there is a time: there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; and this, with me, is the time to weep. Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Let me hope and patiently wait for that morning.-We profess to believe, that whatever happens is best; and it is well, when our actions bear witness, that such is really our belief. The hardest lesson we have to learn is,

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