was requested, in conjunction with Mr. Peere-Williams, another eminent advocate, to arrange and prepare for publication his MS. collection of cases, which were found in such a state of confusion as to resemble the poet's "rudis indigestaque moles." To execute this trust with credit to themselves and to the posthumous author, required much ability and application. They happily

effected both: and addressed these valuable Reports in a well-expressed and manly dedication to the Lord Chancellor King.

Various important instances of a similar nature might be enumerated of the wellplaced confidence, which was occasionally reposed in his zeal, fidelity and judgment.

The last scene of his life was no less exemplary than all the former. In the apparent enjoyment of firm health, he was suddenly attacked with a painful disease; and under the consequences of which he languished several weeks previous to his dissolution. But the faculties of his mind still remained unimpaired; and he had the satisfaction to discharge the pressing arrears of certain professional engagements till within a few days of his death. He felt its gradual approach with patience, resignation, and fortitude; and expressing in his last moments a con

с

sciousness of having upon all occasions endeavoured to perform his duty, and a hope that he had fulfilled it, he calmly expired the 6th of April, 1743, in the 78th year of his age.

35

A SHORT

CHARACTER OF THE AUTHOR

OF THE FOLLOWING TREATISE,

BY HIS SON.

IT It may add weight, perhaps, to the reflections contained in the following pages, to inform the reader that the author's life was one uniform exemplar of those precepts which, with so benevolent a zeal and so pathetic a simplicity of style, he endeavours to recommend to general practice. He left others to contend for modes of faith, and inflame themselves and the world with endless controversy. It was the wiser purpose of his more ennobled aim to act up to those clear rules of conduct, which Revelation hath graciously prescribed. He possessed by temper every moral virtue; by religion, every Christian grace. He had a humanity that melted at every distress; a charity, which not only thought no evil, but suspected none. He exercised his profession with a skill and integrity, which nothing could equal but the disinterested motive that animated his

labours, or the amiable modesty which accompanied all his virtues. He employed his industry, not to gratify his own desires-no man indulged himself less; not to accumulate useless wealth-no man so disdained so unworthy a pursuit: it was for the decent advancement of his family, for the generous assistance of his friends, for the ready relief of the indigent. How often did he exert his distinguished abilities, yet refuse the reward of them, in defence of the widow, the fatherless, and of him that had none to help him! In a word, few have ever passed a more useful, not one a more blameless, life; and his whole time was employed either in doing good, or in meditating it.

MEM. PAT. OPT. MER.

F.D.

37

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE,

WRITTEN EARLY IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

THE design of the following treatise is to awaken in the minds of unthinking men a serious sense of religion and a true concern for the interest of their immortal souls; a design at all times seasonable and necessary, but more especially at this time, when we see such numbers of persons carried away with the immoderate love of pleasure, and such arts invented to gratify their corrupt and vicious inclinations.

Whoever reflects with a due concern upon the excesses and debaucheries which have overspread this nation, and has any regard for the honour of God, and the interest of that holy religion which Christ Jesus came down from heaven to establish upon the earth, will easily be convinced that all endeavours possible ought to be used to stem the torrent of wickedness which is broken in