An illiterate Archdeacon, as well as an illiterate Dean or Residentiary, is a great ca→ lamity to any diftrict-For how can he inculcate a love of learning, who is not learned himself? But as there are, and, I hope, ever will be, fome men of letters in that refpecta ble office, the examples of those who have gone before them may ftimulate them to care and diligence in the compofition of their charges. Among the deceased, for it may have the semblance of adulation to name the living, they will find Drs. BALGUY, POWELL, RANDOLPH, TOTTIE, and many others.

They have a fpacious field, they may affift the ftudies of the younger clergy, they may bring to obfervation many excellent writers of the laft and prefent century. Let them not fear to point out even the prominent defects or feeming omiffions of the most celebrated*.

It would be useful to give a

* And here I cannot but express a wifh, that when a lift of books is directed to be read by candidates for orders, there might

be

history of pulpit oratory from the time of Elizabeth to the prefent day, to fhew how far fcholaftick diftinctions or divifions may be avoided or adopted.

If they are well verfed in Hebrew, they may point out the ufes of studying it in order even to understand the new Teftament, and though the Lord Primate of Ireland has published an excellent effay on biblical tranflations, yet much additional philological information may be communicated. The clofe connexion too between the old and new Teftament may be pursued in all it's gradations from the first promise made to Adam till the fulness of time came. There are also tem

be fome account what is the real character of them. A ftudent in theology, for instance, might be told what is the peculiar excellence of each commentator. For his philology he may be referred to Leigh's Critica Sacra, to Parkhurft's two Lexicons, making allowances for a little mysticism, and to Dr. Hammond. For comments on the Teftament, to Pool's Synopfis or the Critici Sacri, to Erafmus's Paraphrafe, the moft fatisfactory of them all, to Clarke and Locke, Whitby and Gilpin. How much was the world disappointed in the commentary of Bishop Pearce? Timidity or caution in this, or any other fuch inftance, is pufillanimous. They all have their imperfections, and who reads Hammond on the Revelation?

porary attacks upon the church which they may be called upon to repel, and as there is little novelty in error, they may direct their younger brethren where to find proper ar

mour.

They will studiously avoid politicks, and all the animofity of party. Nothing but the real danger of the conftitution can be the legitimate subject of difquifition. The connexion of religion with the municipal laws may also be stated more as it exists in practice than in theory. For Bishop WARBURTON'S Alliance of Church and State is only intelligible by few*.

* The Divine Legation is a work of great merit, and if fome able perfon would undertake to give a fummary of it, as Dr. HALIFAX did of Butler's Analogy, we might juftly hope that it would then be generally read. Perhaps no book of equal, or nearly equal merit, has been read fo little. To young readers it presents fome difficulties and difcouragements; the materials are irregularly arranged, and when the author himself acknowledges that he has a paradox to prove, it cannot be wondered that the demonstration is not univerfally admitted. We may fafely adopt his principal pofition without giving way to thofe refinements with which all his works unfortunately abound, without admitting his expofition of part of the fixth book of the Æneis, for a refutation of which fee Gibbon's poft. works, or his Interpretation of the Book of Job.

A col

If they should have a taste for the fine arts, it may be fhewn how much they have contributed to the promotion of piety, and in what degree a divine may, confiftently with his profeffion, be allowed to study and to cultivate them.

The difcuffion of all, or any of these fubjects, will require much previous ftudy, but the advantage will be confiderable. The laity prefent will be convinced, and will gradually convince others, that the life of a con

A collateral ufe of perufing this admirable work will be to infpire us with a love of learning in general, by examining it's fources and it's progrefs.

The wanton severity with which he treated thofe who differed from him, is a melancholy proof of human infirmity, and his farcafms upon Dr. KENNICOTT and Dr. TUCKER were unjust and unpardonable. If Dr. KENNICOTT made fome fanciful alterations, this could not overthrow the general utility of a collation; and, if the Dean of Gloucefter ftudied the national intereft, he did not at the fame time neglect the duties of his profeffion. He has already furnished one volume of excellent fermons, and when that eventhappens to him which awaits us all, it will be found that his modefty only has prevented him from publishing more. Of a life fo ufefully spent the gratitude of man can scarce speak in exceffive praife, and his name can only die with the constitution, and with good fenfe.

fcientious clergyman is a life of industry, and that the performance of parochial offices occupies little of his time in comparison of that which is spent in the improvement of his understanding.

The trite fubject of precept and example will thus be avoided. The ftyle will not be dictatorial, affectionate to the younger, and respectful to the older part of the audience.

Every clergyman fhould fuftain the twofold character of a diligent fcholar and confcientious paftor. He may be forewarned with propriety to remain ever mindful of both. Otherwife, even his regular attendance on the church may carry him into useless engagements and an improper waste of time. With a laudable purpose of cultivating the friendship of his parishioners, he may gradually glide into tedious and unneceffary vifits, and in acquiring a little popularity as a worthy neighbour, may fink into forgetfulnefs of his learning and his books.

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