COMMENTARY,

WITH

STRICTURES,

On certain Parts of the

MORAL WRITINGS

OF

DR. PALEY & MR. GISBORNE.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED, AS

A SUPPLEMENT,

OBSERVATIONS ON THE DUTIES OF TRUSTEES AND
CONDUCTORS OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLS,

AND

Two Sermons,

ON PURITY OF PRINCIPLE, AND THE PENAL LAWS.

BY GEORGE CROFT, D.D.

LATE FELLOW OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFORD, VICAR OF ARNCLIFFE,
LECTURER OF ST. MARTIN'S IN BIRMINGHAM, AND CHAPLAIN TO

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF ELGIN.

Birmingham,

PRINTED BY THOMAS PEARSON,

FOR MESSRS. RIVINGTONS, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, LONDON,
AND MR. COOKE, OXFORD.

MDCCXCVII.

E

PREFACE.

THE

HE refpectable writers, fome of whose opinions are the fubject of difquifition in the following fheets, have deservedly obtained the attention and the esteem of mankind. And it is not intended to depreciate the general worth of their productions, but to render them more useful.

The seeming presumption of opposing the fentiments of men fo eminent in abilities and application, will be pardoned, when the importance of the topicks is taken into the account. They are fuch as concern human happiness both here and hereafter.

*In the fpirit of the Roman poet I fincerely declare, that I enter not into general competition with divines whofe leifure and information are so much fuperior. But it happens

* Cum de fe loquitur non ut majore.. HOR.

in literary compofitions, as in architecture, inferior talents will difcover flighter defects

and overfights which have efcaped the obfervation of great and comprehenfive minds.

We may furely be allowed to difpute particular paffages of any author without the imputation of malignity, vanity, or conceit. And we may hope, that the acrimonious invectives, into which fome of the moft able writers have been carried, will operate as an admonition to present and future ages to argue with moderation and candour.

;

If I have in any inftance affumed what has not been proved, I am open to the kind communications of any literary friend, and shall receive them with gratitude and attention at the fame time affuring my readers, that the delicacy of my present undertaking has created much delay and very serious deliberation.

The principle of general utility, under the reftrictions I have ftated, will, I truft, be found safe and tenable; nor is it intended to

con