during his sickness was never seen to betray the slightest symptom of terror or agitation in the prospect of dying, nor was there anything which betokened the shrinking back of the soul from the grasp of death, but all was calmness and triumph. How precious, how inestimably

precious is the religion of Christ !—a religion which can accomplish such wonders, which can administer such triumph in life and in death, and which triumphs yet more gloriously in eternity!

Pendleton, Manchester.

A. E. P.

MY DEAR SIR,-I am glad that the remarks made in the sixteenth of the second series of "Letters on Puritanism and Nonconformity" have drawn your attention to books hitherto unknown to you. But so far from feeling surprised at the unacquaintedness you acknowledge respecting them, I cannot help expressing my fear that the same ignorance prevails among not a few of your brethren. The names even of most of the old authors are so completely strange where you would expect better things, that, to borrow your own phraseology, a bookseller's catalogue is no sufficient guide in searching after their books.

One object I had in view in writing the "Letters" was, to furnish a clue to those who seek a better acquaintance with their distinguished predecessors.

It would be interesting to make a catalogue of the best theological writers, and to exhibit some of their distinguishing characteristics; but it is unnecessary, having been done so well by Leigh, in his "Treatise of Religion and Learning;" by Baxter, in his "Christian Directory;" by Bishop Wilkins, in his "Ecclesiastes;" by Dr. Doddridge, in his "Lectures," and "Letter to the Rev. John Wesley;"

* See Dr. Doddridge's Correspondence and Diary, vol. iv., p. 484.

by the Rev. James Hervey, in the "Appendix, No. VII." to his "Life, by the Rev. John Brown;" by Dr. Edward Williams, in his "Christian Preacher;" by the Rev. William Orme, in his "Bibliotheca Biblica;" by the Rev. John Brown, in his "Descriptive List;" and by the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, in his “Christian Student."

It is noticeable, however, that the late Rev. Richard Cecil thought Baxter surpassed all others in the grand, impassioned, and persuasive style; though not to be named with Owen for furnishing the student's mind. Mr. Wilberforce designated the writings of the Puritans generally 66 a mine of wealth," and specified those of Dr. Owen,* Howe, and Flavel.

To find Flavel so associated, was to me no matter of surprise; for there is that about all he wrote which places him in the highest rank of practical authors. Indeed, the seventeenth volume of the "Retrospective Review" sets forth his claims to veneration. It lauds him as a

* And see Dr. Chalmers's Preface to Owen, on Spiritual Mindedness-Chalmers's Works, vol. iii., p. 18; Professor Halyburton's Life, p. 356; and the Rev. John Griffin's Life, p. 426, for other testimonies to Dr. Owen. In his "Four Discourses," Dr. J. Pye Smith styles him "our great countryman," p. 20.

mán, and an author. It tells you, too, that the grave-stone in the chancel of St. Saviour's, Dartmouth, which covers lis "remains," covers those, also, of "William B. Evans," an excellent Dissenting minister, who, whilst on a visit at Dartmouth, died suddenly on the 12th of August, 1814. The inscription notices the "many hours in which Mr. Evans, with a volume of his esteemed Flavel, sought retirement from the world, and intercourse with heaven."

Upon how many thousands besides might such an epitaph be written!

But taste differs as to books, as well as pictures; and it is well, in reading the Lives of eminent Christians, to observe how that has operated-to mark preferences to trace the collateral sources of many admired virtues-to scrutinize such influences as told upon the character. And is not this, oftentimes, to be as accurately done from the books chosen, as the society loved?

How seldom has biography done more than given a general clue in the matter and it cannot be too much regretted.

We only know, for instance, as to the illustrious Charnock, that his delight was in such books as excelled in the Divine art of directing, furthering, and quickening him on the way to heaven-the love of Christ, and souls. John Howe, preaching a funeral sermon for Mrs. Hamond, says, that she was "abundant in reading -especially the Holy Book; and that she little cared to concern herself about what was merely notional, polemical, and disputative." But, instead of naming the authors she selected, you are just told that she "was most taken with such as treated of the other state, and of the duties of Christians in reference thereto." Mr. Jackson's "Memoirs of the late Rev. Richard Watson" merely inform us that that celebrated man "had no taste for common and ordinary works;" that "standard books of high reputation were his favourites."

More specific illustrations are, however, within reach as to some Puritans

and Nonconformists; and a selection must content you.

Calvin's "Institutes," Peter Martyr's "Common-places," Beza's "Confessions," and the "Worthy Labours of Master Perkins," recommended in the "Seven Treatises" of the Rev. Richard Rogers, were books which, no doubt, that honoured Puritan perused with special pleasure.

Thomas Hooker had a superlative regard for Dr. Ames' "Medulla," and "Cases of Conscience."

Upon the spirit of Master Ball, Calvin's "Life,” by Beza, and his "Comment on the Psalms," made deep impressions.

The excellent Douname, author of the "Christian Warfare," and a "Guide to Godliness," specially commends, in the latter work, the writings of Greenham, Dent, and Daniel Dike.

Oliver Heywood delighted in Perkins, Bolton, Preston, and Sibbs; John Bunyan in Luther's "Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians;" and Mr. Fraser, of Brea, in the works of Thomas Sheppard.

Joseph Alleine often read the "Life of Mons. De Renty."

Baxter took the labours of the Westminster Assembly, especially the Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Lesser Catechisms, for the best books in his study, next his Bible; and knew no man, since the apostles' days, whom he valued and honoured more than Calvin; and whose judgment in all things, one with another, he more esteemed, and

came nearer to.

Dr. Goodwin found singular satisfaction in Calvin's "Institutes."

Philip and Matthew Henry indulged a taste for religious biography.

It was the "Life and Letters" of the

Rev. Joseph Alleine, in connection with the Bible, that first impressed the mind of the late Rev. R. Frost, of Great Yarmouth.

Many have thought, with the ecstatic John Janeway, that Baxter's "Saints' Rest" can be scarcely overvalued.

Mr. Trosse, who so much esteemed the writings of Zanchy, Camero, Amyrald,

Daillie, Bochart, and other great lights of the Reformed Church abroad, not only set a high value on the practical books of men of our own nation, but upon Mr. Baxter's "Saints' Rest" in particular. He, as well as Mr. Joseph Williams, of Kidderminster, deemed that one of the best books next the Bible.

Mr. Richard Mather's delight in reading Dr. Goodwin's Discourse about "patience," continued to his death.

Mr. Nathaniel Mather was so taken with Charnock's Sermon on the "sinfulness and cure of thoughts," as to transcribe it, and make it the mould of his gracious mind. He singularly regarded also Scudder's "Christian's Daily Walk," and Dr. Owen on "Spiritual-mindedness." John Howe, like Augustine, was an ardent admirer of Plato. In his "Blessedness of the Righteous," he calls him the "Great Pagan Theologue.'

Dr. Benion thought no writer like John Howe, and he read his "Living Temple" with his students.

Dr. Watts had a great regard for Dr. Owen, Baxter, and Matthew Henry; and would rather have been the author of Baxter's " Call," than Milton's "Paradise Lost."

Baxter was Dr. Doddridge's particular favourite; but the good Doctor seems to have wanted language to express his love for the writings of Howe and Archbishop

Leighton.

Job Orton made Sibbs' " Bruised Reed" his constant companion: he had Corbet's Self-employment in Secret" always upon his desk; and, when he travelled, it accompanied him. He was also particularly fond of Robert Bolton, and, like Mr. Crook, of Wrington, of Perkins.

Mr. Joseph Longhurst delighted in Dr. Bates' works, Flavel's "Method of Grace," and Howe's "Blessedness of the Righteous."

Mrs. Bury devoted most of her leisure to reading Henry's "Commentary ;" and the immortal Whitefield was so attached

* And see Dr. Hampden's Bampton Lectures, p. 62, 2nd edit.

to it, as not only to read it through four times, but to study it upon his knees. Mr. Ryland, of Northampton, gave the palm to Charnock.

No English author engaged so much of the attention of Abraham Booth as Dr. Owen.

Dr. Edward Williams perused Scougal with no small admiration; as he did Hildersham on the 51st Psalm, and 4th of John; and Dr. Preston's writings also.

Dr. Preston's works were favourites, and especially his Treatise on the "New Covenant," with the venerable Mrs. Hasselburn, whose character and habits were so instructively set forth by Mr. Timothy Rogers.

Such was the attachment of the late Mr. Morison, of Millseat, to the "Dissertation on the Will," by that "prince of modern divines," President Edwards, that the very mention of his name called up mental associations of the most pleasurable kind.

Dr. Carey exceedingly admired President Edwards as an author. So did Andrew Fuller; and the works of Owen and Bunyan also.

The "Life of David Brainerd," in which the Rev. John Griffin, Jun. so particularly delighted, was ranked by Dr. Ryland next to his Bible.

writings of Dr. Owen, Mr. Romaine, and

Mrs. Graham, who was partial to the

Mr. Newton, preferred the ancient writers on theology to the modern, because, she said, they dealt more in italics. Being asked what religion there could be in italics? she answered, "You know that old writers expected credit for the doctrines they taught, by proving them from the word of God to be correct: they inserted the Scripture passages in italics, and their works have been sometimes one-half in italics. Modern writers on

theology, on the contrary, give us a long train of reasoning, to persuade us to their opinions, but very little in italics."

Mrs. Susan Huntingdon's favourites were Flavel's "Token for Mourners;" the "Lives" of Halyburton, and Henry