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BRIEF MEMOIRS

OF THE LATE

REV. SAMUEL STENNETT, D. D.

DR. SAMUEL STENNETT, the younger son of Dr. Joseph Stennett, a former worthy pastor of the Baptist church in Little Wild-street, Lincoln'sinn-fields, London, was born at Exeter, in which city his father had been many years pastor of the Baptist church, before his residence in London. He was formed by nature, and by grace, for the distinguished figure he afterwards made. To the strength of natural faculties, vigour of imagination, and acuteness of judgment of which he was possessed, he had added, from his earliest years, so close an attention to reflection and study, that there was scarcely a topic in science or literature, in religion, or even politics, but he seemed to have investigated: and so habitual was it to him to arrange his ideas on the different subjects, in a manner peculiar to himself, and yet quite natural, that when a question, which to others was new, unusual, or perplexed, hath been proposed to him, they were surprised to find how familiarly he was acquaint

Dr. Stennett had an elder brother, Mr. JOSEPH STENNETT, who was pastor of the Baptist Church at Coate, in Oxfordshire. He died in 1769, and a funeral sermon for him was published by the Rev. Mr. Turner, of Abingdon.

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ed with it. In a few sentences he would develope the difficulty as far as a reasonable, man could expect satisfaction, for he enjoyed an happy facility of resolving intricate matters, so that confusion seemed to fly before his comprehensive mind. His, preparatory studies for the ministry were passed under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Hubbard*, formerly an eminent theological tutor, and under that celebrated linguist Dr. John Walker, once of the Academy at Mile-End, which was afterwards removed to Homerton; whose successful method of instruction furnished so many Dissenting congregations, as well as churches in the Establishment, with critical, learned, and evangelical ministers. Dr. Stennett's attainments in Latin, Greek, and the Oriental tongues, and his knowledge of sacred literature, are abundantly visible in his valuable controversial writings, and the variety of discourses he hath published. Besides which, his acquaintance with modern authors, with what is commonly styled polite learning, history, the constitution and language of his country-his command of words upon all occasions, and that mellifluous art he had of putting them together-the chastity of his diction-his lovely talent for poetry (which he chiefly applied to religious subjects)-the melting elocution with which he spoke-the cheerfulness and entertainment of his common conversation-the lively sallies of his wit-his consummate prudence and power over his own temper--the unaffected gentility of his address, and the politeness of his manners, were so pleasing, that whenever he was spoken of it was with affection or admiration. Such was his affability of mind, that he could accom

Predecessor of the late Rev. Samuel Brewer in the pastoral office at Stepney.

mmodate himself to the meanest, and give advice and comfort to the poor, the vulgar, and the illiterate.-In many a wretched apartment in the city of London, he has wept over the sick and dying, generously relieved their wants, and with his knees on the bare floor, has lifted up his cries to God for them. And yet if called upon, he was so perfectly at ease in the higher circles of life, that respectable personages in honorable stations and of noble rank, have sought his friendship, and thought themselves honoured by it: all the use he made of which was, to embrace the greater opportunity it gave him of doing good; nor was he to be retarded in this pursuit by the attacks of obloquy and slander; a good conscience in the sight of God carried him above the reproaches of censoriousness and calumny. Had ambition, his personal emolument, or preferment of any kind been his objects, his own accomplishments and large connexions opened a ready door to them; and what is more, he might have had preferment unenvied. Persons of eminence in the establishment have expressed their regret that Dr. STENNETT was not among them; voluntarily remarking, that there is not a situation in the national church' which he was undeserving of. But though he was candid to the opinion of others, a friend to private judgment, and a lover of good men of every persuasion; he was a Dissenter-a Dissenter from principle-a Baptist;*-he desired no higher honor upon earth, than to be an useful Baptist Minister; and the only preferment he had (if we

*The family of the Stennetts were not only Dissenters, and Baptists,---but, from unquestionable accounts they were, properly speaking, Seventh-Day Baptists.

PUBLISHERS.

The article" Baptist," in Dr. Rees' edition of Chambers Cyclopædia, was drawn up by Dr. Stennett.

may so call that which had no emolument whatever) was, that in the year 1763, the King's College and University of Aberdeen, unsolicited by him, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor in Divinity. But this honour did not elevate his mind above what he was before. No; he was still the same humble christian; and to God he had consecrated his days, his talents, his strength, his reputation, his all. He was called by the grace of God in early life, and it is conjectured that the circumstances attending his conversion may fairly be gathered from the following hymn, with which he appeared more pleased than with many others which he had composed, and suffered to be published. It is the 437th in Dr. Rippon's Selection.*

1

PRAISE FOR CONVERSION.

Psalm lxvi. 16.

Come, ye that fear the Lord,
And listen while I tell,

How narrowly my feet escap'd
The snares of Death and Hell!

༧་ The flatt'ring joys of sense
Assail'd my foolish heart,

3

4

While Satan, with malicious skill,
Guided the poisonous dart.
I fell beneath the stroke,
But fell to rise again:

My anguish rous'd me into life,
And pleasure sprung from pain.

Darkness, and shame, and grief
Oppress'd my gloomy mind;

There are many hymns in Rippon's Selection distinguished thus---Dr. S. Stennett,---which, of course, are the effusions of

his pen.

PUBLISHERS.

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