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prise his thoughts upon the most weighty subjects, in a single discourse. Though such was the tenderness of his spirit, that he could not dwell long on subjects of terror, yet he faithfully warned impenitent sinners, and frequently, in the most moving manner, dropt remarks that were calculated to affect the mind that was not stifled to conviction. But he took the greatest pleasure in holding forth the mysteries of faith; in displaying the doctrine of God's free grace in the redemption of sinners, by the incarnation and satisfaction of his own Son; and in explaining and enforcing the duties of the Christian life, upon the motives and encouragements of the gospel. He had the tongue of the learned, and knew how to speak a word in season to him that was weary. In short, both in prayer and preaching, he gave not only plain indications of uncommon gifts, but, also, of a holy mind, seriously affected, and deeply impressed with the importance of his work. In the retired walks of private life, he exhibited the divine nature of his principles; living, habitually, under the powerful influence of a strong faith, a lively hope, and a fervent love to God and man, which are the sum of vital and practical religion.* His different publications shall be enumerated below. (c)

SALTERS'-HALL. English Presbyterian.

JOHN NEWMAN. This worthy minister was a native of Oxfordshire, and born about the year 1676. He received his grammar-learning under the Rev. Samuel Chapman, a worthy nonconformist minister, who had been ejected from Yoxford, in Suffolk. In his youth, he discovered a deep sense of religion, was remarkable for his grave deportment, and frequently called his school-fellows together for private prayer, and religious instruction. At a proper age, he was placed under the care of the Rev. John Woodhouse, at Sheriff-hales, in Leicestershire, under whom he pursued a course of studies for the ministry, among Protestant Dis

senters.

At about nineteen years of age, he came up to London, and preached a short time as assistant to the Rev. Joseph Read, at a meeting-house in Bloomsbury, where he was soon noticed as a very promising young minister. Upon the death of the Rev. Richard Mayo, he was chosen assistant to the Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, about 1696; being introduced to the congregation at Salters'-Hall, to whom he was an entire stranger, by Mr. Alderman Dolins, and after preaching a short time with general approbation, he was chosen with little or no opposition. On the 20th of October, 1697, he was ordained to the ministerial office, to which he gave himself up with great cheerfulness and dévo

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Ministers, of whom Mr. Tong was one. 1719.-8. A Sermon, preached at Little St. Helen's, to the Society attending the Lord's-Day Morning Lecture, on the 28th of May, 1722, being the Birth day of King George I.Also several Funeral Sermons, as 1. For the Rev. Thomas Shewell, М. А. Matt. xxiv. 46. 1693.-2. Rev. Samuel Slater, 2 Kings, ii. 9, 10. 1704.3. Rev. S. Slaughter, 1706.-4. Rev. Francis Glascock, Dan. xii. 13. 1706.-5. Mrs. Ann Warner, late Wife of Mr. John Warner, and Daughter of the Rev. John Shower. Psa. lxxiii. 26. 1707.-6. Rev. Matthew Henry. John xiii. 36. 1714.-7. Rev. John Shower, 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. 1715.-8. Rev. Thomas Freke, 2 Cor. iv. 7. 1716.-9. Mrs. Elizabeth Bury, Wife of the Rev. Samuel Bury, 2 Tim. i. 12. 1720. Mr. Tong, also, wrote several recommendatory Prefaces to the Writings of others.

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tion. Upon the death of Mr. Taylor, and the choice of Mr. Tong, to fill the pastoral office, Mr. Newman continued for some years to assist the last worthy minister, who always heard him with great attention and satisfaction, and from a just regard to his real worth, and long and diligent services proposed that he should be united with him in the pastoral office. This proposal met with acceptance from the church, and Mr. Newman was accordingly chosen about the year 1716.

At his first appearance in public, he was a very popular preacher, and for many years together, delivered long and laboured sermons to a crouded audience, without any notes to assist his memory. Wherever he preached, he attracted a large congregation, and was esteemed one of the most celebrated preachers about London. This procured him to be chosen into several lectures of repute. In the beginning of the eighteenth century, when a course of sermons was delivered on a Friday evening, at the Weigh-house meeting, in Little Eastcheap, on psalmody, and some other subjects, Mr. Newman was one of the six ministers chosen to conduct this service. He was also chosen into the Merchants' lecture on a Tuesday morning, at Salters'-Hall, in the room of Mr. Robinson, in 1724. Towards the latter end of his life, his popularity is said to have declined; but when we consider the fickleness of mankind, this is not at all surprising, and was no diminution of his real worth. On the contrary, as he advanced in years, and his congregation decreased, he is said to have preached better sermons. During the long period of forty-five years that he filled the pulpit at Salters'-Hall, he supported the ministerial character with reputation to himself, and usefulness to his people.

Mr. Newman's removal from our world was not pre.ceded by a tedious confinement, nor by any wasting sickness; but his passage out of it was easy; and he was dead before many of his friends heard so much as of his sickness. The

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Lord's-day preceding his decease, he was in the pulpit, and in his usual health; but a severe disease seizing him with great violence, carried him off in a few days, on the 25th of July, 1741, in the 65th year of his age. The celebrated Dr. Doddridge, who was then in London, and his intimate friend, delivered the address at his interment in Bunhillfields, July 31; and on the following Lord's-day, August 2, the Rev. John Barker, preached his funeral sermon, at Salters'-Hall, from John xviii. 11. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it.

Mr. Newman was a Divine of considerable attainments, well skilled in polemical divinity, and a smart disputant. He was an excellent, judicious, practical preacher; his sermons well composed and digested; full of good matter; and adapted to instruct, establish, and comfort his hearers. He had an admirable method of reaching the conscience, and exposing the secret devices of the human heart. In visiting the sick he was frequent, tender, and affectionate. It was remarked as a great excellency in the character of this good man, that he not only fed his flock with wholesome food, but was often at their houses, and by the side of their sick-beds, giving wise advice, and praying with them on such occasions; " which service (says Mr. Barker) I myself remember with pleasure and gratitude, in a dangerous illness, he performed for me with remarkable seriousness and affection, and with peculiar and distinguishing propriety and enlargement." His own behaviour under affliction was decent and exemplary. When exercised with severe trials, he uttered no intemperate complaint, but patiently submitted to the rod of his heavenly Father. He was not without his fears, temptations, and hours of darkness; but in the midst of them displayed the temper of a regular and eminent Christian. His concern for the truth and importance of the peculiar and distinguishing doctrines of our religion, excited the utmost grief, when he observed the gospel of the grace of God so much depreciated and

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despised. The doctrine of the Trinity he considered to be the basis and foundation of our holy religion as Christians; and so interwoven with the several parts of it, as to render it a doctrine of the first importance. He, therefore, considered himself set for the defence of this, as well as of the other doctrines of Christianity, and continued steadfast in them to the last. During the debates in the assembly at Salters'-Hall, in 1719, he took part with the subscribing ministers, herein following the example of his valuable colleague, Mr. Tong; and we cannot but suppose him influenced by the most upright and conscientious motives. His temper and conduct in the various relations of life, exhibited the powerful influence of his principles; and in the exercise of integrity and diligence, of zeal for God, and love to men, of a prudent behaviour, and of a peaceable spirit, he continued faithful unto death.* A list of his publications will be given below.(D)

SAMUEL NEWMAN, son to the foregoing Mr. Jolin Newman, was born in London, about the year 1707. His tender father carefully watched over his early years, and had very soon the pleasure of observing serious impressions fixed on his mind. He saw the great evil of sin, and the worth of

• Mr. Barker's Sermon on the Death of the Rev. John Newman, p. 23-31.

(D) WORKS.-1. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, preached at Salters'-Hall, May the 16th, 1702. Heb. ii. 152. Directions for the right Performance of the Duty of Singing, Eph. v. 10. in the Eastcheap Lectures. 1708.-3. A Sermon at SaltersHall, to the Societies for the Reformation of Manners, Oct. 3, 1709. Mark viii. 38.-4. Objections against Prayer considered. Job xxi. 15. In the Eastcheap Lectures. 1711.-5. The Nature of hearing the Word. Ρτον. xxviii. 9. In the Eastcheap Lectures. 1713.-6. The Character and Blessings of a good Government: a Sermon at Salters'-Hall, Nov. 5, 1716. Jsą. xxxii. 1, 2-7. The Obligations of reading the Scriptures. John v. 39. In the Eastcheap Lectures. 1717.-8. A Funeral Sermon, occasioned by the Death of the Rev. William Tong; preached at Salters'-Hall, April 2, 1797. Psa. Ixxiii. 24.-9. The Popish Doctrine of Merit and Justification considered; preached at Salters'-Hall, March 20, 1735. Rom. iv. 4.