of being accountable; and his constant study and desire seemed to be, to do his duty towards God and man.

He was firmly attached to the Established Church of England, highly approving of its scriptural doctrines, decent ceremonial, and moderate discipline, both as distinguished from bigotry, and from enthusiasm, laxity, and indifference. With all his moderation and forbearance, he was entirely free from that spurious and worthless candour which leads men to speak with equal favour of all individuals, sects, and parties. He was punctual in attending the outward services of religion, both of public and private worship. During his last illness, which continued with greater or less severity through half a year, he never uttered the least expression of impatience: his fortitude and cheerfulness remained unshaken, and his faculties almost unimpaired to the end of his life. He frequently intimated his entire resignation to the Divine will.

In reviewing the labours of his exemplary life, the incalculable services which he rendered to his own college in particular, cannot pass unnoticed. Having devoted to it the chief part of his care for sixty years, and made the most strenuous exertions, by his instruction, example, and authority, to promote its welfare, he gave further proof of his attachment by munificent liberality, partly bestowed in his life-time, and partly (in the final disposition of his property) providing for its permanent benefit. It was impossible for the members of it to regard him, while he lived, otherwise than with the most grateful affection and reverence; and these are the feelings with which his memory will long be cherished by them. And certainly,

while they, in common with all his friends, lament their own loss in his departure, they have, with regard to himself, strong grounds of comfort. His earthly course was not terminated till he had arrived at an age beyond which our strength is but labour and sorrow; and they may entertain the consoling hope that the blessings which he experienced here, with much thankfulness to the merciful Author of them, were but a foretaste of eternal and more ample manifestations of the Divine goodness, in the state to which he has been transferred.

If any think that the account above given of this great and good man is extravagant in commendation, let not a strained interpretation be given to it, as if it were meant to represent him as immaculate, or the highest human virtue as being otherwise than imperfect. But, with every proper admission, it will still remain true that, though Dr. Wood was held in very great esteem, and though numerous friends were strongly attached to him, yet, from the reserve and simplicity of his manners, he could not be adequately appreciated, except by those who were very intimately acquainted with him. It was also necessary to know him long; because a remarkable characteristic of his excellence was the continued uniformity of it. Indeed, the apprehension that an accurate description of him must appear partial and overcharged to people in general, has caused a doubt whether any attempt to describe him ought to be made; especially remembering how adverse he himself was to ostentation, and how little his virtuous actions were prompted by the mere love of fame. Nevertheless, on the whole, it seems right that a just tribute

to the memory of the deceased should not be withheld, from a fear that some may be slow in giving credit to it; and therefore this representation, made with a sincere desire of adhering to the truth, is offered as an imperfect memorial of him, in the hope that it may afford some satisfaction to his friends, and perhaps be serviceable in recalling to their thoughts his bright example of piety and virtue.

LECTURE I.

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE CHURCH.

THE ARGUMENT.

FOUNDATIONS NOW THE SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY-DIFFICULTIES OF DEFENCE INCREASED BY THE IGNORANCE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE OF THE ADVERSARY-LIKEWISE BY THE CHURCH'S LONG PEACE, AND RELIANCE ON HER CAUSE-IN ADDITION, DEFECTIVE CLERICAL EDUCATION, HASTY DEMAND FOR NEW LABOURERS, AND THE DISTRACTIONS OF ALL-ABSORBING PRACTICAL DUTIES-ATTEMPTS ON THE PART OF THE CHURCH TO SYMBOLIZE WITH DISSENTERS IN THESE DUTIESFAILURE, AND WIDER DIVISIONS IN CONSEQUENCE-EQUALLY ASSAULTED BY ROMANISTS AND DISSENTERS-CONSOLATIONS IN THE PRESENT POSITION OF CONTROVERSY-MORE DECISIVE RESULTS MAY BE EXPECTED FROM DISCUSSING GREAT QUESTIONS-THE TRUTH HAS NOTHING TO FEAR ULTIMATELY-GREAT MISTAKE OF SUPPOSING THAT INDEFINITE TRUTHS ARE THEREFORE INDIFFERENT-PROPOSAL, IN THESE LECTURES, TO PROPOUND THE TRUTH WITH REGARD TO SOME LEADING POINTS, BY SEEKING OUT THE ELEMENTARY IDEA-THESE LEADING POINTS STATED-GOOD RESULTS TO BE HOPED FOR FROM PURSUING THIS LINE

OF ARGUMENT.