and purifications in the Old Testament, there is not, I suppose, one instance of any person being dipped or im-mersed by another. It is contrary to decency, and to the respect we owe to one another. As for the baptism of Jewish Proselytes, I take it to be a mere fiction of the Rabbins, by whom we have suffered ourselves to be often imposed

upon.

Page 130. Note (m.) Concerning the Spirit's falling upon the eunuch. I take that to be a bold addition, or interpolation of the critic that modelled the Alex. MS., or the copies from which it was taken. I refer you to R. Wetstein's Praef. page 4, to the second edition of Mastricht's, or Wetstein's New Testament, Amst. 1735, who says of the writer of that manuscript, omnia denique pro lubitu interpolarit, &c. Whatever probability there may be that the eunuch did then, or sometime after, receive the Spirit; I think that clause not to be any part of the New Testament. Notwithstanding what I have said, undoubtedly the Alexandrian Manuscript is an invaluable treasure.

Page 243. Ch. xv. v. 29. Note (s.) I think you justly look upon that equitable rule to be an interpolation in that place; and I believe that, if you had recollected what I have offered relating to it, in the chapter of St. Cyprian, vol. iv. pages 771, 772, and page 780-798, particularly from 798 to 810, you would have referred to it. I thought then that I had good reason to take a great deal of pains about the right reading of that text.

Page 2 of Addit. Notes, No. 3. is a beautiful passage, but, perhaps, too severe upon the ancient heretics. You remember the words there cited are not the words of Eusebius himself, but of another writer of no great importance. And the persons, whom he treats so roughly and harshly, admitted the New Testament and the Christian Revelation, though they had difficulties about the Old Testament, which they were not able to solve, and which, perhaps,

were not well solved for them by others. Yea, as it seems, there were not many of them who totally rejected the Old Testament. I have taken notice of this passage, vol. iii. p. 43-48.

I have now written a long letter, which, if you please, you may look over at some leisure hour; and even then I wish it may not prove tedious. You will be so good as to excuse, bad writing.

I have not yet read Dr. Middleton's new book about the Miraculous Powers in the church. I was of a different opinion from him, but must review it. I imagine you can, without difficulty, refer me to some passages in Eusebius relating to that matter, with regard to extraordinary assistances of martyrs in his time, and some other things. I should be glad of the favour of your references to what you judge the most material passages of this kind in that

author.

I have read the first volume of Mr. Bower's History of the Popes, and am much pleased with it. I am,

Dear Sir,

Your sincere and affectionate Friend and humble Servant,

N. LARDNER.

FROM THE REV. J. BARKER.

REV. AND DEAR SIR, Jan. 7, 1749. It is no small satisfaction for me to hear, that in any thing I comfort you, who have so many times instructed, refreshed, and comforted me. I know nothing in this world more suited to teach, consolate and enlarge a pious mind, than your Epositor, and feel a sensible joy at hearing you have completed it.* A noble work, my dear friend, to be

* That is, the first copy of it. "In reflecting upon the series of events of the last year (1748), I find great reason to acknowledge the wonder

squeezed out of a stone, or spawned by an oyster.” should much sooner expect to see blood squeezed out of a post, or believe the miraculous feats of Simeon Stylites. Well! since what I say has such an effect, as to extort from you what nobody can believe, I will have done with my humiliations before you, and make them where I am sure they can never be low enough.

The success of your labours, and the spread of your writings in this and into far distant countries, my dear friend and fellow-labourer in the service of our common Lord, I most heartily rejoice in, and both entreat and charge you to accept the honour done you by your great Master. Take the comfort of it, and set it against the envious efforts of low and little minds, and the feeble darts of straw which they shoot against your person and character, and use it as a visible encouragement to proceed with vigour and resolution in a cause where your service is so acceptable.

Had you diminished yourself into any thing alive, ever so little removed from a vegetable, I know not whether you had not made me vain, when you likened me to Mr. Howe: not for piety, learning, and greatness of mind (for they admit of no comparison), but for "his manner of preaching, only with a more natural and easy style:" if what I do will admit of any comparison, then I have not laboured altogether in vain, that having been the ambitious endeavour of a great part of my life.

I am much disappointed in Mr. Jennings's sermon: I think, instead of taking a most noble opportunity of doing

ful goodness of God to me in various respects, as to my person, in the continuance of my health to such a degree, that since this day two years, when I began the Family Expositor on Romans, I have, through the divine goodness, been enabled every day to do something at that great and important work; so that most exactly, according to my computation, I finished it last night; that is, finished the first copy of the translation, paraphrase, and improvements, and have proceeded in the notes as far as Ephesians."

From Dr. Doddridge's Reflections on the opening of the new year, 1749.

our mourning hearts good upon that sad occasion,* he has put us off with a dry, if not even with a doubtful criticism.

Mr. Cutler acquainted me with Dr. Stonhouse's taking his place with you and your Church at the Lord's table without your knowledge. An action somewhat singular, and perhaps not quite orderly. But suppose he had come into your vestry, and not asked, but demanded a place at the table of our common Lord, upon the foundation of our common Christianity, I fancy you would not have refused him. I think in like circumstances I could not have dared to have done it; for that table is not mine, or yours, or any man's, but Christ's.+

But now, dear sir, as for you, and my other good friends, who so kindly and piously pray for me, and the dear partner of my cares and joys, I most affectionately and gratefully commend to God, and pray for you all, that he would bless you with the benefits of Christ's redemption, the sanctifying influences of the Divine Spirit, a comforting sense of his special love, a convenient passage through the world, a calm and easy passage out of it, the immediate happiness of your departing spirits, a blessed resurrection, and a glorious immortality. I am

Yours, faithfully and most affectionately,

J. BARKER.

FROM NATHANIEL NEAL, ESQ.

DEAR SIR,

Million-Bank, Feb. 8, 1748. MR. Jackson just now calling in, and informing me he had an opportunity of conveying a letter to Northampton in a

*The death of Dr. Watts.

+ The Nonconformist will feel this passage to be important; his principles will not admit him to question the truth of the last observation; and, it will be recollected, that a precedent is given, which, if followed in certain instances, would effectually crush that inquisitorial spirit, which even Dissenting Church Societies may sometimes betray.

parcel that he was sending thither, I immediately determined to send you a list of Dr. Watts's manuscripts,* in order that you may consider with yourself and consult Mr. Jennings, when and how they shall be delivered to

you.

Our united very affectionate salutations attend yourself, lady, and family, and I am,

Rev. Sir,

Your most faithful, humble Servant,

N. NEAL.

* List of the Manuscripts of Dr. Isaac Watts, which are disposed of in covers or cases, under the following titles, viz.

I. Psalmody.

II. Of the Trinity, a modest defence of inquiries into truth.

III. Two Essays on the Lord's Prayer.

IV. Essays and Remarks on Texts of Scripture. The words in which we should confess our Faith. The Diamond painted. Of Catechisms. A Case of Conscience. Figure of a Cherub.

V. Essays relating to the Trinity, viz.—1. An Inquiry into the Scriptural Representation of the Father, the Word, and the Spirit. 2. Of the proper Athanasian Scheme of the Trinity. 3. The Holy Spirit the true God. 4. The ill Effects of incorporating the Divine Doctrine of the Trinity with the human Explications of it.

VI. Remnants of Time employed in Prose and Verse, or short Composures on various Subjects, viz.-1. Of Human Knowledge, and the various kinds of it. 2. The Rake Reformed in the House of Mourning. 3. An Apology for enlarging Dr. Young's Description of the Peacock. 4. Justice and Grace. 5. Bills of Exchange. 6. The Ever blessed God. 7. Vanity inscribed on all Things. 8. The Day of Grace. 9. God and Nature unsearchable. 10. The Repeal. 11. The Saints unknown in this World. 12. Complaint and Hope, a Poem. 13. Heathen Poesy Christianized. 14. General Song of Praise to God. 15. To Amyntas, an Ode to Lady Sunderland. 16. To Philanthropus. 17. The Windmills. 18. A Sinner Tempted to Despair. 19. Redemption, a Poem. 20. Of Confinement to set Forms of Worship. 21. Appendix to foregoing Essay.

VII. A Faithful Inquiry after the Ancient and Original Doctrine of the Trinity, taught by Christ and his Apostles. In two Parts. The first part inquires so far as is necessary to Salvation. The second part so far as may improve our Christian Knowledge, and establish our Faith; and the objections of both are answered in a plain and easy manner, derived only from the Word of God.

VIII. The Improvement of the Mind, second Part.