communicate both pleasure and instruc tion, whilst I have religiously kept in view a regard to historical truth. How large a portion of time and pains the collection of these comparatively few materials has cost me, it is useless to detail. If I may have the good fortune to merit his approbation, I shall consider myself to have received an ample recompense.

The distinct and independent subjects upon which the treatises of the first volume are written, rendered it a point of less solici tude in what precise order they should be arranged. That which I deemed the most important is allowed its claim to prece dence.

The Contents will be found to exhibit a pleasing and interesting specimen of the versatility of talents, the activity of mind, and the warmth of devotion, which so eminently characterized our author. Whatever fell within the sphere of a Christian, he caught with ardour, and explored with perseverance. With a simplicity of style, a perspicuity of ideas, and a luminous ar rangement of the subject, peculiar to himself, Hale evolves its difficulties, enlightens the understanding, and improves the heart.

His firm conviction of the truth of religion, and his inextinguishable zeal for its interests, formed the active principle of his life. It was this master-spring which guided his pen and animated every sentence. Hence will be found that evangelical seriousness which breathes through every page; hence the immediate consecration of his subjects to the advancement of his Redeemer's Kingdom, and the immortal happiness of man. Under all the variety and discrimination of characters, in which he recommends himself to our notice, whether as the subtle dialectician; the enlightened philosopher; the affectionate parent; the blessed peace-maker; the prudent citizen; or the ardent philanthropist; he still maintains the pre-eminence of the Christian, and sheds over each the warmth and effulgence of evangelical piety.

1 Most of his writings, of a religious kind, were not originally intended for publication. His primary motive for committing his thoughts to paper, was the promotion of his own spiritual advantage. He possessed the rare and happy talent of performing

For some of the following circumstances, I am indebted to the original Prefaces.

much

much in a small compass of time; and yet perhaps no man was more economical of that precious talent.

He usually spent that part of the Lord's Day, which intervened between the evening sermon and supper-time, in pious meditations; and, being remarkably expert in writing, it was his wonted method to pen his thoughts, that he might fix them more intently upon his subject, and restrain their unprofitable excursions. It may be supposed, however, this was not his only motive: the review of what he wrote in times past would enable him to ascertain his progress in Christian knowledge and practice; nor could hé but hope that they would prove of essential benefit to his family and domestics. Most of his smaller tracts were found in the hands of his children and servants, in a neglected state, and in danger of being irretrievably lost; till they were happily rescued from their impending fate, by the care and assiduity of his friend, who discovered their value. His usual method of writing them had something peculiar and deserving of notice. When he had determined upon a subject, he first drew a scheme

scheme of his whole discourse, or as much of it as he intended to consider at the time, upon some loose piece of paper, and sometimes upon a corner or the margin of the paper on which he wrote. He then tapped his thoughts, and let them run, to use his own expression; and they usually ran as fast as his hand, though a very ready one, could trace them. In this quick pace he often wrote two sheets, at other times between one and two, and has been known to write in this proportion for hours together. His writings may be considered a species of extemporary meditations, the production of a head and heart fraught with a rich treasure of human and divine knowledge, which the famous legislator Justinian makes the necessary qualification of a complete lawyer. It ought however to be observed, that his larger tracts, which could not be finished at one time, were written at great intervals, from the interposition of business. of a different nature, which usually interrupts the thread of ideas.

But whatever share of honour his great industry, learning, and abilities, acquired him, yet, were the venerable Judge to rise from his grave, he would pronounce this of small

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small importance, when brought in competition with the principles which gave birth to his writings, and stimulated him to those great and generous acts which immortalized his name. If his mind had not been strongly imbued with the principles of religion, and influenced by the prospects of immortality, it is scarcely credible that one, whose time was devoted to pursuits of so different a complexion for six days together, could, upon the seventh, have withdrawn his mind from his professional, and applied it so devoutly to theological labors.

The studies which he commenced in his early days, he prosecuted to the latest period at which his infirmities would permit him to hold his pen, within a fortnight or three weeks before he died. In exploring the difficult points of religion, as of the law, he spared neither pains nor cost, upon any means which conduced to the discovery and manifestation of the admirable Providence of God, whether in the composure, powers, and course of nature, or in the government of the actions of men. As much time as he dedicated to the study and practice of the law, and business not of an ordinary Judge, but of a Chief Baron and Chief Jus