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Mr. Adam as an Arminian, and this charge has been revived in a late Memoir quoted in this Life of Mr. Adam. The judicious reader will find that neither of the above charges were true in the sense which the words commonly convey. He did not embrace

some of the doctrines called Calvinistic in the exact mode in which several of his brethren, with whom he was intimate, received them. This was the case with respect to election and perseverance, of which his curate, the Rev. R. Storry, says, "He held them both in a way of his own." Mr. Adam's letters to Colonel Pownall show his views of doctrines to have been in accordance with those of Christ and his apostles; and his perusal of "The Complete Duty of Man," while in progress, and his advice to the Rev. Mr. Venn to publish it, are circumstances which may serve to show that those who account him an Arminian have not the same views of Arminianism as Mr. Wesley had.

It is of great importance not to take a prejudice against a confessedly good man, because he had the misfortune not to lend his unqualified approbation to the views of either party. He was willing to let the prophets, our Saviour, and his apostles, speak their own words, and he meekly bowed to their inspired writings. These he endeavoured simply to explain, as will appear in the succeeding Exposition. The sincere Christian will find the writings of Mr. Adam sound, practical, and lively exhibitions of the mind of the Spirit of God; and "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness.'

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The editor would entreat the God of all mercy to

VOL. I.

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bless this feeble effort to set forth his grace in Mr. Adam; and to introduce his labours, in expounding the Evangelists, to the notice of the church of God, for Jesu's sake. Amen.

APPENDIX.

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A MEMOIR of the Life and Ministry of the Rev. Thomas Adam, will hardly be deemed complete without some notice of the Rev. Robert Storry, who was connected with him as curate of Wintringham for about seven years: because much of the subsequent usefulness with which the latter was favoured when occupying a more extensive sphere as vicar of St. Peter's, at Colchester, may, under God, be attributed to those lessons of practical wisdom which he imbibed from his pious and venerable

rector.

Mr. Storry was born at Wrelton, in the parish of Middleton, near Pickering, in Yorkshire, June the 13th, 1751. He was early deprived by death of both his parents, but he soon realized that consolatory promise, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up;" for when only twelve years of age, his attention became awakened to the importance of religion under the ministry of the Rev. John King, the vicar of the parish. From that time he appears to have entertained an earnest desire to devote himself to the service of his God and Saviour, and though for a

season his energies were employed in the study of the law, this was after a few years exchanged for a pursuit far more congenial to his taste,—that of preparation for the sacred office of the ministry. It is however probable that in the formation of his own character, much of that intimate knowledge of mankind, discernment of the character of others, and aptitude for business, for which he was afterwards so remarkable, may be assigned to the mental discipline acquired under the former profession.

Whilst preparing for the ministry he enjoyed the privilege of being under the instructions of the justly eminent Joseph Milner, of Hull, the historian of the church of Christ, of whom and his works he was always accustomed to speak with the highest respect and affection.

In the year 1774 he was ordained to the curacy of Hovingham, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, and in the following year he removed to Wintringham on the recommendation of the late Rev. William Richardson, of York. Thus commenced a connexion which is considered to have proved mutually beneficial, for whilst, on the one hand, Mr. Storry acquired from Mr. Adam a preference for what was solid, useful, and practical in his public discourses, and better calculated to convince the understanding and to impress the heart than that which was merely popular, or attractive by its novelty; on the other hand, his amiable, social, and communicative disposition produced the happiest effects in correcting the more retired and taciturn disposition of Mr. Adam. Indeed, it may be stated with truth, that few persons have more conscientiously employed their conversa

tional talents for the edification of others than the late Mr. Storry.

Having deservedly secured the affections of the parishioners of Wintringham, he employed the influence he thus obtained in recommending the excellences of their incumbent, and in promoting, in a variety of ways, the comfort and spiritual advantage of both parties.

At the commencement of 1781 the subject of this brief notice was presented to the vicarage of St. Peter's, at Colchester, and shortly after he married the pious and talented daughter of Dr. Bridges, of Hull, by whom he had six children, but two only survived him.

In this celebrated town, it was his privilege to become a principal instrument in the hands of the great Head of the Church, in reviving an attention to those vital doctrines of Christianity, which are so beautifully interwoven with every part of our Liturgy; but which, truth compels us to state, were at the time too much lost sight of in many of the churches around him.*

Under these circumstances, he had to sustain no small share of that obloquy and opposition, which

* In justification of the above assertion, the writer of this account subjoins the following extract from a note, addressed to the subject of it, about fifty years ago, by a clergyman, who was at that period looked up to as the leading man in Colchester.

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presents his compliments to Mr. Storry, and has the pleasure of sending him Dr. Balguy's Discourses. He has also taken the liberty of sending him Mr. Ludlam's Essays, the last of which contains, in his opinion, a complete refutation of the Calvinistic doctrines of penal satisfaction, vicarious punishment, and imputed righteousness.-23rd March, 1789."

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