dered me very timely assistances towards securing the correctness of the present translation; it was a kindness not to be forgotten, and I take this opportunity of publicly and gratefully acknowledging it. To "paint a diamond" I shall not attempt; either by here saying more of yourself, or by praising the real jewelry of this book. Neither the one nor the other has any need of the kind. My thoughts will be better directed to whatever failures are attributable to my work or to myself, who have such bright examples before me.

b

Yet as I have often said how much reason I have to be thankful that I ever became acquainted with Bengel, so allow me to add, that the benefit I have thus alluded to will, I am confident, ever be increased by my remaining, what I now subscribe myself,

Most gratefully and affectionately

Yours,

PURLEIGH PARSONAGE,

26th June, 1837.

R. F. WALKER.

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST GERMAN EDITION.

In undertaking the present work, the author was fully sensible that Bengel deserved a far better biographer; but the solicitation of friends with whose wishes he has always felt it his delightful duty to comply, made him the readier to set about it; especially as among Bengel's numerous descendants he possessed the largest portion of requisite materials, with greater facilities than most of his respected relatives for collecting what remained in other hands. And through the kindness of such relatives and friends, he has been successful in doing it beyond what might have been expected for the memoir of one who died nearly eighty years ago, and who flourished not in the great theatre of the world, but in the more retired walks of literature and social excellence. Besides the published works of Bengel, and those earlier printed notices of his life, which are specified in the margin below,* the author has availed himself of the following unprinted documents: I. Valuable Memoranda, contained in about 150 quarto leaves, (somewhat injured by a fire, which happened at Tübingen in 1789,) entitled “Bengeliana," or "Remains of Bengel," committed to writing immediately from his conversations; and partly transcribed from his papers during the years 1738—1752, by Ph. D. Burk, a familiar friend, curate, and son-in-law of the deceased.

J. J. Moser's "Account of Würtemberg,” vol. i. p. 211. Tübing. 1729.

2. Ernst Ludwig Rathlef's" Memoirs of Learned Persons now living," vol. v. p. 426. Printed in 1742.

3. J. J. Moser's “Contributions for a Biographical Dictionary of living Divines,” pp. 56, 789, 992.

4. Jacob Brucker's "Picture Gallery of Learned Men now living." Seventh Decade. No. 3. 1748.

5. John Philip Fresenius's “ Authentic Memoir of the Life, Death, and Writings of John Albert Bengel."

6. Dr. William Gottlieb Tafinger's "Funeral Discouse at the Interment of J. A. Bengel, with Notices of his Life.” 1752.

7. A variety of later memoirs of Bengel.

II. A quarto MS. half as large, containing many transcribed letters of Bengel and his correspondents; with memoranda of him by others of his curates.

III. A folio Memorandum, in which are found notices respecting the Church of the United Brethren, which he made use of in drawing up the "Sketch" of that Church, referred to in Part III. chapter xv. of the present work.

IV. Several fasciculi of his letters in his own hand, with replies to many of them, some in autograph, and others transcribed. V. A quarto MS. of his Sermon Notes.

VI. A variety of detached compositions in his own hand, &c. &c. These materials have supplied much that well consists with a full account of the life of Bengel; though, for mere biographical narrative, there was very little; nor could much of the kind be looked for; because the prominent events of his life, such as belong to more public men, are but few. But it was considered that those who respect his memory would wish to have as much as possible of his edifying remains; and that the larger class of those who were likely to welcome a new memoir of his life, would not be of the most learned description; a conjecture which was soon verified by the list of subscribers to this work. For the religious turn of thinking (in Germany) since Bengel's time, has taken such a direction among most literary men, and even among very many professed divines, that were Bengel now amongst us, he might with more propriety than ever call himself an "ecclesia monadica;" or "a speckled bird," (Jer. xii.) in the ecclesiastical world. Still the author could not well suppress every thing, which was likely to be less attractive to his less learned readers but whatever is so, he has endeavoured to render popularly plain; and, it is chiefly on their account that he has subjoined an Appendix* of important matter. Nevertheless, some passages of this work will still fail of interesting those who are quite unlearned; the particular subject in hand not easily admitting of greater perspicuity as in ch. i. of Part I., ch. i. of Part II., ch. ii. of Part III. &c. Whoever finds any difficulty in understanding these chapters, may omit them without having occasion to lay aside the book; as all the rest will be found both instructive and edifying.

The author has endeavoured to select from his materials such subjects as appeared the most valuable and interesting; and at the same time to bring together upon each subject whatever observations were plainest and most pertinent; so that the work contains many valuable remarks upon Education, Pastoral Theology, Pietism, Separatism, Church Government and Liturgical Services; likewise upon Author

* This Appendix is embodied in the present work, under the author's direction.-TR.