It must, indeed, be admitted, that, in the present day, there is no deficiency of religious publications; several excellent in their kind. But, it cannot be denied, that many offend against good taste; and, what is of far graver consequence, that many give erroneous and distorted views of the Gospel System. With either of these defects, the works which form this compilation do not, in any degree, seem chargeable. On the contrary, it may truly be affirmed, that they are written with great purity and elegance of manner, and that they present, to all capable minds, the very 'pith and kernel' of inward practical Christianity.

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The writings of Scougal and How, in particular, frequently remind one of the Imitation' of Thomas à Kempis but they are wholly free from that ascetic gloom, which, more or less, disfigures all Roman Catholic piety. In depth and interiority of religion, indeed, they cannot readily be excelled, or equalled; but they uniformly breathe the sober cheerfulness of the Divine Author of Christianity; and remind us of his heavenly injunction, that, whatever be our inward feelings, we should "anoint our head, and wash our face, and appear not unto men to fast."

By our relish for books of this nature, we may, perhaps, best form a judgment of our spiritual state. And happy shall we be, if we feel ourselves gradually formed to that purity, humility, and love

of God and man, which they always recommend and exemplify.

It may be satisfactory, to add a few words, concerning the respective Authors.

The Rev. HENRY SCOUGAL, A. M., second son of the Right Rev. PATRICK SCOUGAL, Bishop of Aberdeen, was born at Saltoun, in East Lothian, in the year 1650. From his earliest years, he was devoted, not less by his own choice, than by his father's piety, to the service of the ministry; and it is remarkable, that, almost from infancy, he took special delight in devotional retirement, in the study of the best books, and in the conversation of wise and good men ; while, his very amusements indicated the greatness and energy of his mind; for, together with the most ingenious of his youthful associates, he was in the habit of composing little orations, and delivering them in the personated character of some distinguished Roman Senator.* At the University, he made a singular proficiency in classical and mathematical learning; but it was his chief delight to acquire just apprehensions of God and religion; and he fixed his notions deeply and permanently, by the composition of pious meditations, remarkable at once for exactness and eloquence. He was educated at the University of Aberdeen; where, at twenty years of age, he became Professor of Philosophy, and was

* A similar circumstance is related of Sir William Jones. See his Life by Lord Teignmouth; and Dr. Johnstone's Memoirs of Dr. Parr.

the happy instrument of training multitudes to follow in his steps. On taking orders, he accepted the country parish of Auchterless; and there, by unwearied diligence in catechizing, preaching, and instructing from house to house, he gave full proof, that the ministry was, indeed, his vocation. But he was soon called to a more important sphere. In 1675, by the unanimous voice of the electors, he was chosen Professor of Divinity, in King's College, Aberdeen; from whence, in the midst of a full career of usefulness, he was mysteriously, but, no doubt, mercifully, removed to a better world, in the year 1678, at the early age of eight and twenty. Being made perfect in a short time, he fulfilled a long time for wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.' *

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From numerous testimonies to Scougal's chief work, it seems sufficient, to extract that of Bishop Burnet, that the book was a transcript of the divine impressions on his own heart; and that he had written nothing in it, which he did not himself well know and feel.'

Of the Hon. CHARLES HOW, less is known, than might have been desired. He seems to have held the noiseless tenor of his way, in the exercise of an

*The profoundly learned, and pious John Smith of Cambridge, died also at the early age of thirty-five. See his select discourses, in the last edition, which is incomparably the best. It was published in 1821, by Messrs. Rivingtons and Cochran, Strand.

unobtrusive benevolence, and in the cultivation of his own heart.

His Meditations' were intended merely for his private use; and, during his long life, no human eye saw them, but his own. After his death, however, they came into the possession of his granddaughter; and, with her permission, were made public by her husband, Mr. George Mac Aulay; but, in the first instance, without the Author's name. To the Second Edition this was prefixed, at the earnest suggestion of several good literary judges; among the rest, of Doctor Young, author of the Night Thoughts; whose testimony to the work, should, by no means, be omitted. The book of Meditations,' says this eminent man, 'I have read, more than once; and I shall never lay it far out of my reach: for a greater demonstration of a sound head, and a sincere heart, I never saw.'

Mr. How was a gentleman of good fortune, and of a family ennobled in several of its branches. He was himself a native of Gloucestershire, but the stock originally came from the county of Nottingham. His birth took place in the year 1661; and, during the latter end of the reign of Charles II., he was much about the Court. In 1686, he went abroad in an official situation, in the suite of a near relative, ambassador to a foreign Court. And, his friend suddenly dying, he completed, by powers specially entrusted to him, the business of the em

bassy; with such reputation, that he had an offer of the full and permanent appointment to the diplo matic office. This, however, from a dislike of the measures then pursued at court, he thought proper to decline; and immediately returned to England. Soon after, he married a lady of rank and fortune; who, dying in a few years, left behind her an only daughter, frequently mentioned in the Meditations. From this period, he lived, for the most part in the country; and spent many of his latter years in close retirement, consecrating his time to religious exercises and meditations. His conduct was exemplary; his conversation cheerful, and his death peaceful and serene. He reached the extraordinary term of eighty-four years; when he exchanged the happiness of a virtuous and a good old age, for the greater, but congenial happiness, of a blessed immortality, A. D. 1745.

Of the excellent CUDWORTH, it were superfluous to speak in detail: the reputation of such men is the glory of our country. His writings, especially the Intellectual System, are known and prized by the learned throughout Europe: and will continue to be so, while piety and erudition are accounted valuable among men. His first Sermon, given in this Collection, was preached before the House of Commons, in the year 1647; and, with singular boldness and intrepidity, was directed point blank, and without compromise or qualification, against the