offer us a relief, from the feverish excitement, occasioned by a close inspection of that desperate game, which is constantly going on before our eyes; that turbulence, and ruthless collision of sublunary interests, which drives away all recollection, of the rest that is reserved for the people of God. The life of such men as Townson, is not merely gratifying to the moral sensibility it is something more: it may fairly be regarded, in the light of positive evidence, that there is a higher and purer state of existence, yet to come. No one can see, and think upon, such men, and yet believe, that their destinies can be complete, in a world like this.' * The Editor is most grateful to Providence, that, when, for a time, withheld, by the state of his health, from official duties, he has been enabled to employ himself, thus delightfully. In preparing the present edition, he has repeatedly read each individual discourse in the volume and he can truly say, that every fresh perusal, brought with it a new accession of enjoyment; some unheeded beauty disclosed itself, some hidden excellence became apparent, some truth of Scripture stood forth in a light, no less just and convincing, than it was un *Brit. Crit. and Quart. Theol. Rev., April, 1829, p. 324-6. common, and raised above our ordinary habits of thought. From his admirable simplicity and ease of manner, some readers may be apt to deceive themselves into the notion, that Dr. Townson is not profound: but, after examining with care, at least a dozen times, the present volume of discourses, the Editor can venture to affirm the direct reverse. Whilst, of many writ ings, which excite, and dazzle, and produce great popular and present effect, he will honestly confess, that, on a second or third reading, they invariably betray, some unsoundness of principle, some exaggeration of manner, or something irreconcileable with the deep, and settled sobriety of the Christian character. In a word, they are no more, than opinionum commenta; while, in Dr. Townson, we have the never-failing judicia naturæ. And here, the Editor takes his leave; with this expression of his deliberate opinion: that, more just thought, more sound theology, and more genuine piety, embodied in so short a space, and so unencumbered with needless words, it has not been his fortune to meet with, in any production of modern times. JOHN LIMERICK. Leamington, Dec. 17. 1829. MEMOIR OF DR. TOWNSON. * THE Venerable Thomas Townson, D.D., descended from a family originally of Yorkshire, was eldest son of a native of Lancashire, the Reverend John Townson, M.A., Rector of Much Lees in Essex, by his wife Lucretia, daughter of the Reverend Edward Wiltshire, Rector of Kirkanders in Cumberland. He was born in 1715, and baptized the 7th of April, in that year. Having been instructed a while by his father, he was placed under the care of the Rev. Henry Nott, Vicar of the neighbouring parish of Terling; where he was early distinguished for quickness of apprehension, and a most retentive memory. Thence he was removed to the Free School at Felsted; where, besides other eminent persons, Dr. Wallis and Dr. Barrow were educated. The master, at that time, was the Rev. Mr. Wyatt; a man studious alike to cultivate in his young charge, purity of morals, and accuracy of learning. *This Memoir is abridged from Archdeacon Churton's "Account of the Author," prefixed to the first volume of his works. EDITOR. |