parish-lectureship. Mr. Romaine was elected to both, and continued som years in the quiet exercise of his office, until an opposition arose, which ended in a lawsuit that deprived him of the parish-lectureship, but confirmed him in that founded by Dr White, and endowed with a salary of eighteen pounds a year. Lest this should be removed from the parish, the use of the church was granted to him; but as Lord Mansfield's decision was, that seven o'clock in the evening was a convenient time to preach the lecture, the churchwardens refused to open the church till that hour, and to light it when there was occasion. His predecessor, however, Dr. Terrick, then become bishop of London, interposed so effectually, and gave such a character of Mr. Romaine, that this ungenerous opposition ceased, every proper accommodation was allowed to his congregation, and he continued quietly to exercise his ministry here to the end of his life.

In 1750 he was appointed assistant morning preacher in the church of St. George, Hanover-square. The rector, who both appointed him to this place, and removed him from it, was Dr. Trebeck. Mr. Cadogan informs us, that the first act originated not in personal friendship, but in the recommendation of his character: the latter arose from the popularity and plainness of his ministry. He preached Christ crucified amongst those who are least disposed to receive him. The church was filled with the poor, and forsaken by the rich: and that which (as a nobleman is said to have observed) was never complained of in a playhouse, was admitted as a just cause of complaint in the house of God. When notice was given him, that the crowd of people attending from different parts caused great incon venience to the inhabitants, who could not safely get to their seats, he received it in the most placid manner, and said, he was willing to relinquish an office which he had faithfully performed, hoping that his doctrine had been Christian, and owning the inconvenience which had attended his parishioners.'

About 1752, he was appointed professor of astronomy in Gresham college. His knowledge of the subject was sufficient to qualify him for this situation, but his zeal for Hutchinsonian principles led him to dispute some parts of the Newtonian philosophy in a way which did not greatly advance his reputation, and he did not retain his professorship long. He was far more popular afterward in his opposition to the Jew Bill. All his writings on this subject were collected by himself, and printed by the city of London. On quitting his situation in St. George's, Hanover-square, in 1756, he became curate and morning preacher at St. Olave's, Southwark; and, when he left it in 1759, he became morning preacher, for nearly two years, at St. Bartholomew the Great, near West Smithfield. In 1764, he was chosen by the inhabitants of St. Andrew, Wardrobe, and St. Anne, Blackfriars, to be their rector, the right of presentation, which is vested in the crown and in the parishioners alternately, then belonging to the latter. This produced a suit in chancery, which was decided in his favour in 1766. In this situation he continued during thirty years, and was probably the most popular preacher of his day. It was noticed in the newspapers that, on the Good Friday, after his being settled here, he administered the sacrament to upwards of five hundred persons, and on the Sunday following to upwards of three hundred, numbers which had never been remembered by the oldest inhabitant. From this time he devoted himself to the service of his parishioners and his hearers at St. Dunstan's, but was frequently solicited to plead the cause of charity for various institutions, and few preachers ever produced more money on such occasions.

His useful labours at length terminated on Sunday, July 26, 1795. During his illness, which lasted seven weeks, his zeal, his faith, his animated

vi

LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.

views of immortality, accorded with the uniform example of his life, and evinced, in the gradual approaches of death, the hope, and consolation, and triumph of a Christian. His character throughout life was uniform and regular: his surviving friends have dwelt on it with pleasure, and it certainly was as free from frailty as the imperfect state of human nature can admit. The only prominent objection was a degree of hastiness of temper, or occasional irritability; but even that he had conquered, in a great measure, many years before his death. By them, to whom his preaching was acceptable, and to whom his memory is yet dear, his printed works are held in high estimation, and have gone through various editions. Besides the single Sermons, Calasio's Concordance, and a Comment on the 107th Psalm, Mr. Romaine published, in the course of his life, 1. "Twelve Sermons upon Solomon's Song,' 1759. 2. Law and Gospel,' 1760. 3. The life of Faith,' 1763. 4. The Scripture Doctrine of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper,' 1765. 5. The Walk of Faith,' 1771, 2 vols. 6. An Essay on Psalmody,' 1775. 7. Twelve Discourses upon the "The Triumph of Faith.'

BThese were collected soon after his death, in a uniform edition, with some additional pieces and a life, in which a very full account is given of his reliegious principles and ministerial labours. He appears to have been in some respects an extraordinary character. Although usually reproached with being a methodist, a word which is not always very clearly understood by those who employ it in the service of controversial animosity, he was one of the most zealous advocates for the church of England that has appeared in modern times. His attachment to her doctrines and discipline, indeed, was such as left him but a moderate share of respect for the dissenters, by whom he was often accused of intolerance and bigotry. Towards the close of life, however, it is said, he entertained more candour towards the Calvanistic Dissenters, although he was to the last a strenuous advocate for the service and forms of the church; and it is certain that many dissenters of the stricter sort contributed to increase his audiences, which were in general the fullest ever known in London. Nor ought it to be forgotten in the catalogue sof his virtues that he evinced, in money matters, a great share of independent spirit. He refused large offers from the booksellers for the use of his name to religious compilations, and on one occasion no less than 5001. I when his annual income did not amount to half the sum. His funeral, besides being attended by a very numerous concourse of friends, and a long train of carriages of persons of considerable rank, was honoured with the presence of the city marshals and other officers, and funeral sermons were preached on the occasion in various churches, some of which were afterward published. Mr. Romaine married in 1755 a Miss Price, who survived him about six years, by whom he had a daughter who died young, and two sons, the eldest, Dr. Romaine of Reading, the second, Capt. Romaine, who died in 1782, at Trincomale, in the island of Ceylon.*

*Life prefixed to his works by the Hon. and Rev. William Bromley Cadogan

TO THE

LIFE OF FAITH.

THE design of this little treatise is to display the glory and all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to encourage weak believers to glorify him more by depending and living more upon his all-sufficiency. Whatever grace he has promised in his word, he is faithful, and he is almighty to bestow, and they may receive it of him freely by the hand of faith. This is its use and office, as a hand or instrument, having first received Christ, to be continually receiving out of Christ's fulness. The apostle calls this 'living by faith,' a life received and continued, with all the strength, comforts and blessings belonging to it, by faith in the Son of God, and he also mentions the work of faith, its working effectually in the hearts and lives of believers, through Christ strengthening them, and its growing in them, yea growing exceedingly from faith to faith, by the power of him who loveth them. This is the subject; and it properly belongs to those only who have obtained the true faith given them of God, and wrought in their hearts by his word and Spirit. Such persons meet with many difficulties every day to try their faith, and to hinder them from depending continually upon the Lord Christ for all things belonging to life and godliness. By what means these difficulties may be overcome is plainly taught in Scripture, is clearly promised, and is attained by faith, which becomes daily more victorious, as it is enabled to trust, that he is faithful who promised. The strengthening of it I have had all along in view, hoping to be the means, under God, of leading the weak believer by the hand, and of removing hinderances out of his way, until the Lord thoroughly settle and establish him in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

But I must admonish the reader, that I do not expect this merely from what I have written. It is too high and great a work for any mere man. Faith is the gift of God: and he alone who gives it, can increase it. The Author of the faith is also the finisher of it; and we do not use the means to set the Lord of all means aside. No, we use them that we may find him in them. It is his presence, which makes the use of them effectual. By this, and this only, can any reader of this little book be rendered stronger in faith. Being well assured of this, I have therefore looked up to him myself, and it will be for thy profit also, reader, to look up to him in prayer, for his blessing. Entreat him of his grace to countenance this feeble attempt to promote his glory and his people's good. Beg of him to make thy reading of it the means of thy growth in faith, and to accompany it with the supply of his Holy Spirit to every believer, into whose hands it may fall. And forget not in thy prayers and praises to remember the Author. Since the first printing of this book several spurious editions have been published at London and Dublin, very full of faults and mistakes: for the sake of setting my own sentiments correctly before the public, I have given Mrs. Trapp leave to print from my own copy. I bless God who has enabled me to revise the press, and to put my last hand to the work, by making such additions and alterations, as seemed to me necessary, to render the subject more plain to common readers. In this, and in all things, I desire to approve myself to my Lord and Master, whose I am, and whom I serve, and whatever good I have or do, to him be all the praise. Blessed be his name this day, henceforth, and through the day of eternity.

April 24, 1793.