genuineness, authority, and inspiration of the books of the New Teftament. It will refresh your memory with many things on thofe fubjects; but he doth not enter deeply into the controverfies of them. I have lately bought a fcotch edition of FLAVELL's Works, in eight volumes octavo. The folio edition I had before; but this I can read as I lie on my couch, or as I fit in my chair, fmoaking my evening's pipe. I have read more of FLAVELL, fince I was able to read at all, than any other writer; and though he is by no means judicious, yet there is an amazing tenderness, and foft pathos in his style and manner; and I am always pleased with his plainnefs, fimplicity, great seriousness, and entertaining ftories.* I am VOL. I. - T FLAVELL. Not remarkably judicious, but plain, popular, tender: proper to addrefs afflicted I am concerned that Mr. ** doth not apply more diligently to his ftudies; and it really grieves me to fee young divines, who have good natural abilities, and have enjoyed confiderable advantages in their education, contented to glimmer; when, with more application, they might be burning and fhining lights in the church, and the diftinguifhed ornaments of chriftianity and their profeffion. I fometimes talk freely afflicted cafes, and to melt the foul in love: his Token for Mourners inimitable; Fountain of Life ufeful; moft of the fubjects there proper to be preached over on facrament-days: allusion to pagan ftories, both in him and BATES, very entertaining and ufeful. DODDRIDGE. *BATES (the friend of the excellent Abp.TILLOTSON.) Charming eloquence; yet not formed tyle; fentences too short; words very polite; admirable fimilies; unless rather too thick; proper to be quoted by those whose genius does not lead them this way: read his Harmony of the Attributes, Spiritual Perfection, and Four baft Things, DODDRIDGE, freely to my younger brethren on such topics; but in this age, young men do not in general, choose to attend to the most friendly advice of their feniors; though delivered, not only tenderly, but refpectfully. They are wifer, and have better ideas of divinity, especially, than those who have grown grey in ftudy and in the ministry. I think I have now written every thing I had to fay to you-which has been done at many fittings. and I confidered myself as talking with you. -But this wet day makes me uncomfortable, and my letter is as dull as the day yet fair or foul - bright or dull, I am Your faithful and affectionate JOB ORTON. P. S. Look over the next letter, with which you favour me; for the last was written in hafte, and there were fome words in it which I could not read. Let it be a rule with you, always to read over a letter before you feal it, correct whatever is wrong, make proper ftops, that your correfpondents may be at no loss to understand your meaning at once. This is one of Lord CHESTERFIELD's advices to his fon; and if he had given him no worse, it would have been well. LETTER LETTER XXVIII. March, 1779. I ACK! ACKNOWLEDGE myself in your debt, dear fir, for two letters; which, on account of the indifferent state of my health, I am obliged to answer as Ì can, writing a few lines at a time, as I find myself difpofed, without any regard to order or method. I am forry you meet with difficulties and difcouragements in your prefent fituation; but I am in doubt what to say concerning a removal to S***. I could wish you comfortably settled in a living of your own, where you would be more extensively useful; but am fearful you will find inconveniences in the place you think of; except you can fully refolve, and keep your refolution, to mind your proper bufinefs, and to guard against the avocations т 3 |