the thing at heart; yet directing him which papers or numbers he shall insert in his Magazines; lest he should either go on too fast, or make a less proper choice in some cases, &c."

Jan. 29. "For my own part, though one of the most averse in the world to the having my name in print, and especially in relation to subjects of consequence like this:-yet rather than that the whole scheme should fail,-if I find I have any the least encouragement and proper countenance given, I will send in an epistle with my name and place of abode to be set at the close of the first little volume. But Qu. would not my name, in so low a station, &c. rather do hurt, and prejudice a good cause? I have all along feared this. This would be putting a great force upon myself. But there is no help, and I would submit. My friend mentioned to me Mr. Jortin, Mr. Warburton, and yourself (though I did not say a word of my being known to you); with some others of known worth about town."

"The Bishop of London has made inquiry of Mr. West about the scheme [the Disquisitions], intimating that the Bishops would willingly see more of it, if not the whole.-I answered Mr. West, that I could not tell but a copy might be allowed to be taken (without the notes), being done at the expense of such as shall desire it; adding, that I was not sure it would be granted, but it would probably be considered of, &c.-If such a permission should appear to be proper (I mean with regard to the Disquisitions only) the MS. should be tranferred from your hands to those of some honourable Lay-man, who would take the charge, and say nothing about any body's name, &c.-This also I say no more of.

"P. S. Mr. West thinks, that if the scheme of the Disquisitions at large shall not be thought proper to be communicated to the Prelates, yet it might look well to depute and request some fit to person discourse with them on the subject.

"Mr. Archdeacon Law proposes to be in town about the end of this week, or soon after.-He

would

would willingly mention the affair in a favourable manner to the Archbishop of York, and some other persons of consequence; but knows not what to say, as nobody appears in the scheme: for he would look but oddly, as he observes, and to disadvantage, &c. -I wish this might be considered of before he comes, and some proper measures contrived, in order to his introducing it, which he would most willingly do, if he had any proper foundation to go upon. Your friend Mr. Jortin is his friend also: and he told me, he intended to see him more than once. Perhaps you will contrive to meet him, and all three discourse together, and settle matters for the best."

Cambridge, Feb. 1. "I fancy the advertisement I now send will appear to you to go a considerable way towards removing the objection before mentioned. There seems no other way of removing it at present, but by people's setting their names: which at this time cannot be thought very adviseable.-It is indeed a pity to lose such a fine opportunity of having Mr. Archdeacon Law's recommendations (which he is so free to give, if it could well be done) during his stay in town. And yet it seems possible that the affair may turn out well enough without them; since (as you know) we have so many good strings to our bow, one after another. If one fails, another comes in the room of it, and the design is kept up.-Let the Bookseller know the whole, that he may judge for himself: for there is no design in the least to blind him, or impose upon him. He sees what he has to trust to;-good and discreet management, as was intimated in another place.

"I sent the advertisement this morning to the Archdeacon for his opinion. He returned it soon after with these words: I have just had time to peruse the inclosed, and entirely approve it as a proper Introduction.-So that probably (unless you, Sir, shall think otherwise) it may not be amiss to let it try its fortune in the world, with the other papers."

Dr. Edmund Law.

" I saw

"I saw Dr. Middleton very well a little while ago. His introductory Discourse did great service, by paving the way for the larger work. See the Preface."

At the end of the Advertisement (which is designed to follow next after the Preface) you see the words lodged in the hands of Pray think of a proper person. Mr. Yorke of all men, I should humbly think; or some other Lay-gentleman of note, and one who is not acquainted with my hand; for you will remember, that my name is not to be mentioned."

Feb. 2. "Mr. Archdeacon Law will be in town either to-morrow night or on Saturday: I rather suppose the latter. His lodgings will be somewhere near Gray's-inn. Can you conveniently contrive that he may have the inclosed soon? I suppose the readiest way will be to send it to Mr. Jortin.- Let me tell you as a friend, and under the rose, that some of the old Dons at Cambridge were much displeased with his Theses* [which, by the way, you will find in the packet when it comes]; and one of the Heads actually refused to sign his paper of recommendation for his degree. It is supposed there may be some private views in the case: as to which I can say nothing. But the Archdeacon behaved like a noble advocate for truth, and shewed himself mighty in the Scriptures, &c."

Feb. 4. " My good friend of the Exchequer † writes me word, that you think the whole may be comprised in two volumes; and that this will be the more convenient method in order to lessen the charge of binding."

March 20. Mr. Jones went to Huntingdon and had Dr. Law to spend an evening with him.

March 25, 1749. Miscellaneous Observations relative to the "Disquisitions."

*'"Quæstiones die Martis, Jan, 31, discutiendæ, sic se habent."Status animarum in intervallo mortis atque resurrec- ` tionis agentium aliquid vel sententium, neque ex Sacris Literis, nec ratione collegi potest."—"Religio Christiana non minùs est credibilis ex eo quòd omnibus non innotescit."

† Mr. James West.

April 8. "You have not hitherto put me to the charge of any letters; (such is your kindness and condescension to a poor vicar.) Permit me to bear the charge of those I sent to you."

April 27. Publication of the Papers of the "Free and Candid Disquisitions*," much wished for, as Mr. Jones observes. His advice for the speedy delivery of the presentation-copies to the Bishops.

"Free and Candid Disquisitions relating to the Church of England, and the Means of advancing Religion therein. Addressed to the Governing Powers in Church and State, and more immediately directed to the Two Houses of Convocation; printed for A. Millar, in the Strand." 8vo. pp. 340.

The Editors, in their Preface, inform their reader, "that when this work was in a competent degree finished, a copy of it in manuscript was, in the winter 1746, lodged in the hands of a very eminent and worthy Prelate, with an humble request to his Lordship, that he would vouchsafe, if he thought fit, to communicate the contents of it, to the Synod at one of their meetings; the authors judging that in a concern of this nature, it was not altogether so proper to make the application public, till it had first been presented to the Synod in writing: That, having heard no more of that copy, the authors thought fit, after waiting a convenient time, to put another with considerable improvements into their hands, leaving it wholly to their discretion to make what use of it they should think proper; and that they flattered themselves, the importance of the subject, if they could offer no other reason, will be a sufficient apology for their making it public."

"The design of this book is to point out such things in our ecclesiastical establishment, as want to be reviewed and amended; a design truly excellent, and executed with great candour and modesty. The authors appear to be animated with a hearty concern for the interests of Christianity, and the honour and welfare of the Church of England; and they have in the most humble and respectful manner proposed such alterations to be made in her constitution, as would greatly add to her glory and security, strengthen her interest, render her the object of our esteem, and the cement of our unity. It is much to be wished, that the Governors and Guardians of the Church would take this matter into their serious consideration, and entirely remove such things as, in the opinion of the wisest and best men the Church herself could ever boast of, are inconsistent with true Protestant principles, and greatly prejudicial to the interests of Religion and Virtue; this would be the greatest possible service they could do the Church, would secure themselves a place in the esteem of every considerate and virtuous man, and make their names be transmitted with distinguished honour to the latest posterity." Monthly Review, vol. 1. p. 198.

July

July 18. Returns thanks to Mr. Birch for civilities shewn him while in town.-Had been unwell since, which caused him to postpone writing so long.

"I would beg leave to remind you of my late request, touching the canceling of such letters from me as ought in prudence to be destroyed. And I shall always depend upon your friendship, that you will not let my name be known, as any way concerned in the affair lately agitated*. It will be a just and sufficient answer to any inquirers, that you are engaged in honour not to mention from whom the papers come," &c.-" I have not heard any thing as yet in disparagement of the book, but a great deal in its favour."

Aug. 14. Concerning the appointment of a Printer, and Corrector for the Press, for a new edition.

Sept. 9. Notes for insertion in the Work.

Sept. 23.-" You have now the whole, viz. Preface, Contents, and the remaining part of the Appendix, from p. 273, with an Advertisement."

Oct. 17. Mentions his having seen in one of the public papers an advertisement relative to the new edition of the Work, and enumerates the persons to whom it had been agreed to send copies of the new edition. Talks of setting out soon for Cambridge, to meet some friends lately come thither,

Nov. 18. Acknowledges the receipt of a packet, containing a Sermon by Mr. Birch: "The packet came so late to hand, that I had not an opportunity sooner of acknowledging the pleasure I received in reading your very valuable Sermon. I was so delighted with it, and indeed so sensibly affected with several observations, that I intend to give it a second reading soon, You have drawn the outlines for future Preachers to fill up. There is matter in abundance; and a glorious lecture may be made of it, to

*The publication of the "Free and Candid Disquisitions." ↑ "The Wisdom and Goodness of God proved from the Frame and Constitution of Man, p. cxxxix. 14; a Sermon preached before the College of Physicians, pursuant to the will of Dr. Cropne; 1749, 4to.

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