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the bishop, "with his corrections, may now be styled accurate, and his notes, as far as they go, are indeed a treasury of grammatical and critical knowledge. He was called to this work by royal command, and he has performed it in such a manner, as to be worthy of the young prince for whom it was laboured."

The remainder of our author's life after this valuable publication was extremely short, for on May 11th, going out in the morning to preach, he was seized with a pain in his side, which rendered it impossible for him to perform that duty, and obliged him to be carried home. On Monday afternoon he appeared to be out of danger, and continued to think himself so till the Saturday morning following, when to the inexpressible surprise of all about him, the pain removed from his side to his head, and after a very short complaint, deprived him of his senses. He continued breathing till between seven and eight o'clock of the evening of that day, May 17th, 1729, when he expired, in the 54th year of his age.

Soon after his death were published, from his original manuscript, by his brother Dr. John Clarke, dean of Sarum, "An Exposition of the Church Catechism," and also ten volumes of Sermons 8vo. His "Exposition" was immediately animadverted on by Dr. Waterland, who was answered by Dr. Sykes. A controversy ensued, and three or four pamphlets were written on each side, with the titles of which, there is no occasion to trouble the reader.

Whatever may be objected against the orthodoxy of Dr. Clarke's religious creed, it is obvious from his numerous writings, that he was a man of so profound and critical learning, as to stand almost unrivalled in the day in which he lived; and agreeably to the testimony of persons of distinguished reputation, his morals were likewise unexceptionable. Bishop Hoadley, in his character of this great and learned man, tells us, that the first strokes of knowledge in some of its branches, seemed to be little less than natural to Vol. II. No. 9.

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him; for they appeared to lie right in his mind, as soon as any thing could appear. His conversation, which was highly useful and instructive, was attended with a readiness of thought, and clearness of expression, which hardly ever failed him, when his opinion was asked upon the most important and trying questions. His charity and benevolence were extensive as the whole rational creation; and the ruling principle of his heart and practice, a love of the religious and civil liberties of mankind.

Dr. Clarke's cheerful and even playful disposition is mentioned by Dr. Warton, who, in his observations, on the following line of Pope,

"Unthought of frailties cheat us in the wife,"

says, who could imagine, that Locke was fond of romances, that Newton once studied astrology, and that Dr. Clarke valued himself for his agility, and fre quently amused himself in a private room of his house, in leaping over the tables and chairs, and that Pope himself was a great epicure. With respect to what is here said of Dr. Clarke, however, it can scarcely be considered as a frailty. To be possessed of such a temper as he was, must have been no small degree of happiness, as it probably enabled him to pursue his important and serious studies with greater vivacity and vigour.

Before we conclude this sketch of Dr. Clarke's life, it may not be improper to observe, that his work "On the being and attributes of God, and on the evidence of natural and revealed religion," is a production of great importance in the annals of English literature, on account of its intrinsic excellence, the favourable reception it hath universally met with, the influence it hath had on the opinions of men, and the remarks and disquisitions to which it hath given rise. The merit or demerit of his writings on the trinity and some of his other religious publications, can be best

ascertained by comparing them with the sacred scriptures, the only infallible standard of a christian's faith and practice.

CLARKE, (JOHN D. D.) Pastor of the first church of Boston, Massachusetts, was born at Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, April 13, 1755; graduated at Harvard College in 1774 and ordained July 8th 1778, as colleague with the late Dr. Chauncey, with whom he lived in the most intimate and respectful friendship, till the death of the latter in 1787; after which, he continued assiduously and faithfully labouring in the service of the church, until the Lord's day, April 1st 1798, when in the midst of his sermon he was seized with an apoplexy, fell down in the pulpit, and expired in less than twelve hours, having almost completed the 43d year of his age, and the 20th of his ministry.

This eminent minister discovered in early life, great signs of genius and industry; and was distinguished, whilst at the university, by a close attention to classic and philosophic studies, and by irreproachable morals. In the office of preceptor he was gentle and persuasive, beloved by his pupils, and esteemed by their friends. As a public preacher, his composition bore the marks of penetration, judgment, perspicuity and elegance. Faithful to the interest of religion, he deeply examined its foundation and evidence: and persuaded of the truth and importance of the christian system, he recommended, by his public discourses and private conversation, its sublime doctrines, its wise instructions and its salutary precepts.

Though fond of polite literature and philosophic researches, yet he considered theology as the proper science of a gospel minister. To this object he principally devoted his time and studies, and was earnestly desirous of investigating every branch of it, not merely to gratify his own sacred curiosity, but that he might

import to his hearers the whole counsel of God. He was habitually a close student, and it is not improbable that the intenseness of his application proved too severe for the delicate fabric of his nerves.

His devotional addresses were copious and fervent, and his intercessions strong and energetic, discovering at once the ardour of his piety, and the warmth of his benevolence. In the private offices of pastoral friendship, he was truly exemplary and engaging. His temper was mild and cheerful, his manners easy and polite; and the social virtues of an honest heart gave a glow to his language, and enlivened every circle in which he was conversant. As a member of domestic life, as well as of several of the most eminent literary and charitable societies in Boston, his deportment was marked with affection, fidelity and carefulness. He was concerned for the interest, reputation and happiness of all his connexions, and zealously devoted to the cause of science and humanity.

Dr. Clarke's printed works are, 1st four sermonsone on the death of Dr. Cooper, one on the death of Dr. Chauncy, one on the death of Dr. N. W. Appleton and one before the Humane Society: 2d an excellent Treatise in defence of Christianity, entitled, "Why are you a Christian?" This had three editions in Boston, and three in England: 3d "Letters to a student at the university of Cambridge.

A volume of Dr. Clark's sermons has been published since his decease. It is a selection that does honour to his memory; and will be cherished by the Christain and the scholar, as exhibiting, in elegant and very impressive language, the pure and pious senti ments of one of the best of men.

CLARKSON, (DAVID, D. D.) an eminent nonconformist divine, was born in Yorkshire, England, in February, 1622. He was admitted fellow of Clare

Hall, Cambridge, in 1643, and, amongst many others, placed under his tuition, whilst in that capacity, was Mr. John Tillotson, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, who, upon his resigning his fellowship, in 1651, was chosen his successor. He was sometime minister of Mortlack, in Surry; but, being in common with many others, ejected for non-conformity, in 1671, he gave himself up to reading and meditation, shifting his residence from one place of obscurity to another, till the times becoming better, he was again permitted to make his appearance, and, on the death of the Rev. Dr. John Owen, in 1683, was appointed successor in the pastoral office to his congregation. He was a man well acquainted with the sacred scriptures, of solid judgment, moderate principles and considerable learning, as appears by his Treatise on Liturgies; his Primitive Episcopacy, and his practical volume of sermons, published after his death, which happened in the year 1687. Soon after the revolution of Great Britain, in the year following, King William paid attention to his memory by the appointment of his son Mathew Clarkson to the office of Secretary of the province of New-York, where he died, in 1703, of a pestilential fever, which, during the autumn of that year, raged with so great violence as to induce the governor to remove his court to Jamaica, LongIsland, and was so fatal in the city, as to make a great epoch amongst our old inhabitants, distinguished by "the time of the great sickness."

Several of the descendants of this gentleman have filled very important public offices with reputation and dignity. General Mathew Clarkson of NewYork is his great grandson.

CLEGHORN, (GEORGE) a celebrated physician, was born in the parish of Cramond, near Edinburgh 18th Dec. 1716. George received the first rudiments of his education, in the grammar school of Cramond;

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