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prepared, from time to time, as the intervals of local employments allowed, or as the approach of Term compelled me.

Such as the work is, I offer it to the School, with a zealous attachment to its welfare, a sincere admiration of its literature and discipline, and a fervent prayer that it may always preserve the union of Religion and Learning.

WESTMINSTER, February 1st, 1809.

PREFACE

TO THE NEW EDITION.

IN the original Preface it was stated, that the preparation of this work devolved on me by an

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accident," with which it was not then deemed necessary to trouble the reader. At present, however, when the controversy concerning the state of religious instruction, in our great public schools, appears to be at rest,—when some of the combatants are in their graves,-and when the angry feelings of the survivors, it may be hoped, are calmed by time and more mature reflection, it may be allowed me to say, that the following course of Lectures sprung from that controversy.

It is well known, that Dr. Vincent undertook to vindicate the character of the school of Westminster, and incidentally, of the other great schools of England, against certain writers, who

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had stigmatised them, as conducted without Christian principles, and on a system which might almost be called exclusively Pagan. While society yet resounded with this warfare, I became acquainted with him, having succeeded him in his Prebendal stall, in the year 1802, when he was raised to the Deanery of Westminster. Not long after this, with an express reference to the recent controversy, he opened his mind to me concerning the theological Lecture founded in the Church of Westminster by the Statutes of Queen Elizabeth. His earnest desire was, to support the honour of the foundation, and to offer to the school a course of Lectures which should unite the attractions of Literature with the principles and feelings of Christianity; and he informed me, that the office of Lecturer would be vacant for me, as soon as I should consent to accept it. For a while, I endeavoured to excuse myself, engaged as I was in the service of a very large and populous parish. He returned however to the subject, and urged his wishes with increased earnestness. By this time, his frank disposition and honesty of mind had begun to excite in me a feeling of sincere friendship towards him. It gave me pain to continue the refusal of his re

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peated requests in such a cause; and under the united influence of a personal regard for himself, and a duty to the establishment to which I belonged, I finally acquiesced. After some deliberation on a proper subject, I began a course of Lectures, which did not terminate with those that are contained in the present volume, and were first printed in 1809, but extended to another and larger subject, and was not finally dropped till the summer of the year 1812.

Such were the motives which led to the formation of the present volume. Whether these details have any interest for the general reader, I know not. To myself, at least, they are pleasing, as they bring to my recollection a long and happy intercourse with a person whom I so much esteemed, and exhibit him acting under the influence of an honourable anxiety for the establishment over which he then presided, and in the service of which he had passed the chief part of his life. To those perhaps who wish to trace the origin of any literary attempt, it may not be unacceptable to observe, how great is the effect of the kindly feelings of the heart. While the cold, the selfish, and ungenerous temper damps all ardour, and discou

rages all exertion, the more open and attractive disposition inspires confidence, and is able to excite even the doubtful to action.

If it is inquired, why the present Edition is offered to the public, the answer is plain. Application having been made to Mr. Murray for a copy of the Lectures, his reply was, that "not a single one was left." This led to other questions; and he farther informs me, that, for some time past, more inquiry than usual has been made for the Volume, and that it might be useful to reprint it. Such a statement was sufficient to persuade me to a new Edition.

As to the favour thus shewn to the volume, it can be attributed only to the happy influence which Religion has lately acquired in society, and which now displays itself more openly in our literature. It is of peculiar importance,

that this union of sacred and secular knowledge should not only grow in our public schools, but receive the full sanction of our Universities. Oxford already acts on the principle, that a knowledge of the Gospel shall be an indispensable qualification for the first degree, and that no other acquirements, in literature or science, shall be deemed to compensate for the want of it. A grateful

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