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Hall,) or eminent usefulness in the best cause upon earth, could have been a protection from the stroke of death, we are ready to think our highly esteemed brother had not been snatched away in such a speedy manner, at a time when his departure was little expected. The words of the text lay with much weight upon his mind above a year before his death; and his request to have them preached upon after his decease, was renewed but a short time previous to that event. He was deeply convinced, that there is no other prize comparable with that set forth in the gospel; and that there is no gaining this glorious prize without entering into many combats with our spiritual enemies. It was, therefore, matter of great concern to him, both living and dying, that his people might ever be very sensible of the importance of these things, and duly affected with them."* Mr. Hall has introduced in his sermon extracts from several letters of Mr. Hill, which discover the pious bent of his mind, and his firm attachment to the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel revelation: but our limits will not allow of their insertion in this work.

Mr. Hill's great diffidence prevented his appearing, during his lifetime, in the public character of an author; or his preparing any thing for publication after his death. It was his usual method to write down his discourses in long hand, with what enlargements he thought necessary on the several branches of his subject. But while preaching, he would frequently indulge in a freedom of thought upon the several heads of discourse, beyond what he had committed to writing. From the sermons he left behind him, in this loose form, and without any view to publication, his executors selected a sufficient number to form a large octavo volume, which they published soon after his death, with the following title; "Sermons on several Occasions, by the late Rev. John Hill, Minister of the Gospel, in London.”—The Sermons are thirty-four in number, and upon very similar

Mr. Hall's Sermon on the Death of Mr. Hill.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

06.1773.

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subjects. In this respect, the editors did not exercise sufficient judgment in the selection. But though they appeared with this disadvantage, and cannot claim the merit of finished performances, yet they have been much admired for their serious, evangelical strain; and are still highly esteemed by experienced Christians. A strong proof of the estimation in which they have been held by religious persons, is their having passed through no less than six editions. To the sixth, printed in 1794, there is added an additional sermon, from an authentic manuscript, delivered at the ordination of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) John Conder, at Cambridge, September 27, 1739.

SAMUEL PIKE.-This learned and respectable man was born about the year 1717, at Ramsey, in Wiltshire. We lament that we have it not in our power to lay before the reader any particulars respecting his early life, which was spent in the obscurity of a country village. In his youth he laid the foundation of that serious piety, and love of learning, which distinguished him in after life. Being intended for the ministry, he was sent at a suitable age, to the Independent academy in London, where he pursued a course of theological studies under Mr. John Hubbard, of Stepney. His classical learning, as well as philosophical course, was directed by the learned Mr. John Eames, F. R. S.

Mr. Pike's first settlement in the ministry, we believe, was at Henley-upon-Thames, where he was pastor of a congregation some few years. From thence, in 1747, he removed to London, to succeed Mr. John Hill, at the Three Cranes. Shortly after, he was chosen into the Merchants' Lecture, upon a Tuesday morning, at Pinners'-Hall. He also carried on a casuistical course, on a Lord's-day evening, at the meeting-house in Little St. Helen's, in conjunction with an excellent minister, Mr. Samuel Hayward. This useful exercise was conducted with great ability, and succsss; and gave great satisfaction. The result of their labours upon

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these occasions, was given to the public in 1755, in two volumes, duodecimo; and as the work possesses a considerable degree of merit, it has passed through several editions.

Mr. Pike, sometime after his settlement in London, fixed his residence in Hoxton-square, and received under his tuition a select number of students, whom he instructed in the languages, in natural philosophy, and in theological learning. Many of these were members of his own church. For the task of training young men to the ministry, by a suitable course of education, the attainments of Mr. Pike rendered him well qualified; and many Dissenting churches in the country were indebted to his labours in this particular. The seminary was raised and supported by an annual subscription among Mr. Pike's friends, and continued some years in a very flourishing state. A public collection was, also, made for it occasionally. One of the sermons upon these occasions, was preached by Mr. Pike, at Mr. Bentley's meeting-house, Crispin-street, February 8, 1753. It was afterwards published, with a very strong recommendation by Mr. Rogers, Mr. Hitchin, and Mr. Brewer, three popular ministers of the Independent persuasion.

It

In the year 1753, Mr. Pike gave to the public a work which created no small stir in the learned world, and was evidently the fruit of much close reading and reflection. was entitled, "Philosophia Sacra: or, the Principles of Natural Philosophy. Extracted from Divine Revelation." In this treatise, the author explained and defended the system of philosophy, taught and laid down in the writings of the well-known Mr. John Hutchinson. It is written in a plain and intelligible manner, adapted to the understanding of the unlearned, but inquiring Christian, and expressed in language as clear as the nature of the thing will admit. The occasion of his renouncing the old system of philosophy, and attaching himself to one of a different complexion, he has himself explained in the above work. "The author of this Treatise (says he), was, not long since, very averse from