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the fifty-third of his ministry. His remains were interred beneath a handsome monument in Bunhill-fields; and we believe there is no funeral sermon for him in print.

Mr. Bayes was a man of good learning and abilities; a judicious, serious and exact preacher; and his composures for the pulpit exhibited marks of great labour. In his religious sentiments he was a moderate Calvinist; but possessed an enlarged charity towards those who differed from him. His temper was mild and amiable; his carriage free and unassuming; and he was much esteemed by his brethren of different denominations. Though his congregation was not large, it consisted chiefly of persons of substance, who contributed largely to his support, and collected a considerable sum annually for the Presbyterian fund. We do not find Mr. Bayes's name mentioned in either list of the ministers engaged at Salters'-hall in 1719; from whence it is concluded, that he either withdrew on the third day of the meeting, or else took no part in the proceedings of that assem bly. There is a fine painting of Mr. Bayes in Dr. Williams's library, Red-Cross-street, from which our en graving is taken.

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Besides the part that Mr. Bayes took in the Continuation of Matthew Henry, he published four single sermons. To the Society for Reformation of Manners, preached at Salters'-hall July 1, 1723. 2. On the death of his prede cessor, Mr. Christopher Taylor, on 2 Cor. v. 1. 1723. 3. A funeral sermon for his colleague, Mr. John Cornish, on 1 Pet. i. 24, 25. 1727. 4. A discourse on "The Church of Rome's Doctrine and Practice with Relation to the Worship of God in an unknown Tongue;" in the Salters'-hall collection against Popery, on 1 Cor. xiv. 9. 1735.

JOHN CORNISH.-He was for a few years assistant to Mr. Bayes, and preached at Leather-lane with great acceptance and success, till his death, which happened Nov. 28, 1727, when he was nearly forty years of age. Mr. Bayes

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preached his funeral sermon, from 1 Pet. i. 24, 25. and gives him the following character. He had the happiness to possess an excellent natural temper, which was not easily discomposed. His conversation was pleasant, agreeable and instructive; and he aimed to inform his own mind as well as that of others. He was very sincere and hearty in his friendships, always ready to do kind offices, and faithful to the trust reposed in him. That love and charity recommended by our Saviour and his apostles, seemed to be wrought in his very soul. With a sincere good will for all, he manifested a peculiar regard for all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity; and though he was thoroughly satisfied with his own sentiments, he knew how to exercise a becoming charity towards those who were otherwise minded. He was a

person of great wisdom and prudence; and whilst he was very capable of advising and instructing others, he knew how to order his own affairs with discretion. In the whole of his conduct he was remarkably inoffensive. He possessed a good natural genius and capacity, and as he was placed in those circumstances of life which gave him leisure for study, so he took care to improve it by diligent application, and made great advances in most branches of useful learning. He was a person of a very serious spirit, and had real religion much at heart. His public performances discovered great solidity of judgment, and seriousness of spirit; and were adapted to promote both knowledge and holiness. His whole life was exemplary and instructive, but the close of it peculiarly so. He enjoyed a good measure of health till he was seized with his last long affliction, during which he was called to undergo several painful operations, through which he maintained not only an easy, but a cheerful temper. He was never heard to murmur or repine at the hand of God, but desirous that he might behave in such a manner under his affliction, as would be to the honour of religion, and the advantage and instruction of others. And as he behaved in so exemplary a manner, God was very gracious in furnishing

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him with needful support, which enabled him to maintain the same composure of mind in the prospect of death. The use of his reason and understanding was continued to him till the last, and he was raised above the fear of death. On the day before he died, when in conversation with him, Mr. Bayes was expressing his hope that he found all well between God and his own soul, he readily replied, “I thank God, all is well;" and further expressed himself in words to this effect: "I have given up myself to God in covenant, and through grace have made it my principal care and endea vour to live answerably to my covenant engagements; and, therefore, though I have many defects and failings to lament, yet I hope for acceptance through the merits of my Redeemer." He would not, he said, pretend to enlarged joys, but he blessed God he was under no doubts or fears. "And when I added," says Mr. Bayes, "that I hoped he I would then, from his own experience, recommend the truth and goodness of the way of religion to others, he answered with a peculiar pathos, "That he could do with all free dom; that he was firmly persuaded of them, and fully believed what he had preached to others." Thus, as his life was exemplary, so his end was peace. Mr. Cornish was one of the society of ministers that met at Chew's Coffeehouse, our a Thursday, and to which Dr. Lardner belonged.

THOMAS BAYES, F. R. S. He was born in London about the year 1702, and received a fiberal education for the ministry. His first settlement was in Leather-lane, as assistant to his father. He afterwards removed to Tunbridge in Kent, where he was pastor of a dissenting congregation for many years. In 1791, he published a tract, entitled, "Divine Benevolence," which attracted notice, and was held in high estimation. It was occasioned by a treatise pub

* Mr. Bayes's Sermon on the death of Mr. Cornish. VOL. IV.

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lished in 1730, entitled, "Divine Rectitude; or, a brief Inquiry concerning the Divine Perfections of the Deity, particularly in Respect of Creation and Providence." A question then much agitated was, concerning the first spring of action in the Deity. This was asserted by Balguy to be Rectitude, whilst Mr. Grove contended that it was Wisdom; and Mr. Bayes that it was Benevolence. "The difference between Mr. Grove and Mr. Balguy (says Dr. Kippis) was chiefly verbal; and it is generally understood that the latter had the advantage in respect of perspicuity and propriety, both of sentiment and expression. Mr. Balguy and Mr. Grove differed materially from Mr. Bayes, as they supposed that God might have ends in view, distinct from, and sometimes interfering with the happiness of his creatures. How far they were right in their opinion, is not the business of this place to determine; but it must be acknowledged, that Mr.Bayes's scheme was more simple and intelligible." Mr. Bayes was a man of considerable learning and judgment; of excellent natural abilities; and a good mathematician. His knowledge in the latter science is respectfully spoken of by Mr. Whiston,+ and procured his being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This highly respectable man died at Tunbridge Wells, April 17, 1761, aged fifty-nine years. His remains were brought to London, and buried in Bunhillfields, in the same grave with his father.

MICHAEL POPE.-This respectable minister was born in the year 1709, in the city of Bristol. Several of his family were persons of consideration and property in that city, and in the corporation. His father, the Rev. Michael Pope, eminent for his talents and usefulness, was many years pastor of a large and opulent congregation of Protestant Dissenters, at Lewin's-mead, and died in 1718, in the forty

* Biog. Brit. vol. i. p. 551. Art. Balguy.

+ Whiston's Life, p. 326.

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fourth year of his age. The son received his education for the ministry at Taunton, under the tuition of Mr. Henry Grove, of whom he always spoke in terms of uncommon respect. Having passed through a course of preparatory studies, he went to reside in London, and preached occasionally for some time in different places, till he accepted an invitation to Leather-lane, statedly to assist Mr. Bayes. With that gentleman he continued to labour for four years, with great harmony and friendship; and at his death, in 1746, was unanimously chosen to succeed him in the pastoral charge. He was ordained at Leather-lane, in conjunction with Mr. John Whittel, on the 30th of October, 1746. Dr. Milner preached, and Mr. Denham gave the charge. In connexion with this society, Mr. Pope laboured with great cordiality and esteem to the day of his death.

Having united himself to Protestant Dissenters upon the clearest conviction, and the most liberal grounds, he maintained his principles with a degree of firmness and integrity, that did him the highest honour. This was in perfect consistency with a proper respect to the established institutions of his country, with many of whose clergy he lived in habits of the greatest friendship and esteem. Amongst the Dissenters at large, and particularly amongst his brethren in the ministry, he was held in high estimation, and bore a large share of influence and usefulness; and by the experience of many years, he became well acquainted with the state of the Dissenting interest in London, and throughout the kingdom.

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It was his frequent prayer, that he might not outlive his usefulness; and God was not inattentive to his request: For, he was continued in a capacity for public service till the Lord's-day preceding that on which he entered upon his eternal rest. His disorder was sudden in its attack, and rapid in its progress; but for the issue of it he was not unprepared. For a long succession of years, he had been an example of those virtues which he recommended to others;