His charac It is rich only in dates and genealogies. ter was drawn in his lifetime with considerable fidelity, discernment, and elegance, by Balguy in a dedication prefixed to a volume of tracts. An anonymous hand, in another dedication, passed a high encomium on the bishop's virtues, and on his zeal and labour in the cause of liberty. But even from these sources we can derive no more than imperfect hints, and gain but a feeble perception of his true character as displayed in his works and his life. Dr Akenside wrote an ode to Hoadly, in which he has not been unsuccessful in portraying some of the bolder features of his character. The lines quoted below may not be thought unappropriate in the present connexion. O nurse of freedom, Albion, say, For not a conqueror's sword, Nor the strong powers to civil founders known, Could longer guard from reason's warfare sage; Nor synods by the papal genius taught, Nor St John's spirit loose, nor Atterbury's rage. The influence, which such a mind as Hoadly's must have had, in destroying the delusion and power of a false religion, and in establishing the principles of a rational faith and freedom, cannot be realized without going back and taking a minute survey of the times when he commenced his career, and following him step by step through all his arduous labours and noble designs. Christianity has profited by his wisdom and talents, his judgment and resolution. What he gained was durable; it has never been lost; and he gained much. No man has been more successful in restoring reason to its true office, and in proving the religion of Jesus to be adapted to the human understanding and practice. He gave a new impulse to the cause of the Reformation. Those who have come after him in the same work have been strengthened by his achievements, and encouraged by his success. If all christians had the same love of truth and liberty, as Hoadly, the same aversion to bigotry, superstition, and prejudice; if all were as firm and resolute, as zealous and active in correcting abuses and resisting encroachments; if all were as ready to defend the universal right of private thought, judgment, and belief, and to recognize a true christian in every sincere believer; we might safely and joyfully anticipate the time, when the religion of the Gospel would be restored to its primitive truth, purity, and power. The example of such a man is an honour to human nature; it is a pattern which cannot be too much admired and imitated. His name is bright in the annals of departed time; it is adorned with the trophies of wisdom and the emblems of virtuous action; let it be revered by the wise and the good. 22 DEDICATION TO THE POPE. TO HIS HOLINESS CLEMENT XI. YOUR Holiness will be surprised at so uncommon a thing, as an address of this nature, from one, who is, in your account, and in the language of your church, a schismatic, heretic, and infidel. But, as I think it my duty to make this public restitution of the following treatise, which I acknowledge myself to have clandestinely procured; so I will restore it fourfold, with all possible advantage to you and your church. I find that all the infallibility, with which your Holiness is illuminated, doth not disdain the help of human information; and that your accounts of the religious, as well as civil, state of this kingdom, are in a particular manner defective; and therefore I have resolved to act the part of a generous adversary, and without reserve to lay before you, out of the fulness of my heart, such things, as will give you a juster information of the state we of these |