1732.

and, secondly, to show, what influence such a rep- SEC. XV. resentation ought to have upon us. This clear and happy division of his subject is clearly and happily discussed. There appears no peculiar aptitude in the choice of the text, as the deceased was neither young nor very old. Nor is there any ease of transition between the body of the sermon and the character suffixed. These faults however, if such they may be called, are expiated by the variety of useful reflections, which enrich the discourse.

Early in the year 1732, Mr. Chauncy gave another sermon to the publick, on the subject of early piety, occasioned by the death of Miss Elizabeth Price, a young lady of seventeen years The text is Psalm cxix. 9. "Wherewith

old.

shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto, according to thy word." A squeamish critick might be as dissatisfied with the choice of his text, as with that of the preceding. But whoever looks for a curious taste, in this writer, respecting words, will surely be disappointed. It was the intention of the preacher to recommend early piety, and to show, that the holy scriptures are the best guide to the performance of that duty. Contrary to the usual manner of funeral discourses, he delineates the character of the deceased under the first head of the discourse.

In the following year, our author published another funeral sermon, occasioned by the death of his friend, judge Byefield. Like his performances in general, it is strongly marked by sinceri

1733.

SEC. XV. ty, piety, and good sense; but it displays no efforts at fine writing, or an attempt to improve the style of compositions, at that time fashionable. The fact is, Mr. Chauncy had no taste for rhetorical studies. So little versed in poetry was he, that he is said to have wished, somebody would translate the Paradise Lost of Milton into prose, that he might understand it. He loved nature, simplicity, and truth, and looked upon the art of rhetorick, rather as an inflamer of the passions and a perverter of reason, than as an instrument of good to mankind. His aversion indeed was so rooted towards the noisy and foaming fanaticks of his time, and his attachment so strong to Taylor, Tillotson, and writers of that stamp, that, in the company of intimate friends, as is reported of him, he would sometimes beseech God never to make him an orator. One of his acquaintances, now living, hearing this report, remarked, that his prayer was unequivocally granted. Yet I have been informed, by one of his hearers, who is an excellent judge of sermons, that Dr. Chauncy was by no means an indifferent speaker, that his emphases were always laid with propriety, often with happy effect; and that his general manner was that of a plain, earnest preacher, solicitous for the success of his labours. He ordinarily entered on his task, whether of composing or delivery, apparently without much nerve, as a labourer commences his daily toil, uttering a deal of common truths in a common way. But he had always a design, which he kept clearly

and steadily in view, until it was prudently and SECT.XV. thoroughly executed.

In 1734, he preached before the ancient and honourable artillery company. The sermon is preserved in the library of the Historical Society, and, like other of his works, reveals a clear head, a full mind, and an honest heart.

The next sermon, published by Mr. Chauncy, was in 1737, on the death of deacon Jonathan Williams. It seems to have been well suited to the occasion, and is written with no small portion of mental vigour.

In 1739, Mr. C. published a sermon on religious compulsion, which is in the Theological Library. It contains the principal arguments, which, in both hemispheres, have often and successfully been used for promoting freedom of inquiry, and the right of private judgment, in matters of religion. At the time however, in which this sermon was delivered, it must have appeared to great advantage, as the arguments against intolerance, here used, were by no means so common, as at this day. In this, as in almost every performance of our author, there is apparently an utter carelessness in the choice of words. He seems habitually to have taken such, as first offered themselves, sufficiently expressive indeed of his ideas, but sometimes such, as no dictionary contained. In this sermon also are urged the usual arguments for attending on the Lord's supper.

In 1741, Mr. C. published a sermon on the death of Mrs. Lucy Waldo, which is in the library of Harvard college.

Z

1734.

In the same year too,he published a sermon on the new creature, which I have not been able to find.

He likewise published, in this year, a sermon on an unbridled tongue, which, though not written seemingly with much care, yet contains some eloquent passages. Some persons, not very friendly to our author, have remarked, that he was a proper person to preach against an unbridled tongue, as, from his occasional hastiness and strength of expression, he experimentally knew its disadvantages. But he certainly wrote in the mildest strain ; and his most watchful adversaries were never able to detect, in his publications, a single intemperate or unguarded sentence.

men.

In 1742, Mr. C. published a sermon on the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. In this excellent discourse may be found the following sentiment, that the extraordinary effusions of the Holy Ghost did not make the subjects of them better This undoubtedly is a correct notion, and had been advanced by Whichcote and other english divines; but it was a novel sentiment among american theologians, when Chauncy uttered it, and would by many be received with distrust,at the present day. At the same time, it is remarkable, that this sermon contains sentiments, which would now be thought calvinistick, and which, one would think, could hardly be reconciled with what is taught in the sermon on the various gifts of ministers.

The last mentioned discourse was preached previously to that upon the Holy Ghost, and pub

lished, in the same year. It has been said, that, in SEC. XV. this discourse, Mr. C. put forth the greatness of 1742. his strength. It is a noble effort, and has sentences, and even paragraphs, which would do honour to the understanding and affections of any minister in christendom.

In the same year, 1742, he published a sermon on enthusiasm, which is also one of his powerful and happy productions. It was the first performance, in which he affixed to his name the title of the doctorate in divinity, which he, this year, received from the university of Edinburgh. He was now thirty-seven years of age. The times

called for the decision and energies of such a mind, as Chauncy's; and he shrunk not from fulfilling the task, which providence assigned him. A set of fanatical men, at this time, appeared, assuming to themselves the power and right of judging who, among the ministers of Newengland, were converted, and who not. Of these high pretenders to a kind of inspiration, one of the foremost was Mr. James Davenport of Southhold, on Longisland. To this man, whilst on a visit to Boston, Dr. C. addressed a letter of close examination and sharp rebuke, and prefixed it to his sermon on en husiasm. The doctor's character was now fixed. He had entirely and honourably committed himself to serve the cause of enlightened and pure religion, in opposition to the heats and phrensies, then prevalent in the country. Of course he was denominated, by field preachers and their adherents, the great