the forenoon, he put off his clerical clothes, resumed his shepherd's dress, and sheared eleven large sheep in the afternoon! Some members of his family beginning now to feel an interest in his success, the difficulties, which before appeared almost insuperable were presently removed; and he was ordained at Buckden at the ensuing Michaelmas, and entered upon the curacy of Stoke and Weston-Underwood, Bucks, with a salary of about 50l. a year. And what was the state of mind, and what were the views and principles, with which Mr. Scott engaged in the office of the ministry? He has expressed himself on this subject in terms of great humility; and has given a description of his character and state of mind, which we are anxious to exhibit by way of warning to candidates for orders. "The Force of Truth sufficiently explains the state of my heart and my conduct, as it must have appeared in the sight of God, in this most solemn concern of my ordination; and it suffices here to say, that, considered in all respects, I deliberately judge this whole transaction to have been the most atro. cious wickedness of my life. But I did not, at the time, in any degree regard it in this light; nor did I, till long after, feel any remorse of conscience for my prevaricating, if not directly lying, subscriptions and declarations, and all the evil of my motives and actions, in the whole concern." p. 38. "At this period,' he says, referring to the time when he lived with his father subsequently to his apprenticeship, ' though I was the slave of sin, yet, my conscience not being pacified, and my principles not greatly corrupted, there seemed some hope concerning me: but at length satan took a very effectual method of silencing my convictions, that I might sleep securely in my sins and justly was I given over to a strong delusion to believe a lie, when I held the truth that I did know in unrighteousness. I met with a Socinian comment on the Scriptures, and greedily drank the poison, because it quieted my fears, and flattered my abominable : pride. The whole system coincided exactly with my inclinations, and the state of my mind. In reading this exposition, sin seemed to lose its native ugliness, and to appear a very small and tolerable evil; man's imperfect obedi. ence seemed to shine with an excellency entirely and necessarily merciful, that almost divine; and God appeared so he could not make any of his creatures miserable, without contradicting his natural propensity. These things influenced my mind so powerfully, that I was enabled to consider myself, notwithstanding a few little blemishes, as upon the whole a very worthy being."" pp. 39, 40. After proceeding to state the fact of his explaining away, according to these Socinian models, the mysteries of the Gospel, and soothing his conscience with the wretched opiates which that system affords, he adds, "In this awful state of mind I attempted to obtain admission into holy orders!.... As far as I understood such and Pelagian, and wholly an Arminian. controversies, I was nearly a Socinian While I was preparing for the solemn office, I lived, as before, in known sin, and in utter neglect of prayer; my else than an attention to those studies, whole preparation consisting of nothing which were more immediately requisite vious examination. for reputably passing through the pre wickedness; my life polluted with many "Thus with a heart full of pride and unrepented, unforsaken sins; without one cry for mercy, one prayer for direction or assistance, or for a blessing upon concealed my real sentiments under what I was about to do; after having having subscribed Articles directly conthe mask of general expressions; after trary to what I believed; and after having blasphemously declared, in the presence of God and of the congregation, in the most solemn manner, sealing it with the Lord's supper, that I judged myself to be inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take that office upon me,'—not knowing or believing September the 20th, 1772, I was orthat there was any Holy Ghost,-on dained a deacon. long-suffering and mercy, who had pati"For ever blessed be the God of all ence with such a rebel and blasphemer; such an irreverent trifler with his ma. jesty; and such a presumptuous intruder into his sacred ministry!" pp. 40, 41. We wish it were in our power to proceed farther with these reflections of this humbled penitent, and to add the just and forcible remarks of his biographer on the subject. It is pleasing to see that in the midst of this dereliction of sound principle and laudable conduct, there was yet much to be commended in his behaviour to his own family his sentiments of filial duty speedily revived, and his letters written at this period convey a far more favourable impression, than his own report would lead us to expect, of his social character, Indeed, throughout the whole of his narrative, it must be remembered, that the sketch comes from the pen of a man who judged of principles and actions by the strict standard of Scripture, and whose deep self-humiliation led him to view his own conduct in a much severer light than that in which it would have appeared to an impartial spectator. It is by no means for the interest of religion, nor is it true in fact, to believe that such men as Mr. Scott were more profligate before their conversion than the ordinary run of worldly men. From the time of his commencing the duties of his two curacies, he applied with renewed diligence to literary pursuits, and gave himself with commendable zeal and attention to his ministerial labours. He seems from the first to have been desirous of doing good: and, notwithstanding the benumbing influence of those cold and freezing regions into which Socinianism usually carries its votaries, the desire to be useful, and the interest which he took in the welfare of his people, appear gradually to have acquired strength. In the midst of his doctrinal aberrations there was a certain uprightness and integrity of character, which led him to be assiduous and even exemplary in the discharge of his pastoral care. Among his near neighbours at this time was the late Reverend John Newton, afterwards Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London; but hitherto Mr. Scott had little knowledge of his character and was prejudiced against his doctrines. Happening to converse upon the subject with the apothecary of Olney, who spoke of Mr. Newton as a very singular man, Mr. Scott observed, for blameless and benevolent conduct, "He gave Mr. Newton full credit and for diligence as a minister: but he was " a methodist and an enthu siast to a very high degree.' 'I cannot,' said the apothecary, tell what judgment to form of his preaching; it is like nothing which I ever heard: I wish you would come and hear him, and give me your opinion. He preaches with me, and we will go to church on a Thursday evening: come and dine together.' This, the narrative adds, was accordingly settled and executed. I sat fronting the pulpit, and verily thought Mr. Newton looked full on me when he came into the desk: and, when he named his text, to my great astonishment it was this; Then Saul (who also is called Paul), filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, Ŏ child of the devil, thou enemy of all full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou righteousness, wilt thou not cease to (Acts xiii. 9, 10.) As I knew that he pervert the right ways of the Lord?" preached extempore, I took it for granted that he had chosen the text purposely on my account. He observed, indeed, that ministers in the present day, not being under any immediate or infallible influence of the Holy Spirit, ought not to imitate the decided and then undertook to shew what were the severe language of the Apostle : and he right ways of the Lord, and to point out the wickedness and danger of persisting in endeavours to pervert or oppose them. But I thought his doctrine abstruse, imaginative, and irrational; and his manner uncouth; and the impression, that, though Elymas was named, I was intended, abode with me for a long time; nor was it wholly effaced till I discovered, some years afterwards, that of the Apostles, and that this passage he was regularly expounding the Acts came in course that evening; and that, in fact, he neither saw nor thought of me. The idea, however, that I was aimed at, neither alarmed nor irritated me; but, at first, served me as a subject of merriment; and, afterwards, when I knew him better, but had not yet obtained the just explanation of the case, it appeared to me unaccountable. Yet, alas! at that time, the passage was but too appropriate to my character and conduct.-After this I never heard Mr. Newton preach, till my creed accorded with his in all the great outlines."" pp. 61-63. The example of Mr. Newton proved at this time more effectual than his sermon; and a visit which that gentleman paid to a dying person in Mr. Scott's parish, tended greatly to stimulate him to increased diligence in this, and possibly in other branches of his ministerial duties. While thus gradually advancing in the knowledge of Divine truth, and in a practice conformable to that knowledge, he entered into the marriage state with Mrs. Jane Kell; a person, as it appears, of superior mind and information; and who, instead of retarding his spiritual progress, was disposed to go for the further striking and important fact, that in very few instances has indeed any person, passed any a servant, or a young person, or length of time under his roof without appearing to be brought permanently under the influence of religious principle." Within a few months after his marriage Mr. Scott exchanged his curacy of Stoke for that of Ravenstone, to which place he removed in 1775. This curacy he retained till 1781: and this was always the favourite scene of his ministerial services. "It was at this time that my correspondence with Mr. Newton commenced. At a visitation, May 1775, we exchanged a few words on a controverted subject, in the room among the clergy, which I believe drew many eyes upon us. At that time he prudently declined the discourse; but a day or two after he sent me a short note, with a little book for my perusal. This was the very thing I wanted; and I gladly embraced the opportunity, which, according to my wishes, seemed now to offer,-God knoweth, with no inconsiderable expectations, that my arguments would prove irresistibly convinc. ing, and that I should have the honour of rescuing a well-meaning person from his enthusiastical delusions....I wrote him a long letter, purposing to draw from him such avowal and explanation of his sentiments, as might introduce a controversial discussion of our religious differences. The event by no means answered my expectation: he returned a very friendly and long answer to my letter; in which he carefully avoided the mention of those doctrines which he knew would offend me : he declared, ward with him in the attainment of religious knowledge, and the fulreligious knowledge, and the fulfilment of all Christian obligations. He now commenced family devotion; and, as his views improved, exchanging a short manual of pray ers belonging to his wife for Jenks' Devotions, and then himself composing prayers on particular occasions, to be added to the form, he at last adopted the method of extemporary prayer. His son dwells with much warmth of feeling on this interesting part of his do- God, and was under the teaching of mestic economy; and remarks, his Holy Spirit; that he gladly ac"that to his constant and edifying cepted my offer of friendship, and was observance of family worship, in no ways inclined to dictate to me; connexion with the steady con- but that, leaving me to the guidance of sistent spirit and conduct which, the Lord, he would be glad, as occasion notwithstanding imperfections in-served, from time to time, to bear tes cident to human nature, they could not fail to remark in him, is very much to be traced, not only the blessing of God, which I trust has descended on his own family, but that he believed me to be one who feared timony to the truths of the Gospel, and to communicate his sentiments to me, on any subject, with all the confidence of friendship. "In this manner our correspondence began, and it was continued, in the interchange of nine or ten letters, until December the same year. Throughout I held my purpose, and he his. I made use of every endeavour to draw him into controversy, and filled my letters with definitions, inquiries, arguments, objections, and consequences, requiring explicit answers. He, on the other hand, shunned every thing controversial, as much as possible, and filled his letters with the most useful, and least offensive instructions; except that now and then he dropped hints concerning the necessity, the true nature, and the efficacy of faith, and the manner in which it was to be sought and obtained; and concerning some other matters, suited, as he judged, to help me forward in my inquiry after truth. But they very much offended my prejudices, afforded me matter of disputation, and at that time were of little use to me... When I could not obtain my end, at my instance the correspondence was dropped;....and our acquaintance was, for a season, almost wholly broken off. For a long time we seldom met, and then only interchanged a few words on general topics of conversation. Yet he all along persevered in telling me, to my no small offence, that I should accede one day to his religious principles; that he had stood on my ground, and that I should stand on his: and he constantly informed his friends,that, though slowly, I was surely feeling my way to the knowledge of the truth. So clearly could he discern the dawnings of grace in my soul, amidst all the darkness of depraved nature, and my obstinate re. bellion against the will of God." pp. 81-83. The expectation thus expressed by Mr. Newton was grounded chiefly upon the honesty and integrity of Mr. Scott's character. Notwithstanding a very narrow income, and an increasing family, Mr. Scott had avowed his determination not to accept preferment, then likely to be soon presented to him, as the price of subscription to Articles, which, with his Socinian notions, he did not believe. The fact was known to Mr. Newton; and he had the penetration to perceive, that a mind inquiring after truth, and honestly determined to submit to any sacrifice rather than violate conscience, would not be left in permanent and serious error. the Articles, as the passport to a His unwillingness to subscribe to living, depended entirely upon the strictness or laxity with which such subscription was to be interpreted. There was in him no affectation of voluntary suffering, and no idle scrupulosity under the pretence of conscientiousness: he had formed his resolution to do at all hazards what he believed to be right; and this matter evinced a firmness of his conduct through the whole of resolution, and a dependence upon the providence of God, which would reflect credit upon a better creed than Socinianism can boast. The reader will perceive something of his spirit by the following extract from one of his letters. "My conscience must be my judge in this world, and my Saviour in the next; and to them I appeal for the rectitude of my intentions. But even were I to be put to the trial of losing all my worldly goods, let me ask you, would you have me follow the example of the young man in the Gospel, who, sorrowing, left Christ rather than part with his large possessions? What think you of what our Lord says; But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you?' Dare you believe this promise or not? I DARE: and will act accordingly, by God's assistance. As to what you argue of my family, &c. I will take every honest precaution to provide for them; and I dare confidently submit the event to God, without once distrusting his veracity and good ness. Nor will I ever violate my conscience to provide for my family: at least I hope I never shall...Were I in your condition, as a private Christian, the subjects of my scruples would give me no concern: and I join in the whole Liturgy of the Church, some very few things excepted, with the highest satis faction. As to my preaching, I neither preach for nor against any human inventions. The word of God is my subject and my rule; and my preaching, I may venture to say, is more calculated to satisfy than to raise doubts and scru ples. Without preferment I may live, and live comfortably and happily; but am a minister of the Church of England, and hope to continue so, as I prefer her liturgy, her discipline, and her doctrine, to that of any other society of Christians in the universe: and if, by subscribing her Articles, they will de clare they mean no more than such a preference, I will subscribe; but, if they mean by subscription an implicit belief of all their doctrines, it is a price I will not pay for preferment...Mr. Lindsay I think in many dangerous errors, and I am sorry my father has got his book." pp. 92-94. Neither can we suppress some of the remarks made by his son upon his correspondence on this subject. without a clear conscience I cannot. I tion, as the writer of this life further remarks, that Mr. Scott was at the time praying to God in an acceptable manner, as well as profitably reading the Scriptures. He was still involved in great errors of doctrine: but he no longer planted himself within the ramparts of Socinianism, as if at any hazard determined to defend them. He was on some great points certainly in darkness; but he was seeking to come to the light: he knew not the truth, but he was anxiously inquiring for it; and even if we were unacquainted with his subsequent history, we might well be satisfied, that a mind thus influenced and thus disposed could never finally rest in principles and doctrines so awfully opposed to the testimony of the word of God. The impulse had already been given to his mind: he could no longer be satisfied with considering Christ merely as the instructor of mankind: he beheld in him the Redeemer and Saviour of the world; and was persuaded that, " on him, by faith, we should rely for forgiveness, for effectual assistance in obeying his precepts, and for the acceptance of our imperfect obedience." "All this appears to me to present as fine an exhibition, in proportion to the stage on which it was passing, as can, perhaps, be pointed out since the days of Luther, of a man resolutely taking the right side in a severe case of that conflict, which is continually, in one form or other, carrying on in the world, between conscience and present interests; and in which so few are proof against the various assaults that temp. tation makes upon them. These letters demonstrate that, though the writer was yet far from having obtained just views of Christian doctrines, even of those doctrines which are most essential to the formation of the Christian spirit and character, he yet had received that great principle of obedience to the faith,' which was sure, under the Divine blessing, ultimately to bring him right; to lead him to the reception of every truth, and to submission to every duty, as they might be successively brought home to his conviction. Indeed, almost all the great lineaments of my father's subsequent character are here present ed to us in embryo, or indeed in a stage of considerable development:-his decision and boldness; his inflexible integrity; his acknowledgment of God in all his ways; his firm faith in His word and His providence; his superiority to the world; his exalted views of the service which Christ requires of us, especially in the sacred ministry; views, be it observed, which, however familiar they may be to any of us, opened apon him with all the air and impres sion of a new discovery." pp. 94, 95. There can indeed be no ques Hitherto Mr. Scott had added somewhat to his income by pupils: but having, as he became more decisively attentive to religion, lost one pupil, and having now moreover learned, more practically at least, to trust in the providence of God for temporal subsistence, he determined altogether to relinquish the system of tuition. "After many delays," he writes, "I complied with the admonitions of my conscience, and disengaged myself from all other employments, with a solemn resolution to leave all my temporal concerns in the hands of the Lord, and entirely to devote myself to the work of the ministry. Having thus become master of all my time, I dropped every other study, and turned the whole current of my reflections and inquiries into another channel: and for se |