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CONTENTS.

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xiv. 8.

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MEMOIR,

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DR. RYLAND's ancestors, for a series of years, resided in Gloucestershire and the neighbouring parts of Warwickshire. His father, the Rev. John Collett Ryland, son of Mr. Joseph Ryland, who lived at Stow-in-the-wold, was born in 1723. In his 18th year, he became a member of the Baptist church at Bourton-on-the-water, then under the care of the Rev. Benjamin Beddome; and soon after removed to Bristol, to pursue his preparatory studies for the Christian ministry, under the direction of Mr. Bernard Foskett. His numerous common-place books and diaries, which yet remain, though containing little that would be suitable for general inspection, amply attest his unquenchable thirst for

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knowledge and the depth and fervor of his piety. In the commencement of his studies, he had to sustain a severe mental conflict on the fundamental points of religious belief-the divine existence and the immortality of the soul. Only those who have passed through a similar discipline can adequately conceive the unutterable satisfaction resulting from the successful issue of such inquiries. Owing probably to the impulse thus received at the outset of his theological inquiries, the evidences of religion were always a subject of unusual interest to Mr. Ryland, and called forth the utmost exercise of his abilities. On leaving Bristol, he settled at Warwick, where he was ordained pastor of the Baptist church, in 1750; but after nine years removed to Northampton. During his residence in the latter place, for six and twenty years, his ministry was very successful, and the increase of the congregation required two enlargements of the meeting-house. In the year 1786, he resigned to his son the whole care of the church, and retired to Enfield, near London, where he died July 24, 1792, in the 69th year of his age. Soon after his ordination at Warwick, he married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Mr. Samuel Frith, of that town. They had five children, one of whom died young. The rest were all spared to reach

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