Confiderations on fome Particulars in Revealed Religion Page 454 The Doctrine of Providence, though a Point of Natural Reli Arguments for its Truth, firft, from Reafon, as from the Ne- ib. The Difficulties relating to the Effects of the Fall, upon the That Chrift must have either been truly the Son of God and Saviour of the World, or an Impoftor, or Madman That he could not be either of the latter fhewn That the Chriftian Religion is not a pious Fraud fhewn Prefumptions in Favour of Christianity from the Conduct of thofe, who lived at the Time of its first Appearance-of the Apofles, and particularly of St. Paul No fatisfactory Account to be given of the Prevalence, and Establishment, of Christianity, but its being really a Divine Confiderations on the Credibility of Scripture Requifites for thoroughly examining the various Kinds of Evi- Fallacious Proceedings of the Oppofers of Revealed Religion Teftimonies of Heathen Writers, which countenance Scripture 478 Simplicity of the Narration, an Argument for the Truth of the THE LIFE OF JAMES BURGH, AUTHOR OF THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN NATURE. HEN a Writer has diftinguifhed himself by ably maintaining the Dignity of Human Nature in his compofitions, it is natural to enquire, whether he fupported it equally well in his own life. If he has exhibited the example with the rule, the practice with the theory, it may then be fairly pronounced of him, that he is a confummate teacher, a worthy character, a benefactor to the community. JAMES BURGH, if he were alive, might, perhaps, be reluctant to claim this praife, because the claim would be inconfiftent with that delicacy which adds a grace to virtue. But he is dead; and the praise must be bestowed by his furvivors, as a juft tribute to his memory. A life of ufeful labour, spent not only in the innocent pursuits of fpeculative fcience, but in rendering real fervices to Mankind, by the instruction of youth, and the diffufion of knowledge among all, ought, for the fake of Mankind, to whom it affords a good example, to be rewarded with an honourable memorial. If Prudence, Knowledge, Virtue, and Religion, conftitute the dignity of human nature, be it recorded, that BURGH was prudent, learned, *A learned, virtuous, and religious. A review of his life will evince that he practifed the leffon which he taught, and, by his conduct, vindicated the dignity of man from the detraction of minute and malevolent philofophy. He was a North Briton, and born in the close of the year 1714, at Madderty, in Perthshire. He had greater honours than thofe which the accident of birth can confer; but yet it must be related, that his parents were refpectable. His father was the Minifter of the parish in which he was born, and his mother, aunt to Profeffor Robertfon, the Hiftorian of Scotland and of Charles the Fifth. It is poffible that this circunftance might infpire him with fome degree of emulation to diftinguish himself by a life devoted to literature. Very trifling caufes produce early affociations of ideas that influence the mind in all its future predilections. Little is known of his early education. As parents and affociates cannot foresee future eminence in a boy, it frequently happens that the earlier periods of diftinguifhed lives are little regarded, and foon loft in obli-. vion. It is faid, that he difplayed fuch docility at the little school of his native place, that the mafter feared all his own fources of inftruction would be foon exhaufted. Here, however, he acquired the elements of grammar, and fuch introductory knowledge, as qualified him for admiffion, in due time, at the University of St. Andrew's. Thither he went, with a defign to profecute fuch ftudies as might qualify him for the profeffion of a Clergyman in the Church of Scotland. But his refidence at College was fhort: his health obliged him to relinquish his academical purfuits, and with them he laid aside his intentions of ftudying divinity as a profeffion. But his fubfequent improvements prove, notwithstanding this dereliction of academical and clerical views, that he did not abandon learning and and the effential bufinefs of a fcholar. Place is of little confequence to thofe whofe ardour and induftry can render the tumult of the active world, and even the cares of commerce, compatible with literary contemplation. Prudence, being a distinguishing part of his character, and a fair opportunity offering, he did not fuffer his love of books to prevent his engaging in trade. He had now become poffeffed of a moderate property by the death of his elder brother; and he employed it in purchasing a sufficient stock to set up in the business of a linen-draper. But Nature had intended him for higher employments. In trade he was unfuccessful. It is faid that, whether from undervaluing money, (as scholars and philofophers are apt to be unthrifty) or from mistaken speculation, he gave credit where there was too much hazard, and, in confequence, loft nearly the whole of his little fortune. But he had internal refources. Adverfity could not deprive him of his abilities and virtue. He hastened to London, the grand theatre for the difplay of ingenuity; where excellence ftands the best chance to be feen, and when feen, rewarded. The commencement of his career was not very aufpicious. He, at firft, fubmitted to an employment, highly useful indeed, but which is feldom rewarded either with honour or profit. He became Corrector of the Press to an eminent Printer; and in the intervals of that engagement, fought variety in the no lefs toilfome work of forming indexes. One year was spent in this painful labour; and it is no wonder that a man of his knowledge and abilities relinquifhed it, as foon as he could find one more agreeable. Perhaps the tranfition from correcting the prefs and making indexes to the business of an usher at a boarding-fchool, was not attended with any great addition either to his ease or his affluence. He was engaged in this capacity at the free fchool at Great Marlow, in Buckinghamshire. He feems not to have been much delighted with his fituation; as he complains that he found but one companion of difpofition congenial with his own, a man of a serious religious turn, and not verfed in the claffics fo much as in divinity. Mr. BURGH formed a particular friendship with him, for his own difpofition was alfo ferious, and his own ftudies, in great measure, theological. While he was at Marlow, he commenced his career as an Author, by the publishing of a pamphlet, entitled, "Britain's Remembrancer." It made its appearance about the year 1745, foon after the Rebellion broke out. Its purpose was to enumerate the bleffings and deliverances which the nation had experienced, and to exhort to the right improvement of them by piety and virtue. It went through five editions in little more than two years, and was highly efteemed by all who favoured the caufe of religion. Mr. Barker, one of the moft eminent of the diffenting Minifters, publicly thanked the Author for it, in a fermon preached at Salter's-Hall. The want of Society, at Marlow, perfectly agreeable to Mr. BURGH's tafte, induced him to remove to the fchool of Mr. Kenross, at Enfield. Mr. Kenross foon difcerned his fuperior ability, and advised him no longer to fubmit to the office of an affiftant, when he was fo well qualified for a Principal. Mr. Kenroís urged him to open a fchool, and offered to accommodate him with a fum of money to facilitate the enterprize. After |