nature-the abfolute decrees of God-particular election-univerfal divine providence and agency -and the distinguishing doctrines of grace, all treated with great perfpicuity and clearness; and, fupported by a strengh of argument, both from reafon and the holy fcriptures, which, it is thought, will forever exceed the ability of oppofers to answer or overthrow. No human compofition, it is apprehended, can be read with greater profit, by students in divinity, than these volumes. From these may be obtained a better and more extenfive acquaintance with the doctrines of divine revelation, than from many of the more voluminous writings of ancient, though respectable divines.

To Doctor Hopkins are we indebted for a better understanding of the defign and end of what are generally termed the means of grace, and their use and application as they refpect impenitent, unconverted finners, than was before had. His difcerning mind, in the early part of his public ministry, discovered a manifest inconsistency in the exhortations and directions given to unbelievers by eminent divines, with the doctrines they publicly taught and ftrenuously maintained. Though the doctrine of the total moral depravity and corruption of the human heart was clearly taught, and forcibly urged by Calvinistic divines;

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and, clear evidence produced from the holy fcriptures, that all the exercises of the natural heart-all the doings and services of unregenerate finners, were, not only unacceptable, but hateful in the fight of God; yet to fuch doings and fervices did the unregenerate find themselves exhorted and urged; and this as the appointed way to obtain the favor of God and converting grace. Though the doctrines were juft and fcriptural, the exhortations naturally operated, rather against, than in favor of the finner's fenfible conviction of their truth. By attending to the Doctor's writings on this important subject, it foon became obvious, that, as the holy fcriptures require the immediate exercise of godly forrow and repentance, finners of no defcription are ever to be exhorted to any other doings, or fuppofed duties, than fuch as imply love to God and holiness.

No uninspired divine, before Doctor Hopkins, had ever fet this subject in a proper and fcriptural light. And the benefit derived to the chriftian caufe, from his writings on this interesting and important fubject, is fufficient to compenfate the study and labors of a whole life.

On account of his publications relative to this fubject, he was the object of much obloquy and

reproach. These he bore with great patience and meeknefs; fupported by a full conviction, that it was in the cause of truth he fuffered; and, by a hope and firm perfuafion, that the fentiments he had advanced were truly evangelical, would gain ground and become prevalent among the friends of truth and vital piety, and be bleffed to the benefit of the cause of chriftianity in general. And, through the goodness of God, he was preferved in life to see the sentiments he had advanced on this fubject in connexion with other important doctrines of divine revelation, obtain greater fpread and prevalence than he had, probably, ever expected would have been in his day.

By people of piety and discernment Doctor Hopkins was efteemed one of the best of preachers. Though his public difcourfes were lefs adapted to the paffions, than those of many others, they were unusually full of matter and excellent instruction, fitted to reach the conscience, and the heart, and to feed and nourish the lovers of truth and vital religion. Avoiding, those abftruse reasonings, which tend rather to confound, than to instruct the hearer, his fermons were clear, perfpicuous and scriptural. Few, who paid any tolerable attention, ever found difficulty in understanding him. He