father had for a long series of years displayed in the same place. Nor was it long before an opportunity was afforded him of manifesting, in another way, his professional zeal and ability. A bold attempt to wrest Scripture to their purpose was made by those the tendency of whose creed is to divest the Gospel of Christ of its most distinguishing and vital doctrines, and reduce it to a 'corpus sine pectores,' in the publication of "An Improved Version of the New Testament," accompanied with an introduction and notes. The principles of its authors are thus summed up by Mr. Rennell "No Redeemer nor Intercessor, no Incarnation nor Atonement, no sanctifying nor comforting Spirit is to be found in their creed; both heaven and hell, angels and devils, are equally banished from their consideration." But of this new attack upon "the faith once delivered to the saints" he was not content to be an inactive witness. In 1811, under the modest title of "A Student in Divinity," he put forth Animadversions on the Unitarian Translation or Improved Version of the New Testament.' In this acute and learned tract he exposed in a concise, but remarkably clear and satisfactory manner, the principal of those " unwarrantable interpretations, artful sophisms, and palpable contradictions," with which both text and comment of the improving translators abounded. Had the even then respectable name of Mr. Rennell been prefixed to this publication, it would probably have had a more extensive circulation. But the author was not concealed from those who took a particular interest in such matters: and their attention and hopes were in consequence earnestly directed to one, who, in such early youth, had shewn himself so able a champion for the truth as it is in Jesus.'-About this time too, he undertook the important and laborious charge of the Editorship of

Preface to Animadversions.'

the British Critic,' a work which has long stood forward in support of religion and virtue; and presented a steady and successful resistance to infidelity on the one hand, and fanaticism on the other. He was himself also a frequent contributor to its pages. Thus was he at once, both in the pulpit and by his pen, actively engaged in promoting the glory of God, and the well being of his fellow-creatures.

It was not likely that merit thus pre-eminent would escape the notice of so vigilant a guardian of religion, and so conscientious a patron of those who distinguished themselves in its support, as the then and present Bishop of London. Accordingly in 1816 he called Mr. Rennell from the Temple to a station of no ordinary consequence, the vicarage of Kensington. Hitherto his public ministry had been confined to the preacher's office: the care of a populous and important parish was now added; and high as was the reputation which in the former capacity he had acquired, it was yet to receive a great accession from the exemplary diligence and powerful effect with which he discharged the arduous and manifold duties that now devolved upon him. It must suffice, however, at present to say, that in this discharge he was unwearied and unremitting; till it pleased that Providence which gives and takes away for reasons equally wise, to deny to his flock the longer continuance of services, which, both temporally and spiritually, were indeed a blessing.

In the same year Mr. Rennell was elected Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge, a choice for which the world owes a debt of gratitude to those who made it, since it gave occasion to two of his most valuable productions; which, however, are too well known, to require that a particular account should be given of them here. The first was entitled Remarks on Scepticism, especially as it is connected with the Subjects of Organi

zation and Life; being an answer to the Views of M. Bichat, Sir T. C. Morgan, and Mr. Lawrence, upon those points.' To the studies of anatomy and medicine Mr. Rennell had always been attached. He never indeed suffered them to interfere with matters which more properly belonged to him; but he delighted to turn to them at intervals as sources of rational amusement and useful knowledge, and above all as auxiliaries to piety: and had attended a regular course of anatomical lectures, under an eminent surgeon of the metropolis. When therefore he saw, in the schools both of Paris and London, medical science made the handmaid of irreligion, and observed in particular "a considerable advance of sceptical principle upon the subjects of organization and life," the doctrine of materialism paving the way for infidelity and atheism, he thought that he could not better discharge the duty which from" the office he 'held in the University," he owed to it and the world, than "to call the attention of the public to the mischievous tendency of such opinions."-" To detect, therefore, the fallacies, and expose the misrepresentations" by which "both at home and abroad, those opinions were advocated, and to reconcile the views of the philosopher and the Christian," was the design of his Remarks. Of all his works this is the most masterly, and the most popular. It is a work "which (as Johnson said of Burnet's account of the conversion of Rochester), the critic ought to read for its elegance, the philosopher for its arguments, and the saint for its piety." It foils the sceptic at his own weapons, and makes him feel that reason and philosophy are not for him, but against him, in the great question of natural and revealed Religion.

Nor was its success dispropor. tionate to its merit. First published in 1819, it is now passing through its sixth edition; and by it its author, though "dead, yet speaketh."

A remarkable proof of the impression which this publication produced, was afforded by the fact that an attempt was made by cer tain persons, whose principles were exposed in it, to exclude Mr. Rennell from the Royal Society, for admission into which he was about that time proposed. This attempt, however, as might have been expected, only served to shew the impotent hostility of its authors, and more fully to set off the triumph of religion.

The other work which Mr. Rennell sent forth into the world, in his capacity of Christian Advocate, was entitled "Proofs of Inspiration, or the Grounds of Distinction between the New Testament, and the Apocryphal Volume: occasioned by the recent publication of the Apocryphal New Testament by Hone." In this work, the first edition of which appeared in 1822, he has exposed and repelled, in a very luminous and decisive manner, the insidious attack made upon the authority of the New Testament itself, through the medium of the unauthorized contents of the Apocryphal volume. He has clearly pointed out the broad line of everlasting distinction between the two volumes, proving, both from external and internal evidence, the inspiration of the one, and the want of all just pretensions to it in the other. He has thus provided a very valuable manual for the use of those who may have need of compendious, yet satisfactory information, as to the grounds on which the Canon of the New Tes

Rennell's Introduction to Munter's Conversion of Struensee.

tament was framed; and furnished

a simple yet sure test for the separation of the human " reveries and impostures" of the earlier ages of Christianity from the genuine productions of divine truth.

In 1823 he was promoted by the Bishop of Salisbury, to whom he had been for many years Examining Chaplain, to the Mastership of St. Nicholas's Hospital, and the Prebend of South Grantham, in the Church of Salisbury. And in the same year he shewed how well he deserved such promotion, by a most able and seasonable defence of the Church and Clergy against a systematic series of attacks directed against their property and character, by enemies of no inconsiderable importance. This was done in the form of A Letter to Henry Brougham, Esq. M.P. upon his Durham Speech, and the three Ar. ticles in the last Edinburgh Review, upon the subject of the Clergy. And never was a more triumphant appeal made to the wisdom and justice of mankind. But great as was the effect of this excellent pamphlet, it is certainly to be regretted that the author was not induced to pre. fix his name to it, at least in the second edition, since it could not have failed to have been thereby more generally known, and more extensively circulated.

Besides the publications already noticed, Mr. Rennell sent to the press two excellent sermons, one in 1820, entitled The Value of Human Life under the Gospel, and preached before the Corporation of the Trinity-House; the other in 1822, entitled, The Unambitious Views of the Church of Christ, and preached at the Anniversary of the Sons of the Clergy. He also preached, but did not publish, the Warburtonian Lectures at Lincoln's-inn.

But the course of this admirable man was now fast drawing to its close, and that too at a time when the full blaze of prosperity had just opened upon it. In the autumn of 1823, he was united by marriage to a very amiable and excellent lady,

the eldest daughter of the late John Delafield, Esq. of Kensington. At this period, indeed, his cup of blessings was full to the very brim. Surrounded "by troops of friends," bound to him by the strongest ties of esteem and gratitude; honoured for his talents, and learning, and virtue, by those even who were personally unacquainted with him; possessing, in a singular degree, the respect and affection of his parishioners; placed in circumstances of affluence sufficient for the indulgence of every reasonable desire; and having before him the certain prospect of rising to the highest rewards and distinctions of his profession to this rare assemblage of felicities he now added the invaluable jewel of domestic affection. But the seeds of decay and dissolution were at this very time rapidly working within him. "O fallacem hominum spem, fragilemque fortunam, nam, et inanes nostras contentiones: quæ in medio spatio sæpe franguntur et corruunt, et antè in ipso cursu obruuntur quàm portum conspicere potuerunt* !" Not many weeks after his marriage, Mr. Rennell was attacked by a fever, from which he was for some time in imminent danger. Nothing could exceed the earnest and affectionate solicitude which on this occasion was manifested by persons of all ranks, particularly by his parishioners, whose attachment had so lately displayed itself, in a very different manner, by a public entertainment given in honour of his happy marriage. From the immediate attack of the disease he recovered; but the utmost efforts of his medical attendants, who joined the most zealous assiduity of friendship to the highest professional skill, were unavailing to counteract the fatal effects which were left behind. A gradual decline ensued, interrupted indeed by occasional rallyings of his constitution; which, added to the vivacity of spirits, and vigour of intellect still exhibited by

* Cic. de Orat.

him, served to keep alive in his family and friends hopes, which, alas! were soon to be dashed to the ground for ever. But while his body languished, his mind still was active; and anxious that no part of his life should be without its fruits, he employed the intervals of ease which were afforded him, in preparing a last tribute to the holy cause which he had so earnestly embraced, and so effectually supported. Munter's Narrative of the Conver sion and Death of Struensee, first translated from the German into English, in 1774, was a book upon which he had long and justly set a very high value, as admirably calculated for the counteraction of irreligious and licentious principles. As therefore it had become scarce, and was but little known, he thought that he should render good service to the world, by introducing it anew to public notice. This he accordingly did, by putting forth a new edition of it, (which he only just lived long enough to complete), with notes, substituting English books for the German ones, recommended by the original, and with a short, but useful, and very impressive introduction, breathing the purest spirit of piety and benevolence. "Illa tanquam cycnea fuit divini hominis vox*." The time of his departure was at hand: "He had fought the good fight, he had finished his course; he had kept the faith." Henceforth there was laid up for him " a crown of righteousness." He had now fallen into a confirmed and hopeless atrophy; and having vainly tried the effects of sea air, had retired into the bosom of his family at Winchester, where at length he expired in peace, on the last day of June, 1824. "The close of his life (they are the words of a suffering witness, who, it is hoped, will pardon their introduction here) was in perfect unison with the whole preceding tenor of it; and his pious serenity, resignation and benevolence in his last moments, were never surpassed. In the exCic. de Orat.

tremity of bodily weakness and exhaustion, he said, I am supported by Christ.' And so he departed to be with Christ;' to have his portion with the 'good and faithful servants' of the Lord; to shine' with the wise, as the brightness of the firmament, and with them that have turned many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.""

and

He was buried, with the greatest privacy, in Winchester Cathedral, a place to which from his earliest years he was singularly attached; a few only of his nearest relations and most intimate friends attending his remains to the grave. The shops were shut in Kensington on the day of his funeral: on the preceding evening a meeting of the inhabitants was held, at which it was resolved to erect a monument, in memory of his worth, and of their sense of the loss which they had sustained mourning was put on by the principal parishioners. On the Sunday following a funeral sermon was preached in the parish church by his successor in the Vicarage, Archdeacon Pott-a successor such as he himself would have chosen, and for whom he entertained the most sincere respect and regard.-It deserves to be mentioned, that he derived peculiar comfort and satisfaction from having it in his power, not many days before his death, to reward the long and faithful services of his curate, Mr. Taylor, by a living attached to his prebend of Salisbury: and he heartily thanked Providence for having prolonged his life till he had performed this act of gratitude and justice.

Of his character there is now little need to speak; since it may be collected from what has been already said. But a short notice of some of its most prominent points may not be deemed altogether superfluous.

His piety was sincere, fervent, and rational; equally removed from lukewarmness on the one hand, and enthusiasm on the other. No man had a deeper or more awful sense of the vital truths of the Gospel; no man relied with humbler confidence

upon the merits of his Redeemer, or more earnestly sought direction, and strength, and comfort from the Spirit of wisdom and holiness. No man at the same time saw more keenly through the delusions of fanaticism; or could better distinguish between genuine and counterfeit religion.

To the Church of England he was most zealously and steadily attached; because he believed it to be the Church of God; and the most effectual instrument under Providence, of maintaining and extendingChrist's kingdom upon earth. But though he would sometimes express himself in strong general terms of its adversaries, he was ever ready to shew to them individually the most conciliatory kindness; and to make the largest allowance for what he would willingly regard as involuntary error. Fixed in his own faith, he knew not how to limit his charity for the wanderings of others.

In the pulpit he was earnest, eloquent, and persuasive. He managed a voice naturally weak and defective, so as to make it heard where many stronger ones would have failed. To vigour of thought, he joined a copiousness and force of language, a felicity of illustration, an impressiveness of manner, and a power of applying his subject to the conscience, which at once won the attention, and touched the heart. Though he would by no means keep back the terrors of the Lord," where it was necessary to set them forth, it was by motives of love, rather than of fear, that he delighted to win men over to the Gospel of peace.

"

In the discharge of the social duties he was most exemplary. As a son, he was surpassed by none in the attentions of love and reverence : as a brother, he joined authority to kindness; as a husband-but in this capacity, alas! little more was per. mitted to him than to receive with affectionate gratitude the unwearied ministrations of tenderness. To his friends (and no mán had more) his REMEMBRANCER, No. 68,

attachment was, in a more than ordinary degree, warm and constant: and to them his death is no ordinary loss: to those in particular who were familiar with him from the days of boyhood, it has caused a void, which will never be filled up. Quick-sighted as he was in general, he was singularly blind in discerning their failings; at least he confined his discernment, in this case, most closely within his own bosom. To assist them by his counsel, or more active exertions, he was always forward; and would often indeed be looking out for, and promoting their interests without their knowledge. No occasional differences of feeling, or contentions of rivalry, were remembered by him for a moment, when a friend had need of his services. No zeal then appeared to him too ardent, no efforts excessive.

To the poor he was liberal, to the utmost extent of his means. He pursued indeed, in this respect, a practice, which all who would perform this duty habitually, will do well to imitate-the practice of regularly setting aside a certain portion of his income for charitable purposes.

In a word, when we contemplate the shortness of the career which this excellent man was permitted to run; when we remember the bright prospects of good to himself and others, which his untimely death has blasted, we have need of all that humility and faith can teach us, to learn unrepining submission to the will of an unsearchable Providence. But when we look at the large measure of practical piety and useful exertion which he was enabled to fill up within so short a period, we see abundant cause to bless the goodness which raised up so efficient a minister of truth and holiness, now departed this life in God's faith and fear; and to implore grace for ourselves, so to follow his good example, that with him we may be partakers of the heavenly kingdom, for Jesus Christ's sake.

3 T