the Nature of Historical Evidence, and Miracles, 1767. The 4th Edition, 1777. 6. The Vanity, Misery, and Infamy of Knowledge without suitable Practice: A Sermon preached at Hackney, 1770. 7. Observations on Reversionary Payments; on Schemes for providing Annuities for Widows and Persons in old Age; on the Method of calculating the Values of Assurances of Lives; and on the National Debt. To which are added, Four Essays on different Subjects in the Doctrine of Life Annuities and Political Arithmetic, 1771. The 4th Edition enlarged into Two Volumes by additional Notes and Essays, a Collection of New Tables, a History of the Sinking Fund, and a Postscript on the Population of the Kingdom. † 8. An Appeal to the Public, on the Subject of the National Debt, 1772. + The 2d Edition; with an Appendix, containing Explanatory Observations and Tables. 9. Two Tracts on Civil Liberty, the War with America, and the Debts and Finances of the Kingdom; with a General Introduction and Supplement, 1776. § Eighth Edition. 10. Correspondence between Dr. Price and Dr. Priestley on the Subjects of Materialism and Necessity, 8vo. 1778. || 11. A Sermon delivered to a Congregation of Protestant Dissenters at Hackney, on the 10th of February, 1779, being the day appointed for a General Fast on account of the War with America. The 2d edition; to which are added, Remarks on a Passage in the Bishop of London's Sermon, on Ash-Wednesday, 1779. ¶ "The Dissertation on Miracles had been written as early as the year 1760, and read to Mr. Canton, Mr. Rose, and some other friends, who all concurred in recommending the publication of it. In this dissertation, which was intended as an answer to Mr. Hume's arguments against the credibility of miracles, Mr. Price had, as he thought, expressed himself improperly, by speaking of the poor sophistry of those arguments, and using other language of the same kind. "When he sent a copy of his book to Mr. Hume, who was then one of the under-secretaries of state, he made an apology to him, and promised that nothing of the kind should appear in another edition. He received, in consequence, a very flattering letter from Mr. Hume, which he regarded more as a matter of civility, than as a proof of its having wrought any change in the sentiments of that philosopher. When the work, however, appeared in a second edition he fulfilled his promise, and sent him a correct copy; for which he immediately received an acknowledgement, expressive of Mr. Humes's wonder at such scrupulosity in one of Mr. Price's profession." Mem. pp. 23, 24. + See ibid. pp. 41, 43, 173. § See supra, p. 4, Note †. + See ibid. p. 43. "In the Chapel Royal, which he afterwards published and addressed to the clergy of his diocese. Unfortunately for the Bishop, he had maintained those very opinions in former times, which he now reprobated with so much vehemence; and Dr. Price, as the best answer, quoted a few passages from what the learned prelate had written in his earlier years, (in a sermon preached at the assizes in Dur. ham, in the year 1764,) and left him to the choice either of condemning his old principles, or attempting the more difficult task of reconciling them with his new ones. Mem. p. 70. "Dr. Price defended himself with great spirit; and Mr. Hayley, in An Elegy on the Ancient Greek Model, which he inscribed to Bishop Lowth, introduced, in the following lines, a kind of expostulation with him for having in some degree deserted the interests of freedom: O Lowth! we saw thy radiant name on high, * 12. An Essay on the Population of England, from the Revolution to the present Time. With an Appendix, containing Remarks on the Account of Population, Trade, and Resources of the Kingdom, in Mr. Eden's Letters to Lord Carlisle, 1780. 2d Edition. 13. A Sermon addressed to a Congregation of Protestant Dissenters at Hackney, on February 21, 1781, being the Day appointed for a General Fast. † 14. The State of the Public Debts and Finances at signing the Preliminary Articles of Peace, in January, 1783; with a Plan for raising Money by Public Loans, and for Redeeming the Public Debts. Postscript to the State of the Public Debts and Finances. 2d Edition. ‡ 15. Observations on the Importance of the American Revolution, and the Means of rendering it a Benefit to the World. § To which And long, if true to Freedom's guiding voice, But while on Fame's high precipice you stand, Be nobly firm; nor bend the virtuous hand, Fill'd with rich sweets from Freedom's flow'ry mead, To pluck Servility's oblivious weed! High in the Court's rank soil that creeper winds, While squeez'd from thence the subtle prelate flings Its luscious poison in the ear of Kings." See Mem. p. 86. British Plutarch, (Art. Lowth,) Dublin, 1793, II. p. 337. + See supra, p. 5, Note*. See Mem. pp. 101-103. "Though the forms of their government," says Mr. Morgan, were in general much more liberal than those of any other country, yet the observations which he introduced on civil and religious liberty were not the less important, in leading them to more enlarged views in regard to the freedom of discussion, the liberty of conscience, and the civil establishment of religion." Ibid. pp. 105, 106. The following proofs of the manner in which these Observations were received in America, are too interesting to be here omitted: “Extract of a Letter from Mr. Clark, at Boston, dated April, 1785. "Your late publication is a noble testimony of that affection which you always possessed for these States. We are all sensible of the honour you have done us, and we gratefully acknowledge our obligation. Dr. Chauncy is delighted with the work. He thanks you most sincerely for the generous concern you have discovered for his country, and he hopes his country will have wisdom to adopt the measures you have recommended. Your chapter on liberal inquiry cannot be sufficiently admired. I think it has already liberated some minds. May it be candidly read by all, and may you have the exalted happiness of seeing rational Christianity flourish by your labours!" "Extract of a Letter from Dr. Wheeler, of Dartmouth-College, dated August, 1785. "Your observations on the importance of the American Revolution, I have had the pleasure to read with particular attention. I cannot tell you how great the applause is which its author receives throughout these States. The President, [Franklin,] confined by a lingering disease, wrote a letter to the Assembly at their session last February, inclosing the Observations, &c. He informed the Legislature that the remarks in this pamphlet were the best legacy which he could leave them. He prayed earnestly that the spirit of them might animate the manners and dispositions of legislators and people to the latest age." Ibid. pp. 106, 107. is added, a Letter to Dr. Price, from the late M. Turgot,* Comptroller-General of the Finances of France; and a Translation of a Tract published in France, in 1784, and entitled, The Will of Fortune Ricard. 16. A Volume of "Sermons on the Christian Doctrine as received by the different Denominations of Christians. † To which are added, Sermons on the Security and Happiness of a virtuous Course; ‡ on the Goodness of God, and the Resurrection of Lazarus," 1786. § 17. A Discourse on "the Evidence for a future Period of Improvement in the State of Mankind," "delivered on Wednesday, the 25th of April, 1787,"¶"to the Supporters of a New Academical Institution among Protestant Dissenters," ** 1787. Who died in 1781, aged 54. Turgot's biographer takes notice of his correspondence" avec le Docteur Price sur les principes de l'Ordre Social, ou sur les moyens de rendre la Révolution de l'Amérique utile à l'Europe et de prévenir les dangers où cette République naissante étoit exposée." Vie de M. Turgot, (Londres,) 1786, p. 201. The following documents I have copied from the Minute Book of the GravelPit Meeting, Hackney: "Sunday, 21st August, 1785. "Resolved unanimously,-That the thanks of this congregation be returned to the Rev. Dr. Price for his excellent sermons lately preached to us, on the Gospel of Christ, and that he be desired to print them." "DEAR SIR, "TO MR. COTTON, HACKNEY. "Yarmouth, 26th August, 1785. "I have received with particular satisfaction the letter you have sent me, by the desire and in the name of the Congregation at Hackney; and I feel sincere gratitude for the candour with which you and the other subscribers and members accept my services. Nothing could make me happier than any service or labour by which I could advance their best interests, and could I believe that the Sermons I have lately preached to them would answer this end, and be the means of communicating juster sentiments of the gospel of Christ, and of promoting a liberality of temper among the different denominations of Christians, I should undoubtedly resolve to publish them. But I suspect the danger of plunging myself into controversy, which would give me trouble, and for which I am unfit. Some of my good Socinian friends would immediately attack me, and they are so full of zeal and so assured they are right, that I am afraid of encountering them. I have less apprehension from those in the opposite scheme, from Calvinists and Churchmen; but, probably, some of them also would attack me. I cannot, however, say, that I have no thoughts of publishing those sermons. The approbation with which my friends at Hackney have honoured them, and their request, cannot but influence me strongly; and they may, probably, make a principal part of a volume of sermons, the publication of which, some time or other, I have long had in view. I shall be obliged to you for communicating to the congregation these sentiments, delivering at the same time, my best respects and wishes. "I am, &c. "RICHARD PRICE." These two sermons are among the tracts of the Unitarian Society. § See Sir W. Jones, supra. p. 5, Note †. "The second edition corrected; with an Appendix, occasioned by Dr. Priestley's Letters to the Author," 1787. See Vol. XVIII. pp. 370-416, 446-478. "With the Means and Duty of promoting it." "At the Meeting-House in the Old Jewry, London." ** In this Discourse Dr. Price takes occasion to delare himself "so far from pre 18. A Discourse on the Love of our Country; delivered on Nov. 4, 1789, at the Meeting-House in the Old Jewry, to the Society for commemorating the Revolution in Great Britain. * With an Appendix, containing the Report of the Committee of the Society; an Account of the Population of France; and the Declaration of ferring a government purely republican," that he regarded" our own constitution of government, as better adapted than any other to this country, and, in theory, excellent;" adding in a Note, “What I here say of myself I believe to be true of the whole body of British subjects among Protestant Dissenters. I know not one individual among them who would not tremble at the thought of changing into a democracy our mixed form of government." Discourse, pp. 30, 31. There were, however, I suspect, individuals, unknown to Dr. Price, who, had such a change appeared to be the nation's will, would have been little disposed to "tremble at the thought." The preacher, however, hastens to "an object necessary to be attended to by the enlightened part of mankind, in order to improve the world. I mean," says bre, "gaining an open field for discussion, by excluding from it the interposition of civil power, except to keep the peace: by separating religion from civil policy; and emancipating the human mind from the chains of church-authority, and churchestablishments. "The period," proceeds the preacher, rapt into future times, "to which I have been carrying your views, must be preceded by the downfall of all slavish and antichristian hierarchies." [See Vol. XV. p. 445, Note, Par. 2.]" They are, by certain prophecy, destined to destruction. The liberality of the times has already loosened their foundations. The obstinacy of their adherents is increasing their danger and the wise and virtuous of all descriptions should make themselves willing instruments in the hands of Providence to hasten their removal; not by any methods of violence; but by the diffusion of knowledge, and the quiet influence of reason andconviction." Discourse, pp. 31-S3. * See supra, p. 4, Note † ; Vol. XV. p. 440. The following conclusion of this Discourse was the passage which chiefly excited the eloquent invectives of Burke. It certainly merited the abuse of a politician who, as soon appeared, was now writ ing and declaiming, to deserve a pension, justly due to his eminent talents, but poorly earned by his servile application of them : "What an eventful period is this! I am thankful that I have lived to it; and I could almost say, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. I have lived to see a diffusion of knowledge, which has undermined superstition and error. I have lived to see the rights of men better understood than ever; and nations panting for liberty, which seemed to have lost the idea of it. I have lived to see THIRTY MILLIONs of people, indignant and resolute, spurning at slavery, and demanding liberty with an irresistible voice; their king led in triumph, and an arbitrary monarch surrendering himself to his subjects. After sharing in the benefits of one revolution, I have been spared to be a witness to two other revolutions, both glorious. And now, methinks, I see the ardour for liberty catching and spreading; a general amendment beginning in human affairs; the dominion of kings changed for the dominion of laws, and the dominion of priests giving way to the dominion of reason and conscience. "Be encouraged, all ye friends of freedom, and writers in its defence! The times are auspicious. Your labours have not been in vain. Behold kingdoms, admonished by you, starting from sleep, breaking their fetters, and claiming justice from their oppressors! Behold, the light you have struck out, after setting AMERICA free, reflected to FRANCE, and there kindled into a blaze that lays despotism in ashes, and warms and illuminates EUROPE! "Tremble all ye oppressors of the world! Take warning all ye supporters of slavish governments, and slavish hierarchies! Call no more (absurdly and wickedly) REFORMATION, innovation. You cannot now hold the world in darkness. Struggle no longer against increasing light and liberality. Restore to mankind their rights; and consent to the correction of abuses, before they and you are destroyed together." Discourse, ed. 2, 1789, pp. 49-51. Rights by the National Assembly of France, 1789. Fifth Edition, 1790; with additions, containing Letters and Communications from France, with the Answers to them. ** No. II. INTRODUCTION TO ESSAYS ON THE HARMONY. + To the Editors of the Theological Repository. So many have been the schemes of harmonizing the Four Gospels, and so little general satisfaction has any of them given to the learned, that a new attempt of the kind must appear very unpromising, and will hardly gain a sufficient degree of attention. From a general idea of the great uncertainty, or at least the great difficulty of this subject, I myself thought the time to be thrown away that was employed in an inquiry into it; till accidentally meeting with Mr. Mann's Dissertations on the Times of the Birth and Death of Christ, ‡ and finding there the outlines of a harmony, upon very different principles from any that I had seen before, I was induced to consider this business with some attention; and after weighing his arguments, I was as much struck with the marks of probability and truth they carried with them, as I had been at first with their novelty only. Upon this I set about drawing out a harmony from his general hints, and in the course of this work, a variety of other arguments occurred to me in favour of Mr. Mann's scheme, as well as reasons that induced me to depart from his disposition of some of the events in the history of our Lord. The result of all my disquisitions on this subject, I beg leave to lay before the public, by the channel of your Repository, in four or five Essays; § and I shall be very glad to hear any objections that may be made to any thing I shall advance. The harmony of the Gospels is by no means a matter of indiffer *In the "Preface to the Fourth Edition" which first contained these additions, after easily shewing that he was not, as "described" by Burke, “a barbarian delighted with blood," Dr. Price very fairly asks, “what candour or what moderation can be expected in a person so frantic with zeal for hereditary claims and aristocratical distinctions as to be capable of decrying popular rights and the aid of philosophy in forming governments; of lamenting that the age of chivalry is gone; and of believing that the insults offered by a mob to the Queen of France have extinguished for ever the glory of EUROPE?" Pref. p. vi. Theol. Repos. 1770, II. See supra, p. 15, Note t. pp. 38-41. § Which appeared in Theol. Repos. II. pp. 41-50, 98-122, 230-247, 313327. These Essays, with a paper in Theol. Repos. III. pp. 462-469, are now dispersed, with a few variations and some additions, among the Sections of the "Observations on the Harmony," supra, pp. 49—118. |