THE WHOLE WORKS OF THE REV. JAMES HERVEY, A.M. RECTOR OF WESTON-FAVELL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. IN SIX VOLUMES. VOLUME I. CONTAINING MEDITATIONS AMONG THE TOMBS. REFLECTIONS ON A FLOWER GARDEN. A DESCANT UPON CREATION. CONTEMPLATIONS ON THE NIGHT. CONTEMPLATIONS ON THE STARRY HEAVENS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THOMAS TEGG, 73. CHEAPSIDE; AND R. GRIFFIN & CO. GLASGOW, LIFE OF THE REV. JAMES HERVEY. A REGARD to eminent writings, which display genius, learning, orthodoxy, and piety, naturally excites a desire to be acquainted with the writer; and this desire is the stronger, when these writings are not only truly excellent in themselves, but are universally admired, eagerly read by good people of all denominations, and calculated to promote the best interests of mankind. Hence one desires to know the author in private life, how he spent his time, how he sustained his character as a public teacher of religion, what influence the doctrines of grace, which he so warmly inculcated on others, had on his own heart and conversation; and finally, how he closed the last scene. Abundant satisfaction as to all these particulars will be obtained from the following account. Mr JAMES HERVEY was born on Friday the 26th of February 1713-14, at Hardingstone, a country village, one mile from Northampton, his father being then minister of the parish of Collingtree, within two miles of Hardingstone. His first instruction was from his mother, who taught him his letters, and to read. Under her tuition he continued till he was seven years of age, when he was sent as a day-scholar to the free grammar-school at Northampton, of which the Rev. Mr Clarke, vicar of St Sepulchre's in the said town, was at that time master. |