ON SEVERAL SUBJECTS AND OCCASION S. BY GEORGE HORNE, D. D. LATE BISHOP OF NORWICH, AND PRESIDENT OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE, OXFORD. THE FOURTH EDITION; TO WHICH IS NOW PREFIXED, SOME ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR. VOLUME FIRST. 29/3 PERTH: PRINTED BY R. MORISON JUNIOR, for R. MORISON & SON, BOOKSELLERS, PERTH. BISHOP HORNE, a prelate, distinguished by many excellent theological writings, was born in the year 1731, being the fon of the Rev. Samuel Horne, rector of Otham, in Kent, by whom he was inftructed in the firft rudiments of learning. Being sent to Magdalene College in Oxford, he was made Master of Arts in 1752, and was chofen Prefident of his College in 1768. About this time, he married the daughter of Philip Burton, Efq. of Eltham in Kent. He fucceffively took the degrees of Bachelor and Dr in Divinity, and was appointed Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty. In 1776, he was chofen Vice Chancellor of the Univerfity of Oxford, and continued in that office four years. In 1781, he was preferred to the deanry of Canterbury; and, in 1789, fucceeded Dr Bagot in the fee of Norwich, on his tranflation to that of St Afaph. He died on the 17th of January 1792, in the fixty-fecond year of his age. His faculties continued with him to the last; and he may be truly faid to have died the death of the Righteous.” His mind was not only remarkably pleasant as his end drew near, but even lively and pleasant. When a. 2. he he had received the facrament from the hands of his chaplain, he faid he felt himself bleffed and happy. To each individual of his family, he gave his benediction; bidding them go, and do all the good in their power. He expired without a groan, in the fame heavenly tranquillity in which he lived; and he might have truly faid, as the illustrious Addifon did in his dying moments, See, in what peace a Chriftian can die.'-He was interred in the family-vault of his father-in-law at Eltham. He left three daughters, the eldeft of whom is married to the Rev. Selby Hele. Befide feveral fingle fermons, Dr Horne published, in 1769, Confiderations on the Life and Death of St John the Baptist,' in 12mo. This was intended for the younger ftudents in theology, and contains many pious and practical reflections. In 1776 he published in 2 vols 4to, A Commentary on the Book of Pfalms; in which the literal, or hiftorical Senfe, as they relate to King David, and the People of Ifrael, is illuftrated, and their Application to Meffiah, to the Church, and to Individuals, as Members thereof, is pointed out.' It was afterwards publifhed in two volumes 8vo.-This publication has great merit, not only as it recommends. to our attentive regard an important part of the facred writings, but as it illuftrates them, and prefents to our view a great number of pleasing, folid, and edifying reflections. Piety, indeed, appears to have been a predominant trait in the character of Dr Horne, and to have been productive to himself of that felicity and enjoyment which the world can- · not give. Thus, fpeaking of the fatisfaction he had found in compofing this work, he fays, Could the author flatter himself, that any one would have half A half the pleasure in reading the following expofition, which he hath had in writing it, he would not fear the lofs of his labour. The employment. detached him from the buftle and hurry of life, the din of politics, and the noise of folly: vanity and vexation flew away for a feafon; care and difquietude came not near his dwelling. He arose, fresh as the morning, to his tafk; the filence of the night invited him to purfue it; and he can truly fay, that food and reft were not preferred before it. Every pfalm improved infinitely on his acquaintance with it, and no one gave him uneafinefs but the laft; for then he grieved that his work was done. Happier hours than those which have been spent in thefe meditations on the fongs of Sion, he never expected to fee in this world. Very pleasantly did they pafs, and move fmoothly and fwiftly along; for, when thus engaged, he counted no time. They are gone, but have left a relish. and a fragrance on the mind, and the remembrance of them is fweet.' In 1777, he published • A. Letter to Adam Smith, LL. D. on the Life, Death, and Philofophy of his Friend David Hume, Efq.' In this he points out the pernicious tendency of that philofopher's writings, and the folly of his affumed levity in the article of Death, in a strain of argument, fometimes ferious and fometimes pleafant. In 1779, he first published, in 2 vols. 8vo. The DISCOURSES now offered to the public. Im thefe, he appears to have conformed to the advice of the excellent Fenelon, in his Dialogues on the Eloquence of the Pulpit,' that preachers would pay an attentive and principal regard to the Scriptures, and endeavour to imprefs, and influence their hearers by the several confiderations that are to be thence: a 13: |