liable to be invaded by the cares of the world. The choicest of these speculations are bequeathed to us in his Contemplations, Moral and Divine, 2 vols. 8vo, and in several MSS. deposited in the library of Lincoln's Inn, which as yet remain unpublished.

His manner of study was liberal, and adapted to the character of the man. He loved to be abroad very early in the morning, not so much for the health and exercise of his body, as of his mind. With the works of the Almighty before his eyes, and an inclination to make the most of the sentiments they suggested, he emancipated his understanding from the chains of prejudice and passion; he got above that short-sighted view of things which the narrow policy of this world is apt to engender; and having impartially brought his judgment to a balance, he then began to weigh the subject which he intended to investigate. In all his inquiries he went as nearly as possible to the fountainhead, not contenting himself with current opinions in the place of truth, but examining

all with a jealous eye, and striving to trace them, in every instance, to those immutable first principles whence only they derive authority. When all this was done, and his inquiries fell short of certainty, he did not draw positive conclusions from what he had learnt, but left his mind open to further light, from whatever quarter it might come. As far as he had gone, he cast up the amount of evidence, and saw the state of the question; but he never closed the account. With the same forbearance and humility, he believed that on many subjects it was impossible for human reason to be satisfied, yet this impression did not lead him to cut off all speculation concerning those higher mat

ters.

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He rather applied another kind of argument suitable to their nature, and by analogy obtained an insight beyond that of the senses. Of the sublime mysteries of our religion he loved to reason, not rashly or with presumption, but according to that intellectual scale by which God has permitted us to estimate things so far above mortal reach: and he had this proof given him of

the propriety of his practice in this respect, that after all his theories, he found himself still more lowly-minded, more conscious of his own ignorance and weakness, fuller of every christian grace, and fitter to practise every virtue. On Sunday evenings, after attending public worship, he made it a rule to meditate on some important question in religion; and because he could better follow the order of his thoughts when he wrote them down, as well as for the sake of improving himself by their subsequent perusal, he was accustomed to commit them to paper at the time. Though these opportunities may not seem to promise the completion of any considerable undertaking, yet it is a fact, that all his moral and religious works are the production of these scattered hours.

As he was himself a great lover of learning, so was there nothing more delightful to him than to encourage it in others. To young people, who were fond of reading, he was particularly kind and attentive, pointing out to

them the best plans for study, and answering all their questions with a readiness and sweetness, which won them to acquaint him with all their doubts and difficulties. He was no

less earnest to promote their moral improvement, availing himself of his high character and great experience, to give advice on many things relating to their appearance and behaviour; so that many young men forsook the vanities of dress, with other youthful follies, from a desire to obtain his favourable opinion.

Of a benevolent disposition, and great simplicity of manner, there was a charm about his deportment which fascinated all who approached him. But his friends were particularly happy in his company, for he was playfully free and communicative in discourse, and never at a loss for some pleasant topic,which might equally interest and inform them by its discussion. It was a rule with him, never to interrupt another in his speech, and this forbearance caused others to lis

ten to him with equal patience; by which means, many a subject came to be sifted to the bottom, which would otherwise have procured only a smart remark. It allowed every one time to look over and arrange his own thoughts, and to offer the best of his judgment for the edification of his hearers. If any person could be justified, in anticipating and interrupting the delivery of another's observations, it would have been Mr. Hale, whose information and ingenuity were not often matched; but he was so far from presuming on this account, or thinking he had more to confer than to acquire, that he would have held it a proof of his want of sense, if he failed to extract something valuable out of every man's discourse. This caused Mr. Richard Baxter, the great theologian, to say of him, " I never more perceived in any man, how much great knowledge and wisdom facilitate addition, and the reception of any thing not before known. Such a one presently perceiveth that evidence which another is incapable of."