tiii MEMOIRS OF Dn. WATTS. discipline of' the church, and in the choice of his religious connexion, he repaired to anacademy in London, in theyear 1690, where he prosecuted his studies under Mr. Thomas Rowe, at that time pastor of the independent church-meeting, at Haberdasher's-Hall. Three years afterward this church had the honour ofreceiving himas a member. At the academy Mr. Hughes, the poet, Dr. Hort, afterwards archbishop of Timm, and Mr. Say (the suc cesser of Mr. Ed. Calamy) were his fellow -students ; and, as appears by their subsequent correspondence, theyentertained a warm friendship for him. Here he appears to have laboured with incessant perseverance ; not merely to pass with credit through the routine ofacademical obligations, but to attain to eminent distinction in the soundest qualifications for future usefulness. Very few, by a much longer dourse of study, make any near approach to the extent of his acquirements. In diligence he had noequal ; in his attainments, he had no competitor ; and as his progress in the paths of learning was not dishonoured by an ostentatious vanity, he won the esteem and admiration of all who were connected with him in preparatory studies. From the first general incorporation of the dissenting interest, by the . rigid persecutions of the hierarchyafter the restoration of Charles II. the hody of non-conformists have always deemed it an important object, to provide a succession of ministers competently qualified with divine and human knowledge. Deprived of the splendid advantages of Oxford%%and Cambridge, they have endeavoured, and with no inconsiderable success, to supply the necessities oftheir churches, by seminaries ofa more private and humble kind. In everydissenting academy, founded on evangelical princi- ples, satisfactory evidenceis alwaysrequired, that the candidates for admission have experienced the powerof religion upon their hearts, that theyhave suit- abledispositions for the reception of knowledge, and that theyare possessed of qualifications adapted to the service of the church. During their acade- mical residence, vigilant attention is paid to maintaining inviolate the honours ofpractical godliness; and that residence would, in any instance, be terminat- ed by an act of immoral or scandalous conduct. In the whole coause of study, supreme homage is paid to the WORD of GOD; and languages and sciences are pursued with a constant reference to the increase of di- vine wisdom, and general usefulness. When theseadvantages are duly considered, dissenters have good reason to be thankfully reconciledtotheir exclusion from the noble endowments, the magnificent libraries, and the splendid honours of these universities. Oneof the best scholars and ablest writers Oxford has produced, has made the following candid remarks on this subject : " I believe it to have been a very happy circumstance for Mr. Seeker*, that he was educated in a dissenting accademy, and under so good atutor. I attribute much of bis future eminence to this circumstance, as well as to the connectionhe fortunately formed there, that purity, that dignity, thatdecen- cy of character, which enabled him to fill the great offices of the church with singular weight and efficacy. Educated ina dissenting persuasion, and under dissenting tutors, hehadpaid less attention to politeletters, and more to divinity, film is usually bestowed by students in the universities. Young men in Oxford and Cambridge, frequently arrive at an age for orders, and be- * Afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.
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