The unsatisfactory condition of the seminary continuing after its return to Northampton, they at length determined to withdraw their support from it altogether, and consequently it was broken up. The new arrangements they adopted will be noticed presently.

In the mean time it is proper to observe, that the trustees continued, as Mr. Coward had done, to send students to other seminaries. Immediately after his death, there were young men supported by them at Dr. Taylor's, and at the academy conducted by Mr. Eames and Mr. Densham. Their connection with Dr. Taylor lasted a very short time, but they went on patronizing the other tutors just mentioned; and when, in 1744, Mr. Eames died, they appointed Dr. Jennings as his successor. After his decease, in 1762, Dr. Samuel Morton Savage became the Divinity Tutor, with whom were associated, as instructors in other branches of learning, the Rev. Drs. Kippis and Rees. During Jennings' life the students resided in private families, and attended daily at a house. in Wellclose Square, where the library was kept and the lectures were delivered. That place was left in 1762, when a house was

taken at Hoxton for Dr. Savage, and the students were lodged under his roof. The religious history of this institution resembled that of the other. Heterodoxy had crept in under the cover of candour and moderation. The tutors differed in sentiment; the students halted between two opinions; the trustees were dissatisfied. First Dr. Kippis retired, in 1784; in the following year both his colleagues imitated his example, and the seminary was dissolved. Yet the decline of these seminaries into error-so far as they did decline-was not for want of the specific statement of a creed; for Mr. Coward fixed as his standard, and directed that his students should be instructed in its doctrines,-the Westminster confession. The history just given shows the inefficiency of such means to preserve orthodoxy, where a tone of evangelical sentiment, and zealous, earnest, spiritual piety are wanting. Mere verbal creeds, however exalted and defended, whether only tacitly admitted or formally subscribed, have ever proved feeble barriers against the aggression of error. Ecclesiastical history is full of melancholy examples of the ingenious way in which men have con

trived to evade their meaning and frustrate

their design.

When, fourteen years after the cessation of the academy at Hoxton, it was found necessary to discontinue the support of Mr. Horsey's academy, the trustees determined on taking premises sufficiently large for the accommodation of all their students, and on appointing tutors who should wholly devote themselves to their care. By such means the institution came entirely under the control of the trustees, who thereby sought the better to fulfil the purposes of Mr. Coward. A convenient house was sought; and it affords a remarkable illustration of the insecurity of travelling at that time, to notice, among the minutes, that in a journey which the gentlemen took to Oakingham, to see an estate there which was thought suitable, they were all, just before they entered the town, robbed by highwaymen, at noon-day, of their money and watches. This was as late as 1799. In that year Wymondley House, near Hitchin, was taken, and the Rev. Mr. Parry and Rev. H. F. Burder appointed tutors. A more prosperous era opened with the commencement of the Wymondley Aca

demy. It continued for thirty-three years progressively to flourish under the successive presidency of the Rev. Mr. Parry and Mr. Morell, supplying the Congregational churches with men of ability and learning, and of unquestionable evangelical sentiments. It was then removed to Torrington Square, London, under the designation of Coward College, and the students were sent to University College, for instruction in secular learning. Mr. Morell remained Professor of Divinity till his death, when he was succeeded by Dr. Jenkyn.

The Rev. Dr. Burder, formerly tutor, is now associated, in the administration of the Coward trust, with the Rev. Thomas Binney, J. Piper, Esq., and the Author of this volume.

II.

Homerton.

The origin of the Congregational Fund Board has been alluded to in the Introduction. It was established seven years after the Revolution, and the object, according to the statement made at the first meeting, was "to encourage the preaching of the gospel in

England and Wales." Not only did the excellent persons who formed it purpose to afford assistance to poor churches and ministers, but they established lectures in towns where the inhabitants were destitute of evangelical instruction, and encouraged young men to go out into the ministry; of which their persuasions addressed, and then assistance offered, to young Isaac Watts, in 1696, is a notable instance. The efforts of this band of worthies, so soon as "the churches had rest," evince that the Nonconformists of that early period were not totally destitute of a missionary spirit, though the sphere of their exertions, for very obvious reasons, was confined to their own country. The education of young men. for the ministry forming an essential part of their design, they placed them under the care of accredited ministers, in London and elsewhere.* In 1743 they had eighteen students

The following illustrations are taken from the minutes :"6th April, 1696.-Students first sent to Mr. Forbs:"13th.-Mr. Langston written to about taking students. "27th.-That Mr. Forbs shall have sent him, in consideration of his training up his two grandchildren for the ministry, £20. "Mr. Paine, jun., of Saffron Walden, appointed to receive students. Also Mr. Rowe.

"October.-That Mr. Mead, Mr. Nesbitt, Dr. Chauncey, and