most curious and valuable of his writings, is one entitled, The Catching of the Leviathan,' in which he argues with great force and acuteness against Hobbes' notions on liberty and necessity. Thomas Manton, D.D. BORN A. D. 1620.-DIED A. D. 1677. THIS learned and eminent nonconformist was born at LaurenceLydiard, in Somersetshire, in 1620. His father and grandfather were both clergymen. He received his early education at Tiverton. In 1635, he was entered of Wadham college, Oxford, whence he removed, in 1639, to Harthall, where he took his degree of bachelor-in-arts. Wood he was accounted in his college "a hot-headed person;" if says this be true, we can only say that he must have soon attained the faculty of self-command, for he bore a very different character throughout life, and when all eyes were upon him. After studying divinity, he was admitted into deacon's orders by Hall, bishop of Exeter, who predicted of the young divine that "he would prove an extraordinary person." His ministerial functions were exercised in various places; but his first settlement was at Stoke-Newington, near London, where he continued seven years, and became much admired for his pulpit talents, and particularly his faculty of exposition. It was whilst he held the living of Stoke-Newington that he preached those lectures on the epistles of James and Jude, which are, even to this day, so highly esteemed. He was also occasionally called to preach before parliament. Upon the death or resignation of Obadiah Sedgwick, Manton was presented to the living of Covent Garden by the earl of Bedford. Here he had a numerous auditory. In 1653, he was appointed one of the protector's chaplains; about the same time he was nominated by parliament one of a committee of divines to draw up a scheme of fundamental doctrines, and also one of the triers, as they were called, whose office it was to examine and pronounce upon the qualifications of ministers. Manton took an active part in promoting the restoration, and was one of the commissioners sent over to Breda. He was afterwards offered the deanery of Rochester, but declined the preferment. He was one of the ministers who were silenced on St Bartholomew's day, 1662. From this period his history, like that of his nonconforming brethren, is one of suffering and persecution. He was imprisoned for preaching, although patronised and esteemed by the duke of Bedford, and many of the first nobles of the land. His constitution, impaired by intense study, early gave way. He died in the 57th year of his age, on the 18th of October, 1677. His works were published in five volumes folio. They are very highly esteemed. Theophilus Gale, M.A. BORN A. D. 1628.-DIED A. D. 1678. THEOPHILUS GALE was born in 1628, at King's Teignton, Devonshire, of which place his father, Dr Theophilus Gale, was vicar. Dr Gale was also prebendary of Exeter. The subject of the present article was entered student of Magdalen college, Oxford, in 1647. In 1650 he was chosen fellow in preference to several of his seniors, and in 1652 he proceeded M. A. Here he was engaged as a tutor and a preacher, in both which capacities he became eminently successful. Bishop Hopkins, who was one of his pupils at the university, is said to have paid him always the greatest respect, notwithstanding his nonconformity During his residence in the university, he formed the plan, and commenced the execution of his great work, entitled, The Court of the Gentiles,' the leading object of which is to show that the theology, philology, and philosophy of the pagan nations were originally derived from the pages of inspiration. It is admitted by all competent judges to be a splendid monument of the learning and talents of the writer, and one of the most masterly productions which any age or any country has produced. In 1657, Mr Gale was made preacher at Winchester cathedral. He had then embraced the principles of the independents. Upon the passing of the act of uniformity, Mr Gale suffered ejectment both from the cathedral of Winchester and from the fellowship of his college. This harsh measure threw him upon the necessity of again resorting to the labours of tuition. Lord Wharton received him into his family, and placed his two sons under his care. Soon after, he removed with his pupils to Caen, in Normandy, where he continued to reside for about two years. During his residence at Caen he formed the acquaintance, and enjoyed the friendship of the celebrated Bochart, who was then a pastor and professor in that town. In 1665, he returned to England, and after residing a few months with his pupils at their father's seat in Buckinghamshire, gave up the charge of their tuition. He then directed his course towards London, but as he approached it he beheld the city in flames. When he had left his native country for France, he had deposited the manuscripts of his great work, with many other papers, in the hands of a friend in the city. Upon his return to London, the first intelligence he received was, that the house of this friend had been consumed; and, of course, his fears instantly presumed that all his papers, the results of so many years' hard study, had been destroyed. It appeared that his friend had removed most of his own goods, but had forgotten the valuable deposit which Mr Gale had committed to his custody. The cart containing what he deemed most valuable was about to remove from the door, while the desk containing Gales' manuscripts was left behind. But, fortunately for the world, and for Theophilus Gale, this friend thought he would make up the load by adding this very desk, which was lying in his counting-house, without at the time reflecting, that it was the most valuable package of the whole. Thus, by a mere incidental and momentary thought, was preserved from destruction one of the most valuable and important treasures of learning. The first part of this great work was given to the public in 1669; the second part two years after; the third and fourth in 1677, and the addition to the 4th part in 1678. Such was the esteem which this work speedily acquired, that it was translated into Latin, and became extensively known on the continent, and was especially admired in Germany. During the progress of Mr Gale's great work, he published in 1676 another scarcely less learned, the object of which was to show in a compendious view, what was the nature of the ancient philosophy. Its title was Philosophia Generalis in duas partes determinata; una, de ortu et progressa Philosophiæ: 2, de habitibus intellectualibus: 3, de Philosophiæ objecto.' Being written in Latin, this work excited less attention in England than on the continent, where it was received with eagerness, and read with much commendation. The design of the work was in a great measure identified with that of the Court of the Gentiles. It is however written with more conciseness, and is more especially intended for persons engaged in a regular course of philosophical inquiry. While Mr Gale was engaged in the completion of these important works, although interdicted from the public exercise of his ministry, he yet engaged as an assistant to Mr John Rowe, who officiated as the pastor of a private congregation of nonconformists assembling in Holborn. After he had completed his Court of the Gentiles, he applied, as a member of the university of Oxford, to Dr Fell, the vice-chancellor, for his license to its publication, which was readily granted. The first part then appeared, and being favourably received, the others, in due course, made their appearance. His connexion in the ministry which Mr Gale had formed with Mr Rowe, continued till the death of the latter, which took place in 1677. Previously, however, to this period, he had commenced, and successfully conducted an academy at Newington. In this retreat he was both enabled to prosecute his studies, and render himself useful by instilling the best principles into the minds of youth. Here, too, he was often visited by persons of distinction, and men of eminent learning. A short time before his death he published proposals for printing by subscription a Greek Lexicon to the New Testament, but was cut off early in the same year, before this work was brought to perfection. He died in his 50th year, about March, 1678, and was buried in Bunbill Fields. The character of Mr Gale commanded universal reverence and esteem. Wood speaks of him as "a man of great reading; well conversant with the writings of the fathers and old philosophers, and a good metaphysician and school divine." But Mr Gale's reputation rested not upon his mere learning. He was a man of distinguished talents, of cheerful piety, of unblemished character, and of attractive manners. His attachment to nonconformity was ardent and conscientious; yet his charity towards those who differed from him was large and catholic. Of his devotedness to those views of truth which he had embraced, he gave proof in bequeathing his estate real and personal, in trust, for the education of students in his own principles. His library, which is said to have been well chosen, he left to the promotion of useful learning in New England; and there, we believe, it is preserved to this day. After the death of Mr John Rowe, Mr Gale succeeded to the care of his church, and was assisted in his pastoral duties by Mr Samuel Matthew Poole, M.A. BORN A. D. 1624.-died A. D. 1679. MATTHEW POOLE, born in the year 1624, was the son of Francis Poole, Esq. of the city of York. He received an excellent grammareducation, most probably in his native city, and at the usual age was entered at Emanuel college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Dr John Worthington. During his college residence, he was distinguished by laborious study, by his grave demeanour, and scriptural knowledge. He does not appear to have proceeded M. A. till some years after he entered upon the ministry. He most probably embraced the principles of non-conformity before he left the university, but without becoming a violent party man. He was yet in his youth when the national contentions and troubles commenced. But though he was decidedly opposed to episcopacy as then established, and of course embraced the side of the parliament, yet he continued at college diligently and zealously pursuing the most important and useful studies. In the year 1648, however, and at the age of 24, he entered upon the regular duties of the ministry as the successor to Dr Tuckney-who was made vice-chancellor to the university of Cambridge-in the rec tory of St Michael le Querne, in London. In the year 1654 he first appeared as author in a defence of the orthodox doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit, against the famous John Biddle. The work was entitled, The Blasphemer slain by the sword of the Spirit,' &c. In the year 1657 Cromwell resigned the chancellorship of Cambridge in favour of his son Richard, and in that act Mr Poole was incorporated M.A. of that university. The next year he formed and promoted the useful design of maintaining some divinity students of distinguished talents and piety, during their studies at both universities. This plan met with the approbation of the heads of houses, and in a short time the sum of £900 was contributed towards the object. Dr Sherlock, dean of St Pauls, was educated on this foundation. But the design was quashed by the restoration. In 1659, he addressed a printed letter to Lord Charles Fleetwood, relating to the critical juncture of affairs at that time. The same year he also published a work, entitled, 'Quo Warranto,' a work designed to support the authority of an ordained ministry, against a work, entitled, The Preacher sent.' This work was written by the appointment of the provincial assembly at London. He continued in his rectory till the passing of the Bartholomew act, when he resigned his living, rather than conform against his conscience. During the fourteen years in which he was a parochial minister, he is described as having been a most faithful, diligent, and affectionate preacher: laborious in his studies to the highest degree, which his stupendous work, entitled, Synopsis Criticorum,' in 5 vols. folio, amply testifies. This undertaking occupied his attention for ten years, and is a monument, not only of his extensive reading, but of his critical acumen, and sobriety of judgment. Mr Anthony Woodalways jealous of praising divines of Mr Poole's class-owns that it is an admirable and useful work, and adds, that "the author left behind him the character of a celebrated critic and casuist." His industry in compiling his great work is well worthy of record. He rose at three or four o'clock, took a raw egg at intervals, and kept on labouring all day till towards evening, when he usually sought for a short time the relaxation and enjoyment of society at some friend's house. He is represented by his biographer as being of an exceedingly merry disposition, though always within the limits of reason and innocence. His conversation is said to have been diverting and facetious in a very high degree. How great then must have been the restraints he exercised in so severe and continued a seclusion from society, and so close an application of mind to the very driest and dullest of studies-criticism! Mr Poole, however, appears to have enjoyed the happy art of both exciting and of regulating innocent mirth. He seems to have entertained a strict sense of what was decorous, and of what was useful in facetious and entertaining, or even in mirthful discourse; but when he found that the strain was likely to be too long continued, or surpass the due limit, he would say, 'Now let us call for a reckoning,' and then would begin some very serious conversation, and endeavour thereby to leave upon his company some useful and valuable impression. It is highly probable, that the habit of passing his evenings with his friends, and in so cheerful a manner, greatly contributed to relieve both body and mind from the ill effects of those severe and protracted studies in which he engaged. It happened more fortunately for Mr |