-Leaving his impious life, his godly death,
A monument, in every age to stand,

For guiltieft finner, of redeeming power."

Burnet's Life of Rochefter.-Johnson's Lives of the Poets.-Power of Religion.-Parfons' Sermon on the death of Rochefter.

DR. NEHEMIAH GREW.

NEHEMIAH GREW, a learned English writer and phyfician, was born at Coventry; his father, a celebrated nonconformist clergyman, was settled at St. Michael's parish in that city. After educating his fon in his own principles, he fent him to complete his ftudies in one of the foreign univerfities, where he took the degree of doctor of phyfic, and his merit foon procured him extenfive practice.

In the year 1672, he came to London, and was chofen Fellow of the Royal Society; a few years after, he was chosen their fecretary, and rendered himself eminently useful by his virtues and talents. In 1680, he was admitted an honorary Fellow of the College of phyficians in London. He was the author of several valuable works; particularly, "The Anatomy of Plants," folio, illuftrated with eighty three very curious engravings. All his writings are calculated to promote learning and piety.

His laft production is entitled, "A Difcourfe of the Universe, &c." chiefly written to demonftrate the truth and excellence of the Bible. The author fhews in this work, that "religion, fo far from being inconfiftent with,

is the highest point and perfection of philofophy." He died fuddenly, on the 25th of March 1711.

:

The character of Dr. Grew is fufficiently exhibited in his writings for they breathe a spirit of sincere piety, and clearly evince, that his object was to encourage and recommend religion, and render his knowledge fubfervient to the glory of God, and the good of mankind.

British Biography.

JAMES BONNEL, Esq.

JAMES BONNEL, was born at Geneva, in 1653, where his father then refided, as a merchant. At the age of fourteen, he was fent to a philofophical school, in Oxfordshire; and afterwards to Catherine Hall, Cambridge. After his education at the univerfity was completed, he travelled to Holland and Flanders, as private tutor to a gentleman's fons; and in 1684, went to Ireland as accountant general, in right of a patent granted to his deceafed father. He behaved in fo obliging a manner, in the discharge of this office, as to acquire the esteem of the government, and the affectionate regard of all who were honoured with his intimacy. During the reign of James II. he neither deferted his employment, nor complied with the arbitrary measures of the court. His continuance in office was highly advantageous to the protestant intereft in Ireland; for whatever he received out of his place, he literally diftributed among the poor, diftreffed proteftants; he embraced every opportunity to relieve the injured; and boldly advocated their cause, before

those who were in power. He lived to fee the revolution in England, which event afforded him the greatest fatisfaction.

Mr. Bonnel had a very early sense of religion, which led him to study the Practice of Piety, at eleven years old, and toform his devotions on the plan, which is there prescribed.

The influence of religious principles appeared confpicuous in the whole courfe of this excellent man's life. His charity was fo great, that he gave the eighth part of his yearly income to the poor. He was a pattern to all, for humility, meeknefs and contempt of the world. One of his intimate acquaintance declared, "That he never knew him do a thing, or utter a word, that he would have wished undone, or unfaid, in the last moments of his exiftence."

Mr. Bonnel was diftinguifhed for his ability and extenfive information, as well as for the excellence of his moral and religious character. He was mafter both of the ornamental and the neceffary parts of learning. He had a perfect acquaintance with the Greek and Roman authors. In philofophy and oratory, he exceeded moft of his contemporaries at the univerfity; and had applied himself with fuccefs to mathematics and mufic.

This pious man published a number of meditations and prayers, which are inferted in his life; and altered and improved a Harmony of the Gofpels, written by another hand.

In the year 1699, he was feized with a malignant fever, of which he died, comfortably depending on his Redeemer's merits. A neat marble monument was, by his relict, erected to his

memory.

Biographia Britannica, Vol. V.-Defence of Experimental Religion, Vol. II.

DR. BERNARD NIEUWENTYT.

BERNARD NIEUWENTYT, an eminent Dutch philofopher and mathematician, was born August 10, 1654, at Weftgraafdyk, in North Holland, of which place his father was minifter. He difcovered a tafte for learning in his infancy; and in particular, applied himself early to logic. Hence he proceeded to the mathematics, in which he made great proficiency; but his application to that branch of learning did not deter him from ftudying both phyfic and law. He fucceeded in all these sciences, and became a good philofopher, a great mathematician, a celebrated phyfician, and an able and juft magiftrate.

Though naturally of a grave and serious difpofition, his engaging manner conciliated the affection of those, with whom he converfed. Hence he acquired great esteem and credit, in the council of the town of Pomevend, where he refided; and alfo in the states of that province, who refpected him more highly on account of his never engaging in any cabals or factions to fecure their good opinion. He was more attentive to cultivate the sciences than eager to obtain the honours of the government; contenting himfelf with being counfellor and burgomafter of the town, without feeking any other pofts, which might interfere with his literary purfuits, died in 1730, leaving an excellent moral and religious character.

Dr. Nieuwentyt evinced his firm belief in christianity, by a publication entitled, "The Religious Philofopher, or the Right Use of contemplating the Works of the Creator, for the conviction of Atheists and Infidels."* He

Dr. Nieuwentyt was the author of several other publications written in the Dutch language.

declares in his preface," that the defign of writing these contemplations is, to convince atheists of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, the maker and ruler of all things; and infidels, (who acknowledge a God, but reject the authority of divine revelation,) that the Scriptures are of more than human original; and in this way, to represent to both of them the right use of the contemplation of the world; and by turning their thoughts to the knowledge of nature, to lead them on to the true notions of the Deity."

General Biographical Dictionary, Vol. XI.-Nieuwentyt's Religious Philofopher.

HENRY W. LUDOLPH, Esq.

He

HENRY WILLIAM LUDOLPH, a learned traveller, was a native of Enfurt, in Germany, and born in 1655. was fon to George Henry Ludolph, a counsellor of that city, and nephew to the famous Job Ludolph, who had some share in the care of his education, and the regulation of his ftudies. He thus became qualified for the poft he afterwards enjoyed, of fecretary to Mr. Lenthe, envoy from Chriftian V. king of Denmark, to the court of Great Britain. This gentleman, for his faithfulness and ability, recommended him afterwards to Prince George of Denmark, confort to Queen Anna, and in 1680, he was appointed his fecretary.

This office he enjoyed several years, till he was seized with a violent diftemper, which incapacitated him for it. On this account he was discharged, with the allowance of a handsome penfion.