1817.] Dr. Richard Watson. 259 
is not surprising, therefore, that he was overlooked: though it would 
have redounded highly to the credit of Mr. Pitt, and his companions 
in the administration, if they had disregarded all political diffe- 
rences, and contributed to the promotion of one of the greatest 
ornaments of the church of England; but such want of magnanimity 
is rather an object of regret than of surprise. 
Dr. Watson distinguished himself as a theological, political, and 
scientific writer. Of his theological writings the most important 
perhaps are his Apology for Christianity, and his Apology for the 
Bible. The first was published in 1776, as an answer to Gibbon’s 
celebrated 15th chapter on the Causes of the Growth of Christianity. 
Of all the answers to Gibbon, this displayed the greatest urbanity 
and politeness, without any deficiency either of argument or spirit. 
The second was published in 1796, in answer to Thomas Paine’s 
Age of Reason, which at that time was disseminated with particular 
industry through the British empire; and, being written in that 
peculiar style of which the author was such a consummate master, 
was particularly calculated to make an impression upon the common 
people. Indeed, the impression which it did make was wonderful, 
and almost instantaneous. The Apology for the Bible was written 
to counteract the effects of this insidious book in the only quarter 
where they could be dangerous; for the ignorance of Paine, and 
the absurdity of his arguments, were so obvious, that the book 
could make an impression only on those who were altogether igno- 
rant of the subject, and had never thought of the evidences upon 
which their religion rested. Dr. Watson’s answer, accordingly, 
was adapted to the understandings of the common people, and was 
a masterpiece, whether we consider the skill with which he over- 
turned the insidious arguments of his antagonist, or the ability with 
which he counteracted the baneful effects of the principles which it 
was the object of the revolutionists to inculcate: for the avowed 
intention of these wild enthusiasts was to destroy the morality and 
religion of the common people altogether, and thus render them 
capable of going every length that might suit the objects of the 
demagogues of the day. 
In 1785 Dr. Watson published a Collection of Theological Tracts 
selected from various Authors for the Use of the younger Students in 
the University, in six octavo volumes. This publication deserves 
high praise for the judgment with which the tracts were selected. 
They form a kind of theological library, which cannot but be very 
valuable to the theological student. 
It will not be expected that I should notice here the different 
sermons which Dr. Watson published during the course of his long 
life. Indeed, I do not consider myself as at all qualified for such a 
task, having never seen several of them at all, and only glanced 
over the rest in a cursory manner. 
The political publications of Bishop Watson are still less proper 
for discussion in a work like the present, which professes to be 
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