xvi SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE. 



bat I have lived below its privileges. I have had large opportunities given 

 me, but I have not improved them as I might. I have been led astraj 

 by the vanity of human learning, and by the love of human applause.'^'' 



How insignificant are the highest intellectual endowments, and the most 

 extensive erudition, when compared with the Christian character. In the 

 light of the invisible world just dawning upon his vision, he exclaimed, more 

 than once, "0, the vanity of human learning?" "0, the folly of human 

 applause V And then he would dwell with evident satisfaction upon the 

 text, which he so often repeated in his last moments — "Jesus Christ, the 

 same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." And after the power of distinct 

 articulation was gone, and he was almost in the embrace of death, when 

 his kind clergyman repe?ted the words, " Behold the Lamb of God !" he 

 added, as the last effort of his expiring breath, " who taketh away the 

 sins of the world." 



For this brief outline of the life and death of the learned and excellent 

 author of the " Book of Nature," I am indebted chiefly to " Dr, Gregory's 

 Memoirs," and to the able review of that work in the " Christian Spec- 

 tator." And although precluded by the limits of this sketch from entering 

 into numerous details of his writings, learning, and virtues, which possess 

 an enduring interest ; yet enough is here recorded to afford matter for much 

 useful reflection and improvement to the philosopher, the philanthropist, and 

 the Christian. And the profession of medicine is here seen to be honoured 

 in the life of one of its most enlightened and zealous votaries, who superadded 

 to his high literary and professional attainments the still higher character 

 of a sincere and consistent Christian philosopher, bequeathing to us and to 

 posterity his bright example, to be inscribed with those of Boerhaave, Haller, 

 Mead, and Rush, on the tablet of our memories, stimulating us to emulate 

 their virtues, that we may, like them, have a peaceful death, cheered 

 by the hope of a blissful immortality. . , 



