ey. ener 
demise of that eminent and very pious 
prelate 1768, he, in association’ with 
Dr. Stinton, edited and published. his 
works, consisting of seven volumes 8vo. 
of sermons, cliarges, and lectures; to 
which was prefixed a_ life, ‘composed 
solely by our author, w hich obtained the 
praise of Johnson. 
Previously to this event, Mr. P. who 
had resolved to settlée in ik, in 4765, 
married Miss Hodgson, a lady of some 
fortune, whose father had resided at 
Matlock, in Derbyshire. The ceremony 
“was performed there by his friend, the 
primate. Two years after this, the de- 
gree of D.D. was conferred on him by 
his own University, and still- greater 
honours now awaited him, ‘The queen, 
hearing of Mr. P’s reputation; and being 
apprised oficha excellence of his’ private 
character, employed him as her private 
chaplain; and such a high opinion did 
~ her Majesty entertain’ of ‘his piety, and 
endowments, during his attendance in 
consequence of a short illness, that she 
was determined to complete what Secker 
had begun. Accordingly, in January, 
1777, on the translation of Dr. Mark- 
ham to the archbishopric of York, the 
royal interposition was employed in fa- 
vour of Dr. Porteus, who was immedi- 
ately raised to the episcopal bench, as 
bishop of Chester. ~ 
About the same time, this prelate 
Made great exertions, to restore a more 
solemn observation of the fast, called 
Good Friday.’ He accordingly, with this 
view, published an ‘ Exhortation”. to 
that effect. We shall not enter into the 
controversy occasioned by this pamph- 
let, and the steps soon after taken to en- 
force a strict observance of the principles 
there laid down. By some it was praised, 
as an effort tending to restore the purity 
of the ancient discipline, and promote 
the vital interests-of christianity; while 
by others, it was considered as breathing 
too much of the fanatical spirit of past 
times, as well as exhibiting not a little of 
that intolerance, which had been long 
since liappily exploded. 
This publication, of course excited 
considerable’ opposition, and gave rise 
indeed to a polemical dispute. 
Lobert: Robinson, who had been bred a 
barber, and who from being a hearer of 
Whitfield, became a preacher among the 
calvinists, until converted by the” ‘bap- 
tists, among whoin he became a teacher 
of sone eminence, was the champion on 
the other side. - He’ must be allowed to 
have been 4% man highly gifted by nature, 
¥ . 
Lord Bishop of London. 
Mr. 
467 — 
and rose in the estimation both of hig 
friends, and the public, far beyoiud what 
might have been expected, either from 
his birth ‘or education. 
While residing in the neighbourhood of 
Cambridge, he cultivated his_ talents 
with an unconimon degree of assiduity 
as well as success, translated Saurin’s 
Sermons and Claude’s Essay into En=’ 
glish; and, among other original produc~ 
tions, published a « Vindidation of 
Christ’s Divinity.” Happy at the op- 
portunity now atforded by a dignitary 
of the established church, the aspinng 
dissenter readily entered the lists, and 
broke a lance against the nuitre. The 
title of his work was, “* The History and 
Mystery of Good Friday ;” and it must 
be allowed that he handled his weapons 
with great skill; but he was not Fdrniinialte 
enough to obtain an episcopal rejoinder 
to his. reply.’ 
While this composition was praised by 
nearly all whio differed from -the church, 
those who cordially joined in her com. 
munion, did every thing in their power to 
foralardl the good i intentions of the pious 
prelate, Wis addresses were listeived to 
with ibaa ge and enforced with zeal, 
while the Society for “ promoting Chis: 
tian Knowledge” for Watded not a little 
his endeavours by printing the <* Exhore 
tation” in a cheap and portable form, so 
as to be read by multitudes, and circa- 
lated’ in great abundance. The conse- 
quence was, that this day (Good Friday) 
hitherto nevlected in the metropolis and 
Its vicinity since the puritanical times, 
has been since kept with vreat strictness, 
although the effect. perhaps may have 
been rather different in a multitude of 
instances from the intentions. df the wore 
thy bishop; for 1: is obvious to those ac- 
guainted with the world, that the fast is 
now converted into a Feheiy al, aid the 
shops are not unfrequently emptied 
into the alehouse. 
Dr. Porteus, who about this time be- 
gan to be greatly esteemed, and followed 
aS? a popular preac lier, now published 
several single sermous. Although the 
popish relivi ion had long ceased either 
to vive offence, or chente. uneasiness, yet 
i 1781 -he sent forth a work. directly 
levelled against it, etititled f A Brief 
Confutation of the Bor of the Chureh 
of Rome.” ‘his was extraéted, now= 
ever, from Archbishop Secker’s WORKS; 
and intended fur general distribution. 
‘In 1783, he produced a volume of his 
own Senivors on several subjects ; it was 
followed by two OTe; and these. have 
slice 
