NEW BROAD-STREET, PETTY-FRANCE.-Presbyterian, Extinct. library. A list of Dr. Evans's publications will be given below. (L) (L) WORKS.-1. A Sermon preached at Chester and Wrexham, Sept. 4, 1704, the Day of Thanksgiving for the Victory at Blenheim.-2. A Sermon preached May 19, 1706, on occasion of the Victory at Ramellies.-3. A Sermon to the Societies for Reformation of Manners, June 30, 1707.-4. A Sermon on occasion of the dreadful Fire in Thames-street, Jan. 18, 1710.5. A Funeral Sermon, occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Daniel Williams, D, D. Jan. 26, 1715-6.-6. A Sermon at the Evening Lecture at Salters'-Hall, July 15, 1716, upon his leaving that Lecture.-7. An Exposition of the Epistles to the Romans; in the Continuation of Matthew Henry's Commentary.-8. A Letter to Mr. Cumming, concerning the Regard which ought to be had to Scripture Consequences. 1719.-9. God with us, while we are with him: a Sermon preached October 9, 1720.-10. Past Deliverances, and present Calamities improved: a Sermon, Nov. 5, 1720.-11. David's Choice to fall into the Hand of God, rather than into the Hand of Man: a Sermon, October 20, 1721.-12. A second Letter to Mr. Cumming, in Defence of the former. 1722.-13. Practical Discourses concerning the Christian Temper, in Thirty-eight Sermons. The third Edition. Printed in the Year 1723, in 2 Vols. Octavo.-14. A Sermon at the Merchants' Lecture, at Salters'-Hall, December 31, 1723.-15. Sermons upon various Subjects, preached to young People, designed for the promoting early Piety, 1725. 12mo.-16. Paul's comfortable Reflection and Prospect, in View of Death. A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Ann King, August 24, 1726.-17. Our Hopes of Success from God's Providence, more than from external Means: a Sermon at the Old Jewry, March 22, 1726 7. —18. The King and his faithful Subjects, rejoicing in God; and the Mouths of Liars stopped: a Sermon at Hand-Alley, upon the Occasion of their Majesties' Coronation, Oct 15, 1727.-19. Consolatory Thoughts upon the Death of desirable Relations: a Sermon upon 2 Kings, iv. 26. 1727.20. The Advantage and Honour of a Religious Descent: a Sermon to young People, December 25, 1727.-21. A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. Mr. John Ratcliffe ; preached at Rotherhithe, February 25, 1727-8.-Two Sermons at the opening a new Meeting-place, in New Broad-street, PettyFrance, December 14 and 21, 1730.-23. Some Pieces in the Occasional Paper. To the preceding list, we subjoin Dr. Doddridge's character of our Author as a practical writer." EVANS. His style is grave, plain, manly, nervous. His heads are always distinct and well arranged. The Scriptures he quotes are very properly chosen. His thoughts, especially in the application, are thrown close together. His Sermons to young People are scarce and valuable. His Christian Temper, is one of the best practical pieces in our language." * Doddridge's Preaching Lectures. NEW BROAD-STREET, PETTY-FRANCE.— -Presbyterian, Extinct. JAMES READ was born on the 6th of October, 1684, at Kidderminster, in Worcestershire. His parents were among the pious inhabitants of that town, where the eminent Mr. Richard Baxter had effected such an extraordinary reformation, that the savour of his ministry continued to be felt there many years afterwards. In his youth, Mr. Read had the happiness to sit under the faithful ministry of Mr. John Spilsbury, whose serious preaching, together with the instructions of his parents, contributed to cherish in his mind an early attention to the concerns of religion. Being intended for the ministry, after passing through a due preparation at the grammar-school, he was placed for academical learning under the care of the learned Dr. Kerr, at Highgate. In his academical studies he was indefatigable, and made considerable progress. After a liberal education, Mr. Read was examined and approved by the London ministers. He then spent a year or two in his native country, where he met with great acceptance. Having given sufficient proof of his ministerial abilities, upon the recommendation of Mr Blackmore, then minister at Worcester, he was chosen, August 4, 1707, assistant to the Rev. Thomas Reynolds, at the Weigh-House, where he was many years an acceptable and useful preacher. While in this situation, he was ordained to the ministerial office. The service took place at the Old Jewry, Dec. 19, 1716. His brother, Mr. Henry Read, and three other ministers, were ordained at the same time. In the year 1719, arose the unhappy difference abou subscribing to articles, as a test of orthodoxy. Of the part which Mr. Read took in this affair, we have already given an ample account. (M) Mr. Read was one of the majority who advocated the cause of religious liberty, against all human impositions whatever. The conduct he pursued upon this occasion, gave offence to the church, and, on July 24, (M) See Art. WEIGH HOUSE, vol. i. p. 164. t NEW BROAD STREET, PETTY.FRANCE ——. -Presbyterian, Extinct. 1720, the majority thought fit to dismiss him, from ministering any longer among them. Here, it is but justice to his memory, to observe," that they had nothing to say against his moral character, which was pure and spotless." The cause of his dismission, as we have already stated, was, because he could not assert with his pastor, Mr. Reynolds, "That he thought them guilty of idolatry, or that "they had forfeited their claim to Christian communion, "who pay religious worship to our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Mediator, between GoD and man; though they hold "him to be subordinate to his Father; or (as Christ him"self has told us), that the Father is greater than he.”* On the 22d of December, 1720, Mr. Read, was chosen assistant to Dr. John Evans, and that with the Doctor's hearty concurrence and approbation. Some of the members in his former station, not being unanimous in his dismission, followed him to Hand-alley, and adhered to him as long as he lived. As Mr. Read was employed only on one part of the day, he was chosen, in 1724, to assist his brother twice a month, at St. Thomas's, Southwark. About this time, also, he was concerned in a lecture on a Tuesday evening, at the Old Jewry, in conjunction with Dr. Chandler, Mr. Godwin, and other ministers. He was, also, member of a society of ministers, that met at Chew's coffeehouse, on a Thursday. Upon the death of Dr. Evans, in 1730, Mr. Read was chosen pastor, and about three months afterwards, the Rev. Dr. Allen was associated with him in the pastoral office. Mr. Read departed this life August 16, 1755, in the 71st year of his age. His funeral sermon was preached by Benson, from 2 Cor. v. 4. Mr. James Read, was a firm and decided character; diligent in his studies, laborious in preaching, which was plain, practical and faithful; usually turning upon subjects of the . ⚫ Dr. Benson's Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. James Read, p. 30. NEW BROAD-STREET, PETTY-FRANCE.-Presbyterian, Extinct. greatest importance. He seldom went directly into points of controversy, yet openly vindicated uncorrupted Christianity; giving what he took to be the true scripture doctrine, and earnestly recommending that charity of which he bimself was so bright an example. He regularly visited his people when able, but never without some useful and friendly admonitions. Those that were blame-worthy he faithfully reproved, and was very compassionate to persons in affliction. He was reckoned a person of great integrity and remarkable prudence; and he maintained a spirit of true candour towards those who differed from him. Many years before his death, he had a severe fever, which very much shattered his frame, and broke an excellent constitution; and for three years, he was prevented from his usual labeurs. He bore his many afflictions, with a becoming resignation, and was convinced of the wisdom and goodness of that Being, who governs all our concerns. In the evening of his days, when reviewing his former life, he greatly rejoiced that his habitual conduct had been such as his own mind could approve. He was neither depressed with desponding fear, nor elated with rapturous joy; but he had good hope of happiness in a future state, founded on the essential goodness of God, and the rich grace discovered in the gospel. We shall sum up Mr. Read's character, in the words of Dr. Benson :-" He feared God from his childhood, and walked humbly, before him, all his days. He was a faithful, laborious minister, inviolably attached to the cause of Christ's truth, and the liberty of private judgment. He had no creed, but the holy scriptures; was a lover of good men, of all denominations; a great friend and patron to young ministers; of an inoffensive, peaceable, courteous, temper and behaviour; ready to do good and communicate, even beyond his abilities. And therefore, generally, esteemed and beloved. After a life of distinguished integrity, great labour, and patient suffering, he died in a good old age; ac |