The life & death of Mr. Joseph Alleine, late teacher of the church at Taunton, in Somersetshire, assistant to Mr. Newton whereunto are annexed diverse Christian letters of his, full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of Godliness, both in persons and families, and his funeral sermon, preached by Mr. Newton.

Secondly, His Studies and Learning.

As respects his Studies, he had a strong inclination to, and delight in the Study of the Natural and Ethnick Theologie, in which he proceeded to a great acquaintance with the chief Sects of the Philosophers, especially the Academicks, and Stoicks, of his insight into whom he made singular use, by gathering their choicest Flowers to adorn Christianity 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and indeed, searce did he Preach a Sermon, where∣in he did not Select some excellent Passage or other out of these, whereby to illustrate and fortifie his Discourse. And how well becoming a Divine, and most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this his In∣clination and Choice was, is most manifest to considering Men; for hereby he more confirmed himself in the Christian Religion (which he had espoused with so much Judgment and Zeal) by a distinct and certain knowledge of the highest Prin∣ciples

and Hopes of the Ethnick Religions, and by a sober comparing of that with these. He also much delighted in A∣natomy, in which he acquired a considerable skill, which also he not a little improved by frequent Dissections. And in his pub∣lick Ministry, he often made use of this his insight, by com∣posing, with Galen, Hymns to the Creator, whose infinite Wisdom he was often heard to admire, in the contrivance of Mans outward frame, and in the rare contexture, dependance, and use of all, even the minutest parts, in the excellent Fabrick of Mans body. As to his skill in the Languages, it was not con∣temptible, especially in those three which (as Ludovicus Vi∣ves saith) Christ sanctified upon the Cross.