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Dr Jortin left a widow (who died June 24. 1778, and was buried in the same grave) and two children, Roger Jortin, Esq. of the Exchequer Office, Lincoln's Inn, and Martha, married to the Rev. Samuel Darby, formerly Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, and now Rector of Whatfield, near Hadleigh, Suffolk.

It now only remains to take notice of the posthumous works of Dr Jortin. In 1771, and 1772, his Sermons and Charges were published to the extent of seven volumes. It is said that he intended them for publication. To a friend who once asked him, "Why "he did not publish his Sermons ?" he said, "shall sleep, 'till I sleep."

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They

A continuation of his "Remarks on Ecclesiastical History" was published in 1773, in two additional volumes; which make the third and fourth volumes, according to the second edition of the former part of

the

the work published in 1767, but the fourth and fifth according to the first edition.

So late as 1790, there appeared in two volumes, "Tracts, philological, critical, and miscellaneous (by "Dr Jortin) consisting of pieces many before pub"lished separately, several annexed to the works of "learned friends, and others, now first printed from "the author's manuscripts." We have already noticed the greater part of those which were formerly printed. The principal additions consist of illustrations of different passages in the Old and New Testaments; and strictures on the articles, subscriptions,

and tests.

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PREFACE.

W

THAT is here offered to the public is not a regular treatise, but only a collection of detached Remarks on Ecclesiastical History and ancient writers, in which the order of time is neither strictly observed, nor greatly neglected, and no anxious accuracy is bestowed upon the dates of years. This is a necessary premonition to the reader, who else would seek what he will not find.

Yet was it designed, slight and imperfect as it is, for the service of Truth, by one who would be glad to attend and grace her triumphs; as her soldier, if he has had the honour to serve successfully under her banner; or as a captive tied to her chariot wheels, if he has, though undesignedly, committed any offence against her.

Greater undertakings on these subjects are a task fit for those who are blessed with conveniences, spirits, and abilities, and a task sufficient to exercise all their talents; for Ecclesiastical History is a sort of enchanted land, where it is hard to distinguish truth from false appearances, and a maze which requires more than Ariadne's clue.

Whilst exalted geniuses discern with a kind of intuitive knowledge, they who have less penetration may be permitted now and then, where reason and religion

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