the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[147] disqualify him for public business, naturally prevented his friends from seeking to place him in any of those situations which might tend to bring him personally much before the world. His days and years seem to have passed in a uniform course of laborious study, engaged for the most part in collecting the materials for his great work, the successive volumes of which appeared from time to time, bringing down the regular and unbroken chain to the commencement of the modern aera, and at the same time accumulating a large mass of highly curious and valuable information for the student of ecclesiastical history and theological literature.

In 1745, he received from the University of Aberdeen, by diploma, the degree of Doctor in Divinity. ‘This was an honour,’ says Dr. Kippis, ‘which our author did not solicit, but which, when it was bestowed upon him, he did not think it unbecoming in him to accept; preserving herein the due medium between seeking for such a distinction, and despising it when offered.’ His own remark, in the case of Dr. Hunt, deserves notice: ‘In the year 1729,’ says he, ‘the University of Edinburgh, out of a regard to his distinguished merit, complimented him with the highest honorary title in their gift, a piece of respect not to be slighted by any man of letters.’ When we consider Dr. Lardner's extraordinary attainments and learning, the reflection which he made on receiving his degree, displayed a remarkable humbleness of mind. ‘I pray God,’ said he, ‘I may not be elevated by any acceptance my labours meet with, but that I may proceed with ’