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was small, though select and highly intelligent.
‘His natural temper (says
Dr. Amory) prevented his excelling in a warm and pathetic address to the passions of his hearers.
But this he endeavoured to compensate by the evidence and seriousness with which he recommended, from the Scriptures, universal piety, righteousness, and holiness of heart and life, and the necessity of acquiring and practising these; shewing the danger of trusting to any other expedients for obtaining the favour of God, and the blessedness of heaven, without personal holiness and obedience.
A method of preaching not improper for convincing, converting, and edifying the hearers, especially when enforced by a suitable practice.’
(Memoir, p. XIII.)
In 1747, Dr. Benson printed a volume of ‘Sermons on several important Subjects.’
A letter which he received from Dr. Herring, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, in acknowledgment of a presentation copy, accompanied with congratulations on his recent elevation to the primacy, has been preserved, and merits insertion, as a model of that liberal and truly Christian spirit which we could wish to find in all stations, and more especially in one of such high dignity and extensive influence.
Reverend Sir,—I cannot satisfy myself with having sent a cold and common answer of thanks for your volume of most excellent and useful sermons.
I do it in this manner with great esteem and cordiality.
I thank you at the same time, as becomes me to do, for your very obliging good wishes.
The subject on which my friends congratulate
