there were three candidates, Meletius, Paulinus, and Vitalis, all claiming a preference. Jerome was a son of the Church of Rome, where he had been baptized, and could not join any party at Antioch, till he had ascertained the sentiments of his own early Church. He wrote, therefore, to Rome, to learn whom he must consider the proper bishop of Antioch; he was informed in answer to his inquiry, that Paulinus was the proper bishop, and he accordingly acknowledged him. Paulinus ordained Jerome as a Priest, A.D. 378. From that time his fame began to spread greatly in the world, both as a preacher and writer on religious subjects.

Jerome went soon after to Constantinople, where he spent some time with learned men. He went to Rome, with Paulinus, Bishop of Antioch, and Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis in the isle of Cyprus. In August, A.D. 385, he went to the East again, and was attended by a large party of monks and ladies from Rome, who wished to retire from that great city, and leave all its pomp and splendor, to enjoy a Christian life in some retirement. He sailed with them to Cyprus, and went next to Antioch, where he was kindly received by his friend, Paulinus the Bishop. He then proceeded to Jerusalem, and to Bethlehem, the small town hallowed by the birth of our Saviour. Here he met with Paula, and other ladies of rank and fortune, who had followed him from Rome, to devote themselves to a monastic life. Here Jerome enjoyed that repose which he had long

sought for. He preached and gave charity to many poor who had flocked to that city, and here he wrote many good books.

Origen about this time wrote very wicked books against the divinity of Christ. He insisted that he was only a seraph or angel, sent to instruct mankind in virtue. Jerome and many learned men were justly offended by such unworthy representations from those who did not understand the Scriptures.

Jerome formed a monastery at Bethlehem and lived like a saint. In A.D. 410, after the Goths had sacked Rome and plundered that city, many of rank and piety fled to St. Jerome at Bethlehem, where he received them kindly at his monastery; he died, A.D. 420, aged ninety-two years, and it is said enjoyed good health and vivacity to his last

years.

His writings teach us the doctrines, the learning, and the manners of the age he lived in: they explain both the Hebrew and the Greek writings; they confirm powerfully the divinity of our Saviour, as the long-promised Redeemer, and future Judge of the world. Jerome had some erroneous fancies, but he is upon the whole the most able and learned sincere Christian father of the Church that existed at that period.

BISHOP ANDREW S.

Ir St. Chrysostom and St. Jerome ought not to be forgotten by future generations, neither should the distinguished learning, piety, and charity, of Dr. Launcelot Andrews be omitted in this volume of biography. This eminent divine was born in London in 1565, of the ancient family of the Andrews' in Suffolk. He was Bishop of Winchester in the reigns of James the First, and Charles the First. His father had spent great part of his life at sea, and was chosen Master of the Trinity House at Deptford. The remarkable memory and talents of young Launcelot appeared at Merchant Taylor's school, when he was twelve years of age. Dr. Watts, the Residentiary of St. Paul's, had observed the talents of the boy, and placed him at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. After he had been there three years, he came up to London once every year, to spend one month with his worthy parents. Here he was not idle; he got a private master, and had gained great advantage at that age so very important for the improvement of the mind. He got a private master for the modern languages, in which he attained great proficiency; while the novelties and amusements of London engaged his com

panions who came for one month to the Capital. His progress at College was rapid. Having taken the degree of Bachelor of Arts, he was soon after chosen Fellow of his College.

In the mean time, the fame of young Mr. Andrews reached Mr. Hugh Price, at Jesus College, Oxford, who appointed him one of his first Fellows at that new College. Here Mr. Andrews, having taken the degree of Master of Arts, applied himself with great zeal to the study of divinity, in the knowledge of which he greatly excelled. So much pleasure did he take in his duty, that he undertook, when he was chosen Catechist in the College, to read or lecture every Saturday and Sunday on the ten Commandments, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when great numbers, both from the other colleges, and from the country, came to admire and profit by his eloquence and learning. At the same time he was esteemed so profound a scholar, that he was consulted on the most difficult points, while yet a very young man. His reputation spread far and The Earl of Huntingdon prevailed on Mr. Andrews to accompany him as a friend to the north. He was soon after taken notice of by Sir Francis Walsingham, Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth. That eminent Minister was determined to elevate so fine a genius, and not to permit such talents to be buried in the obscurity of a country living. He therefore intended to make Mr. Andrews Reader of Controversies in the University, and assign him for maintenance, the parsonage of

near.

Alton, in Hampshire. He soon after made him Vicar of St. Giles's in London. Here his talents in the pulpit increased his fame. He was made Prebendary of St. Paul's, and Residentiary; also Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Southwell. After this rapid and great promotion, solely owing to his distinguished talents and conduct, he continued only more and more diligent and indefatigable in every duty, and distinguished as a very superior preacher. He also read divinity lectures three times a week at St. Paul's, with great approbation.

On the death of Dr. Fulke, Mr. Andrews was chosen Master of Pembroke Hall, where he had formerly been a scholar and Fellow. He found that the College was in debt, and had very low funds; he therefore left that College, by his last will and testament, 1000l. to purchase land; also three hundred volumes of valuable works in folio to the library. He was soon after appointed Chaplain in Ordinary to Queen Elizabeth, who took great delight in his preaching. She made him Dean and Prebendary of Westminster. After her death, King James was so pleased with him, that he desired he might see him every week. Majesty said he would choose to be his advocate and defender against all his enemies; and soon after made him Bishop of Chichester, also his Lord Almoner, in which place he acted with great benevolence, yet with such good judgment as to give universal satisfaction. He was afterwards created Bishop of Winchester. He had never flat

His