condemned and exposed all learning, though they knew I declared that
I greatly honoured and esteemed all men of superior literature and
erudition, and that I only undervalued false or superficial
learning, that signifies nothing for the service of mankind; and
that as to physic, I expressly affirmed that learning must be joined
with native genius to make a physician of the first rank; but if
those talents are separated, I asserted, and do still insist, that a
man of native sagacity and diligence will prove a more able and
useful practiser than a heavy notional scholar, encumbered with a
heap of confused ideas."

He was not only a poet and a physician, but produced likewise a work
of a different kind, "A True and Impartial History of the Conspiracy
against King William of Glorious Memory in the Year 1695." This I
have never seen, but suppose it is at least compiled with integrity.
He engaged likewise in theological controversy, and wrote two books
against the Arians: "Just Prejudices against the Arian Hypothesis,"
and "Modern Arians Unmasked." Another of his works is "Natural
Theology; or, Moral Duties considered apart from Positive; with some
Observations on the Desirableness and Necessity of a Supernatural
Revelation." This was the last book that he published. He left
behind him "The Accomplished Preacher; or, an Essay upon Divine
Eloquence," which was printed after his death by Mr. White of
Nayland, in Essex, the minister who attended his death-bed, and
testified the fervent piety of his last hours. He died on the 8th
of October, 1729.


Blackmore, by the unremitted enmity of the wits, whom he provoked
more by his virtue than his dulness, has been exposed to worse