my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only but to all them that love his appearing." Glorious Apostle! behold him like a buffeted mariner in view of the port. He looks back upon the stormy ocean, and rejoices that his conflict with the waves is almost over. Like a faithful worn-out soldier, he anticipates the hour of his dismission, and looks with honest exultation to the wreath of glory which is preparing for him. Christians! if you wish to be satisfied what a good conscience and the hopes of the gospel can do for you, survey this venerable figure; it is Paul of Tarsus examining his heart and life, glorying in the consciousness of having done his duty, and longing to depart and be with the Lord.' Practical utility is the express aim of this preacher, and it appears to us that his labours are calculated to advance that laudable intention. Art. 31. A Vindication of certain Passages in the Common English Version of the New Testament, addressed to Granville Sharp, Esq. Author of the "Remarks on the Uses of the Definitive Article in the Greek Text of the New Testament." By the Rev. Calvin Winstanley, A.M. 12mo. 28. Longman and Co. Had not the short lived controversy on the uses of the Greek Definitive Article, so indiscreetly provoked by Mr. Sharp, been completely put to rest, the assistance of Mr. Winstanley, who comes properly armed with erudition and critical acumen, would have been hailed as a most auspicious event by Mr. Sharp's opponents: but as Mr. S's "Remarks" have been proved to be unfounded and fallacious, (see M. R. Vol. 44. N.S. p. 401) to fight over the field again with Mr. W. would only be to slay the slain, and to make the parade of a long triumph for a victory which required very little skill and effort to obtain. He must therefore excuse us from discussing his Vindication,' and have the goodness to accept from us a general commendation instead of a minute examination of his work, which would unquestionably prove more creditable to his reputation as a scholar. By a multitude of examples, he shews that in the use of the article and the copulative, the Greek writers were governed not so much by any arbitrary rules, as by a regard to perspicuity and distinctness, and that, accordingly, there are some cases, in which the article cannot be repeated after the copulative, whether the nouns relate to the same thing or person, or to different things or persons, there are others in which it must be repeated; and there are others again, in which the repetition depends on the pleasure of he writer.' Mr. W does not address himself to the unlearned, and cautiously guards his orthodoxy, while he protests against Mr. Sharp's new trinitariau versions. Art. 33. A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Rochester, in the Year 1806, and published at their Request. By John Law, D.D. Archdeacon of Rochester. 4to. 18. Payne. It is recommended to the clergy, in this temperate address, to ad here to the scriptural mode of preaching, which exalts the grace of God without vilifying good works. Dr. Law particularly adverts to Dr. Lawrence's Bampton Lecture Sermons, (reviewed in a preceding article, page 269.) and coincides with that writer in opinion that the compiler of the Articles never meant to assert such a depravity of human nature, as precludes the working of any thing that is good.' Art. 33. Letters on Election. By Richard Wright, Wisbeach. Svo. 18. Vidler. Calvinian Election and Reprobation are strongly opposed by this writer, who contends that the term Sovereignty of God (on which the advocates for the orthodox faith erect this article of their belief) means the Sovereignty of infinite love; and that, by representing the Almighty as partially attached to some of his creatures, while he severely retaliates on others, we degrade his righteousness below that which he requires of his saints. Mr. Wright's position is that the Great Jehovah, in electing a part of mankind, had in view the happiness of all; that one end is pursued in all the divine dispensations; and that by imagining the contrary, and placing one part of mankind under an eternal decree of salvation and the other part under an eternal decree of damnation, we are reduced to the necessity of admitting the existence of two opposite principles in the Deity, or Manicheism. The subsequent remarks on those passages of Scripture which are adduced in favour of the doctrine of a partial Election, on the Jewish peculiarity, and on the use of the words Elect and Chosen, in the N.T., merit attention: but for these we must refer the reader to the pamphlet, which manifests great plainness and perspicuity. Mr. W.'s arguments against partial Election include a defence of the doctrine of Universal Restoration. Art. 34. ΣΥΜΒΟΛΟΝ ΤΡΙΣΑΓΙΟΝ, or the Geometrical Analogy of the Catholic Doctrine of Triunity consonant to human Reason and Comprehension; typically demonstrated and exemplified by the na tural indivisble Triunity of certain simultaneous Sounds. With Letters from Dr. Herschell, and the late Rev. William Jones of Nayland, and published at his Request and Desire. By H. Harington, M.D. 4to. 3s. Robinson. It would be deemed indecorons not to preserve our gravity while discussing the most awful of subjects: but, when a writer endeavours to illustrate the mysterious doctrine of the Trinity by the properties of a right angled triangle, or by the notes of the musical scale, we feel ourselves so irresistably moved to indulge in something the reverse of seriousness, that we dare not meddle with Dr. Harington's Theological Geometry; and we must leave it to those Reviewers, if such can be found, who have never stepped over the threshold of the school of Democritus. Art. 35. This writer has not practised that reserve which we imposed on ourselves Y 4 ourselves in the foregoing article, but, pleading the Horatian adage*, has prosecuted a solemn inquiry in a strain of sarcastic wit, He pretends that the most orthodox believers are not yet orthodox enough; and that, instead of a Trinity, they ought to receive a Quaternity by admitting the Jewish Lawgiver into the Godhead. Under an affected zeal against Unitarianism, he adduces the reasons which are employed in support of the Trinitarian Hypothesis: but he so manages the cause that the reductio ad absurdum stares us in the face at every period of his argument. Basanistes is not, like Dr. Harington, a lover of triangles, but prefers Quadrangles, as more comfortable to move in,' and comments on their properties as containing analogical proofs of his doctrine of Quaternity. His "broad grins" continue through the whole pamphlet ; and if by his ironing as Mrs. Slipslop calls it) he can smooth the ruggedness of contro versy, he will accomplish that which graver writers have not effected: but we do not so far flatter him. Art. 36. A Charge to the Clergy at the primary Visitation in the Month of August, 1806, of the late Right Rev. Father in God Samuel, by Divine Permission, Lord Bishop of St. Asaph. 4to. 1s. 6d. Hatchard. In the first part of this charge, the late learned Prelate appears in the character of an expounder of the law, explaining certain clauses of the "Curates' Act," and insisting that no curate should be permitted to officiate without a licence from the Bishop. He tells incumbents, that they are not to dismiss their curates with as little ceremony as they might turn away their menial servant, at a month's warning or with a month's wages.'-He next adverts to the "Marriage Act"; notices the ignorance which prevails, even among the Clergy, respecting it, particularly as to the Publication of Banns ; and advises them, in order to obtain that knowlege of Statute Law which relates to their ecclesiastical duty, to purchase "The Clergyman's Assistant," a work published by the University of Oxford. When the Bishop proceeds from the Rules to the Doctrines of the Church, he adverts to the controversy respecting the complexion of the Articles; which, he contends, are so neutralized between Arminianism and Calvinism, that there is nothing to hinder the Arminian and the highest Superlapsarian Calvinist from walking together in the Church of England as friends and brothers.' We regard this as a very bold assertion. Reprobation makes no appearance either in the Articles or the Liturgy; and some of the prayers are directly in the teeth of the Superlapsarian scheme-Towards the conclusion, the Clergy are advised not to dispute on controverted points, but to lay down the doctrine categorically; of which practice, the R. R. writer affords them a very striking example. Art. 37. A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Durham, at the Ordinary Visitation of that Diocese, in the Year 1806. By Shute, Bishop of Durham. 4to. Is. 6d. Rivingtons. ridentem dicere verum Quid vetat ? While the foregoing Prelate commands and threatens, the present Bishop mildly argues with his Clergy. Styling himself their affectionate friend and brother,' he urges them to study the advancement of spiritual religion; to consider the distinguishing features of Popery as adverse to the religion of Christ depicted in the N. T.; and to endeavour, since the state liberally tolerates the members of her com. munion among us, to prevent our own people from recurring to her dangerous errors. Be zealous,' says he, in the discharge of your duty, but be charitable.' It is affecting to hear this venerable Prelate reminding his Clergy, that his age forbids him to look forwards with any confidence to another visitation; and exhorting them, as in the near view of an eternal state, to adhere to the principles of our Reformed Church. Art. 38. An Essay towards a connected Elucidation of the Prophetical Parts of the Apocalypse, compiled with the Help of some original Communications. By Stephen Morell, Little Baddow, Essex. 8vo. pp. 113. 38. sewed. Conder. On a sea covered with wrecks, Mr. Morell ventures to launch his little bark; though evidently with no more knowlege of the naviga tion than was possessed by the unfortunate mariners who have preceded him. He has laid down no meridian, he has taken no soundings, and his chart is a bold sketch of the imagination. As we look on such attempts more with pity than displeasure, we shall refrain from the task of minute examination, and shall merely ask what solid reason has Mr. M. for asserting that, The first Seal comprehends the period of the family of Vespasian. • The second Seal, the connected succession of Trajan, whether by blood or adoption. • The third Seal, the reign of Septimus Severus, and the connected succession from him. The fourth Seal includes the interval between the last connected succession, and that which we are next to consider. This period is remarkable for little connected succession, much competition and anarchy. The fifth Seal describes the reigns of Dioclesian and his associates. This is a period which has been always much distinguished, for it has been called the æra of Dioclesian, or the æra of martyrs. The sixth Seal comprehends the house of Constantine. The seventh Seal relates to the house of Valentinian, and to Theodosius' All this is gratis dictum. We could extract more of the same kind, but one sample is sufficient. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 39. The British Martial; or an Anthology of English Epigrams: being the largest Collection ever published. With some Originals. 2 Vols. Crown 8vo. 10s. Boards. R. Phillips. "Some old and some new, Some Some witty and some that are dull, Sir; Some with thoughts that are evil, Of such matter these volumes are full, Sir." Thank you, friend, for helping us out in describing this collection. For an assemblage of bon-mots, or of epigrams, nearly the same character will apply to all as well as to one, as far as our memory serves. The present is certainly copious, and contains many effusions that will amuse by their sprightliness or their acuteness: but, as it seems to be intended by its handsome form for a library book, it should have been free from all those pruriencies which remind us of the truth of one of its own admonitions; To a Young Wit. • Nature has done her part; do thou but thine; For vain applause transgress not virtue's rules,- Art. 40. Resolves, Divine, Moral and Political, of Owen Felliham. The Resolves of Owen Felltham consist of short Essays 'on the most important and interesting subjects of human life and conduct,' and contain a rich store of wisdom, collected in a long course of study and attentive observation. The views which they give of the matters treated are numerous, and such as cannot fail to improve the mind; and the remarks are so various and valuable, that whoever carefully attends to them will be materially assisted in conducting himself through the world. As they relate to miscellaneous topics, the volume may be left in a room for occasional perusal, and most readers with cultivated minds will find something adapted to their taste. morality is sound, and its piety is warm; its religious doctrines are scriptural, and its political principles are loyal; it bears the marks of a strong mind and an inquisitive genius, and we are surprized to find it containing sentiments which are thought to, belong exclusively to more modern publications. The style, although somewhat obsolete, is very expressive; the references to scripture are just and pleasing; and the allusions to historical subjects are happy, elegant, and classical Its Owen Felltham was son of Mr. Thomas Felltham of Suffolk, and died about the year 1677. His Resolves were first published about 1627, when their intrinsic merits were soon discovered; and such was the popularity of the work, that the twelfth edition was printed in the year 1709. Since that time, no new impression has appeared until the pre sent; the reason of which intermission seems to have been its antiquated style together with the many elegant works of the samę nature which were about that period given to the public. In order to render the present edition better adapted for general use, and more acceptable to modern readers, Mr. Cumming has 13 taken |