Review. Article by Mr. Southey in the Quar-verned by a narrow and selfish spirit. terly Review. MR. EDITOR, "IN the Quarterly Review for April last, No. 57, I met with some things which surprised and stumbled me. Permit me to ask your assistance, or that of your learned correspondents, in answering the following Queries. "1. Is the reviewer of Burnet's History of his own Time, justified in representing Neal's History of the Puritans as the most dishonest book in our language, Dodd's Roman Catholic Church History not excepted?" p. 166. He was not a jure-divino monarch, and he assisted in displacing a juredivino archbishop ;— high crimes and misdemeanors these in the constitutional king, which men who, like Mr. Southey, have apostatized from the principles of Milton and Locke, will never forgive! Perhaps the tirade upon Owen, Baxter, and Howe," is to be considered as a poetical flight, though expressed in elegant prose. Had these distinguished puritan ministers become conformists, or accepted the vacant bishopricks, (which Calamy and Baxter refused,) we should have heard nothing of "blowing the 2. Is it quite certain that our trumpet of rebellion," &c. &c. That church-establishment is the great-they took part with the parliament est of all our blessings?" p. 199. when the nation resolved to shake "3. On what good authority can it be stated that King William 'con-disgrace upon their memory, except off a tyrannical yoke, reflects no fessed he did not care what became of the world when he was out of it?" p. 204. in the estimation of those who would probably undertake to prove Laud's political acts to have been immacu"4. The same reviewer, speaking late, and his persecutions of the of the period that followed the Res- Puritans praiseworthy attempts to toration, says, Owen, Baxter, and support an apostolical church;—“the How, (a milder and happier spirit greatest of all our blessings!"-0 than either,) and others of the Nonconformist divines, atoned now, in the " Act of Settlement!" or even yes, a much greater blessing than some degree, to the nation, by the serthe Act of Toleration! or than the vices which they rendered the cause of christian morals, for the offence the head of the church, nullifies the prerogative by which the king, as which they had committed in blow-spiritual powers of the two houses ing the trumpet of rebellion, or in assisting at its triumphs.' Is there any thing like truth or equity in this statement? I am, Sir, A One of your constant readers." of convocation!-Alas! Alas! for America; how can she expect to 66 toration, by the services which they an ex What is intended by the "Nonconformists having atoned in some WHEN Our correspondent is in-degree to the nation, after the Resformed, that report attributes the review of "Burnet's History of his own Time" to the Poet Laureat, whose tory politics, and high-church predilections, have been so notorious, he will perhaps account, without further inquiry, for all that is said in the above quotations in fa-pelled by the "Act of Uniformity;" vour of the church-establishment, and against the nonconformists. Nor is it at all wonderful, that the illustrious King William should be represented by him as having been goVOL. XV. and to be as it were expatriated from their social circle by the "FiveMile Act?" or to be hunted, as if they had been wild beasts, by the informers created by the "Conven3 B ticle Act?" or that they and their friends in parliament submitted, in order to keep Papists out of the government, to be themselves proscribed by the "Test Acts?" Or was it their setting an example of " being in the fear of God all the day long," while Charles, and his dissolute court, flattered and cajoled by aspiring churchmen, were hurrying the nation into infidelity? It is probable Mr. Southey may mean, that they were the innocent victims, who were sacrificed on the altar of intolerance; that by their sufferings our offended prelacy might at least have their anger gratified, though not appeased! As to the sweeping censure on the Historian of the Puritans, it is difficult to conceive that Mr. Southey can really believe his own assertion. Dr. Jennings, who preached Mr. Neal's funeral sermon, says, "His impartial regard to truth has receiv. ed a very considerable testimony by means of an attempt that was made to discredit his History of the Puritans,' in a book that was written against his first volume [by Dr. Maddox]. Mr. Neal did so effectually answer it, and so thoroughly vindicate that volume of his history, as may reasonably persuade us that he could, and no doubt would, have as thoroughly vindicated the other volumes, from what has since been published against them [by Dr. Walker], if the declining state of his health would have permitted him." The fact is, Mr. Neal always bears a decided testimony against ecclesiastical impositions, restraints upon private judgment, and persecution for conscience sake; but he does this without any partiality. He condemns the Presbyterians as much as the Episcopalians, when they violated the principles of the most entire civil and religious liberty. One quotation from his Preface to Vol. II. will show the cause of his unpardonable offence, and probably of Mr. Southey's splenetic remarks." I have," says he, "always declared against restraints upon conscience among all parties of christians; but if men will vindicate the justice and equity of oaths ex-officio, and of exorbitant fines, imprisonment, and banishment, for things in their own nature indifferent; if they will call a relation of the illegal severities of council-tables, star-chambers, and high-commissions, a satire against the present establishment, they must use their liberty as I shall mine, in appearing against ecclesiastical oppression, from what quarter soever it comes.' The fair fame of the man whom we have endeavoured to vindicate from anonymous slander, stands on too firm a basis to be affected by mere declamation, however oracularly expressed. If we have been wrong in attributing it to the Poet Laureat, we shall regret that circumstance, though we think the source of our information cannot have misled us. The Trial of the Rev. Edward Irving, M. A. with Five Portraits by Crookshank. 8vo. 3s. Sold by Lacey and Co. AFTER the grave and oracular opinions of Newspaper editors, in favour of this "remarkably smart and well-done bit of foolery,"—this 66 very clever and amusing jeu d'esprit," &c. &c. it may be thought a piece of hardihood in us to denounce it as a publication, which it is disgraceful to any christian minister to have compiled, or to any religious bookseller to have published. We strongly suspect that mere cupidity dictated the work, and that from the sale of five editions the publishers have obtained "the hope of their gains." But we seriously ask whether it agrees with righteousness and the fear of God, to hold up a minister of Christ to ridicule, and by caricaturing a good man, to furnish aliment for men of corrupt minds? We see enough in Mr. Irving's "Orations and Arguments" to condemn, and have heard enough of his vanity to make us weep; but we should deem it a gross insult to the common sense and religious feelings of our readers, were we to recommend this "Trial.” We are sorry that the advertisement of such a pamphlet, accompanied by so much puffing, should over which the Holy Ghost had made him an overseer, was the work and business of his life." We revert with feelings of vivid and tender interest to the labours and the example, the ministry and the companionship, of this holy, and amiable, and venerated man. We remember with what an elevated tone of devotional feeling he always appeared in the house of God, and with what integrity, benevolence, and courtesy, his conduct was marked in the world. He sustained through life a character which was not only irreproachable, but eminent, combining ing with no common lustre, qualities The Excellence and Utility of then no ordinary degree, and exbibitEvangelical Ministry, as exercised among Evangelical Dissenters: A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. James Hinton, A. M. late of Oxford. By Joseph Ivimey. MR. Ivimey is certainly entitled to our esteem and our thanks for the prompt and affectionate display of christian sympathy which he has never failed to evince, when Zion has clothed herself in mourning because her teachers were removed. His last publication was a tribute of respect to the memory of Ward; and he meets us again on the present occasion, bearing his sincere and well-merited testimony to the honourable character and ministerial usefulness of Mr. Hinton. His funeral discourse for this excellent man is founded upon 2 Cor. iv.5,6,7. The passage affords him opportunity to delineate the prominent features of a gospel-minister, and to assign the reasons why God has appointed such an office to be executed by man; and the sermon is concluded by reflections, arising out of the history of Mr. Hinton and the church at Oxford. From a long and intimate personal knowledge, we rejoice to confirm as a fact what Mr. Ivimey ventures to express as an opinion, "that the features of the gospel minister's portrait were seen in his character. His religion was that of the heart; his sentiments were drawn from the gospel only; his constant topic in preaching, was the suffering atoning Son of God; and the promoting of the spiritual interests of the church both of a moral and an intellectual finest mould; and we think Mr. kind, which had been cast in the Ivimey perfectly correct in his estimate, when he assigns to him the rank of one of the best of dissenting preachers. The station which Divine Providence appointed him to occupy, was confessedly one both of great importance, and of great difficulty; but he filled it with high and unblemished reputation, nor was he removed from it to his eternal reward, till, by the blessing of the Great Head of the church on his pious, energetic, and judicious exertions, he saw the goodly plant of Nonconformity strike deep its roots and rear high its stem-and spread wide its branches—and yield its clustering fruits in a city, where least of all perhaps such results might have been anticipated. He was honoured of God, and his memory will be embalmed in the affections of his sorrowing church, while the Dissenting interest at large will feel that it has lost one of its purest ornaments, its ablest ministers, and its most devoted friends. The Decease of eminent Ministers a Source of Lamentation. A Sermon on the Death of the Rev. J. Hinton, A.M. Oxford: preached at the Protestant Dissenting Chapel, Ensham. By John Thomas Dobney. Holdsworth. 1s. Mr. Dobney's sermon is a tribute of respect to the memory of a kind friend, and father in the ministry. | LITERARY INTELLIGENCE: It is founded upon the inspired account of the funeral of Stephen, Acts viii. 2, and several suitable reasons are assigned why the decease of eminent ministers is la mented by their surviving friends. We a little wonder that Mr. Dobney should have selected a text which relates to one, the prominent feature of whose character was that of a deacon; and whose usefulness in that important office, in the church at Jerusalem, appears to have been the chief cause of such deep lamen tations. In this very pleasing and instructive little book, we accompany a christian minister in his pastoral visits. We see the folly and misery of irreligion, and the wisdom and excellency of religion, faithfully delineated in scenes drawn from the life. As in the oracles of truth, the divine precepts and maxims are illustrated by historical facts, so here the aid of real examples is called in to prove, that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and that "to depart from iniquity is understanding;" that " wisdom is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and that happy is every one that retaineth her;" whilst "judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools." We highly recommend this little volume to our young readers, as well as to those parents who are not in the habit of visiting the abodes of the poor. Just Published. The Decease of eminent Ministers a Source of Lamentation: a Sermon on Oxford, preached at the Protestant the Death of the Rev. J. Hinton, A.M. Dissenting Chapel, Ensham. By John Thomas Dobney. Holdsworth. 1s. The Excellence and Utility of the Evangelical Ministry, as exercised among Evangelical Dissenters: A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. James Hinton, A. M. late of Oxford. By Joseph Ivimey. Re The Approach of the latter Days; in Four Dissertations on the following Subjects: The Sword, or War, Pestilence, Famine, and Antichrist. printed from a Work published in 1713. A Sketch of the Life of the Rev. Jules Charles Rieu, Pastor of the Reformed Church, Fredericia, in Denmark; with Practical Remarks and Illustrations, and a large Introduction, containing an Account of that Colony, and Anecdotes of some of the most eminent Protestant Ministers on the Continent. In one Volume, 18mo. with an Engraving. Price 1s. 6d. Boards. The Private Correspondence of the late William Cowper, Esq. in Two Volumes, 8vo. now first Published from the Originals, is in a forward State, and may be expected in the Course of the present Month. This Work will, it is presumed, form a valuable Addition to his " Life," as throwing a new Light upon those Parts of his interesting Character, which have hitherto been but slightly alluded to. The Christian Gleaner, Vol. I. Extracts from the Diary of Michael Underwood, M. D. 7s. Covenant, in reference to Infant BapThe Argument from the Abrahamic tism, proved to be invalid: by Joseph Kinghorn. Price 2d. Memoir of Khrishna-Pal, by the late Rev. William Ward, with a fine Portrait. Price 1s. The Anti-infidel and Christian Manual of Education and Science, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. Price 2d. Essays on Prayer and the Ministry of the Word. By the Rev. S. Green. 5s. Memoirs of Howard. By James Baldwin Brown, LL. D. 2nd Ed. 15s. Burder's Mental Discipline. Parts 2 and 3. 4s. each. A Father's Reasons for not Baptizing his Children. By a Lay Member of the Church of England. Intelligence, &c. Registers of Dissenters. MR. EDITOR, As the Register of Births and Burials among Dissenters seems to have excited considerable attention, if you will allow one who has had many occasions to study the subject in a variety of bearings, to communicate the result of numerous inquiries and researches, and some experience, during the last thirty years, it may prove acceptable to many. Respecting the term "legal," as applied to Registers, it should be observed-The ministers of the establishment, being the servants of the state, exercise their official duties under its direction--and forms for registering Births and Burials, cum multis aliis, are provided, and their filling up enforced by law. Nevertheless, such Registers, though for the above reasons called legal, are liable to dispute, if they bear marks of neglect, omission, erasure, or other reasonable cause of doubt as to their correctness. On the other hand, the state having no official servant in a dissenting congregation, necessarily leaves it to common wisdom and prudence in what relates to secular affairs. If a dissenting congregation makes no record of births or burials, the law takes no cognizance of such neglect. This folly will punish itself, should a proper document become desirable. If a congregation possesses a parcel of desultory, irregular, or discordant (perhaps detached) memoranda, about one who was born and another who was buried, the law is wholly silent respecting them. Should evidence be offered from such a source, it will be examined by the laws of evidence, and probably be rejected, not because it is not legal, but because it bears internal proof that it is not fit to be relied on. If a congregation choose to keep a fair, uniform, and correct Register of all Births and Burials occurring therein, there is no law to prevent it, nor is any form prescribed. Such a Register, produced for any legal purpose, will be received, according to the laws of evidence, to all intents and purposes as fully as if it were a Parish Register. In a number of cases requiring such documents, within my own knowledge, during the last thirty years, their credibility has never been affected by the considera tion of their having been made by a parish priest, or by a dissenting minister, or by a parent in a family Bible. Whenever a Register has been produced for legal purposes, the whole question, as to its value, as evidence, has turned on such inquiries as these -Is it a genuine document? Is there any reason to doubt its correctness? The only superiority which Parish Registers possess over those of a dissenting congregation, arises, not from the latter being less legal than the former; but, enforced by law, Parish Registers are more regularly kept, so as to bear internal evidence of being veritable records of facts. If a Parish Register were as slovenly and as informally kept as those of some dissenting congregations, its evidence would not be worth a rush in a court of law. Let the Register of a dissenting congregation appear, on inspection, as fair, uniform, explicit, and regular as that of a parish church, and for every legal purpose your readers may rely on its sufficiency. Nor do I Rebus sic stantibus, no legislative enactment on the subject appears neA discessary, or even desirable. senting Register, well kept, affords effectual evidence for all practical purposes: but no law could confer validity upon an article wanting prima facie evidence of credibility. imagine that dissenting congregations would much like a prescribed form of Register, enforced by penalties, with an inspector appointed to visit and report upon their entries or their neglect. Confessedly important as the subject is, and miserably neglected as it undoubtedly has been, every congregation is fully competent to provide for the future; and where no Register, or a defective one has been kept hitherto, proper steps should be taken to insure a credible record of births and burials* henceforward. Perhaps the following may assist such as de sire to do so. |