proposed in a sermon before the University of Cambridge, in the year 1811, by which the damnatory clauses of that Creed are confined to the general assertion of the doctrine of the Trinity, whilst the intermediate part is to be considered merely as an explanation of the doctrine, or rather, as a proof of that doctrine, and an appeal to our reason that the doctrine is true. Taking (says our author) the whole process together, first comes the statement of the matter to be proved; then the form of demonstration, which the author selects; and, lastly, the original proposition is now stated again as proved and determined. What is of consequence to you practically, is the matter finally settled: namely, that the three angles of a triangle, suppose, are equal to two right angles; the mode of proof, if there be different modes, is quite immaterial. Thus it is, then, here; we have a doctrine put simply; and an explanation afterwards at length; and then a conclusion in favour of the original doctrine. To this alone, as being alone of importance, the penalty is annexed.-Vol. IV. p. 76. By limiting the damnatory clauses to the mere doctrine, as stated in the third and fourth verses, and resumed in the twenty-seventh, we take away all reasonable grounds for the charge of being uncharitable . . . . If a right faith be necessary to salvation as well as right practice, which scripture asserts, the people must be told so, and the certainty of the thing must be constantly brought before their eyes. To do this, is the true charity; to act otherwise, would be downright uncharitableness.-Vol. IV. p. 77. Our readers will easily imagine that Dr. Warton had little difficulty in combating the infidel cavils of Mr. Compton. They were stale, and hacknied, and frothy, and superficial. He shewed, indeed, that he had made himself master of the objections, which unbelievers have uniformly urged against Christianity, from the days of Porphyry and Celsus, to the age of Paine and Carlile. From the storehouses of Hobbes and Hume he had borrowed many a weapon, wherewith to assault the faith of Christians; -" telum imbelle sine ictu;" our dauntless defender, however, uniformly silenced his feeble batteries, and planted the Cross upon the ruins of the heathen superstructures, behind whose treacherous bulwarks he would fain have maintained his cause uninjured. Our space will not permit us to follow the Doctor through the many points which challenged his attention; but we assure our readers that they will find a rich repast in the perusal of the conferences between him and Mr. Compton. The Doctor's style improves with the occasion, and he pours forth his admirable sentiments with more than his usual eloquence. Premising that Mr. Compton became, in every respect, a sincere penitent, and piously partook of the sacrament, and busied himself, during the short remainder of his days, in works of christian charity, we take our leave of Dr. Warton, by quoting his own account of the man, whom he found a sceptic and left a Christian. After the last conversation I saw Mr. Compton several times, and talked with him as usual. His faith and repentance appeared to me to be both of them lively and sincere; and I was glad to perceive no tendency whatever to fanaticism about him, either in his language or conduct. . . . He always discovered a proper self-humiliation, and a true distrust of himself. Because he had undergone an entire change of heart and sentiment; he did not, therefore, assure himself of his indefeasible salvation, or arrogantly assume that he was sealed for heaven. He looked back upon his past life, and was abased in his own eyes; and looked forward, not indeed without the hope of a modest diffidence, but still with much of its fear and trembling . .. Of this feeling I greatly approved. I am shocked, and my blood almost runs cold within me, when I hear, as I too often do, of the greatest of sinners, with no time for solid repentance, quitting the world with all the religious assurance of the greatest of saints; dying, in short, in the worst of causes, as if they died in the very best. . . . It is a bad example for others; it is deeply hazardous for themselves. The conviction of the certainty of salvation is not salvation itself; it may be a most dangerous downfal.-Vol. IV. p. 231. No man can read these volumes without veneration for the character and principles of its author, nor without being convinced of the usefulness of the holy calling of a Parish Priest. The younger Clergy will see how admirably Dr. Warton contrived to adapt himself to "all sorts and conditions of men." Contemplating the blessed fruits of our Rector's assiduity, they will learn to estimate the importance of visiting the sick within their respective parishes, and know how to take advantage daily of the openings which may be afforded them, for promoting religion. Upon the recommendation of the Clergy, indeed, we have no doubt "that many persons may be tempted to peruse the book, and may find, unexpectedly, their fancy pleased, their knowledge increased, and their hearts touched and improved."-Preface, p. viii. LITERARY REPORT. NOTICE OF BOOKS. Religious Discourses. By a LAyman. London, Colburn. 1828. 8vo. pp. 79. 4s. 6d. SIR Walter Scott in a pulpit! the author of Waverly in lawn sleeves! and with all the formality of a Nolo Episcopari! In sober truth, the gifted baronet has "cordially granted" the request of a friend, to publish for his benefit two Discourses, written originally for the sole use of that friend during his theological studies; at the same time that he does not "willingly consent" to their publication, lest he should appear to meddle with matters for which he has no commission. The author's object in their composition, was to show that a rational and practical discourse was a task more easily performed, than his young friend seemed at the time disposed to believe :" and we have little doubt that they were written currente calamo. There is nothing particularly striking in them; and when we have said that they are two good Sermons, calculated rather for private perusal, than for public delivery, we are sure that the excellent author will expect and wish no other decision. Of the two discourses, the first is a doctrinal comparison between the Jewish and Christian Dispensations; in which there is no novelty, except a curious simile between the former and the moon; which is certainly more poetical than just. The latter is a running paraphrase on the first Psalm, descriptive of " the blessedness of the righteous;" in which we meet with the following passage: "A person, distinguished as much for his excesses at one period of his life, as he was afterwards for his repentance, mentioned after his happy change, that one day when he was in the full career of wit and gaiety, admired by the society of which he appeared the life, while all applauded, and most envied him, he could not forbear groaning inwardly and saying to himself; Oh that I were that dog! looking on one that chanced to be in the apartment." (p. 71.) This anecdote is told by Doddridge of Col. Gardiner, in his singular life of that singular character: a work, by the way, which is one of more dangerous tendency to the cause of rational piety and true religion, than any of the kind with which we are acquainted. With respect to the introduction of the incident into Sir Walter's discourse, we confess that it reminds us strongly of the pious ejaculation of an itinerant preacher in favour of himself and his hearers: Oh that we were all old hens! Our readers have probably heard the story. These are the only two points with which we have not been perfectly satisfied in this pamphlet, and we may be thought perhaps hypercritical and fastidious. Gladly therefore would we make amends by producing a specimen of an opposite description, but the whole is of that equable merit, which makes the selection of a particular passage somewhat difficult, and of course, in the present instance, unnecessary, as the work will be in every one's hand. The language is highly characteristic of the talented author; and the pamphlet cannot be read without admiring the versatility of his genius, and the diversity of his erudition. Of Confession and Absolution, and the Secrecy of Confession, as maintained by the United Church of England and Ireland, and as opposed to the Statements of Modern Romanists, and their Advocates, both in Writings, and before Parliamentary Committees. Ry Rev. H. J. TODD, M. A. F. S. A. and M. R. S. L. Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty, and Rector of Setterington. 1828. London. Rivingtons. Let the Papists say what they please, it is nevertheless a most distinguished feature in their Creed, that no faith is to be kept with heretics; and the very means which they have employed to make us believe otherwise, are the most convincing evidence of the fact. The measures which they have ever adopted in order to obtain political power have formed an unvaried series of invidious machinations against the Protestant Church; and in nothing is this more manifest, than in the artifice to which they have, of late years more especially, resorted, of asserting that there is no material difference in the tenets of the respective Churches of England and of Rome. That this declaration is a breach of faith of the most shameless description, will abundantly appear from a perusal of Mr. Todd's pamphlet, who, in the particular case of Absolution, has shewn its utter falsehood, and exposed the design for which it has been fabricated. Having first set in array against each other the unflinching avowals of the early Catholics and the qualifying assertions of Mr. Butler, and Drs. Milner and Doyle in modern times; and having produced a Popish document of the year 1662, in which this "underhand" method of proceeding is recommended; Mr. T. adverts to the firm opposition of Cranmer and Bale, against the Popish doctrine of Absolution and auricular Confession, and to the formation and revision of our Liturgy in direct opposition to these unauthorised tenets. After an allusion to the want of candour in Mr. Butler and Dr. Milner in their reference to the first publication of this Liturgy, the author proceeds to point out the discordant features in these doctrines, as maintained by the two Churches respectively, by a comparison of the statements respecting them as contained in the Romish Councils, and the writings of their most esteemed advocates, and in the Articles, Homilies, Canons, and other authorised documents of the English Church. The opinions of the most eminent Divines are then produced; and the pamphlet concludes with the following remark. "6 'Finally, our Church with sound judgment, and true piety, wholly opposes the noted Trentine Canon, upon which the doctrine of Romish Confession to this hour rests; namely, "if any shall deny sacramental confession to be instituted by divine right, or to be necessary to salvation; or shall say, that the manner of confessing secretly to the priest alone is not of the institution and command of Christ, but a human invention; let him be accursed." She denies this, we have seen; and, with it, she denies sacramental absolution in any sense whatever. In short she asserts, in the words of one of her ablest sons, that "the confession that is necessary to the obtaining our pardon, must ever be understood of confession to God. Whosoever humbly and sorrowfully confesses his sins to Him, and endeavours to forsake them, such a man shall find pardon whether he confess to men or no. THIS IS THE PRO TESTANT DOCTRINE; AND LET US ALL ADHERE TO IT, AND PRACTISE IT." While upon this subject, we may as well notice a small volume of Discourses (seven in number) upon the General Confession in the opening of the Liturgy; by the Rev. Thomas Bartlett, rector of Kingstone. Calvinism does not exactly suit our taste:otherwise we should say they are above mediocrity. Historical and Biographical Atlas, or Charts of Sacred and Profane History and Biography, from the Creation to the Birth of Christ. By JOHN BRUCE, Author of an Introduction to Geography and Astronomy. 1828. This Atlas consists of ten well engraved folio plates, the object of which is to exhibit at one view, the history, the biography, and the miscellaneous events of each period. The author notices the principal publications which have preceded his on the same subject, and we think he shews, successfully, that his work deserves the patronage of the public as well for the novelty of the plan as for its utility. "Nor is the author without hope that the christian reader, whilst perusing the Sacred Volume, will find the Atlas useful, in enabling him to obtain a distinct and connected view of the history of the people of God; and of seeing the various periods when the Old Testament Prophets lived. It will also give an additional interest to trace the connexion between sacred and profane history." The Atlas has, we must notice, an useful Companion,'-a summary of Ancient History. Christian Readiness. A Sermon, preached at St. Andrew's, Holborn, on Sunday Afternoon, March 2, 1828, occasioned by the Sudden Death of OLIVER HATCH, Esq. late Treasurer of the City of London National Schools, &c. By the Rev. ROBERT BLACK, Curate and Alternate Afternoon Lecturer of the said Parish, and Honorary Secretary to the City of London National Schools. Riving tons. "The memory of the just" is not only "blessed" in itself, but may well be rendered applicable to encourage in their survivors an imitation of the good deeds, which they performed during their earthly pilgrimage. In furtherance of this end, Funeral Sermons cannot fail of being eminently useful; especially if delivered while the recollection of one who has departed in the true faith and fear of God is still fresh in the minds of the audience, to incite them to follow his good example. Such an opportunity was seized by Mr. Black, upon an occasion of all others most calculated to produce so desirable an effect. The true philanthropy of Mr. Hatch, his eminent services and unwearied zeal in promoting the interest of the Church, and more especially his entire devotion both of his time and wealth to the support of the National Schools; and the pure and disinterested motives by which he was actuated throughout his good and useful life, were duly estimated by all who knew him and it is no idle panegyric which Mr. B. has pronounced upon his departed friend. From Luke xii. 35, 36, the excellent preacher urges the necessity of being alway in a state of preparation for death; and proves, from the instance of Mr. Hatch, that such a state is easily rendered compatible with the most busy scenes of life. At the end of his discourse Mr. B. has subjoined subjoined a private meditation and prayer, composed by the lamented deceased, which affords the most striking evidence of his habitual piety and devotion. We have not hesitated to copy them into another part of our present number.--(See p. 338.) An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scrip tures. By T. H. HORNE, M.A. Sixth Edition. London. Cadell. 1828. 31. 3s. Mr. Horne is really indefatigable. Not content with having given to the world the most useful and complete body of theological information ever published; every edition of his excellent work comes forward with increased claims to public attention. The sixth edition, which has just appeared, has been very considerably improved; and by a new arrangement of the second and third volumes, a great part of which has been re-written, and in some instances condensed, the author has been enabled to introduce nearly two hundred pages of new and valuable matter. A great addition has also been made to the Bibliographical Index; and in short no labour has been spared to render the work worthy of that attention, which it has so justly received. We cannot conclude without speaking in terms of the highest praise of the liberality of the publisher, who has furnished the work, printed as it is on a larger paper, with a beautiful new type, at the old price of the former edition. In truth, Mr. Horne's book is the cheapest, as well as the most useful, which has ever been offered to the public. A Monitor for Young Ministers of the Gospel in a Series of Letters from a Father to a Son. London. Longman and Co. 1828. 12mo. 78. There is so much sound sense, solid argument, and sober advice in this little volume, that we cannot be too earnest in recommending it to those for whom it is more immediately designed. The light in which the writer has viewed the principles by which the younger clergy should be actuated in the performance of their duties, in their amusements, and in society, is that which every rational Christian must admit to be most correct and judicious. We may safely affirm that if the clerical character were generally formed upon the model which is here exhibited, the cavils which are raised by the thoughtless on the one hand, and the fanatic on the other, against the sacred profession, would be rendered far less frequent, or, to say the least, far more groundless. The Substance of a Sermon, preached in the Church of the United Parishes of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe, and St. Ann, Blackfriars, London: on Sunday, March 2, 1828, in consequence of the Fall of the Brunswick Theatre. By JOHN CLEMENTSON, Lecturer of the said United Parishes. Seeley & Sons. 8vo. 18. We treat our readers with the following morceau from this precious tirade against our venerable Establishment, which the author has dignified with the appellation of a Sermon ! It is true that to the doors of our Metropolitan Churches are annually attached a list of Clergymen, appointed to preach in Lent. But are they all distinguished as men of God, who blow the trumpet in Zion,Watchmen who sound an alarm in GOD'S holy mountain,-as Sons of Thunder, who make the inhabitants of the land tremble, and mourn and turn to the LORD? Or are not many of them men, who wink at the prevailing corruption,--Men whose ministerial apathy leaves unruffled the stagnant pool,-Men whose indifference confirms and perpetuates the formality of the Church of England's fast? This, gentle reader, is from the pen of a man, who calls himself a Clergyman of the Church of England, and was actually delivered in one of the Parish Churches of this Metropolis. But how dares Mr. Clementson to calumniate from a London pulpit a set of men, who, whether we regard their public usefulness or private virtues, rank among the most worthy members of the community? Although we wonder at the effrontery of the gentleman, we are well acquainted with the motive which suggested the attack; that most Christian of all christian graces, Revenge! Be it known that in one or more instances, it has been thought proper by these Lent Preachers to exclude Mr. C. from their pulpits, in consequence of the known heterodoxy of the tenets which he inculcates. There is abundance of proof in the sermon before us, that they did not act unadvisedly; but we forbear to stain our pages, and nauseate the public, by any additional specimens. The thing is beneath criticism: and the author of course never saw the inside of a College. |