posed, and is not neutrality at such a moment culpable? For example, the sectaries of the present day, tempted by pride and the desire of power, are busied in suggesting doubts and difficulties, hostile to the Establishment, and destructive of Christian unity and charity.

Bishop Hough. Let me not be supposed to approve of a factious opposition, tending to create schism and division in the church, and to mislead the pious and humble Christian. At the same time, let me say that my apprehension is about the progress of infidelity. What I most dread is a relapse into that indifference about religion itself, against which you have so solemnly warned us in your excellent Pastoral Letters. My paroxysms of anxiety, however, have been slight and momentary; for I have an entire and unshaken reliance in Him, who, speaking of pure Christianity, has assured us that "the "gates of hell shall never prevail against it." I see with very great satisfaction, that eminent men among the dissenters are uniting with our own learned and pious divines, in defence of revealed religion. This union in a common cause gives me the morc pleasure, because serious Christians, in proportion as they know more of each other, will love one another more. The Champion of our Church, Dr. Chillingworth, has well observed that the Bible only is the religion of Protestants.-While this remains our common standard of orthodoxy-our Christian bond of union, we may regard lesser things without anxiety. No hostility should ever exist among those disciples of Christ, who strive to make their lives and doctrines conformable to his precepts and example. Hearts may agree, though heads differ: there may be unity of spirit, if not of opinion; and it is always an advantage, to entertain a favourable opinion of those, who differ from us in religious sentiments. It tends to nourish Christian charity. For my own part, I welcome with cordial and entire satisfaction, every thing which tends to approximate one denomination of Christians to another; being persuaded that he, who is a conscientious believer in Christ, cannot be a bad man. Whatever therefore contributes to unite us all in kindness and brotherly love,-to smooth asperities, to remove difficulties, and to reconcile discordancy of sentiment,-is to me soothing and delightful; as it brings all the sincere and faithful disciples of Christ into one fold, under one shepherd: and thereby anticipates his glorious reign upon earth.

Bishop Gibson. But, Brother, let us be very careful, lest, while we avoid indifference as to religion, we fall into indifference as to doctrine; and under the specious names of candour and liberality, nourish habits of complacency for the errors and heresies of others.

Bishop Hough. Error, my dear friend, should not be confounded with Heresy. Among Protestants, who possess the privilege of reading the Scriptures, and forming their lives and opinions by them, it is hardly possible but that some shades of difference should exist; particularly among those who, like the Bereans," receive the word with all readiness of mind, and search the Scriptures daily." Errare possum (says Augustin) hereticus esse nolo: "I may err, but I will never be an Heretic." The true Christian is known by his fruits. His object is vital and practical Christianity; not the diving into mysteries, on which God hath not thought proper expressly to declare his will.-What

is so revealed, the Christian feels it his duty to obey; with these encouraging words from our redeemer, " If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him."-Let us therefore bear in mind the saying of Moses-"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do them."

Bishop Gibson. It is the Holy Spirit alone, which incites and enables us to do good, and to render to God acceptable service; though the miraculous endowment of it has long ceased; and it is now no otherwise discernible than by its fruits and effects, as they appear in our lives. But these enthusiasts, my friend, endeavour to persuade others, and some of them seem to be themselves persuaded, that they are miraculously gifted, and directed in an extraordinary manner by divine impulses and impressions of the spirit of God: not distinguishing aright between the ordinary and extraordinary operations of the Holy Spirit: and they thus wander on from error to error, in the mazes of enthusiasm, because they will not submit themselves to a proper guide and director.

Bishop Hough. I am not insensible of the dangers of enthusiasm, or ignorant of the persecutions and excesses to which it has led, when bigots have attempted to force their creeds upon the consciences of others. Misjudging of the motives and principles of their brethren, presuming on the exclusive truth of their own opinions, and impelled by religious anxiety, they thought, like Paul, they were doing God service, when they were persecuting their Christian brethren. How different the devout and zealous Christian, whose errors are accompanied by meekness and humility!-Who can acquit the benevolent, the excellent Fenelon, the venerable Archbishop of Cambray, of the charge of enthusiasm? Yet it was the enthusiasm of piety and devotion it was the aspiration of the creature to its Creator. Pure and undefiled religion is of no sect whatever garb it wear, and whatever be the denomination of the sincere and faithful believer, let us in him acknowledge the brother.-But the tendency of infidelity is to narrow the soul, to weaken its energy, contract its views, and to confine its hopes to the present period of existence. The infidel is a solitary and ferocious animal; reckless of the welfare of others, and occupied with the sensual and selfish enjoyment of the present hour: while such a believer as Fenelon,-though he may err in opinion, and carry his religious feelings to an extent not warranted by Scripture, is raised above the petty objects of this transitory state, and despising danger and death, looks forward with fervent hope to the rewards of futurity.

Bishop Gibson. Your seclusion from public life, my excellent friend, has made you less acquainted with this new sect of Methodists, and the intemperance and hostility of their conduct. They now carry their presumption so far, as to pretend to ordain for the ministry: they have the audacity to accuse our clergy of neglect of duty, not merely in lesser points, but in the primary and essential one, of preaching the Gospel. They profess to agree with us in doctrine, while they separate from us in communion, and unite against us in VOL. VI. N.S. 3 D

practice and, pretending to extraordinary sanctity, they seek for excess of power, and by extending their influence over the kingdom threaten the subversion of the Establishment. Is not this, Bishop of Worcester, a just and sufficient cause for anxiety?

Bishop Hough. I think not. If it be of nian, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, we cannot overthrow it, nor need we fear evil from it. May they not, in the hands of Providence, be the means of bringing us to a more acute sense of our duty, and to a more perfect knowledge of evangelical truth? The Christian Church has never been in so great danger, as when it has continued for any time in a state of unruffled prosperity. The existence of sects seems to me not only to be inseparable from the nature of imperfect intelligence, but of benefit to religion itself; and while the Bible continues to be the acknowledged standard of faith, they can be of no material prejudice. I respect even the errors of the conscientious Christian; and feel the impossibility of a perfect unison of sentiment, in rational beings who think for themselves. That there have been sectaries, whose objects were worldly praise and worldly power, cannot be denied: but the number I trust is limited. And, looking to the true interests of religion, let us consider in what state (had no diversity of opinion existed) Christianity might have been at the present day: if we now are luke-warm, what would have been our state of torpidity had one dominant creed been submitted to by all Christians, without examination, for a period of seventeen centuries; and there had existed no difference of religious opinion, to induce inquiry or awaken interest? Let us at the same time not forget, that the right of searching the holy scriptures, and judging for ourselves, was the ground, on which we separated from the church of Rome, venerable both in antiquity and authority; and let us be very tender of abridging this right to others. While we bear in mind that we are the descendants of fallen and imperfect creatures, we can hardly presume that of all sects, we alone are without any shade of error, or warp of prejudice; and we should be very careful how we intermix any desires or interests of our own, with the concerns of religion." When lust (says "the Apostle James) hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is completed, bringeth forth death. p. 102-116.

We should rejoice in the idea that a volume containing such sentiments as these, should obtain an extensive circulation among that higher class of society for which we apprehend its Author principally designed it; and that the innocent fiction of which he has availed himself, might stamp the impress of authority on the sterling good sense and Christian philosophy which he puts into the mouth of the venerable Bishop. Oue dwells with the more delight upon this ideal character, from the conviction that an author who could support the part so well, must bear some resemblance to the hero of his drama; and it will be the sincere wish of all his readers, that so far as years only intervene between our Cicero and his Cato, he may live to perfect the parallel.

ART. XIV. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending Information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the Public, if consistent with its plan.

A new edition of the Antiquariau Cabinet is now publishing in Numbers, each containing ten plates, printed on royal 8vo. each plate forming a headpiece to the description. This arrangement is calculated to avoid the inconvenience of turning the book, which so frequently occurs in viewing the plates of the first edition; besides this important advantage, the work will be comprised in about five or six volumes, of a more elegant size than the former edition, and at about half the price. Ten Numbers will form a volume, comprising 100 plates.

Just ready for publication, Letters to a Mother, on the Management of Infants and Children; embracing the important subjects of Nursing, Food, Dress, Exercise, &c. with cursory remarks on the Diseases of Infancy. By a Physician.

Number V. of Havell's Villas, &c. is published, and contains a View of Cas siobury, the seat of the Earl of Essex, from Turner, R. A. and a View of Corsham House, the seat of Paul Methuen, Esq. M.P. from Fielding, with historical and descriptive accounts of the two seats, by J. Britton, F. S A. The priuts are coloured in close imitation of the drawings.

The

tor of the first Presbyterian Church in the New Liberties; Ezra Stiles Ely, A.M. Pastor of the third Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia; James R. Wilson, A.M. V. D. M. Principal of a Classical Seminary in Philadelphia; Thomas R. Skinner, A. M. Junior Pastor of the second Presbyterian Church; James Gray, D.D.; also by J. J. Janeway, D.D. Senior Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church; James P. Wilson, D.D. Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church, and James K. Burch, A.M. Pastor of the fifth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

A new edition, with considerable additions, of Spiritual Gleanings, by Mary Grafton, will be published on the 1st of January.

A new volume of Poems by Mr. Leigh Hunt is in the press, and will appear in a few days.

A new weekly publication, entitled the Literary Bee, or the new Family Library, will appear within a few days. It will consist of Moral and Critical Essays, Sketches from History, Classical Tales, Poems, Descriptions of remarkable Ruins, and of sublime and beautiful Scenery, with Pictures from real life and Essays on the Manners and Customs of different Nations, by some of the best British and Foreign Writers of the present age.

Memoirs and Remains of the late Rev. Charles Buck, of London, edited by the Rev. Dr. Styles, will be published in January next.

Proposals have lately been published at Philadelphia, for printing in America, a new edition of Dr. Brown's History of the Propagation of Christianity among the Heathen, in two volumes 8vo. proposals contain a warm recommendation of the work by the following Ministers: J. Broadhead, D.D. Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church; William Rodgers, D.D. late Professor in the University of Pennsylvania; Jos. Pilmore, D.D. Rector of St. Paul's Church in Philadelphia; Henry Holcombe, D. D. Pastor of the first Baptist Church in Phitadelphia; George C. Potts, A. M. Pastor of the fourth Presbyterian Church; George G. Miller, Pastor of the United Brethren's Church in Philadelphia; Sámuel B. Wylie, A. M. Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia; James Patterson, A. M. Pas-soleum of Invalids. 3 D 2

Mr. Britton's History and Antiquities of the Abbey Church at Bath is in the press, and will appear early in the year 1817. It will consist of a copious history and description of that curious and latest specimen of English ecclesiastical architecture; also a novel "Essay on Epitaphs," by the Rev. John Conybeare, Professor of Poetry to the University of Oxford. The Essay will be elucidated by examples of various styles and classes of Epitaphs from that church, which may be called the Western MauLike the Abbey

Church at Westminster, that of Bath is filled with sepulchral monuments, and thus becomes a sort of show-room of Statuary, and magazine of Epitaphs. This volume will be embellished with eight beautiful engravings by J. and H. Le Keux, &c. from drawings by F. Mackenzie.

Mr. Britton has completed his History and Antiquities of Norwich Cathedral; forming the second volume of his elegant work devoted to those interesting national fabrics. It contains twenty-five engravings, principally by J. and H. Le Keux, from drawings by J. A. Repton, Architect, F. Mackenzie, and R. Cattermole. The prints in this work are executed by the best engravers, and are calculated to afford the most satisfactory information to the picturesque Artist, to the Antiquary, and to the Architect, as they represent both general views of the Church, externally and internally, plans of the whole and of parts, and such sections and elevations as serve to display the construction or anatomy of the edifice. With the present volume also is published, the first Number of the same Author's illustrations of

Winchester Cathedral, which will be comprised in five Numbers, and will embrace thirty engravings, representing the general and particul Architecture and Sculpture of that truly interesting edifice. It is very curious and instructive to examine the varieties and dissimilarities in the Churches of Salisbury, Norwich, and Winchester; as it will be seen that not any two prints resemble each other; that each Church in the whole or in detail is unlike either of the others, and that the sculpture, monuments, and history of every one are peculiar to itself and bear scarcely any analogy to the others.

Mr. Parkinson has announced the second edition of the Hospital Pupil, containing an Address to Parents on the necessary previous education, and on the pecuniary resources of such as are intended for the professions of Physic and Surgery; with Suggestions as to an improved course of professional instruction, and an Address to Pupils on the order of their studies, &c. with Observations on commencing Practice, and on Medical Jurisprudence.

Early in December will be published, the Transactions of the Medical Society of London. Vol. I. Part II. containing Cases communicated by Drs. Adams, Blegborough, Lettsom, Clutterbuck

Woodforde, Roxburgh, Walshman, Sims,
Squire, Moody, Green, Damant, Dale,
Jackson, Andrée.

Travels beyond the Cataracts of Egypt, by Thomas Leigh, Esq. M. P. with a map, 4to. is nearly ready for publication.

In the press, Tales of my Landlord, collected and reported by Jedidiah Cleishbotham, Schoolmaster and Parish Clerk of Gandercleugh. in 4 vols. 12mo.

In the press, a Complete Course of Instruction in the Elements of Fortification; originally intended for the use of the Royal Engineer Department. By Lieut. Col. C. W. Pasley, R. E. F. R. S、 Author of an Essay on the Military Policy of Great Britain. In 2 vols. 8vo. illustrated by five copper plates, and five hundred engravings in wood.

In the press, a System of Mechanical Philosophy, by the late John Robison, LL. D. Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University, and Secretary to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. With notes and illustrations, comprising the most recent discoveries in the Physical Sciences, by David Brewster, LL. D. F. R. S. E. In 4 vols. 8vo. with numerous plates. This work contains a copious article on the History and Operations of the Steam Engine, completely revised with many additions, by James Watt, Esq. and his Son, of Soho; and it is now become the only account which can be relied upon. This subject is illustrated by eight large and original engravings.

Nearly ready for publication, an Account of the singular Habits and Circumstances of the People of the Tonga Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean. By Mr. William Mariner, of the Port au Prince, private ship of war, the greater part of whose crew was massacred by the Natives of Lefooga: Mr. Mariner remaining for several years after, a constant associate of the King and the higher class of Chiefs. To which is added, a Grammar and copious Vocabulary of the Language. In 2 vols. 8vo. with a Portrait.

The History of the late War in Spain and Portugal, by Robert Southey, Esq. in 2 vols. 4to. may be expected to appear very speedily.

The Biographical Peerage of the United Kingdom is likely soon to be completed, by the publication of the fourth volume, which comprises Ireland," and is nearly ready.

Dr. Bateman's New Series of Engrave