find these wild visions? In the State of the Case be tween Newton and Hutchinson, the author argues from the words of each, and confirms what he says by fact and reason. The whole is written with the utmost coolness of temper, and without once appealing to any ambiguous evidence. In his sermons his sense is strong, his language sweet and clear, his devotion warm, but never inflated nor affected: and, from the editions through which they pass, it is plain the world does see, and will probably see better every day, that they are not the discourses of a varnisher of visions. In his Commentary on the Psalms, he has followed the plan of the writers of the New Testament, and of the Primitive Church, in applying them as prophecies and delineations of the person of Christ and of the Christian economy. If he is judged to have betrayed any enthusiasm in so doing, it is only because he happened to write in the eighteenth century; when Christian learning, under the notion of improving it, is greatly corrupted; the Fathers of the Church but little known*, and less relished; and the zeal and piety of the Reformation very much abated. Erasmus was just such another enthusiast in his divinity as Dr. Horne; and is frequently found to have diffused a like colouring of elegance over like interpretations of the Scripture in which, however, he is not always either so elegant, or so successful, as the late Bishop his follower yet for this, in the days of better divinity, : * I was therefore pleased with a seasonable attempt to revive the reading of the Christian Fathers, by the Rev. Mr. Kett, in the Notes and Authorities subjoined to the second edition of his very useful and learned Bampton Lectures, p. iii. where he recommends to the Ecclesiastical Student a Selection from the writings of the Greek and Latin Fathers. I could add other names and other pieces; but those he has mentioned are very sufficient. when faith and piety were more in fashion, Erasmus, was never reputed an enthusiast. A little warmth of devotion is very excusable in a Christian writer; and we apprehend that a very strong conviction of the wisdom and excellence of Christianity is necessary to the making of a good divine.Ov des personnaɛuov) απτεσθαι. When a man of learning censures without justice, he opens a door for the free remarks of others upon himself. But I search not into the gentleman's write ings, for any examples of severity, scurrility, adula❤ tion, perplexity of principle, smoke and smother, pedantry and bombast: let others look for such things who take delight in finding them. For my own part, I would rather wish that my learned friend, when he is throwing his fine words about, would consider a little beforehand, how unworthy it may be found to attempt to lessen in any degree the good effect of such a character as that of Dr. Horne upon the Christian world, in its present declining condition and dangerous situation and how much more it would be for his honour to use the eloquence he is master of, rather in promoting than in hindering its influence. He knows too much of the world to be ignorant, that in this age, when so many counterfeits are abroad, when some are so wild, and others so squeamish, no wound is so cruel upon a religious man, as the imputation of a wild enthusiastic fancy: a fault wantonly imputed by the vicious and the ignorant, to unexceptionable persons, only because they have a little more religion than themselves: and if such persons have made it their business, like Dr. Horne, to be deep in the Scripture, they will always be in danger from those who are not so. Heathens accused the first Christians of atheism and sacrilege, because they would not worship idols; and abused them as haters of mankind, only because they avoided evil communications, and refused to be conformed to this world. Voltaire had no name for the Christian faith, but that of superstition or fanaticism. There is a very useful and judicious dissection of enthusiasm, by Dr. Horne himself, the best I ever met with, just published in a compilation by a society for a Reformation of principles, which if gentlemen will condescend to examine, they may be better able to distinguish properly betwixt those who are enthusiasts and those who are called so. All good men are walking by the same way to the same end. If there are any individuals, who by the shining of their light render the path more plain and pleasant, let us agree to make the most we can of them, and be followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. |