Art. 44 Three Difcourfes delivered in Argyle Chapel, Bath, 30th
Jan. 1791.
1. By the Rev. William Jay; II. By the Rev. Cor-
nelius Winter; III. By the Rev. John Adams. 8vo. pp. 116.
Is. 6d. Matthews.

Though not exprefsly told, we conclude that thefe difcourfes formed part of an ordination fervice: the firft fupplied the place of what has been generally termed a confeffion of faith; the second is a charge; the third, and in our opinion the bett part of the performance, is addrefled more dire@ly to the people. The whole is introduced with a preface written by Mr. Jay, who expreffes a reluctance to publish what he had before delivered; which, he fays, nothing has conquered, but the confideration that the remainder of the pamphlet would otherwife have been withheld from the public. While reading his (extempore) harangue, we were almoft inclined to fay, whatever diflike this gentleman may have to an appearance in print, he has not fo much objection to talking: fince, though not very long, and generally well expreffed, it contains declamatory obfervations which, at fuch a feafon, could not be necessary, however fuitable they might be on fome other occafions. His faith is of the Calvinifical kind, to his choice of which we have no right to object; for although it becomes no man to dogmatize on topics that are and must be difputable, yet every one is at liberty to embrace thofe opinions which, in his view, on impartial inquiry, approach nearest to the truth: but when this writer infinuates, that no other doctrines can advance the interefts of piety and virtue, which fome paffages feen to imply, attentive obfervers will certainly deem him rather too confident.

Hi...s.

Art. 45. Conversations on Chriftian Idolatry, in the Year 1791. Published by Theophilus Lindfey, M. A. 8vo. pp. 169. 35. fewed. Johnfon. 1792.

It is much to be regretted that religious controverfy cannot be conducted without the interchange of harsh cenfure, and opprobrious appellations. If thofe who have departed from the orthodox faith complain of illiberality when they are branded with the names of heretics and infidels; the orthodox, who, while they profefs their faith in the Trinity, acknowlege but one God, think the Unitarians in their turn illiberal, in charging with idolatry those who worship the divine nature in Chrift. Mr. Lindfey, in whose productions mildness and benevolence are prominent features, feems to have written this pamphlet chiefly with the defign of removing the unfavourable impreffion which this charge may have made on the minds of Trinitarians. He undertakes to fhew, that the application of the term idolatry to thofe who worship Chrift, is no violation of candour, fince idolatry among Chriftians, leading to no immoral practices, may be an innocent error. Though he feems to question the innocence of those who, believing Jefus Chrift to be a creature, join with others in the worship of him as the fupreme God; he allows, with refpect to thofe who believe Chrift to be God, and worfhip him as fuch, that though they perform an idolatrous worship, in paying religious homage to one who is in fact a mere man, yet,

not perceiving their worship to be of this kind, their error will by no means deprive them of the favour of God, and of that title to future happiness which arifes from a virtuous character. The charge of idolatry, in the fenfe in which Mr. Lindley explains it, is fufficiently harmless; for it afferts nothing more than what every man must think concerning those who differ from him in opinion, that they are in an error:- but fince it is certain that the term idolatry is commonly used in a more obnoxious fenfe, and fince Mr. Linafey himself acknowleges that it is ufed in fcripture in a fenfe which implies a high degree of criminality, it would furely be much more confiftent with that Chriftian candour, which we are perfuaded Mr. Lindsey is, in all poffible cafes, difpofed to exercife, if the use of so doubtful and obnoxious a term were difcontinued in the cenfures which one fet of Chriftians think it neceffary to caft on another. The pamphlet contains a repetition of the argument for Unitarianism, drawn from the fcriptures; and recommends the profecution of the author's favourite fcheme for the alteration of the national liturgy after the plan propofed by Dr. Clarke. How much is it to be lamented that, for want of fuch a reform as would provide an univerfal liturgy on common principles acknowleged by all jects, public prayers, which ought to unite men in the bonds of charity, ftill continue to be the ground of diffenfion and animofity!

E. Art. 46. Annihilation no Punishment to the Wicked after the Day of Judgment; or the Curfe of God on Adam's eating the Forbidden Fruit; as proved from Scripture. By Philip Burton, Efq. 8vo. 6d. Robinfons, &c.

This writer has contemplated himself into a perfuafion, that the future punishment of the wicked will laft-not for ever - but during exactly fifteen hundred and forty years; after which they will be annihilated and think it no punishment. Thofe readers who wif to be informed of the grounds of this opinion, must perufe the pamphlet, for we cannot attempt to explain them.

SINGLE SERMONS.

E.

Art. 47. Preached at Bafingftoke, in the County of Southampton, on the 26th of May 1791, at the Vifitation of the Rev. Thomas Balguy, Archdeacon of Winchester. By Edward Salter, M A. Domeftic Chaplain to his Royal Highnefs the Duke of Gloucefter, Prebendary of York, &c. 4to. 1s. Rivingtons. 1791. A fenfible, cautious, well-written difcourfe from 1 Pet. ii. 16. We heartily concur in the writer's concluding fentence: No fort of liberty can abfolve man from his obedience to God; or, in other words, obedience to God is the juft measure of all human liberty.'

Hi...s.

Art. 48.
On" doing to all Men as we would they should do to
us. By J. Charlesworth, M. A. late Fellow of Trinity College,
Cambridge. 8vo. 6d. John.fon. 1791.

This is a valuable addition to the flock of preaching fermons which Mr. Charlesworth has fo kindly prepared for thofe clergymen, to whom it may not be convenient to write fermons for them

Rr 3

felves.

felves. The fubject, which is confeffedly of the first importance, is treated with great plainnefs and fimplicity.

E. Art. 49. Perfonal Remembrance among the Joys of the other World; fet forth in a Difcourfe occafioned by the Death of the Hon. Richard Spencer, youngest Son of the Earl and Countess Spencer. By Jofeph Jekyll Rye, A. B. Vicar of Dallington, and Chaplain to the Right Hon. Lord Cathcart. 4to. PP. 24. Is. Hodíon.

1791.

An ingenious difcourfe, on a peculiar fubject. Chriftianity, to which we are folely indebted for the certainty of a future world, has with held many particulars as to its nature and employments. What can be advanced on the topic of perfonal remembrance, is in a great measure offered in this performance; and the whole is applied to thofe practical purpofes, deftitute of which no fubjects can be confidered as having any great or real importance. The text of this fermon is, 1 Sam. xii. 23. An appendix contains a few notes by way of illuftration.

old.

The death which gave occafion to this difcourfe, was that of an infant of about two years Hi...S. Art. 50. Chriftian Benevolence recommended; preached at a Meeting of Minifters, April 3, 1792, at Little Baddow, Effex, and published at their Requeft. By S. Wilmshurst. 8vo. 6d. Johnfon. 1792.

This preacher difcovers no fmall portion of that Chriftian benevolence which he recommends. One principal object of his publication appears to be, to inculcate moderation and candour on his diffenting brethren.

E.

Art. 51. Proving, from the Word of God, the all-important
Doctrine of the Godhead of Jefus Chrift. Preached in the
Baptist Meeting-house in Edinburgh, on the 18th March 1792.
By Henry David Inglis, one of the Paftors of that Congregation.
8vo. pp. 18. 6d. Ath. 1792.

A mere ftring of texts, without any attempt at explanation or

comment.

E. Art. 52. The Perpetuity of Brotherly Love, recommended in a Sermon for the Royal Cumberland School, inftituted in 1788, to fupport and educate the Female Orphans and Daughters of indigent Free and Accepted Mafons: preached on March 20, 1791, at St. Bride's in Fleet-freet, and published at the Requeft of the Brethren, and other Gentlemen, and acting Stewards at the Anniverfary. By the Rev. Weeden Butler, Morning Preacher of Charlotte-ftreet Chapel, and Chaplain to the Right Hon. Lady Dowager Onflow. 4to. pp. 29. IS. White. 1791.

This reverend member of the mafonic fraternity oblerves, thatFree-masonry, which may juftly boast of every excellence that antiquity can challenge, or the practice of moral virtue can confer, had not however till very lately, extended its beneficence to female objects, whofe urgent neceflities, when made known, held forth a very powerful and tender claim to pity, from hearts difpofed to fhew it.'

The

The juftice of the above eulogium, pronounced by this zealous brother, we certainly will not undertake to difpute: to the myfteries of the bed and the trowel we are entirely ftrangers but the immediate inftitution, which this difcourfe regards, appears, like many others, to be of the beneficent and useful kind. The preacher recommends it to attention, with energy, argument, and affection. His text is, Heb. xiii. 1. Let brotherly love continue.-Perhaps he might have fome refpect, in this choice, to his connections with the Craft; however, he employs it to plead for an extenfion of their bounty to the object directly propofed.-Though the fcience of thefe focieties is far too profound for our abilities, we may venture to express our diflike of the allufions which have fometimes been made to masonry in the prayers attending thefe difcourfes :-but little of this appears in the prefent performance, especially when compared with other publications of the kind. Surely, however, it is always unfuitable to that reverence which ought to accompany our humble addreffes to the SUPREME BEING!

Hi...s. Art. 53. The Duty of Obedience to thofe in Authority, and the Motives to perfuade us to the Obiervance of it. Scatcherd.

8vo. 1 S.

The good old doctrine of the divine right of kings is here maintained, as the only principle which can effectually fupport autherity, filence the murmurs of difcontent, and weaken the hands of rebellion. The preacher might have fpared himself the trouble which he has bestowed on this obfolete argument. If men are now to be kept in fubjection to the powers that be, they must be actuated by other confiderations than the fear of damnation. Art. 54. Chriftian Benevolence. On John, xiii. 35.

To which

is added a Letter relating to the Eftablishment of Sunday Schools in the Corporation of Richmond, (York.) By Anth. Temple, M. A. Master of the Grammar School at Richmond, and Vicar of Eafby. 4to. pp. 28. 15. Baldwin. 1791.

A plain and ufeful difcourfe on a topic, which, however familiar, is too important to be ever unfeafonable. Though the publication is apparently intended to recommend the inftitution of Sunday-fchools, the author has referved the particular difcuffion of this fubject to the letter fubjoined; in which he reprefents, in ftrong terms, the neceffity of fuch an establishment in the parish where the fermon was preached.

ERRATA in Vol. VIII.

P. 150. 1. 9. from bott. forcarantem,' read carentem. 152. 1. 21. read attend to your appetites.'

157.1.7. from bott. for Cures,' read Cafes.

E.

E.

197. 1. 12 and 13. from bot:. for looks,' read locks; and for would read could.

6

276. 1. 27. for interference,' read inference; and, 1. 28, for unaccountable, read unavoidable.

402, par. 2. l. 5. for Faye, r. Faxe

INDEX

To the REMARKABLE PASSAGES in this Volume.

N. B. To find any particular Book, or Pamphlet, see the
Table of Contents, prefixed to the Volume.