Such a pair of angels I never beheld! their perfons are exactly the fame fine height and proportion, and their features greatly refemble.'

I have perfuaded Mrs. Townley that a husband's being ashamed of his affection for a beautiful wife, is a far greater crime than total blindness.'

We knew not, till now, that blindness is a crime. We always confidered it as a misfortune, a calamity, "But thus do men grow wifer every day," as Touchftone fays; and "wife men," as Solomon obferveth," lay up knowledge."

To be ferious. The foregoing errors (and fundry of a fimilar kind are to be found in the book) appear to have arifen either from too great hurry in writing, or a want of knowlege of the rules of compofition. Why will not the youthful writer fubmit to the corrections of a judicious friend? Or if that be confidered as too degrading and mortifying a circumftance, why will not fuch perfon be deliberate in challenging the world's opinion? Why not proceed with caution? Why not itudy, in fhort, the art of difcreetly blotting an art fo very neceffary, so very effential to the candidate for fame? As the work is to be continued, we hope to fee this matter attended tp. Of adventures" broke off in the middle" we cannot be expected to give an account.

THEOLOGY.

Do

Art. 81. Letters addressed to a young Gentleman, who had early imbibed the Principles of Infidelity. Dedicated to the moft virtuous young Man in the Kingdom. 8vo. Is. Matthews, &c. 1788. This writer might have faved himself much trouble, by referring his young friend to treatifes in defence of Revelation, which would have given him more information and fuller fatisfaction, than he would find in thefe Letters. The Author has not faid, who this most virtuous young man in the kingdom is.

E.

Art. 82. Confiderations on ancient and modern Creeds; the Supremacy of the Father; the perfonal Exiftence of the Holy Ghoft; the Preexistence of Chrift, and his Divinity, &c. By the late Henry Taylor, A. M. Rector of Crawley, and Vicar of Portsmouth, in Hants; Author of Ben Mordecai's Apology for embracing Chriftianity Published by his Son Henry Taylor, LL. B. Rector of Spridlington in Lincolnshire. With a Treatife on the Existence, Immateriality, and Immortality of the Soul, proving the fame from felf-evident Principles. By Efq. 8vo. 55.

Boards. Dilly, &c. 1788.

This pofthumous publication fupports at large the doctrine which the Author had mentioned in his former writings, concerning the Divine nature, and the perfon of Chrift. He expofes the infuperable embarraffment under which the Trinitarian labours, while he attempts to avoid Polytheifm on the one hand, and Sabellianifm on the other. He reprefents the divinity of Chrift as fignifying dominion received from the Father, and therefore not implying equality; and afferts

"Authors lofe half the praife they would have got,
Were it but known what they difcreetly blot."

that

that Chrift is true God, as poffeffed of derived dominion, but not su PREME God, because not poffeffed of fupreme dominion. In fupport of the doctrines of the pre-exiftence of Chrift, and the perfonality of the Holy Ghost, he enters into a critical examination of many texts of Scripture, in order to fhew, that the Socinian interpretation of them is forced and unfatisfactory.

The writer of the fhort treatife on the Soul, annexed to this work, maintains that the confcioufnefs of existence neceffarily includes the confcioufnefs of unity, individuality, permanent identity, and a power of beginning motion; properties of which matter is deftitute; and hence he infers the immateriality and immortality of the foul.

Mr. Taylor's is a learned and ingenious performance, which deferves the attention of those who are engaged in theological inquiries: but we very much doubt, whether either the Trinitarians or the So, cinians will acknowledge that the Author has overturned their respective fyftems. Different perfons fet out on these inquiries with fuch different principles, view the fubject under fuch different aspects, and find fo many plaufible arguments for their respective interpretations of Scripture, that we have little reafon to hope that this controverfy will ever terminate in unity of faith.

E.

Art. 83. An Effay on the Folly of Scepticism; the Abfurdity of dogmatizing on religious Subjects; and the proper Medium to be observed between these two Extremes. By W. L. Brown, D. D. Minifter of the English Church at Utrecht. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Murray. 1788. This effay obtained the gold medal of the Teylerian Society at Haarlem in 1786, and was originally printed in the Memoirs of that Society. As we have given an ample account of it in the Appendix to our 77th volume, page 571. we fhall only congratulate our coun. trymen, that, by its being feparately published, they have the opportunity of eafily procuring a truly ingenious and inftructive work, Art. 84. A Letter on the Sonship of Chrift, originally addreffed to fome of the Members of the Baptist Church at Edinburgh. By Archibald M'Lean, Izmo. Is. Edinburgh, printed. London, fold by Buckland. 1788..

Some confufion has been occafioned in a Baptift fociety at Edinburgh, by the subject above mentioned. This Author profeffes himfelf a firm Trinitarian, and at the fame time pleads that it does not appear from Scripture, that the relations expreffed by the names Father and Son are intended to teach the manner and order of their eternal fubfiftence in Godhead: it rather appears, he fays, that they are names expreffive of the relation which thefe felf-existent and coeternal perfons came under to each other in the economy of redemption.' In other words, that the title Son, or Son of God, is given to Chrift merely as relative to his appearance in human nature. He produces many arguments to fupport this propofition. But the greater part of the pamphlet is defined to a review of the defence of the contrary opinion, by Dr. Robert Walker. Mr. McLean writes like a man of fenfe and difcernment, and feems, without doubt, to have the advantage of his antagonist. We must own ourfelves aftonished at the phrafeology fometimes employed by thofe who plead for what is termed eternal generation, and can confider it as

little fhort of prophane. It is probable that a few years may con vince combatants in this way, of the futility of their labours; and, before they die, they may be perfuaded that nothing is immediately effential to Christianity but what regards the fpirit and practice of piety, truth, and virtue. Hi.

Art. 85. An Addrefs to the Members of the Church of England, and to Proteftant Trinitarians in general, exhorting them to turn from the Worship of Three Perfons, to the Worship of the one true God, 8vo. 2 d. Johnfon. 1788.

This little performance appears to have been written by W. Frend, M. A. of Jefus College, Cambridge. It may be fuppofed that it can contain but a very general view of the fubject. Some arguments which are level to the common readers of the Scriptures are propofed and urged with fervour; what is faid under the article Holy Ghoft, is rather perplexed and unintelligible, and may poffibly lead fome perfons to a dangerous conclufion, however good the intention, and juft the reasoning, as to certain paffages in our Liturgy.

Do

Art. 86. A Differtation on the Meffage from St. John the Baptift to our Saviour; St. Luke, vii. 19. with Remarks on the Hiftory of his Life and Ministry. 8vo. 1 s. 6d. Cadell. 1788.

Amid the drudgery of labouring through frivolous and tedious books, it is fome relief to meet with one which, like the prefent Differtation, is rational, ufeful, and well written. Yet we must acknowlege ourselves fomewhat difappointed, as to the folution of the difficulty, viz. For what reafon this meffage was fent by John the Baptift. The anfwer given by this Writer feems greatly to coincide with that which has been before offered, particularly by Dr. Macknight. It is here fuppofed, that the application to Jefus was purely for the Baptift's own fatisfaction, and arofe from impatience and difcontent. Hearing of the miracles of Chrift, he might efteem himself neglected, when nothing was done to releafe him from imprifonment. This general account is here illuftrated by feveral remarks, and particularly by this, that though the tenor of his life, previous to his confinement, was foretold by ancient prophecy, no light was held forth fubfequent to that event. This little tract alfo offers fome pertinent reflections on the miniftry of the Baptift. Do Art. 87. An expoftulatory Address to the Reverend Doctor Priestleg; containing an Apology for thofe who confcientiously fubfcribe to the Articles of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND; and, in particular, to the Doctrines of the Trinity, &c. By the Rev. John Hawkins. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Printed at Worcester, and fold by White, &c. in London. 1788.

The candour, moderation, and good fenfe, with which this pamphlet is written, entitle its Author to a refpe&tful attention from his opponent and the public. After expreffing his disapprobation of the contemptuous and illiberal manner in which Dr. P. is often treated, he coolly remonstrates with him on the cenfures which he has caft on the clergy, as well as the doctrines, of the Church of England; and undertakes to prove, that the doctrines of the Trinity

and

and the divinity of Jefus Chrift involve no contradiction or abfurdity, and may be confcientiously fubfcribed.

Mr. H. introduces his obfervations on the doctrine of the Trinity by remarking, that the belief of the more moderate Socinians, when reduced to its moft fimple as well as decent expreffion, and that of the Church of England, as fet forth in a general meeting of her divines at Oxford in 1695, differ much lefs from each other than is ufually prefumed. This remark is confirmed by Mr. Hawkins's fubfequent explanation of the doctrine of the Trinity, as only denoting, that there exifts in the One Supreme Intelligent Being, fome kind of diftinction. By this diftinction, he does not underfland three diflinet Intelligences, but fome diversities in the Divine Nature, which have each their peculiar relations, attributes, and properties; and he acknowledges that neither the Son nor the Holy Spirit could have any claim to our worship but what arifes from their abfolute oneness with the Father, from whom with refpect to Deity they are not in any respect diftin&. On this ground, he ranks himself in the fchool of the No. minal Trinitarians, among whom he enumerates, Archbishop Tillotfon, Bishop Burnet, Bishop Pearfon, Dr. Watts, and Dr. Doddridge.

With fuch conceffions as this candid writer feems inclined to make, perhaps it would not be difficult to fhew that the difpute concerning the Perfon of Chrift is little more than a verbal conteft. If fo, how much is it to be regretted that the ball of contention fhould be kept up, by an authoritative prefcription of fcholaftic terms, when they might fo easily be exchanged for fcriptural language, to which Chriftians of every defcription would yield a ready

affent!

E.

Art. 88. A Letter to the Rev. Jofeph Priestley, LL. D. F. R. S. &c, by a Lover of the whole 'Truth as it is in Jefus*. 8vo. 6d. Trapp, &c. 1788.

Some good Chriftian here pours forth vehement exclamations against the execrable tenets,' and piteous lamentations over the loft condition, of the arch-heretic to whom his letter is addreffed : but as he meets the giant, clad in the holy armour of the immaculate righteoufnefs of his Saviour, and the merits of his infinitely precious death, it is not for us to question his fuccefs in the conteft.. E. Art. 89. The Probability of the future Happiness of Infants who die in Infancy, ftated and confidered. By Daniel Gillard. 8vo. 6d. Buckland, &c. 1787.

Strange as it may feem, there are, we find, people, even in this Chriftian country, who entertain fuch abfurd notions of the attributes of the All-merciful Being, that they make themselves miferable about the uncertain future ftate (as they conceive) of children who die in infancy.-To remove the anxiety of fuch weak brethren (or fifters), is the laudable defign of Mr. Gillard, who, if we miftake not, is a preacher among the Baptifs. His style is well fu ted to the capacities of thofe readers for whom his tract is chiefly in

*G. Nicholfon. See his Four Selea Difcourfes, Rev. for December, p. 562.

tended.

tended. As to the Writer's peculiar principles, they may be fufficiently inferred from the following fhort paffage :- The idea purfued in this treatise is, the probability that ALL who die in a state of infancy, are eleted; and therefore certainly faved.'

Art. 90. The Conduct of the firft Converts to Christianity confidered and applied; in a Sermon preached at Bridport, July 10, 1788, at the Ordination of the Rev. Thomas Howe. By Jofhua Toulmin, A. M. Alfo, The Perpetuity of the Chriftian Church; in a Sermon preached at Ringwood, July 16, 1788, at the Ordination of the Rev. William Gellibrand. By Abraham Rees, D. D. F. R. S. to which are added, the Questions propofed to Mr. Howe, with his Anfwers; and a Charge, delivered on both these Occafions, by Andrew Kippis, D. D. F. R. S. and S. A. 8vo. 25. Johnfon.

After having reprefented the firft Chriftians in a very just light, Mr. Toulmin obferves, that, with a due allowance for difference of circumstances, the conduct of thefe believers furnishes a model for Chriftian focieties, in all ages: a model of the fpirit which should actuate their hearts, and of the manners which should adorn their profeffion particularly that we, like them, fhould perfevere in our attendance on the inftitutions of the Gospel, cultivate the fpirit of love, and aim at a purity of manners that may command refpect and conciliate favour. This difcourfe abounds with rational reflections, and excellent advice; and is well calculated to promote the temper and fpirit of the Gospel.

The

The text of Dr. Rees's fermon is from Matt. xvi. 18. latter part. It is ferious aud fenfible; and well adapted to the occafion. introductory difcourfe, and the questions propofed to Mr. Howe, with his anfwers, all breathe a candid, liberal, and truly Chriflian fpirit. Dr. Kippis's Charge, as a compofition, is fuperior to moft difcourfes of the kind. As an addrefs to minifters of the Gospel, it is modeft, tender, and affectionate. It is grounded on 1 Tim. chap. iii. verfe 15. We must do Dr. K. the juffice to declare it to be our opinion, that thofe minifters who conduct them felves on the plan here laid down, cannot fail of obtaining, not only the respect of their own congregations, but that of all who know them; together with (what is of infinitely more importance) the teftimony of confcience in their favour here, and a Well done good and faithful fervants," hereafter.

Art.

By.....w.

91. A Letter to the Rt. Hon. and Rt. Rev. Beilby, Lord Bishop of London, on the Abolition of Slavery. 8vo. 6d. Longman. 1788.

The flavery of which this writer folicits the abolition is not, as the reader would expect, African, but Clerical, flavery. The hardships of thofe clergy who, on mature examination, become diffatisfied with the condition on which they hold their station in the church, and yet are in too dependent a ftate to leave it without ruin, are ftrongly reprefented. This is a grievance, which, in our enlightened and libetal age, it is furely high time to redress.

* Mr. Toulmin's text was Acts, ii. 42—47•

E.

Art.