Art. 30. An Efay on the Caufes and Effects of the Gout, &c. By David Efcherny, M. D. and Member of the Royal College of Phyficians. 8vo. Is. Griffiths.

In this Effay Dr. Efcherny has attempted to explain the nature and caufe of the Gout, and has proposed a specific remedy, intended not only to relieve the particular fits, but alfo to obviate the various pernicious confequences of the diftemper. In the account of a difeafe concerning which there is fuch a variety of opinions, we ought not much to wonder, if this Writer's theory, like that of moft others, fhould be vague and unfatisfactory, and that meer fuppofitions should often be affumed for established truths.

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The Gout,' fays the Doctor, is entirely owing to an obftruction of perfpiration. This perfpirable matter differs greatly in the configuration and bignefs of its particles; and I take,' continues he, what occafions the Gout to be the finest of all, and what is eafily thrown upon, or is already refiding in, the nerves.-During the fit, there happens a derivation of perspirable substance from all parts, to the first feat of the gouty disorder, for the strength of attraction is very great in thofe particles.'How do these several fuppofitions agree with the following remark?

Often the fwelling or tumor breaks, and a chalk-like matter comes out from the smallest veffels, which are nerves. Thefe ftones being examined,' &c.-Is this finest perspirable matter then converted into ftones? Or why are the nerves, which if at all vafcular, were never fuppofed to convey a fluid groffer than what is termed the animal fpirits, made to discharge a chalklike matter ?-Such notions, it is obvious, are as inconfiftent with each other, as with the nature of the animal economy.

With respect to the fpecific remedy here recommended, we shall only observe, that the internal ufe of gold, and all its preparations, is univerfally exploded by the most eminent and fenfible Writers. Nor can we perceive any property in this preparation, or Regulus of Gold, but that of a ponderous calx, indiffoluble in the ftomach, and altogether immifcible with any of the juices of the human body.

Art. 31. An Efay on the Small-pox, &c. By Dr. D'Escherny. 8vo. Is. Griffiths, &c.

Contains fome general remarks on the Small-pox, together with feveral arguments in favour of inoculation; which, as they have moftly been taken notice of before by other Writers, need not here be repeated. To thefe is fubjoined, the hiftory of a cafe wherein the Regulus of Gold, mentioned in the preceding article, is fuppofed to have produced the moft wonderful and falutary effects.

Art. 32. An Efay on Fevers, &c. By David D'Efcherny, M. D. and Member of the College of Phyficians. 8vo. I S. Griffiths, &c.

The Author being diffatisfied, as he informs us, with the ufual method of treating Fevers, employed his thoughts to find out one

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more

more eligible. The refult was a trial of the two remedies mentioned in this Eflay, which, he affures us, anfwered his expectations. The one is Filings of Iron to the quantity of twenty-five grains, joined with a few grains of fcammony and colocynth; the other, the beforementioned Regulus of Gold. The Doctor endeavours to justify and recommend this practice, by exhibiting a view of the circulation and nature of the blood, and of the effects of its increased motion. He likewife, in a long quotation from an article in Quincy's Lexicon, reprefents the properties and manner in which the particles of iron are fuppofed to act. He takes it for granted, that in all fevers there is a vifcidity of the blood which is to be attenuated, and fitted for circulation, by thefe deobftruent and diaphoretic medicines.-This, however, can only be the cafe in fevers merely inflammatory.-The Doctor feems to have forgot, that in all malignant, petechial, bilious or putrid fevers, the circulating fluid inftead of being vifcid, is conftantly found in a diffolved and colliquative ftate: in all fuch fevers, therefore, thefe prefcriptions would prove highly prejudicial.But, to give our opinion freely, we think, the fooner the iron-filings are purged off, the better it will be for the Patient; as whatever aftringes, itimulates, and increases the momentum of the blood, in an inflammatory fever, must be of dangerous confequence. Accordingly we find it remarked, that fevers which attack healthy and robuft people, after an imprudent ufe of chalybeat waters, are generally of the worst kind. As to the effects of the Regulus of Gold, we have already delivered our opinion.To this and each of the two foregoing pamphlets, are fubjoined fome fhort reflections upon Patents; the abufes of that privilege, and a method proposed to remedy them.

RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL.

Art. 33. Original Letters between the Reverend Mr. John Welly, and Mr. Richard Thompson, refpecting the Doctrine of Affurance, as held by the former: Wherein that Tenet iş fully examined. With fome Strictures on Chriftian Perfection. 8vo. I S. Davis and Reymers.

We are informed, in the introduction to this collection of Letters, (by the Editor of them) that Mr. Thompfon was, in his youth, induced to join himself to Mr Wefley and his affociates; and, upon the firft inftitution of their focieties, became a member: but foon found it necefiary to withdraw himfelf. Being of a ferious and fpeculative mind, he applied, with great affiduity to reading; and made no fmall progrefs in literature,-efpecially in that branch which respects divinity. As the doctrine of affurance hath ever been a main pillar of the methodistical building, Mr. Thompfon readily embraced it: however, calm reflection foon opened his mind, and he pursued his thoughts, upon the fubject (we are told) with the cleareft and most accurate attention. This correfpondence of his with Mr. Welley, upon the doctrine of affurance, (concerning which their notions were very different), is now made public, as tending abundantly to fhew, from Mr. Welley's own concefions, the true nature of

this pernicious doctrine; and of confequence to fettle many minds, who are difturbed with respect to it.' p. 5.

In one of Mr. Wefley's Letters, he fays to Mr. Thompson• Chriflian faith, I apprehend, implies a divine evidence, or convietion of our acceptance:-You apprehend it does not.'-In one of Mr. Thompson's he tells Mr. Wefley. Yourself and affiftants conftantly affert in your publick preaching," that if a perfon does "not know that his fins are forgiven, they have no true faith."Notwithstanding what Mr. Wefley has himself faid above, and what he is here charged with conftantly preaching; yet when he comes, in the clofe of the correfpondence, to be pinched by the following querys from Mr. Thompson, he is forced to make fuch conceffions, by way of answer to them, as plainly fhew that he is himfelf obliged to own, that the doctrine of affurance cannot be defended, in that fenfe wherein he was, at first, inclined to state it.—Mr: Thompson's querys, with Mr. Welley's answers, are copied from two Letters, but here thrown together, for the fake of greater perfpicuity. Mr. Thompson defired to have each query anfwered with a monofyllable only.

Query 1. "Can a man who has not a clear affurance that his fins are forgiven, be in a state of juftification?" Mr. Wesley's Anfwer. "I believe there are fome inftances. "of it."

Query 2. I afk a perfon the following queftion. Do you ⚫ know that your fins are forgiven? He anfwers: "I am not certainly fure, tho' I do not entertain the least doubt thereof.". Is this man in a state of juftification, in your opinion?" Welley. I believe he may.'

Query 3. I ask another perfon, as above: he replies, as before, I am not certainly fure, "but I hope, or trust, that they "are." Is this perfon, in your opinion in the state abovemen$ tioned?'

Wefley. 'Tis very poffible, he may be in that ftate.'

Query 4. Can any one know that his fins are forgiven, while he has any doubt thereof?'

Welay. Not at that inflant, when he doubts of it: but he may generally know it, though he doubts at some particular ⚫ time.?

Mr. Thompfon's notion of Affurance, is that it is a privilege which God does not please to grant to the generality of true Believers, but that even the greatest number of those who are so happy as to obtain it, are not poffeffed thereof for any long time together; neither does this proceed from any voluntary defects in their con• duct, but folely from the good pleasure of God himself.'-p. 47. In the last Letter, Mr. Wefley fays, My belief in general is this, that every Chriftian Believer has a divine conviction of his ⚫ reconciliation with God. The fum of those conceffions is, "I am "inclined to think there may be fome exceptions."

Art. 34. Truth from the original Univerfity; opening the deep Ground of the Scriptures; the Procefs to Paradife; what God is; what

Nature

Nature is; and the Reafon of fo many Opinions. Being a Call to the World, to prepare for Chrift's fecond coming; bumbly offered to the Confideration of all People.-Part I. 8vo. 9 d. Lewis.

How far the goodness of a man's heart may be pleaded in excufe for the imperfections of his bead, we fhall not pretend to determine: but unless the readers of the pamphlet before us fhould be inclined to make large conceffions upon this account, we fear the Author will meet with but fmall encouragement for the publication of his fecond part. Perhaps, indeed, this fift part might have been fpared, if he had attended to his own advice, at p. 19, where he fays Men fhould know what they fpeak, when they speak of omnipotence; and not fpeak what they do not know.'-Whether this is his own cafe, may, in fome measure, be learned from the very first fentence in the Preface, where he tells us The Reader

can hardly expect the prefription on the title of this treatise to be fully demonstrated in it; that cannot be done with pen and ink'— Why then did he make ufe of his own pen and ink, to fo very little purpose?

The language of this Piece is owned to be uncouth; and, we may add, very ungrammatical too.-As to the fagacious Writer's knack at explanation,-which he often attempts; the Reader may have a fufficient fpecimen of it, in the following bort, but entire, fentence, copied from p. 9, where he says, in exprefs words, award fignifies upwards, and outward fignifies downwards.'

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Art. 35. An Appendix to the Critical Differtation on the Book of Job, giving a farther Account of the Book of Ecclefiaftes. To which is added, a Reply to fome Notes of the late D-n of B▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1, in his new Edition of the Divine Legation, &c, Vol. 2. Part 2. By the Author of the Critical Differtation. 8vo. I S. Law & Co.

In the Preface to the Critical Differtation on the book of Job, we have the following paffage,- If we may judge from internal ⚫ characters, (and we have no other light to go by where history is filent, and the opinions of the learned are fo various) I think it will appear probable to thofe who confider the matter with attention, that this furprifing book called Ecclefiaftes, or the Preacher, ⚫ and delivered to us in the form of a fermon, is indeed a fermon preached by Solomon, but long after his death. I mean, that it was compofed out of Solomon's remains, and had this form and title given to it by thofe that were appointed to revise and publifh them. Among whom the Prophet Ifaiah, if I mistake not, hath left us a little mark of his own hand-writing, at the conclufion of the Book, for those who are capable judges of it. Our Author, in this Appendix, offers feveral things in fupport of his conjecture. There is fomething in the title of the Book, he obferves, which is very ænigmatical. The wordsof the Preacher, the Son "`of David, King of Jerufalem. But the word for Preacher (viz. Kobe

Leth)

deth) is feminine. And yet it appears plain that Solomon is here the Preacher or the Preacherefs: this has greatly embarrassed the interpreters and commentators. But according to our Author, the whole mystery of this title is cleared up by fuppofing, that the foul of Solomon in his separate state is here introduced as the Preacher. It is Solomon, we are told, fubfifting in his feparate foul or fpirit (the nephe or ruach, both which are feminine, and fo agree with the title Kobeleth) that is here reprefented as the Speaker.

The aphorifms and reflections which we meet with are Solomon's. And the work of the Collectors was only to form them into fuch a book as this, and fo give it the title of a public fermon or oration; wherein this wife King is represented as still speaking to his people, and inftructing them after his death.-There are feveral marks to convince us, our Author obferves, that this was a fermon preached by Solomon long after his death.-He fpeaks of himself as one that had formerly exifted, and had reigned in Jerufalem, chap. 1. 12. I the Preacher was king over Ifrael in Jerufalem; an expreffion that cannot be understood with any propriety of one that was still reigning. He often tells us of the things that he had feen done under the fun. A phrafe the more remarkable, as it occurs near thirty times in this little book, and no where else in all the Bible. And no wonder, fince it exactly fuits the ftate of one who had been removed from the bufy fcene of this world, and whofe fun was now gone down upon him.-We have in this book feveral detached fentences very inftructive in themselves, but which do not appear to have any great relation to the main fubject of the book, nor any visible connection with what went immediately before or after. Thefe then it is reasonable to fuppofe, might be placed here for their excellency, and merely with an intention to preferve them.The referve with which a future ftate is here spoken of, is another particular of fome moment, which is cleared up to us by taking the book in this light. For furely it would have been very wrong to have made Solomon give any description of the condition of fouls in the other world, fince it is left as a thing uncertain what was his own ftate there.

But the principal proof that these are obfervations of King Solomon, put into this form by the Revisors and Editors of his remains, our Author draws from the eleventh verfe of the twelfth chapter, which, in our tranflation, he fays, is a mere riddle. In order to find its meaning and connexion with the context, he confiders the laft fix verses of Ecclefiaftes in their order; but as there is a good deal of criticism here upon the original text, we shall pass over what he fays. The meaning of the eleventh verfe, we are told, is literally thus-The words of the wife are as goads, or as if planted with briars: the collectors, or thofe (whofe office it is to collect them) are given frow the one Shepherd, viz. GOD.

to explain

Thus I have endeavoured,' continues our Author, ⚫ the fix laft verfes of this book.-And now to recapitulate what has ⚫ been obferved.-From the view that we have taken of thefe verses, I fuppofe it appears plain, that they are no other than an epilogus added to this fermon by the collectors of King Solomon's remains,--

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