by himself, nor by the evangelists, nor by the apostles, is our Lord styled The Father, but The Son. The appellation Father' is applied to Him who (in the words of the annotators in Poole, 1 Cor. viii. 6,) is the foundation of the deity, communicating his divine nature to the other two persons, and of whom are all things; and who therefore is emphatically called the Father, that be ing a term which signifies the primary cause and author of all things.' With Him and from Him the author of all things, God the Father,' existed from eternity God the Son.' The correlative terms Father' and Son' convey an idea of paternity and filiation. Paternity and filiation imply identity of nature, but distinction in origin. To this distinction does our Lord refer, when he calls the Father The only true God.' The Father is The only God, in strictness of speech, because he is the author of Godhead, by whom, says Pearson, p. 323, ed. 1704,

་

Godhead was communicated to the Son.'

And He is The True God,' either abstractedly in the same point of view, or relatively in opposition to heathen idolatrous godsǝ'

We do not recollect that we ever saw the following argument adduced by any

other writer upon this important subject.

"I thank God that I baptized none of you,' says St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor. i. 14). Why should the apostle manifest so great carnestness, and why express himself so very strongly on this occasion? Because, he thought it would be dishonouring Christ, if he had admitted disciples in his own name. And wherefore should he be anxious on that account, if he had believed Christ to have sleeping in the grave? He could have inbeen merely human, and to have been still curred no evil present or future, had Christ been merely human, and still sleeping in the grave. It is clear then he believed Christ to be more than human; to be raised from the warder of his actions." grave; to be the witness, the judge, the re

But we must take leave of this treatise, the most striking part of which is the truly candid spirit which prevails in it, so opposite to that which has distinguished the controversial writings of some of the author's right reverend bre thren,

WE have seldom seen a book more open to animadversion, or more deserving of censure, than this. It inculcates maxims which, if carried to their due extent, condemn our separation from the church of Rome; reduces all religion to a formal attention to a few external ceremonies of worship; perverts the plainest language of scripture, and counteracts that charity which an apostle esteemed of more value than the know

ledge of all mysteries. In proof of the justice of what we observe, we refer particularly to pages 2, 6, 11, 13, 25, 36, 64, and to the officious and needless revival of obsolete statutes at the conclusion.

The bishop of St. David's affords another instance of the truth of a remark which has been often made, that a divine may be a good scholar, and at the same time a very bad theologian.

NO one can be at a loss to know, at the first glance of this title, what these controversies are, nor refuse his assent to their being of considerable importance. If they were not connected with the question, which is of such moment to every individual, "What shall I do to be saved;" they would now have no inconsiderable influence from their connexion with the character, if not the stability, of the English church. We

are not, therefore, surprised that the friends of that church are anxious to devise conciliatory measures, and to bring nearer the two parties, whose divisions seem to threaten the most serions consequences. Such is the design of the publication now before us. Of its efficacy however we entertain some doubt, not from the want of ability in the author, or of force in the arguments, but from the influence of more rigid principles

now become the Shibboleth of a party. The leading position of the pamphlet is, that all the benefits of the christian covenant are purchased by the merits of

another, but bestowed on individuals. upon the necessary conditions of repentance, faith, and obedience.

THE design of this tract is the same as that which we have just noticed. Taking Ephes. ii. 1. as a Calvinistic, and Ezek. xviii. 30, 31. as an Arminian thesis, he endeavours to shew that conclusions may be drawn upon each system, at which both Calvinists and Arminians

would shudder. He therefore advises that an adherence to system be laid aside; and affirms that by so doing, the church of England has formed a creed which is neither calvinistic, nor arminian,-but scriptural.

THE fame of this work, which is the very essence of calvinism, is, we presume, very widely spread. The original was published by the learned author, with a dedication to William III. in the year 1693; and the first edition of the

translation now before us appeared in 1763. As this is a mere republication of a work which has been so long before the world, our duty is performed when we have thus announced the appearance of a new edition.

THE second volume of this work has the following title prefixed to it, "Essays upon some remarkable Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit; occurring in the Old and New Testaments, and declarative of his essential Divinity and gracious Offices in the Salvation of Men: To which is annexed, a brief Account of the Heresies relative to the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, which

have been published since the Christian Era."

This work, the nature of which is so. clearly stated in the title pages, was first publisned, we believe, in 1776. The date of the second edition we do not know. It has long since obtained the character of a very learned, though, in many instances, a too fanciful, performance.

THESE sermons are thus again introduced to public notice :

Twenty-six years have elapsed since the decease of the venerable author of the following sermons, and the simplest tablet has not been erected to his memory, nor even his name inscribed on the stone which protects his remains. Such tribute, however due, was not indeed necessary to fix the remein

brance of his virtues and talents in the breast. of his surviving family and friends; and with regard to posterity, when he gave to the world such discourses as occasions of national thanksgiving or humiliation required him to preach and to publish, he himself

exegit monumentum ære perennius.' They are now become scarce; and in reprinting them, with a brief sketch of this amiable prelate's exemplary life, together with a letter

6. A sermon preached at the coronation of king George III. and queen minster, Sept. 22, 1761. Charlotte, in the abbey church of West

These discourses are written in general with great vigour of thought, and many things, which it would be now strength of diction; but they contain

out of season either to censure or to

praise. Many of the principles inculcated in them were, in their day, admired by some, and opposed by others; having their foundation in truth, and many will at all times be considered as vate and of public good. As much as tending to the advancement both of priproductions of this nature can contribute will contribute to distinguish the name to perpetuate a name, these discourses of Drummond.

The letter on theological study contains many useful hints, and points out many valuable works to the attention of the theological student.

THIS volume contains no more than eight sermons and a dedication, which in the present day will be regarded as of very unusual length, as it occupies thirtynine pages. The first of the discourses was preached on occasion of the death of the late earl of Leven, who had been for nineteen years lord high commissioner in the general assembly of the church of Scotland, and who died in the year 1802, at the advanced age of eighty. The remarks in it are plain and important, and may be read with advantage by persons of family and rank. The second sermon is a funeral discourse on the death of lady Leven, in which also many excellent observations occur in praise of female piety, and in demonstration of the importance of the female character. "Both these sermons," the author informs us, "were circulated among his own friends, and the friends of the noble family of Leven and Melville, but it occurred to him, and to others, that a volume would prove a more proper and permanent token of his re

gards than a single discourse. A selection was accordingly made, and it is hoped, such as will accord with the funeral ones, and their accompaniments." Preface. The third discourse is on the preservation and transmission of the scriptures, preached at the opening of the synod of Fife, and placed in this collection, because it confirms faith in that revelation which lord and lady Leven professed and honoured." Independent upon this consideration it will be regarded as not undeserving of public attention, since it contains a very satisfactory view of the important subject upon which it treats. The fourth discourse, of a very inferior cast, is a persuasive to attachment to the church of Scotland, and printed in this volume, because the noble pair were firmly attached to that church. They also detested irreligion, they shunned the irreligious, and hence the fifth sermon introduced into this collection is entitled "The enemies of the gospel objects of abhorrence,"

and the sixth, “ Infidels an untoward generation." We cannot commend unreservedly the spirit with which these discourses are composed. They display, indeed, much zeal for the honour of christianity, and great solicitude to prevent the diffusion of infidelity, but there is little of that charity, of no less estimation in an apostle's judgment, than zeal, "which thinketh no evil, hopeth all things, believeth all things." We are persuaded that in our attachment to the interests of revealed religion we do not yield to Dr. Martin, or any who stand forth in its defence; but we cannot join in the illiberality of those who, without any discrimination, treat all unbelievers as persons of weak judgment, incapable of duly estimating moral evidence, or of such depraved hearts as obstinately to shut their minds against the

influence of the truth. Amica Veritassed magis Amica CARITAS. The seventh sermon, the object of which is to encou rage us to be tranquil amidst wars and rumours of wars, appears in this volume because the righteous, among whom lord and lady Leven were eminently distinguished, enjoy tranquillity in times of alarm and danger. For the righteous is reserved a state of matured perfection and felicity." How, therefore, could the selection more properly conclude than by a sermon to illustrate the perfection and felicity of the beavenly state?"

These sermons may not be destitute of interest to those who were acquainted with the noble persons, to the memory of whom the volume is devoted; nor wholly without use to any into whose hands they may chance to fall.

THIS posthumous work owes its publication to the filial piety of the late respected author's son, "who considers it the best duty to the memory of a revered parent, to endeavour to preserve and diffuse the principles which influenced his life and animated his productions." "Many respectable friends," we are also informed, a who were acquainted with the influence of his preaching, were anxious that the exertion of the author's talents should continue to operate with permanent effect, trusting that the arguments which had been successful in the pulpit, might prove efficacious in the closet."

Were the merit of the volume before us to be decided according to the number of those who have patronized its publication, we should have nothing more to say, than that above forty pages are filled with the names of subscribers, and that the suffrages of twelve hundred have referred it to the most honourable class of pulpit compositions. But the impar. tial critic must treat this host as a host of friends, and not of judges, presenting themselves to bear their united and pleasing testimony to the worth of Dr. Layard's character, rather than to the lite rary excellence of his posthumous discourses. Uninfluenced then by a list of names, half the number of which would have rescued a Castell, with many others, whose learned labours have benefited the world, and beggared themselves, from

the poverty which embittered their declining years; we proceed to the execution of our office.

The volume consists of seventeen sermons on the following subjects: Nativity of our blessed Saviour. Epiphany, or manifestation of our Lord to the Gentiles. Good Friday. On the crucifixion of Christ. Easter-day, or the resurrectiont of our blessed Saviour. Whitsunday, or the descent of the Holy Ghost. The praise of God to be preferred to the praise of man. On the 72d psalm, 3 parts. On the general fast, 1796. The excellence of the English laws. On the folly of sin. The advantages of religion. On the cure of the paralytic. The necessity of referring our conduct to the divine judgment. The necessity of being prepared for death; and, The reward attendant on the conversion of a sinner, preached at the Magdalen hospital.

Plainness of style, seriousness of spirit, and earnest desire to recommend what the preacher esteemed the truth of the gospel, and a zealous wish to pro-, duce in his hearers the rich fruits of a holy life, are the distinguishing features of these discourses. Though they cannot with justice be ranked among the highest of the class of compositions to which they belong, yet they ought to be consi dered as holding a very respectable rank. The best discourse in the volume is the last. From this we select the following passage, as containing very important

and very seasonable caution to those who bear the maternal character, and are desirous of performing the maternal duties. "Another cause of female ruin, which I should think unworthy to claim your attention, but on account of its extensive and destructive effects, and because women of strict principles can, if they will, counteract its influence; is the little attention given to the propriety of external decoration. It is not easy to suppose, that purity of mind prevails, where indecency, or even impropriety, in apparel is adopted and encouraged. It seems rather inconsistent for a mother, whose first duty it undoubtedly is, to preserve, in her daughter's mind, the amiable timidity of chastity, and the delicate reserve of modesty, to permit her to appear in a manner, which conveys an idea of something more than boldness. On the extensive prevalence of such examples I need not insist; nor on the folly, the vanity, the extravagant expences, which devolve, with prevalent modes of habiliment, to the very lowest ranks.

"But all these give advantages to the treacherous seducer. For him is the, as yet innocent, victim too often decorated; while trifles, instead of sound opinions, engross her understanding; and trifles, imprudently accumulated in personal ornament, betray her into difficulties and distresses, which licentious vice, impatient for its prey, watches its opportunity to remove.

"With this fatal attention to trifles is al

ways a desire, and, among the opulent, a habit, of continual dissipation and amusement. The great business of life is neglected for these, and the great object of it as much forgotten, as if our manners were submitted to the doctrines of Epicurus, instead of being regulated by the precepts, restrained by the prohibitions, or sanctioned by the promises of the gospel. Nor is this confined to the superior ranks. Is it not notorious that the provision which should be made for old age, or for posterity, from the earnings of industry, is continually dissipated in a giddy round of pleasures? But will any parent, who has maternal affections, endure the thought of her child being betrayed, in the midst of these enervating, these intoxicating delusions, into ruin? Can she answer it to herself to conspire with the world against her own child, by encouraging her to prefer fleeting pleasures to permanent happiness? Can she behold, without horror, the danger of her being cut off from society, or even from life, in the midst of such a heedless career? If she cannot do this, let her, as she regards the vir tue of her child, preserve her from the dangers of dissipation, by precept, by warning; but especially, by her own domestic example."

From the whole of this discourse, we' are led to suspect, that the selection might have been made so as to secure to the deceased author a larger and a more durable portion of fame.

THE former volume of these discourses came under our notice last year, and we gave as faithful an account as we were able of the blemishes, and the excellencies by which it was distinguished. The volume now before us possesses much of the same character as its precursor; displays the same ardent mind, the same zeal for the honour of the gospel, the same indignation against those who despise or who disregard its injunctions, and the same occasional negligencies of stile. The volume comprises nine sermons: 1. The duty of hearers of the word. 2. The importance of religion to states. 3. The blessings, happiness, and advantages of public worship. 4. Christian beneficence. 5. Brotherly love. 6. The redemption of time. 7. The road to salvation. 8. The friendship of the world and its consequences. 9. The duty and qualities of preachers of the word.

Throughout the whole of these animated discourses, Mr. Warner seems to have had in view the admonition which

he addresses to his brethren in the last discourse:

Levi, God is not to be mocked; for what"But be ye not deceived,' ye sons of soever a man soweth, that also shall he reap.' If ye shall betray the trust which ye have voluntarily undertaken to discharge; if ye withhold or pervert the precepts of the gospel; if ye apply to the crying sins of the times in which ye live, the geutie emollients, the palliating excuses which secular interests may suggest in their behalf, instead of the caustic levelled against them; depend upon it, your apostrophes which the gospel of Christ has treachery will be punished by an adequate retribution; ye may succeed in your worldly aims, but you will infallibly lose your souls; for God has himself declared to every teacher of his word, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me."

Caustic apostrophes lose none of their force in passing through the lips of our preacher; but we are not sure that either Mr. Warner's-reputation, as a minister of the gospel, or the sacred cause of re