after greater conformity to God, and at foine bright moments elevated with the hopes of glory. Serious reading, meditation, felf-examination, and prayer, were the frequent exercifes of his retired hours. Next to the Bible he took molt delight in perufing the writings of our good old divines, and they were very helpful in preferving the work of God alive in his foul.

It was his practice, in the la ter part of his life, to write down every Sabbath evening the texts preached from, and part at leaft of what he recollected of the fermons he had heard; fometimes adding reflections of his own, with fome account of his frames and impreffions in the houfe of God. His deafness increasing of late, occafioned his lofs of a good deal of the word preached. This he notices and laments the very last time of his writing, as ufual, on the Sabbath, viz. March 13: a circumftance this the more obfervable, as nothing like it appears before; it is fet down by way of poftfcript, and concludes his manufcripts, confifting of three large voJumes, all but the latt full; and, as Providence ordered it, little more than a week before he was removed from all hearing, to a world where he has no occafion for that, or any other of the means of grace.

He was ever ready to engage in religious converfation. Memory haunts the places and recolle&s the feafons where and when divine topics of Chrif tim experience, &c. most agreeably employed his tongue. To those who were acquainted with his manner, the devotional turn of his mind was at times perceiveable, though he was filent and in company. When fo loft in thought as not to notice a perfon fpeaking to him, he has been known, upon being further interrogated, to ffign as a reafon for it, "I was thinking of eternity, how I shall appear before God, and what if, after all, I fhould fali short of heaven?" One who must know fays, fhe does not remember the time when he has taken the fmallest bodily refreshment, without previoufly lifting up his heart to God. And from the fame anthority it appears, he has frequently engaged in prayer by night on his bed. In his family he invariably obferved family worthip, night and morning, whether they were at home or abroad, never fuffering an absoJute intermillion to what he efteemed fo great a duty and privilege, either from journeys, or from company.

His views for this long while have been more particularly directed toward his latter end. He was heard, no longer ago than a few weeks before his death, to obferve, "I am fearce an hour, I believe I may fay, not an hour of the day without thoughts of it."

His final work on earth was reading God's word and prayer in his bedchamber, a few minutes before he laid himfelf down in bed for the laft time.

Friends were not permitted to have his dying teftimony, as he lay speechlefs and infenfible the whole of his fhort illness. The Lord, however, was kind to him in this, for by being in fuch a state of body, he was exempted from a painful apprehenfion of being feparated from those whom he fo much loved, and likewite from feeling dying agonies; and in point of fact, at least apparently, he might be faid to die without knowing it.

By his death his furviving widow has loft the belt of husbands, his children an affectionate father, his fervants a kind mafter, the inhabitants of Wycombe a peaceable and refpectable neighbour, and the intereft of Christ a fincere well-wisher, friend, and fupporter.

What affecting viciffitudes prefent theinfelves to the mind on a furvey of this providence and its circumitances! A moment of time changes from full health to a itate just the reverfe; a few hours from life to death; a few days

days fhew him inclofed in a hearfe, as well as a coffin, to convey his lifeless remains home, along the road he fo lately travelled in his own carriage. His manfion receives him on this occafion like a ftranger and fojourner, only for a night. He is interred the next day in the family fault, and on the morrow after (April 18.), his funeral fermon preached from John xii. 26. "Where I am, there fhall my fervants be."

Reader, whether relative, friend, acquaintance, fervant of the deccafed, or whoever you are, take warning, confider your foul, be wife.

"Haste, haste, he lies in wait; he's at the door;
"Infidious death!

W. M.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

An Efay on the Authenticity of the New Tefiament, defigned as an Answer to Evanion's Difonance, and Volney's Ruins. By the Rev. D. S mpfon, M. A. 8vo. 149 pages, 2s. 6d. Bailey, Macclesfield; London, Dilly, &c.

THIS excellent and valuable Tract, has too long escaped us :

it is a

masterly defence of Christianity, againit falie friends and avowed enemies. The former admitting luch parts only of the New Teftainent as fuit their purpofe; and rejecting, even with ridicule, the reft. Such is the conduct of Mr. Evanfon, who renounces al the Gofpels, except a part of Luke; while others admit only Mark or Matthew; the folly of which, Mr. S. very properly expofes.

Avowed enemies more confiftently reject the whole; but then they have generally profeffed fome respect for the character of J fus Chrift, which has involved them in difficulties inextricable; fince, if Chrift be really that excellent character, which Rouffeau and others have admitted, why treat his religion as an impofture? The impoflibility of a rational reply to this, has driven infidels to their last refort; and fome of them, as Velney, Dupont, &c. have ventured even to deny the very existence of the Saviour, and adduce Chriftianity from the worship of the Sun, which they pretend was, in the Pagan Mythology, called Yef-us and Chref-en, whence they thus derive the name and character of Jefus Chriít.

In oppofition to this chief of all abfurdities, this able writer fhews that the existence and character of Jefus is afcertained by a regular feries of writers, from the 6th century, up to the very age in which Christianity was founded. Thefe evidences he diftributes into the following claffes:Chriftian Fathers-Heretics-Spurious Writers-M.homedans and Jews -and Pagan Philofophers and Hiftorians ;-to which he adds feveral ether forcible confiderations; the whole forming fuch a mafs of evidence, as cannot be produced in favour of any other fact ia hiftory.

In this tract the author makes repeated acknowledgments of obligation to the learned volumes of Dr. Lardner, of whole te timonies, for Chriftianity, this work may be confidered as a faithful and interesting abftra&i, and a valuable fubftitute with thofe to whom the Doctor's laborious work is inacceffible. Mr. S.'s pamphlet is not, however, a mere extract; it abounds with judicious animadvertions and original remarks.

Several other ufeful works, by this Author, are before us, and shall be fpeedily announced.

3 B 2

Prems

Poems, chiefly on Religious Subje&s By John Fofter, Shoemaker, of Winteringham. Recommended by the Rev. Robert Story, Vicar of St. Peter's, Colchester. 64 pages, 12mo. Is. fine; inferior 64. Chapman, White, &c.

:

THE compofitions of this unlettered Mufe are far above contempt; and the fpirit in which they are written truly evangelical and pious when it is added, that the profits of their publication are intended to fupport the Author in his declining age, and under a lingering and painful complaint, which no medical advice can relieve," we need add no more to make every reader who is capable, a purchaler.

Evidences that the Chriftian Religion is of God. By the late Rev. J. Ryland, Sen. zd edition. 24 pages, 12mo. 2d. Smith, Stratton, &c. THIS animated little tract is judicioufly reprinted in the prefent moIts character is fhort-Multum in parvo.

ment.

Plain Evidences of the Truth of Christianity in the Form of a Catechifm, to preferve the Minds of Young People from the prevailing Scepticism and Infidelity of the Day. By R. Leggett. 36 pages, 12mo.

40.

A Well-conceived, and, upon the whole, a well-executed plan; but we fear the Author's divine authorities are too numerous, if intended for the memory, and fome of his human authorities apocryphal.

Youth's Catechism, on the Order in avhich the feweral Books of Scripture are to be placed: Defigned to promote the better Apprehenfion of the Word of Godin the Minds of Youth. Drawn up for the Ufe of Schools, and for the Information of Private Families. By R. Hawker, D. D. 28 pages, 3d. Plymouth, Nettieton; London, Chapman, and Matthews. After fubjoining the Author's name, it may be fuperfiuous to fay that this little tract is pious and judicious-but we can fay no leis.

mo.

An Effay on the Impropriety and evil Confequences of torfuking our own Places in the House of God Moj respectfully addriffed to the Churches of Chrift, in London and its Vicinity. By Willam Newman.

12mo. Price 1d. Button.

12 pages

THIS tract is designed to reprove thofe diffenters of the independant discipline, who induige what the Author terms a Reubenith unstable conduct," in wandering from their own places of worship.

79 pages.

Is 6d.

SERMONS.

The Divine Government a Ground of rejoicing at all times; and the Tears of England, or a Word in Seafen to the People; two Sermons preached in fubftance at Debenham, in Suffolk, the former on December 19, 1797, The day of General Thanksgiving; the latter on March 7, 1798, the day appointed for a General Feft. By W. Hurn, Vicar of Debenham. Shave and Jackfon, Ipswich; Chapman, London. THE first of thefe difcourfes (from Pfalm xcvii. 1.) is a masterly defence of the doctrine of Divine Providence, and the practical ufes of it in the Chriftian life. The fecond (founded on Itaiah lvii. 1.) is a seasonable alarm to this guilty country, on the nature and confequences of our fins. After mentioning the decline of Religion fome time after the Reformation, the Author adds;

At

"At the beginning of the prefent century, the decline of the national affection towards Chrift, and the departure from the peculiar truths of the Gofpel in minifters and people of all ranks, were awfully increated; and the fame evils continue to the prefent day, except as it has pleafed God, of late years, to grant partial revivals of godlinefs, and to fan the expiring embers again into a flame in different places. Yet the words of Chrift to the church at Ephefos, feem but too applicable to Britain. "Neverthelefs, I have fomewhat against thee, because thou haft left thy first love. Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the firit works; or elfe I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place." Rev. ii. 4. A flight view of the nation's religious character at prefent, compared with what it was foon after the Reformation, may convince us of our danger. Then it seems her nobles and gentry were not ashamed of the words, or fervice of Chrift; but called upon his name in their families, and ufed their influence to extend the knowledge of his falvation to others. The truths of God were heard with refpect, when occafionally introduced in the fenate. The Clergy then preached according to what they folemnly fubfcribed, and the pulpits refounded with the melody of thote doctrines which were confidered as conftituting the Golpel itself; but which are now exploded by many as unneceflary, or decried as enthufiaftic. Ah! "How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed!" That moft precious word, to follow which with a good confcience, and to deliver it pure to their pofterity, fo many joyfully refigned their eftates and lives; that heavenly truth, which was at once the food and medicine of their fouls; that fweet and powerful doctrine, which cheered them in dungeons, and filled them with confolation and joy, when confuming in the flames; that fame word, which, like its glorious Author, is "above all praife," is, in our day, counted a vain thing, and lightly eftermed! And O, the blafphemous folly and hocking ingratitude of man! it is treated by fome as worthy of no more regard than to be made occationally the fubje&matter of a jelt! The Bible is difcarded from polite compan es, and kept reclufe like fome aged relation, of whofe drefs and manners their conceited defcendants are grown ashamed.”

Chriftianity Myfterious, but not Irrational; a Difcourfe delivered at the opening of a New Chapel, at Whitchurch, Shropshire, Feb. 8, 1798. By R. Little, of Hanley. Hanley, Chelter and Mont. London, Chapman and Heptinitall. Is.

THIS difcourfe comes recommended by the defign of its publication, the profits being devoted to the benefit of a charity fchool at Whitchurch; independent of this, however, the Sermon is of fufficient merit to recommend itself.

The text is that famous paffage, 1 Tim. iii. 16. "Great is the myftery of godlinefs," &c. The Author firft illuftrates the leading propofttion, and then the feveral particulars subjoined—“ God manifelt in the flesh," &c.-After explaining the term godlinefs, Mr. L. thews that in three refpects it is a mystery.

I. The plan was hidden in the mind of God-under the type of the law -in the perfon of Chrift.

II. It till remains in a certain fense incomprehenfible. Yet let it be remarked," fays the preacher, "that we do not mean by this phrafe that the gospel fyftem is unintelligible; that it doctrines are contradictory to reason, or inconfiftent with themfelves; or that its authenticity as a revela

tion

tion from God is incapable of rational and decifive evidence. Neither do we wish to infinuate that the truths we preach demand a blind affent, without conviction:-No: this mystery of redemption, though in its fullest extent and glory, it is deep and unfearchable, ftill invites enquiry; and, as far as difcovered, appears wonderfully confiftent with itfelf, with reafon, and with the befts interests of the children of men.

"In two things, however, the Gospel remains a mystery: 1. Because more human reafon, unaided by Divine influence, will evermore remain a stranger to it. 2. This mystery of godlinels, is in its fullest extent incomprehenfible, inafinuch as many of its parts will always remain rather objects of faith, than of knowledge."

3. This mystery of godlinefs is the grand fubject of Divine revelation." After illuftrating this propofition, the author runs briefly through the remaining parts of the text, and concludes with a few pertinent reflec

tions.

The Intellectual and Moral Difference between Man and Man: a Sermon preached at the Old Jewry, Sept. 24, 1797, on Occafion of the Death of the Rev. John Fell. By H. Hunter, D. D. 8vo. 57 pages. Good, Button, &c.

IS.

THIS difcourfe is founded on 1 Cor. xv. 40-42. After a beautiful allufion to the heavenly bodies, Dr. H. applies his fubject to the intellectual world. The molt brilliant of the heavenly bodies, confidered as themfelves inanimate, are far exceeded in luttie and in value by an intelligent and immortal fpirit, as is the human foul. This leads the ingenious preacher to apply that fentence "one ftar differeth from another ftar in glory," to the prefent, as well as future, varieties of men; who differ in refpect of external form-of original mental powers-of intellectual improvement of moral excellence of devotional elevation;-and all these looking forward unto, and iffung in, that perfected state of human nature which fhall be effected by the Almighty power of God, at the refurrection of the dead."

The conclufion of the difcourfe contains fome brief biographical particulars of Mr. Fell, and fhews, that in a variety of refpects, the deceased was himfelf a ftar of the firit magnitude.

Sermons to the Jews. No. 3 to 6, each 1s.

Button.

OF the two first of thefe difcourfes we gave fome account in our Magazines for February and March latt; uince which the publication has met with fome delay, through unavoidable accident, but is now proceeding.

The names and talents of the minifters engaged in this Lecture are fo well known, and fo highly esteemed, that we judge it quite fufficient to mention them, with the fubjects of their difcourfes.-No. 3. Jefus, the true Meffiah, by Mr. Nicol.-No. 4. Certainty of Chriftianity, by Mr. Greatheed.-No. 5. A folenin call to examine the Scriptures, by Dr. Harweis.-And No. 6. The fulnefs of the Gentiles co-eval with the Salvation of fat, by Dr. Hunter.

ERRATA.

In our Magazine for April laft, Page 146, laft Line, read, " types of the atonement," &c. P. 148. 17, for "Calvinift," read Calvinijls. P. 149, 1. 22, dele 20 quill.--For June laft, p. 225, 1.32, for “ populous," read popular, P. 258, laft line, for "Mr. Turner," read Mr. Toorner,

POETRY.