brute creation, we will felect a few lines from that part in which the writer takes notice of the tyranny of man in relation to them :-' It is, fays he, a confideration not lefs offenfive, and, I fear, we have much to answer for upon this account, that borfes, which contribute fo much to our health, comfort and convenience, fhould be hurried out of their lives, with galled breafts and battered knees, to fave the precious time of impatient people, fome of whom never employed any moments of their life to the glory of God, or the good of their country. This is now become a national offence: and though the devotees to pleasure, together with the drudges of mammon, may be too much in hafte to liften to the voice of a speculative monitor; yet certainly God, who hath lent his creatures to us, will not think it beneath his notice to enquire how they have been treated.' Art. 61. Sermons, by F. Webb. Vol. III. and IV. Shandy Size. 6s. Boards. Kearfly, &c. 1772.

In our 34th vol. p. 55, we gave an account of the two former volumes of Mr. Webb's difcourfes; to which we now refer for their character, and a fpecimen of the Author's rational and agreeable manner. The fubjects of these additional volumes are-The Fear of God-The Ufes and Abuses of the World-The Uncertainty of worldly Grandeur-Diffolution of the World-Different Characters of the Wicked and the Righteous-Self-Examination--Of approv ing Things excellent, &c.-On the Death of the late Duke of Cumberland-Objection to our Saviour's Refurrection ftated and anfwered-Of the white Stone, defcribed by St. John-The Widow's two Mites-Of Juftice-Corruption of Human Nature-Flattery-Ambition-Cenfure, and raih Judgment-The Widow of Zarephath.

From the preface it appears that the Author of thefe difcourfes hath quitted the ministerial profeffion. He obferves, that the tranfcription of the fermons, amidit avocations of a very different nature, gave him great fatisfaction;' adding, that from hence his friends may conclude, that an averfion to his former profeffion was not the reason of his relinquishing it; and that a man may be the fame in his closet, whatever colour his coat may be when he appears in the world.'

Art. 62. Fifteen Sermons, on feveral important Subjects; preach ́ed at Coventry. By J. Dalton. 8vo. 3 s. 1771.

Of Mr. Dalton's principles and flyle, a tolerable judgment may be formed from the following account of the Trinity:

Revelation plainly informs us, that in the divine effence there are three perfons or fubfiftences. This knowledge was not given to employ any curious, I might have faid, daring and irreverent enquiries, as to the modus of the divine existence; but rather to inform, yea, affure us, that we may reasonably expect falvation, i. e. redemption, purification,-and pardon, because the great Three in One redeems us by a facrifice, purifies us by divine influences, and accepts us freely, through unmerited grace. True, the names Father, Son, and Spirit, imply distinction and fubordination; but let us ever guard our thoughts on this fubject, by remembering, that thefe names are titles of economy, not of fence: or that they are graciously intended, and divinely proper, to inftruct our minds re

specting

fpecting thofe diftin&t and equally important offices, which the glorious, eternal, and united Three, have ftipulated to perform in the work of our falvation.'-We fhall offer no remark on this paffage, as our fentiments, in relation to the doctrine of the Trinity, are well known to our Readers.

Art. 63. Three Sermons, preached before the Univerfity of Cambridge, occafioned by an Attempt to abolish Subfcription to the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion; and published at the Request of the Vice-Chancellor and Heads of Colleges, By Samuel Hallifax, LL. D. the King's Profeffor of Civil Law, in the Univerfity, of Cambridge. The fecond Edition. 4to. Is. White, &c.

1772.

Though not perfonally acquainted with Dr. Hallifax, we had atways been taught to regard him as a man of confiderable abilities and moderation; but, we are forry to fay, that the prefent publication hath not a little diminished our ideas of him in both thefe refpects. The Dr. hath permitted his paffions to be fo far engaged in the late tranfactions at Cambridge, relative to Subfcriptions, that his temper at least, if not his judgment, hath fuffered much in the conteft. It might be expected, from the title-page of thefe fermons, that the affair of Subfcription was the principal thing difcuffed in them; but, in fact, what they chiefly contain, is, a fuperficial and angry declamation upon fome particular doctrines., Not content with pouring out his indignation against the herefiarch Priestly, Dr. Hallifax has vented his fpleen on the innocent opinion, that our Saviour's temptation was tranfacted in a vifion.-Nay, he has been fo unfortunate and fo abfurd, as to connect this opinion with a denial of the atonement of Chrift, and to intimate, that the method of interpretation on which it is founded is intended to lead on to the explaining away of the prophecies and miracles of fcripture; though the gentleman, who has principally fupported the notion of the temptation's being a divine vifion, has never been fufpected of denying the atonement, has exprefsly fpecified his fentiments with regard to the prophecies, and has written the best treatise extant on the nature and defign of miracles. It feems to be the purpose of these difcourses, to guard the ftudents at Cambridge against the apprehended falfe doctrines of the times; but the Author ought to have known youthful minds fo well as to be fenfible, that they cannot be led into truth, or diverted from error, by any other than the gentlelt methods. We hope that Dr. Hallifax will endeavour to recollect, and cool himself, before he appears again in public. If he wishes to recover his reputation, it must undoubtedly be by more judicious and more temperate productions.

Art. 64. Critical Remarks on Dr. Nowell's Sermon, January 30, 1772, before the Houfe of Commons; to which is annexed, the Sermon complete. Printed with the Approbation of the Speaker, at the Expence of a Member. 4to. Is. Evans.

These critical remarks, which are very short and fuperficial, feem principally defigned to introduce a fpurious, edition of Dr. Nowell's fermon: we fay, a fpurious edition of it, though the editor has endeavoured to impofe upon the public, by an ambiguous title-page.

Art.

Art. 65. A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Nowell, Principal of St. Mary Hall, King's Profeffor of Modern History, and Public Orator, in the Univerfity of Oxford: occafioned by his very extraordinary Sermon, preached before the House of Commons, January 30, 1772. 8vo. 6d. Towers.

In this letter, the Jacobitical principles of Dr. Nowell are properly expofed, and his falfe affertions unanswerably refuted, from the authentic teftimony of hiftory. How greatly fuperior, in the caufe of truth, of reafon, and of liberty, is a humble Bookfeller (for fuch, we apprehend, is the Author of the prefent performance) to the Principal of St. Mary Hall, King's Profeffor of Modern Hiftory, and Public Orator, in the University of Oxford !

SERMONS.

J. Before the Lords fpiritual and temporal, January 30, 1772. By Shute Lord Bifhop of Landaff. 4to. 6d. Payne, &c.

Confidering the fpirit of the times, or to fpeak more properly, the spirit that seems to be rifing up among fome of the principal clergy, we may be thankful for fo rational and moderate à compofition as the prefent difcourfe. We do not, however, by any means agree with the Bishop of Landaff, in what he advances at the conclufion of his fermon. His Lordship feems to think, that every idea of improving the conftitution fhould be difcarded, and that an attempt to repair any flaws either in our civil or ecclefiaftical establishment, must be dangerous. Perhaps a determined oppofition to every degree of reformation may, in its confequences, be ftill more dangerous. With refpect to the eccleftaftical conftitution in particular, fome few reasonable alterations might give a longer fecurity and peace to the church than it would otherwise enjoy.

II. Before the Houfe of Commons, January 30, 1772. By Thomas Nowell, D. D. Principal of St. Mary Hall, King's Profeffor of Modern Hiftory, and Public Orator in the University of Oxford. 4to. 6d. Payne, &c. 1772.

It has often been confidered as a matter of just complaint, that feveral of the profefforfhips in our two famous universities should be little more than finecures; but if this be the cafe with regard to Dr. Nowell's department, it is a happy circumftance for the ftudents at Oxford. All the fincere lovers of their country must be forry if young minds are to receive their political and historical maxims and inftructions from a perfon of fuch flavish principles, and who is capable of afferting, that in vain fhall we look for the beginning of the evils of Charles the Firft's reign from any real or pretended grievances, from any undue ftretches of prerogative, from any abufe of royal power. After fuch an affertion, we need not be furprifed that not the leaft word escapes the Author which appears like an approbation of the Revolution, or of that fyftem of policy which introduced the Hanover fucceffion. Perhaps, however, Dr. Nowell thinks that he hath made ample amends for this omiflion, by finding, in his prefent Majefty, the bright refemblance of the Royal Martyr. It feems fuitable enough to fuch a ridiculous, disgraceful, and (we are perfuaded) groundless compliment, to advance tenets fimilar to

thofe

thofe of Montague, Manwaring, and Sibthorp. But did our Profeffor and public Orator reflect, that if his favourite doctrines had prevailed, King George the Third would never have fat upon, and adorned the throne of Great Britain !

The ftigma which hath been put upon this ermon by the House of Commons, in expunging, from the journals, the Thanks that had been inadvertently given to the Author of it, does honour to the British Parliament, and will afford, to future Preachers, a lesson of wisdom and caution.

IlI. Before the Governors of Addenbrooke's Hospital, June 27, 1771, at Great St. Mary's Cambridge. By T. Rutherforth, D. D. Archdeacon of Effex, and King's Profeffor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge. 1 s. Beecroft, &c.

IV. Occafioned by the Death of Mr. William Roffey, who died at Cranbrook, in Kent, Dec. 12th, 1771. By Robert Noyes. 6 d. Law, &c.

V. The early Knowledge and Remembrance of God recommended and urged,-to young Perfons, at Braintree, in Effex. By the Rev. Thomas Davidson, M. A. 6d. Dilly.

VI. At the Parish Church of St. Stephen, Wallbrook, for the Benefit of the Children belonging to the St. Ethelberga Society, April 14, 1771. By Thomas Coombe, M. A. Chaplain to the Marquis of Rockingham. 4to. I s. Kearney, &c.

VII. The Triumph of Death, &c. an univerfal funeral Sermon, for the Year 1771; being the Subftance of feveral alarming Dif courfes upon the certainty of Death, &c. The many different Ways he may come upon us, and oft at a Time when leaft thought on; as in many Instances, among the great Number cut off fuddenly laft Year. Delivered by an eminent Gospel Minifter of this City, to an attentive Affembly. 8vo. 6 d. Hood, &c. 1772.

This Methodistical catch-penny fermon, preached no-where, may be read anywhere, and will be equally ufeful everywhere, to fpread the extraordinary tidings, that

First or last we all muft die,

Which the poet, however, had told us before; fo that the discovery is not altogether new; although this fermon-monger has difcovered a new method of making money by it; of which we may expect he wilt annually avail himself, about the time when the almanacs come

out.

VIII. The Manner of contending for the Faith confidered.-Preached at Taunten, by Joshua Toulmin, A. M. To which is fubjoined a Letter to the Rev. Mr. Rooker, occafioned by his Sermon on the fame Subject, lately published. 8vo. 8 d. Johnfon, &c. 1771.

Jude v. 3. It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye fhould earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the faints.'-Mr. Toulmin gives a liberal, and, we believe, a very true explication of this text; in oppofition to those who have applied it in favour of certain narrow principles, which have obtained in the Chriftian world fince the days of the apostles, who could only have had in view the truths which were then revealed to mankind, and not the difputable points and doubtful explanations of fallible men in afterages.--To his fermon, Mr.T. has fubjoined a fenfible and candid letter

to

to a reverend Gentleman, who, in a difcourfe on the fame fubject, feems to have intimated, that the faith to be contended for, comprehends the doctrines of particular election, the Trinity, original fin, and juftification by the imputed righteoufnefs of Chrift alone: which, from the diffention and confufion they have occafioned in the world, appear to be not fo much matter of faith, as fubjects of difputation.

IX. Containing a Plan for reforming the Liturgy, and Articles of the Church of England. By the Rev. T. Goddard, A. M. Rector of Swell, in Somersetshire. 8vo. 6d. Baldwin, &c. 1772.

This fermon no otherwife contains a plan for reforming the Liturgy and Articles of the church of England, than as it exhibits the Author's general view of the scheme of Christianity, from John 17. 3. Mr. Goddard feems to be a candid and well meaning, but not a masterly or judicious writer.

W

༧

CORRESPONDENCE.

E have been favoured with a letter, figned Your candid Reader,' relative to the fubject of the late clerical petition to parliament; in answer to which, we fhall obferve, that we cannot enter farther into the difputes of the times than is abfolutely neceffary to the discharging our duty to the public, with fidelity and juftice. As to Dean Tucker's Apology, there could be no greater reafon for fupporting our hint at the lefs defenfible parts of that performance, by citing the particular paffages to which we alluded, than for doing the fame with regard to all the publications upon the affair of Subscription. If we had, in general, gone beyond a brief character of them, we must have departed from our plan, to the exclufion of almost every other subject. The whole of our Review, for the two last months, would barely have fufficed for the pamphlets which have appeared in that very prolific controverfy, had we defcended to fuch a particular and circumftantial difcuffion of their contents as our correfpondent would seem to require. His remarks may, with propriety, be communicated to Dr. Tucker himself.

*

WE have received a letter from the Rev. Mr. Hingefton, in which that Gentlemen, in the most unexceptionable terms, difavows all acquaintance with the writings of Calvin and his followers; declaring, as becomes a Chriftian Minister, that his ftudies have been chiefly confined to the facred Scriptures. He alfo utterly difclaims (what, indeed, he was not pofitively charged with) the having entertained a fuperftitious degree of reverence for the Chriftian Priefthood t; and he has, in both these respects, vindicated himfelf in fo handfome a manner, that we have thought it an act of justice, thus publicly to mention his polite and candid letter.

Our account of the Third Volume of Lord LYTTELTON's Hiftory has been unavoidably retarded; but it shall appear as foon as poffible. We hope to give it in our next.

*Review, Feb. p. 114

+ Ibid. p. 117.