manner of good old Peter Sterry of Cromwellian memory; and like him and Jeremy White, espouses the doctrine of a UNIVERSAL RESTI

TUTION.

Art. 52. Hymns in Profe for Children. By the Author of Leffons for Children. 12mo. I s. Johnson. 1781.

The defign of thefe Hymns is to imprefs the infant mind with early ideas of God, by connecting religion with a variety of fenfible objects, and with every thing that affects it with wonder or delight; and thus, by deep, ftrong, and permanent affociations, to lay the beft foundation for practical devotion in future life.

Speaking of hymns in verfe, adapted to the capacities of children, Mrs. Barbauld has a very judicious obfervation: "It may well be doubted whether poetry ought to be lowered to the capacities of children, or whether they fhould not rather be kept from reading verse till they are able to relish good verfe for the very effence of poetry is an elevation in thought and ftyle above the common standard; and if it wants this character, it wants all that renders it valuable." Art. 53. A Letter from a Catholic Chriftian to his Roman Catholic Friend. 8vo. 6d. Worcester, printed. 1780. Art. 54. An Essay on the Law of Celibacy impofed on the Clergy of the Roman Catholic Church, and obferved in all the Orders abroad; in which are delineated its Rife and Progrefs, from the most early ages of its Existence, down to the prefent Times: and the Impropriety of this Ecclefiaftical Conftitution is fhewn, whether it be confidered in a moral, a phyfical, or a political Light. As alfo a fummary Account is given of the monaftic Life; of the Prejudices which chiefly contributed to introduce it; and in what Manner thefe have been perpetuated, &c. Interfperfed with various Remarks on feveral other Obfervances of the Roman Catholic difcipline. 8vo. 3s. Worcester, printed. London, fold by Rivington, 1781.

We unite these two pamphlets in one article, as they have both the fame author, and their subjects are connected. In the first we find the Writer modeftly and handfomely apologizing for his having separated himfelf from the church of Rome, in which he had been educated, ordained a priest, and continued for fome time to discharge the functions annexed to that character. This letter is written with an apparent candour and integrity, which does the Author honour. He ftill confiders himself as a Chriftian minifter. Among other remarks, he fuppofes the question to be propofed, Whether he ftill intends to continue in a state of celibacy? To this he replies in the negative. And by this means he is led to enquire a little into the grounds of this practice in the Romish church; which gave rise to the fecond very fenfible pamphlet, the fubjects of which are particularized in the above title. In general, to Proteftants, especially fuch who have ufed a little reflection, it is unneceffary to offer much in order to prove the unreasonable and abfurd conduct of the church of Rome on this point of celibacy, as well as others; and accordingly our Author .remarks:

This labour may appear, perhaps, at firft fight, fuperfluous, and the whole controverfy of little importance, in a kingdom where neither the obligation, nor propriety of fuch a law, with respect to the

numerous

numerous body of the Chriftian clergy, is admitted. But as it is a fact, that thefe inftitutions are not only revered as facred by many of our fellow-citizens, who fly to a voluntary exile in foreign climates, to the prejudice of their mother-country, and by thousands of either fex in every flate where the Roman Catholic difcipline prevails, to the detriment of fociety in general, it is the interest of every individual, of every citizen of the world, to have this matter duly canvasfed, and exhibited in its proper light. Thus confidered, it is no longer a subject fit merely for private fpeculation and debate, but becomes of public concern, and claims the attention of all who have at heart the general advantage of mankind, and are willing to promote its welfare.'

To the above we may add a farther paffage, in which it is faid, 'My with is rather to be ufeful, by contributing to fupport what I really efteem the caufe of truth, than to feek unmerited and unfatisfactory applause, by advancing any opinions which may disturb the peace of the community. On the contrary, it is in the defence of its most facred rights that I have here prefumed to ftand forth, without any other pretenfions to the favour of the Public, than what the merits of the cause itself may deserve. I have combated mistaken notions that have long prevailed; but I have neither treated them ludicrously nor with contempt. Ancient prejudices deferve at all times a certain degree of respect; but our deference for them should not be carried fo far as to command our filent homage, when they evidently tend to deftroy the happiness of mankind.'

The Author's fpirit and manner of writing are agreeable to these profeffions. He appears like an honeft man, a man who feels himfelf happy in being releafed from chains by which he once was shackled, and at the fame time does not feem to entertain any of that rancour and bitterness of temper which new converts, especially if hafty and interested, have fometimes difcovered; but writes at once like a man, a scholar, and a Christian. It needs hardly be faid, that he establishes his point: in feveral controverfies it is difficult to affirm this on either fide, but here, we apprehend, it may be done with fafety. Boffuet's saying concerning theatrical entertainments is properly applied on this occasion: Il y a de grands exemples pour, mais de fortes raifons contre. It may be pleaded for from great examples, but there are folid arguments against the practice.

Art. 55. Sermons preached before the University of Cambridge. By Peter Stephen Goddard, D. D. Matter of Clare-Hall. 8vo. 43. Boards. Rivington. 1781.

In thefe Sermons Dr. G. infits on the following topics; A true and zealous Christian the greatest and beft of characters; Eternal life clearly and fully revealed by the Gofpel only; Ridicule no teft of truth; The freedom of man's will confiftent with the grace of God; Our Lord's treatment of the woman of Canaan explained and justified; Needlefs curiofity; A day of grace and a day of wrath; fins of infirmity and fins of prefumption; Covetoufnefs idolatry; Criminal compliance with prevailing cuftoms; Hezekiah's behaviour on receiving the meffage from God by Ifaiah; The duty of prayer; Duty both of the preacher and his hearers:-To which is added, Concio ad Clerum, a Latin oration delivered in 1761.

2

Thefe

Thefe difcourfes are principally recommended by folid fenfe, and a tendency to improve and amend the heart; which, after all, are the beft recommendations that pulpit compofitions can have: they are not remarkable for the beauties of language, or elegance of fentiment and expreffion; but they are grave, ferious, plain, practical, and judicious; adapted to perfuade men to attend with diligence to thofe objects which are of the greatest moment to their present and future welfare.

The drift and aim of the difcourfes is to do good to the heart; they prefent thofe weighty reflections and pertinent addreffes which are likely to have an happy influence on those who will peruse them with

due attention.

The Concio ad Clerum is to be regarded as an ingenious Latin oration.

SERMONS.

I. Preached before the University of Oxford, at St. Mary's, November 5th, 1781. By William Crowe, LL. B. Fellow of New College. 4to. I S. Cadell. 1781.

This is a well-written difcourfe, and in fome refpe&ts remarkable. While the Author properly celebrates the events which must ever render the 4th and 5th days of November memorable in the English annals, he pleads in favour of thofe Roman Catholics refident among us, from the confiderations, that their number is inconfiderable, their difpofition peaceable and loyal, and farther, that the Romish power is no longer an object of dread. It may be faid, in answer to this, that if the real principles of Popery have always the fame tendency, they must be unfriendly to liberty. But we will not difpute the point. We muft, however, object, as we have often done on other occafions, to the infinuation, that the late dreadful and furious havock in London was effected by the Proteftant Affociation. No fufficient reafon has yet appeared to induce us to believe this, and there is great cause to think otherwife. What renders this Oxford Difcourfe principally remarkable, is the proper manner in which the Author fpeaks on the fubject of religious liberty, and the account that is given of the present state of our country, when he mentions our unfortunate difpute with America as a war of apprehenfion and difmay,' and fays, Surely that ftate cannot but be in a perilous condition, where, on one hand, corruption maintains a wide and increafing influence, acknowledged but uncontrouled, and prodigal beyond example: on the other, a people indulge themselves in idle and luxurious diffipation, fo to avoid reflections too ferious and too diftrefsful, because they care not, or defpair of the commonwealth. Yet thefe, and other practices as bad as thefe, are but as difeafes which a found conftitution may throw off, and again recover its priftine health. Much worse is the cafe, when national principles are vitiated; when, for inftance, it is afferted with a wicked boldness, that corruption is ufeful and neceffary to the government; or when those plain and facred doctrines of civil liberty, which no fophiftry can perplex, and no ftrength of argument confute, are flandered with the injurious name of empty fpeculations.-These are dreadful and fatal tokens.

and unlels tome antidote can fubdue their malignity, the confitution in which they are found will foon decline into that fate of agony and despair, when its evils fhall be both intolerable and incurable.'"

From this gloomy profpect the Preacher turns himself to that great Being who only can deliver, and with humble, earnest piety, fupplicates his guidance and his aid. And with this reverent addrefs the Sermon concludes.

II. Preached in the Cathedral at York, July 29, 1781, at the Afizes. By Samuel Beilby, M. A. Chaplain to the Duke of Rutland, Rector of Folkton, &c. 8vo.. I s. Baldwin.

An ingenious harangue against flander and detraction, from Titus iii. 2. Speak evil of no man. At the fame time recommending a proper, manly, conftitutional obedience to magifirates;' and exhorting us to fupport the fpirit of the gofpel with vigour and prudence, blended with meekness and moderation.' While the Preacher laments the dishonour brought on the Chriftian caufe by the uncharitable conduct of many of its profeffors, he adds, Let us forget, if poffible, the late daring attempts of fanaticifm to overawe the legiflature, to destroy our fenators, and to fire the capital. We particularize this paffage, becaufe it cafts an odium on a fet of people, who, poffibly, do not deferve it, and therefore if unjuft, becomes properly a flander. It has not yet appeared with any certainty, that the hor rid devaftation which lately difgraced our metropolis, was really made. by the petitioners against Popery. In truth, it rather feems to have, been effected by the felons, &c. who were, by a general gaol-delivery, let out of the prifons by the rioters, in order to fet at liberty. fuch of their companions as had been taken into custody. III. The Chriftian Duty of cultivating a Spirit of universal Benevolence amidst the prefent unhappy national Hoftilities. Preached July 4. 1781, at Bradford in Yorkshire, before an Affembly of Diffenting Minifters. By William Wood. 8vo. 6d. Johnson.

In this ingenious, lively difcourfe, the Preacher's aim is to per-, fuade us, while we love our country, and fervently pray that properity may be within her palaces, to be careful that we do not hate the reft of mankind.' Had it been preached before thofe depredators in the Eaft Indies, who have difgraced the English name; or before others abroad and at home, whofe defire and labour is to enrich and aggrandize themselves with the fpoil and plunder of their own or other countries, it had been very feafonable, and might have proved afeful. Univerfal benevolence, good-will and good wishes towards all men, without diftinction, is, however, agreeable to the excellent fpirit of the gofpel. and fhould be inculcated and cherished by every human being; at the fame time that their more direct attention must be paid to immediate connections, and to their own country.

Though this kingdom is unhappily engaged in war with different. nations, we hope that our people, in general, do not maintain a fpirit of hatred and rancour even towards thofe who, in a more public view, may be deemed enemies. Such a fpirit may indeed be politically cherished among fome ranks, or may be excited in those who are more immediate spectators of the calamities and cruelties of war; but we truft it is not generally prevalent. This Sermon agreeably recommends an oppofite temper, and urges us to be kindly affectioned to

the

the whole human race, as children of one Almighty and All-gracious Parent.

IV. Preached at the Anniversary Meeting of the Sons of the Clergy, in the Cathedral of St. Paul, May 11, 1780. By John Law, D.D. Archdeacon of Rochester, &c. 40. 1 s. Cadell, &c. This Difcourfe, from Pfalm lxviii. 5. is well calculated for the occafion on which it was directly delivered. The Preacher endeavours to remove certain objections which might poffibly be urged, and then offers fome affecting and weighty confiderations to enforce an attention to this charity. Particular notice is taken of a late generous benefactress, Mrs. Elizabeth Dongworth, late of Durham, who bequeathed the fum of 1000 1. which was received in July 1780. The fecretary to this charity having found that his defign, of publishing an exact lift of the stewards and preachers, is approved, has now procured a more accurate account than has heretofore been given, and has affixed it to this Difcourfe, together with the Sums collected at the anniversary meetings, fince the year 1721.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A "Friend and conftant Reader," who dates at "Norwich, January 20th," expreffes his diffatisfaction in regard to the account of Art. 28. in our Catalogue for December, as we have therein given no opinion of the merits of the feveral Thefes contained in Dr. WebЯer's Collection.In our Review for February laft, we mentioned the two preceding volumes of the Doctor's publication; and had our Correfpondent perufed that Article, he would, perhaps, have taken our word as to the "impoffibility" of our giving more than “a lift of the fubjects, with the names of the refpective authors;" and would have faved himself the trouble of writing. If this apology does not meet his comprehenfion, let him become a Reviewer: let him un-. dertake to cleanfe the Augean ftable [no reflection on the Work to which he alludes], and then he will be convinced that none but an Hercules is perfectly equal to the tafk.-Befide, the Iliad is not to be written in a Nutshell.-Indeed were every Review a folio, we are perfuaded that we fhould ftill, from the multiplicity of the new publications that come before us, be obliged to difmifs many articles in the fummary way which this Correfpondent refers to, in a fingle inftance.

+++ Two Letters are received, concerning the rat in fheep; with others on different fubjects-which will be noticed hereafter.

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