RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL.

Art. 39. Afhort Defence of the Doctrine of the Divinity of Chrift; with fome Remarks upon a late Appeal to the ferious and candid Profeffors of Christianity. The fecond Edition. To which is added, a Supplement, containing Obfervations upon a late familiar Illuftration of certain Paffages of Scripture. 12mo. 3 d. Crowder,

&c.

It is fpeaking much to the advantage of works in polemical divinity to fay, that they are written with candour and charity; it is not often that we can fa y fo much in their favour; but this praife is due to the little performance before us. As to its immediate fubject, we have had fuch frequent occafions to take notice of it, that it is very unneceffary for us now to add any remarks. The pamphlet is a repetition of thofe arguments that have been repeatedly urged, and, numbers think, as often refuted; the writer intends it for the use of those who cannot read larger tracts. On whichever fide of the queftion truth lies, we apprehend there are fome confiderations offered by this Author, which he himself can hardly think have very great weight, or which will not admit of an explication equally favourable to the other party; and we must regard him as much too peremptory, when after having collected feveral paffages of fcripture, he adds, If they do not prove that the Lord Jefus Chrill is alfo the Almighty Creator, and, confequently, Very and Eternal God, it fignifies nothing at tempting to prove any thing by fcripture: words can convey no meaning, but upon all language refts impenetrable dark nefs and confufion.' We doubt not but he firmly believes the doctrine for which he argues; but thus it is, too often, with warm writers in divinity," Either our explication is right, or there is no truth in the fcriptures." 112. Art, 40. The Excellency of the Jewish law vindicated: In two Sermons, preached before the University of Oxford, at St. Mary's. To which is added, an Appendix: And also a short Comment on on Pfal. cix. and Iv. Wherein they are fhewn not to be imprecatory, but prophetical. By Thomas Randolph, D. D. Prefident of C. C. C. and Lady Margaret's Profeffor of Divinity. 8vo. 1 s. 6d. Rivington. 1773.

This Author is an advocate for the writings of the Old Testament, in oppofition to fome perfons, even among Chriftians, who have affected to speak of them with a kind of difrefpect. He produces a number of quotations from them, and in different views represents the propriety, the advantage, and excellence of the ftatutes and commands delivered to the people of Ifrael. He offers fome jutt confiderations, both in the fermons and in the appendix, in order to defend their law from the imputation of cruelty. To these are added remarks on the account which Dr. Durell, in his late criticism ou the books of job, Pfalms, &c. has given of the imprecations in the 109th Pfalm. Dr. Randolph is diffatisfied with his friend's obfervations on the fubject, but he treats him with respect, and offers tome reafons, which feem judicious and weighty, to fhew, that the paffages, which now appear as imprecations, thould be tranflated in the future tenfe, and are to be confidered as prophetical.

Vid. Rev. vol. xlvii. p. 119.

Art.

Art. 41. An expoftulatory Letter to the Reverend Dr. Randolph, Prefident of C. C. C. and Lady Margaret's, Profeffor of Divinity in the University of Oxford; in Reply to his Charge against the Reverend Dr. Durell, Principal of Hertford College. With Jome Strictures upon bis Comment on Pfalm cix. Shewing that what is there confidered, as prophetical and not imprecatory, is in reality imprecatory and not prophetical. By a Member of the University. 8vo. 1 s. Riving

ton. 1773.

This gentleman is difgufted with Dr. Randolph for being angry, and, at the fame time, appears to be very angry himself. He endeavours, however, to excufe himself, from the nature of the provocation given; and he confefles that he does not pretend to have taken up the pen with phlegmatic coolness and indifference. Dr. Randolph, it muit be owned, has laid himself open to fome cenfure; but it would have been more honourable to his antagonist to have written with a greater degree of coolnefs, and in lefs hafte. In relation to the Pfalm immediately under confideration, this writer does not approve of the account given either by Dr. Durell or Dr. Randolph, but labours to defend the interpretation by Dr. Sykes, who fuppofes the imprecations to have been pronounced against David by his adverfaries. But he is too peremptory, when in the title page he feems politively to decide, that thefe paffages are imprecatory and not prophetical, fince after all that he and others have faid on the fubject, it ftill remains a matter of doubt. He writes as a man of ingenuity and learning, and is truly commendable for his folicitude to vindicate a worthy friend, whom he apprehends to be unjustly attacked and cenfured.. Art. 42. The Intent and Propriety of the Scripture Miracles confidered and explained, in a feries of Sermons, preached in the Parish Church of St. Mary Le-Bow, in the Years 176), 1770, and 773 for the Lecture founded by the Hon. Robert Boyle, Efq; By the Rev. Dr. Henry Owen, Rector of St. Olave, Hart-Street, and Fellow of the Royal Society. 8vo. 2 Vols. 10s. bound. Rivington. 1773. The view which is given in thefe volumes of the connection and beauty of the difpenfations of divine providence towards mankind, according to the accounts of fcripture, is ingenious, and will, no doubt, prove fatisfactory to numbers, who wish to read the facred writings with the greateft poflible advantage. The Author tells us. that in the conftruction and conduct of this fcheme, he had a particular attention to the benefit of young divines, to whom, we apprehend, thefe difcourfes may be very useful, as a kind of key to the fcriptures, fetting before them the grounds and reafons of different difpenfations, though they fhould not, in every relpect, agree with the explications of Dr. Owen. We cannot give our Readers a better idea of the fcope and intent of the work than in the Writer's own words. He obferves, that his performance naturally divides itfelf into fix parts. Part the first, comprehended in Sermon 1.-III. treats of the analogy of revealed religion with the conftitution and courfe of nature-and of the credibility and certainty of miraculous interpofitions. Part the fecond, comprehended in Sermon IV. VI. treats of the moral state of the world from the creation to the deluge; the nature of the difpenfations relative thereto; and the propriety of the miracles interwoven with them. Part the third, comprehended in Sermon VII.-X. treats of the moral state of the world from the de

luge

Juge to the departure out of Egypt; the feveral difpenfations relative thereto; and the miraculous interpofitions by which they were fupported. Part the fourth, comprehended in Sermon XI.—XVI. treats of the moral ftate of the world from the departure out of Egypt to the end of the Babylonifh captivity, the feveral difpenfations relative thereto; and the suitableness of the miracles which occur in that period, to the great end they were defigned to promote. Part the fifth, comprehended in Sermon XVII. treats of the moral state of the world at the time of our Saviour's appearance-and of the neceffity of a new revelation. Part the fixth, comprehended in Sermon XVIII.-to XXIII. treats of the connection between the doctrines of Christ and the moral exigencies of mankind-and of the analogy between his miracles and doctrines. Conclufion-Sermon XXIV.”

In fome of the difcourfes the Author appears to be rather prolix, and alfo, at times, to lay, perhaps, too great ftrefs on uncertain or conjectural explications and derivations. But his fermons are, on the whole, fenfible, inftructive, and directed to a practical use. In the laft discourse, the force of the argument is fummed and addressed to the serious attention of the unbeliever and the chriftian. Art. 43. A brief and impartial Hiftory of the Puritans; reprefent ing their Principles and Sufferings, with occafional Obfervations. By the Author of the serious and earnest Addrefs to Protestant Diffen. ters. 12mo. 4d. Johnson. 1772.

Hi.

This little tract is intended for the information of those perfons whofe time, or circumftances, will not permit them to gather it from larger performances. It is indeed multum in parvo, and leaves no room to fufpect the writer of mercenary motives. The revival of ancient difputes and animofities is not in itself pleafing or desirable; but to remind men of the principles of liberty, to warn them against political or ecclefiaflical encroachments, and fhew them in what religion really confifts, as diftinguished from its mere circumftantials and formalities: thefe are in truth important ends, and in thefe views it is to be wifhed that publications of the kind now be. fore us might be eafily attained and circulated. The Author aims at impartiality in his relations, which is fuperior to any elegance or ornaments of style. He writes with plainnefs, because he writes for general inftruction; but he writes with good fenfe and perfpicuity. He properly obferves, that every material circumstance could not be recorded in fo fmall a pamphlet, and it is probable he found fome difficulty in felecting the moft ftriking facts. I hough we do not propofe any long extracts from this publication, we find ourselves much inclined to infert two fhort paffages that follow, relative to the adminiftration of affairs in the time of Archbishop Laud. One minifter, it is faid, was fufpended for preaching on the Sunday evening, though it was a funeral fermon. And whereas fome ministers ufed to explain the questions and anfwers in the catechism, and make a short prayer before and after, the bishop reproved them sharply for it, faying that was as bad as preaching: fome who continued this practice were enjoined public penance.'

In another place, when notice is taken of the imprudent and foolish zeal of Laud, and others, in driving away manufacturers and foreigners, it is obferved, One fober, honeft manufacturer, who keeps twenty poor conflantly at work, is of more real fervice to the

community,

community, than he who lays out thousands in merely beautifying churches or enriching colleges: Laud and his creatures have been much cried up for the latter, whilft the irreparable loss the nation fuffered, by their difturbing honeft and induftrious tradesmen, has been efteemed of little moment by their panegyrifts.' The word creatures, in the above paffage, had better, perhaps, have been omitted, as hardly agreeable to the candour this Writer profeffes: there are, we think, a few other inftances of the like kind. The account given of Mr. Jebb of Cambridge, though it ought to be publicly known and animadverted on, is, we apprehend, rather misplaced in bein inferted in the advertisement at the beginning of this publication. i. Art. 44. New Sermons to Affes. By the Author of Sermons to Bladon. 1773

Affes.

1 2mo. 2 S.

Thefe fermons, feven in number, are all from one text, viz. Judges iii. 22. And the dirt came out. The preacher is arch and humorous; pouring forth a torrent of keen fatire. His former publication was chiefly addreffed to the clergy; this volume is more general, though the ministers of religion are by no means unnoticed. He fets before us a most unpleafing and melancholy picture of the ftate of things in the heathen land of Moab; but who will fuppofe that fuch a defcription is applicable to the Christian country of Great Britain! His readers cannot, however, be at any lofs to difcern his, meaning. His humour may poffibly, in fome inftances, be thought, as the phrase is, to run rather low; but fuch is the corruption and venality of the age; fuch our profligacy and follies; fo profufe are we, and yet fo rapacious; fo great and oppreffive is the increasing evil which falls on the middling and lower ranks of people from the greediness of monopolizers, engroffers, and others, who are verfed in the mercenary and unrighteous arts of trade,-that we must applaud our fatirift, and exprefs our wish that this, or any other chaftifement, might contribute, not only to expofe our mifconduct, but to pave the way for a reformation of our manners. We should obferve that the book is, with fome smartness, addreffed to those who peti-, tioned against the bill in favour of the diffenters. Art. 45. The English Preacher: or, Sermons on the principal Subjects of Religion and Morality, felected, revised, and abridged 12mo. Vol. I. and II. from various Authors.

Johnfon. 1773.

6s. fewed.

The Editor of thefe volumes appears profeffedly under the character of a compiler, whofe office, he acknowledges, is, at best, but a flender ground of reputation; but he properly adds, that it is by no means without its ufe to the public. He offers feveral confiderations. in its favour, which we must own are weighty and conclufive; particularly in regard to fermons. The bufinefs of a compiler in the latter refpect he thus defcribes: while he faithfully retains the fentiments and diction of each author, he should venture to omit those parts of a difcourfe which may best be fpared; to take off in fome degree, the air of formality from the antient manner of dividing fermons, and occafionally to change a word or phrase which time has rendered obfolete or offenfive. These fmall alterations can be no injustice to the Author, while his Works continue extant in their origiThe Rev. Mr. Enfield.

See Review, vol. xxxix. p. 100.

Hi.

nal

nal form, and may greatly contribute to render the reading of the fame fermons more agreeable, and confequently more useful.

The Authors made use of in this collection, are faid to be almoft entirely fuch as appeared between the years 1660 and 1760. The number of fermons in the first volume is fifteen; and they are the compofitions of fome of our best preachers. Hi Art. 46. Two Letters on the Subject of Subfcription to the Liturgy and Thirty nine Articies of the Church of England. To which is added an Appendix, relating to the fame Subject, and particularly pointing out fome few of the Errors in the established Liturgy. By H. Norman, late an unfufpended Minor Canon of Winchester Cathedral. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. Wilkie. 1773.

We have here a proof that a certain degree of perfecution only ferves to render the fufferer more eager and zealous in the caufe which he hath embraced. The Author has been deprived of his minor canonry, which is the better half of his income; and though two gentlemen offered to do the duty for him, for a fmall part of the pay, the propofal was rejected. This circumftance, however, fo far from abating, feems to have raifed his ardour for the removal of fubfcription, and for obtaining other reformations in the church of England, to the highest pitch. We can easily fuppofe, from the impetuofity of this performance, that Mr. Norman is not what the world will call a prudent man. But he appears to be, what is far preferable, an honest man, who fcorns any degree of concealment, where what he apprehends to be the intereft of truth and religious liberty is concerned. Nor is he deftitute of abilities, though he hath yet much to learn with regard to the art of compofition. He writes in too diffuse and defultory a manner, and his fentences are fo infufferably long, that it is fometimes difficult to trace their grammatical conftruction. As he has formed a defign' of future publications, we would wish him, if poffible, to acquire a more perfpicuous, concife, and accurate flyle. It might not be amifs for him to ftudy fuch writers, whether antient or modern, as are remarkable for the clearness of their language, and for the fhortnefs, or, at least, the moderate length of their fentences. This advice we give in pure friendship, because we think that Mr. Norman's zeal and spirit might make him an useful author, if his other talents were united with talte and judgment.

N. B. The account of Mr. N's pamphlet was drawn up and fent to the printer before the letter concerning it was received. He' has been treated with justice and candor.

SERMONS.

K.

J. A Difcourfe on the Advantages of the infular Situation of Great Britain; delivered at Spithead, on Occafion of the Preparations for his Majefly s Review of the Fleet. By John Bonar, A. B. Chaplain of his Majefty's Ship the Cerberus. 4to. I S. Flexney.

1773.

It would be paying a very ill compliment to our fovereign and his minifters, to fuppofe that the late review of the fleet at Portsmouth had no nobler motive than the exhibition of a fplendid scenery of maritime objects for mere holiday admiration; when fo fine a

difplay

of