his fubject. They are always ingenious; and if not always new, his method of producing them makes them peculiarly his, own. There is a fingularity in the ftyle, which every reader may not approve; but thofe who knew him beft, know it is not laboured or affected; it was the language of his familiar Letters, and in fome meafure, even of his ordinary converfation." Mr. Hoole's "Sermons, preached in the Parish Church of St. Alban, Wood-ftreet," are alfo deferving of public acceptance, as fenfible, rational, and ufeful compo. fitions. Our author's fubjects are the principal points of natural and revealed religion; on which his fentiments are liberal and juft, and delivered in language that is eafy and agreeable. He does not affect any peculiarity or novelty of thought, or the ornaments of modern rhetoric; but appears defirous of impreffing on the minds of his readers, the importance of ferious truths, rather than of exciting their admiration of his talents and ingenuity, or of entertaining and pleafing their fancy. On Mr. Rudd's "Sermons on religious and practical Subjects," we may, in general, beftow a fimilar character with that which we have drawn in the preceding article. The author is fenfible and inge nious; his ftyle is corect and animated; and his views of Chriftian doctrine are moderate and unexceptionable. We must, however, withold our praife from the Lnguage in which he speaks of a cefebrated advocate for the doctrine of materialifm. It will be called the language of bigotry, or of contempt. The forer, our author would be ashamed of ufing; the latter, no one can be justified in applying to fo distinguished a chas racter. Mr. Davy's Syftem of Divinity, in a Courfe of Sermons, on the Being and Attributes of God; on fome of the most important Articles of the Christian Religion, in connection; and on the feveral Virtues and Vices of mankind," is compofed of felections from the works of different authors, which our editor hath the merit of having chofen and arranged with judgement and ability. He is no way ambitious to fay new things, but principally careful to enforce, in a more uteful way, old Truths, and to bring together in one body, the detached works of the best authors; that what hath hitherto been the entertainment of a few only, might be fet forth for the benefit of the world at large; and every one be fupplied with a system of practical divinity, in every way fuited to the advancement of family devotion." Compilations of this kind have, on former occafions, met with the approbation of the public. And we doubt not but the labours of Mr. Davys will be followed by the fuccefs which he wishes for, as the prefent collection appears well calculated for acceptance and usefulnefs. Dr. James Ogilvie, who hath published a volume of "Sermons on various Subjects," had been obliged to refign a preferment which he enjoyed in Virginia, before the late troubies broke out, and to fly to England for fhelter, from the terrors of profcription. The fufferings which he met with, induced the benevolent parishioners of Egham, where he officiated as a curate, to fuggeft to him the idea of the prefent publication. And we are glad to find, from the very refpectable lift of fubfcribers to thefe thefe fermons, that their friendly interference is likely to prove advantageous to our author. The fubjects on which he treats, are fuch as refpect the best interests of mankind; his manner is animated and agreeable; and the leffons which he inculcates, inftructive and edifying. His ftyle and language indeed, may admit of frequent corrections; but the mention which he makes in his preface, of a melancholy event in his family, and the ill ftate of his health and ipirits, fufficiently apologizes for trifling imperfections. The pofthumous fermons of Dr. James Paterfon, one of the Clergymen of St. Paul's English Epifcopal ch pel in Aberdeen," have been published for the benefit of his furviving relations, whofe circumllances are exceedingly narrow and circumfc ibed. We fincerely recommend thefe fermons, not only to those who have hearts to feel for the diftreffes of worthy characters, who have feen better days, but to all lovers of rational, manly piety. The different confequences of virtue and vice are reprefented in them, in a striking point of view; and the great truths of Chriftianity inculcated in a manner that is unaffected, clear, and forcible. And though they may not have been intended or prepared by the author for the public eye, they will do no injury to his memory and character as a well informed and useful minifter of the Gofpel. Puddicombe's Sermons are loofe, puerile compofitions, replete with extravagance and rhapfody. How widely do thofe writers depart from the true dignity of pulpit eloquence, who aim more at fafcinating the imagination than perfuading and convincing the minds of their readers! Mr. Newton, rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London, hath publishi ed two volumes of fermons under the title "Meffiah. Fifty expofitory Difcourfes, on the Series of fcriptural Paffages, which form the Subject of the celebrated Oratorio of Handel, &c." The author of thefe fermons is one of that clafs of divines, who, in the abundance of their spiritual humility, have appropriated to themfelves the name of "awakened clergy,". -a cant phrafe, intended to convey the fame idea with the term "gofpel preacher," among enthusiasts and fanatics. The religious fentiments therefore, which occur in these volumes, and what Mr. Newton calls the "improves ent" of his difcourfes, will be principally acceptable to thofe who are of a methodistical caft. Indeed, none but fuch as are of a mystical turn of mind, will relish his attempt to fpiritualife innocent amufements, and to draw an analogy between "mufical founds and fentimental feelings." As compofitions, thefe, difcourfes are not in the least entitled to our praife. They are vague and declamatory; abound in repetitions; and their language is frequently incorrect and mean. Neither do we think that the felection of texts in Handel's Meffiah, was judicioufly fixed upon by our author, from which to exhibit the principal outlins of the Saviour's character and meditation, in a regular ferics of difcourfes." The choice, however, in confequence of the mufical perfo mances in Westmintter Abbey, was popular and well timed; and he might fairly and honeftly take advantage of thefe circumstances, to engage the atten tion of his congregation, and of the public, to the important fubjects which they comprehend. In mentioning fuch fermons of the English diffenters and Scots clergy, as have come to our hands, we fhall begin with Dr. Price's "on the Christian Doctrine, as received by the different Denominations of Christians, &c." The first of these fermons fuccessfully maintains the truly liberal and juft fentiments, that Chriftians of all parties, however they may cenfure one another, or whatever oppolition there may feem to be in their opinions, are agreed in all that is effential to christianity, and with refpect to all the information which it is its principal defign to communicate;" and that there is but one thing fundamental, which is "an honeft mind." The four following difcourfes are employed in reprefenting the Calviniftic and Socinian tenets, refpecting the perfon and character of Jefus Chrift, with the Doctor's reafons for rejecting them; and in ftating and defending the Arian doctrine, which he adopts. Thefe reprefentations the author hath given with the utmost fairness and impartiality; and his reafonings in favour of his own hypothefis are delivered with a fpirit of modeft diffidence and candour, of which there are but few infances among polemics. The other fermons in this volume are on the fecurity and happiness of a virtuous courfe, the goodnefs of God, and the refurrection of Lazarus. Thofe on the fecurity and happiness of a virtuous courfe are peculiarly excellent. Though the fubject is common, the arguments in favour of virtue, and the diffualives from vice, are reprefented in a manner fo ftriking and forcible, that we receive new pleafure from every perufal of them. The fermons on the goodness of God, are of a metaphyfical nature, and are admirably adapted to coun teract the poifon contained in Hume's Pofthumous Dialogues. In the fermon on the refurrection of Lazarus, the credibility of that miracle is ably defended, and the remarkable confequences of it pointed out and illuftrated. The truly chriftian temper with which thefe fermons are written, and their tendency to diffeminate principles of moderation and philanthropy, thed the greatest honours on the declining years of their venerable author, and will do effential fervice to the cause of genuine religion. Mr. Robinfon's "Sixteen Difcourfes on feveral Texts of Scripture, &c." were delivered by him, extempore, to plain and illiterate audiences in the villages near Cambridge, and are printed, as nearly as can be recollected as they were fpoken., "The propriety of every action," the author obferves in his preface," depends on circumtances, and nobody can judge of the fitness or unfitness of a fubject, or a part of a subject, or a manner of treating of it, except they who know all the circumftances, for the fame method in different circumstances would be unedifying, if not impertinent and rude." Keeping this just remark in view, we fhall not expect to meet in this volume with extraordinary marks of ability or genius, but with eafy familiar difcourfes, on ufeful topics, adapted to the fituations and understandings of plain common hearers. Such is the character of the productions before us; which are recommended, ar the fame time, by the candid fpirit which they breathe, united to a becoming earnestness of manner, ariling from the preacher's fincere defire of doing good. Dr. Hunter continues his plan of "Sacred Biography," which came under under our notice in a former regifter. In a third volume he treats of the hiftory of Mofes, the aftonifhing and miraculous incidents of his life, and the important events in the Jewish history which took place under his legiflation. These difcour es, like our author's former ones, are lively, perfpicuous, and energetic and though we cannot accede to all his opinions, we recommend this additional volume as abounding in useful remarks, and pious reflections, and well adapted to answer the purposes of popular eloquence. The "Sermons by Samuel Charters, Minister of Wilton," contain many folid and useful observations, but delivered in an unusual style, which is not likely to recommend them to public acceptance. They are composed very much of short fentences, conveying hints and ideas, on which the author probably enlarged in the pulpit, but which, from the prefs, give them an indigefted and unfinished appearance. They are, however, fenfible and ferious, if not perfect and elegant compofitions; and to the attentive, thinking reader will afford pleasure and improve ment. The two volumes of Sermons by the late Mr. Thomas Gordon, minifter of the gofpel at Speymouth, are plain, and chiefly practical difcourfes, which the author was induced to prepare for publication, from a hope and conviction that they would be useful. The fpirit of fervent piety which they difcover, and the liberal catholic difpofitions which they recommend, leave us no room to doubt but that this hope will be fulfilled. As the plan which we are obliged to adopt, will not permit us to take particular notice of the fingle fer mons of the year, we fhall content ourfelves, as ufual, with felecting a few out of the number of fuch as may be thought deferving of a diftinct confideration. Among these we must not overlook" a Sermon preached at St. Alphage, Canterbury," by Dr. Horne, dean of Canterbury, and prefident of Magdalen College, Oxford, recommending the excellent inftitution of Sundayfchools. This fermon is a fenfible, ferious, and forcible appeal to the public fpirit of those who with well to the community in which they live. The corrupt ftate of manners among our commonalty, is defcribed in it with great truth and juftice, and many useful and ftriking obfervations are made by the preacher, which, as they are founded in reafon and nature, carry with them the force of very powerful arguments in favour of the object which he recommends. Of the excellent manner in which these obfervations are delivered, let the reader judge. "At the moment in which I am fpeaking," fays he, "not less than one hundred thoufand pupils are faid to be in training under it's care. There may foon be ten times that number; and if it finally fucceed with half thefe, five hundred thousand honeft men and virtuous women, duly mingled in the mafs of the community, will make a great alteration." evil generation paffes away; and therefore, if proper care be taken, it may be fucceeded by a good one. Elfe were the cafe of the world la mentable indeed. With old offenders little can be done. Hard labour, fpare diet, and, above all, folitude, might do fomething. And the experiment, it is greatly hoped, will be made. But, in general, if the husbandman has in vain dug about the trees in his garden, and "An taken taken every other step neceffary for their improvement; his method must be to train up younger and better plants, which may anfwer the end of their plantation, and bear fruit, when the others fhall no longer be fuffered to cumber the ground." Dr. Priestley's fermon on "the Importance and extent of Free En-. quiry in Matters of Religion, &c." is a rational and difpaffionate defence of an unrestrained and diligent investigation of truth. To this fucceed obfervations on the ftate of free enquiry in this kingdom; on Mr. White's Remarks on Socinianifm, in his fermons at the Bampton Lecture; on Mr. Howe's difcourfe on the abufe of the talent of difputation in religion; and on an anonymous pamphlet called "Primitive Candour." It is almoft needlefs to fay, that in this fermon the reader will meet with proofs of the fame ability and threwdness, as are difcoverable in all the productions of our author. With refpect to the great object of this publication, we have no doubt of the advantages which must arife to the cause of truth and valuable knowledge, from inculcating the liberal principle for which he contends. Nor can we forbear tranfcribing a paffage, in which, by a beautiful comparison, he endeavours to ftrengthen the hands of those who labour in the fame caufe with himself; while he quicts the apprehenfions of fuch men as may be poffeffed of true candour, but yet imagine, that the fpirit of enquiry may be carried too far, and rendered fubfervient to the interests of enthusiasm or irreligion. "The friends of free enquiry and truth" fays he, "may reft fatisfied, that as every effort which has hitherto been made to bear down the caufe for which they contend, has in reality ferved to promote it, fo also will every future effort that can be made for the fame purpofe. The caufe of truth may be compared to to an engine, constructed fo as to be put in motion by the tide, and which is kept in its proper movement whether the water flow in or flow out. Nothing here is wanting but motion, it being impofible for that motion, from whatever quarter it arife, to operate unfa vourably." Dr. Kippis's "Sermon preached at the Old Jewry, on Account of a new Academical Inftitution, among Proteftant Diffenters, for the Education of their Ministers and Youth,' is a fenfible and animated discourse, on a fubject of great importance, on which he hath evidently thought with great attention, delivered his opinion with judgment and liberality, and in a flyle that is peculiarly neat and pleating. The defign of this new inftitution was undertaken, as we are given to underiland, by fome of the most respectable characters among the regular diffenters; and has been carried on with an unufual fpirit and liberality, that do them the greatest honour. From the account which we have of the plan, and of the views of it's fupporters, we look upon the date of fuch an establishment, as forming an important era in the hiftory of the diffenters. And we confider the exertions made on this occafion, to be favourable omens to the intercfts of free enquiry, rational religion, and found philofophy. The manly, pious fentiments at the conclufion of this fermon, will not be unacceptable to our readers. "Whatever may be the iffus with regard to the scheme now undertaken, for the honour of God and the welfare of our fellow creatures } |