clear manifestations of heavenly happiness. Once he was heard to whisper, with great earnestness, "I am coming, I am coming!" When asked what he meant, he replied, "I thought I heard a voice, saying, Come up hither." Yet, at the same time, he discovered the most perfect rationality, and knew all who spoke to him as well as in any part of his life.

Though he moved not in any public sphere, yet in private life, his character was marked with a good degree of respectability and usefulness. The strictest integrity was manifested in all his conduct, combined with the greatest generosity. His equanimity, of mind in bearing troubles, was truly remarkable; especially as it was connected with that sympathetic benevolence which could weep with those that wept, and rejoice with those that rejoiced.

As a Christian, he was sincere and consistent. His religion was more real than ostentatious. With out the least tendency to enthusiasm, he was zealously concerned for the spread of divine truth; and though not forward in obtruding his sentiments on others, yet when ever they were introduced, he spoke with such fervour as demonstrated the strength of his attachment to them, and his affectionate desire that others might become interested in the blessings of the gospel.

He had his failings; but few were more sensible of them than himself; and no one felt more of his own unworthiness at a throne of grace. He walked closely with God,-yet he had his fears; and perhaps many who had not half his piety, have boasted of greater confidence. He was both a Christian in heart and an exemplary Christian; for in every walk of life he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour. How tender as a husband, how affeczionate as a parent, the writer of this narrative, with the most pungent feelings can declare; and while he drops a tear at the memory of the guide of his youth, rejoices in bearing his testimony to that excellence which he has so often witnessed! S. S.

RECENT DEATHS

OF

MINISTERS.

JULY 21, 1803, died at Trowbridge, the Rev. Nic. Cross, in the seventy-second year of his age. In the year 1780, he resigned his charge, through growing infirmi ties, after having been near thirty years Minister of the Independent congregation in that town. On the 28th, his remains were interred in the family-vault in the Meetinghouse Yard; his pall being borne by six ministers; and his funeral sermon was preached by his successor, from Heb. vi. 19.

Also, more recently, the Rev. and aged Mr. Allison, of Ponder's End. Also the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Harlow.

Nov. 3, died suddenly, the Rev. C. Parsons, Minister of the Gospel, at Kington, Warwickshire, aged sixty-eight. On the following Saturday, after attending his remains to the grave, his death was improved in a funeral-sermon, preached by Mr. Moody, of Warwick. The grief manifested by the whole village, but especially by the congregation, was more than language can well express.

On Friday, Nov. 4, died the Rev. R. De Courcy, near thirty years Vicar of St. Alkmond's, Shrewsbury, where his ministerial labours have been abundantly blessed and owned among all sorts of people. His view of the Gospel was clear and evangelical; and he held forth the Word of Life with an energy and pathos which seldom failed to effect his congregation in the most sensible manner. His death is supposed to have been, brought on by the bursting of a bloodvessel. His remains were interred at Shawbury, on the 9th, attended by a considerable number of his friends, who were anxious to render to his memory this last tribute of respect.

Of several of the above ex

cellent men, we hope, in the course of the next year, to present our readers with interesting Memoirs; and shall be obliged to any of our Correspondents who may be able to assist us with materials.

SERMONS. By W. JAY. Vol. II. Price Ss.

MUCH has been written on the subject of Pulpit Eloquence. On the one hand, it has been contended, that the primitive and apostolic preachers of Christianity renounced it; and, on the other, that they practised it. These opinions are not altogether irreconcileable. Those acquainted with the manner in which the Greek orators studied their art, must know that they made eloquence their primary ob. ject; which is certainly inconsistent with the character of a Christian preacher, who-e aim should not be to gain applause, but to win souls. On the other side, it has been said, Apollos was an eloquent man; Paul's language was eminently nervous; and John's remark. ably pathetic. Though they did not sacrifice the interests of Christianity to their own fame, or the gratification of their curious hear. ers, yet they did not fail to employ every talent they possessed in the service of their divine Master. There is an eloquence, the characters of which are simplicity, perspicuity, strength, and pathos: an eloquence rather natural than artificial; which recommends its subject rather than the speaker. Such was the eloquence employed by the more eminent primitive preachers of Christianity; and such is that displayed in the volume now before us. Its character is not indeed perfect accuracy. These discourses do not smell of the lamp : they are not laboured by repeated writing; the periods are not always nicely turned; nor are the expressions always chosen with care: but the preacher's heart was in his work, and with an apparent negli. gence, as to the minutiae of compo. sition, he often catches "a grace beyond the reach of art."

Another important branch of composition is method; and here also, perhaps, Mr. Jay will not satisfy

the severe critic. His general plan is not to comprehend all the ideas suggested by the text, nor to ar range them with logical exactness; but to select those which appear to him most interesting, and to arrange them so as may, in general, be most easy for the memory: this, in some instances, produces, what may be called a quaintness, not perfectly consistent with the delicacy of modern criticism; but if it strikes the attention, and fastens on the memory, these are objects of more importance. These remarks premised, we proceed to offer an analysis of some of the discourses, which may serve as specimens of the whole.

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The second discourse is entitled "Hope," and is founded on Rom. It is divided into two parts: I. The preacher proposes to shew how the Christian's hope preserves from shame; and, II. To ascertain its connection with the love of God, Under the former part of the dis course, the preacher observes that Hope may cause shame, first, By the insufficiency of its object; such is the worldling's hope: - 2.

By the weakness of its foundation; such is the self-righteous Pharisee's:and, 3. By the falseness of its warrant; such is the licentious Antinomian's. In the second part of the discourse, Mr. Jay shews that "the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost,' is essentially connected with our hope; — 1. As it is a proof of the divine regard; 2. As it characterizes the true Christian; 3. As it qualifies for Heaven; and, 4. Is the anticipation of it. This discourse contains much excellent matter; and is concluded by an animated and faithful address to the consciences of various classes of hearers.

The Third Sermon is on the parable of the two Sons, Matt. xxi. 28—31,which Mr. Jay applies, first, to the two classes of Jews and Gentiles; and, secondly, gives it a more general application to the different classes of hearers in all ages. Of the Father's address, he observes, it is affectionate, "My son ;"—it is practical," go work;"- it is urgent, "to-day." In the conduct of the two sons, he sees examples of repentance and apostacy. The characters are drawn by the hand of a master, and discovers much knowJedge of the professing world, and

of mankind.

We cannot proceed in the way of analysis throughout the volume; we can give little more than the subjects of the remaining sermons. The fourth enforces Christian diligences, from 2 Peter i. 5-7. Sermon V. on Eccles. viii. 11, very judiciously considers and deplores the abuse of the Divine forbear

ance.

The sixth Sermon, founded on 1 John iii. 20, is entitled "Assurance," evidently meaning, not the assurance of faith, founded upon the divine word, but the assurance of hope, arising from the evidences of our converted state. The following Sermon, entitled "Domestic Happiness," if we are not misinformed, was preached on the anniversary of the marriage which pccasioned Mr. Jay's celebrated Sermon on the Duties of Husbands

and Wives; and is of a character very similar to that discourse.

Sermon VIII, on 2 Peter i. 11, entitled, "Happiness in Death," is interesting and animated. "Ser. vice done for God rewarded," is the singular title of the ninth Discourse, from Ezek. xxix. 17—20, alluding to the history of Nebuchadnezzar, from which Mr. Jay suggests three remarks; -1. The disposal of states and nations is the work of Divine Providence; 2. Men may serve God really, when they do not serve him by design; -3. We shall never be losers by any thing we do for God. The tenth Discourse well improves "The Disappointments of Life, from those remarkable words of Job (xxix. 18.)“ I shall die in my nest."

Sermon XI. In a very masterly and energetic style, exposes "The danger of neutrality in religion," from Matt. vi. 24. The last Dis. course is on a very pleasing subject, "The Family of our Lord,” Mat. xii. 49, 50. The two last are capi, tal Sermons, especially the tenth, which may challenge comparison with any discourse, either in this or the former volume. From several of them we should be glad to present our readers with extracts; and shall probably attempt to give a few specimens in our Supplementary Number. At present we shall conclude with another general remark upon the work before us.

To compare this with the former volume is, perhaps, useless. If some discourses are less striking, others are perhaps, at least in some parts, superior; but sccond volumes are under some disadvantage, as they cannot have the charm of novelty, which often strikes us on our first acquaintance with an author. Both display a rich invention; a deep knowledge of mankind and of the human heart; and, above all, an extensive acquaintance with the Scriptures, of which the preacher makes a judicious and abundant use.

We wish not, however, to deal put indiscriminate praise: - we confess, that in some of the discourses we have felt a deficiency; for, tho' we love practical preach,

ing, and readily acknowledge that Mr. Jay excells in that line, and that all his discourses are founded on Evangelical principles, yet we wish those principles appeared more prominent; and should he extend his publications to a third volume, we hope he will avail himself of this hint, and bring them forward, not in the forbidding form of a Controversialist, but in the same engaging dress in which he has clothed the Christian Morals. We particularly allude to the dying love and mediatorial glories of the Redeemer, which we know have their share in the pulpit-exercises of Mr. Jay; and are not only worthy of his pen, but of the inspired lips of angels and saints in glory.

Sermons on the Divinity and Operations of the Holy Ghost. By R. Hawker, D.D. &c. Third Edition, 12mo, 45. boards; 800, 75.6d. bás.

IN announcing this Second Volume of the new edition of Dr. Hawker's Works, which has been again retouched and improved by his own pen, we only find it necessary to refer to our account of the first edition, in a former volume, when we gave a full account of it; from which we shall only cite the following paragraph: —“Strongly as we expressed our approbation of the Sermons on the Divinity of Christ, we are much better pleased with the contents of the present volume; which we earnestly recommend to the attentive consideration of our readers in general, and ministers in particular.

Evan. Mag. vol. II. p. 392.

them that fear him not; thus introducing the text, which is Ezek. ix. 4, the preacher then founds, upon this striking passage, the following judicious observations:1st, "That the servants of God are distinguished from the rest of the world by their opinion of sin; and by their conduct under divine chastisement." 2. In perilous times, the former are represented as being the objects of his peculiar care." 3. He shews, that "as great, and in some respects similar abominations to those sighed for by the Israelites, are committed in our own land." 4. He enquires, "What, from past experiences, might reasonably be apprehended from present appearances?" Lastly,

He enumerates some circumstances which induce the hope, "that, notwithstanding our provocations and threatened ruin, the Lord will yet spare his people :" a hope in which we most cordially concur, while we feel all the force of the author's

strong and nervous representations of the present depraved state of our country, and the judgments which our sins deserve.

A Discourse delivered at the DrumHead, on the Fort at Margate, Oct. 19, 1803, the Day of the General Fast, before the Volunteers, commanded by the Right Hon. W. Pitt. Delivered also before the Ministers, &c. of the East Kent Association, at Folkstone, Oct. 26; and, on Nov. 13, 1803, to the Polunteers of South. wark, Ec. assembled with the Author's own Congregation. By J. Rippon, D. D. Published at Request. 8vo, 15.

This discourse is founded on a text, which we earnestly wish may be duly regarded by all our bre thren in arms, Deut. xxiii. 9.

When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing." After a suitable introduction, in which the preacher carefully distinguishes between offensive and defensive war, he proceeds to state the following in quiry: "How should a people behave when they are going to war?" is answer contains seve

-2.

ral particulars. 1. They should avoid rashness and inconsideration; - 2. They should keep themselves from a prayerless condition; 3. They should preserve themselves from presumption; —and, 4. From despair. Each of these is consider. ably amplified, and enlivened with anecdotes, well adapted to secure the attention of the church militant, to which it was first delivered. Under the second head, the author proposes to the soldiers a short prayer, suited to their use when marching to battle. When this was pronounced, we are informed, all the military men uncovered their heads, and behaved with peculiar reverence.Among the reasons advanced by the preacher, why we should not despair he insists, on the character of the enemy, which is depicted in the most frightful colours. Col. Wilson's testimony concerning the cruelty of Bonaparte, in murdering 3800 of his prisoners, and in poisoning 580 of his sick troops, is brought forward: to which the author adds a circumstance, related by Dr. Wittman, in his Travels in Turkey, who says, "That Bonaparte threatened the priests at Jerusalem, That if ever he should obtain possession of that city, he would plant the tree of liberty on the very spot on which the cross of Jesus stood; and would bury the first French grenadier, who should fall in the attack, in the tomb of our Saviour. When I recollect this profanity," he adds, "I will not despair."- The Sermon

concludes with an affectionate and faithful Address to the Volunteers, on the concerns of their own souls.

The Goodness of God to Israel, and also to Great Britain. By J. Townsend. 8vo, is.

MR. Townsend selects for his text, Psalin cxlvii. 20, "He hath not dealt so with any nation." Af ter a brief exordium, the preacher runs a striking parallel between the state of Israel and of our own country, equally distinguished by emirent privileges, and by the abuse of them. After much excellent

Vox Calorum. A Religious Alma

nack, for 1804; comprizing a great Variety of useful Information and Religious Improvements; with an explanation of all the Saints Days, Astronomical Terms, &c. ByTheophilus Sage, Esq. Stitched, 1s. 6d. neatly sewed, is. Ed.

THOSE who have long regretted the absurdities of the common Almanacks, will receive this work with pleasure. Instead of the nonsense of astrology and lying prognostica. tions, the author has given every thing useful in an Almanack; interesting Explanations of the Calendar, under every month; a Gardener and Farmer's Calendar, some pleasing Moral and Religious Verses: to which are added, an Explanation of the French Calendar, useful Hints on the Weather, High Water, Holydays, Terms, Eclipses, Regal Tables, &c. &c.

These Almanacks are printed on the same size, and may be had bound with the Christian Lady's Diary; which is this year embellished with the portrait of the excellent Mrs. H. More, and enriched

with an Address from Dr. Hawker.

LITERARY NOTICE.

WE understand that the Rey W. Moseley, of Hanley, is engaged in preparing a Map, to exhibit the Geography and History of the Old Testament at one view; and that he has nearly completed his design; containing all the places of any note, mentioned by Moses and the Prophets,-the Division of the Land of Israel into Tribes, the Distances of the Principal Places in Judea, and the Route of the Children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan; with an Historical Account of each.