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complicate abfurdities not less than thofe of the blind man, who compared the intelligence given by light and colours to the different modulations of a founding trumpet.'

The following fentence, though not very clear to all readers, may receive fome allowance from the fimile which is introduced. The gofpel has the properties of an anamorphotic fpeculum, reprefenting, in one point of view, its objects as confused, obfcure, and mingled; in another as deformed and enormous; yet, in its propea obvertion, as moft beautiful and juft in its right fymmetry and regularity. Thus is the gofpel to be beheld in its due fymmetry only when obverted to our eyes in its own theorems and poftulates.'

In another place: It feems that the fame glorious prefence, which perfcinds and convulfes the wicked with terrors, folaces and exhilarates the abfolved with complacence and confidence, fiducially, filially, fruitively.'

In the laft Letter it is faid: You believe the Scriptures to be the word from heaven; conclude then that all fentiments contrapofed to this facred word muft diffent from reality, and be naturally traductive into error and obfcurity; I might fay into idolatry, for it is a fure truth, however difavowed, that all darkened mifprincipled understandings being prone to fuperftition and enthufiafm, are indeed in the direct road to idolatry; for the fame magnetic efficacy which, latent in them, affuades to the one, conducts to the other. The great, the gay, the happy, the delicate, the polite, the jovial, the libertine, the elegant, and the voluptuous, whofe minds are ftagnant in the phlegma and the indifference of infidelity and fcepticism, are already idolaters in fact; and they need only the adhibition of a few alarming terrors, diftrefles, calamities, and exigencies, to fink them into the groffeft practices of idolatrous reverence, allegiance, and fealty to illufive fpirits. Natural is the tranfition from prejudice to bigotry.'

Thus have we given our Readers a fpecimen of the peculiarity and quaintnefs of this Writer's manner; as to his opinions, we leave them to the investigation of more difcerning readers. Hi. Art. 52. A Demonftration, that true Philofophy has no Tendency to wedermine Divine Revelation, and that a well-grounded Philofopher may be a true Chriftian. By Cæfar Morgan, A. M.. To whom the honorary Prize was adjudged by Teyler's Theological Society at Haarlem, April 1785. 8vo. 2 S. Cadell. 1787.

The notion that has prevailed, that divine revelation and true philofophy are inconfiftent with each other, has been injurious to the interests of both. Among thofe who have been ambitious of the honour of ranking with philofophers, it has created a contempt for revelation; among certain zealous, but injudicious friends of religion, it has encouraged myfticifm and abfurdity. The Author of this piece has, therefore, rendered an important fervice both to religion and philofophy, by fhewing that the purfuits of the latter are favourable to the interefts of the former.

In order to establish his point, Mr. Morgan, with great clearness of reafoning, and with much ftrength and precision of language,

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maintains, that the fundamental principles of revelation and of philofophy are confiftent with one another: that the act of investigation, judiciously conducted, far from producing doubt and uncertainty, leads to rational conviction; and that knowledge itself has, in its own nature, a tendency, not to introduce unbelief, but to prepare the mind for the reception of revelation. He then concludes with examining the caufes which have given rife to that prejudice againft philofophy, which has fubfifted among fome defcriptions of men in almost every age of the Chriftian church.

In this piece we have a connected train of reafoning, which does not easily admit of detached extracts, but which will very well reward the reader for the trouble of an attentive perufal of the whole. As far as was poffible in the form of a general effay, the Author has done juftice to his fubject, and has therefore merited, not only the Haarlem honorary prize, but the thanks of the friends of religion and philofophy.

*Our Readers may expect a farther account of this Differtation, as a foreign article, in our next Appendix, which will be pub8. lished, as ufual, with the Review for January 1788. Art. 53. Interesting Views of Chriftianity: Being a Tranflation of a Part of a celebrated Work of M. Bonnet, intituled, Recherches Philofophiques fur les Preuves du Chriftianifme. 12mo. Boards. Dilly. 1787.

2 s. 6 d.

M. Bonnet is well known as an ingenious and able advocate for Chriftianity. The leading proofs of the divine miffion of Chrift are here reprefented in a manner peculiarly adapted to engage attention and produce conviction. Though, for want of the fupport of hiftorical authorities, this piece will not fuperfede the ufe of those writings which give the evidences of revelation more at large, it may very properly be put into the hands of young perfons, as an accompaniment to fuch works, with the view of interefting the imagination, and the heart, in the important fubject of which it treats. Dr Art. 54. An Abftra&t of the Gospel Hiftory, in Scripture Language. 12mo. 6d. Johnfon. 1787.

Defigned, and very well adapted, for improving those who attend Sunday fchools, in reading, and for inftructing them at the fame time in the Chriftian religion.

D: Art. 55. A Differtation on Singing in the Worship of God; interfperfed with occafional Strictures on Mr. Boyce's late Tract, intituled, "Serious Thoughts on the prefent Mode and Practice of Singing By Dan. Taylor. 12mo. 6d. in the Public Worship of God." Buckland.

This Writer is of the Baptift denomination, and is known on account of feveral fmall publications. He appears here as an advocate for the price above mentioned. Although he is by no means averse to what is called Singing in Parts, he fenfibly obferves, that when the fubject is carefully confidered, it will perhaps appear, that the fimpleft and plaineft manner of finging will anfwer the best end in moft churches.' He reafons well in fupport of the practice, and anfwers objections that have been offered on the fubje&t. He principally confines himself to thofe arguments in its vindication which

may

may be collected from the Scriptures. The ftyle of our Author is net very elegant; but he is not deftitute of either fenfe or learning. Hi. Art. 56. A View of the Prophecies of Jefus Chrift, in the Old Teftament, arranged and fulfilled in the New Teftament: By way of Question and Answer. By the Rev. John Duncan, of Winbourn-Minfter, Dorfet. 12mo. 3 d. Matthews, &c. 1787. This little performance has had a quick fale the prefent is the third edition. It is intended for youth in general, but particularly for the ufe of Sunday fchools, an inftitution which the Author recommends with great fervency. It is defirable that the poor as well as others fhould know fomething of the arguments in fupport of their faith that which arifes from prophecy is fo important and obvious, that it seems commendable to endeavour to acquaint them with it. This View might, no doubt, be improved without much enlargement. When we have faid that the design is good, we need add nothing farther concerning it.

go Art. 57. An Efay on the Gift of Tongues, proving that it was not the Gift of Languages. In a Letter to a Friend. 8vo.

Johnfon. 1786.

2s. 6d.

The intention of this publication is to prove, that the speaking in tongues was not speaking in languages, but that it was fpeaking in tones.' This affertion, ftrange as it appears, our Author has been at no fmall pains and trouble to defend, by feveral fpecious and plaufible arguments; which can, however, have no weight, unless they can be fupported by proofs that the Greek word ya fignifies tones, or mufic. He endeavours to prove, that the gift of tongues, or, as he would have it, the gift of tones, was the immediate effect of the Holy Ghoft. This we can readily allow; but what fhall we fay of the following? Account for it how you will, it is an uncontrovertible fact, that though many gifts are afcribed to the Spirit, yet fpeaking in tongues is the only one which is afcribed to the Spirit's falling upon men; and that the gift of the Holy Ghoft means not the gift of miracles in general, but determinately the gift of tongues.'

We think it unnecessary to lay any of the Author's arguments before our Readers: most of them are hypothetical, and none of them fatisfactory, while the original word militates so strongly against them.—~

SERM ON S.

I. A Future State difcovered by Reafon: Preached in the Cathedral
Church, Peterborough. By the Rev. John Weddred, Vicar of St.
John Baptift, Peterborough, and Member of Trinity College,
Cambridge. 4to. Is. Rivington.

So much injudicious pains are now taken to bring the Unitarian controverfy into notice among the laity, very few of whom are, of themselves, inclined to be troubled with theological difputes, that we have here a fermon against Dr. Priestley, directly and by name. Dr. P. having repeatedly advanced, that the light of nature gives us no information concerning a future ftate, Mr. Weddred endeavours to refute this opinion; but we do not perceive that he has advanced any thing new upon the fubject, or indeed fupported the important

point, on which he treats, with the evidence it admits, and which has already been adduced with great ftrength and clearness, by feveral able writers, particularly by the prefent Bishop of London, in his excellent fermon on the moral arguments for a future ftate of retri bution. E.

II. Preached at the Vifitation of the Rev. Thomas Knowles, D. D. Official of the Archdeaconry of Sudbury, holden at Lavenham, September 28th, 1786. By Samuel Darby, M. A. Rector of Whatfield, Suffolk. 4to. I s. Payne, &c. 1786.

He

A fenfible ingenious difcourfe, from a difficult text, Mark, ix. 49, 50 For every one fhall be falted with fire, &c. On this paffage the Preacher has fome critical remarks; and at the fame time he addreffes both clergy and laity in a ferious and ufeful manner. conjectures concerning the word rug in the above paffage, that it may be a variation from the original reading, and obferves, that grupo, or, contractedly, mugor, is ufed by Homer to fignify the wheaten cake prefented to the guests at an entertainment; and farther, that the meat offering ordained by Mofes was a wheaten cake; on which confiderations he modeftly afks, whether we might not read the text, For every wheaten cake (or meat offering) fhall be falted; and every facrifice shall be jalted with falt. As an illuftration and fupport of this account, he refers to Levit. ii. 13. from whence the paffage might be a quotation. We allow every merit to the Author's ingenuity, and efteem his diffidence. How far he may be right we prefume not to determine; at prefent we feem rather inclined to the explication he afcribes to Dr. Hurd (though of much older date), which fuppofes the expreffion of being falted with fire alludes to perfecutions, felf denial, and other afflictions. The Sermon breathes a fpirit of liberality and charity; and we are willing to perfuade ourfelves, that nothing inconfiftent with it is intended, when he speaks of the difpute concerning Eafer, which fo needlefsly divided the Christian church. It was (tays he) fettled at last by a general council, and the fmaller party denominated heretics; a cenfare which they may feem to have deserved-for their obftinate oppofition in an indifferent matter. The matter was indeed very indifferent; and therefore we should fuppofe Chriftian charity would not infift eagerly on either fide, but leave each quietly to enjoy their opinion. i. III. At Orange-ftreet Chapel, Leicester Fields, on the Death of Dr.

Peckwell. By John Townsend. 8vo. 6d. Matthews. Contains fome ferious remarks on mortality, with a short encomium on Dr. Peekwell, as a man, a Chrifian, and a minifter. To this Mr. T. defigned to have fubjoined an account of the fingular circumstances of the Doctor's death; but the recollection (as he tells us) of his having been awakened and brought to an experimental acquaintance with the things of God under his preaching, to deeply affected him, that he found himfelf utterly incapable of executing this part of his intention.

* Late Rector of Bloxham, &c.

For

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For fuch an omiffion, in a difcourfe delivered extempore, this might be allowed as an excufe. When, however, the Sermon went to the prefs, this defect might eafily have been fupplied, and his readers put in poffeffion of what affection kept from his hearers. We wonder that this was not done, as he must have known the various reports circulated in the public papers, concerning the caufe of Dr. Peckwell's death. hoang

IV. Before the Mayor and Corporation of Rochester, for the Benefit of the Humane Society. By the Rev. John Ward Allen, A. M. Minor Canon of the Cathedral of Rochester. 8vo. 1s. Rivingtons. 1787.

From the words Go thou and do likewife, Mr. Allen exhorts his audience to acts of charity in general; and, defcribing the benefits which individuals and the Public have received from the Society, he more immediately recommends the fupport of fo laudable an inftitution.

As an Appendix, Mr. Allen has added fome reflections on premature death, with directions for the treatment of perfons apparently deprived of life. R-m V. Preached in the Parish-church of Wanftead, July 15, 1787, in confequence of his Majefty's Royal Proclamation. By Samuel Glaffe, D. D. F. R. S. &c. 8vo. Is. Robinfons. 1787. A judicious commentary on the late Proclamation, fhewing that it it confiftent with the principles of Christianity, and recommending to the audience a due obfervance of it. The text is, 1 Peter, ii. 17. 177!

Anfwers to Correfpondents will be given in our next Ap. pendix, now in the prefs, and intended for publication as ufual, at the fame time with our Number for January 1788.

+++ The tract entitled A Draught of a Bill for the Relief and Employment of the Poor was reviewed in our Number for April, 1787. 1st Langham's Sentences, and the Life of a blind Philofopher, concerning which T. W. enquires, cannot be found.

ERRATA in the Review for October laft.

P. 263, 1. 40, for 36726, read 36720.
Ib. After the laft line add,

Fines for leafes, on an average of ten years, from 1772
to 1782, exclufive of 27, 100l. paid for two grants
in fee,

Clear average produce in rents and fines per annum,

£. s. d.

7,700

23,383 18 8

We are obliged to the illiberal author of a paper in the Public Advertifer, for his information of the above omiffion (in the Article of the Land Revenue of the Crown) which must have happened through the inadvertence of our compofitor, or tranfcriber, we know not which; nor would that knowledge be material: it is enough that we have profited by the unfriendly attack of an ill-mannered writer,— who, himself, was unable to correct the mifprinted paffage.

Erratum in Review for Nov. p. 422, line laft, for ever, read every.

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