creation of the world by an almighty being; the fix laft relate to the fall of man. Libra is the fymbol of the fabbath; Scorpio, or the ferpent, of the fall; Sagitarius the great deliverer; Capricorn the grand enemy of man, or the devil; Aquarius the troubles and miferies confequent on fin; Pifces the dead. In chap. v. the Doctor hopes to make it appear, that the twelve figus "contain not merely the hiftory of the paft, or the creation and fall of man, but alio announce the future, and contain the history of all the grand events which were to take place on the theatre of the world from its firft formation to its final diflolution, and the confummation of all things." (p. 81.) In chap. vi. the fame conclufions are attempted to be eftablished by means of the opinions which have been entertained, and the practices which have prevailed, among all nations; and it is endeavoured to be fhewn that they all arofe from the perfuafion, that the Zodiac contained the knowledge of futurity. In chap. vii. the Mythology of Greece is attempted to be tranflated from Natural Language. In chap. viii, the objections to this hypothefis are briefly confidered. In chap. ix. the ufes to be derived from this fyftem are pointed out. 223. Reflections on War. A Sermon, preached at the Baptift Meeting at Cambridge, on Tuesday, June 1, 13 2, being the Day of Thanksgiving for a general Peace. By Robert Hall, M. A. "THE writer is not aware that the fentiments contained in this difcourfe require apology; though he is convinced he needs the candour of the publick with refpect to the imperfect manner in which they are exhibited. If it be deemed an impropriety to introduce political reflections in a difcourfe from the pulpit, he wishes it to be remembered that there are of a general nature; and the occafion he cannot fuppofe it improper for a Chrifiian minifter to imprefs. With party polities he is determined to have as little to do as poffible; and in the excreife of his profeffional duties nothing at all. Confcious that what is here advanced was meant neither to flatter nor offend any party, he is not very folicitous about thofe mifconftruétions or mifreprefentations to which the pureft intentions are expofed. It will probably be obferved that he has dwelt too much on the horrors of war for a thanksgiving fermon; in answer to which, he begs it may be remembered, that as the pleafure of reft is relative to fatigue, and that of eafe to pain, fo the bieffing of peace, confidered merely as peace, is exactly proportioned to the calamity of war. As this, whenever it is jutiifiable, arifes out of a neceflity, not a defire of acquifition, its natural and proper effect is merely to replace a nauon in the ftate it was in before that neceffity was incurred, or, in other words, to recover what was loft, and fecure what was endangered. The writer intended to add fomething more on the moral effects of war (a fubject he fhould be glad to fee undertaken by fome fuperior hand), but found it would not be compatible with the limits he determined to affign himself. The fermon having been printed for the benefit of a benevolent fociety, infituted at Cambridge, will fufficiently account for the obfervations on charity to the poor introduced towards the clofe. The good which has already arifen from the exertions of that fociety is more than equal to the most fanguine expectations; and fhould this publication contribute in the fmalleti degree to the formation of fimilar ones in other parts, the author will think himfelf abundantly compenfated for the little trouble it has coft him." We congratulate the publick, as well as the Baptift congregation at Cambridge, on poflefling a fucceffor to their late paftor, of principles and temper fo different with refpect to religion and political party. The text is Pfalm xlvi. ver. 89. The introduction may ferve as a specimien of the author's inanner, which is at once temperate and animated, difcriminating and impreflive. "To the merciful interpofition of Providence we owe it that our native land has been exempted, for nearly 60 years, from being the feat of war, our infular fituation having preferved us, under God, from invafion, and the admirable balance of our confiitution from internal difcord. We have heard, indeed, of the ravages of armies and the depopulation of countries; but they have merely fupplied a topic of difcourte, and have occafioned no ferious alarm. The military fyftem, as far as it has appeared in England, has been feen only on the fide of its gaiety and pomp; a pleafing thew, without imparting any idea of its horror; and the rumour of battles and flaughter conveyed from afar have rather amufed our leifure than difturbed our repose.” 224. A Sermon, preached at Millhill Chapel, in Leeds, on the late Day of Thanksgiving for the Restoration of Peace. Published as the Request of the Congregation. By William Wood, F. L. S THOUGH this fermon does not boaft the originality and depth of thinking with the preceding, from the fame text, it is not undeferving of an attentive perufal. 225. The only Security for Peace A Sermon, preached at the Meeting-boufe of the Protelant Diffenters in Sidmouth, Devonthire, on fuelday, June 1, 1802, being the Day appointed for a national Thankfgiving on Account of the Peace between Great Britain, France, &c. By Edmund Butcher. Publifked by Request. NOT remarkable for any novelty of fentiment, and rather fwoln in fiyle. Text, Pla. lxxxv. 10. 226. The Profpect of future univerfal Peace confidered, in a Sermon preached in the Bap. tijt Chapel in Taunton, in the County of Somerfe, on the 1st of June, 1802, being the Day of nati nal Thankgiving for the Peace. By jothua Toulin, D. D. TEXT, Ifa. ii. (no verfe given: but part of 4). Dr. T. flatters himself circumliances tend to produce a change of fentiment refpecting war, likely more gradually to banish it from the world. They inuft have taken place then fince Oct. 1, 1801; for, till the fudden fignature of the preliminaries, the fury of war was by no means abated. Peace was expedient for the tyrant who had depopulated and overturned Europe to eliablish his empire; and to the oppreffed and plundered nations, whether his fubjects or his allies, it was not lef's neceffary to recruit their exhaufted ftrength and fpirits. Conmerce, fo far from preventing war, has often urged rival nations to it, and, unlefs we can fuppofe the love of gold cooperating with the love of peace, we have no great reafon to prefume on quiet gain. It is a pleafing fpeculation to indulge in the progrefs of Chriftian principles: but are we fure peace is pre-eminently diftinguifhed by moral houetly as much as by boatted humanity? Till we fee an end to the fpirit of political party difplayed in parliamentary elections, and the fpirit of robbery defying the beft regulated police, what mult we think of the influence of Virtue and moral obligation? We may look forward with hope to better times, and to predictions which "bear marks in their nature of a divine original, of an inspiration from that Being whofe councils reach through all time; predictions which at leaft give an importance and dignity to the prophetic character, and thould fcreen it from the contempt with which fome have treated it ;" and we may concur in our endeavours to promote the accomplishment of thele predictions by encouraging early benevolence. 227. A Serman, preached in the Parish Church of Witham, in Effex, on Tuesday, the in of June, 180, being the Day appointed for a general Thanksgiving to Alighty God for putting an End to the late bloody, extended, and expenfive War. By the Rev. Will am James Aiflabie, M. A. late of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. WE have reviewed an ordination fermon by this gentleman, p. 335; and we can recominend the prefent as an appropriate comment on Pla. xlvi. 8, 9, 10, 11, which he has chofen for his text. After painting the horrors of war pathetically, he recommends the improvement of the duties of peace. "Aet and dutiful fubmiffion to government, and a patient acquiefcence in the additional burthens which the war has entailed upon us, will become the lower orders and degrees of the people much better than firife and clamour, which have fometimes defeated the wifeft measures of public utility. But the events of the late conteft have been fo fingularly variable, the ftrength and refources of the different powers engaged in it have been fubject to fuch alarmning vicillitudes, that they have raifed in the great body of the people an infatiable curiofity, degenerating into a reftlefs and unprofitable spirit, which fpirit, moreover, has been encouraged by the effrontery, and fed by the trafh of political fcribblers, until the loweft of the people, forfaking their ufual employment, have, to their own vexation, erected themselves into courts of judicature, and prefumed to exercife the province of judges over thofe meatures which it is impollible for them to underftand. Let it be one of the happy features of the peace, to call off this ufeful order from those matters which are too high for them, and to refiore them to a fober applica tion to the duties of their refpeétive callings. To effectuate this, let it be the earneft endeavour of their fpiritual and temporal fuperiors to infiil into their minds the abfurdity and danger of this uneafy and dangerous practice; to convince them how foolish it is to obfruct the wheels of government, and, by counteracting its intentions, to in creafe that expence which they muft themfelves ultimately contribute to difcharge. Let them wifely be perfuaded, that their own induftry is the ftrength and finews of their country. When the nation is thus returned to its old good nature, its old good manners, and its old good humour, peace will unfold its bleflings in their genuine proportions, and all orders and degrees of people, each rank, age, and fex, will difcern and acknowledge its excellency and pre-eminence." (pp. 13, 14.) 228. A Picture of Monmouthshire; or, An Abridgment of Mr. Coxe's Historical Tour in Monmouthshire. By a Ludy. THE merits of Mr. C.'s hiftorical Tour in Monmouththire are generally acknowledged, and few works have ben fo univerfally admired; but, from the iize, it is too bulky for the traveller, and, from the cofilinefs of the decorations, the price is too high for the common purchafer. This little book, therefore, owes its origin to a few mintes made for the ufe of a friend, which proved of great fervice in pointing out the objects mott worthy obferration. Judging from this effay, that an abtract of Mr. C.'s interefting Tour would be particularly agreeable to thofe who visit the county, and not unaeceptable to the publick in general, I applied to the author for permiffion to publish this abridgment, which he readily granted." Advertisement. 229. tergamy; or, An Apology for the Marriage of the Roman Catholic Priefs without a Difpenfation. In a Letter to the Rev. J. A. from the Rev. John-Anthony Gregg. IF there ever was a time when an apology for celibacy was neceflary for priests of every denomination it is the prefent, when even a small portion of the good things of this world falls to the lot of fo few of them. The author of this pamphlet, a converted Catholic prieft, couverted by his good fenfe to Proteliant difcretion, with much fhrewdnefs and fair argument fhews, that Grace is not fuperior to Nature in drawing off the thoughts from the fatal tree of knowledge in the midst of the garden; that fuch an effort was never intended for man by his Maker. “I maintain that this celibacy can be of no advantage to the mind; and, having no more connexion with the mind than with nature itfelf, it can be furnished from neither of them with fuccours or means of competency to its end. It is no more belonging to the underflanding and will than it is related to the confiitution of the fexes. It is not a native of this world, and in heaven they never wanted fuch a thing. On earth it is at molt a fufpicious outlandith man, with a foul much too grofs and unregenerate-to be allied to the pure fpirit of the empyreal virginity." (p. 26.) "However, then, the Komith ecclefiaftical celibacy may addrefs itfelf to reafon, it can thence derive no found title to establish its rights in the undertanding, and confequently in religion. To be finally comperent to this end, it fhould be able to ap peafe infuppreffive inftinét, to filence the most eloquent of the paffions, and thus fecure the mind from the free importunities of thefe fo troublesome relatives and guests. Till celibacy, with all its privations, can effect this, it must ever be regarded as incompetent to its great end." (p. 27.) "I relumed, then, the reins of my own difcretion, thinking I had an unalienable right to do fo, and I found at last and took up poor Matrimony on the road of truth. I could more elucidate the general fubject, but I have adapted it to another work, which I beg leave foon to expofe, as conveying deep thoughts to the mercurial, and pleafant ones to the faturnine. If temporizing means changing our opinions like the Vicar of Bray, I have taken the wrongeft course in the world. Even to this prefent hour we both hunger and thirst. But if temporizing may imply fquaring one's conduct to the principles now fairly embraced by the undertanding, I certainly do temporize, and, I think, with truth and justice on my fide. At the fame time, I entertain fo high a respect for religious and rational fociety, that I fhould fcorn to be admitted to any rank or place in either, if through mean favour or weak partiality." (p. 29-31.) 230. An Essay on the Methol of illafrating Scripture from the Relations of meden Tra wellers vellers in Palefine and the neighbouring Countries. By John Foster, B A. Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge. ford, May 16, 1802. By George Stanley Faber, M. A. Fellow of Lincoln College. IN this difcourfe, whofe text is TOO much commendation cannot Ephef. vi. 19, 20, Mr. F. endeavours be bestowed on thofe who apply their to eftablifh two pofitions; 1. that "no reading to this purpofe. The fuccefs man can lawfully arrogate to himself with which it may be purfued will the office of a minifter of the Gospel, ftrongly appear from the conformity but that he muft receive his ministry between the Hindoo traditions with from thofe who have power to grant the Mofaic narrative. For this we are it" and 2. that "fuch power does not indebted firit to Sir W. Jones, and at belong to prefbyterians, but is vetted his infiigation to Mr. Maurice. This in bithops." From the authority of conformity Mr. F. briefly tates, in ac- Scripture and the cafe of St. Paul, who commodation to the generality of read- received this power as ambaffador from ers, who have not opportunity of en- fome prince, which is God, as a king tering into detailed comparifon. Befides poflefling unlimited power, fending him a variety of interefting conformities, as his aballador for the purpofe of the curfe of Noah on Ham is particu- treating with then as his rebellious fublarly preferved in the Hindoo books. jects, with the offer of a free pardon, fuch Mr. F. has done juftice to his fubject. as no perfon can offer without a comHis "obfervatious are fufficiently nume million. "Hence a felf-appointed rous to establish the method which we evangelift, without any delegated authofhould purfite of illuftrating Scripture rity, is the very fame anomaly in the from the relations of modern travellers fpiritual world that a felf-appointed in Palestine and the neighbouring amballador, without any credentials, is countries. By quoting when it is prac in the political." Our Saviour deleticable the pallages to be illuftrated at gated a divine commillion to preach large and in order, we thall fave the the Goipel to the eleven Apoftles, and inconveniency of perpetually recurring appointed St. Paul to execute the office to the Sacred Volume, and by ftating of an ambaffador in a fpecial and miwith precision the modern Oriental raculous manner. All the Apofiles depractices, which coincide with thofe rived their authority immediately from that are particularly mentioned, or ac- Chrift; in virtue of fuch authority, cidentally hinted at in the Bible, we and not from the enthufiafiic impuffe fhall avoid the prolixity of detail, which, of ancommiffioned zeal, proclaim glad above all men, writers of travels have tidings of great falvation to all the facarried to a ridiculous excefs. It fre- milies of the earth. The fucceffors of quently happens that the fame image the Apofiles must have received their recurs in the fame and different autho-commiillions from the Apofiles, or have rities of the Old and New Teftament. In inftances of this kind it will generally be fufficient to quote one of the paffages, and refer the reader to the others. A work conducted on thefe principles, and combining in its plan the illuftration of patlages which relate as well to antient as to modern practices, would ferve as a regular treatife of perpetual reference, and afford one evidence among many of the conformity of the Sacred Writings with the voice of truth, of nature, and of art." (p. 46.) Our increafing acquaintance with the Eatt, and more particularly with Egypt, will prove an ufeful fource of materials for fuch a work. 231 Divine Authority, conferred by Episcopal Ordination, neceffary to a legitimate Difcharge of the Chriftian Minitry. A Cermon, preached b fore the University of Ox GENT. MAG. December, 1802. exercited their miniftry without any commiflion. But we find Timothy poffeffed the authority of ordination"; and no perfon had a right to officiate as an evangelift till he had previously reeceived impofition of hands, as in the cafe of Matthias. In all ages the church of Chrift has been governed by three diftinct orders, bishops, prefbyters, and deacons. Ignatius, who intimately knew the mind of St. John, his contemporary, confirms this. If, then, the exilience of three different orders be fatisfactorily proved, the other part of the queftion, that " prefbyters, as fuch, have no right to grant a commillion to preach the Gofpel," will follow almoft of courfe; for, it is not ealy to conceive, when the government of the church was vefied in the hands of bifhops, that prefbyters could ever have poffeffed the power of ordaining prefbyters, prefbyters, and that even in direct oppofition to the will of the bithop, were they fo inclined. I think, however, that granting epifcopi and prefbyteri to be diftinct appellatives, we may collect from Scripture itself the prefent mode of appointing minifiers; a mode, in fact, which appears to be the very faine as that adopted by the church of England. St. Paul exhorts Timothy, in his epifcopul capacity, to lay hands fuddenly on no man; and, in the fame Epifle, he reminds him that he was himfelf ordained with the laying on of the hands of the prefbytery." 232. A Sermon, preached on the Anniversary of the Royal Humane Society, at Grosvenor Chapel, the 4th of April; at Holy Rood Church, Southampton, 2016 of June; and at St. Helier's Church, Jerfey. By Richard Valpy, D. D. FROM the year 1775 to 1802 Twenty-eight Divines of the Efiablithed Church, eininent for their abilities and benevolence, have exerted their oratory, and the influence of a truly Chriftian fpirit, in fupport of this moft excellent and useful Inftitution The approving comments of found judgment having heretofore afcribed the praife and honour that has been juftly due to thofe who have gone before Dr. Valpy in the labour of good will and good works, room only is left to fay a few words refpeéting the prefent production. Without meaning to depreciate in the remoteft degree from the efforts of others, we fcruple not to fay that the difcourfe now before us, though last, is not leaft in comparative or fierling merit. The addrefs to thofe whole lives were preferved laft year from im-s pending death by this Society; the concluding prayer; the hiftorical and claffical Notes, illufirative of fuch paffages as would not admit of explanation in the delivery of this Sermon; are fo re plete with learning, fair and difpaffionate reafoning, founded on the moft unanfwerable proofs from facred and profane writing, that the feeptic is difarmed and the quibbler put to filence. On the whole, Dr. Valpy, in this difcourfe, has proved himself a foreible as well as elegant orator, divine, and fcholar. 233. The Maid of Lochlin, a Lyrical Drama; with Legendary Odes, and other Poems. By Witham Ricardfon, M. 4. Profeffor of Humanity in the University of Glagow. THE fubject of this poem is taken from Fingal; but, though the peculiar fentiments and machinery of that performance are judiciously introduced into it, the compofition is not a tifflue of Offianic imagery and phrafeology. With the exception of a few expreflions, fuch as "king of woody Morven," the dialogue has the features of originality. It is in general animated without turgidity, and characteriftic without obfcurity. The Gothic mythology is happily employed, and has a powerful effect. The firain of the lyric part is of a higher mood than that of the dramatic dialogue, and rivals, in the epithala mium and other paffages, the most fuccefsful imitations of the Scandinavian poetry. Of the fhort poems fubjained, the Elegiac Verfes, written at Eton College, on the Profpect of leaving Britain," poffefs in a high degree the merit of refined fentiment, of an ele gant and feeling mind. The vertes on the "Drawing of a Cafeade in Stirling thire," are delicate and well-turned, and are rendered peculiarly valuable by the notes refpe&ting Smollett and Buchanan. We fubjoin, as a fpecimen of the lyrical part, the following fianzas from the prophetic fpeech of a Scandinavian pontiff. "Sudden, on leathern wing, Why round me flits the noisome bird of night? What fell foreboding would thy vigil bring? "Darkness unusual dims Foul shape, avaunt! terrific hags, away!" We add the following as a fpecimen of the author's fentiment and imagery in the dramatic part: "Weak and unwife, and traitors to the weal Who own not nor revere the Pow'r that Role |