A Roger Bacon, Dun Scotus, &c. Even But does this prove the preached. the immortal Wickliffe seems to have his excellencies nearly poised by his failings; while poor William Smith and Swyndurby are deemed fit objects of ridicule. Did these men offend our Author by becoming Lollards, or by presuming to preach the doctrines of Wickliffe? To whom were they to look for ordination, if they had desired it Or were they called to let their religion zadie with themselves? Undoubtedly they acted upon principle; and they adopted the plan of itinerancy from Austin and oththey son before them aries; or rather they set before selves the zealous examples of the apostles. Why then, in the name of Truth and Charity, should Mr. G. des secrate a page by exposing the weaknesses of these men, or their original ignorance and poverty?" The account of the Reformation, during the reign of Henry the Eighth, with the character of that monarch, displays considerable ability and impartiality. Henry's occasional moderation towards his Catholic and Protestant subjects may be instructive to some of our readers to cite; have been general? There is one main riousness which must surely be felt by er is the Fathers that Bishop of the Nonconformists. He seems to think that the opinion of Mr. Neale, That the Reformers were not satisfied with the existing state of church-discipline,' is an assertion incapable of being supported. But Neale refers to John a Lasco, to King Edward's opinions, to Bucer, to Bullinger, to Burnet, and to Pierce. What further testimonies to a fact so notorious and so self-evident, Introductory Dissertation on the PriMr. G. requires, we cannot mitive Church, and the Church of He thinks proper to mention that England as modelled on it;Chap. 9, Hooper, before his death, bitterly regretted his warmth about the vestments; but he makes no mention of the contemptuous manner with which Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer speak of them when they were disrobed by the Papists. What changes does the prospect of death maké on a man's mind! Ridley at one time depriving and imprisoning Hooper for not wearing that apparel, which, at the close of life, he pronounces to be foolish and abomis nable! In reviewing the reign of Mary, the character of that princess and her persecuting co-adjutors, with those of Cranmer and the noble confessors of the truth, are well-drawn portraits. The origin of the Puritans is briefly noticed; but no censure is passed on Dr. Cox for breaking up the Puritan Church at Frankfort. The Baptists, Sabbatarians, and Gospellers come next under our Author's animadversion. A concise but fair account is given of the Baptist denomination, accompanied by a short but learned refutation of their peculiar tenets. the Reign of James I; with an Appendix on the several English Transla-r tions and Editions of the Bible;— Chap. 10, the Reign of Charles I, to! the Civil War;Chap. 11, from the breaking out of the Civil War to the Death of Charles; with an Appendix on the Quinquarticular Controversy; Chap. 12, the Commonwealth, including a Statement and Refutation of the Tenets of the Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, Antinomians, Southcottians, Quakers, &c. It would be unsuitable to our work, and uncongenial to our feelings, to follow Mr. G. through the labyrinths of controversy, and the dogmas of bigotry, in which he has involved him self in the Introductory Chapter; yet we are happy to remark, that, through the help of a good broad definition or two, with a portion of that 'charity that hopeth all things,' his dogmas often merge in Christian feeling, and his labyrinths occasionally open on a path, broad and plain, in which the Episcopalian and Nonconformist may walk in their way to a kingdoin in which the distinction of Churchman and Dissenter is known no more.' There are too many partialities and omissions, in Mr. G.'s summary of Elizabeth's reign to entitle him to any The Independents fully agree with praise for an impartial statement of Mr. G. in his definitions (p. 3) that the facts, or for candid reasoning on those term Church in Scripture is taken events which he submits to his reader's generally; that it designates a Body, attention. Having given the Puritans united and indissoluble; and consetheir full measure of exposure and quently whenever the phrase presents censure, he deems Elizabeth's dispo- itself in a more contracted sense, it is sition to persecute them inexcusable; synonymous with that portion of the but he might have saved himself this General Church which is in the house concession, if he had previously proved of Nymphas, or in Jerusalem, or in what he insinuates (p. 452) that the England. He adds, In noticing Puritans had 'an hatred as inveterate these distinctions, we seem to have to the prerogatives of the crown, as to detected a leading error of the Indethe rites of the established church, pendents; who, while they affirm that Elizabeth discerned no such thing, every congregation constitutes a disexcept in the conduct of a few mistinct church, lose sight of the more guided fanatics. As for the body at large, let their memorials, their peti tions, and their actions be cited as a proof that this is neither more nor less thanda vile, calumny. The volume concludes with an Appendix on the grounds on which the Church of Eng land separated from that of Rome, taking the charge of the present Bishop of Darham as a text-book on this, subject. The reasoning through out is clear, cogent, and masterly., won The contents of Vol. II are, **་ comprehensive meaning of the term Church in Scripture, &c. This is a gross error, or a perverse misrepresentation; and his reasoning upon it is illogical and futile in the extreme. Each corporate town in the kingdom is a distinct body; ergo, the thousand corporations are fragments incapable of being joined together into a whole to form the body corporate of the state! How absurd and childish! Besides, it is a notorious fact, that no church, no religious body in Christendommens to a D tertains more liberal and comprehen- ing with him at his witticisms, while sive views of the Church of Christ than the Independents. We have alluded to the charity and bigotry of our Author; and we must cite a specimen of each:-'Let it be, observed, however, that in excluding from the pale of the visible church the conscientious Dissenter upon principle, principle established on the basis of impartial investigation, unfeigned humility, &c. we would by no means be understood as pronouncing against him an anathema, as debarring him from the inheritance of salvation. We presume to deal around us no such bolts,' &c. p. 11. Very good; but let us hear how the Author's bigotry balances the account, and nullifies this Christian charity:- Pursuing an authorized way to Heaven, we cannot assure those brethren who go not along with us, that their by-paths will certainly lead them thither. Lead thither they may; sincerely do we hope they will; but we have no written sanction for speaking of them with stronger confidence. Denizens of the New Jerusalem by charter (the charter of Harry the Eighth we presume!) we pretend not to determine absolutely, that no act of special favour will extend the like privilege to professors varying from us in opinion: but we have received no sealed authority from the king to grant them the freedom of the city. To employ a phrase not the less insignificant or excellent because it has been derided and despised, we leave them to the uncovenanted mercies of God!' Thus complacently does this privileged denizen of the New Jerusalem sing a Lullaby to the Church, while, with equal composure, he chaunts the funereal, the damnatory dirge, over all the sectaries in the kingdom! Having read the volume with the most minute attention, we were on the point of detecting many of Mr. G.'s errors in his historical narrative; of exposing his unqualified abuse of Daniel Neale,*of pitying his partialities and weaknesses, of chopping a little logic with him, of laugh - Perhaps Mr. G. took umbrage, like One of the Quarterly Reviewers, at the manly and frank portrait of the worthy Memorialist, whe evidently prejudged the work, because of the broad contour of his phiz. Risum teneatis amici? we condemn his buffoonery, of calling him to order and to reason at once for his ignorance and scurrility in his review of the Quinquarticular Controversy,-of shewing the absurdity of tagging such a long account of poor Southcott to his report of the Commonwealth, and of ranking her and her adherents among the Sectaries, when it is notorious that almost the whole bundle of fanatics were clergymen, and other enlightened members of the Establishment! &c. &c.; but Candour, or Pity, cries 'Forbear." Yet in his exposure of Joanna, and of Huntington, and their respective followers, he has shewn the most commendable diligence and fidelity. He is also equally happy in giving his judgment of the Quaker's opinions and peculiarities; and in some other points of minor interest we applaud his discrimination. But the Author has obviously failed, through having attempted too much, He is aware, however, that the labour is such as no praise or emolument he is likely to receive will ever adequately remunerate.' Such being exactly his somewhat gloomy forebodings, we must at parting invite all those Churchmen, who see nothing but perfection in the Establishment, nothing in dissent but party-spirit, misery, and eternal condemnation, and nothing in poor Calvinism but horror and despair in this world and the next;- we must invite all such beings to an intellectual feast. And we submit it to their generosity, that while their libraries are enriched with such a work as this Summary, they will forthwith devise an adequate remuneration for its laborious Author. Some Account of the Rev. T. Robinson, M. A. of Leicester; with a Selection of Original Letters. By the Rev. E. T. Vaughan, M.A. 8vo, 12s. UNDER this modest title we find a valuable article of biography, rendered doubly interesting by the deserved celebrity of the subject, and the variety of incident and observation therewith connected. Mr. R.'s character is already immortalized by the eloquent oration of Mr. Hall, which was given in our Magazine for September, 1813; and we shall not now enter into the particulars of his life, ag we mean to take the first convenient opportunity of devoting a few more pages to his memory. We do not however admire Mr.V.'s method of continuing the life in one unbroken narrative of 300 pages, without any division of chapter or section to relieve the attention of the reader, though we confess the variety of incident and observation did not suffer us to feel ennui or weariness. We were particularly interested in the controversy between our author and the Messrs. Ludlam, though we were grieved at their conduct and lamented the personalities. The next 100 pages nearly, are devoted to observations on Mr. R.'s public ministry and writings, which were rather popular than accurate, and pursued the one object of his life, that of doing good to souls. At the end of these we have about 40 familiar letters, or parts of letters, to his friends, full of piety and unction ; and the last pages characterize his mind and ministerial labours. We have little room for extracts; and among so much excellent matter should be at a loss to make selections; but we cannot forbear the insertion of two or three anecdotes, which, we doubt not, will highly gratify our readers, and lead them eagerly to peruse the volume. 'Mr. Robinson used to speak of Mr. Romaine's manner of preaching with much feeling and affection. Patting his breast, he would say, "he seemed to be eating and relishing the food of his own words, which was 'sweeter than honey to the taste." With a subject little varied, he spoke as though it were always quite new. "Have you changed your subject yet Mr. Romaine?" said Mr. Robinson. No brother; my subject is still the same-waiting faith,' p. 249. ་ Mr. Robinson preached for Mr. Cecil on several successive Sundays during his last illness. "What did you preach about yesterday, brother?" said Mr. Cecil. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,' &c. (2 Cor. v. 20.)"Right, brother, Christ your subject! what do you think of preaching about next Sunday?"-Even the righte ousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ," &c. (Rom. iii, 22-24)-"Right again! more of Christ: were I to preach again, I would preach nothing else." p. 257. Our venerable Monarch (whom God restore!) once asked Mr. R. "What are you publishing now at Oxford? Some of the principal works of the fathers of our Reformation,' said Mr. R. lish church." There were glants in the referring to the 'The Fathers of the Engearth in those days," replied his Majesty, with that quickness and pertinency for which he has often been admired.'. (p. 245. N.) has not favoured us either with an Index or We regret that Mr. VTable of Contents. Authors who cannot stoop to the drudgery of this, may always be directed by their printer to some person who would do it at a moderate expence; and certainly no volume of this extent should be without. 7 Sermons, designed chiefly for the Use of Villages and Families. By Thornhill Kidd. Two vols. 8vo, price 16s. IN our Review for June, 1814, page 217, we expressed our approbation of the first volume (then printed in 12mo); and we think the second equally entitled to commendation. Mr. Kidd's selection of subjects is judicious- his doctrine uniformly evangelical, yet always practical-his divisions natural-his style easy and there is a rich unction of gospel piety familiar, - and what is still better, which pervades the whole, and renders his discourses very acceptable to the religious public. The first volume was extremely well received; and we doubt not that this will find equal favour in the eyes of judicious Christians. 8. The subjects are, 1. The swelling of Jordan, Jer. xii. 5.;-2. The Conversion of Manassch, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 13.;-3. Mercy to Penitents, Jer. xxxi. 20.;--4. Paul an Example of Mercy, 1 Tim. i, 16.;-5. Paul's Prayer before Agrippa, Acts xxvi. 29.; 6. The Piety of Abijah, (to young persons} 1 Kings xiv. 13.;-7. The Recompence of Piety, Ps. xxii. 26.; Christ feeding the Multitude. Matt. xiv. 15. &c. ;-9. The Prayer of Jesus on the Cross, Luke xxiii. 34. ;-10. The Design of God in Affliction, Job X. 2-11. Divine Consolation, Isa. 1xvi. 13;-12. Repentance, Rom. ii. 4-13. Abraham the Friend of God, James ii. 23.;-14. The Water of Life, John iv. 14-15. The Light of Truth, Ps, cxix. 130.¡—16, Salutary Dia course, Rom. xv. 4;-17. The Ten Lepers cleansed, Luke xvii. 17.; 18. Secking God in Trouble, Job xxiii. 3, 4.;-19. A Prayer in prospect of death, Ps. xxxix.13;-Warning to Mockers, Isa. xxviii. 22.;-21. The Israelites at Bochim;-22. Spiritual Knowledge attained, 1 Cor. ii. 12.; 23. The Stranger's Prayer, Ps. cxix. 19.-24. Profitable Remembrance, Dent. ix, 7. ;—25. The Followers of Jesus, Rev. xix. 4.-26. Grace and Righteous ness, Rom. v. 17.--Christ able to save, Heb. vii. 25. This last is a Funeral. Sermon for a relation of the author, Miss Martha Rhodes; the Sermon is very excellent, and the account of her dying experience very affecting and profitable. The volume closes with a few pathetic Lines in Memory of the deceased, by her sister. We wish we had room for extracts, but we must be content with expressing our warm approbation of both vo lumes, and recommend them to our readers, especially for the use of familes. Socinianism Unmasked: a Review of which related to American Unita. A Map of the World; in which is re- WE are glad to see this American publication reprinted in London, together with the spirited and masterly Review of it, which appeared in that useful periodical work, entitled, The to the Author in its execution, and is Panoplist, which was noticed in our so coloured as to represent the differlast volume, page 455. The historyent religions of the world, all the of the publication is shortly this: present Missionary stations are also Mr. Belsham, in his Life of Lindsay, marked, with a reference to the diffewas anxious to report the promising rent Societies which support them. progress of Unitarianism in America; Two statements are given of the popufor which purpose he took the liberty lation of the world: one from Mr. of publishing the private letters of Pearson's Prize Essay, which reckons Dr.Priestley, Dr.Freeman, Mr.Wells, it at 1000 millions; the other at 700, and other gentlemen of that class, which nearly corresponds with that in letters which, in some instances, dis- Mr. Williams's Dictionary of Reliclosed the secret and artful measures gions (p. 335) and probably with mattaken sap the foundations of the ter of fact; and his Appendix would faith, and lead the people form an appropriate Commentary on into Socinianism. This dis- Mr. S.'s Map, which we cordially reclosure was so unwelcome to the gen commend, not only in a geographical, tlemen concerned, and whose ma- but in a religious view, exhibiting in neuvres were unexpectedly disclosed, a striking manner the necessity of that Mr. Belsham's book was kept Missionary exertions, since it appears secret in America for a considerable that, to the present day, not one time, but being discovered by the fourth of mankind are acquainted orthodox, those parts of the volume with Christianity in any of it forms. |