we cannot further enlarge. We are fully aware that, extended as this article is, it exhibits but a very imperfect epitome of the work itself; to which, after all, we must beg leave to refer those of our readers who would be more fully acquainted with the subject.

A Journey to Salem: containing a Description of that famous City, its Customs, Laws, and Privileges, the Rare Products of Immanuel's Land, and the Grand Prospect of Mount Zion; with an Account of many remarkable Incidents and distinguished Characters: An Allegory. By AMICUS. 18mo. pp. 120. 1s. 6d. Baynes.

duction of consequences. The fact, however, that books were preserved in the heathen temples which contained true prophecies of Christ, rests, as I have shewn you, upon the highest historical evidence. Nor does it rest alone upon the contents of those books which were preserved at Rome under the name of the Oracles of the Cumaan Sibyl; the same perhaps might be established by another work, which was of no less authority in the East, where it passed for the work of Hystaspes, a Persian Magus of high antiquity. I forbear however to exhaust your patience by pushing the inquiry any farther, and shall now dismiss the subject by cautioning you, not to take alarm at the names of a Sibyl ar a Magus. I assert, not that any of the fabled Sibyls of the old mythology uttered true prophecies, but that some of the prophecies which were ascribed to Sibyls were true prophecies, which the ignorant heathens IT is doubtful whether the celebrated ascribed to those fabulous personages, John Bunyan has proved himself the when the true origin of them was forgot-greater friend or the greater enemy ten. For Hystaspes, I will not too confidently assert that he was not the compi-makers. While on the one hand, to the tribe of allegorizing bookler of the writings which were current under his name; but I conceive he was the perusal of his Pilgrim has exonly the compiler from originals of high cited in the minds of numbers, who authority. And a Magus, in the old sense had the previous qualifications of a of the word, had nothing in common with little wit, a little genius, and a little the impostors that are now called ma- mind, to make his book a little gicians. The Magi were wise men who longer by some new fancies of their applied themselves to the study of nature and religion. The religion of the Per- tion of his work has given so just a own; on the other, the wide circulasians in the latest age that can be given to Hystaspes, if it was at all tainted with discrimination into the merits of this idolatry, was only tainted in the first de- kind of writing, that is always sure gree. And even in much later times to prove unfavourable to every rival Eastern Magi were the first worshippers candidate. Whenever a fresh spiritual of Mary's holy Child; which should re Allegory is announced, it is immemove any prejudice the name of a Magus diately put into the balance with the might create." Pilgrim's Progress, and is as sure to We have now furnished our read-be found wanting, and condemned. ers with an outline of this posthu-So that the poor Tinker has first mous production of Bishop Horsley, which, had he left us no other fruit of his pen, must of itself have impressed us with no ordinary degree of respect for his talents. We cannot indeed presume to enter into the feelings of others, nor anticipate the effects which our review of its contents may produce on our readers; but we do not hesitate to say that we have ourselves derived both pleasure and profit from it. It throws a considerable portion of light upon a dark and difficult subject; and, in our opinion, goes to correct some very popular mistakes which are prevalent in the religious world respecting the state of religious knowledge among the Gentiles, particularly in the time of Melchizedek, Abraham, and Job; but on this topic

created the writer, and then procured the condemnation of his production. The writings of Mitchell, Keach, and others would have been more admired and more read, had not John Bunyan overleaped all mediocrity, and monopolized all the praise to himself.

66

The writer of the present neat little volume pursues his hero's pilgrimage under the figure of a Journey to Salem ;" and perhaps some Christians may esteem it more consonant with their own feelings than the marvellous and tempestuous experience of Bunyan's Christian."It contains a goodly portion of interesting narration, lively descriptions, and spiritual enigmas, tracing the analogy of which to the facts and feelings they are designed to repro

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sent, cannot fail of being a pleasing | and profitable employment to the juvenile mind.

As a specimen of the ingenious and entertaining style of the writer, we select the narrative which Mr. Humble gives of his past life.

"Humble-The years of my youth were spent in the city of Superbia. I was a constant worshipper in the great Temple there. The rudiments of my education were received under a famous professor called Gamaliel, who fills the place

of an ancient doctor of the same name.

a

This work comes out as an anonymous production, but we can assure the author he has no need to be ashamed of his name. His must be a high reputation, that would be tarnished by such a work; and if he have no reputation, it will confer one on him. We recommend it as a very suitable Christmas present for young persons,

A Plea for Primitive Communion, occasioned by the Rev. R. Hall's recent publication on "Terms of

If nobody will undertake to blow it for you, blow it yourself, and resolve to make it heard. Mr. Shacklewell brought me some silken bonds which were prostrengthening me. Without them he said fessedly for the purpose of bracing and my principles would hang loose, and my religion might be easily torn away by the rude hand of violence or the silent and insinuating power of innovation. By these soft bonds, that ought to be called prejudices, I was so enwrapt and tied, as to be almost as much confined as Having such a teacher, and such comman loaded with fetters of iron. It would be difficult to say, whether my panions, my progress was rapid, and my` tutor was more distinguished for his expectation high. Touching the righ learning or his labour. By his guid-teousness of the law, I thought myself ance and assistance, I profited above blameless, and had no fear of death.” many of my equals, yet it ought to be confessed, that much of my progress was owing to the stimulating power of my associates, whose names were LovePraise, Merit, Moral-Rule, Boasting, and Shacklewell. These were almost always with me, and by their unceasing assiduity, instilled my principles and fixed my habits. They taught me to aspire after Moses' chair, which they daily set before me as the summit of honour. Young Love-Praise was the most active, for he was always awake, and as he had a fine ear for soft sounds, his appetite for honey was never cloyed, and his smell for incense and perfumes Communion." 8vo. 1s. 6d. Button. was exquisite. He made me two pre- We have not room, nor do we intend sents, which he said were of unspeakable at present to enter minutely into the value. The first was a magnet, having subject of this pamphlet, which we the property of attracting whatever understand has recently much agicame near it, to a centre point called Self; the second was a net curiously tated a particular section of the formed to catch compliments and flat-christian church. All we intend to teries from whatever quarter they should come, and however rapid in their flight, Mr. Merit taught me to weigh to the nicety of a scruple, my small tythes of mint, anise, and cummin; to make long prayers and loud talking proselytes; to keep the mind void of godliness, and quite full of vanity; to blow up the fire of zeal, and quench the sparks of charity: to bring in to God, the final Judge, a reckoning of great services and good works, as a fair title to heaven. Mr. Moral-Rule instructed me in the art of cutting down old stubborn precepts, and shaping and softening them to suit modern times. In this art I had so much skill as to make religion appear creditable even in the most fashionable company, by giving it the exact form and features which existing circumstances rendered necessary. Mr. Boasting gave me a trumpet capable of sending forth more sounds than all Nebuchadnezzar's instruments of music. This I was advised to employ according to the direction of Mr. Merit. Let the earth and sky, said he, ring with echoes.

say at present, in reference to this work is, that it is written in a very commendable spirit-that it appears to have entered into the very heart of the controversy—and that its conclusions at least wear the appearance of being honest deductions from acknowledged premises. We cannot help recommending its perusal to those who find their minds a little wavering, from the overwhelming tide of eloquence displayed in the pages of Mr. Hall's" Terms of Communion." We express no opinion on the subject ourselves, and only in order to introduce to their attenlay these remarks before our readers tion this very respectable pamphlet.

It is certainly our intention, ere long, to go into the discussion of this subject; and as we shall then be led into a more particular examination of Mr. Hall's pamphlet, we shall also notice any replies, to which, in the interval, it may have given rise.

CIRCULAR LETTER

TO THE BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX. [Concluded from p. 348.]

AS you value religion, therefore, in worthy of a little self-denial, and deserv your own souls, as you wish to please Goding of his most earnest regard. or enjoy him, as you desire a happy frame of mind, as you wish for good Sabbaths on earth, or hope for a never ending one in Heaven, beware of any indifference to the house of God on the Morning of the Sabbath day.

Fourthly and lastly, think of the rapid approaches of death, and endeavour to realise to yourselves the views and feelings you will then have of what you have been, and what you have done, and what you have left undone, when you are just going It is a to give in your account unto God. lamentable fact, there are not a few in our churches and congregations, who are all their life-long planting thorns in that pillow upon which at last they must lie down and die; and none are doing this more effectually than the carelesss and the slothful. "Ah, says one on a death bed, that I had been more actively engaged in the service of God!" O, cries another, in the anguish of his soul, that I could but live my time over again! What a different person would I be! O the sins I have committed, the duties I have neglected,-the Sabbaths I have murdered!' But it is in vain! He is just on the borders of Eternity; and all the wealth of worlds can neither purchase him a respite from death, nor afford him an opportunity of retrieving his condition for ever! O that they were

In the first place, watch and pray, as you value your souls, against a spirit of carelessness and indifference in religion Remember that the life of a christian is a life of self-denial. It is a race,- -a pilgrimage, a warfare !-Its exercises are described by wrestling, striving, watching and the like. And of all the drones in the world, drones in God's hive are the least deserving the approbation of the church, and the most under the frown of Heaven. The scripture probably contains no expression of displeasure more impressive than that which is addressed to the Lacedemonians, on this very subject," so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Yet it is astonishing how soon we may be beguiled into such a frame of mind. The commonness of religious exercises, the attractions of the world, and above all, the corruption of depraved nature, have a constant influence to produce this awful indifference. And few greater evidences can be afforded of it than the neglecting the worship of God in his sanctuary, or carelessly trifling with the Mor-wise, that they understood this, that they ning of a Lord's day.

Secondly, rise early. Your enjoyment of the Sabbath, and your attendance upon the worship of God in the morning of it, greatly depend upon this. If you have much to do before you can unite with God's people in his house, the time of your rising must be arranged accordingly. A lazy sluggish professor, who can satisfy himself with consuming the best part of the morning in bed, is but ill prepared for the service of his Maker in the course of it. And scandalous it certainly is to any one who names the name of Christ, that a man who would rise for a sixpence at almost any hour on any other day in the week, should shut his ears on the morning of a Sabbath, when God is calling to him from Heaven, and be lulled by the Devil

to sleep.

The conduct of the wicked, who can rise at any time to unite in a party of pleasure, the conduct of heathens, who are waiting the rising of the sun, in order to pay their earliest adorations to him as soon as he makes his appearance; in a word, the conduct even of Satan himself, who is always on the alert, to destroy if possible,

the comforts and souls of men, is a sufficient reproof to such individuals.

Thirdly, Endeavour to enjoy a good Saturday evening. It was a custom with the Jews to have a season of preparation, previous to the duties of the Sabbath, Their Sabbath began at six in the evening; and at three in the afternoon began the preparation. God grant us that auxiety for the enjoyment of the Sabbath, which will lead to a preparation for it, as far as we are able; and a good frame of mind on a Saturday evening will seldom lull a person to sleep, or make him indifferent about the worship of God on a Sabbath morning.

would consider their lattter end.

QUERY.

MR. EDITOR,

Solomon tells us, that “ Counsel in the heart of man is like deep waters, and a man of understanding will draw it out." This has encouraged me to propose the following Case for your consideration and decision. I have lately united myself to an institution where the professed object is to diffuse knowledge by means of lectures; and among subjects of philosophy and general literature, they have been in the habit of introducing lectures on some of the leading doctrines of the Gospel, delivered in general by Ministers or leading Christians. I have a particular friend, whom I am in the habit of consulting on every important subject, and to whose decisions I make it a point of conscience in general implicitly to yield; and he expresses his strong conviction of the injurious tendency of associating lectures on divinity in connexion with other subjects of philosophy or morals, on which account he strongly urges me to to give up my attendance upon them. Now, Mr. Editor, I wish to regard the counsel of my experi enced friend, and yet am loth to give up the lectures where I have often been entertained and instructed. I should be glad therefore to hear the opinion of yourself or any judicious friend, that my mind may be fully made up, and my conduct regulated accordingly.

I am yours, ?.

Religious and Literary Entelligence.

PERSECUTION OF THE PROTES

TANTS IN FRANCE.

5. That we have learned with astouishment and grief the state of our Protes tant Brethren in the South of France, ALTHOUGH this subject has now for who are suffering under the horrors of several months been more or less the topic persecution-their dwellings and properof conversation among the religious part ty ravaged or consumed, numbers of them of the community, we felt reluctant to driven into exile, their pastors silenced, introduce it into our Magazine, so long their temples shut up, their children as there remained room to question the dragged from the arms of their parents, correctness of the various reports that in order to be re-baptized according to were in circulation. The subject, how-the Roman Catholic ritual, and whole ever, now begins to assume an authentic families brutally massacred. shape, and we, therefore, intend to enter more particularly upon the consideration of it, in our Supplementary number, which we purpose publishing about the middle of this Month. In the mean time we are glad to find that the subject has been taken up by several public bodies among us, the Resolutions of which we now lay before our readers..

Ar an extraordinary Meeting of the general Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three Denominations, summoned to take into consideration the propriety of applying to his Majesty's Government to interpose their good offices with the Government of France, for the protection of the French Protestants, who appear to be suffering the most violent and inhuman persecution on account of their attachment to that Religion, in defence of which our forefathers shed their blood,--The Rev. D. TAYLOR, in the Chair. It was resolved,

1. That we have learned from our holy religion, and from happy experience, that liberty of conscience and of religious worship, is one of the best blessings of the Almighty Creator.

2. That enjoying this inestimable blessing ourselves through the signal mercy of Divine Providence, and the equity and liberality of the Legislature of these Realms, we cannot but desire its universal extension.

3. That we are prompted by the liveliest sympathy to take an interest in the condition of our Protestant brethren on the Continent of Europe, whose fathers, in concert with our own, at the period of the Reformation, recovered the precious rights of conscience at the expence of their property and lives.

4. That we had hoped from the experience of the inefficacy, impolicy and impiety of persecution, and from the spread of knowledge throughout Europe, that the time was at length come when religious liberty was universally acknowledged to be the inalienable birth-right of every human being.

VOL. I.

6. That our surprize and horror at these merciless deeds are aggravated by the recollection that the present Govern ment of France has been in a great measure restored and sustained by British treasure, British valour, and British blood, exertions and sacrifices, which his Majesty's Government has avowedly made for the promotion and preservation of the peace, independence and happiness of all Europe, and which must be considered as made in vain, if our French Protestant brethren be not protected by the restored Government of France, from the fury of savage persecutors, whether single or combined.

7. That we are not uninformed, that the events which we behold, with so much concern and alarm, are attempted to be accounted for and excused by the state of political patries in France-but that whilst, as ministers of religion, we hold it to be a sacred duty to stand aloof from all political factions, whether at home or abroad, we cannot suffer this pretext to deaden our sympathy with our suffering Protestant Brethren-because the history of persecution in all ages shows, that persecutors have done homage to liberty and charity, by disguising their cruelty under political pretences-and because, in the present instance, it appears that the Protestants of France, have been, and are, as much divided in their political opinion and predilections as any other body of Frenchmen-that the rage of the persecutors has been directed against Protestants without distinction, and that Protestants only appear to be the objects of their unchristian resentment and vengeance.

8. That the British Government has often distinguished itself by using its power and influence, with due respect to the indepenednce of other nations, on behalf of the injured and oppressed for conscience sake,—and that the august House of Brunswick have been justly and honourably considered, from the era of their happy accession to the Throne of these Realms, as the Protectors of the Prote tant interest of Europe,

3 c