mon belief of the Christian churches at the time of this council. It is impoffible to affign any probable caufes for the general prevalence of this opinion, upon the fuppofition that the doctrine of the proper humanity of Chrift was of apoftolic authority. It is therefore most reasonable to conclude, that the Nicene doctrine had been transmitted, through the three first centuries, to these fathers as the pure doctrine of Chriftianity.

The argument is ftated by our Author in its full ftrength; and whatever be thought of its validity, it must be confeffed, that the pamphlet is written with great ingenuity, and in a very candid

manner.

Art. 60. A Practical and Explanatory Commentary on the Holy Bible, taking the whole in one Point of View, from the Creation to the End of the World. By J. Yonge. 4to. 10s. 6d. Faulder. 1787. The point of view in which the Scriptures are here confidered, is their reference to the redemption of the world by Jefus Chrift, which great event is traced through the hiftorical and prophetical writings of the Old Teftament, and the narrative and epiftolary records of the New, to fhew that the whole has one leading object and defign. The work is rather intended as a practical help to the meditations of the pious Chriftian, than as a critical elucidation of the facred writings.

Art. 61. A Summary View and Explanation of the Writings of the Prophets. By John Smith, D. D. Minister of the Gofpel at Campbelton. 12mo. Edinburgh printed. London, fold by Elliot. 1787.

A Gaelic tranflation of the prophetical writings having been lately published in Scotland by the Society for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, it was judged proper to accompany it with a brief explication of that part of Scripture. Such was the occafion of the prefent work, which confifts of, 1. Preliminary obfervations and general rules for understanding the prophetic ftyle: 2. A particular account of each book and chapter, as they lie in order. At the request of fome friends it is now published in the English language. Dr. Smith appears in the character of a Collector and Editor, and feems to have performed the office with attention and judgment. He extracts with freedom from Lowth and Blayney; and acknowledges obligations to Newton, Newcome, and Kennicot. It is a great recommendation of the performance, that it is well calculated for the affiftance of those who want ability, or leifure, or inclination, to confult larger volumes.

Art. 62. Padobaptifm examined, on the Principles, Conceffions, and Reasonings, of the most learned Pædobaptifts. By Abraham Booth. 12mo. 2 vols. 8s. Buckland. 1787.

This is the fecond edition of a Work which has been already noticed in the Review: (See our 71ft volume, p. 209.) The difpofition and contents of the work are the fame as before, only that it is now greatly enlarged. The Author abounds in quotations, and difcovers both knowledge and learning. Yet with all his ingenuity and acuteness, we apprehend that, in feveral respects, it will not be difficult for those who differ from him on the fubject, to furnish a

reply.

reply. But we do not mean to take a part in the debate. After the former remarks, all that is neceflary for us, is, to announce Mr. Booth's republication of his work; the enlargement of which may easily be judged of by the increased bulk, and proportionally advanced price.

Art. 63. An Efay on Anger. By John Fawcett.

bound. Johnson, &c. 1787.

Izmo. I s. 6 d.

The obfervations contained in this practical treatife may be ufefully extended to other parts of the temper and conduct befide that which is directly mentioned. The author appears to be calviniftical in fentiment, but his remarks and rules may prove beneficial to any who will attentively perufe them. He has enlivened the work a little by the two characters of Eugenius and Protervus.

Art. 64. Appendix to Dr. Price's Sermons on the Chriflian Do&rine: Containing Notes occafioned by Dr. Prieftley's Letters to Dr. Price. 8vo. 6d. Cadell.

In these notes Dr. Price very candidly makes fome circumftantial conceffions to Dr. Prieftley, and acknowledges that his idea of the perfon and character of Chrift, is the kind of Socinianifin he thould adopt, were he to relinquith his prefent fentiments without rejecting Christianity. At the fame time he adds, that, as he thinks Chriftianity cannot be reduced to this fyftem, without either torturing the Scriptures, or renouncing their authority, it ought to be given up: for, adds he, the creation of an unique among men for no purpote, which a common man might not have answered, and his fudden elevation, for no fervice which a common man might not have performed, to fuch a ftation at God's right hand, fuch authority in heaven and earth, and fuch dominion over angels and men, and fuch a power to rescue a world from death, and to difpenfe future reward, and punishments, as the Scriptures have been hitherto understood by all Chriftians to declare,-I must be allowed to call an abfurd and incredible doctine." The Doctor ftrenuoufly maintains his hold of feveral paffages of Scripture, particularly John, vi. 32. Phil. ii. 5. as decifive in favour of the pre-existence of Chrift.

I. Preached at Hammerfmith Chapel and St. Giles in the Fields, on the Death of the Rev. Thomas Manning, M. A. Morning Preacher at the aforefaid Places. By the Rev. Jonas Comins, A. B. 4to. 1s. Rivingtons. 1787.

Mr. Comins drops a tear of friendship on the afhes of the deceafed; and draws confolation from the words of the Apoftle, But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jefus Chrift.'

II. Preached at the Anniversary Meeting of the Sons of the Clergy, in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, May 16, 1786. By the Rev. Samuel Horsley, LL. D. F. R. S. Archdeacon of St. Albans. 4to. 1s. Rivingtons, &c.

An ingenious attempt to prove that poverty, though an evil admitted by Providence, brings an obligation upon men, in civilized fociety, to concur for its extinction, wherever it appears.

18

III.

III. Preached in Lambeth Chapel, at the Confecration of the Right Rev. George Pretty man, D. D. Lord Bishop of Lincoln, March 11, 1787. By William Pearce, D. D. Public Orator of the Univerfity of Cambridge, and Mafter of the Temple. Published by Order of the Archbishop. 4to. Is. Cadell. 1787.

The inftitution of different Orders in the Church is here very judicioufly vindicated, on the ground of one leading character of Chriftianity, viz. that it is rather intended to furnish mankind with general principles, and enlarged views, which admit of an eafy application to particular cafes, than to give them minute and technical rules of conduct: whence it is fairly inferred, that, where pofitive precepts fail us, we are left to regulate the Church in the fame manner as our private conduct, by attending to the general spirit and tenour of our religion.

IV. Preached August 26, 1787, at the Chapel in Tottenham-court Road, and the Tabernacle near Moorfields, on the Death of the Rev. Henry Peckwell, D. D. late Rector of Bloxham cum Digby, Lincolnshire, and Chaplain to the Moft Hon. the Marchioness Dowager of Lothian; who departed this Life Aug. 18, 1787, aged 40 Years. By T. Grove. 8vo. 6d. Buckland.

The Methodists may probably like this fermon, and therefore we recommend it a them to purchafe it, as we find it is published for the benefit of a charity (eftablished by Dr. Feckwell) called The Sick Man's Friend.

Mr. Grove has here given but a brief account of the deceased, affigning this reafon for it, that it was his particular request, that very little be faid in public concerning him.

The caufe of his death is given in the following fhort note:

Dr. Peckwell opened the body of a young perfon who died of a confumption, whofe lungs were in a very difeafed ftate, and the cheft full of putrid matter; and, in fewing up this body, gave himself a wound with the needle, which proved fatal on the oth day.'

N. B. Others have died in the fame way. The diffection of putrid bodies is a very dangerous operation; and as anatomifts are fenfible of this, we wonder they are not more careful! Why run the risk of fewing up a putrid body?

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE Writer of a letter, figned X, and dated from Holland, January 10. 1788, may be affured, that the account given in the Review for November laft, of "The History of the internal Affairs of the United Provinces," was not "fent to us from Holland," as he fuggefts, but was drawn up, in this country, by an Englishman, who has no more perfonal connection with, or intereft in the affairs of the United Provinces, than he hath with thofe of Monomotapa. For the rest, the Letter-writer will be fo good as to excufe us from entering into particulars, in which he appears to be fo much, and, it may be, very laudably, interested.-We have always hot water enough at home.

That

That the political diffenfions in Holland may speedily ceafe, and the difputed points in that country be adjufted, to the fatisfaction, if poffible, of both parties, is our fincere with. We are for "Peace on earth, and good-will towards men," of every nation. And as one proof that this is really our difpofition, we heartily thank our Correfpondent for the favour of his letter, notwithstanding the tartness of the rebuke which he hath given us, for having, as he conceives, manifefted a partial regard for the pretenfions of the Prince of Orange. And he may reft farther affured, that if ever that Prince fhall appear to us in the light of a violator of the constitution of his country, his party will not be countenanced by the English Monthly Reviewers.

+++ In page 600 of the Appendix, CLERICUS will, we think, find a full anfwer to his question. Whether the few remaining fragment of Sextius formed any part of the particular work on which Seneca has bestowed fuch rapturous commendation, cannot now be determined. The treatise, indeed, itself, had probably been long configned to deftruction, when the rife of the art of printing fucceeded the revival of letters.

Many thanks to CLERICUS, for his information of some errata in our GENERAL INDEX. That a wrong figure fhould, in a few inftances, occur, among fo many thousand references, will not be deemed an extraordinary circumftance; the wonder would be, if no mistakes of that kind happened. We fhall, however, hold ourselves very much obliged to this, and every other Correfpondent, who fhall point out to us any errata, in either volume, which may contribute to render the work more perfect, fhould a fecond edition be called for.-CLERICUS will find most of the articles which he fought for, as under.

The Mirror, three volumes, fhould have appeared in the clafs of Miscellanies; thofe who chufe to fupply this omiffion with the pen, will please to refer to Rev. Vol. LXV. p. 17.

‡‡‡ λang is too illiberal in his manner of writing. If we are to difpute on points of learning or fcience, we wish only to be called out by gentlemen. But we do not every day meet with "Polite philofophers.'

SIS P. C.'s fecond Letter is under confideration.

ERRATUM in laft Month's REVIEW.

P. 31. 1. 26. dele the inverted comma before the word published.
ERRATA in our laft APPENDIX.

P. 528, 1. 2, read, occafioned by the tides.

1. 10, for question,' r. questions.

544, 1. 6 from bottom, put a comma after yet.

549, 1. 28, in Mademoiselle de Keralio's article, for unwillingly,"

r. unwittingly.

-581, 1. 12, for fuller review,' r. a fuller examination.

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For MARCH, 1788.

ART. I. Poems by William Whitehead, Efq; late Poet Laureat, and Register and Secretary to the moft Honourable Order of the Bath. Vol. III. To which are prefixed, Memoirs of his Life and Writ ings, by W. Mason, M. A. 8vo. 4s, Boards. Robson, &c. 1788.

TH

HOUGH, as a poet, the late worthy Laureat was far above mediocrity, yet, neither his genius nor his writings were of that brilliant or interefting kind, which could long occupy the public attention, without fome additional ftimulus to awaken and keep it in action. His ingenious friend, Mr. Mafon, has furnished this ftimulus; for befide his own poetical reputation, the agreeable manner in which he prefented to us the Life of Mr. Gray, made us hope for a fimilar entertainment from his biographical talents on the prefent occafion.

We have, however, been fomewhat difappointed; for, exclufive of the different manner in which the two lives are written, and deduction being made for the inferiority of reputation, and the few prominent features in the character of the late Laureat, Mr. Mafon feems to have made his friend's Life a vehicle for the abufe of Dr. Johníon, though this writer and Mr. Whitehead never had any public or private difference, or collifion,-that bath reached our knowledge.

The late Laureat is now, however, claffed by his Biographer among the injured bards of the Cambridge school, all up in arms at the general attention that has been long, and fill is, given by the Public, not only to the piety and literary abilities, -but even the infirmities of Dr. Johnfon: and feveral Oxford men, who have for fome time, à la fourdine, joined affue with the friends of the date Lord Lyttelton, in cenfuring the decca'ed critic's uncourtly treatment of that noble literary dilettante, fee now to have entered into an alliance, offenfive and defenfive, with his enemies, and to have become active in an open wat against his writings and memory. VOL. LXXVIII.

O

Dr.