had begun to pervade this favoured land. But the fact was too palpable to pass unnoticed, that Britain, like France, was likely to become a nation of politicians and statesmen, that the lower orders of the people, seduced by the arts of those who assumed the appellation of their friends, were tempted to relinquish the proper duties of their stations, to wrest the sceptre from their monarch's hands, and to plunge their country in all the horrors of anarchy and sedition. He clearly perceived the tendency of leveling principles, and the imperious necessity of opposing them. With this view, in 1801, he published in one vol. 12mo, an essay on the way to restore and perpetuate peace, good order, and prosperity among the nations.

In the introduction to this work, he adverts to the convulsed state of Europe, and other quarters of the globe; and justly observes that an effect so great, so universal, and so hurtful to the individual and to society, must proceed from a cause equally great, universal, and bad.' The cause he assigns is, ignorance of the real nature and

obligations of true religion, and of civil society and civil government. To effect a cure of the existing disease, he enters on a discussion of the topics, in which men as rational and accountable beings, and as related by social compact, have the greatest need to be instructed. The Essay is divided into four chapters. The 1st treats of religion. 2d, Of civil society and civil government. 3d, Of the influence of religion on civil society and civil government. 4th, On the necessity of that influence, in the present state of the nations, to restore peace, good order, and prosperity. In the illustration of these topics will be found a compendious view of those truths which are revealed by the oracles of God, much sound philosophy, and close reasoning, much to satisfy an inquiring mind, and to establish loyalty, subordination, and contentment on a solid basis. This essay ought not to be ranked among the fugitive pamphlets which are generated by the heat of political controversy. Its doctrines are interesting to mankind, whatever

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revolutions may take place in their forms of government, or whatever may be the state of their public affairs. They are peculiarly interesting to Britons, whose understandings may be safely addressed, who are not to be forced into submission by the high hand of power, but will be subject to their king, and attached to their country, while attempts to disseminate error in opinion, and to subvert the foundations of morality are, successfully opposed. It is a false peace which the people are not willing to maintain. Over their minds the clergy possess no inconsiderable influence; and in the late turbulent times, they gave decisive proofs that they wished not to abuse it. The Essay before us is a memorial of its author's desire to render his talents and popularity subservient to the public weal, when a general rage for political speculations had begun to take place, when the tenets of scepticism and false philosophy had ceased to be taught in the unknown tongue of metaphysical jargon, when publications subversive of faith and morals were brought down to the level of unlearned understandings,

and industriously introduced into the shop of the artificer, and the cottage of the peasant, he acted as became him, when he offered to his fellow citizens a manual which may with safety be perused. Since it was written the aspect of the times seem to have altered for the better. French principles have been unfolded by their effects. They who had indulged themselves with dreams of equal liberty, and equal measures of power, have reposed from their tumults under a military despotism; and they to whom they had tendered a participation of their blessings, may perceive themselves to have been marked out by a bold usurper to bleed by his arms, or at his nod to cultivate the provinces of his unwieldy empire. These things the inhabitants of this country seem to have had good sense to perceive. Sedition and discontent have given place to unanimous exertion in the public service; and there is ground of hope, that the measures of the executive government, and the courage and conduct of patriot fleets and armies may prove instruments of deliverance in the hour of danger,.

and lead, in due time, to a permanent and ho

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nourable peace. But still it is meet that we bear in mind that it is only by adhering to principle, or by restoring it when corrupted or lost, that our soothing hopes can be realised.

The doctrines inculcated in the work reviewed, were by the author brought forward from the pulpit, particularly on days of national fasting, and other public occasions. He directed the attention of his audience to the judgments sent abroad in the earth, to the improvement to be made of the dispensations of providence, and to the means of obtaining relief and safety. At the desire of his hearers, he published separately several of these discourses, as those on Micah vi. 6. 9. Amos iv. 6. Psal. lxxxi. 13, 14. He published also in 1786, a sermon entitled, The purpose for which Christ came into the world, from John x. 10. preached before the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, at their anniversary meeting in the High Church of Edinburgh: And a sermon on the Divine Authority and En