DIVINITY. 1 We refer to our laft Preface for our general fentiments on the Bishop of Lincoln's Work againft Calvinifm, the analysis of which is concluded in our prefent volume. For proof of what is there faid, we appeal to our three articles on the fubject; and we trust that few perfons will read thofe articles with attention, who will not alfo be defirous to read and to poffefs the work. The continuation of Dr. Marfh's Lectures will be a gratification to all friends of biblical criticism; and we cannot but congratulate the rifing generation, whether hearers or readers of the Lectures, on having obtained fo able an inftructor in fo difficult and important a fcience. Profeffor White's Synopfis of Griesbach is the refult of fimilar ftudies, and a very convenient affistant to beginners. In Dr. Townson's Works §, we fee the reflection of a truly Chriftian character, where acutenefs is chastized by unaffected humility, and the efforts of learning are invigorated by the ardour of genuine piety. He is an author from whom we differ with diffidence, and that very rarely; and with whom we agree with pleafure; because to think as he did, is fo far to refemble him. The fame fentiments appear to pervade the mind of Mr. Dunfter, who, on one fingle topic, has ventured to argue against him. In Mr. Watson's Plain Statement of Important Principles ¶, fome of the most difficult queftions in theology are difcuffed, and fo handled as almoft to dispel obfcurity, where it feemed to be inherent in the fubject. Mr. W. is evidently a found and able divine. The fpirit of profound and accurate No. I. p. 31. + No. IV. p. 313. of thefe Lectures was noticed vol. xxxv. p. 485. No. V. p. 493: P. 395. The first part ‡ No. IV. No. V. p. 493: · criticism prevails in Dr. Laurence's Reflections on the Unitarian Verfion *, and they, who are most averfe to his conclufions, will find it very difficult to repel his arguments. Much younger in the fields of controverfy Mr. Rennell difplays the qualities of one who is formed to be a herot. The more experienced divine may fay to him with pleasure: or, Well, brother (or fon), full bravely haft thou flesh'd Macte nova virtute puer, fic itur ad aftra; Of its own kind entirely is Mrs. More's admonitory work, entitled Practical Piety; the refult of a. profound ftudy, not of books but of the human heart; not of" doubtful difputations," but of the difpofitions which characterize religious fincerity. To write on fuch fubjects, with an animation which attracts general attention, is to render a fervice for which more than mere inclination is required. It is to poffefs a talent, and to exert it in the moft beneficial way. To Mr. Baber, the English Divine owes fiderable obligation, for putting him once more in poffeffion of the venerable version of our first Reformer Wiclif§: which, together with the memoirs of the author, and the hiftory of the Saxon verfions, forms a book which every well afforted library must poffefs. Works of less importance, but still of utility, are Mr. Adams' Religious World difplayed | ; Mr. Milne's, on the difference between the Prefbyterian and Epifcopal Churches; and Mr. Boyd's Selection of Paffages from the Greek Fathers **. We fhall mention at present only two fets of collected Sermons, thofe of Mr. Polwbele, and of Dr. Webfter t. Others, which we have noticed in our late Numbers, have merits, but are liable alfo to objections which do not apply to thefe. Official charges and occafional fermons form ufually the laft divifion of theology, and among the former of these we feel that the firft place is due, on various confiderations, to the Bishop of Gloucester's Charge. The importance of the fubject is on all hands acknowledged; and the worthy Bishop's views of it are those which having been taught by fevere experience, will not be defpifed by theory, with impunity. The charge of Mr. Archdeacon Vince § takes an inftructive view of the divifions in religion which prevail among us. When it will please the Great Shepherd to restore unity to his flock cannot now be conjectured; but it is a period for which all muft wish, and to the haftening of which our efforts fhould always tend. Mr. Daubeny || takes up two or three important topics, and handles all, as ufual, with ability. The great and momentous fubject of national education chiefly occupies the powerful fermon of Dr. Marsh, preached at St. Paul's. The preacher there fhows himfelf, what every intelligent patriot and Christian must be, a zealous friend to the inftruction of the poor; but he contends, with more force of argument than had till then been applied to the subject, that national education ought to be founded on the national religion; and that it would be an abfurdity to fuffer our inftitutions to be at variance with our laws. These arguments, cooperating with the already fettled opinion of our chief governors in Church and State, have given rife to a subscription of unparalleled liberality, for promoting this great object; and will end, we dubt not, in the establishment of proper fchools in every part of the united kingdom. The fame fubject is difcuffed by Mr. Bouyer and Mr. Grinfield †, and by both with confiderable ability. The difcourfe of Dr. Goddard, at the Bishop of Chichefter's Vifitation, on the nature and effects of herefies, and on the true character of a Chriftian Church, is one of those that stand in the very first order of merit. We analysed it with proportionable care, and we trust that its value has thus been made known to mul titudes, who had not the advantage of hearing it delivered. Other fermons have deserved commendation, as may be seen under their respective articles, but not fufficiently to come into competition with thefe; here therefore we fhall close our prefent account. PHILOSOPHY and MATHEMATICS. After an interval, on many accounts to be lamented, we have refumed our reports on the Philofophical Tranfactions of the Royal Society. That work, on which the eyes of Europe have been fixed fo long, has produced very lately fome of the most brilliant difcoveries. The active fpirit and unremitting attention of the Prefident give vigour to the movements of the body; and every member is willing to exert his beft efforts, where they are fure to meet with judicious favour and encouragement. May the Society long enjoy the fame advantages! In the works of the late Bishop of Of fory, Dr. Hamilton, philofophy and mathematics are too closely united to admit of separation; and P. 511. *No. II. p. 201. ‡ No. V. No. I. p. 51. their their union, like other well-afforted unions, is to the advantage of both. There is alfo fome divinity; and every part is impreffed with the characters of profound thought, and accurate judgment. The fmall but elegant volume of Dr. Reeve on the Torpidity of Animals* gives a pleafing fpecimen of an union no lefs natural, that of medical and philofophical acutenefs. In a very different region of philofophy, Mr. Dugald Stewart has long eftablished his reputation; and his Philofophical Effays, partly analyzed in our preceding volume, and concluded in this §, are well worthy of that reputation. They are the work of an accurate and experienced metaphyfician, and announce further defigns, to which many ftudents will look forward with eager expectation. Mr. Creffwell, of Trinity College, Cambridge, has completed the union between pure mathematics and the Elements of Linear Perspective, begun by Mr. Brook Taylor. He is more neat and perfpicuous in his theorems than his predeceffor; and has, in fact, produced a much better elementary work. For another work of a fimilar kind, applied. to the Theory and Practice of Mechanics, we are indebted to Mr. Marrat, of Bofton **, who, in five books, has given an excellent introduction to that ftudy. every fcience which admits of mathematical precifion, it is of the utmost consequence to have introductions ftrictly elementary and we rejoice, of courfe, to fee the number of thefe augmented. MEDICINE. In Our account of medical works must ftill be brief. It so happens at prefent, that the shortest among the * N. II. p. 196. + Called by mistake Metaphyfical Effays, in our laft preface (p. xi.), which, though they are fo in fact, is not the actual title.. 1 No. I. p. 78. + Page 537. §. No. II. p. 148. productions |