men." Review of New Publications. · 438 plosion; fo the effects of it ended not in the momentary convulfion of the furrounding kingdom, but have fill continued to require vigilance and watchfulness, though with declining violence and vigour. They fhall proceed no farther, fays the Apolile, for their following fhall be manifeft unto all Infidelity is an evil of fhort duration. It is in no fhape formed for perpetuity. Sudden in its rife, and impetuous in its progrefs, it refembles a mountain torrent, which is loud, filthy, and defolating, but, being fed by no perennial fpring, is foon drained off, and difappears *. indeed, of thofe errors which advanThe decline, ced flowly to the vigour of their maturity, must be proportionably gradual, but fill the decline is already visible. The prefent condition of the French Republic no longer exhibits thofe appalling fcenes of internal commotion, devaliation, and death, which were difplayed at the early period of the Revolution +. The exifience of God is no longer openly and with unblufhing front denied; his worship is no more forbidden; and, although the principles of philofophic morality have not yet vielded up their influence, we may july hope to fee that new-raifted phantom fall by its internal weaknefs, and drop its undeferved honours at the feet of Christianity." (p. 26-30.) Mr. S next proceeds to confider, how far the prefent declining state of Papacy is an accomplishment of the prophecy concerning the Beast with feven heads and ten horns of the ReveTations, and the Antichrift or Man of Sin of St. Paul. The marks are clearly afcertained to apply to the Church of Rome. It remains to be confidered, who are her latent immediate enemies. Bp. Newton publifhed a remarkable conjecture about thirty years ago, which we have feen as remarkably verified by the event. Kings of France, fays he, have contriSince the buted greatly to the advancement of Popery, it is not impoffible nor improbable that they may fome time or other alfo be the principal authors of its deftruction." (vol. I. p. 704, 4to edit.) As this learned Commentator was fupported in his remarks by the words of Revelation, fo he has been juliified in it by the courfe of Hiftory. *Mr. Hall's Sermon. Mr. Zouch's Preface. [May, - Never fince its first exaltation, not even by the fuccefs of Luther and the Reformers, has the throne, and authority, and dominion, of the Pope received a fhock more violent than it has fuffered within the last ten years by the defection and hoftility of France; fome late writers have been led to date an event fo fatal to its power, that here the epoch of its total ruin. Though the Pope is permitted again to his predeceffors, and even again eftawear the robes and hold the fceptre of blifhed on the throne of Rome, he is not reftored to his authority, or only poral, empire over France, which, in his fpiritual, but not in his tem as we before faid, had fullled the ministers of this degraded religion upon words of prophecy, and thrown the the world naked and defolate, but has alfo eaten their flesh, and confumed their riches. power of the Pope, than the very decree Nothing could be devited more effectually to undermine the which has nominally reeftablished it; which, by confifcating the benefices internal dilentions among thofe, who of his bithops and clergy, has fpread in the prefent times of danger could ing each other; and has compelled the only exift at all by mutually fupportfpiritual head as infallible and fupreme, very men, who formerly held up their authority pal doctrines of the Romish Church now openly to abjure and oppofe his remained firm and unimpaired during Nor have the princithe fubverfion of its power. The fuperftitious ceremonies and unauthorized reftraints, which form the eflential character of this religion, and occafion the dreadful vices and corrup tions which have prevailed in it, laid it was against thefe that the first charge the first foundation tione of infidelity: inteâine, attack, which ended in the was founded of that open, as well as France. The doctrine, no lefs abfurd temporary extinction of all religion in than impious, of the Pope's infallibi lity, though it has not been formally difavowed, is fcarcely now fupported even by his real adherents. Univerfal fupremacy can no longer be afferted of him, who, fo far from potlefling external dominion, owes the enjoyment of his own kingdom to the favour and *I a lude to thofe who have refufed to comply with the Pope's Concordat in ma king a voluntary furrender of their fees," cellion ceffion of a foreign power. It is true, indeed, that the enthufiaftic zeal and ardour, with which the human nind as it were mechanically rifes againti oppreilive perfecution, and which for obvious reafons operates molt forcibly in matters of religion, this internal power, and in many, no doubt, a confcientious though miltaken preference, fill preferves among the votaries of the Romith Church a ftrong and unthaken attachment to their native faith; but, I think, whoever confiders the fituation of its own hereditary kingdoms, and of its mott powerful foreign allies, the weakness of the Pope, the alienation of Italy, the philofophy of Germany, and the infidelity of France, will no longer deny the caufe of Papacy is a declining caufe; and that, particularly during the latt ten years, it has turned with rapid ftrides towards its diffolution." (p. 38-40.) The fifth vial, poured out on the kingdom of the beaft, made his kingdom full of darkness, i. e. diminished his power, and by a gradual fall bring on its deftruction, moft probably by fire, of which its territory is full. "Although it has been a matter of doubt, whether a literal or figurative interpretation fhould be given to Revel. xviii. 8, it must be owned, that the laft refuge of metaphor is fearcely leit to our apprehenfions." (p. 41.) "It is indeed a melancholy reflection, that the generation, which is now rifing np to manhood in France, will only know by hiftory and tradition the genial effects of religion upon fociety; and will neither poffefs a notive, nor enjoy a reward, for the performance of moral duties; whofe in fancy has fucked the poiton of infidelity; and whofe tender years have been nurtured in immorality. The ufual courte, however, of Providence leads us to expect, that good will in fome measure arife from evil; and France may atone eventually for the mitchiefs the has occafioned, by accelerating the progrefs of our pure and reformed Church. Popery is indeed again acknowledged the religion of the majority of the French; but it is accompanied, as it never was before, by univerfal tolération; and we may at leaft hope, that the removal of prejudices confequent upon the difpertion of the riches of that country, the abolition of the lucrative church offices, and the altered temper of the people, may all unite their efforts towards weakening the Romish power." (p. 44.) "I have thus examined the particu lar prophecies which appear to be now accomplishing, in the eftablifhed principles of the French Revolution, and the viably-declining ftate of the Papal power; and this application of faithfulness to their meaning will afford a new evidence to the truth of the Chriftian religion; for what fronger evidence can be given of a divine revelation than the firit of prophecy, which, as it can only be imparted by HIM who has a foreknowledge of the events of all times, fo is it only imparted to those who have efpecial cominition to proclaim His divine will? It appears almoli impoflible that any fhould duly confider thele prophecies, and, if he is an infidel, not be converted, or, if he is a believer, not be confirmed in the faith. Surely, if any additional proof of mercy can be difplayed in a fyllem fo abundant in mercy as that of redemption, it is feen in the providence of God, requiring not a telimony of faith too fevere for human weakujefs; but, when he ordered that oppofition fhould arite again his religion, ordered it likewife to convey a fronger confirma tion of its truth. To fee the purity of the doctrines he profefles fo long violated, and fo fatally perverted by the Romish Church, might perhaps alarm the fears, and even for a moment excite the doubts, of a Christian; but, when he is conducted by the cine of prophecy through all the labyrinths of enormity, the darknets vanishes before him, and he willingly furrenders his own miftaken reafon to the authority of Eternal Wifilom. Again, when he witnelles fuccels attending counfels which commenced with the defiance of God, and proceeded to the injury and outrage of mankind, yet at the fame time perceives that this apoftacy arofe not unforeseen by the divine Providence, the Chriftian becomes more than ever affured of the weakness of his own fhort-fighted powers, and feels a freth conviction of the neceflity of an implicit faith in God's providence, reflecting indeed with awe, and cherishing the reflection, that every fuccellive accomplishment of prophecy brings us nearer to that final period where all our foreknowledge ceafes, * New.on, Differt. 21. being which neither eye hus feen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man to conceive." (pp. 47-49.) 69. A Sermon preached at Northampton, June 11, Sro, at the Triennial Vifitation of the Right Kev. Father in God, Spencer, Lord Bifrop of the Dioce e of Peterborough. By Thomas Saes, M.A. Vicar of Guilfberough. THE text, Acs xx. 29, 30, is illuftrated by the melancholy view of "the aged Church, torn between Infidelity on the one hand and Enthufiafin on the other, reminding us of her bleff d founder, that Jelus Chrift himfelf was crucified between two thieves." Atheifm and Enthufiafin are alike ensillaries of Satan; but to the latter enemy the Church is at this time much expofed. "When by the abfurd rant and licentious conduct of fanatics facred things are made ridiculous, they are not far from being totally rejected, as the fpiteful mockery of the foldiers was the prelude to our Lord's death." The pirit of independence which has got into the Church, as before into the State, is here pourtrayed, and its objections anfwered; and the Clergy of the Eftablishment exhorted to lofe no opportunity of enforcing obedience to the authority wherewith Chrift hath invefted his Church. 70. A Walk through Southampton. By Sir Henry C. Englefield, Bart. F.R.S. and F.A.S. A CURIOUS and well-drawn defeription of the antiquities, principally in architecture and feulpture of Southampton in their various periods; il luftrated with fix plates, drawn and etched by the author. 71. A Sermon, preached in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London, Tauriday, June 12, 1800, being the Time of the yearly Meeting of the Children educated in the Charity Sebords in and about the Cities of London and Wefminster. By the Right Rev. John Lord Biff op of Chichefter. Pubbfted by the Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge. FROM 1 Cor. x. 31, the Bishop incalcates the great duty of Chriftian benevolence, more particularly towards the infant children of the poor. 72. Specimens of Literary Refemblance in the Works of Pope, Gray, and other celebrated Writers; with critical Obfervations. In a Series of Letters [to the Rev. Peter Fofter, Rector of Hedenham, Norfolk]. By the Rev. Samuel Berdmore, late Maßler of the Charterhouse Sebaol. THESE letters were formerly publifhed in the European Magazine, and a few more on the fame fubject are now added. To literary refemb ance there is no bounds, particularly if we take it for granted, that fuch as occur to the reader muft neceffarily have occurred to the writer. The firft here mentioned is happily illuftrated; but it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Pope, who re-publifhed the "Poemata Italorum,” fhould catch fome allufion thence. Feil thirst and famine feoul, in Gray, bears a very faint refemblance to Virgil's Furiarum maxima juxta Acuebat. We may fay the English rifes above the Latin bird; as Dr. Berdmore obferves, it was Mr. Gray's way, whenever he imitated to furpaís. (p. 102.) Horace's fortuna rapax-ftridore acuto is happily illuftrated by the foaring eagle fnatching with great noife the cap off Lucumo's head, emblematical of his advancement. In another Leter Bishop Hurd is compared with P. Catrou, as if the former had actually intended an abstract of the other in a finall inftance. The reft are occupied in a critique on the bithop and his friend, the late bishop of Gloucefter, whofe myfterious comment on the fixth book of the Eneid is again brought on the carpet. That Pepe exceeded his original, Homer, in verbolity and adfcititious phrafeology has been frequently obferved, though perhaps not in the cafe of Iris here adduced. Letter X. (printed in our vol. LXIII. p. 621) treats of the egotifin and felfconfequence of all the antient poets-◄ except the modeft Pacuvius. That eren Homer was not exempt from it is obliquely hinted in the concluding lines of Iliad IV. where he takes merit in deferibing a well-fought battle. Much as we lament the fudden deceafe of the learned and benevolent au thor* to foon after this publication, we cannot but think he has left us in thefe hard times a dear legacy. 73. Narrative founded on a Series of Events which took Place in the Island of St. Mar * Dr. B. died of a bloody-flux, in confequence of a cold caught at the Charterhoufe anniversary dinner, Jan. 20, 1801. cou. cou. By James Gomm, Efq. Lieutenant, and Commander of the Tickler Gun-Vefiel. MR. G. and the lieutenants of two other gun-vellels were fuperfeded in their respective commands, in confequence of their conduct on occation of fome mutinous behaviour among the feamen, July, 1795, in that illand, on the coaft of France, which has been fuch a diftinguished fcene of British gallantry and fuccefs. Mr. G. expected approbation instead of accufation of his conduct. It does not become us to rejudge the cafe. 74. The Influence of the Female Character upon Society confidered, more especially with Refer. ence to the prefent Crifis, in a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of John, at Hackney, on Sunday, Nov. 21, 1301- By the Rev. Henry Handley Norris, M. A. THE advice of St. Peter in his firft Epittle, ii. 1, 2, 3, 4, is well improved to warn the preacher's fair countrywomen from that corruption which the abettors of Illumninifin profefs to intend for them, and under its influence to deprave the other fex, with whom they have fo much more weight in this than in any other country. He thews how much ornament Chriftianity reflects on the female fex, and how much it receives from their profeffion of it. He enlarges on the details given by Profef for Robilon, and the awful warning given in the fenate by Mr. Windham; and glories in his obligations to both of them on this occafion. The experience of facts in a neighbouring country fatally confirms this alarm in our own; and too much pains cannot be taken to place the confequences in the moft forcible point of view. Who can deny the prefent wretchednels of France? Thofe who have hitherto vifited it have been grievoutly difappointed in their expectations of plenty, peace, and fecurity, all wanting to the interior of that defolated, depopulated, depraved country, whofe inhabitants have loft all power of reflection in diffipation, and of feeling in mifery. And can thefe things be too much and too often held up to the eyes of neighbours, too ready to be fafcinated by delufive reprefcutations, and by fuggeftions that our neighbours are our beft friends and natural allies, when paft history and later experience loudly proclaim the reverfe; and that we, who faved Europe from the ambition GENT. MAG. May, 1802. ४ 75. Chriftian Views of Death, confidered in a Sermon preached at Bishop's Hull, near Taunton, on Occafion of the Death of the Rev. Peard Jillard, who died 21 OA. in the 69th Year of bis Age. To which is added, the Addrefs at the Interment. By Joshua Toulmin, D D. FROM Philipp. i. 21, Dr. T. fhews the very difficult and more fatisfactory and certain idea of death, as followed by a refurrection to immortality, inculcated by Chrift from that implied in the law of Mofes, and more gloomy one entertained by the heathens, whofe wifeft men confidered it as a complete diffolution. Mr. Jillard's father was miniter of a diffenting congregation at Tavistock, and died at Brittol. His fon officiated at Shepton Mallet 17 or 18 years, and 29 more at Bishop's Hull, and bore an excellent character for candour, courtely, fuavity of manners, and gentlemanlike behaviour; and, "though there is caufe to believe that he faw reafon to adhere to thofe fentiments he had in former life adopted, on questions that have been lately much debated, bis attachment to them was free from every thing that indicated an unfriendly or an unhandiome thought, on account of opinion, towards thofe who differed from him." 75. A Sermon delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Bedtore Union, May 6, 1801. By Andrew Fuller. Publifhed by Request. WE have had occafion more than once to speak of Mr. F. as a friend to the doctrine of Chriftianity. The religions affociation which he here addrelles, though not himself a member of it, was formed at Bedford Oct. 31, 1797, under the title of " the Union of Chrittians, and a fermon preached on the occafion by Mr. Greathead, of Newport Pagnél, published, with an introductory account of their plan and carlieft proceedings, which, as it does not appear another subsequent aunual fermon has been publifhed, is here repeated in abftract." The minifters thus affociated limit their united meatures to the purpofe of promoting the know, ledge, ledge, and the practical effect, of thofe important doctrines in which they heartily agree. Such are, the proper Deity of the Son and of the Holy Ghoft, with the neceffity of atonement for fin by the facrifice of Chrift, and of holinefs in heart and life, through the operation of the Holy Ghoft, for the falvation of man. They have been hitherto favoured with the approbation of pious and benevolent perfons of every denomination in their own neighbourhood; and in more diftant fituations fome profligate finners have been reclaimed, and, efpecially among the poor, an increafing attention to the knowledge and practice of the Gospel have been exerted." The text is Numb. xiv. 8; and from it the preacher is led to inquire into the views of his brethren, and how far they may be agreeable to God. 77. A Letter respectfully addreffed to the Right Reverend Father in God Henry Reginald, by divine Permiffion, Lord Bishop of Exeter; containing, a Vindication of Truth, an Expofure of Detraction, and an earnest Appeal to bis Lordship as a conflituted Guardian of the Church, for the Prefervation of ber Peace, Dignity, and Profperity. by one of ber bumble but most affectionate Friends. We have formerly (vol. LXX. 9240) fuggefted, that Mr. Polwhele had other bulinefs to attend to befides accufing Dr. Hawker of conduct inconfiftent with his duty as a minifter of the Church of England. This anonymous writer, who figns himfelf S. T. T. takes up the retort in warmer Janguage, and pares not his diocefan himfelf, whom he would fain convert to Methodija. By 77. Hints defigned to promote Beneficence, WITH an active mind, ardent in the purfhit of whatever may tend to the benefit of the whole human race; and with a heart impregnated by the warmth of the Torrid Zone, which gave him birth; this benevolent difciple of fculapius thus pours forth his unvarnished, anpremeditated exordium: "Few perfonis," he remarks, 66 who have early appeared as Authors, live to mature age, without a with to have written lefs, or never to have appeared before the publick. Perhaps fome, who read the following Hints, may conclude that this fentiment is fuggefted by the Author's in "Several of the fubfequent Effays have been already printed, and fome of them fent moment he might exprefs himself at an early period of his life. At the predifferently; but, whether it is, that we recall our juve de exercifes with the enjoyment of retrofpective pleasure, or that we feel a fatisfaction in marking the progrefs of experience; he acknowledges, that he chenthes a predilection for thefe efforts, excited as they may have been by imagination, rather than chattened by judgment" 46 Having been induced to defcribe fome of thofe Inftitutions with which I am more immediately connected, and with the uti lity of which I am most intimately acquainted; I was led to reflect with finguphilanthropy of the refpective founders, lar pleasure upon the enlarged views and and excited a wish to prefix to each of the Inftitutions, a Silhouette, or engraved head, of the diftinguished characters themselves; more particularly as I had the honour of cla ming a share in their friendships. After pleading the happiness I fhould derive Silhouettes (for, although I do not poffefs from their gratifying my with with their fondness for fuch representations), they the enthufiafm of a Lavater, I entertain a had the condefcenfion to oblige me, and I will venture to add, the publick alfo, by complying with my requeft; for, no benevolent individual can view this affemblage of philanthropy, without experiencing the most pleafing reflections, and feeling the heart humanized with the tender energies of withing to go and do fo likewife. "Some important Institutions have not found a place in thefe volumes; as, the Magdalen, Afylum, Foundling Hofpital, the Marine Society, &c. &c. But this omiffion would rather promote than preclude the profecution of thefe fubjects, on an enlarged plan, at a future period, fhould public approbation encourage it. I have, indeed, collected materials for a fourth volume, particularly in the department of Medical Science but a reluctance to increase the expence of the reader induced me to withhold its publication, as I have ever felt a difficulty in this point of view, with refpect to my own performances; not deeming them myself to worthy of public patronage, as they would appear to have acquired, from the demand they have experienced of two, three, and even more editions. One confideration, the moderate price, may have in fome degree counter balanced |