of music, as might gain some attention. But where this is not the case, and where people have not much taste for music, perhaps it might tend to kindie some serious reflections in the mind, if these few thoughts were transcribed upon a blank leaf of our Common Prayer Book, and so subjected to our sight and consideration during the time that the organ is playing; which surely it is most unseemingly to employ in idle conversation. "What have you not houses to talk in, of your politics and newsthat you thus profane the temple of the living God?" The least share of reflection would be sufficient to remedy. this evil-while we desire it to be observed, that indecent and irreverent behaviour in the house of the Lord is always a sign of a deficiency-in good sense-good breed ing-and religion.

REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Practical Discourses, by the Rev. Richard Warner, Curate of St. James's Parish, Bath, Vol. II. 8vo. pp. 232.

THE

HE first volume of Mr. Warner's Sermons never fell under our observation, and from the perusal of the present we shall never be induced to inquire for it.

The dedication both surprized and confounded us. "The sentiments," says Mr. Warner, "which the following discourses contain, are so completely obsolete and unfashionable, as to require all the aid of respectable patronage, to give them temporary existence. We are unable to discover the meaning of this sentence. Does it imply, that of all the publishers of sermons Mr. Warner alone speaks the truth? that all divines, Mr. W. excepted, are so devoid of principle, as to speak only smooth things, and to prophesy deceit? Are not the preachers of the Octagon and the Laura at Bath, both of whom are, we understand,' more celebrated than himself, exceptions to this universal censure? Mr. W. proceeds to inform us, that the clergy who have published Fast Sermons have acted upon a wrong principle, "the general tendency of their exhortations being such as by no means to forward the genuine intention of this solemn national humiliation." This is a heavy charge against the "Christian ministry." But Mr. W. does not seem, in our apprehension, to sup

port

port his accusation. He writes, if we mistake not, from spleen and disappointment. He allows, indeed, that some of the Fast-sermons have merit, "both as compositions and Christian discourses; but in most of these, reprehension is weakened by generalization; and if particular censure be ventured upon, it is inflicted with so much mildness, and accompanied with so many soothing palliatives, as to preclude all conviction of individual and personal transgression." That the clergy may hereafter profit by his animadversions, he enumerates those peculiarities of our times and country, which appear to have been entirely unnoticed, or touched upon with the most graceful and well-bred tenderness, by the divines who have favoured the world with the perusal of their Fast Sermons." Now, we would suggest to Mr. Warner, whether, when the enemy was expected on our coasts, it did not become the indispensable duty of the clergy of the Church of England to animate and encourage their hearers to individual exertions for the common safety? and whether, had they neglected to do thus, they would not have been culpable in the sight both of God and man? Does Mr. Warner presume to include Dr. Parr, with whose sentments on some subjects his own seem to be congenial, in his universal censure? That learned divine is, assuredly, as well acquainted with human nature as the author before us; and yet he has ventured to deviate from Mr. Warner's rules in the composition of his Fast Sermon; which is, as the British Critic justly observes, "a theoretical and practical discourse on patriotism, of great excellence, pointing out at once its connection with reli gion, and its peculiar demands on this nation, and at this juncture."

Mr. W. next proceeds in his dedication, to enumerate the heads of which Fast Sermons should consist; in which he indulges a strain of angry declamation and virulent invective utterly unworthy the meekness of the Christian preacher.

Under the sixth head, Mr. W. must, we think, excite in every reader disgust of his performance, and contempt of himself. This nation has, God be praised, amidst all its frivolity, absurdity, and wickedness, been distinguished above every other by its spirit and munificence, in giving eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, and even life to the dead--a spirit which Mr. Warner's enlightened patriotisin would suppress,

The

The wanton and outrageous abuse poured upon the clergy, we have read with feelings of deep concern and unfeigned uneasiness. We were astonished to find Mr. Archdeacon Daubeny included. Mr. Overton has already felt, if he has any feelings, the sharpness of his weapons, and the dexterity with which he uses them. Mr. W. it is probable, may escape. For as his sermons are not likely to be read by enthusiasts, who brought the "True Churchmen ascertained" into notice, the archdeacon will most likely consider Mr. Warner as unworthy of a reply. Instead of substantiating, as he had intended, what he has said, by a list of the reverend gentlemen who are at present serving the state in a double capacity, by two commissions, "one from God, and the other from his Majesty," had our author represented to their respective diocesans the several clergymen who are so notorious for the profligacy of their manners, and substantiated his accusations by a list of their abominable transgressions, proved by indisputable evidence, he would have done more essential service to the Church than by loose general declamation.

The sentiments he has advanced, will not, we venture to predict, engage the public attention; "the censure with which they may be loaded, and the opposition with which they may be encountered," will, therefore, be confiued to a few individual-readers.

After the dedication, is a dissertation on Sunday Drills On this subject we, for the present, suspend our opinion. Mr. W. inserted his sentiments upon it in the Bath Chronicle, which provoked a reply from a person who styles himself a Bath Volunteer. The military gentleman may slash with his sword, or destroy with his firelock; but the pen is a weapon he knows not how to handle and Mr. W. we think, by publishing his letter in a volume, inflicted a just judgment upon him for his rashness, in undertaking the defence of a cause which, in opposition to such an accuser as Mr. W. requires a more powerful ad

vocate.

Mr. W. in his reply, forgets the respect due to himself. His victory would have been more complete, had his language been more temperate.

We next proceed to the consideration of the sermons, which are NINE in number, and the price of the book is SEVEN SHILLINGS. This circumstance, which is indeed the author's, or at least the bookseller's concern, will of

itself

itself effectually prevent the book from getting into general circulation, even though the reverend gentleman's portrait is with peculiar modesty affixed to it as a taking frontispiece. Six of the discourses are practical; the remaining three were delivered on public occasions. The first sermon is entitled, "The Duty of the Hearers of the Word," in which are many appropriate observations; but "to give that efficacy and operation to the word, which it was intended to produce," something more, we apprehend, is requisite, than "the dispositions of humility, candour, and a love of moral righteousness." The hearer "who would save his soul alive," must be impressed with a sense of its value, and of the blessings of salvation; he must feel that "there is no health in him;" and that it is through the atonement made by Christ, that he must expect salvation. Let him be impressed with such sentiments, and humility, candour, and a sincere love of moral righteousness will follow of course; he will then hear with attention, in order that he may profit by his hearing. This sermon might please in the delivery, and may entertain in the perusal of it; but it is not by such discourses that sinners will be converted from the error of their ways. The soul that hungers and thirsts after righteousness requires more substantial food.

In the third sermon on "Social Worship," Mr. W. shews, even from the suggestions of natural religion, and the reflections of human reason, that it is an ac ceptable, if not a necessary tribute from the creature to the Creator; he then shews the happy effects it produces on the mind, leading us "to rejoice with them that rejoice, and to weep with them that weep." This sermon was preached after the author's church had been repaired. We expected to find an impassioned address to the hearers, warning them of the danger of absenting themselves from the temple of the Lord; unfolding to them the awful and interesting doctrines of the Gospel; and also a persuasive admonition to private and family devotion, and to the celebration of the Lord's Supper. We expected to find "the accuser of his brethren" dis tinguishing himself by the vehemence of his zeal, and the warmth of his piety. But Mr. Warner's sermons are of a different complexion. They are rather essays than sermons; and by obliterating a few passages, they might be preached,

preached, without giving offence, either in a Jewish sanctuary or a Turkish mosque.

As compositions these sermons are possessed of merit. Many of the sentences are well constructed, but are frequently too long, especially for the pulpit. Mr. W. is an admirer and imitator of Dr. Johnson. His dedication will gratify the conductors of the Christian Observer; and his sermons will be praised in the Monthly and Critical Reviews. But neither the dedication nor his sermons, we are compelled to acknowlege, are entitled to Our approbation.

The Sword of the Lord: a Sermon preached on Friday, May 25, 1804, being the day appointed by his Majesty's proclamation for a general Fast. By the Rev. G. H. Glasse, A. M. Rector of Hanwell, Middlesex, and domestic chaplain to his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, 8vo. p. 20.

THE

HE inscription which introduces this animated and solemn discourse is peculiarly well adapted to interest the feelings of Britons. It speaks volumes, though contained in these few words:" To THE SACRED MEMORY OF THE MURDERED DUKE OF ENGHIEN, THIS DISCOURSE IS INSCRIBED."

From the very appropriate and affecting words of the prophet Jeremiah, xlvii. 6.-" O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? Put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still," occasion is taken first to consider the state and character of Jewry, when the prophecy was uttered; and then the analogy between those and the present times and circumstances. We should be glad to make several extracts from various parts of the sermon, particularly on the character and conduct of the BLOODY TYRANT, who, to the disgrace of all Europe, is suffered to curse and plague the human race. But our limits are so contracted that we can only quote a passage which especially comes home to the heart of every Englishman, and is calculated to give him a tenfold energy in the cause of his menaced country, at this doubtful crisis.

"All those evils, which it were folly and treachery to disguise, all the miseries which we have attempted to pourtray, and even, if possible, more acute miseries, must be viewed with a Vol. VII. Churchm. Mag. Sept. 1804. Ff steady