whole is concluded by an animated recommendation of those children for whose sake the sermon was delivered, as probably destined for the most part to a naval life, and so precluded from scenes generally more favourable to the future acquisition of religious knowledge. We could with pleasure select this passage, were we not forbidden by the limits within which we must contain ourselves. ART. XXXVII. A Sermon, preached at the Chapel in St. Saviour-Gate, York, on Sunday December 26, 1802, on Occasion of the much-lamented Death of Robert Cappe, M. D. with an Appendix, containing brief Memoirs of his Life. By CHARLES WELLBELOVED. 8vo. pp. 54. A Tribute of affection to the memory of an excellent and valuable friend. The eminence to which the lamented subject of this pathetic discourse and interesting memoir had attained, in an important profession, at so early a period of life, is highly honourable to his memory, and creditable to the discernment of his fellow-citizens. The removal of such a character from the scene of extensive usefulness, is an event which cannot be fully comprehended, and to which they who survive cannot possibly be reconciled, but by those Christian principles which the preacher has largely illustrated and zealously enforced. ART. XXXVIII. The Duties of loving the Brotherhood, fearing God, and honouring the King, illustrated and enforced in a Sermon, preached before Two Friendly Societies by the Rev. FRANCIS SKURRAY, M. A. Curate of Horning sham, Wilts. 8vo. pp. 32. THIS discourse, boasting of nothing eloquent and energetic, derives its value from the liberal views, the loyal sentiments, and the truly pious zeal of the preacher." It owes its publication," we are informed, "not to the suggestions of friendship, nor to any motives of literary vanity. It was sent by its author to the press, in order to imprint more indelibly on the minds of his parishioners than verbal recitation possibly could do, sentiments of unanimity and loyalty, at this critical and eventful period.". -May these desires of the preacher be accomplished! ART. XXXIX. A Sermon on the Depravity of the human Heart, exemplified generally in the Conduct of the Jews, and particularly in that of Lieut. Col. Despard, previous to his Execution; preached at St. George's, Hanover-Square, Feb. 27, 1803, by the Rev. W. LEIGH, LL. B. Morning Preacher at the aforesaid Church, and Rector of Little Plumstead, Norfolk. 8vo. pp. 22. WE will not consume our own time or that of our readers, in inveighing against the too frequent practice of publishing single sermons, which have nothing either in the matter or the style, no principle enforced by masterly reasoning or illustrated by chaste and vigorous eloquence, to recommend and entitle them to public notice; although we might appear to be more than justi fied by the discourse now before us.Delivered with all the grace of clerical action, the impression it made must have been very feeble; and now presented to the eye, it does no more than prove that the preacher felt what thousands felt at the same time, with at least equal vigour, but which few would not have expressed with far more energy and effect. ART. XL. A Review of Christian Doctrine, a Sermon preached at St. Thomas's, South, wark, Dec. 26, 1802, and at the Gravel-Pit, Hackney, January 2d, 1803, on resigning the Office of a Minister in those Societies. By JOHN KENTISH. 8vo. pp. 29. ART. XLI. A Letter to the Rev. John Kentish, occasioned by some remarkable Passages in his Sermon, entitled a Review of Christian Doctrine, delivered at Hackney, on Sunday, January 2, 1803. By WILLIAM STURCH. "Semper ego auditor tantum ?" 8vo. pp. 33. THE first of these articles is, as the title imports, a discourse delivered by the author to two societies of christians, upon relinquishing the charge he had held as one of their ministers. The preacher, we believe, is generally known, and by his more intimate friends highly respected, as a liberal and zealous unitarian. Addressing for the last time, in the character of their minister, the people with whom he had long officiated, he thought it not improper to review upon that occasion, the doctrine which they had heard from him in his public services. He, therefore, in a brief but very able manner, recapitulated the leading subjects of his discourses: GodDivine Worship-Revelation---Jesus Christ-the Scriptures-Christian Ordinances-and the Situation, Duties, and Expectations of Mankind. Concerning each of these he candidly states what has been the nature and burden of his instructions, and concludes his discourse with some practical reflections adapted to the particular situation of his hearers. In the course of his address, the preacher observed, that Jesus was not only the subject of prophecy, but him self a prophet, having distinctly foretold the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies: that the hope of a future resurrection must be built solely on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; that naturally man is mortal, but Christianity renders him immortal; that the Scriptures represent death as a state of profound sleep; and, that the neglect of social worship is disgraceful. These assertions, Mr. Sturch, the supposed author of a Free-thinking Tract, entitled Apeleutheros, and occasionally, at least, a hearer at the Gravel-pit, considers as unfounded. With respect to some of them we are inclined to think with him; but others, and especially the first, rest upon a foundation which no efforts of Mr. Sturch can shake. But we leave the proof of this with the preacher; who, if he judges it worth while to republish arguments which never have been, which we are fully persuaded never can be refuted, will easily subvert all that Mr. Sturch has advanced to destroy the character of Jesus as a prophet, and to disprove the publication of the gospels previous to the destruction of Jerusalem. ART. XLII. The Nature and Duties of the Christian Ministry; and the Co-operation of a Christian Society with the Labours of its Ministers: two Sermons preached at the New Meeting, in Birmingham, January 23, 1803, on undertaking the Office of a reli gious Instructor in that Congregation. By JOHN KENTISH. 8vo. pp. 40. THESE two discourses may be read with advantage, both by Christian ministers and their hearers They are plain, serious, and impressive, and contain many observations of great importance to persons of these respective cha racters. We subjoin the following extract as worthy of the attention of those who occupy stations in society similar to that of the author: "It has sometimes been asked, whether the Christian minister ought to lay before the audience whom he statedly addresses, the full result of his opinions respecting the doctrines of the gospel? With us, my brethren, I trust that there can be no such question. Among the numerous causes which have hindered the progress of divine truth, none, probably, has been more hurtful than the resolution formed by some instructors to conceal or disguise their religious sentiments from their respective congregations: so that during, perhaps, a long connexion, the society has remained totally ignorant of its teacher's faith upon subjects of the first importance; and the teacher has boasted of his keeping them in this ignorance. For myself, whether I reflect upon the very end and nature of our office, upon the uniform practice of Christ and his apostles, upon the enormous corruptions under which it has been almost buried, or upon the circumstances and wants of man, I cannot doubt but that it is our duty to declare unto you the whole counsel of God;-to declare it with meekness, indeed, yet with honesty and firmness; calling upon you, as wise men, to judge of what we say. I am no friend to the unseasonable intrusion of even useful and momentous truths: I am no advocate for dogmatism and presumption. But I am equally hostile to that temporizing spirit which, under the specious names of prudence, catholicism, and moderation, would leave the world in ignorance concerning the object of worship, the rank of Christ, the terms of salvation, and the final destiny of man. Detested be the attempt to seek or preserve a shortlived popularity, to gain the suffrages of ignorance or the applauses of prejudice; by the use of words which are thought to express, but which in reality do not express, nay which are known by us not to express our views of evangelic doctrine! These arti fices are utterly inconsistent with christian simplicity and godly sincerity; and, verily, they who practise them have their rewarda base ignoble reward, far unlike the solid recompense which awaits the men who are the fearless patrons of dishonored truth. It is in vain to allege that all Christians agree in the belief of points essential to salvation, and that there are wise and virtuous men of every persuasion. This, I grant, is a forcible plea for candid behaviour towards those whose creed differs from our own; but it cannot be admitted as valid in defence of that indolence which refuses to inquire, of that timidity which fears to state the issue of its inquiry, or of that disingenuousness which handles deceitfully the word of God." ART. XLIII. The Duty of Britons, at the present awful Crisis of their Country, a Sermon preached August 7, 1803. By JOHN OVERTON, A. M. Rector of St. Margaret and St. Crux, York. 8vo. pp. 32. FROM 1 Chron. xix. 13. the preacher recommends to his countrymen, in the midst of the dangers by which they are threatened, "humble confidence, vigorous exertion, and pious resignation." In order that they "may cherish a humble confidence that all will yet be ultimately well with them, he exhorts them to reflect on the goodness of our cause, on the goodness of our God; on the degree of true religion yet remaining in the nation; and, on what God has already done for us, and by our means." Of the exertions which are requisite he says, "We must be valiant against sin, valiant in prayer; cheartully contribute our pecuniary and personal aid; and, in general, must each of us, according to our various talents and opportunities, do our utmost for the public advantage. The wicked must reform, the righteous must intercede, the rich must contribute, the wise must deliberate, and the strong must fight. Our purses, our persons, our hearts, heads and hands, all our faculties, and all our energies, must be exerted in the cause." Although this discourse claims not the praise which is due to eloquence, it breathes a loyal, a patriotic, and a pious spirit, and is well adapted to serve the important purpose for which it was originally preached, and is now given. to the public. ART. XLIV. The National Defence, a Sermon, preached in the Parish Churches of Wainfleet, All Saints, and Thorpe, in the County of Lincoln, on Sunday, August 7, 1803. By the Rev. PETER BULMER, A. B. Vicar of Thorpe, Sc. 8vo. pp. 16. "THE object of this discourse," we are told," was to impress the minds of the hearers, especially those of the lower class, with a just sense of the present critical state of the country; and by pointing out the wisdom and necessity of the measures which have been sanctioned by the legislature, for the general defence and security of the realm, to animate them to prompt and vigorous exertions in assisting to carry such measures into execution." This object is highly laudable, and the means adopted to seCure it are deserving of much commendation. The text which the preacher has selected, is Nehemiah iv. 14. “Be not afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses." Animated by a truly British spirit, zealous for the honour of his country, and the interests of mankind, he describes in strong and glowing language, the atrocious character of our insolent foe; he points out the duties which are incumbent on his countrymen; he directs them whence to gain strength in their present difficulties, and animates them to meet and to repel the dangers with which they are menaced. We are not surprized that " its effect, at the time of its delivery, was such as to induce a wish that its usefulness might be farther extended by means of the press." ART. XLV. Britons exhorted to the Defence of their Country, in an Address on the threatened Invasion by France, delivered Aug. 28, 1803, at Trim-Street Chapel, Bath, by the Rev. THOMAS BROADHURST. 8vo. pp. 24. "IT is a good land," saith the preacher, from Deut. i. 25," which the Lord our God doth give us." Warmed by the contemplation of its excellencies, indignant at the threats of an usurping enemy to rob us of our envied enjoy ments, he endeavours to excite in the breasts of others similar feelings, and, we apprehend, not without success. We cannot forbear from making one short extract from this animated address: "Blest with the enjoyment of personal liberty, and the security of property, and free from all oppression of rank and greatness, the inhabitants of Britain are deeply interest ed in the preservation of much actual and positive good. But even if our situation were less favourable to happiness than it is, even if our lives and our property were endered less secure by the misconduct of our governors, and by acts of extortion and of cruelty, we cannot suppose that our condition would be at all ameliorated by a change of masters, and especially of such masters as we should find those to be, who are anxiously endeavouring to make us their prey. No, my countrymen, our situation would be a thousand times worse. We should be scornfully trampled to the dust. We should be ground to pieces by oppression. Our implacable enemies would satiate their ut most vengeance upon us in every possible way that malignity and ingenuity could de vise. We should become hewers of wood, and drawers of water. We should be chained to the oar, or consigned to the dungeon. Foreign troops would take up their abode daily insulted by the sight of those who had with us in our dwellings; and we should be deprived us of every thing but life, and whe would be ready to deprive us of that upen the slightest suspicion or provocation. The produce of our industry we should not be at liberty to enjoy. We should. indeed, plough and sow our fields, but our proud conquerors would reap the harvest. The flower of our youth would be pressed into the service of their tyrannic masters, and be sent from their homes to engage in supporting a system of universal oppression, and in making fresh additions to lawless power. O fatal day! when such is the lot of Englishmen! That day will be a day of weeping and lamentation. That day will be wrapt in clouds and darkness. Whoever wishes for the arrival of that awful day, wishes for the advent of all that is calamitous and dreadful. He is the enemy of his country. He is the enemy of the human race. He is a base degenerate son of Britain, fit only to be a slave; fit only to associate with those, who have lost all dignity of sentiment and elevation of mind. He possesses neither the spirit of a man, nor the philanthropy of a Christian. There is not such a man among us. If there be, he was not born in this happy isle. He was never nurtured in a land of freedom. From his natal day he has breathed only the polluted air of slavery." ART. XLVI. Courage and Union in a Time of National Danger, a Sermon, preached Oct. 9, 1803, at the Unitarian Chapel, Essex-street, by the Rev. JEREMIAH JOYCE. Second edition, 8vo. FROM the example of Nehemiah, recorded Nehemiah vi. 11, Mr. Joyce recommends the most strenuous and fearless opposition to that ambitious power which threatens to invade us; and exhorts his countrymen to determine to risque their lives to defend their inde pendence. This sermon is another of those animated patriotic addresses which the peculiar circumstances of the times have called forth; and will, no doubt, greatly contribute to "rouse his countrymen to the exercise of those rights which may be the means of securing to themselves and their descendants the same honourable rank in the world they have so long held." FAST SERMONS. ART. XLVII. Britain's Defence. A Sermon preached Aug. 21, 1803, in the Protestant Dissenting Mecting House, Battersea. By JOSEPH HUGHES, A. M. 8vo. pp. 43. OF this sermon many passages are eloquent and beautiful; and many others claim a much higher praise, that of being animated by a spirit truly benevolent and evangelical. We are informed that the subject of this discourse was chosen with an immediate reference to a circular meeting for prayer and exhortation, re cently established in the author's neighbourhood. This subject is connected by the preacher with the present alarming situation of public affairs; and his object is to shew that a devotional spirit is of the greatest importance to the welfare of communities in general, and in particular to the welfare of our own country at this critical season. After a delineation of the horrors of war, Mr. Hughes concludes, notwith ART. XLVIII. A Sermon preached on MR. WELLBELOVED pleads the haste with which this discourse was composed, and the short and unfrequent intervals of stated engagement which were allowed for its revision, in extenuation of the imperfections which he supposes will be discovered in it; and which, he says, under any other circumstances than those which attend its publication, would have prevented it from meeting the public eye. We may, however, venture to state our opinion, that his discourse will maintain a respectable rank among the many publications to which, from motives similar to his own, the services of the day appointed for national humiliation have naturally given birth. Mr. Wellbeloved has chosen the apposite history of the invasion of Judah by Sennacherib, as the passage of scripture with which his reflections are connected. After a relation of that event, extracted from the accounts afforded by the sacred historians, he remarks the similarity which it bears to the present situation of our own country, and the menaced enterprize of our enemies. We extract the following passage, which contains the political creed of the author respecting the nature and object of the important contest in which we are engaged. 46 Although I confess myself to be one of those who think that it would have been more advisable to have abided by the very letter of our treaties, and not to have afforded the enemy either the slightest pretence for the renewal of hostilities, or the possibility of justifying their conduct to the powers of Europe; yet I cannot close my eyes against the evidence which has been produced, to prove that the present ambitious ruler of France, who exists only amidst the noise and tumult of war, was, during the short leason of peace, before the cession of a rocky island was demanded and refused, unceas ANN. REV. VOL. II. standing, that defensive war is, on the principles of christianity, justifiable; and that as such the present contest may be regarded, at least in reference to the) project of invasion. The excellence of the leading sentiments of this discourse is such, that we. shall not dwell on some subordinate. blemishes, which might, perhaps, be pointed out. Wednesday, October 19, 1803, the Day of of Protestant Dissenters in St. Saviourgate, 8vo. pp. 37. ingly and extensively employed, in what may be justly considered, not merely as the preparations for a future contest, but as viola tions of the peaceful character which he was bound to maintain. His military missions to the East, under the specious pretext of exwith which his pretended commercial agents tending the commerce of France; the powers in our own country were invested; the encouragement he gave to the disaffected in our sister kingdom, and the assurance which they appear to have received of his support in their attempts to overthrow her government, are to my mind, most powerful and convincing proofs of a hostile spirit utterly amity, and demonstrate that he was readyinconsistent with his open professions of and determined to seize any pretence to renew the war which had been so lately terminated. The contest on the part of our foe, I am fully persuaded is not now carried on, nor was it at first undertaken to secure the pos session of a barren rock in the midst of the Mediterranean sea, but to humble the only mined and able to arrest the rapid strides of power that remained prompt to watch, deterlawless ambition; and to reduce to the same abject state in which the once most free and generous people of Europe are now lying, a nation, which, by its example and its influence, presents a constant and a formidable obstacle to the progress of tyranny and oppression. The nature of the war then af fords us some ground for hope; it is a defensive war. Even to those who cannot fully approve of its origin, it must now appear a contest of no ordinary nature, and affording no ordinary reason to hope for the Divine protection. So far as the menaces of our enemy are to be believed, our extirpation is the object which animates all his efforts: his rage is boundless as his ambition, insatiable as the grave. Upon the issue of the present war, depends not the possession of a few islands on a distant ocean, or of rich provinces, in a distant continent; but our existence, as that free people who have been long the admiration of the world. However trivial the pretext for entering upon the war may have been, the cause for which it is N |