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REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The Works of the Rev. R. Cecil, M. A. with a Memoir of his life. Arranged and revised with a View of the Author's Character. By Josiah Pratt, B.D. F.A.S. In Four Vols. 8vo, 2.23.

The Life, Character, and Remains of the Rev. R. Cecil, M. A. One Vol. 8vo, with his Portrait, 13s.

We begin with observing, that the second work here mentioned is a part only of the former, published by the same editor, for the convenience of those who do not chuse to go to the expence of the former. This volume contains the Memoir, &c. from the first volume, and the whole of the last; and therefore need not be distinctly characterised. Of the whole works the first vol. contains the Author's Life and Character, with his Memoirs of Cadogan, Bacon, and Newton; all which have been distinctly reviewed in our former vol.

As we have taken the liberty to give a slight sketch of the Author's Life in our Biographical Department, it is unnecessary for us to give any extracts in this place; only it is proper to observe, that what we have given, or can give, will bear a very small proportion to the original, the whole of which will well reward perusal.

The Second Volume contains several tracts and single Sermons, printed on various occasions, by Mr. Cecil; with some, few that, we believe, were never before published. The most important of these is a Fragment, written during his illness in 1799. From this very interesting paper we shall give a short extract: As a traveller who has left his house but a few hours, finds himself in an entirely new situation; so, shut up for a few hours in a sick bed, and with a prospect of death, I look backward and forward, and seem in a new world. I feel the truths which I have taught in a way I never before felt them. I marvel at the stupidity of man, and most of all at my own

stupidity. I desire to live, only that I may live and act under the impressions which I now have, as I clearly perceive nothing else worth living for.

"I just now called for one to help me, who would go through fire and water to do it; but received no an

swer.

What a mercy that He, who always can help me, always hears me when I call! I feel many sweet and strong ties to the present life, in my family and in my church, to which all earthly possessions bear no comparison; yet to depart and be with Christ is doubtless far better: but I have been this morning perplexed with the consideration that, when I shall see him as he is, I shall not be able to forgive myself for not having served him better. I know not how to separate the idea of self-reproof from heavenly enjoyment.

Sitting in my blanket, with the Bible before me, I seem like old Elwes with a bushel of Bank notes and India bonds; but with this difference, that he must have his all taken away; and I shall take all mine with me.

I am astonished, and even confounded, when I recollect with what prodigality we ministers are accustomed to waste our time. A minister spending his strength and talents merely to entertain his acquaintance, is a foolish virgin wasting her oil to light up a puppetshew. I purpose, in the strength of God, that the few drops which I have remaining, shall be consecrated to the lighting of wanderers to the door, or pilgrims on their way.

The moment my soul departs from this body, it will be more separate from the present world in which I live, than if it were at this instant placed beyond the orb of Saturn; and yet at the orb of Saturn, what a mere non-entity would this present world be! But to be placed at such an inconceiveable distance from my present station, and to be there alone, though but

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Memoirs of the late Rev. John Clark. Written by himself, and, at his Request, published with Remarks by W.Jay. 8vo, 5s. 6d.

THIS work has, by an accidental circumstance, been unusually delayed, We the more regret this, as Biographical works are in their own nature rather temporary,

and our interest in them, when the subjects are not of the first class of public characters, decreases, as we remove from the times in which they lived. Mr. Clarke was, how. ever, well known to many of our readers in the west of England; and Mr. Jay's biographical talents have already appeared in his admirable Memoirs of the amiable and venerable Cornelius Winter *. If that work owed much of its interest to Mr. J.'s judicious and valuable remarks (as it certainly did)

this owes more.. Not that Mr. C.'s narrative is interesting, far from it; but Mr. J.'s observations are in valuable; and the address over the grave, which concludes the volume, is, we think, a fine specimen of simple and manly eloquence.

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stick, that it may give light to all that are in the house.'

It has been supposed that Mr. C.'s habits of frugality might pass the line of duty; but Mr. J. candidly suggests that his abstracted life cut him off from many objects which, by striking the eye, would have affected the heart;' that his multifarious engagements left him little leisure or opportunity to explore affliction in person; that having constantly had so inany of the lower class manufacturing for him, he might have had blunted, by all the wickedness he had witnessed, something of the fine edge of humanity, tercourse with the poor and wretchthat many of those feel whose ined is only occasional or charitable.' More positively, however, Mr. J. refers to several instances of his and kindness and benevolence, especially to his extraordinary disinterested conduct as a minister. Not only were all his labours gratuitous, but he expended more than one thousand pounds in purchasing and endowing the chapel in which he preached, and then placed it in trust for the benefit of posterity;and when his age and infirmities made it necessary to engage an assistant, he set his people an example by a very handsome annual subscription.

Mr. C. seems, in some cases, to have placed considerable confidence in the sudden suggestion of passages of scripture to his mind, and to have expressed his sense of dependence on divine assistance in a manner that might lead some to suppose that he slighted the proper means of preparation for his public work. While Mr. J. labours to vindicate his conduct, he is still more anxious to guard it from abuse, and very ably and properly exposes the folly and danger of resting in the sound of scripture, without a proper attention to its sense; which he illustrates by the following example:- A poor but pious lad, who had been used to consider every suggestion in scripwhen he lighteth a candle putteth ture - language as coming from it under a bushel, but on a candle- above, was one time distressed for

Mr. J. though the warm friend and admirer o? Mr. C. is so far from representing him as a perfect character (though an excellent one) that he derives several useful hints from what may be considered as his failings, though failings which evidently leaned on Virtue's side!' His 'disposition' was unusually 'retreating and reserved;' from this our author takes occasion to observe, that while religion disposes us for retirement, it prepares us to leave it; and that many of its duties call us, not out of the world, but into it. A Christian, says our Lord, is a candle; and no man

* See Evan. Mag. Vol. XVI. p. 256.

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fire-wood, and wishing for some of his neighbour's hedge, when that word coming suddenly to his mind, • In all this job sinned not;' and he began to make free with the hedge, till happily he recollected another passage, which says, Thou shalt not steal;' which cured him of this error; and in old age the good man used to exhort persons to live -not by impulses, but by the ten commandments.' We are pleased to receive so satisfactory evidence of Mr. C's learning, his application to science, and his taste for the arts, particularly music; and if we differ in any thing from our good friend the editor, with respect to Mr. C. it is in the prominent situation he has given to his poetic effusions, which, except in the Hymns on p. 160, 161, seem hardly ever to have reached mediocrity; and not to rank higher than the strains of Bunyan and his contemporaries.

The Works of President Edwards: in 8 vols. royal 8vo, 31. 12s.

FOR this handsome and uniform edition of the Works of this great American Divine, we are indebted to Dr. E. Williams, of Rotherham, and Mr. Parsons, of Leeds; and it is not easy to express the obligations the present age is under to these gentlemen, and to Mr. Pratt (the editor of Bishops Hall, Hopkins, and Reynolds) for the invaluable treasures of Theology they have collected and laid before them.

Of President Edwards we have before had occasion to speak in the highest terms *. On those myste, rious subjects, the freedom of the Will and Original Sin, he has no equal, no competitor;- and what the celebrated Dr. Priestley said of the former of these books, may be fairly applied to all his controversial writings, they are unanswerable. To theological students they are almost indispensable; and to all who have acquired a habit of thinking deeply on controverted points, they will commend themselves by a strain of argument which ap

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proaches demonstration nearer than can be found in any other writings we are acquainted with. But Mr. E.'s works are not all controversial; his Treatise on the Affections and several other pieces, are practical, and have the best tendency. Most of these Treatises, however, are well known, and it is unnecessary to do more than to enumerate them.

Vol. I. contains Dr. Hopkins's Memoir of the Author, enlarged and improved,-Enquiry into the Freedom of the Will,-A Dissertation concerning the End for which God created the World.

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II. A Dissertation on the Nature of true Virtue,--The Christian Doctrine of Original Sin, Man's natural Blindness in Religion, An Attempt to promote Union in Prayer, HI. Surprising Work of God at Northampton, Life of Brainerd, with Appendixes, and his Remains. IV. A Treatise concerning Religious Affection, with Appendix,— Christian Caution, A Warning to Professors,--The final Judgment,-Sinuers in Zion warned, The End of the Wicked contemplated.

V. History of the Work of Re demption, Men naturally God's Enemies,- The Wisdom of God displayed in Salvation, Christian Knowledge and Christian Charity., VI. Thoughts on a Revival of Religion, Five Discourses on Sal, vation,-Two Sermons

VII. Five Sermons,-Miscellaneous Observations on Theological Subjects, Remarks on Theological Controversies, Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God.

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* See Evan, Mag. Vol. iii, p. 36.

dedicated. Mr. H. has not gratified his readers with the usual compliment of a preface, expressive of his design in publishing these discourses; but we doubt not it was to enable his numerous friends to renew by reading, the pleasure and the profit they found in hearing them.

The subjects are of a miscellaneous nature, and are called Select,' being chosen, we conceive, not with regard to any chain of connection, but selected from his other sermons as best adapted, in his judgment, to the edification of his readers. The subjects are however important, viz. The Importance of Meditation, Gen. xxiv. 63; Abundant Grace, 2 Cor. ix. 8; The Christian's Desire of Heaven, 2 Cor. v. 8; The Death of the Righteous, Nnmb. xxiii. 10; The Advantage of remembering the Redeemer's Words, Luke xxiv. 8; Pilate's Question, John xviii. 38; Walking with God, Micah vi. 8; The Redeemer's Sympathy, Isa. Ixiii. 9; The Precious and the Vile, Psalm lxxxvi. 11; The Redeemer's Ascension, Luke xxiv. 50; Assurance, 2 Pet. i. 10; The Privileges of Tried Saints, Zech.xiii. 89; Officious Meddlers with God, 2 Chron. xxxv. 21; The Recollections of Gratitude, and the Pleasures of Hope, 2 Sam. viii. 18-21.

The system of doctrine which is maintained in these discourses is Calvinism, properly so called,-not Antinomianism, falsely termed Calvinism, and such as the adversaries of the truth pretend it to be, but practical Calvinism; such as the great Reformer, from whom it derives its name, maintained, and such as that great preacher, Whitfield, who erected the places in which these sermons were delivered, uniformly preached.

We cannot commend these dis courses as compositions of the first order, nor their style as elegant, or always perfectly correct; nevertheless, we think they are truly useful in their tendency, as well as popular and lively in their manner. There is frequently a considerable degree of energy in the author's thoughts, which are maintained with manly firmness, and expressed

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The Minister's Request. A Discourse delivered at Hackney, on the Settlement of the Rev. H. F. Burder, as Assistant Preacher to the Rev. S. Palmer. By William Jay. Svo, price is.

THIS is not a sermon which is indebted for its existence and reputation to a passing incident in the transitory nature of which itself may possibly share. While the ministry of reconciliation continues, and they who take part in this ministry are exposed to danger, and compassed about with infirmities, the apostle's claim will be the pastor's unceasing request, Brethren, pray for us.'

Our author supports the propriety of the apostle's demand, on the combined principles of necessity and equity. He contends that the prayers of God's people for their ministers are necessary, on account of the important nature of their work, of the trials in which their fidelity will involve them, of the dangers to which they are exposed,

of their entire dependence on God for natural, acquired, and moral endowments, and for success; and lastly,-of their awful responsibility to God for the manner in which they have fulfilled the ministry which they received of the Lord Jesus. He pleads with the Christian people also, on the prin ciple of equity; as the pastor is the object of their choice,-appointed for their spiritual edification; and, under God, the instrument of incalculable benefit to their immortal souls. Having supported the equity of the minister's claim, he shews in what way the prayers of the people will best discharge their obligations. He conceives that this method will be most satisfactory to the pious minister's own mind; will most strongly enforce the performance of other duties to him, -will be most productive of religi ous benefit to thom;- and not de

pending upon talents, office, or rank, it is within the reach of the poor man's benevolence, as well as that of the more opulent.

There is discovered in the sermon a deep sense of the worth and excellence of the gospel ministry, and much experimental acquaintance with the trials inseparable from a faithful discharge of the sacred trust. Every minister, for his own sake, should promote its extensive circulation among the people of his charge. The author is entitled to the warmest acknowledgments of all his brethren for this labour of love in their behalf.

Jonah's Deliverance and Gratitude, &c.: a Sermon, by J. Clunie, M. A. Svo, ls.

THIS sermon is a pious memorial of the divine mercy to the author, who, on that day twelvemonth, on which the sermon was preached, experienced a very singular deliverance at sea. Devout gratitude to Heaven breathes thro' the whole. Though the preacher's own personal feelings are necessarily introduced, the instruction which he gives reaches to all. It may be viewed as a votive tablet, hung up to commemorate his gratitude to God his Saviour, when there was but a step between him and death. Others who have also received distinguished preservation and deliverance at sea, in reading this sermon, will call to remembrance the workings of their own minds in the hour of danger; and praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.'

He draws the reader's attention to Jonah's distress implied in the expression, My soul fainted with

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THE memory of this excellent minister of Etterick, is still fragrant in the churches; and his works' will be prized so long as pure and undefiled religion continues exist. While we are not convinced of the necessity of the abridgment before us, yet, as there are many to whom the original work is not acceptable, this volume may prove an agreeable present. Mr. P. has appended some reflections, which are valuable and plain as to their sentiment; but which we should have been glad to have seen expressed in a more simple style.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Mr. Styles's proposed Volume of Sermons is in the press, and will include his Funeral Sermon for Mr. Spence; for which reason he declines publishing a new edition of that Sermon singly, as requested.

The first part of The Christian Reader's Guide' (so long promised. to the public) will be ready for publication in the course of a few weeks.

SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.
Remarks on the Refutation of
Calvinism, by the Bishop of Lin-
colu. By the Rev. T. Scott. Two
Vols. 8vo, £ l..

An entire New Version of the
Book of Psalms. By W. Goode,
M. A. Two Vols. 8vo, £1 1s.

The Advantage of an Early Acquaintance with the Scripture; a

Sermon on the Death of Master aud Ann Lee. By J. Bowden, Tooting, 8vo, Is.

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Village Sermons, vol. vi. 12mo, 2s.; 8vo, 3s.

Extracts from the Letters and Diary of Mr. F. L. Russell, with a Short Memoir. By Brother. Price 2d.

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