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charges are analogous to fome which are made in the prefent age, the answers shall be felected from Dr. Hoine's pamphlet; not that I aim, in any way, to vindicate Hutchinfonianifm, but to defend thofe principles which were attacked through the fides of Hutchinfon. With refpect to the charge of non-conformity, he fays, In the communion of the church of England, we intend to die, being fully perfuaded "of the neceffity of being in the unity of the church, to obtain falvation*. Inftead of labouring to difcredit, which was another charge, all other preachers of the gofpel, they laboured only to difcredit,' he says, all falfe doctrines preached by many who SHOULD preach the gospel. It is the complaint of hundreds of pious Chrif tians, that there is at prefent, not only a lamentable relaxation of difcipline in the church, but as lamentable a falling off from the old way of preaching, and expound ing, the word of God. Let any one read the fermons of the primitive fathers, and our divines that lived in the times fucceeding the reformation, who preached from the fathers, as the fathers did from the fcriptures, and compare their difcourfes with those of this last century, and they must pronounce one or other of them to be many removes from Chriftianity. With refpect to the religion of Nature, the pretended religion of the modern philofopher, when he condefcends to avow any profeffion which bears that name, it is a religion without the knowledge of God, or the hope of falvation; which is deifm; and fuch as it is, it owes its birth, not to nature, but a corrupted tradition; that is, in one word, instead of natural religion, is is traditional infidelity. As a revelation was made to man, of the covenant of works, before the fall, and the covenant of grace after it; and as we are certain that all mankind came from one common flock, it is a plain and evident matter of fact, that from Adam to this day, there never was, or could be, a man left to himfelf, to make a religion of nature.'--But morality, as well as natural religion, is an object of their depreciation." Moral duties are what fcripture calls works. If thefe are done in Chrift, they are chriftian virtues! and then here is a diftinction without a difference. If they are done out of Chrift, upon any other than chriftian motives, they are nothing to any faving purpose. And if they are done against Chrift, as meritorious to falvation, they are much worse than nothing. Whoever preaches moral duties without juftification and fanctification preceding, may as well declaim on the advantages of walking, to a man that can flir neither hand nor foot. Such is the natural impotence of the foul, to do any good thing, till it is juftified and fanctified. Let the declamation be ever fo elegant, St. Peter's plain addrels, I fuppofe, would be worth ten thousand of them, to a cripple—In the name of Jesus of Nazareth RISE UP, AND WALK. Such is the difference between an ethical divine and chriflian preacher." The laft charge relates to the destruction of human learning. The answer in all ages is, ・ That depends upon the nature and kind of the learning. Such kind of learning, as the present age is given much to admire, has done no fervice to the cause of truth, but on the contrary, it has done infinite differvice to it, and almost reduced us from the unity of the Christian faith, to the wrangling of philofophical fcepticifm." Thefe obfervations are fo juft, when applied to the philofophy and learning of the prefent day, that they muft form my apology for their introduction in this place. They prove, indeed, that the fcheme of infidelity was progreffive, and that many were inftruments of its fuccefs, who, probably, were very far from withing for its profperity. That this was really the cafe, we may learn from an author of that day, who was much involved in the Hutchinfonian controverfy. Of Hutchinson,' fays Mr. Jones, we hear but little; his name was the match which gave fire to the train: but the queftion feems really to have been this; Whether Chriftianity, in the truth and fpirit of it, ought to be preferved? or, Whether a fpiritleís thing, called by the name of Christianity, would anfwer the purpose better? In other words, whether the religion of man's philofo phy, or the religion of God's Revelation, should prevail † ?”

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Though candid where candour is a duty, Mr. B. fhews that he is not afraid to blame where he must;" as our readers will judge on reading the following account of the Swedenborgians.

*Horne's Apology, pp. 3, 6, 34, &c.

"There

"There is nothing too fanciful for the human mind, when it leaves the calm and well-tempered climate of reafon, and the fure letter of revelation, and attempts to foar above the region of spiritual existence. Unchecked, even by the heaviness of matter, it throws off the garment of discretion, and ventures boldly on an unknown fea. The obfervation will be found correfpondent with the fubject, if we confider many of the tenets of those religious fects or parties, which have just passed in review before us. But what fhall we fay to that which now follows in the train ?— Emanuel Baron Swedenborg, a Swedish nobleman, about the middle of the century, established a new church, or rather religious party, (as he lived and died in the Lutheran communion) which took the name of the New Jerufalem Church, in allu-, fion to the New Jerufalem, fpoken of in the Revelation of St. John. His tenets, though founded on fcripture, differ effentially from every other fyftem of divinity in Christendom. He afferts, that in the year 1743, the Lord manifefted himself to him in a perfonal appearance; and at the fame time opened his fpiritual eyes, fo that he was enabled conftantly to fee, and converte with fpirits and angels. In confequence of this appearance, he relates feveral wonderful things of Heaven and Hell, the ftate of men after death, &c. which, he fays, were revealed to him*. It is unneceffary to dwell on Baron Swedenborg's theology, as no reasonable perfon can have any doubt of the effects of enthusiasm operating on fuch a mind as his. At the fame time, we are told, that the practical morals recommended by him are of the pureft, and most unexceptionable kind, with which his life perfectly correfpondedt.

*

"Such a character as that of the Baron, diftracted by a wild imagination, endowed perhaps with a fublimity of thought, and building fyftems on a foundation of his own, is not uncommon in the world. But when thefe fancies are communicated to others, and acted upon as if they had a real bafis, it then becomes matter of admiration indeed!

"The Society of NEW JERUSALEMITES were more numerous in Sweden, and in Germany, than in England. But of late they have increased in London, and in fome other populous towns, where they have opened places of worship under the name of Temples It has been imagined, that the promoters of modern infidelity, have feized upon this poft, among others, to accelerate their plans. What muft

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we think of a fect,' fays a modern writer, who, under the appellation of Chriftians, explain away the doctrine of the atonement, the refurrection, and the day of judgment? who exclude from the New Teftament the Epistles of the Apoftles, which they clafs as private letters? who affert, that the day of judgment is more a figure than a fact? that it commenced about 1758, in the printing and publication of a judgment of Emanuel Swedenborg, to condemn, collectively, all the doctrines of the Old, or Trinitarian, Church. Thefe, and feveral other opinions held by the difciples of the New Church, would certainly meet much of the approbation of Infidels, as fome of the most eligible means of bringing Chrittianity in general into difreputes. Happily, according to the fame author, their allurements are not fuccefsful, though they have adopted a pompous mode of worship, have fantastically difpofed two officiating minifters in one chapel, and adopted, as a dress of the paftor in another, that of a Chef de Famille, among the French Theophilanthropifts.

*Evans' Sketch, p. 110.

+ Gregory's Hiftory of the Chriftian Church, vol. ii. p. 545.

The following advertisement appeared in one of the London papers laft winter. "New Jerufalem Temple, Crofs-treet, Hatton-garden. The members of the Society of the Lord's New Church (and the readers of the highly favoured and enlightened, the Hon. Baron Emanuel Swedenborg's writings,) are informed that the Rev -will preach, &c. It is remarkable, that this worthy prieft of the Lord's New Church has given his labours of love (without falary, fee, or reward) to this Society, every Sunday morning and evening (writing a new fermon every week) and attending the reading meetings once a week for 13 years without interruption."

Reid on the Rife and Fall of Infidel Societies, p. 53. Vol. III. Churchm. Mag. O&. 1802.

I i

* It

"It would be degrading to human reafon to record the impofitions which that noble faculty of man endures. Too true will this reflection be thought on this occafion, when we are told, that the establishment of this fect in England arose from a printer's job, near the fpot where the Baron formerly refided when he was in London, to quicken the heavy fale of a new tranflation of his works, and the dispersion of a magazine of Heaven and Hell; and a romance calculated to introduce his principles in a more captivating fhape. It then appeared, partly in the modern and fashionable form of a debating fociety: but instead of preachers collecting the people, these people were fo hard run to collect preachers, that for a confiderable time the office was generally confined to the printer alluded to, and one of his relatives. Notwithstanding the exertions which are made to fupport this fociety, if appearanances are to be trufted, Mr. Reid fays, the most heterodox opinions that ever bore the name of Chriftian will not trouble the orthodox much longer.

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The obfervations on the "Gin A, the " Few Bill", and the " Marriage Act," are very interefting; particularly those upon the last named act. Mr. Brewfter reprobates the idea that marriage is but a civil contract; and quotes with perfect fuccefs the authority of that profound divine, Dean Comber, in anfwer to a hafty affertion of Blackstone.

We cannot refrain giving one paffage more, a paffage which made "c our hearts burn within us' -the character of our beloved MONARCH, with which Part IV. opens.

"If ever any period opened upon this nation with more than an ordinary degree of luftre, it is that which placed the youthful virtues of George the Third on the throne of Great Britain. Other periods have given profperity to our arms; other periods have beheld wisdom in our counfels; but what æra fhall we point out, diftinguished as this is, in the perfon of the Sovereign, by an abfence of thofe pernicious pleasures, which enervate the body and deftroy the foul, and by an affemblage of thofe chriftian graces, which, under the guidance of the good Spirit of God, invigorate and preferve both? In fome parts of the hiftory of our ancient monarchs, we have feen many amiable, many splendid instances of virtue; we have seen the profligacy of an Henry the fifth fucceeded by illuftrious proofs of reformation; but, happily for this nation, and for himfelf, George the third was impreffed by an early fenie of piety and religion, which has carried him fafely through many trying and unlooked for difficulties: it has fupported him with intrepidity amidst perfonal inflictions of the molt grievous nature, and public diftrefs, the moft poignant and oppreffive; it has fhed upon his breaft a nobleness of foul, which renders him fearless of danger, and the century has clofed upon his reign, ftill beaming with the steady light of conscious integrity.

"If we look behind the veil of royalty, the practice of every domestic virtue ftrikes us in fo pleafing a light, that we exclaim, That was indeed a MAN! And if we regard his public, as well as private profeffion of religion, his unremitting care, in imitation of the patriarch Abraham, to" command his children and his fervants after him, to keep the way of the Lord, and to do justice and judgment*; if we observe his zeal to maintain, in all its purity, that true protestant faith, establifhed in his dominions, we may proceed one ftep further in his praife, and fay, This was indeed a CHRISTIAN! The remembrance of him will be as the remembrance of the good Jofiah, "fweet as honey in all mouths, and as mufic at a banquet of wine f.

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"It might be expected, that fo eminent an example of virtue would diffuse itself through a large extent in the circle of nobility, and defcend with increafing influence to the lower ranks of the community. I hefitate not to fay, that it has done fo, notwithstanding many glaring inftances of profligacy in high life, and the vicious imitation of fuch conduct in perfons of inferior ftation. This will be evident to those who compare the corruption of public manners in the prefent age, with *Gen. xviii. 19. † Ecclef. xlix. 1.

that

that of Charles the fecond, when the court, the city, and, in confequence, the country, were overspread by a contagion of licentioufnefs. Licentioufnefs, it is true, abounds at prefent, and in no finall degree, but in how many inftances is its deftructive paffage checked by virtue? Whatever may be the general opinion upon this fubject, it will be allowed, that the example of our amiable King will rife up in judgment againft every votary of vice, every contemner of religious duties within his realm, and will condemn him; for he, amidst the perplexities of a public ftation, amidit the boisterous waves of a contending world, maintains, with firmness, his dependence on the King of Kings; whilt the other, unfettered by any outward restraint, free to ferve his God, either in the walks of public life, or in the fhade of a peaceful retirement, throws himself into the lap of luxury, and his foul perishes with hunger in the midst of abundance.

"Almoft the first act of this good King's reign, [Oct. 31, 1760] was to iffue a royal proclamation for the encouragement of Piety and Virtue, and for preventing and punishing of Vice, Profanenefs, and Immorality; which is directed, and continues to be read, at the opening of the affizes, and general quarter feffions of the peace, as well as occafionally in parish churches. The perfonal confiderations which dictated this proclamation, do credit to the heart which produced them."We humbly acknowledging, that we cannot expect the bleffing and goodness of Almighty God (by whom kings reign, and on which we entirely rely,) to make our reign happy and profperous to ourfelf, and to our people, without a religious obfervance of God's holy laws: to the intent, therefore, that religion, piety, and good manners may (according to our most hearty defire) flourish and increase under our adminiftration and government, We have thought fit, &c. to iffue this our royal proclamation And for the encouragement of religion and morality, we will, upon all occafions, distinguish perfons of piety and virtue, by marks of our royal favour.

His Majefty's firft fpeech to his parliament [Nov. 18, 1760] ftrengthens the impreffion of piety and true loyalty, occafioned by his firft proclamation; and ought to call forth, in every British bofom, fentiments of the warmeft, and most inviolable attachment..--"Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Briton; and the peculiar happiness of my life will ever confift in promoting the welfare of a people, whofe loyalty and warm affection to me, I confider as the greatest and most permanent fecurity of my throne; and, I doubt not, but their Readiness in thofe principles will equal the firmnefs of my invariable refolution to adhere to, and strengthen, this excellent conflitution in church and state; and to maintain the toleration inviolable. The civil and religious rights of my loving fubjects are equally dear to me with the most valuable prerogatives of my crown: and, as the fureft foundation of the whole, and the beft means to draw down the divine favour on my reign, it is my fixed purpofe to countenance and encourage the practice of true religion and virtue."-To forget fuch expreffions, is impoffible: to omit repeating them, when occafion prompts, were an ungrateful filence."

We have far exceeded our ufual limits in giving an account of this excellent Book. Mr. Brewster has our fincere thanks. The goodness of his heart, and the foundneis of his principles, are difplayed in every page. He has a most happy method of quoting Scripture. He has introduced many paffages with great effect. Here is no want of unction; yet is nothing done to fatiety. The Holy Scripture whilft it illuftrates, embalms his book; which we recommend most heartily to our readers.

L. C.

The Hiftory of Sufan Gray, as related by a Clergyman, and defigned for the Benefit of Young Women when going to Service, &c. 12mo. pp. 193. THIS little Book is well adapted to the purpose for which it is intended. It is written in a very plain style, properly suited to the understandings of thofe for whofe ufe it is compofed. The ftory is an affecting one.

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young woman can read it attentively without feeling it fenfibly. As it was read to the Reviewer by his daughter, it more than once beguiled them of their tears." Sufan Gray is the child of poor, but industrious parents. She becomes an orphan in early life. She is obliged to take refuge with her aunt, a low profligate woman. By accident the is received into the family of an elderly lady, who inftructs her in her duty to God, her neighbour, and herself. The Lady dies, and fhe is placed under the care of a woman who is to teach her how to earn her bread, and to fit her for fervice. This woman is an unprincipled wretch; and poor Sufan is exposed to many infults, and undergoes many trials and temptations. She preferves her innocence, however, by flying; being placed in fuch circumftances as admitted of no alternative. In her flight, fhe paffes a dreadful night out of doors, expofed to a ftorm of thunder and lightning. She takes cold; a confumption feizes her, and the dies; having first related her ftory to the clergyman, who records it for the benefit of other young women. The character of Sufan Gray, is contrafted by that of Charlotte Owen; and the reader fees the laft end both of the righteous and the wicked. This is the outline of the Book; which should be found in the fervant's hall, or the kitchen of every family in the country.

L. C.

LIST OF BOOKS THE Life of Mofes, defigned for the Amusement and Inftruction of Youth.

12mo.

Sermons, or Homilies appointed to be read in Churches in the time of Queen Elizabeth, of famous memory, in two Parts: to which are added, the Conftitutions and Canons Ecclefiaftical, and the Thirty nine Articles of the Church of England. Reprinted by the Univerfity of Oxford. 8vo. 607 pp.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocefe of Rochefter, in the year 1802, and publifhed at their requeft. By John Law, D. D. Archdeacon of Rochester, 4to. pp. 16.

A Sermon preached at Walfal, at the

IN DIVINITY.

Archdeacon's Vifitation, Auguft, 1802
By the Rev. Edward Cooper.

The Preparation for fpreading the
Gofpel, in Fifteen Books. By Eufebius
Bishop of Cefarea, in Paleftine; tranfla-
ted from the Greek Books, &c.

Strictures on a Piece, entitled "The Deifin of the Schifmatics Expofed. By E. C. 8vo.

The Churchman's Memorial; or, an Hiftorical Account of the Lives, Sufferings, and Works of thofe Divines of the Church of England, who were deprived of their preferments, aud otherwife perfecuted, during the Great Rebellion. By the Editors of the Orthodox Churchman's Magazine. Vol. I.

MONTHLY OBITUARY, WITH ANECDOTES OF DISTINGUISHED

PERSONS.

08. 2.]DIED on Thursday fe'nnight at Brighton, Mrs. Pett, wife of Phineas Pett, D. D. Principal of St. Mary Hall, in this University.

Mrs. Ann Peachey, of Worcester.Mrs. Gill, wife of Mr. Gill, of Turkey, near Worcester.-At Stourport, Mr. Walwyn, Attorney at Law, late of Droitwich. The Rev. Mr. Harris, Rector of Mitcheldean, Gloucefter fhire.Mrs. Elizabeth Hicks, of Worcester.Mifs Dunn, of Churchill.-At Bath, Gill Slater, Efq. late of Liverpool.

Suddenly, James Farrer, of Brambro'
Grange, Yorkshire.-W. Van Hemert
Burt, Efq. of Portman Square.- At
Chertfey, in Surrey, C. Pembroke, Efq.

At Dinton, Bucks, Mrs. Jones, wife of the Rev. Mr. Jones, and fifter to the Rev. Mr. Price, of Wycomb.

On Sunday laft, aged fifty-three, Mr. James White, a refpectable farmer of Cowley, in this county.

Mifs Hort, only daughter of Mr. Hort, of St. Loe, Gloucefterfhire.At Berkeley, of a brain fever, Mrs. Clutterbuck.

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