ART. XII. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. The Rev. W. S. Gilly will shortly publish, a Narrative of an Excursion to the Mountains of Piedmont, in the year 1823, and researches among the Vaudois, with illustrations of the very inte resting history of these Protestant inhabitants of the Cottian Alps, with an Appendix containing important documents from Ancient MSS. In one vol. 4to. with maps and other engravings. A highly finished and accredited Likeness of Mrs. Hannah More, engraved by Worthington from a Painting by H. W. Pickersgill, A. R. A. will be published in a few days. Mr. Solomon Bennett has just issued the prospectus of a work to be entitled the Temple of Ezekiel, or an illustration of the 40th, 41st, 42nd, &c. chapters of Ezekiel, to be published in a 4to. vol. aud illustrated with a ground plan, and a bird's-eye view of the Temple. In the press, the Christian Father's Present to his Children. By the Rev. J. A. James. In the month of March, will be published, the first number of a new periodical publication, entitled the Cambridge Quarterly Review and Academical Register. To be continued quarterly. We understand that a new translation of Josephus, the Jewish historian, has been undertaken by a clergyman of the established Church. A classical version of this unique and celebrated writer has long been a desideratum in English Literature; and if the gentleman above alInded to, succeed in his arduous enterprize, he will coufer no mean obligation on his language and country. We are happy to insert the following notice, transmitted to us by Mr. Moutgomery of Sheffield. A Society under the patronage of his Majesty, has long been established, for abolishing the practice of employing children to sweep chimnies. A volume, in prose and verse, to be intituled "The Climbing Boy's Album," containing contributions from some of the most eminent writers of the day, illustrated with engravings from designs by Mr. Cruikshank, will be published in the course of the present season. The object of this work will be to draw public attention more earnestly than heretofore to the practicability and the necessity of discontinuing one of the most cruel, unjust, and flagitious usages in existence. On the 25th of March will be pub lished, in six handsome volumes, 8vo. price 31. 12s. uniform with the editions of Jeremy Taylor, Dr. Owen, and Lightfoot, the Complete Works of the Rev. Philip Skelton, of Trinity College, Dublin, with memoirs of his life by the Rev. Samuel Burdy, A.B. Edited by the Rev. Robert Lynam, A. M. assistant Chaplain to the Magdalen Hospital. In the press, and speedlly will be published, in foolscap 8vo. a Familiar and Explanatory Address to Young, Uninformed, and Scrupulous Christians, on the Nature and Design of the Lord's Supper, with directions for profitably reading the Scriptures; a dissertation on faith and works; an exposition of the commandments and Lord's prayer; a discourse upon prayer, and an explanation of terms used in doctrinal writings, &c. &c. In the press, Massillon's Thoughts on different Moral and Religious Subjects, extracted from his works, and arranged under distinct heads, translated from the French. By Rutton Morris, English Minister at Calais and the suburbs of St. Pierre. In the press, Lectures on the Life of Christ, 3 vols. 8vo. By the Rev. J. Bennet, Rotherham. In the press, Lectures on the Ten Commandments. By W. H. Stowell, North Shields. In 1 vol. 8vo. ART. XIII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. MEDICINE. An Engraved Representation of the Anatomy of the Human Ear, exhibiting in one view, the external and interual parts of that Organ in situ, accompa nied with a plate of outlines and refer ences with copious explanations; to which are added, Surgical remarks on introducing the Probe and Catheter into the Eustachian Tube by the Nostrilon the opeJation of puncturing the Membrana Tympani-and a synoptical table of the Diseases of the Ear, with their classification, seat, symptoms, causes, and treatment. The whole desigued as a guide to Acoustic Surgery. By Thomas Buchanan, C. M. Licentiate of the University of Glasgow, and Surgeon to the Hull Dispensary for Diseases of the Eye and Ear. folio 12s. 6d. MISCELLANEOUS. A Letter to the Editor of the British Review, occasioned by the notice of "No Fiction" and "Martha," in the last Number of that work. By Andrew Reed. 8vo. Is. 6d. Aspersions answered: an explanatory statement, addressed to the public at large, and to every reader of the Quarterly Review in particular. By William Hone. 8vo. 18. Fatal Errors and Fundamental Truths, illustrated in a series of narratives and essays. Small Svo. 9s. Letters to an Attorney's Clerk, containing directions for his studies and general conduct: designed and commenced by A. C. Buckland, author of Letters on Early Rising, and completed by W. H. Buckland. f.eap 8vo. 10s. 6d. Prose by a Poet. 2 vols. f.cp. Svo. 12s. Private Correspondence of the late William Cowper, Esq. Now first pub. lished from the originals in the possession of the Editor, the Rev. Dr. Johnson, Rector of Yaxham with Welborne, Norfolk. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 8s. POLITICAL. The Practicability and Expediency of abolishing Taxation, by repealing the remaining moiety of the assessed taxes. By a Country Magistrate. 1s. A Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, on the subject of Church property. By a Clergyman. 8vo 2s. 6d. An Address on the State of Slavery in the West India Islands, from the Committee of the Leicester Auxiliary AntiSlavery Society. 8vo. 1s. THEOLOGY. The Evidence of Christianity derived from its Nature and Reception. By J. B. Sumner, M.A. Prebendary of Durham. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Sermons on Important Subjects. By the Rev. D. M'Indoe, Newcastle on Tyne. 12mo. 5s. bd. An Answer to the Question, Why are you a Congregational Dissenter. By the Rev. Jos Morrison. 6d. The Incarnation of the Son of God; a Sermon preached at the Moraviau Chapel, Bristol. By William Okely, M.D. 8vo. 1s. (The profits to be devoted to the benefit of the sufferers by fire at Sarepta.) The Book of Psalms in an English Metrical Version, founded on the basis of the authorized Bible translation, and compared with the original Hebrew, with notes, critical and illustrative. By the Rev. Richard Mant, D.D. M.R.I.A. Lord Bishop of Down and Connor. 8vo. 12s. The Protestant Companion, or a Seasonable Preservative against the errors, corruptions, and unfounded claims of a superstitious and idolatrous church, By the Rev. C. Daubeny, LL, D. Archdeacon of Sarum. 8vo. 9s. Twenty Sermons on the Apostolical Preaching and Vindication of the Gospel to the Jews, Samaritans, and devout Gentiles, as exhibited in the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles of St. Peter, and the Epistle to the Hebrews: preached before the University of Cambridge in the Year 1823, at the Lecture founded by the Rev. J. Hulse. By J. C. Franks, M.A. Chaplain of Trinity College, and Vicar of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, 8vo. 12s. THE ECLECTIC REVIEW, FOR APRIL, 1824. Art. I. An Attempt to demonstrate from Reason, and Revelation, the necessary Existence, essential Perfections, and superintending Providence of an Eternal Being, who is the Creator, the Supporter, and the Governor of all Things. By Samuel Drew. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. xx. 712. Price 18s. Cornwall. 1820. IT T would seem to be a very difficult thing to prove that there is a God, since, of the arguments adduced to demonstrate the proposition, some are unsound, others are involved and obscure; and the most laborious proofs are the least satisfactory. To prove the fact of one's own existence by a similar process of argumentation, would be found equally difficult, and for the same reason: no proof can be so clear as that which the proposition includes, its contrary implying a contradiction. Were a plain man required to demonstrate that two and two are equal to four, he would resent, as an attempt to impose upon his understanding, the raising a question about so self-evident a truth. But a learned philosopher, no doubt, could prove this at great length,-could demonstrate the necessity of the relation of equality, the difference between equality and identity, the absurdity of supposing that two and two make five, since even numbers can never be multiplied into an odd one; he would further adduce in support of the assertion, the universal consent of mankind; but, whether the nature of things could possibly have been different, so that the idea of equality should have been produced in our minds by an odd number, would admit of a most ingenious disputation. We are much disposed to consider the intricate argument respecting the being of a God as scarcely less a work of supererogation. It is impossible to conceive of there being no God,impossible for the mind, in a state of sanity, to frame to itself the supposition that would blot out the idea of God. There have been a few men mad enough to profess atheism,-such as a heathen writer aptly describes as maimed in their very soul, VOL. XXI. N. S. monstrous creatures, as a lion without courage, an ox without horns, or a bird without wings; yet, out of these, you shall understand somewhat of God, for they know and confess him whether they will or no.'* It is one thing to be able to argue on the side of an absurd hypothesis, and another thing for the mind to impose on itself that absurdity as a truth. The atheistic hypothesis is a pure absurdity. The act of thought includes the idea of conscious existence; and from the idea of conscious existence, that of its Author is inseparable. The first law of all reasoning is that which links the effect with its cause. As soon as the child can reason, that is, as soon as it becomes, properly speaking, a conscious being, it understands the force of the inquiry, Who made me? Some one, something must have caused me to be. If he should be told, that his parents made him, the question returns, Who made them? And no idea is found on which the unsophisticated mind can rest, but that of the Infinite, Unsearchable, Eternal Being, who made all things, and who Himself had no beginning. I am; therefore God is.' The reasoning is on a level with the lowest capacity, yet, philosophy cannot produce a stronger demonstration. The conclusion is irresistible. I must have had a Maker-greater than myself greater than the world, for he made that too, and placed me in it-greater than I can conceive of transcending alike my imagination and my reason: thus I can conceive of Him only as immense. It is one step further, which leads to the conclusion, that this Cause of all things must be antecedent to all things, uncaused, eternal. This idea once developed, (and it is necessarily developed by the earliest processes of thought,) it becomes a law or first principle. For he,' remarks Dr. Clarke, that can suppose eternity and immensity removed out of the universe, may, if he please, as easily remove the relation of equality between twice two and four.' - In point of fact, the relation of cause and effect is more easily apprehended than the relation of equality. The proposition that there is a God, is understood before the terms of the proposition are, that two and two are equal to four. Both, when understood, are equally self-evident, and refuse the aid of proof. Their opposites alike imply a contradiction. There is a remark of Howe's, which strictly applies, we think, to the argument respecting the Divine Existence. At least, he says, in a matter of so clear and commanding evidence, ra • Maximus Tyrius. soning many times looks like triflings and out of a hearty concernedness and jealousy for the honour of religion, one' would rather it should march on with an heroical neglect of "bold and malapert cavillers, than make itself cheap by discussing at every turn its principles.' Theology might safely refrain from encountering a mere absurdity, and assume the fact of existence, including the self-existence of the First Great Cause, as granted. Lestuloni The self-existence of God is as certain a truth as his existence: it is included in the idea of God, and therefore forms part of the proposition, There is a God. If this is not so immediately perceived as the affirmation, that two and two are equal to four, it is owing, not to its being less self-evident, but to the abstract nature of the idea of uncaused existence: the meaning of the terms is less obvious, but, when understood, the assent of the mind is as instantaneously given in the one case as in the other. The Being who made all things, must have existed antecedently to all things, independently of all things, uncaused, unoriginated, from eternity, by the necessity of his nature, that is, must be self-existent. And that the Cause of all being must be self-existent, is not more evident and certain, the terms being understood, than that, as the Cause of all perfection, he must be all-perfect. Otherwise, though a cause would be assigned in the Divine Existence, for the existence of other beings, there would be perfections attaching to created beings, for which no cause would be assignable; they would be effects without a cause. And the absurdity would not be greater, that is involved in the supposition of contingent qualities without a cause, than that which attaches to the idea of contingent existence without a cause. In other words, we might as well suppose a finite being to have come into existence of itself, as suppose it to possess qualities of power, wisdom, goodness, for which it was not indebted to its Author, or, as suppose that the Author of all power, wisdom, and goodness is less than infinitely powerful, wise, and good. The argument is as direct from the capacity, intelligence, and conscience of man to the perfections of the Creator, as from our oonscious existence to the Divine self-existence. The Cause of all being must be the Cause of all well-being also. Selfexistence !'exclaims the Author of the Living Temple, into how profound an abyss is a man cast at the thought of it! How doth it overwhelm and swallow up his mind and whole - soul! With what satisfaction and delight must he see himself comprehended of what he finds he can never comprehend! For, contemplating the Self-existent Being, he finds it eter'nally, necessarily, never not existing! He can have no thought |