sent publication may induce others of more leisure and greater ability, to engage in similar undertakings, is one object which the Author has much at heart." In the first lecture, the author gives a very perspicuous explanation of his plan, which is ingeniously conceived, and elaborately executed. After touching on the variety of modes adopted by former labourers in this deparment, it is observed, "But although, by the writers thus engaged in the cause of Revealed Religion, opportunities have continually been taken to expose the futility of the objections alledged against it, and to develope the insidious artifices of its opponents; yet it does not appear that Infidelity itself has ever been systematically treated, in order to exhibit it in its true and proper light, as the work of that Evil Spirit, who, according to our Lord's declaration, "was a murderer from the beginning," and who has never ceased to manifest the enmity predicted of him, in the text, against the sons of men, by leading them to forsake God, and to despise the means provided for their salvation. "The advantage of thus treating the subject, will readily be perceived by those who are accustomed to consider the scheme of man's Redemption, as one grand design, whose operation commenced at the very instant of his Fall, and which is to be carried on, by the good providence of God, unto the very end of the world. For, as enlarged and comprehensive views of that wonderful design, are necessary, in order to convey to us any adequate idea of its consistency, harmony, and perfection; so is it likewise necessary to survey the system of Infidelity on a large and extensive scale, if we would form a just conception of its character. Thus viewed, we can hardly fail to discern its invariable tendency to evil; and its repugnancy to the happiness of mankind. "It is proposed, therefore, in the ensuing Lectures, to give (in as succinct a manner as the subject will admit) a detail of the most remarkable instances, in which hostility to the gracious de sign of man's Redemption has been manifested; and to expose the falshood of the principles on which it has been conducted. "The materials to be collected for this purpose, will be most conveniently arranged under two general heads, forming distinct objects of enquiry; the 1st, historical, the 2d, argumentative. Under the former head, facts are to be adduced, to prove that such a systematic opposition to Revealed Religion hath really taken place :---under the latter, arguments are to be brought, to shew its pernicious tendency, and that it is indefensible on any just and reasonable grounds. "In the first part of these Lectures, therefore, it is my design Vol. XI. Churchm. Mag. for Sept. 1806. Gg to to take a summary view of the endeavours made to counteract the revealed will of GoD, in the times antecedent to the Christian dispensation; then to shew the perverseness of both Jews and Gentiles, in their rejection of the Gospel, and their various 'efforts to overthrow it, from the time of our Lord's personal appearance on earth, to the downfall of Paganism in the Roman empire: afterwards to continue the enquiry, through the middle ages, when almost the whole world was overspread by Mahometan and Gothic barbarism; then to contemplate the new aspect which Infidelity assumed, on the revival of letters, and the introduction of the Protestant Reformation: and, lastly, having brought down the history of its progressive labours to the present day, to consider what expectations we may justly entertain, respecting the final issue of this tremendous contest. The historical view of the subject being closed, it is intended, in the second part of these Lectures, to enter upon a general vindication of the grounds and principles of the Christian Faith, in answer to the arguments most commonly urged against its authority and credibility. These arguments, (whether deduced from reasoning à priori, to shew the improbability, unfitness, and inutility of Revelation: or of reasoning à posteriori, to invalidate its evidences as a matter of fact;) will be distinctly considered, in order to expose their futility, and to shew the spirit of perverseness by which they are generally dictated." Such is the judicious plan here adopted; and it is well remarked, that "the investigation here proposed, will afford ample scope for a detection of the various fallacies, misrepresentations, and inconsistencies, with which the writings of Infidels abound." The second Sermon " commences the Historical Enquiry; with a View of Unbelief in general, and particularly of Heathen Idolatry, before the coming of Christ." As the fall of man originated in Unbelief, so his restoration to the divine favour depends upon his Faith in the Covenant of Redemption. To strike therefore at this fundamental ground of the hope of man, has been the uniform object of the Tempter's malice under every dispensation. Our author, ascribes the introduction of Idolatry to this source, and he pursues the subject of the defection of men from the true religion, in a regular order through the primitive ages, till the establishment of the Theocracy. On the Polytheism of the antient world we have many ingenious observations, as also upon the" rites" and ceremonies of the Heathens, illustrative of the postion, that that the whole of their worship was nothing else than a perversion of the ordinances of Revealed Religion." The third Sermon treats of the "Infidelity of the Jews, and their opposition to the Gospel on its first promulgation." The history and character of the Jewish nation are well delineated in this discourse; and the various objections alleged by them against the divine mission of our Saviour, as the promised Messiah, are treated with great perspicuity and force of argument. The following improvement of this subject is very excellent and impressive: "In this first and most astonishing instance of Infidelity under the Christian Dispensation, the rejection of the Messiah by those of his own nation, (them," to whom pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises* ;") we may, if we contemplate it in a just point of view, discover abundant topics for the confirmation of our Faith. The grievous offence of the Jews in despising the Gospel, and "crucifying the Lord of Glory;" and the judgments poured out upon them in punishment of that offence, accomplished in a very striking manner remarkable prophecies in the Old Testament, predicting events, than which nothing could seem more improbable, according to all human expectation. We may observe also, how wonderfully every effort of the Jews to crush ths Gospel in its infancy, and to subvert the foundations on which it stood, did in effect contribute to its stability and encrease. In all the contumelious treatment of our Blessed Saviour, and in all the sufferings which they inflicted upon him, they unwittingly fulfilled the very Scriptures, which they would fain have wrested to a totally different meaning. Lit tle did they suppose, that his humiliation was to lead him to glory; that his ignominious death was to effect the great purpose of his mission; that by his victory over the grave, he was to become "the captain of our salvationt," to "lead captivity captive," and to obtain a title for surpassing all that their imaginations had formed, that of "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords**." "In the whole of this wonderful procedure, did the Almighty signally display his over-ruling power and providence, for the accomplishment of his gracious purpose, the Redemption of Mankind and what stronger evidence can we desire than this, that whenever the efforts of our great spiritual Enemy are permitted to take their course, it is only that he may experience in the end, a more entire defeat? However painful, therefore, may be the task of illustrating ↑ Eph. iv. 8. ** Rev. xix. 16, G g2 the Rom, ix, 4. ↑ Heb. ii. 10. the perverseness of men, in resisting the gracious proceedings of heir Heavenly Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, for their Salbation; let us not be discouraged from pursuing our researches: but let us be assured, that the more we develope the machinanions of the evil-minded in pursuit of their object, the more shall we strengthen our own faith, by observing the futility of their endeavours; and the more abundant proofs shall we discover of God's infinite wisdom, power, and goodness, in confounding their devices, and making "all things work together for good," to them that love Him, and wait for His salvation." A Sermon preached at the primary Visitation of the Most Reverend the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, holden at Ashford, in Kent, June 13, 1800. By the Rev. EDWARD NARES, M. A. Rector of Biddenden. Printed at the Request of the Clergy. 4to. pp. 23. TH HIS is a most excellent discourse, in which, from the words of the Apostle, " For God hath not given us the spirit of Fear; but of Power, and of love, and of a sound mind," (2 Tim. i. 7.) the learned and ingenious author shews in what respects the gifts and graces here mentioned are peculiarly necessary to the clergy in this eventful period. He exhorts his brethren to a firm stand, in the spirit of Christian fortitude and love, against three descriptions of opponents with which the Church has this day to encounter: Infidels, Rational or Unitarian Christians, and Evangelical or Calvinistic Preachers. After considering the specific character and pretensions of each of these, the preacher takes the following summary view of them: "As to the first: Behold, in the very place where Infidelity so lately reared her head with an audacity and effrontery never before witnessed; where in the memory of most who hear me, God's Temples were designedly polluted, Christ's altars overthrown, his Ministers degraded, the Sabbath abolished; Christianity is again established on the ruins of Infidelity; the Churches so horribly profaned, are re-opened for the worship of of the great Creator and Redeemer of the World! the Ministry re-established! the Sabbath restored! I do not pretend to tell you in how great purity the Catholic Faith is held and professed in the Country alluded to, but it is enough to know that to the confusion of the Deists and Freethinkers, after sufficient experiment of the obvious effects of Irreligion in general, all the sophistries of Infidelity, all the absurdities of Atheism, all the freaksland fancies of a vain Philosophy, have been openly condemned and renounced, and the Religion of Christ restored with no small triumph, as above all things conducive both to the glory of God and good of man. "The chief encouragement to Concessions, which the persons calling themselves rational Christians hold out to us, is, the greater probability there would be of our converting all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Heretics. If we would but discard all mysteries, if we would but renounce our belief of Christ's atonement, if we would forbear to worship him, deny his divinity, with the divinity and personality of the Holy Ghost, and be content to regard Christianity as nothing more than a rule of life, then we are told the stumbling block of offence would be removed, and we might all become one Fold under one Shepherd. This is their encouragement, but where are their proofs? Where are the Jews, Mahometans, and Infidels they have themselves converted? Truly no where that I know of! This I know, that one of their most conspicuous writers, one of the greatest advocates for the abandonment of these fundamental articles of Christianity, tried by his Pen, expressly to convert both Jews and Infidels; but we have his own acknowlegement, that as to Infidels he knew not that he had ever converted one Unbeliever*; and as to the Jews, it is remarkable, that they had the wisdom to discover, from the very concessions he proposed, that He who endeavoured to convert them, was Himself no Christiant." "Shall we then with such vain hopes of converting Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Heretics, to an adoption of the mere morality of the Gospel, abandon the very principles, and most fundamental doctrines of Christianity, (for such I trust we all esteem those doctrines I have just enumerated)? God forbid! Reason enough would the Calvinists then have to separate themselves from such pretended Preachers of the Gospel; for where is the Gospel without the "good tidings of Redemption?" and where are the "good tidings" of Redemption to be sought for, but in the body and blood of Christ our God and Saviour? Such doctrines are truly fundamental parts of Christianity, and must never be lost sight of, must never be suppressed; and though they may still keep us separate from Jews, and Turks, and Infidels, * See Dr. Priestley's Letter to Mr. Hammon.. and |