terraneous fires, which, ever and anon, have broken out, and adorned it with new mountains and vallies in abundance. The latter has performed equally signal prodigies by means of water, which has, it seems, at one time or other, (some of its adherents say, at four different times,) covered every part of the earth, operating as a universal menstruum, in which the different layers of rock and earth have been formed by the several processes of precipitation, petrifaction, crystalization, &c. &c. Such have been the Plutonian theory, which is at present nearly burnt out, and the Neptunian system, which can now scarcely hold its head above the waters. Yet, let it be recorded, such inventions as these have, for a time, had their enthusiastic admirers among the learned of our own age, and where they have clashed with the dictates of revelation, have been deemed worthy of a decided preference.

The geological views at present in vogue, though not perhaps much more favourable than their predecessors to the Scripture account of the creation, yet, with one accord, are eager to bear testimony to the actual occurrence of the deluge. It is now confessed, that there are found, in every part of the earth, extensive deposits of loam, gravel, and other earthly materials, blended with the bones of animals, seashells, and other marine substances, all together making such a confused and disorderly mixture as must have been occasioned by some such catastrophe as the flood. The deluge is, therefore, asserted in the very title of the most popular geological work of the present day. Even the vocabulary, which is forming for the convenience of students in geology, recognizes this great event; hence the terms diluvium, to denote the matter deposited at the deluge, and alluvium,

Reliquia Diluviana, by the Rev. William Buckland.

signifying matter, somewhat similar, occasioned by some other cause. And all this, be it remembered, though the great Linnæus could discover no trace whatsoever of a deluge.

From the tenor of these remarks, our readers will infer, that we are somewhat sceptical in reference to hypothesis of this description; and in this, they will not do us much injustice. We never could perceive how the history of former ages, or the occurrence of past events, could be ascertained by surveying the surface of this habitable globe, or by penetrating into its bowels. History may doubtless be confirmed by such means; and past events, which are recorded, may be thus shown to be very consistent with existing phenomena; but how knowledge, in these cases, can be originated by such means, we could never comprehend. The geologist never works these wonders, we are very certain, without first widely departing from the cautious mode of philosophizing prescribed by the canons of Bacon and Newton. And, in fact, we can scarcely preserve our moderation, when we hear the geologist, with some newly discovered bone or shell in his hand, and a novel and visionary hypothesis in his head, disputing the sacred history, and advancing positions opposed to the truth of revelation. His data for such purposes as these are weakness itself, when compared with the stability of the evidences of revealed religion.

In this view, we consider the works of Mr. Penn, whose titles are at the head of this article, as possessing great merit, though, in other respects,not unexceptionable. They are the fruits of most extensive reading, and of diligent study in subjects connected with geology. We know no other works in which the student will find, in the same compass, so much and such various information on these subjects. The Comparative Estimate consists of

three parts; in the first of which he combats those notions of geologists, respecting the first formation of the earth, which are at variance with the Mosaic account of the creation. In this part of his work, we hesitate not to say that his argument is completely triumphant, and would have been so had the objections, which he combats, possessed tenfold greater strength than is actually the case. In the second part, he illustrates, at great length, the Scripture, and particularly the Mosaic, account of the creation, the real and exact import of which he endeavours to define and elucidate. We do not think him equally successful in this portion of his work, though it is well worth attentive perusal and consideration. It discovers an extensive acquaintance with Scripture criticism, and abounds with original and ingenious remarks. Potent enemy, however, as our author is to gratuitous hypothesis, we fear that he discovers an occasional fondness for it himself; and, indeed, what mortal man is entirely divested of this infirmity? The third part relates to revolutions, to which the earth has been subjected since its first formation, and, particularly, to the deluge. Here his task, so far as geologists are concerned, is comparatively easy; for, as we have before stated, there is little, on this point, in later geological writers, to offend the most zealous friend of revelation. Mr. P. has, however, taken a very comprehensive view of the subject, and has discussed, with much ingenuity, many curious and interesting questions connected with it. We do not always agree with him in his conclusions; but, when we differ from him, it is with great respect for his talents, his attainments, and his piety, and with gratitude for the benefit derived from his labours. In short, we warmly recommend his work both to biblical and philosophical students; and we do

ex

this, while perfectly aware that a different opinion has been pressed of it by critics of the highest pretensions. But we distinctly recollect different occasions on which it is confessed, the " Polyphemuses of the north," have uttered the opinions of very fallible men; and it is not, therefore, in the present instance alone, that we presume to appeal from their most confident decisions, to our own humble judgment.

In justice to our author, we must give a specimen of his manner, though we have already exceeded the limits which we had prescribed to ourselves.

"What, then, is to become of that vast

portion of the mineral kingdom, of which we would thus despoil the mineral geology?

"It is to be restored to, and committed to the charge of, simple and genuine mineralogy; that sound and valuable science to which pertains the cognizance of the mineral natures of the globe, as that of the animal natures pertains to zoology, and that of the vegetable to botany. The zoologist does not speculate on the mode of formation of the first animal individuals by secondary causes, nor the botanist that of the first vegetable: they severally confine their attention to the characters and properties of the individuals themselves; which bound their vast and admirable sciences. In the same manner, the characters and properties of the mineral individuals bound the science of mineralogy, but yet leave it an equally wide and luxuriant field, for the exercise of its intelligence. When it would attempt to refer to the secondary chemical causes, for the MODE of the first formations of those individuals, it then mistakes its sphere, and becomes mineral geology: a science which is so far from conducting us in the same course with Newton, that it leads us quite the contrary way. Newton's course leads upwards, to an open and unimpeded issue; at the exit of which we perceive the dawnings of a light, that assures us we are near the sources of divine truth. That of the mineral geology, on the contrary, conducts us downwards to an obscurity; in which we are presently stopped by a bivium, leading, on the one hand, to a chaos of aqueous solution, and, on the other, to a chaos of igneous fusion. Here we might long hesitate which path to pursue; and

little would it matter which of the two we take at last, if we are determined to proceed in that direction; for as both are equally remote from the exit to truth, whichever is most pleasing to the palate of

of sterling piety, and of strong attachment to their pastor, who have far too little self-denial, and enlargement of heart, voluntarily to consent to a painful privation, a painful privation, even though their loss may be the gain of many and hence, the very ardour of affection, once apparently violated, turns to anger, and perhaps to worse emotions. Yet the principles which may have guided the ultimate decision of a minister to remove his labours to another sphere, may be such as should rather exalt him in the esteem of his friends, and entitle him to a fuller measure of their christian love. The cause of the Gospel, it is to be feared, is often overlooked in the calculation of our own comfort; and too frequently all interest ceases to be felt in the man who has deemed it expedient to discontinue his services to ourselves. We make not these remarks from any knowledge of circumstances in the present case, but simply because they are generally applicable to the removals of pastors, and because we are thoroughly satisfied that there are feelings predominant in most christian societies upon this subject, which it is our duty to endeaThe overpowering claims which a new situation may sometimes present to a certain minister, the adaptation of his talents, acquirements, and character to a given place, may clearly indicate the propriety, not only of his willingness to go, but of the people's duty cheerfully to relinquish their claims upon him, and to forego both their own pleasure and profit for the greater advantages which may accrue to the common cause of the gospel, from his labours elsewhere. We say it is a mark of human infirmity, and of the absence of that disinterestedness which the early Christians evinced, that the removals of ministers are so rarely accompanied by a conviction, on the part of the

vour to counteract.

deprived people, that they ought to give him up. It is, indeed, very desirable, that ministers who feel it a duty to relinquish their charges, should, for the honour of the Gospel, endeavour, allin their power, to effect this. It was often done among the early nonconformists, and noble indeed was the triumph of christian magnanimity, when a united, but small and secluded congregation, consented, though with pain, to commend their pastor to a larger sphere of labour and influence. Churches in such cases have evinced that sympathetic unity with the body of Christ, and that superiority to selfish motives, which the Head of the Church has rarely suffered to lose their reward; and even where a congregation can perceive no force in the reasons which have influenced their pastor's decision, or may deem it altogether questionable, whether his separation from them will promote his usefulness, and may think that it must certainly expose themselves to many inconveniences, they should cautiously abstain from judging the servant of the Lord-remembering that God may have made that appear duty to him, which a variety of circumstances, interests, and prejudices may prevent them from apprehending in the same light. We say again, we may or we may not have touched appropriately upon the case to which this sermon relates-but we distinctly disclaim all knowledge of that case, and all particular reference; we speak generally of similar events, and we speak impartially and without respect of persons.

As to the discourse before us, it is a very excellent review of the course the preacher has pursued many years in endeavouring to serve the church at Kensington. It contains a comprehensive and clear summary of the important truths he taught, and very faithfully and affectionately calls upon

the people for that review of their practice which the removal of a pastor demands. The discourse is distinguished by all the wellknown qualities of Mr. L.'s style of preaching. It is throughout simple and manly, scriptural and faithful; and many passages dis

play, as might be anticipated, in a very high degree that pathos for which the preacher is pre-eminent. We had intended to present extracts, but find this now impossible. We cordially recommend the discourse to the perusal both of ministers and congregations.

Altare Damascenum, seu Ecclesiæ Anglicana Politia, Davidis Calderwood, Lugdani, 1708, 4to. (The Altar of Damascus, or an Essay upon the English Ecclesiastical Government.) IF Dr. Parker's adage," that only little and insignificant things are disputable," be true, church-government is certainly the most diminutive and contemptible subject that ever employed a pen; and truly it arises from causes very foreign from the fierce digladiations we have beheld on this arena, that we have not been induced to adopt this conclusion in all its latitude. The field of the disciplinarian controversy is so extensive, the manœuvres of its warfare so intricate, and its atramentarian effusions so redolent of gall, that we have often been tempted rather to remain in ignorance than to purchase knowledge by witnessing such interminable contentions. It is certainly not very creditable to the temper of theological disputes, that the universal consent of the literary world has appropriated the name of polemics to those who profess to discuss the doctrines of the Prince of Peace. If, after such reflections, our readers are surprised at our adventuring upon the present article, a thick quarto of 800 pages of closely-printed controversy, and, as an additament to its intrinsic repulsiveness, composed in Latin, they must attribute it to that voracity and restless desire of working

our way into neglected and dusty tomes so characteristic of our species.

If not for

This sturdy combatant first took the field in the peaceful reign of James, the second Solomon. This sage personage was so denominated, we presume, by an antiperistasis, as mons, a non movendo. this reason, we cannot conceive any other possible cause for so unjust an application, but that the son of this pseudo-Solomon, like Rehoboam, the son of the true Solomon, by making his yoke heavier even than his fathers, like him also lost his kingdom. With whatever appellation the adulation of Whitgift, and Montague, and other temporizing priests, may have distinguished him, we think that Sully's remark, "that he was the wisest fool in Christendom," gives the most accurate representation of the heterogeneous qualities of which he was composed. Educated by Buchanan, and professing in early life a warm attachment to the stricter principles of reformation, he finally became an admirer of arbitrary power, and a zealous partizan for the English episcopacy. With the advantages of the unceasing instructions of the most accomplished scholar of the age, he seems like one" who had been at the feast of learning, and brought away only the scraps." His erudition evaporated into a Latin pun, his exalted king-craft was dissimulation arrayed in royal