which they are applied. These are interspersed with fragments of history, which communicate facts not generally known, but well worthy of being committed to memory. On many important topics much information is imparted, but on none is this more conspicuous, than on the union of ethics with the Christian system.This was the author's professed design, and no small portion of success has crowned his undertaking. REVIEW.-The Domestic Preacher, or and refused to behold the sight. Nothing but the most inveterate obstinacy and unbelief could withhold assent from the truth proclaim, ed on this occasion by the amazed centurion, Truly this was the Son of God. And viewing these phenomena in connexion with the corroborating circumstances attendant on his re surrection, which declared him to be the Son of God with power, we are not only furnished with irresistible proofs of the divinity of his mission, but fully prepared to receive and to understand the import of the apostle's testimony; That being in the form of God, he thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he hambled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."-Vol. I. p. 66 and 67. This passage cannot fail to place the author in a favourable light, and more especially so, when the reader is informed, that the other parts sustain a coincidence of character. The tenth discourse on the "alternations of sorrow and joy," commences with the following striking passages: THESE two volumes contain forty-one discourses, founded on interesting passages of scripture, indiscriminately taken from the Old Testament and the New. Some few among them are doctrinal, but the greater part are experimental and practical, calculated to lead the soul to an union with God "It may be difficult to account for the fact, to works of righteousness, and to which almost every one experiences, that those holiness of heart and life. The mowriters and speakers are generally the most tives whence genuine faith arises, and pleasing who excel in their description of the pure obedience springs, form no small vanity and sorrow of human life. Philosophi portion of the sources which the aucal inquirers have made various attempts to thors have explored. These, if pol-done it with considerable success. The human solve this difficulty, and one in particular has luted, can yield no transparent mind was formed to be delighted with virtue, streams; these, if corrupt, can pro- the exercise of compassion and benevolence duce no acceptable fruit. The gospel being found to constitute the most gratifying is surveyed by them in its immaculate feeling; but in the present state of imperfec purity, and such are its exalted per- lead us, would require some sacrifice, or a detion and trial, the actions to which this would fections, that they furnish incontestagree of self-denial. A man, for instance, whose ble evidence of its having proceeded heart is naturally endued with a large portion from God.. of sensibility, feels acutely for the sufferings of others; but were he to visit the haunts of misery, sickness, and distress, existing in real life, his sympathy would urge him to actual beneficence; for he well knows, that to shed a tear when he ought to render instant relief, would expose him to the charge of hypocrisy. Hence, like the priest and the levite, he shuns objects of misery in real life, and seeks them where they need not his assistance, on the stage of the theatre, and in the regions of romance. Here his soul is delightfully entertained with spectacles of misery which excite his commiseration, without claiming any of his aid, or calling for any act of self-denial. In the fifth discourse, on the "pecularities of Christ's sufferings," the following paragraph occurs : "Another peculiarity in the death of Jesus was the concurrence of nature, and the concealment of the light of the sun. The rocks were rent asunder, the graves of many who slept were opened, and their slumbering inhabitants went into the holy city, and appeared to many. Nations have been clad in mourning on the demise of the monarch who swayed the sceptre, or the hero who fought and conquered in the field of battle; but never did the orb of day hide his lustre, to mark the death of mortal man; he shines with the same radiance on the morning of a monarch's exit, as on that of bis coronation. A tomb is opened by human hands to receive the last remains of earthly greatness, no concussion shakes the terrestrial ball, all nature stands a silent spectator of the scene. But if ever her voice was heard, it was when she proclaimed the dignity of Him who died upon the cross; in that hour, clad in preternatural darkness, she uttered her groans, "This appears to be the real cause, why so many persons of exquisite sensibility repair to these scenes of amusement, and plead their tendency to promote virtue. Hence also it is, that writers of a sentimental cast have met so ready a reception from a vain and vicious world: what is of general demand will be abundantly supplied. Here we think human life has been reproached and caricatured with all the gloom and melancholy which the imagination could collect: sentiments uttered by good men in seasons of adversity, and under | former indiscretion, relinquish every false the influence of intense feeling, have been way, and follow on to know the Lord."-Vol. made to heighten the scene, and add grandeur I. p. 170. to the mournful spectacle. The passionate complaints of Job, of David, and Jeremiah, have been enlisted into the service of falsehood, and for the very purpose of exciting a feeling of pleasure. Human life has been represented as nothing but a continued series of vexation and sorrow. That there are both sorrow and vexation in the life of man, no one will deny; but though weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning; and sorrowful as the world is, there is in it a much larger portion of pleasure than of pain."—Vol. I. p. 117 to 119. Of the fact which the author states, no one can entertain a moment's doubt. The difficulty of accounting for it has long been observed, and few solutions have been presented to the world, that carry with them a stronger probability than this which these paragraphs contain. In theatrical amusements, pride, vanity, selfishness, and sympathy obtain gratification, while animal propensities find indulgence under the mask of moral sentiment, and the rovings of visionary imagination. It is among the peculiar excellencies of the gospel that it embodies in its pages more morality than all our best ethical writers have hitherto presented to the world, and traces it to a fountain which nothing but the spirit of inspiration could explore. This distinguishing characteristic is uniformly kept in sight throughout these volumes; and one obvious inference from the whole is, that in all spiritual exercises human sufficiency is from God, and that without him we can do nothing. remarks which have been made, preThe specimens thus given, and the clude the necessity of any further analysis. In these sermons genuine religious truth is placed in a commanding light; and no unprejudiced reader can peruse them attentively, without receiving a fresh stimulus to move in the paths which they prescribe. REVIEW." My Thought Book." _By J. P. Thomas. 8vo. pp. 404. London. Sherwood. 1825. THIS book seems to be a humble imitation of "Lacon," which a few years since attracted considerable attention; it however contains neither the diversity of sentiment, the strength of intellect, nor the purity of principles, of the work which it attempts to rival. Including 869 essays on an almost endless diversity of subjects, we find a little of all sorts, good, bad, and indifferent; but unhappily the aggregate has a much stronger claim upon our reprehension than upon our approbation. In his sixth essay the author censures Spinoza for asserting the universe to be God; but in his nineteenth he makes no scruple of ascribing divinity to space, in the following words. "I know of no supposition more calculated to infuse into our minds a strict and undeviating spirit of piety and virtue, than a belief that God is space. It is this idea only which can bring home to the minds of all men, that God is omnipresent. It is this thought alone that can overcome the united prejudice and In looking over these sermons we ignorance of mankind. It fills our minds with find nothing like a holy dread. It does not allow us to dare to be vicious."-p. 26. It is unfortunate for mankind that sooner. If a firm belief that "God is space" "does not allow us to dare to be vicious," the vices which prevail furnish a decisive proof that this opinion has but few converts. "Doctrines fashioned to the varying hour." The aim of the writers is not to court this discovery had not been made applause, but to impart instruction, and communicate an impetus to the lethargic spirit. While these points are unattained, they seem to consider that they have done nothing. And even when these purposes are in a measure accomplished, they think their work but partially done; and hence the following wholesome admo nition : "Cultivate an abiding sense of the divine presence; walk as in the sight of God, who hears every word, and records every sentence we utter. Adopt the prayer of the Psalmist, Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.' Repent of every In the eighteenth essay we are informed that "sophistry is the pretending to reason without enforcing it." This at best is erroneous in definition, and in its worst feature is false in fact. In his thirteenth essay the author asserts that "there is no evil out of which good does not result," and in his twenty-ninth, that "evil exists not for its own sake, but only as a mean | REVIEW.-Legends of the North, or the of final good." These principles being admitted, evil becomes divested of all inherent turpitude, and loses both its nature and character. There is a maxim among novelists that a "Rake reformed makes the best husband." To this our author in his twenty-first essay seems most cordially to subscribe. Such characters being "well acquainted with the sufferings of indiscretion, can the better apprehend, and the more really enjoy, the happiness attendant upon virtue and forbearance."-p. 27. We learn from hence, that a course of profligacy is more friendly to mora! excellence than habitual virtue; that in the school of licentiousness we best learn the value of chastity; that drunkenness teaches temperance; that by committing acts of robbery we are instructed how to value honesty; and that he who has been guilty of murder, is best qualified to estimate the importance of life. In the sixteenth essay our author becomes the apologist of Gibbon, and vindicates his attack on Christianity; in the fourth he argues that the end justifies the means, or that "the cause of virtue justifies every thing," even downright lying;-the worst principles of Lord Byron find in him an advocate in his sixty-sixth essay; and in one hundred and eighty-one, he consoles the incorrigible with an assurance that their misery in a future state will be only temporary, and that even this will be "rather the loss of pleasure, than the suffering of pain." It is, however, but fair to observe, that while J. P. Thomas thus defends scepticism, and delineates the frightful character of his mind, many valuable maxims may be found scattered throughout his pages, derived primarily from sources which he would hesitate to acknowledge. But these are insufficient to counterbalance the parts which are pernicious. Feudal Christmas, a Poem. By Mrs. Henry Rolls. 8vo. pp. 284. London. Simpkin and Marshall. 1825. THERE is something in ancient manners that imparts a pleasing solemnity to the mind. Without indulging a wish to see the customs of our ancestors revived, we instinctively wander back through departed years, and seem gratified with the recital of tales which we disbelieve. The outrages which they commit on probability we are always prepared to pardon and receive, while strange appearances, hollow groans, unearthly voices, and mystic forms, increase the interest which simple narrative excites. In a short preface to this volume we are informed, that "The supposed date of this poem is in the reign of Edward IV. when society had received some degree of polish, and many traces of chivalry and the feudal system still remained. The time occupied is from Christmas-eve to Twelfthnight." The superstitious and adventurous spirit peculiar to the times assigned to these legends, are preserved with much fidelity of character, though in the tales themselves we find nothing particularly interesting. Several allusions are made to historical facts, and memorials of antiquity, but the touches are too light either to furnish elucidation, or to make any lasting impression. The work is too extended for the incidents which it contains. We travel in pursuit of an object, which promises to become visible at every corner, but incessantly eludes our search. We here and there catch some glimmerings of the ignis fatuus dancing before, and skipping around us; we also hear the songs of the bards, and the music of the fairies, and are invited to gaze upon their entertainments, and share in their enchantments; but the narrative proceeds half unenlivened by diversity, and finally terminates without any catastrophe. From the profligate and abandoned he has a right to expect a tribute of gratitude, but the virtuous part of Among the scenes to which we are mankind will be unwilling to acknow-introduced, the following description ledge that he has laid them under any of a papal excommunication, furnishes obligations. For the sincerity of his a fair specimen of Mrs. Roll's poetical avowals we may give him the fullest powers. It may also be considered credit; and we assure him of ours as one of the most unencumbered tales when we say, that we think the world that the volume contains :would have sustained no loss, if he had kept his thoughts to himself. "Hark, the loud bell's deep solemn toll With awe and terror thrills each soul! A blazing taper in is borne, And gazed upon with fear and scorn- The curse which dooms the wretch to wo- At every awful pause, the bell p. 131 and 132. Descriptive scenery is the department in which Mrs. R. displays her talents to the greatest advantage. Her muse, mounting on the wing, reaches an elevation of sufficient height to discover beds of roses and groves of myrtle spread beneath her, and to inhale the fragrance with which they impregnate the air; but she never attains an altitude to encounter the monsoons of heaven, nor to scorch her plumes with celestial fire. REVIEW.-Wesleyana, a Selection of the most important Passages in the Writings of the late Rev. John Wesley, A.M. &c. 12mo. pp. 457. London. Booth, 1825. THE life, writings, and character of the late Rev. John Wesley, are too well known to require any elucidation. From panegyric his fame has nothing to hope, and from detraction it has nothing to fear. The work before us consists of eighteen chapters, to which is prefixed a brief memoir of his life. The biography exhibits nothing new, and when contrasted with the volumes of Whitehead, Southey, and Moore, it dwindles into insignificance. It is, however, but fair to observe, that it professes only to furnish a sketch that may bear a proportion to the epitome of his doctrines which follow in the subsequent chapters, and this it has attained. These chapters consist chiefly of extracts from Mr. Wesleys writings. They appear to have been selected with care, arranged with judgment, and presented to the world with impartiality. To a person unacquainted with the doctrines taught by this celebrated man, except through the medium of this publication, his ardent love of souls must appear not merely in an amiable light, but in an attitude to command our esteem, and perpetuate our veneration. It contains an analysis of his activity, unremitting perseverance, and usefulness, without the perplexity of digression, or the tediousness of detail. To such as have no opportunity of consulting larger works, but who wish to become acquainted with the theological sentiments of this extraor dinary divine, we cordially recom mend this volume. It gives a faithful summary of what he uniformly taught, and exhibits a character worthy of imitation by all who desire to promote the welfare of mankind, by amending their morals here, and directing them how to obtain eternal felicity here. after. The machinery of discipline which he put in motion continues still to work with uninterrupted success, and its effects have given a powerful impulse to the whole christian world. Some trifling alterations have been made in its operations since his decease, but it is more than probable that Methodism has never been amended by any of his followers. REVIEW.-The Labyrinth, or Popish Circle: translated from the Latin of Simon Episcopius. By Richard Watson, Author of "Theological Institutes," &c. pp. 24. London. Simpkin and Marshall. 1826. We have looked on with great delight and exultation, whilst the sturdy old polemic, Episcopius, has, in the brief tractate before us, hunted the Popish hyæna round and round its circle of inextricable error and confusion, tilli THE BEAST, fairly wearied out, has lain down panting and foaming before him, unable to defend itself from the mortal thrusts of its victorious antagonist. The work in question is " a confutation of the assumed infallibility of the Church of Rome," originally pub-. lished in Latin; and its present English dress confers considerable credit on its pious and indefatigable translator, Mr. Watson. In our opinion it. fully bears out the eulogium of Mr. W. It is perhaps one of the best specimens of the dilemma, or cornuted kind of argument, which can be produced; and possesses the merit of uniting brevity with a plainness which lies level to every capacity. To give our readers a general idea of the plan of the work, we shall extract the heads of the different sections:-" I. There are two kinds of men with whom it is in vain to dispute.-11. That the Papists cannot point out that true Church which cannot err.-11. That it is impossible for the Papist to demonstrate from the holy Scriptures, that the head of his Church cannot err.-IV. That the Papist is unable to prove this from the Fathers.-v. That the same cannot be proved by argument.-vi. That the controversy respecting the Succession is endless and useless.-VII. That truth is to be preferred to antiquity and succession.-VIII. The origin of the labyrinth of difficulties in which the Papists are involved.-1x. That to judge of truth by the word of God, is the common privilege of every individual." All these propositions are very skilfully demonstrated by this venerable divine; and the whole forms a chain of strong and closely connected links, which are excellently adapted to bind the hydra of Popery. As a specimen of Episcopius's reasoning, we extract his demonstration that the Papist cannot prove by argument, that the head of his church cannot err : "If the Papist applies himself to reasons, to establish his favourite position, [that his Church cannot err,] he runs out of one Laby rinth into another. For, first, What reasons will be receive as valid, when, in the principal article of his faith, he not only does not listen to reasons, but gives no credit to the testimony of his outward senses? Can any argument more weighty be used to produce conviction in any one, than is deduced from what we see with our own eyes, what we perceive by other senses when they are in a state of soundness, what we feel and taste? But truly all these things are matters of small account with the Papist, since he suffers not himself to be induced either by arguments, or by his own senses, to believe that the bread in the Eucharist is essentially and substantially bread; nay, since he will give credence to it as an indubitable truth, that one and the same body is in many places at once, and those places far distant from each other; that it remains undivided, notwithstanding it is distant and sepa rate from itself a hundred, a thousand, or, 90.-YOL. VIII. were it possible, thousands of thousands of miles; that one and the same body can at the same time be moved in one place, and in an other cannot be moved; that one and the same body may meet itself, and move in opposite directions at the same moment of time, that is, at the same time from East to West, and from West to East, upwards and downwards, forward and backward; that one and the same body may in Holland become hot as fire, while at Rome it remains cold as ice; may be alive in this country, while it is dead at Venice. If a man will give credit to these things, so directly contrary to the human in tellect and to right reason, by what arguments will he venture or be able to convince himself or others concerning any matter whatsoever? They who blush not to question truths so clear, and will obstinately maintain what is so con trary to them, do, so to speak, willingly draw a film over their own eyes that they may not With such men, reasons are like counters, which stand for the amount which any one may please to affix to them.-p. 11 and 12. see. Now, having read this, we put it to conclusive and irrefragable? every candid Papist, whether it is not REVIEW.-The Cook and Housewife's Manual; containing the most approved modern Receipts for making Soups, Gravies, Sauces, Ragouts, and Made Dishes, &c. &c. By Mrs. Margaret Dods, of the Cleikum Inn, St. Ronan's. 12mo. pp. 366. London, Longman & Co. 1826. 66 DR. DARWIN has observed, that Cookery has destroyed more human beings than the plague." For the accuracy or error of this statement we presume not to vouch; but little doubt can be entertained, that cookery, by pampering appetite, has stifled the dictates of nature, laid the foundation of many fatal disorders, and shortened the period of human life. But while that branch of the culinary art is to be condemned which administers to the sickly taste of those who live to eat, that portion is worthy of all due respect which meets the wants of such as eat to live. The work before us is adapted for both of these characters, and while we find much that is useful, we find many things that may be spared. Of so much importance is the art of cookery deemed, that many useful books have lately issued from the press, giving a variety of directions in all the branches connected with this science of domestic comfort. The "Cook and Housewife's Manual" is extended in its observations, instruc 20 |
