cimen offers in the very outset.—It is the over curious ambition of many to be best, or to be none ; if they may not do so well as they would, they will not do so well as they may. I will do my best to do the best ; and what I want in power, supply in will. Thus whilst I pay in part, I shall not be a debtor for all. He owes most that pays nothing.'

Two or three pieces of poetry, in the style of the respected Here bert,* though not equalling him, make up this little volume. Hi Art. 58. The Life of the Rev. John Machin, A. B. a holy and labo

rious Preacher of the Gospel, formerly Minister of the Parish. Church of Astbury, near Congleton, in Cheshire; with a recommendatory Preface, by the late Sir Charles Wolseley, Bart. Revised and re-published by George Burder. 12mo. 8d. bound. Button. 1799.

The original life of Mr. Machin was published in the year 1571;
and an abridgment of it appears in Palmer's Nonconformist's Memo.
rial, vol. ist, p. 270. The present editor has, we are told, ex.
changed some antiquated phrases and obsolete words, for others more
agefable to a modern ear, and added, in the notes, a few particu.
lars of farther information concerning him, obtained from his de.
scendants.' Mr. M. appears to have been possessed of a paternal
estate, which enabled him to support, better than several of his bre.
thren could, a conscientious and honourable desertion of the esta-
blishment; his honest fame, however, rested not on his maintaining
soundness of faith, as it is sometimes termed, (meaning orthodox or
calvinistical principles,) but on a firmer basis,—the integrity of his
heart and conduct. As Sir Charles Wolseley reports, he lived not
in the impalement of any party,—was a man of a catholic spirit, who
made religion his business, and was a worthy pattern both as a mi.
nister and a christian.'
Art. 59. Miscellaneous Essays, Naval, Moral, Political, and Divine.

By Alexander Duncan, D. D. Vicar of Bolam, Northumberland,
Chaplain of his Majesty's Ship Venerable on the glorious with of
October 1797, and now of his Majesty's Ship Kent of 74 Guns,
Lord Duncan's Flag Ship. 8vo. 38. Symonds, &c.

The reverend author of these essays writes with the intention of animating our seamen to persevere in a just and necessary warfare, against enemies who, by their impiety and inhumanity, have rendered themselves the just objects of hatred and indignation to God.'

As encouragements to the navy, the Doctor recommends that honorary badges should be conferred on all those who signalize them. selves on any particular occasion; that midshipmen unemployed should be allowed half pay; and that half pay, in times of peace, should be given to twenty or thirty thousand of our seamen. These are encouragements on a grand 'scale, and unfortunately not so well proportioned to the abilities of the nation as to the merits of the objects recommended.—To keep alive the courage of our seamen, Dr. D. proposes that “ martial songs should be learned and sung occasionally. He remarks that • in going into action against an Commonly called the Divine Herbert.

Hi

enemy, martial music has the finest effect possible.'—You can work more instantaneously upon the passions in this way than in any other almost you can name. Such advice, if the business were to revive depressed and drooping spirits, might be worth consideration : but we trust that the courage of our seamen irill never be at so low an ebb as to need the assistance of an old song.

With all this attention to the profession of arms, the author has not neglected to bestow notice on his own profession. He informs us that he considers the clergy as a valuable class in society,' and he bestows encomiums on the present amiable Lord High Chancellor for preferring military and naval chaplains who have served with applause.'

The third essay is on the discipline of the navy, and in praise of the articles of war. When a culprit is brought to the gangway,' and all hands are piped by one of the boatswain's mates on such occasions, it is absolutely necessary to enforce a strict observance of these laws,' &c. Respecting the truth of these matters, we have ito intention to make inquiry : but the remarks arrested our notice by the very uncouth appearance which they assume when falling from a person of Dr. D.'s profession. The following opinion, however, we ought not to omit to mention : he asserts that no officer ever punished to gratify any humour of his own. Though the Doctor cannot be warranted in advancing that such is universally the fact, yet his assertion strongly conveys an idea of the excellence of the discipline which, in order to form such an opinion, he must have been accustomed to observe.

The latter essays examine the questions, whether peace can be made with the French Government? How Great Britain in conjunction, with her allies should continue the contest with proud imperious France,' &c. &c.

Capt. B....y. Art. 60. A Letter to the Pope, on the probable Cause of the War ;

and that it waits on his Holiness to invite the Blessings of Peace. By Christophilus. 8vo.

Richardson. 1799. This advice of a pious well-meaning protestant was intended for the late unfortunate Bishop of Rome; whom he treats with much civility and compassion, but whom he earnestly exhorts to relinquish the noxious doctrincs of popery, to disclaim the enormous prerogatives of his predecessors, to abjure the tenets of the invocation of saints, transubstantiation, the celibacy of the clergy, false miracles, superstitions, &c. &c. and thereby to bring about a thorough reformation in the church of Rome.

• It seems reserved for thee, most Holy Father, to bring about this reformation, or else, tottering to its fall, fate hovers round to overwhelm it [the church] in destruction. The great and good Ganganelli was persuaded by kings and princes to dissolve that seminary of danger to the world, the jesuits ; by which he gained an immortal reputation. Then let awakened hope expect that you, Holy Father, by a better influence, the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, will have the eyes of your understanding opened, accompanied by resolution of soul to eradicate the errors, the false doctrine, and K k 2

the

IS.

1

the vile practices, that have by degrees, since the primitive system,
crept in, and mingled themselves with the orthodox religion of Jesus
Christ, who is both God and man, and the glorious Saviour of a lost
world. Haste to begin, O Holy Father, before it is too late! nor
leave the desirable work to the devastation of the wicked, which is
often the sword of God.'

Again : That there is a bad superstition in your church, you and
common sense must acknowledge : and your worthy mind must have
shuddered at its former effects, now quashed by the hostile foot of
impiety. And why not rectify it? What have you to fear, in doing
both to God and man such essential service? Therefore, inost Holy
Father, I, a layman, beseech you, if not begun, to take upon your
self the glorious title of restorer of the pure religion of Christ ; and,
like another Hezekiah, chace away the vain idols of saints, crucifixes,
and transubstantiation, which have made your people to sin ; and
firmly establish religion in its native purity, and the original simpli.
city of apostolic times.'

We doubt very much whether the Holy Father would have listened to these coun

unsels, had they ever come in his way. – Were he to bare perused and answered thein, he would probably have turned the tables on his adviser, and have imputed all the evils that have fallen on the church to the restless spirit of heresy, and seditious ir novation : so true is it that every question has two sides, and that real or pretended error may be defended by the same weapons which are employed to defend real cr pretended truths.

The reader will see, from the foregoing specimens, that Christob philus lias no claim to chastity of diction and elegance of style: but he secms to possess, what is preferable to both, an upright mind and an honest heart.

Ged..s.
Art. 61. The Failure of the French Crusade, or the Advantages to

be derived by Great Britain from the Restoration of Egypt to the
Turks. By Eyles Irwin, Esq. 8vo.

Nicol.
To form conjectures on grounds which are thought to render them
probable is a very intelligible and universal practice : but to entitle
them predictions is overstepping our limits. Mr. Irwin claims the
merit of having predicted the ruin of Bonaparte's Eastern expedition,
which he says has failed, not from chance, but from the irresistible
circumstances of situation. The events which have happened since
this pamphlet was written (Aug. 25, 1799,) have again thrown us
in the dark; and a large field is opened for new conjectures. With.
out numbering Mr. I. among the prophets of the present day, tre are
ready to allow that, from the knowlege of local circumstances, he
was better qualified to form opinions respecting the French expedi-
tion to Egypt, than most of our countrymen : but we observed,
wiih some surprize, that, notwithstanding his strong conviction of
the impracticability of Bonaparte's enterprise, he has propostd, on
the prospect of Egypt being restored to the Turks, a plan for con-
veying British troops to India across the Isthmus of Sucz. Capt.B-
Art. 62. Remarks on the Rev. Rowland Hill's Journal, &c. in
Letter to the Author: including Reflections on Itincrant and

Lay.

Is. 60.

Lay-Preaching. By John Jamieson, D. D. Minister of the

Gospel, Edinburgh. 8vo. is. Ogle. 1799.
: In our Review for September, p. 113, we mentioned Mr. Hill's
Journal of his late Tour to Scotland, &c. In some parts of that
publication, the author introduced certain observations on the
Secession church of Scotland, and on the “ Solemn League and
Covenant,” &c.; and the freedom of his strictures has drawn upon
him the remarks now before us: in which Dr. Jamieson, in a very
sober, sensible, and candid strain of expostulation, has endeavoured to
correct what he apprehends to be the inaccuracies and mistakes of
the animated, but perhaps too hasty, Journalist. The Doctor, who
appears to us to be a very able defender of the seceding cause,
strongly, but with perfect decency of style and language, charges
Mr. HM with the guilt of misrepresentation.---Whatever severity may
be implied in a charge of this nature, the mildness and moderation of
the accuser's manner and mode of argument will hardly allow even
Mr. H. himself to resent the attack. I

In what may be deemed the second part of these remarks, Dr. J.
encounters Mr. H.'s defence of itinerary and lay preaching ; which
the Doctor considers as having a very unfavourable tendency : as
naturally sowing the seeds of disunion and disorder in that chuich in
which brotherly love and Christian clarity ought ever to abound. -
On the whole, the remarks seem to class the celebrated itinerant
preacher, whose late northern tour is the object of the present ani-
madversion, with the “ Digots against bigotry,' and (in the pleasant
phrase of Dr. Witherspoon,) with that species of zealots who are
fierce for moderation."

+

Art. 63. The Days of Visitation : preached in the Cathedral Church

of St. Paul, before the Lord Mayor, &c. &c. the Hon. the Ara
tillery Company, and the Temple-Bar and St. Paul's District
Military Association, 27th February, 1799, being the Day ap-
pointed to be observed as a General Fast. By Thomas Bowen,
M. A. 4to. 15. Rivingtons.

Mr. Bowen's merit as a preacher is not unknown to the world;
and this discourse appears not to be inferior to others which have
fallen under public inspection. If the following passage be not merely
ostensibly, but really and strictly true, it may be in a degree considered as
honourable to our country : “ As a people connected with the govern-
ments of Europe, our conduct has been meritorious. Ifever a nation
stood high for integrity, public faith, justice, generosity, Britain claims
in this trying hour the glorious and honourable distinction. Be it
our care then as individuals, to increase the aggregate of public
worth, and let a pious trust in God animate our souls, and nerve our
arms. It is afterward added,- If we would deprecate and avert
the visiting hand of God, let us join to these our solemo prayers
and humiliations, our determined resolutions of repentance and amend-
ment of life.' This last counsel is certainly necessary for the atten.

tion of individuals, whatever may be our more public and political character among surrounding nations.

HU Art. 64. The Duty of Rulers to encourage Public Worship; preached

in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, before the Lord Mayor, the Tudges, &c. &c. the 14th of April 1799. By Thomas Bowen, M. A. Chaplain to the Lord Mayor. 4to. is. Rivingtons.

Public worship is so reasonable a duty that few persons, compą. ratively speaking, are insensible to its obligation. Piety towards God, and benevolence towards our fellow-creatures, unite with a regard to ourselves to enforce its observance. This sermon with great propriety urges a careful attention to it, from persons of every rank and station. When Mr. Bowen, however, invites the interference of the civil magistrate, farther than example and general influence extend, he enters on a subject of delicacy, and perhaps of some danger. Great numbers in the metropolis, no doubt, attend on public worship, who are seldom seen at places more directly established for the purpose. The mode should be left, and in a land of liberty,, like this, is left to each person's own judgment and choice. Force and fear may produce hypocrites, but can never render men religions, nor form real Christians.

Hi Art. 65. Preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, before the

Lord Mavor, the Judges, &c. &c. 26th May 1799, By Thomas Bowen, M. A. 4to. Is. Rivingtons.

Stedfastness and żeal in the support of important practical truth, guided by knowlege and attended with charity, are laudable and valuable. Su is the subject of the present discourse; the author of which is already known as an accurate and agreeable writer. With propriety and energy, he maintains, in several respects, the benefit and excellence of Christianity: we peruse his remarks with satisfaction and pleasure ; and we concur heartily with him in lamenting any and all eiforts which are exerted to weaken its influence, or to persuade the more uninformed to doubt its truth, and reject its authority. • To take from us the firm basis of the Christian faith,' is, we think, to do the greatest injury to mankind : yet, towards the close of the sermon, when justly censuring that licentiousness of language and of sentiment which some pens have indulged, Mr. Bowen (unwarily it may be) expresses himself in a manner which his good sense, candour, and picty, may possibly induce him to correct. Christians ever have differed, and ever will differ, in the explication of some phrases, yet still are firm believers.

H Art. 66. The Blessing and the Curse; preached at the Cathedral

Church of Norwich, 29th November, 1798, the Day of General Thanksgiving By T. F. Middleton, A. M.

4to. I S. Rivingtons.

We may term this a political and a philosophical discourse, but the philosophy has religion for its basis. After having recounted our national advantages, and the security which we have enjoyed at home annid the general calamities of Europe, the author remarks, we trust, we are not guilty of impious presumption, if we conclude