The editor concludes his preface with wifhing, as que alfo mo fincerely do, that men of all ranks and orders would endeavour to understand the principles of true liberty, and the juft rights of mankind; this being the best, and, indeed, the only means to diffolve all parties, to heal all divifions, and to unite us all in one common caufe, viz. in the promoting the profperity and happiness of Great Britain, and tranfmitting down to future ages the bleffings we now enjoy.'

RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL. Art. 61. Three Differtations on Life and Death; viz. I. A Survey of the Brevity and Vanity of human Life; with the Confolation administered by the Chriftian Syftem against both. II. Confiderations on St. Paul's With, to depart and be with Chrift. With an Appendix on the intermediate State. And, III. A Commentary on Rev. xiv. 13. in which the Nature of Death is farther confidered. By William Jones, Rector of Pluckley in Kent. 8vo. I s. 6d. Robinson. 1771.

Thele Differtations prefent us with fome plain, pious, and practical reflections on the fubjects specified in the title, attended with a few remarks which point out the peculiar caft and complexion of the Author; who, whatever may be his particular notions in fome refpects, appears to be fincerely desirous of ferving the caufe of virtue and religion. He confiders two beautiful fimiles, which are used in a well-known text of facred writ, as a juft reprefentation of human life; viz. a Flower, and, a Shadow, which, in a striking manner, exprefs the frail and tranfitory nature of our prefent exiftence. These reflections naturally lead the Writer to direct our thoughts to thofe hopes and profpects with which we are favoured by the Christian revelation. There is no comfort, fays he, to be found but from the Gofpel of Christ, and a life directed by its precepts. Our days being few and evil, he is the only wife and happy man who hath the grace fo to number them as to apply his heart unto wisdom; such wifdom, as will guide him in fafety through this world of shadows, to the great realities of the world to come."

In fpeaking of the intermediate ftate, Mr. Jones declares himfelf totally againit the opinion of the fleep of the foul; and certainly he has an equal right with every other man to form his judgment for himself. He apprehends that the fpirit and tenour of fcripture are against the fuppofition: but he is very uncandid, and has expofed himfelf to just reproof, when he adds, A modern writer now living hath taken as much pains to uphold and recommend it, as if it were the chief object of a Chriftian's hope; and the author of the Confeffional, who thinks with every man that thinks against the Chriftian church, cries up his doctrine as a moft ingenious difcovery.'

We fhall clofe this fhort article with an account of a criticifm upon the difficult text 1 Cor, xv. 29. Elfe what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rife not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? We do not propofe it as quite a new remark, but it may be acceptable to fome of our Readers, among the many explications that have been given, to be acquainted with, or reminded of, that which is here offered. We fhall tranfcribe it in the Author's

Own

own words, though Mr. Jones has not expreffed himfelf with all the perfpicuity that, perhaps, he might have done.

I think (fays he, fpeaking of St, Paul) he alfo affirms of the Chriftians of thofe days, that they were introduced to a fort of death by the conditions of their baptifm: they were baptized, not for the dead (as the English gives it us) but for dead themselves; that is, as men thenceforward alive unto God, but dead to the works of the flesh; to whom riches, and honour, and pleasure were loft and gone; to whom the world was crucified and they unto the world. And of himself in particular he fpeaks under the fame figure-I proteft by your rejoicing which I have in Chrift Jefus our Lord, I die daily. All the primitive faints had the fame opinion of themfelves; and Ignatius had a way of expreffing it with an ambiguity in which there is a fingular elegance-Epos Egws eravgalar-My Love is crucified.

The Author endeavours to fupport this interpretation by the following note: The Greck prepofition up is not ufually taken in this fenfe; but it doth not appear why it may not be fo taken, as the Latin pro in thefe expreffions-pre cive fe gerit-he behaves as if he were a citizen-pro fano loqueris-you speak as a man of fenfe.' Art. 62. Two Sermons. By the Rev. John Wheldon, A. M. of St. Ive's, Huntingdon fhire. 8vo. 6d. Beecroft, &c. 1772. From the text, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee, &c.' Mr. Wheeldon, in the 1ft of thefe fermons, endeavours to fhew the criminality of indulging an improper curiofity in mat ters of religion; and, in the fecond difcourfe, he endeavours to give a fatisfactory expofition of John xxi. 25. And many other things there are which Jefus did, which, if they were written in a book, I suppose the whole world would not contain the things which fhould be written.' There is nothing new in Mr. W.'s explanation of this bold hyperbole. In general, he agrees with Doddridge, that the meaning is, that the books would be too bulky for the world, i. e. the men of the world, to receive, or take in. This has, to fay the leaft, fo much of the appearance of the truth, that, as our Author obferves, we may well rest fatisfied with it, till a more convincing interpretation is given us. For as printing was not then invented, it mult, no doubt, have appeared highly expedient to the evangelifts to comprize their history in a very fmall compafs, not only for the conveniency of tranfcribing, and circulating the important truths which they had to communicate to the world, but that their narratives might have a more immediate and deeper effect on the minds of the people, than would naturally have been produced by a greater multiplicity of facts, and a more voluminous detail.

Art. 63. A Letter to Dr. Hallifax, on the Subjects of his Three Difcourfes preached before the Univerfity of Cambridge, occafioned by an Attempt to abolish Subfcription to the 39 Articles. 4to. 1 S. Kearly. 1772.

It was not to be expected that Dr. Halifax's three declamatory and intemperate fermons would be fuffered to pafs unnoticed or unreproved. Accordingly, he has met with a fharp and spirited antagonift in the prefent author, who hath obtained an entire victory over the Doctor. He does not extend his remarks to the whole of Dr. H.'s difcourfes, but confines himself to the general pofitions of

the

the first fermon, and to what is advanced concerning the doctrine of the Trinity. If we have difcerned any fault in this performance, it is, the afperity with which it is written. Dr. Hallifax deferved a fevere correction, but we think that our Author is too acrimonious. It is ufually defirable that thofe who plead for religious alterations and improvements should preferve the utmoft temper amidst the greatest provocations; as this will, perhaps, on the whole, be the best way of obtaining the end propofed.

Art. 64. The Scripture the only Teft, as well as the only Rule, of Chriftian Faith, maintained in a Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tucker, Dean of Gloucefter. 8vo. I S. White. 1772.

Without entering into a very nice and critical difcuffion of Dr. Tucker's Apology for the Church of England, this Author fupports his general propofition of the Sufficiency of Scripture as a Teft, as well as a Rule, of Faith, with good fenfe and moderation. He thinks it fomewhat ftrange that it should be apprehended, that the requiring no fubfcription to human doctrines should destroy, or at all hurt, the Church of England. Is reformation, fays he, and deftruction the fame thing? or can reformation do any harm? With regard to the disturbance which fome seem to be afraid of, if the 39 articles are entirely removed, the alteration requested is fo reasonable and fo fmall, that he is perfuaded all would foon acquiefce in it; and we are much difpofed to concur with him in the fame opinion. Art. 65. An Examination of the late Rev. Mr. Le Moine's Treatife on Miracles. By Hugh Farmer. 8vo. I S Cadell, &c.

1772.

Soon after the publication of Mr. Farmer's Differtation on Miracles, a notion prevailed that he had made confiderable use of Le Moire's Treatife, without acknowledging it; and it was afferted, that his book had the very fame view with Mr. Le Moine's, and was a copy of his work. Mr. Farmer has thought proper, therefore, to enter into a particular examination of Le Moine's performance, in order to fhew how much it is, in fact, different from, and even contrary to, his own. This he has done with great accuracy and fuccefs, fo as entirely to clear himself from the afperfion that had been cast upon him, Our learned author has not, however, folely confined himself to the point of vindicating his reputation from an injurious charge, but hath taken occafion Rill farther to confirm and illuftrate the fentiments advanced in his differtation. With respect to the ancient Magic in particular, he has added a number of curious and important remarks.

As to Le Moine, if you chufe to ask me, fays Mr. Farmer, at the conclufion of the pamphlet, "Are you not indebted to him? I answer, that from all that hath been offered to fhew, that our views of the fubject are diftinét and oppofite, it appears, how impoffible it is that I fhould be materially indebted to this author. Nor have I any remembrance that I am indebted to him at all. My fentiments upon miracles were formed, and many of my papers upon this fub ject were fubmitted to the infpection of a friend, before the publication of Mr. Le Moine's treatife. I read it when it first came out, but do not remember that I ever revised it afterwards, I am certain, I did not confult it when I prepared my papers for the prefs; (which being

being originally defigned for my own fatisfaction, had lain by me untouched for many years.) I could be under little temptation to revise an author, whofe peculiar fentiments I do univerfally and entirely difapprove.'

We shall only add, that the perfons, who have diligently compared the two treatifes of Mr. Farmer and Mr. Le Moine together, will have no hesitation in admitting the truth of these affertions. Art. 66. A brief Enquiry into the State after Death, as touching the Certainty thereof; and whether we fhall exift in a material or immaterial Subftance; and whether the Scripture Doctrine of a Future State be fupported by the Light of Reafon. 8vo. 6d. Manchester. Printed for the Author *.

A very whimsical performance, on a very ferious and interesting: fubject. Art. 67. An expoftulatory Address to all who frequent Places of Diverfion and Gaming. 12mo. 6 d. Buckland.

Piety preaching to Pleafure: to little purpose, we fear, as Pleafare is very apt to be deaf to the voice of the charmer,-unless it be at the opera, &c. whither, we believe, neither our author nor his expoftulations will ever be of her party.

Art. 68. The third Volume of the MESSIAH, attempted from the German of Mr. Klopstock. 12mo. 3 s. Dodley, &c. Notwithstanding the great reputation which the original of this work hath obtained abroad, we have not hesitated to express our difapprobation of fuch motly compofitions † in our opinion, (which, indeed, is but our opinion, and we prefume not to erect the standard of taste) they neither do honour to the Chriftian religion, nor to the judgment of those who admire them.

Art. 69. Extract of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley's Journal, from May 27, 1765, to May 1768. 8vo. od. Oliver. 1771.

Mr. Wefley, we fuppofe, publishes thefe his pious itineraries for the edification of his friends and followers; and much good may their entertainment do them! This Courfe is marked No. XIV. Art. 70. A Vindication of the Rev. Mr. Wefley's laft Minutes: occafioned by a circular, printed Letter, inviting principal Perfons, both Clergy and Laity, as well of the Diffenters as of the eftablished Church, who difapprove of thofe Minutes, to oppofe them in a Body, as a dreadful Herefy.-In five Letters to the Hon. and Rev. Author of the Circular Letter. 12mo. 9 d. Bristol printed, and fold by Cabe, &c. in London. 1771.

We never faw any of Mr. Welley's minutes; but we learn, from this publication, that there has been a great fir about them, among the Methodists. The advocates for falvation by faith are quite at

* Sylvanus Hibbert :-as we conclude from his picture, prefixed by way of frontispiece.

NOAH, and the Death of ABEL, are alfo of this kind, and have met with fuccefs in this country; for which, did we look no farther than to the interest of Mr. Collyer, the tranflator, who is a worthy and ingenious man, we should not be forry.

+ Mr. Walter Shirley.

dagger's.

dagger's-drawing with thofe who contend for good-works: one might imagine that people would be glad to be faved either way.

Art. 71. Five Letters to the Rev. Mr. F———r, relative to his Vindication of the Minutes of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley. Intended chiefly for the Comfort of mourning Backfliders, and fuch as may have been diftreffed and perplexed by reading Mr. Welley's Minutes, or the Vindication of them. By a Friend. 8vo. 6d. Dilly. 1771.

Thefe five letters appear to have been written by Richard H—ll, Efq; of Hawkftone, near Whitchurch, in Shropshire; author of Pietas Oxonienfis; a zealous Whitfieldian, but a man of parts. His opponent, Mr. F r, of Madely, in or near the fame county,

is alfo a man of more learning and ability than one might expect to meet with among the generality of Methodist Preachers.

Art. 72. A fecond Check to Antinomianifm; occafioned by a late Narrative in three Letters to the Hon. and Rev. Author. By the Vindicator of the Rev. Mr. Wefley's Minutes. 12mo. iod.

Keith, &c. 1771.

Mr. Wesley is certainly much obliged to Mr. Fr for his fober, decent, and feasonable defence, against the sharp attacks of Meirs. Shirley, Hill, &c. The Wesleyans, however, feem to be hard pushed; and Calvin certainly gains ground. Meantime, the enemies of Christianity triumph, and exclaim-Tantone animis cælefibus iræ ?

W

us to "

CORRESPONDENCE.

E have received a petulant and unpolite Letter from the Author of an "Elay on the H- S-," which he defires publish in our next Review."-If the Writer can allow himfelf to think coolly and impartially on the fubject, we doubt not but he will deem himself obliged to us for our non-compliance with fo inconfiderate a request. He may alfo be pleafed to reflect, that we have other employment for the pages of our work, than to fill them with the railing remonflrances of every writer who may fancy that we have failed in point of refpect to the merit of his productions.

We are greatly obliged to J. C. for his favour of April 5, and we fhall certainly avail ourselves of his friendly hints.

Our Publifher defires us to inform Ponty-pool, that it feems rather uncivil to put people to the expence of double poftage for letters in which favours are follicited.

ERRATA in our laft.

P. 212, line 7 of the note, for lurc, read hire,

and.

257, Art. 34. 1. 4 of the character of that pamphlet, expunge