that author, a fhort time before his death, justified once more, both our caution and our admiration. Its learning and ingenuity are extraordinary, but its pofitions not always irrefragable. A very elaborate work, by Dr. Jamieson, on the Use of Sacred Hiftory*, partakes of the fame. Character: for, though its general purport and execution are excellent, there are parts which few judicious Theologians will adopt. The work of Bishop Skinner, of the Scottish Epifcopal Church, entitled Primitive Truth and Order Vindicated†, contains principally a ftrenuous defence of Epifcopacy, against the pofthumous attacks of the late Profeffor George Campbell, of Aberdeen. With fome few inequalities it is, on the whole, a valuable and inftructive book. The Bishop of Gloucefter's Thoughts on the Trinity, are well calculated for general Utility. By detached, and usually short propofitions, they convey, in few words, fome of the best illuftrations of the truth, and the cleareft answers to objections. The nature and general character of Revelation, are explained in Mr. Lloyd's Chriftian Theology §, with a more particular view to the doctrines of Atonement and Juftification. This author combats opponents with zeal, but by no means without difcretion: but they are chiefly opponents within the pale of Chriftianity. The Antidote to Infidelity, attacks the external enemy with equal force; and is honourable to its anonymous author. Though not an Original English Work, we muft not deny particular notice to the Abstract of the Chriftian Doctrine, by Freylingbaufen ¶; clear, diftinct, and well arranged, it will not difcredit the high patronage it has obtained; nor will any readers be disappointed, who refort to it for compendious No. II. p. 190. 3 No. V. p. 512. ¡ + No. III. p. 263. No. VI. p. 619. I No. VI. p. 589. instruction. inftruction. For thofe only who ftudy the New Teftament in the Original Language, has the Bishop of St. David's calculated his Initia Paulina*: but to fuch as can employ the work, it will be found of primary utility. For thofe who have made a further progreffion, and are studying the language of the Old Teftament, Mr. Reeves has provided a Hebrew Pfaltert, accommodated with fuch illustrations, as mult greatly facilitate its ufe. Nothing feems to escape him, which can promote the knowledge of the Scriptures. A few publications of a flighter kind, may be briefly mentioned here. The first of them relates, like the preceding, to the Pfalter, being a manual to illuftrate the English Version, by Mr. Reynell‡. The others are, Mendham's Expofition of the Lord's Prayer, Hawtry's Guide to Heaven, and two short tracts by Mr. Pearfon . The first of these is learned in itself, and very comprehenfive in its object: the fecond is a fummary, fomething fimilar to Gaftrell's Institutes, but not fo copious: the two last are announced as offering refpectively three plain reasons; the one for infant Baptifm, the other against feparation from the Church. There are advantages in this plan, on the fcore of brevity and clearness, which Mr. P. feems defirous to extend to many other topics. Of collective volumes of Sermons, we shall mention only three, Mr. Gisborne's ** fecond volume, alter aureus, which will lead, if rightly used, to a far better elysium, than the Sibyl's bough could open to Eneas. It is full, not only of found precepts, but of religious views, which nothing but the most exact attention, long continued, could have furnished to the author's mind. The volume lately published by Mr. No. IV. p. 413. No. IV. p. 444. VI. p. 692. † No. III. p. 317. No. VI. p. 693. No. II. p. 212. Partridge, Partridge, may be confidered as a fpecies of conqueft from the French. He has endeavoured to retain the beauties, and discard the faults of some of their beft difcourfes, and he has been crowned, like our countrymen in arms, with deferved fuccefs. The republication of Archbishop Drummond's Sermonst, with a sketch of his life, is a work ref pectable in its nature, and judicious in execution. The difcourfes had all been preached on public Occafions. A felection of a few Charges, and fingle Sermons, will conclude the prefent head. In this clafs, Bishop Majendie occupies the firft place in our lift, whofe Charge, at his primary vifitation, difplays an accurate knowledge of the duties of the clergy, in every rank and fituation; particularly under the prefent times and circumftances. The Bishop of St. David's, (Burgefs) is, as might be expected, learned, clear, and judicious: the principal fubject of his Charge §, is, the advantages of the Chriftian Priesthood. The Bishop of Meath, is, as usual, animated; but his Charge includes fome fubjects for regret, which we truft his judicious reprefentations will in fome degree correct. The Charge of Archdeacon Law, at his THIRTIETH Vifitation, would deferve to be recorded, were it on that account alone; but it has other, and ftrong claims to notice, as a judicious, and pious exhortation. The Bishop of Lincoln's Sermon at St. Paul's, on the Anniversary of the London Charity Schools **, is worthy of the preacher, and the occafion. While it recommends religious education, it is calculated alfo to correct it; by giving a moft accurate fummary of the faith. To the Sermon of Bishop Skinner ††, of the Scotch Epifcopal Church, on account of the occafion, and the fubject, we paid a particular attention: the difcourse however, was in all refpects deferving of that notice. Three other Sermons, befides that of Mr. Gisborne, which was judiciously reprinted from his volume above-mentioned *, demand an especial record. These are, the Vifitation Sermon of Mr. Sheepfhanks t; that of Mr. Phillpott, on the fifth of November; and that of Mr. Barwis, on the Duties of Volunteers §. Of thefe, if we were to give the preference to one, we fhould be inclined to mention the laft; but all are full of merit, the invidiousness of comparisons may be avoided. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES. Froiffart, obfolete, and difficult in French, and little more intelligible in the English translation of Lord Berners, is now naturalized by Mr. Johnes |, in a good and readable form. We have received much fatisfaction from his firft Volume, which has fince been followed by a fecond and third. We pass at once to the most modern Hiftory, when we come to Dr. Biffet's Hiftory of the Reign of George III. Since we concluded our account, the author has ceased to live **. Our impartial commendations, though they could do no more, foothed, we hope, the latter hours of a life by no means fortunate. The Fall of the Republic of Venice t†, belongs to that part of modern Hiftory, which is the record chiefly of crimes and enormities: fome of the most remarkable of which, belong to that very tranfaction, as will be seen by those who refer to this narrative. M. Boifgelin's account of Malta ‡‡, includes both P. * On Religious defpondence, See No. II. p. 208. 688. No. II. p. 210. + No. VI. No. No, VI. p. 689. I. p. 1. ¶ See Vol. xxiv. p. 550. and of this, No. I. p. 16. ** He died May 14, 1805. tt No. III. p. 336. IV. p. 384. No. antient ancient andmod ern Hiftory, its publication has arifen, of course, out of the actual circumftances of Europe. A Work on Coins, though it is not precifely Hiftory, is related nearly to the subject, of which it affords fome of the best illuftrations. Mr. Gough's book on the Coins of the Seleucida*, is elegant in form; and, though not to be implicitly followed, contains much that is instructive and valuable. The Afiatic Refearches, belong also to this class, the Society being profeffedly inftituted, to enquire into the History, Antiquities, &c. of Afia. The fixth volume of this work †, has lately engaged, and rewarded our attention. We return home, however, to notice Mr. Herbert's Antiquities of the Inns of Court, a book of some research, and illustrated with good plates. An anonymous author has given us a fatisfactory Hiftory of the Orders of Knightbood now exifting S in which particular attention is paid to the merits of Lord Nelfon, and the various orders with which his valour has been recompenfed, or distinguished. BIOGRAPHY. It is not often that Biography, pleafing as it is, produces fuch flowers as abound in the Life of Cowper. The third Volume, in particular, which we have lately noticed, exhibits fome of his most pleafing compofitions, in profe as well as verse. It contains, however, rather the materials for Biography, than any thing which can at prefent bear the name. The poets of Scotland, neither very numerous, nor very exalted, have found a Biographer in Mr. David Irving ¶. His volumes contain alfo * No. II. + No. IV. p. 401. V. § No. V. p. 549. P. 521. No. I. p. 8. fome |