serve. ́ We' have read them over with much attention, and ase of opinion that the public will find in them a most able and convincing answer to all misrepresentations both of himself and others, with which Mr. Belsham's last publication has been shewn to abound. The Parochial Vicar appears to be well acquainted with the bearings of the Unitarian controversy, and brings his forces into the field with much boldness and skill. Sir Isaac Newton and Mr. Locke are justly defended against the calumnious commendations of Mr. Belsham, who is of course highly desirous to bring them both within the pale of Unitarianisın. A very happy citation is made from the works of Dr. Law, the late Bishop of Carlisle, and another from Griesbach himself, clearly demonstrating that, however unsound in some points of theology, they held opinions in direct contradiction to those of Mr. Belsham. The attempt therefore to enlist those and similar theologians under the banners of Unitarianism, is a sort of crimping trick, which is utterly unworthy of any controversialist, who pretends even to common honesty.

"The period, at which the opinions of men can be ascertained with the greatest correctness, must be when they have reached and whilst they still retain the full vigour of their mental powers. Such was the period of his age and talents, when Archdeacon, afterwards Bishop Law, published the second edition of his learned and able work, entitled, "Considerations on the State of the World with regard to the Theory of Religion." Added to it is a

Discourse upon the Life and Character of CHRIST;" in which we read thus: "Let us begin where the beloved disciple dates his gospel, (who had much higher manifestations, and a more perfect knowledge of his Master, than any other of the Evangelists, and with him reflect on His original state and subsequent humiliation. That a Being of infinite glory and perfection, the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature, and the Lord of heaven and earth, should condescend to degrade Himself from all this power and dignity," &c. &c. The divine pre-existence of OUR LORD and SAVIOUR is the groundwork on which the Discourse rests, and on which the main subject is built. The author was never known to express an idea which might seem to deviate from his avowed sentiments, in any PUBLICATION; what PUBLIC authority have you then, (and nothing short of PUBLIC authority can warrant your endeavour,) what PURLIC authority have you far attempting to create a belief, that Bishop Law coincided with you in disapproving our doctrines? None whatever. And yet he is twice introduced in your Letters, evidently for the purpose of making readers, inexperienced and unacquainted with his works, imagine he agreed with you in opinions derogating from the divis nity of nature in CHRIST.

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To the Bishop of London, (who happily for us is conversant with the writings of German critics, and who will be vigilant where caution may be requisite,) to a parochial Vicar, (who through means of quotations is furnished with some slight know ledge of contents in books from Germany,) acceptable must be your appeal to that eminent philologist" Griesbach. You thence give an opportunity for adducing his solemn profession of faith in OUR LORD's divinity, which you deny":

"That, so far as lies in my power, I may remove all unjust suspicions, and take from malevolent men a handle for calumniate ing, I first of all declare publicly, and call. God to witness, that I by no means doubt concerning the truth of that doctrine tie. the divinity of Christ). And indeed there are so many both clear arguments, and passages of Scripture, by which true deity in Christ is asserted, that I can scarcely understand how this doctrine 'can be called in question by any one, if the divine authority of sacred Scripture is allowed, and just rules of interpretation admitted. Among the first, that passage of John, i. 1, 2, 3. i so perspicuous and raised above all exceptions, that by no bold en deavours either of interpreters or of critics, can it ever be subverted and forcibly taken from the defenders of truth.'” P. 50.

Upon that "prostration of the understanding," of which the Bishop of London has insisted as a necessary qualification of him, who would approach the oracles of divine truth, our author speaks in the following spirited and judicious terms :

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"Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?' are the questions of him, who was a master in human reasoning, and a pattern of humble faith; St. Paul. Weigh well the whole of the chapter, in which that text occurs. Condescend to read also Discourses on 1 Cor. i. 21. by a prelate, eminent for masculine understanding and force of argument. His present successor, every way fit to hold the station filled by Sherlock, in substance speaks as Sherlock thought, when he asserts, "Prostration of the understanding and will are indispensable for proficiency in the Christian religion." More than that, so far as you are concerned; the Bishop does but state, what to a certain though inadequate degree is practised by yourself. In high confidence of superior intellect, you may exclaim, "Prostration of the understanding! God forbid!—If the Christian religion itselfwere to require this debasement of the intellect, this prostration of the understanding in those who approach it; I for one would. reject it with disdain." How little do men know themselves! and how incompetent are they to pass judgment on their own proceedings! With all your disavowal of submitting your intellect to the Christian religion, you nevertheless exercise that submission. You believe," that Jesus performed a series of astonishing and beneficial miracles, and uttered various prophecies, which in due season received their proper accomplishment, that He was

raised to life (from the grave); was miraculously taken up into the clouds; fulfilled His promise of pouring out upon His apostles a miraculous effusion of the Holy Spirit; that the apostles were filled with His Spirit; that "the extent and rapidity of their success were such as can in no other way be accounted for, but upon the supposition that the doctrine was true and that the miracles were. incontrovertible." " You believe, upon the authority of Jesus Christ, that God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He hath ordained." Now, in all these particulars of your creed, viz. that a mere Man should work such miracles; should deliver prophecies; should be raised from the grave; should ascend to the clouds; should impart spiritual powers; and, above all, should sit in solemn and final judgment on the whole human race; is there nothing to which the understanding prostrates itself in humble submission to the will of God? nothing, in which it renounces its usual powers of comprehension, and resolves what is inexplicable into this simple conclusion; "Supernatural authority communicates this, and on such authority the human mind is bound to receive it?" Why, Sir, the whole of what you believe, as stated concening your Christian faith, exceeds the common course of events; comes not within the reach of what is familiar, and obvious to our senses; lies not within the limited bounds of our reason your intellect therefore is prostrated, i. e. humbly submitted to revelation supernaturally made. Whether, or not, upon a review of what actually takes place in your own mind, you will continue to summon Mr. Hume as an advocate on your side, must appear doubtful: doubted, however, it cannot be, that in the partial degrees of your CHRISTIAN belief, you exercise the very prostration, which you so reprobate; and that in the larger extent of your NATURAL religion you evince the same intellectual pros tration at least in an equal, if not greater proportion." P. 73.

The matter cannot be placed in a clearer or more convincing point of view. Here then we shall conclude our extracts from these valuable letters, hoping that they will meet the attention which they so justly deserve, and that in a second edition the Parochial Vicar will make us acquainted with the name of one, to whom we are so much indebted for so judicious and seasonable a publication.

ART. VIII. A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Watford, for the Benefit of the Widow and Ten Children of the Rev. J. Dennis, A.M. late Curate of Overton, Hants, By the Rev. Thomas Morgan, LL.D. Prebendary of Wells, &c. 16 pp. Cadell and Davies. 815.

THE melancholy and distressing event which gave rise to this discourse, is one of those which call loudly upon the charity of

every

every pious Christian. The sudden death of a good and laborious curate, leaving a large and helpless family, wholly unprovided with the means of life even for a single week, is a subject worthy of such a discourse as the present, and we shall esteem ourselves fortunate, if our notice of it should call the attention of the public, to the accumulated distress of the case. Dr. Morgan has prefixed the following advertisement, which we recommend to the consideration of our readers.

"This Sermon was delivered for the benefit of the Widow and Ten Children of the late Rev. T. Dennis, Curate of Overton, Hants; who, on Monday, the 20th day of February last, while at dinner in the house of the Rev. J. Harwood, of Dean, near Overton, was seized with a severe attack of palsy, and expired within a few hours, leaving Nine Children, and a Wife far advanced in pregnancy ¡*.

"The poor Woman, in the height of her distress, declared that a one pound note and a few shillings, found in the pocket of her Husband, was all that they possessed in the world.

"The Author trusts, that the purpose for which this Sermon was preached-the publication of it, in compliance with the wishes of many of the congregation who were present-and the short interval between the event that occasioned it, and the day on which it was delivered, will disarm criticism of its severity, and insure the pro tection and indulgence of the benevolent." P. 4.

We should do justice neither to the good wishes which animated the mind of the author, nor to the feeling which adorns his pen in this charitable cause, were we to omit the following repre sentation of this wretched case of destitution and misery.

"But our nature, it would seem, is not at all times equal to the burthen which the Almighty is pleased to lay upon it, and at this truly distressing moment the conflict was severer than the poor widow could sustain.

"The deserted, helpless, destitute condition of herself and numerous family; the recollection of the past attentions and endearments of a tender husband, who was now to be consigned to his last sad home-now to be committed to the silent grave -no longer responsive to the tender solicitations of his infant familyno longer able to hear and provide for their wants.

"These circumstances rushed, with a violence easy to be imagi ned, upon her mind, and hastened her confinement: in a very short time she was delivered of her tenth child!

"Surely you who are husbands, you who are parents, will

"On the day of Mr. Dennis's interment, his Widow was delivered of her tenth child.".

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enter deeply into this scene, and call up a thousand circumstances to increase the interest of it!

"I only give you a brief statement of facts, and if I were to attempt to raise and awaken your feelings to the greatest degree, no words that I could use-no picture that I could draw, would exceed the mournful circumstances of this distressing case.

"It is not every single person's power, I admit, to arrive at that exalted character which warranted Job in saying, "I was eyes to the blind, feet was I to the lame. I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him who had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." We cannot all, like him, examine the cause of the oppressed, and redress the wrongs of the injured; but we may all, upon such trying occasions as the present, aid some benevolent Christian's exertions, who is willing to act this noble part, but who, without such assistance, would not be equal to the task.

"To provide for so numerous a family, to procure some permanent benefit for a widow so situated, and with so numerous a family, requires more exertions and greater means then many can collec tively afford; and, therefore, this appeal will be made to other congregations, and the statement published in other towns.

"The Subscription that was commenced immediately upon the news reaching this neighbourhood, has already amounted to a considerable sum; but, without further assistance, the Trustees of the Fund can only apply it to temporary purposes. Some of the children, it is hoped, are of an age, and are qualified for situations which may enable them to procure their own maintenance, but the greater number are far too young to be turned adrift upon the hostile shores of the world, without a guide to direct their course, while all require a home to return to in case of sickness or misfortune. The charitable institutions to which such children seem to have a peculiar claim, offer another source of provision, and to some of these applications have already been made, and I hope, and ardently pray, with success." P. 13.

ART. IX. Pecuniary Contributions for the Diffusion of religious Knowledge, a Sermon preached in the Church of St. Mary at Nottingham. By Rev. W. Barrow, LL.D. F.A.S. Prebendary of Southwell. 4to. 1s. 16 pp. Rivingtons. 1815, To shew the necessity not only of the distribution of the Word of God, but of those comments also by which alone the minds of the ignorant can be guarded from the numberless errors and heresies which infest the land, this discourse was delivered. To those who declare that the supposed necessity of a

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