of our Lord: but all who have a fair claim to that character, will feel themse ves under great obligations to Mr. Milner for the boldness and ability with which he has asserted and vindicated the evangelical doctrines of original sin, salvation by grace through faith in a crucified Redeemer, and sanctification by the Holy Spirit. He loses indeed no opportunity of illustrating these grand truths, and particularly the doctrine of justification by faith, of which he never speaks but with a manifest impression of its importance. Should any of his readers conceive, that he lays too much stress on the single point of the necessity of faith in the atonement and grace of Christ, let them reflect, that in the view of Mr. Milner, and as we conceive in that of the inspired writers, it is a point most intimately and inseparably connected with every branch of Christian verity, lying in deed at the root of all true religion; and that with him as with them, it is always a practical truth, producing necessarily, when rightly and cordially received, holiness of heart and life. Perhaps there is no excellence so predominant in Mr. Milner's work, as the genuine piety which appears in every page, The author does not speculate respecting christianity with the cold, philosophical spirit, so congenial to the taste of the present age; but feeling all his own present happiness and future hopes to be centered in the Gospel, he commends it with honest warmth to the affections of his readers. His heart seems to glow with love to the Redeemer of mankind, whose glory he labours to exalt. He appears also deeply interested in the welfare of his fellow creatures, and shews a constant solicitude to promote their salvation. And while the luminous piety of his own mind beams forth upon his readers, and kindles their devout affections, his writings are eminently calculated to enlighten and instruct them. We rise from the perusal of this history with far other impressions of the value and excellence of christianity, than are produced by almost any other historical work: our faith is strengthened, our hope elevated, and our souls animated with a desire to be followers of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. Defects may undoubtedly be pointed out, but they are chietly the defects of a vigorous mind grasping at great objects, and indifferent to those smaller points which might distract the attention. Much allowance must also be made, when, as in the present case, a work of such magnitude and difficulty is executed in the short intervals of leisure redeemed from numerous and laborious employments, and amid the interruptions occasioned by frequent attacks of sickness. ̧ We are On the whole, we do not hesitate confidently and earnestly to recommend this history as a valuable addition to the library of every Christian; as a work in which instruction is happily blended with interesting narrative, which the young may be allured to read for the entertainment it affords, and which the advanced Christian will prize for the edification he may derive from it. greatly mistaken if it will not provą, highly useful in imparting just views of the nature of true religion, and in leading many to feel the supremely important obligations of christianity, The pious author has already entered into his rest, and is enjoying the fruit of his labours in a better world; but though dead, he yet speaketh, and we have no doubt will long continue to speak to the improvement, comfort, and everlasting benefit of thousands. We anxiously wish for the completion of the work, and we earnestly pray that the life and health of the able and learned Editor may be spared to accomplish his brother's pious design. CXXXII. Poems, Sacred and Moral. By THOMAS GISBORNE, M. A. Third Edition. London, Cadell and Davies, 1803, THE distinguished merit of Mr. Gisborne, as a moralist, and a divine, has been long and very generally acknowledged. He has also obtained, by his " Walks in a Forest," a considerable share of public approbation as a poet; and the volume now before us, will not tend to lessen the reputation which he has already acquired. The object of poetry, as it has been often observed, is to delight and to instruct, to enlarge, refine, and elevate the mind. It is, however, to be lamented, that so few, compared with the number who have cultivated this noble art, have Be the year now at hand as the day that is past! As the sun rose this morn in calm lustre array'd, So rise the new year by no grief overcast, No turbulent storm of misfortune dis- the splendour stole, Save the dim flitting cloud, that but tempered the tay; So, if sorrow must darken the months as they roil, O, mild be her shadows, and passing her sway! thus united pleasure with that instruction which is infinitely more important, and consecrated their poetic powers to the service of sound morals and true religion. Too many, on the contrary, have prostituted them to the purposes of vice and impiety; or have, at best, either consumed their talents in tri- On fling agreeably, or employed them in supporting false and therefore mischievous systems of morality. If we except those who have expressly written upon devotional subjects, Cowper is almost the only English poet of modern times, who has presented to his readers the pure and genuine principles of christianity, in the glowing charms of poetry; and his poems are therefore of inestimable value. The respectable author of the volume now under our examination, is evidently one of the warmest admirers of this truly Christian poet; and like him, devotes the labours of his muse to the promotion of the interests of vital christianity, and of that virtue which flows from it. With Cowper, Mr. Gisborne declares in the motto prefixed to his poems, "I would not trifle merely, though the world "Be loudest in their praise, who do no more." Accordingly, the subjects which he has selected, are entirely of a moral and religious nature. The greater number of the poems are short, and intended to illustrate or confirm some truth or sentiment of practical use and importance. Of these we were particularly pleased with one which is entitled, "The Birth-day Eve," from which, as a fair specimen of Mr. Gisborne's poetry, we extract the concluding stanzas, being part of an address to the Almighty at that interesting season: "O Father! for now from her orbit the year, Ere yon fires set again, shall her speed have withdrawn ; And another, with pinions unfurl'd, her career As the moon light now slumbers on wood, hill, and plain, And in silence the winds and the waters repose; So may Peace shed her beams on the year in its wane, So bright be its evening, so tranquil its close! And when morn and eve I no longer behold, When days, months, and years, Lord, I number no more; In the arms of thy mercy thy servant enfold, Thy works to contemplate, thy name to adore! Hymns," the fourth appears to us to be best; but we do not think that Mr. Gisborne has, in any of them, reached those points of excellence which grace our best devotional compositions. Reverend William Mason," is well The " Elegy to the Memory of the tiful stanzas, with some of which, if conceived, and contains many beauour limits permitted us, we should be happy to present our readers. Upon the last of the stanzas in this poem, we would, however, observe, that we doubt how far Mr. Gisborne is warranted, by the writings of Gray and Thomson, or even of Milton himself, in decidedly ranking them amongst the number of those, who, like Cowper, *Heb, ü. 11. "Disdained the meed of perishable fame, And sunk the poet in the Christian's praise*." Before we dismiss the smaller poems in this volume, we would particularly recommend to the reader the lines, "To my own Son, on the Destruction of Needwood Forest, written in May, 1803." They exhibit a very pleasing picture of the patriotic and benevolent mind of the author, and afford an excellent proof of his taste and skill in the lighter species of versification, in which they are composed. an Four of the poems are of considerable length; viz. "The Reformation, an Ode"-" Solitude, Ode"- -a Lyric Poem, entitled, "Consolation" and another Poem, called "Innovation" Of these the last is a satire upon the absurdity and impiety of the modern French philosophy; it contains many spirited lines and much just description. Some parts of it reminded us of the labours of several poets to whom Mr. G. has alluded. We transcribe the concluding lines of this poem, as an additional specimen of Mr. Gisborne's manner. "When innovation with impartial scales Decides that evil over good prevails; By righteous means promotes a righteous plan; To God gives glory, happiness to man; To prosperous gales be all her wings unfurl'd; Swift be their flight, and may they shade the world! 7 Then, whether laws unjust or undefined Sons of one state with links unequal bind; When ignorance, that leans on tyrant might Seals the barred entrance, and excludes the light; Through Superstition's fogs with alter'd mien, And giant port when heavenly Truth is enthral Hear Innovation's spirit-stirring call; But when, regardless of what millions feel, * What is said of Mason would have been liable to a like objection, if Mr. Gisborne's personal knowledge of him had not furnished stronger evidence of piety than is to be found in his writings. worse; Turns to an iron cub a teasing rein Alike the foe of freedom and of God: O soon may he, who shakes this tottering And bright with beams of love his pitying "Consolation," is however, upon the whole, superior to any one of the others. The purport of this poem is to compare christianity with the three leading systems of ancient philosophy, as to influence on human happiness. The delineation of the nature and effects of the epicurean and stoical doctrines, is poetical and striking; and the transcendent excellence of christianity is well illustrated, and feelingly pourtrayed. In a general review of Mr. Gisborne's poems, we find much to commend and to admire. The sentiments are just and manly; many of the descriptions highly vivid and beautiful; the language correct and classical ; and the versification in general good. But to a Christian, the vein of unaffected piety which runs through the volume, enriching the various subjects which Mr. Gisborne has selected from the stores of a mind well furnished with ancient and modern lore, will be its brightest ornament. There are some things, however, of which, as impartial critics, we must express our disapprobation. The author's meaning is sometimes obscure, and his versification is occasionally inharmonious, and there are instances of faulty repetition and alliteration, which might however in most cases be easily removed. The most objec-· tionable repetition is that which occurs in the first line of every verse of the last hymn. "Verum ubi plura nitent in carmine, non ego paucis Offendar maculis." The invariable tendency of Mr. Gisborne's poems is so truly laudable and important, that we are happy to observe the extensive circulation of this as well as of the former volume; and though their excellent author may not perhaps be ranked amongst the highest candidates for poetical tamme, he is far superior to the generality of his contemporaries, and is assuredly entitled to a very distinguished place amidst those who by their compositions, whether in prose or verse, have given "ardour to virtue, and confi dence to truth.” The engravings which adorn this small volume are particularly elegant both in their design and execution. CXXXIII. Theological Institutes, in the University of St. Andrew's, and THE importance of any effort to qualify the religious instructors of mankind for the more creditable and the more effectual execution of their sacred office, can hardly be questioned. And perhaps of all the qualifications necessary for that purpose, none is more important than an ample, solid, and well compacted foundation of scriptural knowledge. With a view to the confidence which ought to be reposed in a minister of Christ, and the various exigences which call for his exertions, it is of the highest moment, that his attainments should be deep and fundamental, and that he should be well grounded in the principles of that religion which he undertakes to teach. To effect this object Dr. Hill was induced to offer the present fruit of his labours to the public; and did not the rigid laws of criticism extend to the execution as well as the intention of a literary production, our only remaining task would be to confer the reward of well-me,rited commendation. The first and the last of the three divisions of Dr. Hill's work are of general concern; the second is of a more confined description, yet not without peculiar interest to an English reader. The first part of this work is enti tled, Heads of Lectures in Divinity." Expectation could be raised to no very high pitch by such a title. The theological student, however, whether he be a novice or an adept in the science, will, we are persuaded, derive both profit and entertainment from the perusal of this masterly sketch. Dr. Hill has here presented his readers, not with a mere syllabus or summary of the contents of a theological system, but with a bold outline, in which the happy disposition of parts and occasional shades produce, in a considerable degree, the likewise adde, which is not the least effect of an entire piece. He has valuable part of this performance, a reference to the best writers on the The titles of the five books, of which different subjects he has introduced. this first part of the work consists, may give some general idea of the plan of our author. "Bock I. Evidences of the Christian Religion.—II. General View of the Scripture System and Plan of analyzing it.-III. Opinions concerning the Son, the Spirit, and the manner of their being united with the Father.-IV. Opinions concerning the Nature, the Extent, and the Application of the Remedy brought by the Gospel.— V. Index of particular Questions, arising out of Opinions concerning the Gospel Remedy, and of many of the Technical Terms in Theology." (p. x.) It would be a superfluous labour to enter into a minute examination of the different articles composing so compendious a production as that under immediate consideration; we' shall, however, offer a few remarks upon such parts as seem to require notice. Dr. Hill sets out with an observation of great importance. Having proposed the question, upon which the truth of christianity turns, Whether an extraordinary revelation was given to man by the preaching of the Son of God; "The question,' he adds, "is to be tried, not by wishes which may be formed upon the subject, but by the evidence adduced in proof of the fact." (p. 2.) If men could, or would, impose a perfect neutrality upon their wishes, little anxiety need be entertained concerning the issue of an inquiry into the evidences of christianity. With those who are most interested in denying this assertion, because they are the very subjects of it, the authority of Hobbes may have some weight, who, as Bishop Warburton writes*, observes, that should the theorems of Euclid ever happen to be connected with the passions and interests of men, they would soon become as much matter of dispute and contradiction as any moral or theological proposition whatsoever. We think it would be an advantage to the argument from prophecy, introduced pp. 14, &c. if it was more distinctly exhibited as a species of miracle; prophecy discovering supernatural knowledge, as miracles (properly so called) discover supernatural power. On the subject of the Resurrection of Christ, (pp. 22, 23,) Townson's Harmony of that part of the evangelical history should have been referred to. It was proper just to allude to the sophistry of Gibbon, p. 24, although in a better age his united malignity and impotence would only serve to excite disgust and contempt. We disapprove of that view of christianity which represents it as a republication of natural religion; it rather supposes, recognises, explains, and enforces by new sanctions, what is understood by the proper use of that term, than enounces a regular and formal republication of it. We were, however, much gratified by finding the Gospel so explicitly and prominently brought forward under the character of a remedy. This, we are convinced, is its predominant character; and under this character alone do we think it can either be effectually embraced or successfully defended. Dr. Hill should have introduced, at p. 37, a reference to Limborch's Theol. Christ, which contains a more professed view of the Arminian system of divinity than Burnet on the Articles. Episcopius's unfinished work is rather Arian than Arminian. On the doctrine of the trinity we were surprised to find the short but decisive work of Jones overlooked. It gave us pleasure to observe, that, in discussing the fall of man, Dr. Hill has not followed the example of some interpreters, by explaining away that important doctrine, but has allowed it the full meaning and extent which scripture and experience give to it. See pp. 6872. The doctrine of the atonement, or satisfaction of Christ, likewise oc * Div. Legation, Vol. V. p. 366, last Svo. edition. cupies a space proportioned to its importance. See pp. 75-83. We pass over much more that displays the hand of a master; but we apprehend that the representation of the seventeenth article of the English Church as Calvinistic, will expose the Doctor to some hard measure from certain critics who have monopolized all the orthodoxy of Christendom. See p. 94. At p. 117 is mentioned the double justification of the Papists, and of Dr. Taylor of Norwich, a non-conformist, whose followers among the clergy of our own Church are by no means few. In considering the double justification held by the Papists, Protestant writers have not always reflected that they confounded justification with sanctification. Dr. Hill, however, contends for the "indissoluble connection between justification and sanctification." (p. 119.) We now proceed to the second part of this work, a "View of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland." The constitution of any regular religious society is an important object of science. That of the Church of Scotland is rendered peculiarly interesting to Englishmen from the various circumstances of relation between the two parts of the empire. The first section of this view discusses the connection between the Church and the State; and on this subject the Episcopalian and the Presbyterian are perfectly united. The arguments which our author has produced to establish the legality and expediency of a connection between the Church and the State, are stated with a precision and force which, we are satisfied, will carry conviction to every unprejudiced mind. The whole train of reasoning, and the conclusion to which it leads, are, for substance, the same as are to be found in the celebrated work of Bishop Warburton on the alliance between Church and State. It is at the second section that we begin, as might be expected, to differ from the learned professor. This section is entitled "On the general Principles of Presbyterian Governmont." pp. 165, &c. Unquestionably the author was fully justified in defending the Church of which he is not only a member, but a minister, and by the same argument we claim the right of defending ours. |