be laid in the knowledge of GoD and OURSELVES—but they should be habituated to a familiar acquaintance with those doctrines, which are to be held as subjects of primary importance in each branch. They should also be accustomed to consider Faith as the begin ning and end of all religion; the originating and perfecting principle of holiness and good life; as that without which no man can come to God; no man can please God; no man can partake of the promises of God.' (p. 14, 15.) He then proceeds to urge the necessity of sanctification; the great importance of studying the Sacred Scriptures; and from these divine records, from a view of the world, and an examination of our own hearts, to learn the deplorable corruption and degeneracy of human nature. "Upon this foundation," a knowledge of our moral depravity, his Lordship farther instructs us, "may be built those humiliating considerations, which are most in consonance with the end of our Saviour's coming." (p. 17.) As a doctrine necessarily connected with the preceding, he then adverts to the change wrought in every penitent believer, "which constitutes the new birth, and is the source of every spiritual comfort here, and all our hopes hereafter." (p. 17.) The concluding sentences of this part of the Charge are too interesting to be omitted. "With these important truths in view, Charity will become a comprehensive and efficacious principle. As faith is the first principle of religion, charity is the first principle of morals. Christ has taught us, that from this springs the whole law of religion and morality; and St. Paul has deduced from it the main branches of christian virtue." "If these subjects are frequently and forcibly impressed upon your congregations, they will more readily perceive, what is indispensible to the love of God and religion; the value of their immortal souls, and the comparative nothingness of all earthly good." (p. 17.) The remaining pages are chiefly occupied with directions to the Clergy, pointing out the mode of fulfilling their duty with the greatest probability of success. They are exhorted to cultivate a devotional spirit: to study the Ordination Service, both as a covenant and as a rule of duty; to exercise zeal in the discharge of their office; and above all things, to preach the doctrines peculiar to Christianity, the whole Gospel undiminished and undisguised." (p. 21.) There is so much to commend and admire in this evangelical composition, that it is with the utmost respect we venture to suggest a doubt, whether one or two passages may not be liable to misconception, by those who have not the advantage of being more fully acquainted with his Lordship's sentiments on the subject of faith. Our readers will have observed, that the learned and venerable author of the Charge, insists strongly on the importance and necessity of faith, as a Christian grace: yet if we have not misapprehended his meaning, the term Faith is not always strictly employed in the same sense for instance, (p. 15.) Faith is said to be "the originating and perfecting principle of holiness and a good life ;...that without which no man can come to God; no man can please God; no man can partake of the promises of God." The faith of which these things can be said, we understand to be that faith by which a sinner is justified before God; the great effect and benefit of which terminates in the believer himself. But when we are taught that "a minister of religion may fail in the effect of his most laborious services, for want of faith; for want of that which is not more necessary to the instruction of his flock, than it will finally be to his own salvation," (p. 15.), we conceive that the term Faith, in this connexion, only implies that a minister should steadfastly believe the doctrines he delivers, or his labours will not be productive of benefit to his hearers. To believe the Gospel in this sense, is to give credit to the testimony adduced for the authenticity of the Sacred Writings; but to be a believer, in the former sense, imports a real moral change in the mind of him who believes. Again, it is said, (p. 4), " From faith, the Apostles derived their power to work miracles: to faith, the sick owed their recovery from the disorders of the body; to faith, we must owe our recovery from the more malignant dis eases of the mind here, and our security from the sentence to be denounced against them hereafter." With all deference to the learned author, we conceive that the faith by which supernatural effects were wrought, and diseased persons were rendered suitable recipients of the divine bounty, did not necessarily comprise an actual regeneration of mind, either in the agent or the supplicant. If such a consequence were uniformly involved, then all those who conferred or received physical benefits by virtue of the divine agency, were likewise the subjects of the renovating grace of God. Faith, regarded as an act of the understanding, is an assent to that which is credible on the evidence of testimony. A man may, therefore, believe the records of the Gospel, as he believes the Commentaries of Cæsar, with a firm his torical faith; but this would be, we conceive, a very inadequate description of that faith by which the Apostle declares we are to be saved; and may exist in a mind that is still "in the gali of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." If the Gospel of Jesus Christ presented nothing more than simple truth to us, one single act of the mind, a firm assent to it, would include the whole of our duty in this respect; but since goodness as well as truth, are unfolded to our contemplation, a more complex act of the mind is necessary to our reception of it. Hence, in consistency with the language of our Homilies and first Reformers, justifying faith includes not only assent, but trust, dependence, a cordial acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ in his several offices of Prophet, Priest and King. Now if true faith be inseparably connected with the holy dispositions, which a receiving of the Lord Jesus Christ must inevitably include, it will follow undeniably, that no ungodly man can have real evangel ical faith, since its existence is ever conjoined with moral goodness. It may be urged farther, in defence of this representation, that a mere historical faith may be obtained by the unassisted powers of the natural man; whereas the faith of the Gospel, that by ́ which a sinner is justified, is described in the Sacred Scriptures, as the peculiar work of the Holy Spirit. Ir will not be expected that we should work, which has already, for more than enter minutely on the analysis of a unequivocal marks of public approbatwo years, been favoured with the most tion. with a sense of its excellence and utiliStrongly impressed, however, ty, we are not willing to delay for a single number the opportunity of adding our tribute of commendation, which the recent appearance of a third edition, seems very fairly to afford us. Such a ed; and we are happy to say that in our production was, certainly much wantopinion, the want has been supplied by Mr. Gisborne, in a manner which cannot fail to yield general satisfaction. It is a plain and familiar, but an able and tous of all subjects. judicious survey of the most momenIt gives a succinct and accurate account of the history and progress of true religion, from the creation of the world to the present times; together with a lucid and convincing summary of the evidences in its favour: Christianity in a just and impressive exhibits the distinguishing features of candour and impartiality, the various point of view; and describes, with great opinions which agitate the Christian world. That the reader, however, may have a more distinct idea of the nature of Table of Contents. this important work, we here insert the CHAP 1 Summary view of the State of Mankind, from the Creation of the World to the Calling of Abraham, (p. 1.)-II. Summary View of the Origin of the Jewish Race, and of the History of that People, to the Death of Moses, (p. 25.)-III. Summary View of the History of the Jews, from the Death of Moses to the present Time, (p 56.)—IV. On the Books of the Old Testament, (p. 132)-v. On the Books of the New Testament, (p. 179.) -VI. Summary of the Evidence of the Christian Religion, (p. 235 )—VII. On the Leading Doctrines of the Christian Religion, (p 264)-VIII. On the Character of Jesus Christ, (p. 312)-iX On the History of Christianity, to the Subversion of the Western Empire, (p. 335)-X. On the History of Christianity, from the Subversion of the Western Empire to the End of the Thirteenth Century, (p. 381.)-XI. Continuation of Christian History to the Present Time, (p. 442.)-XII. On the Forms of Church-Government and Ecclesiastical Establishments, (p. 495.)-XIII. Conclusion, (p. 509.) From the foregoing table it will be readily seen, that the magnitude of the objects which are embraced by Mr. Gisborne's plan cannot fail to make the work interesting to every serious inquirer after truth; and we do not hesitate to say, that the ability with which that plan has been executed, fully entitles it to a place in the library of every Christian school, and even of every Christian family. It is, indeed, primarily designed for the young, but we scruple not to recommend it to persons of every age and description. It has this peculiar excellence, as an elementary book, that in what respects doctrines, it confines itself to points that are essential, and can afford no just ground of offence to any individual, who agrees with our Church in those two grand fundamental axioms: 1. That the salvation of fallen man is entirely the effect of divine grace. 2. That his final perdition is entirely to be ascribed to himself. Mr. Gisborne's style is sufficiently known to the public, and it maintains throughout the work before us, the same character of perspicuity, accuracy, and neatness, by which his former publications have been distinguished. We are bound in justice to the author, to make one more remark before we close this article, Although his more immedite purpose, in the present production, be to inform the mind, le yet seems to have a nobler aim continually in view; and so far as the nature and limits of the work will allow, Christ. Observ. No. 1. he neglects no fair opportunity of introducing such practical reflections, as are calculated to influence the heart, and to remind us that religion has to do not with the understanding only, but with the affections; that it is not a matter of speculation, or a mere ornamental adjunct, but a thing to be cordially believed, and uniformly practised; an affair of everlasting moment; the only essential and indispensable requisite to our true happiness either here or hereafter. IV. SELF EMPLOYMENT IN SECRET, left under the Hand Writing of the Rev. Mr. Corbett, late of Chichester; a new edition, by WILLIAM UNWIN, A. M. Rector of Stock cum Ramsden Belhouse, Essex. 12mo. 10d. Rivingtons. We embrace the earliest opportunity of announcing to the public a new edition of this valuable little tract; to the extensive circulation of which we should be happy to contribute, by every means in our power. It affords a just and striking specimen of what is properly implied in the term Experimental Religion, or in other words, of the effect produced on the heart and life by Christian Principles, when cordially embraced, and kept steadily in view. The soundness of the writer's reflections, the practical utility of his rules, his knowledge of the human heart, and the sincerity he manifests in examining his own; his deep and unaffected humility, his calm submission and cheerful resignation under severe and protracted pain, and the genuine piety which is displayed throughout the whole of his work; cannot fail both to please and edify every mind formed to appre ciate and relish what is excellent. We make no extracts from it, because we should be at some loss in selecting where every sentence claims attention; but we recommend it, without reserve, to the perusal of all who feel the importance of self-knowledge, who wish to have their devotion animated, their faith confirmed, their hope enlivened, or their deficiency in Christian tempers discovered and reproved, as a production admirably calculated under the divine blessing, to promote all these invaluable purposes. F II. REVIEW OF REVIEWS, &c. &c. A watchful eye will be kept, in this division of our Miscellany, over the chief Periodical Publications; and we hope, that nothing in them, destructive of sound principles, will escape due animadversion, so far as the limits of this work will allow. It is our purpose to vindicate Christianity and its friends, from the misconceptions and misrepresentations to which these works sometimes give birth or currency; and we shall be ready to admit any fair and manly strictures of our Correspondents, which may have the same tendency. Before we proceed to the main business of this part of our undertaking, we shall give the reader a general view of the origin, advantages, disadvantages, and importance of Literary Journals; which will be followed by some account of the bistory and principles of the chief Periodical Works among ourselves. We begin with, THE ORIGIN, ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES, AND IMPORTANCE OF LITERARY JOURNALS. Qui alterum incusat probri, eum ipsum se intueri oportet. PLAUT. THOSE periodical accounts of the labours and productions of the learned, which we now call Reviews, owe their ORIGIN to France. The first work of this kind was published in 1665, by De Sallo, ecclesiastical counsellor in the parliament of Paris, under the title of Journal des Scavans. The new species of publication was well received; translated into various languages; and, in a short period, imitated in Italy, Germany, and the greatest part of Europe. Among the principal of the foreign journals which succeeded its commencement, are mentioned, the Journal of Abbot Nazari, estab. lished at Rome, in 1668; the Mercury of France; the Acta Eruditorum, first published at Leipsic, in 1682, by Menkenius; the celebrated Nouvelles de la Republique de Lettres of Bayle, set on foot at Rotterdam, in 1684; the History of the works of the learned, by M. Basnage, begun in 1686; the Bibliotheques of Le Clerc; &c. &c. His tories of these journals are written by Juncker, Camusat, Wolfius, and others. A large enumeration of them may also be found in Hutton's Philosophical and Mathematical Dictionary. Short periodical publications are said to have first obtained in England, during the civil war. But the Mercuries of those unhappy times chiefy consist of political and ecclesiastical controversy, and are little attentive to the interests of letters. Nor can any very hon ourable mention be made of the Observators, Rehearsals, and other occasional compositions, by which they were immediately succeeded. For some time, the Royal Society, which was instituted soon after the Restoration, pub lished at the end of each number of the Philosophical Transactions, an account of such books as related to objects of science. These transactions may therefore be considered a kind of philosophical journal; and, with the publications of other similar institutions, have frequently been classed among literary journals. In 1699, a History of the Works of the learned was undertaken at London. In 1708 begun the Censura Temporum. In 1710, M. De la Roche formed his English journal, entitled Memoirs of Literature. This work was conducted by M. R. about four years. It was continued by Mr. Reid; and, afterwards, by others, under the title of The present state of the Republic of Letters. Many valuable criticisms appeared, at nearly the same time, in the Tatler and Spectator; and, at a more advanced season, in the Rambler and Adventurer, and other similar periodical publications. About the middle of the last century, literary intelligence, with accounts and characters of new publications, became common in Magazines, Registers, and Chronicles: and then also, under their present name and form, commenced the first of our Reviews. In 1757, Dr. Johnson observes, "A literary journal was for a long time among the deficiencies of English literature; but we have now, amongst other disturbers of human quiet, a numerous body of reviewers and remarkers." From that period to the present time, this description of writers have been multiplying; especially during the latter part of the interval; and now their works are the or. der of the day. Every book society is furnished with the Reviews. They are among the first articles of circulation in every circulating library. The ADVANTAGES of well-principled and well-conducted Reviews, are numerous. They are highly useful to the scholar, as, containing a history of modern literature; directing his attention to works of merit; and, in some degree, assisting his judgment in the choice of authors. They disseminate, in a cheap, and easy, and most successful manner, general information on subjects of the first importance, among those who have not leisure, or inclination, or talents, for deeper research; or who do not aspire after more solid erudition. They furnish, to every class of readers, an excellent literary amusement. They infuse literary curiosity, and tend to excite a general appetite for knowledge. They correct the public taste; and teach every adventurer in the republic of letters to keep on some terms with the established laws of propriety: and, in cases where penal laws do not readily interfere, they are a powerful and useful restraint upon the licentiousness of the press, in other points of view. It must, however, be confessed, that, in the ordinary course of things, this description of publications are accompanied with several DISADVANTAGES In common with all abridge ments, extracts, and beauties of authors, they have a tendency to make superficial scholars. A "royal way" being hence furnished to general information, and the appearance of erudition, many will neglect original authors, and attempt "to unite the reputation of knowledge with the pleasures of idleness." He must, however, dig deeper who finds the true ore. This "little learning," thus hastily ac quired, is by no means so useful, either to the possessor or the public, as that which costs the lawful price of time and labour. Sometimes it is indeed "a dangerous thing;" enabling those to talk, whom it cannot teach to judge; afford. ing "information sufficient to elate vanity, and stiffen obstinacy, but too little to enlarge the mind into complete skill for full comprehension." There is danger also, lest such works should cramp that freedom of genius and thought, which is requisite to successful exertion, or the honest promulgation of truth. Few writers can be supposed indifferent to public opinion. With many, fame may be a leading object. But the sentiments of those who are to arraign and judge them at the bar of the public being known, their verdict can be anticipated; and hence an author is under a temptation to accommodate his work to the taste of these critics, instead of following the pure dictates of genius and truth. But, the greatest inconvenience attending these publications, is, they are exceedingly liable to be abused by the conductors of them. "Some critics," a learned Doctor has observed, “give, others sell their talents." Some are the mere tools of party; others write for bread; all of them, as men, have their own peculiar views, and prejudices, and connections. Seldom therefore, under such circumstances, can impartial criticism be expected; and duped indeed are those readers, who implicitly rely on their verdicts. He is little qualified for perusing such writers with advantage, who is not aware, that their statements should, generally, rather be considered as the pleadings of advo❤ cates, than as the decisions of judges. (To be continued.) III. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c. Under this head we shall collect together a variety of amusing and interesting details concerning Letters and Philosophy. It will contain NOTICES OF NEW WORKS; STRICTURES UPON THE PLANS OF NEW WORKS; REPORTS OF NEW INVENTIONS, PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOVERIES, AND CURIOUS EXPERIMENTS; SKETCHES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES, &c. The principal Literary and Scientific Journals, both British and Foreign, will be carefully searched for materials; and it is intended that this division of our Work shall furnish a brief but satisfactory view of the state and progress of Science and Letters throughout the civilized world. Many articles must be inserted upon the authority of the works from which we extract them, particularly those with respect to foreign science and literature; but when articles. of a suspicious or doubtful nature occur in our own prints and journals, whether on these subjects or any other in which we copy them, we shall take greater pains to ascertain their authenticity than seem in some cases to have been employed; and this may occasion us to defer them longer than |