sions of a contemptuous and uncharita- Mr. Daubeny, into error respecting the principles of Melancthon, Cranmer, and Calvin, and the connection which sub. sisted between them. ble nature occur, which, in conformity with Mr. Daubeny's professed principles of controversial writing, ought to have been omitted. Something, however, yet not too much,must be allowed to the irritation naturally produced by the severe expressions used by his antagonist. Mr. Daubeny's insinuations, for in stance, at p. 72, 155, 156, 469, &c.; and the irony he has employed at p. 65, 80, 111, 113, and 335, &c. are greatly at variance with his just remark (p. 161), that "all personal references, which leave an impression on the reader's mind unfavourable to his opponents, should, according to the equity of argument, be scrupulously avoided, from the conviction, that if the cause taken in hand be according to truth it will stand by itself." At p. 94, it is asserted, that the Augsburg confession contains passages professedly militating against Calvin's fun. damental tenets. The same is repeated at p. 104 and 417, and Melancthon is called the decided opposer of the Cal. vinistic tenets. How is this to be reconciled with the well ascertained facts of Calvin's having willingly subscribed that confession, according to the very interpretation of Melancthon himself: and of both these reformers having, in their epistles, acknowledged to each other that they knew they held coinciding opinions on the doctrine of election? Melancthon, indeed, thought it more safe to waive all public discussions on so mysterious a subject, and to avoid the popular introduction of that doctrine, which, though he did not deny it in theory, he thought very liable to abuse in practice. Many who may justly be called Calvinists have been, and still are, of the same opinion. Bishop Beveridge is a remarkable instance of this; as may be seen by com. paring his works in general with his exposition of the seventeenth article. Heylin has led many writers, prior to Before the absolute Anti-calvinism of the English Church can be deduced from the circumstance of the paraphra ses of Erasmus being set up in the churches, these paraphrases should be examined. We think it will then be found that they are drawn up with so much moderation on the disputed tenets; and that in commentaries on those texts,† where the chief strength of the Calvinistic cause is commonly sup posed to lie, so many phrases occur which lean to the Calvinistic side, or which at least a Calvinist may interpret in his own sense without any violation of language, that perhaps little can be deduced from it. It is a curious circumstance, that the paraphrase on the Book of Revelations was not by Erasmus, but was translated from the Latin of Leo Jude, a minister of the Tigurine Church; and that it contains a great number of sentiments unequivocally Calvinistic. We find also several passages quoted by Mr. D. from diffe rent divines, in order to prove them Anti-calvinistic, to every syllable of which the great majority of Calvinists would readily subscribe. See p. 74, 86, 108, 109, 133, 137, 155, 456, 457. In consequence of a mistake and concession made by Mr. Daubeny at pages 112, 113, compared with pages 407 and 408, on the subject of Nowell's Catechism, a powerful weapon is put into † See Eras. Paraph. on Acts ii. 47. Rom. viii. ix. Eph. i. &c. When these paraphrases times be found at variance with himself. are critically examined, Erasmus will some. At p. 108, Mr. Daubeny introduces an extract from Bishop Hall to prove him Anticalvinistic. The sentiment itself is such as either the Arminian or Calvinist would willingly subscribe to. But it is remarkable, that Hall from the writings of Dr. Twisse, a well this extract is a professed quotation made by known Calvinist. See Bishop Hall's Peacemaker, p. 139. ed. 1645. From this, with several other similar references and deductions made by Mr Daubeny, we are persuaded that he greatly misappréhends the real sentiments of Calvinists, both ancient and modern. How else are we to account for his high and well deserved encomiums on the excellent Hall, who lived, wrote, and died a Calvinist? 1 the hands of his opponents, by which a considerable portion of what he has advanced in the course of this volume, to prove the incompatibility of the Calvinistic system with the tenets of our Church, is much weakened, if not wholly overthrown. Mr. Daubeny has entirely mistaken the reasoning of Bishop Cleaver, in his preface to that composition; and on that mistake has founded a very important concession. Bishop Cleaver has fully avowed the Calvinism of that catechim, (pref. p. vi.), and has acknowledged also that as such it was sanctioned by the approbation of the bishops: but he is of opinion that, as the 39 articles are more cautiously expressed on the Calvinistic points than the catechism, and as subscription was only required to the former, the Calvin istic doctrines of the latter, though publicly approved of, were not designed to be legally established. Mr. Overton on this ground, alluding to the bishop's preface, calls it "a confessedly Calvinistic catechism," but doubts the propriety of his Lordship's conclusion from his own premises, and thinks that "a catechism reviewed, corrected, approved, allowed, and passed by the same convocation which reviewed and passed the articles, cannot contain any other doctrine than that of those articles." Now Mr. Daubeny says (p. 112 and 113), "If a catechism reviewed and passed by the same convocation that reviewed and passed our articles be confessedly Calvinistic, it certainly cannot afford an argument against, but for the Calvinistic interpretation of these arti. cles; because it is to be taken for granted, that two public documents of such a nature, and for such a purpose, must, in doctrine, cor. respond with each other." Thus are Mr. Daubeny and Mr. Overton fully agreed in their conclusions, admitting the hypothesis that the catechism is confessedly Calvinistic. But Mr. Daubeny not only denies that it is Calvinistic; but by a singular oversight asserts, that the "Non-calvinism of Nowell's catechism has been lately maintained by Bishop Cleaver;" and hence he triumphantly draws an argument to shew the weakness and presumptuousness of Mr. Overton's reasoning on the subject. Let Mr. Daubeny's mistake be corrected, and his concession immediately bears upon his own statement and overturns his principal position. We ourselves think, that an unanswerable argument may be drawn from the history of this confessedly Calvinistic catechism, in favour of the designed toleration of Calvinism by our first reformers, and of its prevalence among them at that early period: and Mr. Daubeny's manifest mistake on the subject, confirms our opinion. From this, and some other errors, which we may have occasion to point out, we are inclined to suspect that Mr. D. is sometimes a hasty peruser of books; at least that the remarks which he draws from them are, in many cases, too prematurely hazarded. We also greatly wonder that he should advance so many arguments, in support of his own side of the question, without taking any notice of the answers which they have heretofore received, some of them in former controversies wherein Mr. Daubeny himself has been engaged. These ought certainly not to have been overlooked. We were surprised that Mr. Daubeny should have passed over the argument, drawn from Talbot's petition, for the prevalence of Calvinistic sentiments among the reformers, especially as he accuses Mr. Overton of assuming the fact without proof. We are equally at a loss to account for his not having paid more attention, when endeavouring to ascertain the real state of sentiments in King Edward's reign, to the proofs of the existence of much Calvinistic doctrine in the church which are contained in the letters and trials of several of the martyrs not noticed by him. (See those of Bradford, Philpot, Clement, Careless, and many others.) If King Edward's catechism be Calvinistic, as well as that of Nowell, which many will probably think it is, some explanation of that circumstance should have been given as connected with the interpretation of the articles of 1552. There appears to us to be full as satisfactory evidence of the frequency of the profession of the Calvinistic doctrines, and of their firm maintenance amongst the Marian martyrs, both clergy and laity, as at any subsequent period in the annals of our church. Mr. Daubeny says a good deal in this part of his work to prove, that the seventeenth article is not capable of a Calvinistic interpretation, and publicly challenges Mr. Overton to make the Contrary appear (p. 148.) On this subject we shall only make two remarks. Mr. Daubeny considers the qualifying clause at the end of that article as decisive proof of a design to contradict and exclude the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. Now that clause is nearly copied from Calvin's institutes, and the latter part of it is a literal translation of that reformer's caution against the abuse of this very doctrine. Can then the above clause furnish a legitimate argument in favour of the point attempted to be proved? On the contrary, does not Mr. D.'s reasoning upon it plainly shew how much certain writers deceive themselves and misrepresent their opponents? Mr. Daubeny maintains, (p. 146), that reprobation as inseparably connected with the doctrine of predestination in the Calvinistic sense, could not have been omitted in an article purposely designed to convey that sense." We are very far from asserting that the doctrine of reprobation was designed to be established in our arti. cles; but with respect to the inference made by Mr. Daubeny we would remark, that all the foreign Calvinistic churchest assert in their confessions the doctrine of election without mentioning the the degree of reprobation. The argument, therefore, applies equally to those confessions as to ours, and will equally prove their Non-calvinism. We perfectly coincide with Mr. Daubeny in condemning that passage quoted from Mr. Overton at p. 142, 143. We sincerely hope, if Mr. Overton's work *Suis promissionibus (Deus) vult nos esse contentos neque alibi quærere an futurus sit nobis exorabilis. (Inst. ill. 24. 5.) Ed. Elsev, 1654. Proinde in rebus agendis ea est nobis perspicienda Dei voluntas quam verbo suo declarat. (Inst. 1. 17. 5.) "Furthermore in our doings, that will of God is to be followed which we have expressly declared to us in the word of God." (Art. 17) See in confirmation of this position, the learned Dr. Jackson, (Vol. HI. 266.) See also Harmony of Confessions. Sect. 5. should appear in another edition, that he will entirely efface every sentence and phrase which even approaches to sneer and irony. The cause of religion, by whomsoever undertaken, requires them not, but unvariably suffers from their adoption. Let every man defend the sacred citadel with sacred weapons only, and let not ridicule be ever made the test of divine truth. In the latter part of this chapter, assuming it for granted that he has in every appropriate sense of the word rescued the Church of England from the imputation of holding, or even admitting, the Calvinistic tenets, Mr. Daubeny shews what to him appears the absurdity of Mr.Overton's profession of a moderated Calvinism; and seems to think that no such thing can exist. Waving any remarks on this point at present, we would only suggest to Mr. Daubeny's readers, whether he has not in this very work furnished instances of such moderated Calvinism: in our representatives at Dort, who held the doctrine of universal redemption, and yet subscribed all the canons of that synod: and in his own description of Archbishop Whitgift as a man," in some degree at least, tainted with Calvinism." (p. 83.)‡ We sincerely wish that Mr. Daubeny could, more satisfactorily than he has done (p. 165), disprove what is alleged respecting the opposition too often made, not only by the ignorant and profligate, but even by masters in Israel, who should know better things, to" the doctrine of salvation by grace, through faith in the Redeemer," when unequivocally, scripturally, and earnestly enforced from the pulpit and press. As a proof that it is no easy task for any clergyman to escape re To whom might be added Bishop Overall, who expressly maintained, at the Hampton Court conference, the final perseverance of saints, though a well known disclaimer of the more rigid doctrines. And Melancthon, in one of his letters to Calvin, after having stated, with his usual caution and moderation, bis opinion on the best mode of treating the predestinarian doctrines, adds-"Hæc non scriba ut tibi tradam quasi dictata homini et eruditis simo ac peritissimo exercitiorum pietatis. Et quidem scio hæc cum tuis congruere sed sunt auriga et ad usum accommodata." Epist. Calv. p. 280. proach who strenuously asserts that doctrine, we have ourselves heard Mr. D. himself pointedly accused, and that by more than one of his clerical hearers, of preaching in a highly methodistical style on the subjects of salvation by faith and the influence of the holy spirit. And another case lately occured, within our knowledge, of a clergyman giving very great offence to a polished congregation, and being stigmatised as a Calvinistic Methodist, for preaching, verbatim, Mr. Daubeny's concluding and admirable lecture on the Church Catechism. Our limits will not allow us to pursue this part of the subject any farther: it on comparing together what these two authors have written, we have no hesitation in saying, that, with a few exceptions, Mr. Daubeny appears to us to speak of Mr. O. and his statements of the main question at issue, with a degree of severity, which neither his own manner of answering them, nor the real state of facts will warrant. Some things are advanced hastily, others incorrectly, and some very partially. A reader who formed his estimate of Mr. Overton's performance only by reading Mr. Daubeny's reply, would do so very imperfectly. At the same time Mr. Daubeny has been suc. cessful in some parts of his personal defence; as well as in shewing that many of our reformers, and early divines, entertained more moderate sentiments, on several controverted points, than some Calvinists have contended, for. But in his attempt to prove that the Calvinistic doctrines were designedly excluded from the authorized standards of the English church, we are convinced it will appear, when all his arguments are fundamentally examined, that he has entirely failed. (To be continued.) CLXVIII. Honest Apprehensions; or, the unbiassed, and sincere Confession of Faith of a Plain, Honest, Layman, 8vo. pp. 78. London, J. White. 1803. THE peculiar merit of this piece consists, not in the evangelical character of the doctrines therein contained: but in the lucid manner in which they are expressed, in the impress which it bears of honest conviction, in the patient inquiry which it evinces, and in the circumstance, added to all the former, that it is written by a Layman. In the present crisis, it is incumbent upon every Christian Layman to come forward and rescue christianity from the reproach which its enemies endeavour to cast upon it, that it is only supported by those who are interested in its support. The laity are able to give assistance to the christian cause in a way, which, owing to the prejudices of the generality, is not in the power of its natural defenders. But while we thus call upon them for their future and increased services, we would gratefully acknowledge the many and important ones which they have already conferred. The reason which our author gives for his present publication, deserves to be set down in his own words. "This confession of my faith and hope, in plain unadorned words, I think it a duty to make thus at large; because I am well aware there are those who may wish to know, in the fullest manner, what the sentiments and most templative Layman may really be; and also secret apprehensions of a plain, unbiassed, conthose, to whom such a development may possibly be somewhat useful. "And I cannot conclude without earnestly exhorting all men to consider, that whilst life and health is (are) spared, even now is the and even now are afforded the means of obgreat opportunity, and day of deliverance; taining everlasting bliss and salvation, through right apprehensions of the benefit bestowed, and by our thankfully and diligently laying mighty, and ONLY REDEEMER. Let them hold of the means of deliverance offered by the remember, and seriously consider, those words of the inspired writer-Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." pp. 75, 76. In a postscript the author affirms, that his multiplied citations from scripture were his own collection; that they are the very grounds of his convictions, and were not sought to confirm apprehensions previously adopted; and that he has detailed them in his present work, for the purpose of shewing that his faith was not rashly formed. There are some expressions in this pamphlet, respecting the atonement of Christ, which might have been better chosen, and would have afforded less room for abuse or exception. What the author says, likewise, concerning lieve undesigned, tendency, to diminish, different sects, although in itself justi- in the mind of the reader, the evil of fiable, has a natural, although we be- schism. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c. GREAT BRITAIN. In the press, a new edition, in 1 vol. 8vo. of Claude's Essay on the Composition of a Sermon, as translated by the late Rev. R. Robinson, with a revision of Mr. Robinson's Notes, by a Divine of the Church of England.-A History of the Life and Pontificate of Leo X., by Wilham Roscoe, Esq. in 4 vols. 4to.-The Life of General Washington, vol. II. commencing with bis Birth, and concluding with the Campaign of 1776-A new edition, in 6 vols. 8vo., printed uniformly with Todd's edition of the Poetical Works, of the Prose Works of Milton, with a biographical and critical Preface, by Dr. Symmons. The original MS. of Sir Edward Coke's Commentaries upon the Tenures of Littleton has been lately discovered in the British Museum, It is a small octavo volume, very closely written. At the beginning are some very curious particulars of Sir Edward Coke's Life, in his own hand-writing; by which many inaccuracies of his biographers may be corrected. It appears to have been formerly ornamented with a very rich embroidery, wrought by Sir Edward's daughter; but of this few traces at present remain. An edition of Littleton, printed by Tottili in 1572, is inserted about the middle of the volume; which is curious, from its noticing, by a particular mark, the various interpolations and additions which had been made, at different times, in the original work. Sir Edward has, in the title page, quaintly alluded to his Commentary, in these two lines: Ubi Mel, ibi Muscæ; Ubi Uber, ibi Puber. Some account of this curious MS. will shortly be given, we understand, to the public. The Managers and Visiters ofthe ROYAL INSTITUTION, have addressed a proposal to the Proprietors and Subscribers, for raising a fund of £4000; in order to contribute further towards forming, and connecting with the institution, an extensive and useful Collection of Minerals; so as to establish, on a large scale, an Assay Office, for the improvement of Mineralogy and Metallurgy. The mining concerns of the kingdom, they observe, are conducted by individuals, with such advantages of capital, and with such a degree of speculative enterprize, as to exhibit those effects of combined chemical and mechanical powers applied to them, which no other country in the world has hitherto been capable of producing; whilst, at the same time, no other state is so deficient in the proportionate means of rendering the knowledge of Minerals accessible to persons desirous of instruction. To the British Islands, peculiarly distinguished from remote antiqui ty for mineral productions, and to the lesser territories which form their immediate appen. dages, the Managers and Visiters are persuaded that the benefit of the proposed Collection and Office of Assay will be highly important. But in the immense territory, which now forms our East India possessions, are to be found,they remark, the most valuable mineral treasures that are known in this globe; and from the wisdom and liberality of the East India Company, great and effectual assistance may be hoped for in aid of the execution of a plan, by the adoption of which the intrinsic value of those treasures may be ascertained and brought into use. The University of Cambridge has circulated the following Paper for the information of its members: "MR. BUCHANAN'S PRIZES. "The undersigned Judges appointed by the Senate give notice, I. "That a Prize of One Hundred Pounds will be given for the best English Prose Dissertation On the best means of civilizing toe Subjects of the British Empire in India; and of diffusing the Light of the Christian Religion. throughout the Eastern World! II. "That a Prize of Sixty Pounds will be given for the best English Poem- On the Restoration of Learning in the East! "For both these Prizes, Masters of Arts, and Persons of superior Degrees, may be Candidates. "Each Composition is to be delivered at Cambridge, to one of the undersigned Judges, on or before the First Day of December, with some Latin Verse upon it. At the same time a Paper, sealed up, is to be delivered with the same Latin Verse on the outside; which Paper shall enclose another, folded up, with the Candidate's Name written within. The Pa pers containing the Names of the unsuccessful Candidates will be destroyed, unopened. "The Prize Compositions are to be printed in Quarto, under the direction of the Judges; and a Copy of each is to be presented to the University of Oxford, to the Colleges of Eton, Westminster, and to the Charter-House. School. "J. B. SEALE, Dep. Reg. Prof. Dit. “J. JOWETT, Reg. Prof. Civ. Law. "EDM. OUTRAM, Public Orator." Cambridge, June 12. "The undersigned Judges appointed by the Senate give also notice, That Two Prizes, Twenty-five Pounds each, will be given, one for the best Latin Ode or Poem on the following subject;- Collegium Bengalense?" and the |