never, never! Were Paul to rife from his reft, and to vifit our churches, one of the first things he would mifs is the communion-table. What would be our confufion, fhould he addrefs us in enquiries like thefeHow often do you remember your Redeemer in the facramental feasts? Every fabbath? Every other fabbath? Every month? Alas! no: this was never heard or thought of among us. How often then?'-Oh, I feel the rifing blush-but the shameful truth must come out. Generally, not more than twice in the year. What astonishment would seize the apoftle. He would hardly own us for difciples. Is this, Chriftian brethren, our kindness to our friend? This our reverence for his injunction, our return for his love? We are verily guilty concerning our brother. It becomes us to roufe from our lethargy; to throw ourselves abashed at his feet; to implore his forgiveness; to evince our fincerity by correcting our fault, and no longer, by disobeying him, forfake our own

mercies."

Our author then proceeds to confider the weight of the objections which are commonly brought against frequent communion. He begins with "in novation." Here he fhews that, in apoftolical times, the celebration of the Lord's fupper was a part of the ordinary fan&tification of the Lord's day, and probably continued fo for a century or two. It was in the fourth century that the church began very difcernibly to forfake her firft love; and therefore we find decrees of councils, artificially brought forward in aid of the Saviour's command, to compel the difciples to come to the table of fellowship. Things, however, till grew worfe; which occasioned the the Council of Agatha in Languedoc, in the year 506, to decree, "that none should he esteemed good Chriftians, who did not communicate, at leaft, at the three great festivals, Christmas, Eafter, and Whitfunday."* In favour of the primitive practice of frequent communion, our author introduces the fentiments of Calvin, Witfius, Calderwood, the Dutch church of 1581, the Reformed Church of France in 1565, and the Church of Scotland. Calvin scrupled not to term annual communions," a contrivance of the Devil."

But, it is argued, that frequency of communion would diminish the reverence due to the inftitution. To this our author replies, that other duties grow not contemptible by their frequency. "Pray without ceafing," fays the Holy Ghoft" Pray but feldom," fays the objection here combated: "you will be too bold and familiar with holy things, if you often meddle with them. Frequent prayers will end in profaning the prefence of God, because it will diminish your lenfe of his majesty." Jefus commanded his difciples to drink the facramental cup often, in remembrance of him. "A wonderful reverence then for the facrament," cries Bucer, by which it is contemned, and the faving communion therein offered with the Sol of God, rejected." To the third objection, viz. that frequent communions are unfriendly to fuitable preparation, as the Chriftian people could no afford the time neceffary to be spent in it, Mr. M. anfwers, that frequent communion is itself the best preparation for communion. But the popular objection is brought from the neceffity of abolishing the previous falt day and the fubfequent thankfgiving day, fhould the Lord's fupper be adminiftered much oftener than once or twice a year. The writer of the letters openly contends for the abolition of thefe days. He affirms that they have no warrant in the book of God. He fhews by a long induction of evi dence, that the obfervance of these days is contrary to the judgment of almost the whole Chriftian church, and particularly "that the Lord's fupper dif

* Concil. Agath, can. 18.

pensed

penfed without faft day, thanksgiving day, or week day ferman, would comply, not only with the spirit, but with the letter of that very directory which Prefbyterians themselves have folemnly approved, as being fubftanitially founded in the word of God, and that their prefent facramental faft and thanksgiving days are in open hoftility with the decifion of that fyltem, which they hold up to the world as exhibiting their genuine faith."

He contends, finally, that the obfervance of thefe days is attended with great and ferious evils; "as it establishes a term of religious communion which has no fcriptural fanction; inpofes an unwarranted addition to that part of divine worship; prevents that frequency of communion which is our indifpenfible duty; makes requifite the aid of other minitters, to the fpiritual injury of their own congregations; tends to banish both the principle and practice of fcriptural fafting and thankfgiving, by confounding the diftinction between ordinary and extraordinary duties; creates a pernicious distinction between the facraments of baptifm and the fupper of the Lord; is unfriendly to pure and evangelical devotion; and having no warsant in the word of God, involves the obfervers in the charge of will-worflip and fuperftition."

Among the falutary effects of frequent communion, Mr. M. specifies and illuftrates the following; the confolation ef having performed a much and long neglected duty; the purifying of the church of unworthy members; the prometing of brotherly love. It may alfo ufher in a time of refreshing from the prefence of the Lord, and become a useful preparation for days of

trial.

We refpectfully recommend thefe letters to the perufal of the churches, and especially of these venerable bodies, among whom the evil here complained of fill remains.

SERMONS on various Subje&s; to which are fubjoined, Hymns fuited to the feveral Difcourfes. By WILLIAH PEEBLES, Minifter at Newton upon Ayr. 456 pages, 6s. Dilly.

SOME people complain of the great number of new books on Thec logy which are constantly iffuing from the p.efs. But, if they be not compelled to read them, they have furely no juft reafon of complaint. They do not confider that every age has its peculiar tafte with respect to the mode of reprefenting divine truth, and prefers a certain method, phrafeology, &c. and why may they not be indulged in this? People read with more pleasure, and receive more readily what bears the lamp of their own times, than that which has the uncouth cut and form of a preceding age. Divine truth is always the fame; but the manner of prefenting it to the mind, like the fafhions of garments in different periods, confiderably varies. This being the cafe, the eighteenth century has as good a right to be gratified in its tafte as the feventeenth had: for there is no more virtue in the rough or tarched phrafes of our grandfathers, than there was beauty in their queer and antiquated vestments. Let them have the praife of dif tinguished excellence, and much is due; but let them not be confidered as Standards either of truth or tafte.

Having thus attempted to affert our lawful claim to write and publish on religious fubjects, we conceive that the public are much indebted to every good man who ufhers into the world a book calculated to promote the converfion of finners, and the edification and comfort of believers.

Among thofe who have, in this way, deferved well of the Church of Chrift, we rank Mr. Peebles, who has published an ufeful volume of Sermons on well choten and interefting fubjects. They are purely evangelical; written in an agreeable style, and breathe forth mach feriousness and devo

tion

tion of foul. The Christian will find them edifying both in his closet and in his family.

The fubjects are, The fupreme excellency of Jefus, Pf. xlv. 2. Jefus the Refurrection and the Life, John xi. 28. The Tendency of devout Affections to Heavenly objects, Col. iii. 1. Jefus, a Man of Sorrows, Ita. liii. 3. On keeping the Gofpel Paffover, Heb. xi. 28. Love to Jefus, and keeping his Commandments, John xiv. 15. The Utility and Advantage of the Service of God, Mal. ii. 14. On Godly Sorrow, 1 Cor. vii. 10. On Christian Humility, 1 Pet. v. 5- The Language of afflictive Difpenfations, Micah, vi. 9. On the Fellowship of Believers with Angels, Heb. xii. 22. On the Shortnefs of Time, 1 Cor. vii. 29. Peace in Chrift amidst Tribulation, John xvi. 33. The Chriftian waiting for his laft Change, Job xiv. 14. On the divine Love, and complete Reft hereafter, Exod. xxxiii. 14.

The Hymns are pious and devotional, and may be fung with peculiar benefit when the heart is warm with the impreffion of the difcourfes.

An APOLOGY for the Church of Christ, and the Church of England; with a Vindication of the Doctrines of the late Hon. and Rev. W. B. Cadogan, A. M. Vicar of St. Giles's, Reading, &c. Proving them to have been conformable to the Articles, Homilies, Liturgy, and most approved Theo¬ logifts of our Ecclefiaftical Establishment. Addreffed, in a Series of Letters, to the Rev. Jos. Eyre, A. M. now Vicar of St. Giles's, Reading, &c. By THO. WILLATS, Efq. To which is added, An Essay on Enthufiafm, By a Minifler of the Church of England; An Address to a Clergyman; and the World's Eftimates of Converfion. 8vo. 172 p. 25. Henley, Norton; London, Rivington, &c.

THE above Title explains both the contents and defign of this Tract, which is written in a truly Chriftian fpirit, and with the laudable intention of vindicating the character of an eminent minister of the Gospel, deceased; as well as, if poffible, of convincing his fucceffor, who has unhappily introduced "another Gofpel, which yet is not another" Gospel, but a miferable farago of Pelagian and Socinian errors, undisguised by ingenuity, and unembellifhed by elocution.

Mr. W. avails himself of many of the most respectable authorities in the Church, to fhew that Mr. E. has as well departed from her established doctrines, as well as from the truths of Scripture, and urges the great importance of vital and practical religion, founded on pure and evangelical -principles.

In a fhort preface the Author offers a modest and sensible apology for the late friends of Mr. C., who having been constrained, by the errors and imprudence of his fucceffor, to defert the walls of the established Church in order to retain her principles.

Short Meditations on felett Portions of Scripture, defigned to affifi ferious Chriflians in the Improvement of the Lord's Day, and other Seafons of Devotion and Leifure. By DANIEL TURNER, M. A. 3d edition, 12mo, 212 p. Knott.

WE are happy to find the public judgment has called for a Third Edition of thefe excellent little Effays, which are admirably calculated to anfwer the end proposed by their late venerable Author.

OBITUARY.

OBITUARY.

MRS. LEGARE,

WAS the daughter of a merchant in Chariefton, North America, whe emigrated from Ireland: fhe was educated in all the gaities and amufements the place afforded, and particularly fond of dancing. At an early period, however, the formed an attachment to young Mr. Legare, of the fame place, who had been very religiously educated; and after furmounting contiderable obftacles on both fides, they were married in 1753. Mrs. L. now cheerfully gave up her diverfions, and conformed to the religious orders of Mr. L.'s family, applying herfelf, at the fame time, affiduoufly to domestic duties, but without evidencing a change of heart, till it pleafed God to convert her by the ministry of Mr. Whitefield, a few years after marriage. Subfequent to this, however, the fuffered great fpiritual diftrefs and fevere buffetings from the enemy, until it pleafed God to fet her foul at liberty under the word, and give her the evidences of adop

tion.

During the 17 years from her marriage to her death, he was vifited with a variety of trials and afflictions, particularly in a painful feparation from Mr. Legare during the fiege of Charleston, in the American war. Thus grief and trouble undermined her conftitution, and gradually prepared the way for her approaching diffolution; which firft began to be feriously apprehended in September 1797, although she survived until the 5th of February, 1798.

For the first three months after the alarming increase of her disorder, the complained much of spiritual deadness and coldness; but, by a constant attention to her Bible and the throne of Grace, the maintained an unshaken confidence in the promises. She would, however, frequently say, "O that my Redeemer would shine upon me!" A few weeks before her decease, the told Mr. L. that he was fure her diffolution was drawing on faft, and that the had given up every worldly concern. He took that opportunity to enquire what was the state of her mind, fhe replied, "I have not the fenfible prefence of my Redeemer; but I have a truft in his blood, and a hold on his promises which I can never let go, and which makes me feel as firm as a rock. Long fince I dedicated myself to him, and I know that he will never leave nor forfake me. No! after my Redeemer has guided and fupported me to this day, can I fear that he will leave me at laft? It would be an ungrateful fin to doubt. I trust that when the trying moment comes, he will grant me his prefence, fupport and carry me through." All this was fpoken with the greatest ferenity and compofure, but with a brilliancy in her eyes never to be forgotten. From this time, till a week before her death, the continued in the fame calm and comfortable frame. During this period fhe was frequently asked if he was willing to die, and always anfwered," Yes; it is far better for me to depart." Being asked if she did not feel a reluctance on account of her children; the faid, "No." Her husband enquired how fhe could be fo willing to part with him, she replied, "I once thought that this feparation would break my heart; but I can now fubmit to it very cheerfully, because I have a better portion, the Lord is my portion; befides, we shall foon meet again." quently faid, "I fear that I am too impatient to be gone: the Lord's She fretime is the beft, and I hope he will enable me to wait patiently." One morning Mr. L. obferved that the appeared to be remarkably chearful, and faid to her, "I kope, my dear, the profpect brightens.' S

VOL. VII,

"Yes,

faid

faid fhe, my Redeemer fmiles!" That day fhe called her children round her, and, after fome fuitable directions and counfels, the faid, "I thank God that he has given me the defire of my heart: it was always my prayer to him, that he would fpare me to fee you all brought up, and then take me to himself before he removed your father from me; take care of him, and live in love. Bleffed be his holy name, he has given me ground to hope for the falvation of you all: but, O fee to it, that when I meet you at the bar of Chrift, I may be able to fay, Lord, bere am I, and the children thou haft given me." She was then dying, but, to the aftonishment of all, the lived that day and night out; and the next morning being fabbath, the faid, "It is fweet to worship God in his Church:" an elderly lady fitting by, replied, "Yes, my dear, but you will worship him in heaven to-day.". "O yes," faid fhe, and foon after calling her daughters to fing the 17th Pfalm, "Lord, I am thine, &c." with eyes and hands lifted to heaven, she seemed to anticipate the blessedness of the heaven therein defcribed; and when they finished, fhe cried out, "O glorious hour! O bleft abode! I fhall be near, and like my God. I fear that I am too impatient to be gone; but I defire to wait God's time." In the afternoon of this her laft fabbath, fhe faid, "I hoped to have feen my Redeemer to day, but I find I muft trouble my friends one night more." In the evening, the faid, "I feel fleepy-I'll try;" and, with as much compofure as if the had been in perfect health, the flept the whole night (though The was then cold in her extremities), and awoke in the morning, praifing God for giving fo comfortable a night's reft. Soon after this, her eldest fon went to her, and the said, "O, my fon, I fuffer a great deal." He replied, "Not fo inuch, my dear mother, as your Redeemer did for you,” True, true," faid fhe, I defire to fubinit." Death was now making rapid ftrides her laft words were" O, where is my rest? I long, I long;"-and took her flight thither.

་

A little before her diffolution her phyfician came, and found the family with full hearts and wet eyes. Mr. L. faid to him, "Well, doctor, what do you think of the fcene in the next room ?"-"Indeed, fir, (faid he) I know not what to think of it; it is all a mystery to me. I have feen numbers of men, in all the vigour of health, and thirfting for martial honour, rufh into a field of battle, and in that confufed scene put on the appearance of fortitude, not one of which could face the gradual approaches of death on a fick-bed, but with visible horror: but here is a poor emaciated woman, whose whole nervous fyftem is unftrung by long difeafe, welcoming the grim meffenger with the utmoft ferenity and compofure, and even with joy, though approaching in all the horrors of the most gradual progrefs imaginable;" (for fhe was three days in the agonies of death.)

Indeed it is all myftery, and I know not how to account for it." "Do you not, fir, (faid Mr. L.) go to Calvary! You, indeed fee us, fir diffolved in tears; but I do not believe that there is a tear in this room extorted by grief. No, fir, they are tears of joy."

The Doctor went down ftairs and met a gentleman at the door, who enquired how Mrs. L. was. He faid, "Just gone, fir." Well, faid be, Mr. 1. is a philofopher, and I hope that he will bear the froke like one."Philofophy! (replied the doctor) I have thought as much of philofophy as any man; but the scene within beats philofophy hollow."

Charles Town.

T. L.

THE