cary at Walsall; under whom Mr. Foxall had every advantage of obtaining a thorough knowledge of his profession. This, at the same time, was unhappily balanced by an example of irregularity, which, when exhibited in a master, seldom fails to propagate its influence upon his observing dependents.

Neither the parents nor the master of the subject of this Memoir making any profession of godliness, it may be naturally supposed, his own mind, in respect of religion, remained without much restraint. Alive in the giddy paths of pleasure and gaiety, God was scarcely, if ever, in his thoughts. The divine wisdom, however, was conspicuous in bringing Mr. Foxall into this town, where a series of events took their rise; which, upon review, were found pro ductive of the most pleasing consequences.

About the time when the term of his apprenticeship expired, his affections settled upon a young lady of the same town; whom he afterwards married. It may reasonably be conjectured, that Mr. Foxall would have preferred the practice of his profession in a place now become familiar to him by servitude; and still more agreeable by his newly-cemented union. But in this he was disappointed. Every door was shut. At length, a situation presenting itself at Ellesmere, by the advice of his friends, he accepted it; and for some time practised there with a good degree of success.

In contemplating the conversion of an immortal soul to Jesus, we are led to view the subject, the time, and even the place, as of no small importance. Ellesmere, a spot which at this time appeared to Mr. Foxall a place of banishment, was nevertheless the town destined for his first religious impressions. His valuable partner in life, either through the medium of some religious relatives, or by the preaching of the students from an academy in Oswestry, upon whose occasional services she now and then attended, or from both, became serious. The change observable, was not at first of the most pleasing nature to her husband; nor could he feel easy at her attending the gospel, having conceived a rooted prejudice against the doctrines of grace, as well as against that class of preachers, ordinarily, but often improperly denominated, Methodists. It pleased God, however, now to exercise him about the salvation of his own soul. Hervey's Theron and Aspasio fell into his hand; which was read with no small attention and genuine profit. His mind somewhat prepared, he became more partial to Evangelical sentiments, which, at times, would induce him to attend the evening lectures in the town, till by degrees his prejudices gave way to his judgment, now better informed; and it appeared that he only waited a favourable opportunity to declare wholly on the Lord's side.

That occasion now presented itself, by an agreeable opening at Walsall; where he returned with his family, as to a place for which he had no small partiality. Here, among the first of his patients,' he was called in Providence to attend upon a pious relative of Mrs. Foxall; in whom he discovered, with some profit, that resignation which the Gospel of Jesus alone is calculated to inspire.-How evident it appears that nothing is casual, or of mean importance in the conduct of God! This event led Mr. Foxall to a closer reflection upon the evidences of that religion he had now, in some measure, felt predominant within. His enquiries were successful; and when his mind had acquired sufficient satisfaction concerning after-duty, he made open profession of his faith in the Redeemer. The Gospel

being

being preached agreeably with his views at the Independent chapel, he constantly attended there; and, after some time, became a member.

In this connection we may consider him somewhat in a conspicu ous light, as a steady, valuable, and useful instrument. Good or bad habits often follow men into their religion: it was the happiness of Mr. Foxall to possess a considerable share of order in all his affairs, which was equally observable in him as a Christian. Notwithstanding his practice left him not equal room with some others to dispose of his time, by a wise arrangement of his plans, he was seldom absent from any of the means of grace. It was uniformly his custom on the Lord's Day to visit his patients between the hours of worship; and his punctuality of attendance in the house of God, always satisfied his friends where, at appointed hours, if they wanted him, he might be found. His piety, connected with his respectability in life, pointed him out to the church, as a suitable man for a deacon; which office he undertook, in concert with others, and discharged it with an uniform. regard to the good of the Society. Mr. Foxall was a man of few words, and of an unduly reserved and modest address; but he possessed what is ever desir able in the church of God, - a talent for usefulness. It was his constant custom to read a serinon, and engage in prayer on the Saturday evening, at the vestry of the chapel, to as many as could conveniently attend; to the benefit of which there are many living witnesses. He was also in the habit of discharging the same impor tant duty almost every week in a neighbouring village. He ap peared never more in his element than when serving the cause of his Lord. At prayer and church-meetings he was a steady attendant. Diligent and punctual in all his movements, he was one of those valuable men to whom a minister may look for comfort, and the public interest of Jesus for a friend.

But let us not reckon too much upon human life, nor active serwice, as though these should necessarily detain our friends among us below. No; we often have to lament the sudden removal of those whom, according to our calculation, we would least spare. This was affectingly exemplified in the subject of this Memoir :He had spent the Sabbath in apparently good health, and returned home after the evening service; having taken leave of the Rev. Mr. Grove, under whose ministry he sat. He had supped, and had retired for meditation into a parlour, where he expected to be tol. lowed by his children and servants, for family worship. At the inoment they were entering the room, he was seized with a fit of apo. plexy. Apprehensive himself that it might be only a slight stroke of the palsy, he desired the servant then nearest him, to rub his arm. Perceiving no visible good effect, it is probable he was more aware of the nature of the attack, and that it might prove fatal, as he instantly committed himself and family to the Lord, in a most striking and appropriate prayer; in the course of which his eyes closed, his tongue faltered, and he spake no more. Every effort was made by the faculty, who were called in, to restore circulation; but in vain. After remaining in a torpid state for a few hours about three o'clock, on Monday, Nov. 30, 1801, he fell asleep in Jesus, having just entered in the 45th year of his age. His funeralsermon was preached by his pastor, Mr. Grove, and attracted a crowded congregation.

J. M.

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

Introduction to the New Testament

PUBI

By J. D. Michaelis, translated by Herbert Marsh, B. D. F. R S. Volumes 3d and 4th, with Notes ; and a Dissertation on the Origin and Composition of the Three First Gospels, by the Translator.

EIGHT years have elapsed since we have had occasion to notice the former volumes of this elaborate and ingenious performance, soon after they had been published. Our Magazine being at that tine less occupied with Religious Intelligence than at present, it was in our power to enter somewhat particularly into the merits of the translation, and of the copious commentary with which it was attended. We, therefore, refer to our Magazine for 1794, p. 123, &c. those of our readers who may wish to form an accurate judg ment in either respect; and limit our present attention to the con、 tents of the volumes lately published.

Of these, the part that is translated from Michaelis's work, and is here completed, is digested by the translator into thirty-three chapters; which, like those of his former volumes, are extremely unequal in length, as well as in importance. The name ant num ber of the Gospels, their harmonical arrangement, and their verbal resemblances, occupy the first three divisions. The next five treat distinctly of the Gospels and Acts. A short chapter recommends the study of Josephus; another relates to the Epistles of Paul, in general; and the following six, treat of those which appear to have been earliest written. After general remarks on the imprisonment of Paul, follow distinct chapters on the Epistles to Philemon, the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and the 2d. to Timothy. Some observations on the character and mode of life of the Apostle, are succeeded by a copious chapter on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Some brief general remarks on the Catholic Epistles, introduce five chapters on those of James, Peter, and Jade, and the first of John, The controversy on 1 John v. 7. occupies the next division; and the last two treat of the smaller Epistles of John, and of the Apocalypse. On the inspiration of the latter book, as well as of the Gospels of Mark and Luke, and the Epistle of Jude, the author expresses much doubt, Our limits not admitting of a detail, much less of a refutation of his arguments, we can only subjoin our testimony against their validity. We think that Michaelis, who was not only eminent in literature and critical acumen, but likewise a sincere friend to revelation, and its most essential truths, has, in these instances, fallen into a snare, against which all lovers of sacred criticism have need to be upon their guard. We refer to the dan• ger there is of being so much occupied with the minutiae of Biblical iterature, as to lose sight of the grand and satisfactory evidence, which we apprehend every portion of our Bible to afford its own divine original.

We are sorry that Mr. Marsh has, in this, as well as in the former part of his translation, omitted-some paragraphs of his author, which he deemed superAuous. His readers might reasonably expect to know what Michaelis wrote; and they might differ from his commentator in judgment, as to its importance. Some sentences of the translator, which are obscure, we have found elucidated by the complete original. Whether or not Mr. Marsh gave attention to VOL, X. 3 I

some cautions we formerly suggested, it gives us pleasure to see that the text and the notes are less at variance in the sequel than in the former part of the work. But (Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurrat) we are sorry to observe a tedious and needless contradic. tion of the text, in the second note on chap. 2. sect. 2. There is, however, so much valuable information afforded by the comment, that we feel the loss of it at the end of the introduction to the first three Gospels, where it terminates; and we heartily wish that Mr. Marsh may resume and complete his design.

He appears, on this occasion, not merely as a translator, or a commentator, but likewise as an author; having added an original dissertation, which occupies the third part of a volume. Several learned men in Germany having, subsequent to Michaelis's last edition of his work, published their researches on the most probable occasion and order of the Gospels written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Mr. Marsh has reviewed their various opinions, and has taken uncommon pains in forming, explaining, and supporting one, which is in a great measure new, and of which he speaks in terms of much self-gratulation. His object is to account at once for the striking variations, and the verbal sameness which often occur in two, and sometimes in all the three Gospels in question. His laborious investigation and critical discernment, have developed many very remarkable facts, from which an attentive reader may derive great advantage in forming his own judgment on the subject. We apprehend, however, that his system is too complicated, and his mode of demonstration too abstruse, to afford most readers equal satisfaction with that which he expresses in the result. While the plain serious Christian will remain thankful for each of the Gospels, and probably indifferent to the questions, why, or how, they were composed, Mr. Marsh's dissertation will doubtless excite much attention and animadversion among Biblical critics. Of this the fol Towing article affords an example:

Remarks on Michaelis's Introduction to the New Testament, &c. by way of Caution to Students in Divinity.

This anonymous pamphlet is evidently written by a person of good sense, well acquainted with his Bible and ecclesiastical lite. rature, but uninformed of the present state of Biblical criticism in other countries of Europe. "1" he says, tended to Germany;" meaning, apparently from England, of late "seems to have exyears; whereas the Germans have preceded, as well as greatly exceeded us, in books of this kind. Fad he been more conversant with their writings, he would probably have avoided some mistakes that he has committed; but these do not invalidate his leading arguments, which well deserve the attention of every person who reads Mr. Marsh's Michaelis. uses of sacred criticism, he very seasonably cautions against its While he does justice to the abuse; which he apprehends to be obvious both in the author and. the commentator, on whom he animadverts. Many sensible and useful remarks are made on harmonies of the Evangelists, on the inspiration of Luke, and on the origin of the first three Gospels. He exposes the intricacy of Mr. Marsh's hypothesis on the latter subject, and taxes it with entire want of support from ancient testimony. He observes, page 27, that "the Christian writers invariably quote the same four Gospels as those now in use; and these alone, as original and authentic." His inferences from this fact, we apprehend, however, betray more positivity than research.

What

What improbability can be alleged against any, or all of the Apos tles, having committed to writing those acts and sayings of our Lord, of which they had been witnesses, when they were brought to their recollection, and made clear to their comprehension, by the promised influence of the Holy Spirit? And why should not Matthew, when composing a digested narrative, make use of any thing that had been thus committed to writing by Peter, James, or John, who had witnessed several scenes at which he was not present? If there were such documents, their whole contents were likely to be included in the four Gospels which were widely circulated; and these being of complete authority, the few copies that existed of the detached accounts, might perish in various manners. The writer says, that "the words of St. Luke, in his preface, cannot, without torturing them, be brought to an acknowledgement, that he made use of the labours of others." On the contrary, he professes to have been informed by others; and he asserts the existence of various written histories of Christ, which he intimates to have been imperfect, previous to his own. If there were also authentic written accounts, by the hands of the Apostles, would he not make use of them, as well as of verbal information?

It is well known to be much easier to object to the systems of others, than to substitute better in their room. The writer of this pamphlet by no means pays attention to the difficulties attending his own scheme, equal to that which he bestows on those of Mr. Marsh's hypothesis. In the instances he alleges (p. 12, 13.) of discrepancies in the Gospels that are not material, he reduces the standard of inspiration so low, as rather, we think, to yield advantage to unbelievers, than acquire any. His allusions to Plutarch and Xenophon, are highly proper for the vindication of the Evangelists, as biographical writers; and slight variations, as to the place or time, to which the same events are assigned by human authors, need not affect their character: but to suppose that the Evangelists made similar mistakes, is, we apprehend, a very hazardous mode of vindicating their inspiration.

The verbal sameness of passages in two, or in all the first three Gospels, though they mostly refer to speeches of our Lord, or of others, are not confined to that species of record; nor, if they were, would they be accounted for by a mere recollection of the exact expressions which had been used. The writer acknowledges, “a small objection may be made here, that Christ did not speak in the same tongue in which they wrote;" p. 34. This we regard as so far from being a small objection, that it appears to us an inseparable one against the writer's supposition, that "there was no other common document than the preaching of our Lord himself." That the Apostles, who were Jews living in Judea, should so often have repeated in Greek what our Lord had spoken in Syriac, as to impress the same Greek words on the memories of the three Evangelists, we apprehend to be far more improbable than any thing Mr. Marsh has conjectured.

The critical importance of this inquiry, although it does not at all affect the ground of a Christian's faith or hope, must apologize for the uncommon length at which we have reviewed this brief pamph let. We recommend it, with the book to which it relates, to the attention of cur literary readers; who, we doubt not, are too well established in the evidences of the Gospel, to be shaken from their stedfastness, by mistakes on the one side or the other.