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him who does all things well.' Having written this, he submitted to the operation; and God supported him under his sufferings, with a fortitude and patience that surprized all who saw him. His sufferings were necessarily renewed the next day, and so were the divine supports. After the first operation a friend said, 'I am glad to see you brought thus far.' He replied, "I was enabled to give my self and my all into the hands of a covenant-God. I have lived under the fear of the dark valley; but that has been mercifully removed of late. I can give my children entirely to God: it will be all well." On different days of his illness he had the following conversations with his eldest daughter, a pious friend, and the Rev. Mr. Buck:

To his daughter, he spoke of dying, of his holy confidence, of the divine supports he had experienced, that he wished to be carried home when dead; and added, I do not know what the Lord is about to do with me. I should have liked to have seen my poor boys brought up; but you (to his daughter) must take care of them: the Lord has promised he will.' He read the 60th hymn of Dr. Doddridge, and said, Do you not think it suitable? The first verse he much enjoyed:

Sov'reign of Life, I own thy hand
In ev'ry chast'ning stroke;
And, while I smart beneath thy rod,
Thy presence I invoke.

When his daughter thought him worse, and wept over him, he said, Ah! I shall have the best of it, while I leave you in the wilderness; but he who has been my God, and the God of my pious ancestors, will be the God of my seed. He will never leave nor forsake me.'When he spoke with difficulty, his daughter said to him, When your heart and flesh fail, God will be the strength of your heart, and your portion for ever.' He replied," IIe is, He is !"

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A pious friend who came in, said, I am sorry to see you there!' He answered, "I am just where the Lord would have me to be!' A

covenant-God was all his theme; he often repeated the stanza, Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song, &c.

On being told by his friend that the glories of heaven will compensate for all these afflictions, the sufferer answered, He does all things well.'

There on a green and flow'ry mount, &c. His friend said, There are no consolations like those which the gospel gives. He replied, None." The gospel hears my spirits up;

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A faithful and unchanging God, &c. and then added, with amazing emphasis, If this will not do, what will! While he possessed this holy confidence, he acknowledged himself vile, and his performances worthless

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When the Rev. Mr. Buck called on him, he said, Blessed be God, he has not forsaken me!' Mr. Buck asked, "Do you feel resigned ?”He answered, No will of my own; no, none! I hope I feel no anxiety. It is a mercy my temporal concerns are settled. Mr. B. said,‘It is a greater that your spiritual affairs are settled.' Then exerting himself to reply, he said," They will not bear a comparison; that would be to compare temporal with eternal things; time with eternity!" Looking at his daughter very significantly, he said, There is my poor girl; what a mercy she has got a God to go to !' Mr. B. asked him, if he should pray: he said Yes, tho' I cannot hear you; the prayers of a righteous man avail much.' Soon after prayer, he, with difficulty, but with much extraordinary emphasis for one in his weak state,. cried out, Hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!' — and then, without a sigh or groan, in the 49th year of his age, dropped mortality on the 15th of Oct. 1811, and passed into that Presence where there is fulness of joy,' &c. His death was improved at Sheerness, Oct. 27, 1811, by the Rev. Mr. Prankard, from Rev. xiv. 15; and at Chatham, by the Rev. Mr. Slatterie, from Isa. Ivii. 2.

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REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

Letters to a Friend, on the Evidences, Doctrines, and Duties of the Christian Religion. By Olin. Gregory, L. L. D. of the Royal Military Academy, Greenwich. 2 vols. 8vo, 14s.

Ir has been affirmed, that mind fays hold of mind by sympathy rather than by scrutiny; and we must confess that we felt the force of this remark, in a great degree, when we had finished the perusal of these volumes. In almost every part of them we found such a coincidence with the sentiments to which we attach the most exalted value, that we participated in the pleasures of those who, being perfectly joined together in the same judgment, are of one heart and one soul.' But, in offering our opinion of this work to the public, we must not be understood to assert, that the estimate formed of it has arisen from warm and impassioned feeling alone. On the whole, the more we have examined its contents, the stronger has been our approbation; and the more disposed we feel to pronounce on it a decided eulogium.

The history of the work (says Dr. Gregory) may be given in very few words. It originated in a series of conversations which I had, about five years ago, with a friend much younger than myself, who had a considerable acquaintance with almost all, except religious, subjects. He expressed much snrprize that a person of my habits and pursuits, in other respects, should adopt the religious notions i had long entertained, or indeed be solicitous about any religious opinions whatever:-and I endeavoured to assign the reasons which led me to embrace them, and to consider such topics as of the first importance. After a short time, we were so far separated as to have much fewer opportunities of personal intercourse; and I, in consequence, became induced to carry

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on the momentous enquiry we haď
previously commenced, by letter.
Pursuant to this intention, all the
letters in the first volume were
actually written; they were read
in manuscript, by my friend; and,
as I have reason to believe, were
not unproductive of benefit.
Having proceeded thus far, a grow-
ing particularity of enquiry was
produced on the one side, and a
gradual extension of plan on the
other; and thus, after many inter-
ruptions, and in the midst of nu-
merous avocations of a very differ-
ent kind, the work has become
what it now is.'

It would afford us sincere grati-
fication to give an ample and de-
tailed account of this interesting
correspondence; but we must con-
tent ourselves with presenting the
titles of the epistles, and scatter-
ing on these pages a few observa-
tions, which may induce our rea-
ders to examine the production for
themselves.

The first volume is entirely devoted to the Evidences of Christianity; and the arrangement of subjects is the following: Letter I. On the Folly and Absurdity of Deism. II. On the Necessity of a Revelation of the Will of God. III. On the Opinions of the Heathens, their Poets, and Philosophers, relative to God, to Moral Duty, and a Future State. IV. On the Probability that there should be Mysteries in a revealed Religion. V. On the Genuineness and Authenticity of the Scriptures. VI. On the Evidence deducible. from the Prophecies. VII. On the Evidence deducible from Miracles; and on the Credibility of Human Testimony. VIII. On the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. IX. Evidence drawn from the rapid diffusion of Christianity; its triumph over Persecution; also from the purity and excellency of the Scripture Morality and Theology. X. Où the Inspiration of Scripture. XI. On some of the most plausible Objec

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tions urged against the Truth and Divine Authority of the Scriptures. After the various elaborate works and lighter treatises which have been published on the Evidences of Christianity, we were prepared to look for nothing new on this theme from the pen of our author. Generally speaking, our expectations have been realized: yet we readily own, that his scientific knowledge has enabled him to adduce several illustrations, which we do not recollect to have met with anywhere else. The chapters on the Mysteries of Revealed Religion, and the Resurrection, furnish a substantial proof of the relative value of literary attainments, in defending a revelation from God, and promoting piety in man.

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To embrace Christianity merely as a system distinct from that of Pagan superstition, is one thing; to obey from the heart' its peculiar doctrines, is another. The first is often cold and barren speculation; the last refreshes the understanding, and transfuses an influence through the heart and life. By how much we place a richer value on the latter mode of receiv ing the gospel to the former,-by so much we appreciate more highly the useful tendency of a book, which not only fortifies the outworks of religion, but points out. its effects on experience and practice. For such a compendious exhibition we are indebted to Dr. Gregory in this work; and we earnestly hope that it may be a means of forming and improving those professors of religion, who, while they admit the essential verities of the gospel into their judgments, will adorn them by a consistent holy deportment.

To accomplish so important an end, Dr. G. has entered on a most appropriate discussion of the doctrines and duties of Christianity in the second volume. We subjoin a continuation of his list of subjects. Letter XII. General View of Christian Doctrines. XIII. On the Depravity of Human Nature. XIV. On the Atonement of Jesus Christ.X. On the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

XVI. On Conversion. XVII. On the Influences of the Spirit. XVIII. On Justification by Faith. XIX. On Providence. XX. On the Resurrection of the Body. XXI. On Eternal Existence after Death. — XXII, Summary of Christian Duties.

The last letter contains little more indeed than a collection of texts, in which are conveyed the precepts of moral and religious duty; and, at the first glance, it might be inferred that our author had paid a very disproportionate regard to this branch of his epistolary discussion. He has not failed, however, to shew, throughout the whole performance, the practical tendency of a cordial belief in the great facts and doctrines of the religion of Jesus; and has solemnly warned against that too prevalent perversion of the evangelical scheme, whose unhallowed abettors, with audacious presumption, exclaim, Let us sin, that grace may abound.'

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Deeply obliged as we are to Dr. Gregory for these volumes, yet we cannot, as the manner of some, heap encomiums on him wholesale, and without mixture. We were not at all pleased, for various rea: sons, with the parenthesis in the preface concerning Dr. Paley's work. More particularly we cannot pass by, without censure, the unchristian phrase of persons being proud of their allegiance to the King of kings,' &c. (vol. ii. page 13); and we beg leave seriously, to submit a paragraph on this subject to the view of our readers. It is extracted from an author whom Dr. G. justly panegyrizes.

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Whoever has paid attention to the manners of the day, must have perceived a remarkable innovation in the use of moral terms, in which we have receded more and more from the spirit of Christianity.. Of this, the term employed to denote a lofty sentiment of personal superiority, supplies an obvious instance. In the current language of the times, pride is scarcely ever used but in a favourable sense. will perhaps be thought, the mere change of a term is of little conse

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quence; but be it remembered, that any remarkable innovation in the use of moral terms, betrays a proportionable change in the ideas and feelings they are intended to denote. As pride has been transferred from the list of vices to that of virtues, so humility, as a natural consequence, has been excluded; and is rarely suffered to enter into the praise of a character we wish to commend, although it was the leading feature in that of the Saviour of the world, and is still the leading characteristic of his religion, while there is no vice, on the contrary, against which the denunciations are so frequent as pride. Our conduct in this instance, is certainly rather extraordinary, both in what we have embraced, and what we have rejected; and it will surely be confessed we are somewhat unfortunate in selecting that vice as the particular object of approbation, which God had already selected as the especial

mark at which he aims the thunderbolts of his vengeance *.'

Perhaps we differ from Dr. G. in the opinion which seems thrown out relative to the salvation of the Heathen (vol. ii. page 252); but as he has not fully expressed himself on this point, candour compels us to presume, that we may not have clearly apprehended his meaning. With these and a few minor abatements, we cordially recommend this publication to all, but especially to youth. We hope the example of Dr. Gregory will be copied by other men who hold stations of eminence in society, and who are cultivators of the liberal sciences and arts. Nor can we close this imperfect notice of our author's work, without expressing a firm conviction, that, in his dying hour, he will not regret having penned these epistles, which are at once so creditable to his talents and piety, so calculated for usefulness, and conducive to the augmentation of that gratuitous recompence which the labours of the, righteous shall receive at the last day.

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Letters, Elegant, Interesting, and Evangelical, &c. never before published. By J. Hervey, A.M. Author of Theron and Aspasio. 8vo, 78.

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VENERATION for the character of the pious dead, together with the partiality of friendship, often present to the public eye literary relics of the departed, which might

as well have slumbered with their ashes in their repose of the grave. It is always necessary, therefore, to encrease a particular discrimination in the selection of posthumous pieces, lest, by a kind of forced resuscitation, we surprise and alarm survivors by little more than a inis shapen apparition of those with whom sweet counsel had been taken during their sojourning among the living. We do not think that the plea of mere problematic usefulness should cause the publication of those writings which we have every reason to suppose the author would not have exhibited in their raw and unfinished state. Solemn regard should be paid to his will," which is frequently known upon this as well as on other topics. If his mortal remains which rest in the tomb be respected, so should his well-earned reputation. The me-. mory of the just is blessed;' and, care should be taken, that nothing be done to injure that fame, which is a sacred depost, committed to the protection of the pious. Nor should it be forgotten, that if we weaken the estimate which many have formed of the matured labours of him who yet speaks by those productions, we may diminish the quantum of good which they are likely to accomplish.

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Perhaps, familiar letters are more exempt from these remarks than any other kind of writing. All know that they were not intended for publicity; and they are considered as the recreation, rather than the severe effort of the mind. Still, however, we are of opinion, that a few, in the present collection, might as well have been omitted. Nevertheless, they all breathe that affectionate and devotional spirit for

* Hall's Fast Sermon, preached at Bristol.

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which Mr. Hervey was so eminently distinguished, and a cordial attach ment to those peculiar doctrines which, in their legitimate influence, are productive of love to God, and benevolence towards man.

We feel much indebted to Lieutenant Burgess for his praiseworthy attempt to rescue the majority of these Epistles from oblivion; and shall just offer the following specimen of one, addressed to Mrs. Orchard:

It makes me smile to read in your letter, that I was expected at Bideford. I fancy the good-natured people spoke as they would have it. I should have been as glad to pay as, they could be to have received such a visit. But indeed, Madam, my next long journey must be to a place which no eye has seen, and of which, I can give no account, unless you please to read a description of it in Hebrews xii. 22-24. My provisions for this journey are fetched from John vi. 54. My passport is derived from John iii. 15. My credentials to be shewn at the city are taken from Ephesians ii. 8, 9. In this place I shall hope, at some remote period, to see you, Madam; and let me assure you, it is a place of such consummate felicity, that even your presence cannot encrease the bliss.'

The Deity of the Saviour the Riches of Christianity. A Ser

mon preached at the Rev. A. Douglas's Meeting, Reading. By B. Davies, D. D. Price 18. 6d.

Ir it be pleasant for the natural eye to behold the sun emerging from an opaque cloud, by which it has been long overshadowed, it is more highly gratifying to see a faithful servant of God, who has been consigned by divine Providence, for many years, to an obscure and silent retirement, coming forth, with renovated light and energy, into the sphere of public usefulness. Such was the satisfaction we enjoyed, on reading this production of Dr. Davies. It is a piece of no ordinary merit; for, although it is not arrayed in a gorgeous dress, it possesses pro

perties of excellence which will be highly appreciated by all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. The design is to prove, by eight wellsupported propositions, that a denial of the Deity of Christ robs Christianity of its chief value and glory.

We have occasionally perused discourses of eminent men, which have furnished the judgment with clear evidence of some peculiar tenet of the gospel, but have not adverted to any connexion of the doctrine with experience and practice. This deficiency, particularly in a sermon, gives it a bare and naked appearance, and, in a great measure, prevents those effects, by which the address of a preacher should be both accompanied and followed. But the venerable doctor, while he has put solidity into his discourse, by adducing substantial argument, has thrown around it those simple and ineffable charms, which must captivate the hearts of all who have tasted that the Lord is gracious.'

Our limits will only allow us to offer our readers one or two extracts. The first is from the close of that division, in which the author shews, that the deity of Christ justifies those high strains of admiration and praise, in which his love is celebrated in the New Testament; but the denial of it. must render those strains unjustifiable, if not absurd and enthusiastic.'

Entertaining these sentiments Christ, we are ready to unite chcerof the condescension and grace of fully in that celestial anthem,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing,' &c. Can a Socinian bear a part in this sublime evangelical chores ? In his lips the subject is debased and impoverished. According to his creed, Jesus was a mere man; and he could perform or suffer no more than duty bound him to, when God required it of him:' nay, we may add, no more than many of his disciples have endured for him; patiently, cheerfully, triumphantly.It is the doctrine of that school,

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that Christ died to confirm the

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