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412

Review-Wilson's Dissenting Churches.

questions in the Assembly's Catechism, the matter was violently opposed, as an infringement of Christian liberty, and they divided into two parties of subscribers and non-subscribers." I. 162, 163.

The decision of the synod was worthy of nonconformists. On dividing, it appeared that there were for subscribing articles of faith 53, against it 57! This ever-memorable majority stamped an honour upon the cause of Dissent, and have redeemed ecclesiastical assemblies from disgrace. Coldly as Mr. Wilson writes of the triumphant party in this part of his work, he uses, in another place, II. 6-8, the language of warm approbation which becomes the friend of liberty.

Amongst the voters at Salter's Hall were Thomas Reynolds, pastor of the Weigh-house, and James Read, his assistant: Reynolds was in favour of subscription, Read in opposition to it. The vote given by Read caused his orthodoxy to be suspected, and he was persecuted with artful questions, and not giving answers satisfactory to Reynolds and his orthodox party in the church, which was the majority, was at length dismissed. Two of the questions urged by the inquisitors on this occasion deserve to be recorded as a model for such as may in future be desirous of screwing and racking conscience: they were,

"1. Whether a person that pays religious worship to Christ, but at the same time disowns him to be truly and properly God, (that is, in the strictest and strongest sense of the word) be chargeable with downright idolatry? 2. Whether such a one has forfeited his claim to Christian

communion?" I. 170.

In this connexion, our historian uses gravely, and without a note of admiration, the phrase "Arian he resy!"

Protestant Dissenters ought surely to have learnt by this time the folly of language which implies on the part of the speaker or writer theological infallibility.

The occasional mention of "Mr. Jollie's church at Sheffield," leads Mr. Wilson (p. 177. Note) to name Archbishop Secker, who, in early life was a member of that church, and who afterwards studied for the Dissenting ministry under the learned Mr. Jones, of Tewkesbury. Secker delivered a probationary Sermon in the meetinghouse at Bolsover, Derbyshire. And

yet the late Bishop Porteus, in his life of the Archbishop, his patron, asserted that he never was in communion with the Dissenters !"-The Primate is convicted of having been a Presbyterian minister, in A Collection of Letters and Essays in favour of Public Liberty," published in 1774, in 3 vols. duodecimo; but he appears to have purified and prepared himself for the church of England by a course of scepticism and medical study and practice (midwifery?) "The Archbishop had a dissenting education, was designed for the pulpit among that people; but had not so much freedom from doubtings, as to allow him to engage in the service of a public instructor in the Christian religion; and therefore turned his thoughts to the study of physic. Bishop Talbot's arguments reconciled him to the faith of the civil churchestablishment, in April, 1721, and he became more and more confirmed in that faith as he made his advances in the church, till he reached the See of Canterbury." Collection, &c. III. 34.

One of the most interesting biogra phical sketches in the History, is that of Samuel Wilton, D. D. pastor of the church, formerly Presbyterian, now Independent, at the Weigh-house. Dr. Wilton distinguished himself as an ardent friend and able advocate of religious liberty. He took an active part in the application of the Dissentfrom subscription, and published in ing ministers to parliament for relief 1773 "An Apology for the Renewal of an Application," and in 1774, “A Review of some of the Articles of the Church of England, to which a Subscription is required of Protestant Dissenting Ministers." The latter publication is still read and admired and will never be out of date whilst the articles continue to be imposed as a test of orthodoxy in the parliamentary church. With other eminent facul ties of mind, Dr. Wilton possessed a very strong and retentive memory; it was partly from his memory, as well as that of Dr. Furneaux, that Lord Mansfield's celebrated speech, estab"lishing the right of Dissenters to exemption from office in corporations, was published. A good portrait of him ornaments this part of the History.

Dr. Wilton's public character is the more observable on account of the

Review-Wilson's. Dissenting Churches.

413

different part in religious politics There is a story related of him, but for the which has been taken by his successor, truth of which we cannot be responsible, John Clayton, whose Sermon on the that, in one part of his life, he was emBirmingham Riots has been preserved ployed no less than four months in devefrom oblivion by the eloquent Answer loping the mysteries of Joseph's coat, from to it by Robert Hall, M. A. the cele- Genesis xxxvii. 3. And he made him a brated Baptist minister, then of Camcoat of many colours. In allusion to this bridge, now of Leicester. Mr. Clay-racterized, in some lines descriptive of the circumstance, Mr. Bragge was thus cha-, ton was educated under the patronage Dissenting ministers, at that period : of the late Countess of Huntingdon, and was some time assistant to "the Rev. "Eternal Bragge, in never-ending Sir Harry Trelawney, who was pastor strains, of an Independent congregation at West Loo, Cornwall." The reverend Baromet after various changes settled down into a parish priest in the national church. An account of his religious progress is given by Mr. Dyer, in his Life of Robert Robinson, p. 179, &c. It has been said that Sir Harry has not taken his rest in the Church of England.

An opposite course to Sir Harry Trelawney's is described by the historian in the Memoir (I. 205) of Carolus Maria de Veil, D.D. who was born at Metz, in Lorrain, of Jewish parents, and educated in that religion, but embraced Christianity and became first a Roman Catholic, and held distinguished stations in that church, next a Protestant, and obtained orders in the Church of England, and lastly a Dissenter of the Baptist denomination. He latterly practised physic for a maintenance, and being poor, received an annual stipend from his Baptist brethren. He published several learned works, exhibiting his opinions in the several stages of his belief. brother of his, Lewis De Compeigne De Veil, also became a Christian, and was interpreter of the oriental languages to the king of France, but turning Protestant, came over to England.

A

Mr. Wilson is not likely to rise to fame, as a translator. He gives, for instance, the English of a Latin epitaph, on the monument of Mr. Nathaniel Mather, in Bunhill Fields, and the phrase "Laude dignissimus" is thus done into English, "meritorious of the highest praise!" I. 233, 234.

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Unfolds the wonders Joseph's coat con

tains;

And from each patch a solemn myst'ry,
Of ev'ry hue describes a different cause,

draws."

I. 247.

The decline of Presbyterian congregations is commonly imputed to the Unitarian doctrine, though, in fact, no peculiar doctrine has been advanced in the greater part of them: but to what cause is the decline of the old Independent Evangelical" churches, to be attributed? That decline in London, at least, is unquestionable. Ex uno disce omnes.

"This church (Bury Street, St. Mary Axe) is remarkable for the number of ejected ministers who have presided over it. We have an account of no less than eight of those worthies, in this connexion. There has been a considerable variation in the state of the Society for the last century and upwards. Prior to Dr. Chauncey, it appears to have been in a flourishing condition; but in his time it declined. There was a great revival under Dr. Watts, who had a large and respectable audience. During the latter part of very low state. Though a learned man Dr. Savage's time the interest was in a and a judicious as well as Evangelical preacher, his labours were not attended. with that success which frequently accompanies meaner abilities. At the settlement of the present pastor, it was expected that his popular talents would have a considerable influence in reviving the congregation; but they have failed of that desired effect."

I. 253.

There are particular circumstances which more than any general causes affect the condition of Dissenting conThe character of Robert Bragge, as gregations: one thing is plain, that the a preacher, may be a useful admoni-ready way to success is to consult the nition to some of Mr. Wilson's read

ers:

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taste of the public, which is ever varying. There is now a love of novelty, variety, life and bustle in religion. Methodism did not create this taste, it' was a happy concurrence with it: regular preaching and church order will

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Review-Mr. Favell's Speech on the Christian Treaty.

not now satisfy the bulk of Christian evident, but it has been so often turnhearers and communicants. Hence Independent churches, that have not been cast anew in the methodistic mould, have in very few instances kept up their reputation and numbers.

Mr. Wilson takes a great liberty in coining a word, p. 262, viz. Laudensian, by which he means belonging to (Archbishop) Laud. The adjective warranted by usage is Laudean; although a circumlocution would be

better than even this term.

In the memoir of Dr. John Owen, the historian writes con amore. Owen was a great man, and we are disposed to make but few abatements in Mr. Wilson's panegyric. It is indeed honourable to this patriarch of Independency, that he was one of the first advocates in England of liberty of conscience, on the right principle. Bishop Jeremy Taylor went before him in this noble course: Richard Baxter, with all his boldness, dared not follow these eminent leaders of the public mind. There was a remarkable consistency in Dr. Owen's nonconformity: he scrupled to give the popish title of saint to the apostles, and he shewed a praiseworthy indifference to the usuał clerical titles.

"Upon a certain high-churchman refusing to style him Reverend, he wrote thus: For the title of Reverend, I do give him notice that I have very little valued it, ever since I have considered the saying of Luther, Nunquam periclitatur Religio nisi inter Reverindissimos. (Religion never was endangered except among the most Reverends.) So that he may, as to me, forbear it for the future, and call me, as the Quakers do, and it shall suffice. And, for that of Doctor, it was conferred on me by the University, in my absence, and against my consent, as they

have expressed it under their public seal: nor doth any thing but gratitude and respect unto them, make me once own it; and freed from that obligation, I should never use it more: nor did I use it, until some were offended with me and blamed me for my neglect.' Defence of Review of Schism, prefixed to Mr. Cotton's Defence against Cawdry, pp. 97, 98."

I. 265. Note..

Dr. Watts's father is said (I. 292) to have been "a Dissenter from principle." The meaning of the phrase is

ed into a joke that we doubt the propriety of repeating it; and there are so few temptations of a worldly kind to nonconformity, that it is for the most part needless to say that a Dissenter is not swayed in his religious choice by a love of ease or lucre or honour.

The historian does not conceal Dr. Watts's heresy on the subject of the Trinity, but he is careful to represent it as less alarming than has sometimes been imagined. Of the "solemn_address" he says nothing.* The Doc tor is commended by this biographer for keeping reason out of the province of religion: but had he suffered his own excellent understanding to exercise itself on points of faith, could he have fallen into the strange notion that non-elect infants, dying in infancy, sink into annihilation? (I. 308.)

ART. III-Substance of a Speech delivered in the Court of Common Council, on a Motion to address his Royal Highness the Prince Regent to accede to the late Treaty concluded between the Emperors of Russia and of Austria and the King of Prussia: By Mr.1 Favell. To which are added other Papers on the Subject of Peace. 8vo. pp. 54. Conder. 1816.

R. FAVELL is well known in.

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sistent friend of civil and religious liberty and of peace. In the evening of life, and apparently meditating a retreat from public business, he publishes this speech as a testimony in behalf of the principles which, with va rious success, he has avowed and defended for forty years. He delivers a flattering opinion of his old associates "the Reformers of England-a class of high spirited and independent men, who have maintained the cause of freedom, and have dared be honest in the worst of times." We cordially wish the public attention may be drawn to Mr. Favell's sensible and manly plea for Peace and Reform.

*The question of Dr. Watts's last reli-. gious opinions is largely discussed in our eighth volume.

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CONCLUDING SONNET.

By Sir Philip Sidney.

Splendidis longum valedico nugis. To splendid trifles, now, a long farewell.,

Leave me, O Love! which reachest but to dust;

And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things:

Grow rich in that which never taketh nist;

Whatever fades, but fading pleasure brings.

Draw in thy beams, and humble all thy

might

To that sweet yoke, where lasting freedoms be,

Which breaks the clouds, and opens forth the light,

That doth both shine, and give us sight

to see.

O take fast hold let that light be thy guide,

In this small course, which birth draws out to death;

And think how ill-becometh him to slide, Who secketh heav'n, and comes of heav'nly breath.

Then farewell, world, thy uttermost I see, Eternal love, maintain thy love' in me.

THE SOLDIER.

[From the Cabinet, 1795.]

Who hath beene a soldier, 0,

Who hath soughten glorie?
Who hath thronged with archers bolde,
Till his lockes were hoarie?

I have beene a soldier, O,
Seekinge ever glorie,

Facinge death, with my archers bolde,
Till my lockes be hoarie.
My bodie is well seam'd with scarrs,

Though ne'er a limbe be wantinge;
But let me not the braggart seeme,
- True valour is not vauntinge.
Good Lorde! and though thy haires be

gray,

And thy bodie roughe and seamed, Hath thy greene manhood dedes achieved, To make thine age esteemed. Tygres that doe thirste for blood,

Through forestes wilde are raginge; Ah me! that man, like tygre gaunte With man should warre be waginge. Grieslie demons sprong from hell,

Fraught with accursed vengeance, Lead on grimm discorde through the : world,

And hurle their slaughtering engines,

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Intelligence.-Manchester College, York.

Townes they sack, and realmes despoyle,
Maidens are defloured,

Babes doe bleed and age doth groane

Contemned and orepowred.
Swaines that fed their sev'ral flocke,
Nor thought of other harminge,
Now foot to foot and hand to hand,
In breache or scarpe are storminge.
What the angrie surrde did leave,

Sharpe battel axe, or bowmen,
Fire and wastinge must complete,

For warre is ever foaming.
Where shall hie th' affrayed dame,
With infante offspring clinginge?
Not farre off is the fatal storme,

Eche gale its terrours bringinge.

Tell me now thou gallante soldier

Now thy lockes with age be hoarie,
Can'st thou praise thy wilde carriere,
Can'st thou call thy madnesse glorie?
To upholde some lordlinge proud,

Or king with curst ambition,
What foule murders hast thou done!
Sweet Christ, give thee contrition.
Amen, amen, thou reverent priest,
Thy counsaile is most holie;
Thy wordes do teache repentante age,
To curse its manhood's follie.
But doubly curst be kinglie pride,
Makinge erthe one charnel,
Millions of masses dailie sayde
Stay not bell's paynes eternal.

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DOMESTIC.

RELIGIOUS.

Manchester College, York.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 25th, 26th, and 27th June, the Trustees held their Annual Examination of the Students educated in this Seminary; (present, Messrs. Broadhurst, Crompton, Falla, Falla, jun. Fletcher, Jevons, Kershaw, Leo, Malkin, Martin, Needham, S. R. Philips, Sanderson, Shore, jun. Stanger, Stanger, jun. Thomson, M. D. and G. W. Wood, Treasurer, and the Rev. Messrs. Ashton, Astley, Beattie, Heineken, Hutton, Jevons, John stone, Jones, G. Kenrick, Kentish, Lamport, Robberds, Secretary, H. Turner, P. Wright, Wallace, and Turner, Visitor,) on Tuesday the junior Greek and Hebrew Classes, the senior Mathematics and Modern History Classes, and on Wednesday the senior Hebrew, junior Latin, and second Mathematical Classes; after which Mr. Samuel Wood read an Oration on the Origin of Evil, and Mr. James Taylor on the Causes which have led to the Differences between the English and Continental Constitutions. The Examination then proceeded of the second Greek and Latin, junior Mathematics, Ancient History, Evidences, and Natural Philosophy, and concluded for that day with a Discourse by Mr. Haslam, to shew that the Apostles were not Enthusiasts, and an Oration by Mr. John Tayler, on the reciprocal Influence of Taste and Morals. On Thursday, Messrs.

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Mardon, Morris and Cannon, went through a long critical examination on the New Testament, with a particular view to shew the Use of the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament, and the Syriac of the New, in the illustration of the latter, and also to exemplify the application of Paley's argument for the genuineness of the books, by a comparison of the histo rical and epistolary writings. They were afterwards examined in Church History, and the various controversies which had arisen in the several ages, with the principal writers who had distinguished themselves on both sides down to the present time. The classes in Logic and Metaphysics, and in Ethics and Political Economy, were then examined, as was also the senior Latin Class; after which Mr. John Taylor read a Latin Oration on the Poetical Merits of Lucretius; Mr. John Wellbeloved on the Hope of a Future Life; and Mr. Fletcher on the Early Periods of the Greek and Roman History; Mr. Cannon an English Oration on the Influence of Mental Cultivation in producing good Morals in the Individual; and Mr. Morris a Sermon on John ix. 4. The remaining Classes examined were those in Hebrew Poetry, the Belles Lettres, and the higher Greek Classics and the Greek Metres; after which Mr. Strat ton read a Discourse on the respective Influences of Civilized and Savage Life on Virtue and Happiness, and Mr. Mardou a Sermon on the Love of Truth, from 2 Thess. ii. 10.

It ought to be observed, that in these

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