seed.for ever. We say, "to his seed" 100; for as Dr. Wardlow justly remarks: "Was it not to them a seal or pledge of the faithfulness of God, to that promise of which they are fellow heirs with their father? that is, a seal of spiritual blessings, which is the same thing, in effect, as a seal of the righteousness of faith. We cannot think it was less." But Mr. Cox asks with real surprise :"A seal-of what?-Of the righteousness of faith?"-Yes, not a seal of faith as a principle in the mind of Abraham; but a seal of righteousness contained in the promise of God. But our friend rejoins: "How could it seal that which they might never possess? Why not? A seal affects the security of right only; that of enjoyment, which Mr. C. seems to be thinking of, depends on personal qualifications. "Even a man's testament," signed, sealed, and delivered, secures the right of all persons named in his will; but should any of them become ideots or madmen, they are, of course, excluded from honours and immunities which they are not qualified to enjoy. By such a train of reflection, we are brought very naturally to remark, that when the heirs of promise (no matter whether they were made so in infancy or mature age), become the "opponents and despisers of religion, they count themselves unworthy of that eternal life, which is promised in the covenant, and secured by its seal, while their degeneracy serves painfully to remind us of the profane person who sold his birthright. Indeed, we agree with Mr. Cox, thit "it is the first and great mistake respecting the covenant itself that perplexes the whole subject, and pollutes all the subsequent reasonings;" but he will excuse us, if we add, that in our judgment, the perplexing mistake is not with Dr. Wardlaw, who may still abide by the covenant, as the Gospel preacked unto Abraham, and which is the very same Gospel under the dispensation of Christianity, altered only in sacramental rates and forms of worship according to the will of God. The covenant which included children is the same; its seal only is changed: but this assigns no reason why part of the subjects to whom it was originally applied should now be rejected. We must have a Divine prohibition for refusing them the honor which he has promised. It is for the God of Abraham, in whom all the fa. milies of the earth are blessed, to place the heirs of promise under the ban of his gracious empire, and not for man to abrogate a law which Infinite Majesty alone has authority to annel. Upon the whole, the Christian temper displayed by our authors deserves the imita VOL. III. tion of every polemic writer. According to their individual conviction they speak the truth without the tongue of aviper. The two able advocates on what we deem the better side of the question, and the single hero who has, at least, courage enough to defend the opposite side, write with vigour of feeling and beauty of expression. The streams of their thought are strong and transparent. His, indeed, rise from a spring very remote, and move in a course quite different from theirs; but they all run pleasantly along, murmuring only to show their grief at not being able to unite. The Ten Commandments, illustrated and enforced, on Christian Principles. By W. H. Stowell. Holdsworth. 8vo. 300 pp. 8s. WHILE the apostles of error are zealously exerting themselves in the work of delu$ion, it is not a little encouraging to find that enlightened advocates of revealed truth are multiplying on every hand. Whether infidelity questions the truth of Christianity, or scepticism robs it of its distinguishing peculiarities, or fanaticism breaks in upon its harmonious adjustments, we immediately perceive some highly-giftedchampion hastening to the contest, and waging successful warfare. If, in the present day, there are many shameful perverters of the Calvinistic doctrine, many who grievously misunderstand and misstate its momentous positions, many who, in their zeal to maintain the sovereignty of the divine administration, entirely lose sight of the character of God as a moral governor ;-it is truly delightful to observe that there is yet an ample provision of -sound and well-instructed divines in the land, who know how to inculcate the highest doctrines without shunning to enforce any one of all Christ's commandments. It is this charming union of gracious announcement and faithful appeal, which constitutes the master-quality of that teaching upon which the Most High has stamped the seal of his approbation. We have unfeigned satisfaction in intro ducing to the notice of our readers a young author of distinguished qualifications, as an evangelical and practical divine. When we heard of his intention of publishing the volume before us, and called to remembrance his short standing in the ministry, a fear in voluntarily arose in our minds lest, by premature anthorship, his usefulness might in any measure be curtailed. We are ready to confess, however, that a sight of the work has dissipated all our fears; and that the favourable opinion we had entertained of the author's piety talents, and practical wisdom, has been greatly strengthened. G It The volume consists of eleven Lectures, one of them introductory, and the rest suc cessively upon the ten commandments. is but justice to state, that the most abstract details of duty are, by Mr. S., placed in an inviting and evangelical light. As to the style of these discourses, it must be pronounced, even by the fastidious, to be very chaste and classical. There is a softness and persuasion and simplicity attached to it, which exceedingly delight the reader, and which identify the man with his production. If all the world think as favourably of this volume as we do, its sale will be rapid, and its reception more than usually flattering. Our young friend has our cordial thanks for the able and eloquent and pious manner in which he has performed a most difficult task. The Life and Diary of Lieut.-Col. Blackader, of the Cameronian Regiment, and Deputy-Governor of Stirling Castle, who served with distinguished honour in the Wars under King William and the Duke of Marlborough, and afterwards in the Rebellion of 1715 in Scotland. By Andrew Crichton, Author of the Memoirs of the Rev. John Blackader. R. Baynes. We feel much satisfaction in introducing this important volume to the public notice. The Cameronians were a body of men who have suffered much by an ungenerous exposure of their weaknesses, in tales ofimagination. Their errors were the errors of the age, and their excesses the effect of barbarous persecution. With them, on the advancement of the second Charles to the throne of, his country, and under the despotic measures of his administration, Liberty retired, and for eight-and-twenty years lived in exile among the mosses and muirs and in the solitary glens of Scotland. On the arrival of the Prince of Orange, she again lifted her brow, and brought from their hiding-places her brave and devoted champions. In a few hours, and at their own expense, they accoutred themselves and surrounded Queensbury-house, with the firmness of a wall of brass, to protect the convention from the outrage of the Jacobites. Along with the gratuity, when they were formed into a regiment, each man received a copy of the holy Scriptures; they served with distinguished lustre both in the camp and in the field, in the Queen's wars, and received from the Duke of Marlborough public thanks for their good conduct. They feared God, and they feared none but God; the enemy never saw their back. Placed over such men, Colonel Blackader found himself in his own atmosphere. It was, in its own measure, by the principles, courage, and steadfastness of such men, that the liberties of our country were vindicated, and those securities procured for their preservation which have raised the United Kingdom to its elevated rank among the nations of Europe. Our limits will not allow us to give extracts of the excellent Colonel Blackader's devotional reflections, which breathe a spirit, in no common measure, pure and celestial, combining the principles of military fortitude with the breathings of Christian compassion, over the moral excesses which too often degrade the soldier's character, and on the miseries entailed by the ravages of war on our suffering nature. We cannot give a finer outline of this excellent man's character than in the words of the author, who has conferred an important boon by the publication. "The prevailing cast of Colonel Blackader's mind was singularly devout and spiritual. His purest delights were in the duties and ordinances of religion; and he embraced every opportunity of being engaged in them. His intervals of business ing or company, were generally filled up with useful readwhen it could be procured, from which he could reap some improvement; and he dedicated a portion of every day to prayer and meditation. These duties he never allowed to be interrupted by the most urgent and pressing emergencies; on fatiguing marches, at the post of command, or in the heat of action, he could snatch a moment to hold communion with the Father of spirits. To him no station seemed incompatible with maintaining this intercourse, and no circumstances so straightened where the virtues and graces of the Christian life had not room for exercise. Everywhere his devotion could find for itself a temple and an altar; in the camp, in the closet, or in the field. It was his custom to spend an occasional hour in meditative retirement, and he would frequently steal from bustle and observation to some sequestered walk, or the solitary banks of a river, where he could enjoy unmolested the benefits of contemplation and reflection. Sometimes he would visit the field of battle, on the evening after an engagement, to moralize among the heaps of slaughter, and get a preaching,' as he expresses it, from the silent dead.' INNNNN 6 Piety exemplified in the Lives of eminent Christians. Collected from authentic sources, and compiled chiefly for the instruction of Youth. By J. Thornton. W. Baynes & Son. pp. 726. Ss. 6d. OF Mr. Thornton it may with truth be said, that "he is a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." If his writings are not marked by symptoms of unequivocal strength and genius, they at least lay claim to all that is entertaining and practically instructive; and in copiousness and variety, exhibit an instance of diligence but rarely witnessed amongst modern divines. In clearness of perception, in unaffected simplicity of style and manner, in fervent piety and devout affection, in happy, and often graceful, illustration and ornament, Mr. T. is inferior to few writers in the present or any other age. We should now and then like to see a stronger doctrinal cast in his pages; but where there is so much real excellence we have not a heart to find fault. The work which these remarks are intended to introduce, promises to be more extensively interesting and useful than any of the author's former productions. Its adaptation to the young, and indeed to all whose means of instruction are comparatively scanty, cannot fail to procure for it a wellmerited and lasting popularity. It contains biographical notices of no fewer than ninety-one eminent individuals, who belonged to different churches, and lived in different ages of the world. The list of names will show the peculiar interest of the book.-Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenæus, Origen, Cyprian, Chrysostom, Augustine, Bede, Alfred the Great; Claude, Bishop of Turin; Peter Waldo; Greathead, Bishop of Lincoln; Wickcliff, Hus, Jerome of Prague, Ulrich Zuingle, Luther, Melancthon; George, Prince of Anhalt; John à Lasco, Calvin, Francis Junius, Admiral Coligny, Philip de Mornay, John Diazius, Vergerio, Father Paul, Wishart, Knox; John Erskine, of Dun; Tyndale, Lambert, Lady Jane Grey, Edward VI, Hooper, Latimer, John Bradford, Fox, Gilpin, Jewell, Coverdale, John Rainolds, D.D., Lord Harrington, John Bruen, Esq., Peter de Moulin, Dr. Rivet, John Claude, Fenelon, Usher, Leighton, Herbert, Janeway, Bedell, Hall, John Elliot. R. Baxter, Dr. Owen, Howe, Thomas Gouge, P. Henry, Bunyan, W. Penn, Sir M. Hale; Queen Mary, Consort to William III.; Pascal, Herman Boerhaave, Dr. Cotton Mather, John Ray, Bishop Wilson, Dr. Daniel Williams, M. Henry, David Brainerd, Halyburton, President Edwards, Mrs. E. Rowe, Samuel Walker, Hervey, R. Darracott, Robert Boyle, Colonel Gardiner, P. Doddridge, D.D., Dr. Watts, Whitfield, Wesley, Lady Glenorchy, John Howard, Bishop Horne, John Casper Lavater. In presenting these sketches to the world, and particularly to the young, Mr. T. modestly speaks of himself, in his preface, as a compiler; but we have been happy, at the same time, to discover a considerable share of original composition. A better present for young people of sixteen or eighteen can scarcely be conceived than this volume. Considering its size and execution it is remarkably cheap. We shall be happy to hear of its success. It contains a handsome frontispiece, with elegant engravings of Luther, Latimer, Howard, and Robert Boyle. Thoughts, chiefly designed as preparative or persuasive to Private Devotion By John Sheppard. Second edition, considerably enlarged. 12mo. 6s. In In an age abounding with superficial writing, it is gratifying to observe a due degree of attention given to works of a deeper and more substantial character. We were therefore well pleased to notice the favourable reception of these devotional "Thoughts, which, on the appearance of the first edition, we ventured to recommend as the production of no ordinary mind, but evincing a happy union of piety, intellect, taste, and feeling. The present edition of the work is enriched by two additional chapters on topics of equal interest with the rest; one of them, indeed (chap. 24), may be considered as intimately connected with a remarkable document introduced into the Appendix, containing a deeply interesting correspondence with the late Lord Byron, from which we have extracted very largely in another part of the present Number. this essay, Mr. Sheppard successfully combats the idea suggested by his noble correspondent, that believing is an act merely intellectual, and in no respect moral; and clearly proves that unbelief in divine truth, "whether general or merely partial, is strictly connected with moral evil;" that "there can be, in truth, no moral void, no blank or neutral state of mind. Into the heart of man evil thoughts and principles must rush when good ones are excluded; nay, the former are already there; generated and evolved within; and to describe unbelief under the figure of a vacuum, is merely to say that the mind is void of the principles of good, because it is pre-occupied and filled with those of evil. The less there is of religious belief, the more of it religious sentiment; and the greater the evolution or the influx of this, by the agency of bad passions, or of bad associations, the more is religious faith expelled or excluded."—p. 254. The other additional chapter treats of "the means of devotion in a life of business;" and though not evincing, or perhaps requiring, so much deep thinking and accurate discrimination as the former, abounds, notwithstanding, with importan and interesting suggestions, especially in reference to cherishing a habit of frequently elevating the soul towards the heaven of prayer, even amidst the pressing engagements of secular life, thus practising "the great art of Christian chemistry," as the pious Sir Mathew Hale terms it," to convert those acts which are materially natural or civil, into acts truly and formally re.igious;" (p. 247.) there being, as our author well expresses it, a sort of secondary and conceiving attention to the object (devotion) even amidst the most remote pursuits. We should gladly offer further extracts, had we not already exceeded our ordinary limits; but conclude with the persuasion, that the specimens already given will be sufficient to induce many of our more intellectual readers to peruse the whole of this truly interesting and admirable work. The Question of Christian Missions stated and defended; a Sermon, with particular reference to the recent persecution in the West Indian Colonies. By Richard Winter Hamilton, Minister of Albion Chapel, Leeds. 1s. 6d. WE perceive from the scope of the advertisement, that the author still retains a most vivid recollection of the ungracious treatment which a former discourse of his received from the public. That discourse was certainly "a thing a little soiled i' th'. working;" but though the amount of its fanlts called for castigation, their character might have excited a doubt, whether a little skill in its administration, would not supersede much of its severity; whether the frown of a parent's eye would not be a more salutary corrective than the unsparing lash of a veteran slave-driver.— But Duncan is in his grave." The prophetic eye of experience might then have easily foreseen, at the distance of nine years, a sermon of precisely the kind now open before us. Though we can here recognise many of the peculiarities of the author's style, yet every intervening year has evidently brought its quota of improvement. The subject of this discourse is distributed with considerable tact, discussed with well-sustained vigour, and applied with great propriety and animation. Its prevailing characteristic appears to be energy both of thought and expression. Nor is this character at all affected by two or three doubtful positions, which we forbear to quote the more willingly as they are by no means of vital importance. The recent persecution in the West Indian colonies is introduced with effect, without consulting squeamishness or offending de licacy. We, however, question the propriety of using, if it were used, in the pulpit, such irony as appears in page 30. Whilst we admire the keenness of its edge, and deplore the comparative inaccessibleness of the system against which it is directed, to all rational argument, and acknowledge the propriety and desirableness of its use elsewhere, we would have none but consecrated weapons wielded there. We might notice too, a few objectionable phrases, such "Christ waded to dominion in his own blood;" but the redeeming qualities of the discourse are sufficient to warrant the assertion, that had it appeared before, instead of after, the sermon already alluded to, it would have secured even for that a more courteous reception, by substituting the regret of disappointment for the sneer of contempt. NNNN as The Bethel Flag; or Sermons to Seamen. By Robert Philip, Minister of Newington Chapel, Liverpool. Longman, and Hamilton. 12mo. 3s. MR. PHILIP's efforts for many years past, to meliorate the condition of seamen, have been of the most zealous, disinterested, and acceptable character. His name is now associated, all the world over, with every enlightened attempt to bring this interesting class of human beings under the means of grace. It has fallen to our lot to meet with sailors, in many of our considerable sea-ports, who have spoken of Mr. Philip in terms of grateful respect, as the first minister in Liverpool who provided a regular course of religious instruction for themselves and comrades. A large edition of "the Bethel Flag" has, we are happy to learn, already obtained circulation in Liverpool and its vicinity; and as the volume possesses nothing of a local character, we cannot help expressing a hope that it may become a book for sailors in general. They will find in it much useful and appropriate instruction, conveyed in language which cannot fail to connect itself with some of the most cherished associations of their perilous occupation. There is a spirit of exemplary fidelity in these sermons which convinces without offending. The friend is so much blended with the minister of truth, that the mind is insensibly disposed to the exercise of candour. The number of discourses in the volume is twenty-three; and the topics discussed are all highly interesting to seamen. Mr. Philip is a good divine, a faithful preacher, and a useful and even elegant writer. May his Christian zeal meet an appropriate reward! A Vindication of those Citizens of Geneva, and other persons, who have been instrumental in the revival of Scriptural Religion in that City; occasioned by the statements of Mons. J. J. Chenevière and Robert Bakewell, Esq. By John Pye Smith, D.D. 2s. Holdsworth. THIS pamphlet cannot fail to be deeply interesting to all the friends of evangelical religion, and of unfettered liberty of conscience. It will show that bigotry and intolerance may find a lurking place in the bosom of a community, where every thing wears the semblance of an Overween ing liberality and inclusiveness. At Geneva, if no where else, Socinianism has proved itself not to be so friendly to 66 the right of private judgment," as most of its advocates in this country consider it to be. Dr. Smith has with much honesty drawn aside the mask from this heretical church, and exhibited it in its true colours to a thinking and indignant public. How the Presbyterian Church of Geneva will attempt to dispose of the worthy Doctor's powerful Appeal we cannot predict; but we venture to anticipate on behalf of Cæsar Malan, and his honoured company of faithful followers, the prayers, the sympathies, and the decided patronage of the Christian world. In modern times, nothing, perhaps, of greater interest has transpired than the recent events at Geneva. Dr. Smith's pamphlet is an admirable record of what has really taken place in the far-famed city of the illustrious Reformer, and cannot be read by any of the friends of evangelical and vital godliness without gratitude to the Most High for raising up, in the persons of C. Malan and others, the agents of a second Reformation, not indeed from Popery to Protestantism, but from Arianism and Socinianism, to orthodox piety and zealous concern for the salvation of men. These Letters are sound in argument, manly and eloquent in language, gentlemanly in appeal, and withal richly imbued with details of the most interesting facts. That they will have a wide circulation cannot for a moment be doubted. He indeed, in laying down the general principles which ought to regulate all recreations both of body and of mind; but the difficulty is in applying these principles, by detail and specification, to those amusements on which it is important to express an opinion. Mr. Morison was alive to a sense of the delicacy of discrimination requisite, without being thereby rendered timid in his statements. was aware, as he informs us, "that by some his strictures may be looked upon as too severe; while others, perhaps, will be disposed to view them as too lenient." In this conjecture we think he was cor. rect; and this character of his production we regard as one of the indications of its value. It cannot be expected that all, even among real Christians, should think precisely alike on this subject. Who does not know to how great an extent the views which men entertain on such points are modified by their early habits, and early prejudices, and early connexions? think, however, that Mr. Morison has rendered a very valuable aid to Christian parents in guiding their views on the subject of amusements, nor a less valuable service to young persons themselves, in the affectionate appeals, and judicious advices, and impressive warnings, and Scriptural principles with which the discourse abounds. Mr. Morison extends his strictures to the stage, to the principle of gaming, to assemblies, routes and splendid entertainments, and also to other amusements of a lower order, "which obtain considerable sway." He aims also at superseding the imagined necessity of all these, by urging a pursuit of the pleasures of knowledge, the pleasures of well selected society, the pleasures of doing good, and the pleasures of appropriate duty. The style of the whole is animated and vigorous. It has our decided approval, and demands our very cordial recommendation. H. F. B. We On Personal Election and Divine Sovereignty; a Discourse, with an Appendix containing Notes and Observation on collateral subjects. By Joseph Fletcher, A.M. Third edition. pp. 102. 3s. F. Westley. friend, notwithstanding that he is now WE are happy again to meet our learned dressed in a polemic garb. If "the deep things of God" are to become subjects of discussion, it is highly desirable that they should only be aproached by men of general knowledge and decided talent. One of the most formidable obstacles with which the Calvinistic doctrine has had to struggle, has been the ignorant or interested per H |