thonght proper to renew a law of such unfashionable rigour; and these offences have ever since been left to the feeble coercion of the spiritual court, according to the rules of the canon law: a law which has treated the offence of incontinence, nay, even adultery itself, with a great degree of tenderness and lenity; owing, perhaps, to the constrained celibacy of its first com. pilers*,'

This pest of society, this gentle. man, while the poor deluded object of his treachery is left to suffer, and abandoned to beggary, to infamy, to prostitution, to disease, - he, in the sight of God, is a partaker, per. haps the greatest, in her crimes, in the death of her infant, in her own death, as a sacrifice to the laws of her country, and perhaps of her eternal misery!—and this gentleman is permitted to live! suffers no disgrace, nay, is perhaps laying his scares for another artless female, who is soon to be led captive by him at his will! Comparing with this character the poor culprit who suffers for housebreaking, we must join with Mr. Scott in saying, That this earth supporis not a more criminal or more detestable race of beings than the whole tribe of seducers; and, surely, the petty thief who dies upon the gallows, is indeed a man of honour, compared with them; and, surely, his lot. in the other world will be, I had almost said, a Heaven, compared with the Hell which is reserved for them!'

O that there were Christian virtue sufficient to form a law, which should make the principal in guilt a pariaker, at least, of the infamy and the pu. ishment!

Our second quotation is on the Advantages of Penitentiaries.. Moh has been said against these excellent asylums for the convinced daughters of Folly; but facts speak Jouder than words. Mr. Scott says, 41 before intimated to you, that even the attempt to reclaim abandoned prostitutes, upon Christian principles and by Christian means, was not in vain I have seen it made, I have seen it succeed, in

many instances. Under the minis. tration of my revered relative, I have actually known no very small number of such characters reclaimed, recovered, restored to society, yea, evidently converted to God, in the highest and noblest sense of the word. I have known such become, through many succeeding years, reputable and pious servants; and some of them, even valuable and honourable wives and mothers. Some I have known walk to the end of their days in newness of life, die in the faith and hope of the gospel, and doubt not, therefore, obtain inheritance among all them that are sanctified through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.' Let those who reject the principles which form the very essence of the gospel, and supply all its heavenly energies, -let them renounce the hope of reclaiming profligates; but let us not do so let us retain the hope, and let it add vigour to our exertions ; nor let any one who has borne that character, but who now sincerely desires to forsake the wicked, and live,' ever indulge the fear that there is no hope for him in God.' No; let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon!

Jesus, the True Messiah : « Sermon in the Jews Chapel, By Andrew Fuller, Printed for the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews. Price 18.

We have frequently expressed our regret that the moral condition of the Jews has been so much neglect. ed by the friends of Christianity : but it is with an opposite feeling of pleasure that we witness the numerous attempts made in our days, to convince the understandings, and impress the consciences of the degenerate progeny of Abraham. The attempts of the Missionary Society, if they have not been crowned with that degree of success to which its Directors aspired, have given an

împetus to the zeal of other Christian professors, in the pursuit of this high object, the Conversion of the Seed of Jacob; and even though the individuals who now prosecute this grand achievement may not reap the abundant harvest, we shall join in congratulating them, if they only gather in a few of the first fruits. Ours are the sentiments and feelings of the apostle, notwithstanding, in every way in which Christ is preached, we therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice!'

In the sermon before us, founded on Psalm xl. 6, 7, 8, Mr. Fuller observes, That there are three characters held up in the text as distinguishing the Messiah's coming: That the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Mosaic law would, from thence, be superseded, that the great body of Scripture prophecy would be accomplished, and that the will of God would be perfectly fulfilled.' These points he illustrates with his accustomed facility and accuracy. The discourse indeed does not bear the marks of the author's usual originality; but it is well calculated to promote the design of the Society, under whose patronage it is published; and we cordially hope that it may be instrumental in reclaiming some aliens from the Christian commonwealth, and restoring them to the true household of God. Mr. Fuller's concluding advices to Christians we transcribe, as they are of important and valuable tendency. I can perceive, by what I have seen of the Jewish writings, how much they avail themselves of our disorders and divisions to justify their unbelief. Let those who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Let us beware of valuing ourselves in the name, while we are destitute of the thing. We may yield a sort of assent to the doctrine just delivered, while yet it brings forth no good fruit in ne, These are the things that rivet Jews in their unbelief. They have no right, indeed, to intrench themselves in prejudice against the Lord Jesus on account of our disorders; he is no more accountable for them than the God of Israel was for the disorders of their forefathers: but, though it be

wrong in them, it is more so in those who furnish them with occasion of offence. There is a woe upon the world, because of offences, seeing they stumble and fall over them; but there is a heavier woe on them through whom they come.

He that winneth souls is wise. I hope all the measures that are taken for the conversion of the Jews will be of a winning nature. If they be malignant and abusive, they must not be opposed with the same weapons. The servants of the Lord must not strive, as for mastery; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Whatever is done, for children or adults, I trust it will be in an open, candid way, like that of our Saviour, who did good to the bodies of men, as a mean of attracting their attention, and conciliating their affection to the word of everlasting life."

The Apostolic Ministry compared with the Pretensions of Spurious Religion and False Philosophy: a Sermon, by John Pye Smits, D.D. Price 28.

Ir is but seldom that we enjoy the privilege of perusing a sermon of so high a character as that which we here recommend to our readers. The subject which it displays, was to have been discussed at the Monthly Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches in London, by the late Rev. Jos. Barber; but at the removal of that venerable man of God, Dr. Smith was requested to undertake the service. He has not only executed it in a manner highly creditable to his talents, but has furnished another proof that the mantle of the departed Elijah rests on the Elisha who now officiates in a school of the prophets. We devoutly wish that the youthful ministers who come from our seminaries of religion and literature, may be deeply imbued with the sentiments and spirit which breathe and glow in this valuable discourse.

The text is drawn from 1 Cor. ii.

a

6, 7, 8. After an introduction, ra, ther too extended, the preacher enquires, What were those arrogant claims, of superior wisdom which the holy apostle renounces as vain, criminal, and pernicious? In reply, he shows that the apostle had in view the favourite systems both of Jews and Greeks. Among the chaFacters of corrupted Jewish theoJogy, he specifies the following : Arbitrary and unreasonable modes of interpreting the holy Scriptures, the admission of human autho rity in matters of religion, as equal, deven superior to the authority of God, declared in his word, rigorous punctiliousness in the external forms of religion, and in ceremonial observances, as a substi1ute for real holiness, a spirit of high self-complacency in their national distinctions, with a haughty and insolent disdain of less favoured nations, and a bold confidence in their own imaginary righteousness, as a ground of meritorious and legal claim before the eternal Judge.' The spurious philosophy of the Greeks is distinguished by ils spe culations on curious questions, in their nature abstruse and empty, and in their end productive of no rational advantage; the restless passion of its votaries for novelties in speculation and sentiment; a precipitancy of assent to plausible representations or confident assertions; and an unreasonable reluctance to admit valuable truths, supported by plain and solid evidence, when presented in a simple and unadorned form, or when adverse to favourite notions and indulged passions.'

6

After an illustration of these several features in the character of the ancient perverters of truth, the author applies the description to those moderns, who may justly be, deemed their successors. He then considers the ministry of the gospel,' as it was exercised by the apostles, and as it furnishes an honourable contrast to the pretensions of corrupt religion and false wisdom.' On this interesting part of the subject, the Doctor reviews the evi

Rce with which the gospel was atunded, under the ministry of the

apostles, the doctrines which it announced, the marks of probity and sincerity which distinguished its divinely commissioued heralds,-its liberal spirit, and its holy efficacy.'

In the conclusion, the author adverts to the great design of the institution, which is connected with the Monthly Meetings;'.and for the benefit of which, they were originally established: he congratulates his audience on the privilege which they now enjoy, of hearing the gospel preached in its purity; and finishes by a solemn advice to those who are engaged in preparatory studies for the work of the ministry.

While we place a rich value on this superior discourse, we think there is a disproportion of its parts. If there be not too much amplification under the first division, there iş too little under the second. Though the doctrine of divine influence is stated and implied, yet we wish that it had been exhibited with greater prominence, and its necessity argued with bolder force. This might have been done without adding to the number of pages, had the respectable author somewhat condensed his descriptions of the Jewish and Gre cian systems: but with these slight exceptions, we have no hesitation in pronouncing a warm eulogy on the pamphlet before us, and we adjudge it to be one of those sermops, which will deserve a place in the library of every preacher and professor of Christianity.

they were first del vered, are his motives for committing them to the candid perusal of the public."

From Prov. xxii. 6, which the author chose for his text, he adduces the parental duties of discipline, instruction, example, and prayer;' and the encouragement af forded is derived from the force of mental habits, the promises of God, and the testimony of observation and experience.' Upon the whole, we consider this sermon as judicious, well written, and eminently adapted to be useful; and as such, most cordially recommend it to such of our readers as are parents.

Divine Songs. By Dr. Walts.

Plates.

DR. WATTS's Songs cannot now be the subject of review; but we have a pleasure in recommending this edition as fit to be put into the hands of children in the highest classes. We are glad to find it is not mutilated, like that edited by a certain literary lady and some others, but that it contains the whole which Dr. Watts wrote, and, so far as we have observed, as he wrote them. It is handsomely printed on good paper, and every piece is ornamented by a copperplate; in short, it is just such an edition as we conceive the Doctor would have been proud to have présented to the families of his noble friends and patrons the Abneys, the Hartopps, and the Shutes. The Beggar's Petition, however, not being the Doctor's,

has no business here; nor is it, the well written, of a character per fectly congenial with the rest.

True Stories, or Interesting Anec dotes of Young Persons. By the Author of Lessons in Humble Life. 12mo, 4s. 6d.

THESE stories are neither new nor marvellous; but they are authentic anecdotes and striking facts, calcu lated to recommend practical religion among the intelligent and polite. We regret that, in the mate rials, there is so much coincidence with Murray's Power of Religion, and other similar books; but we certainly shall rejoice in the hope of its falling into hands where works of that nature bave not hitherto been introduced, especially among the higher classes, from which many of these examples are selected, and for which this work, like the preceding, is evidently designed.

Literary Notices.

Is any of the children of the late Rev. Moses Brown, author of Sun

day Thoughts, &c. survive, it will be very obliging if they would send their address to the Editor of this Magazine,

In the press, a new and elegant edition of Trail's Works. In addition to the above, it is intended to add several Sermons, equally full and judicious, from the MSS. of this esteemed author.

Baxter's Annotations on the New Testament. 8vo, 12%.

The Four Gospels and the Acts, with Annotations and Reflections.. By T. Stabbach, A. B. Vicar of Cubert, &c. Two vols. 8vo, 208.

Letters, Essays, and Poems, on Religious Subjects. By G. Russel. 12mo, 5s.

A New Defence of the Holy Ro man Church against Heretics ard Schismatics. By the Author of Hora Solitariæ. Second edition, 2s. 6d.

A Brief Statement of Faets, by the Directors of the Missionary Society, ocensioned by Mr. Joseph Fox's Appeal to the Members of that Institu tion. 8vo, 3d.

A new edition of the Rev. Christopher Love's Sixteen Sermons on Grace, edited by the Rev. E. Davies, of Ipswich, 120.