In p. 171, Dr. Napleton introduces 1 Cor. xv. 22, as if that passage of Scripture contained a statement relative to the whole human race, and asserted on the one hand the entire evil which men derive from Adam, and on the other the entire benefit which they derive from Christ. We are the more eager to notice this particular, because Mr. Locke has imposed both upon himself, and upon many of his readers, by representing Rom. v. 12, to the end, as parallel with 1 Cor. xv. 22, to the end. And hence the inference appears to be perfectly legitimate that temporal death, or mortality, is the alone evil which we can refer to Adam as the source. In the first of the passages above mentioned, the Apostle evidently treats of the entire effects, both of the fall of Adam, and of the righteousness of Christ. In the latter, he as evidently confines himself to so much only of those effects as related to the point under discussion, the resurrection, and that only as it concerns the righteous: the resurrection of the unjust not being once alluded to. But the resurrection even of the just is not the entire benefit which they derive from Christ; it was not necessary, therefore, nor to be expected, that the entire effect of Adam's transgression, which .is opposed to the other, should be stated. The illogical reasonings of such a man as Locke, and upon such a subject as this, deserve to be exposed. The paragraph, pp. 205, 206, in the sermon on the sabbath, is inge nious and solid. The fifteenth sermon on sickness contains some striking passages. It is a subject which seems suited to the powers of Dr. N. We greatly regretted, however, the absence of those sources of con solation, which are peculiarly Christian, and which undoubtedly are calculated to have, and ought to have, the most powerful efficacy in reconciling the mind of a Christian to sickness, and in enabling him to improve it. In a prayer, indeed, put into the mouth of a person recovered from sickness, at the close we meet with the following petition: "May the uncertainty of life and health instruct me in the proper use of them, to improve my moral nature under the assistance of thy Spirit, and to obtain thy favour through the mediation of thy Son." Our author has treated of the resurrection of Christ in Sermon xv. in a very peculiar manner. To his young and uninstructed readers that glorious event is not presented, as a solemn attestation of heaven to the character and pretensions of Christ, and a most illustrious evi'dence, given by God, that the atonement of his Son was accepted, and might safely be relied upon by the whole human race: but after some benefits resulting from it, great indeed, but not exclusively appropriate, are enlarged upon, the persons, for whose especial use this volume is intended, are informed, that Adam introduced death, and a separate existence of the soul after death, and that the Redeemer came to confer upon mankind the benefit of a re-union of the soul with a glorified body to live for ever. p. 315. We confess that, had this been our assertion, we should have felt some difficulty in supporting it by Scripture. Dr. Napleton's sermons are written with sufficient eloquence, and occasionally with animation. It is a peculiarity in this author's style, that he frequently places the adjective, or adjectives, after the substantive, and sometimes, but not always, with a good effect. In our elder writers, particularly divines, this was an usual construction. In other respects we think the style of Dr. Napleton reprehensible, by being rather classical, than scriptural. There is a perspicuity and force in the greater part of scripturalexpressions, especially upon their proper subject, which recommend them powerfully to the clergyman, who would be understood, and would influence. There is something very inadequate, and to us rather heathenish, in the use of the terms "virtue" and "vice," where the Scripture would employ those of "holiness" and "sin." These terms are perpetually recurring in Dr. Napleton's Sermons. We cannot refrain likewise from objecting to the apparently timid, involved, and ambiguous manner, in which this divine speaks of sin and its effects. There are sentiments also expressed relative to the state of the human heart, which might be palliated, but, we think, can never be excused. Such as-"The seeds of good-will and kindness are sown in every heart." p. 79. "Have I obeyed the uncorrupted feelings of my heart, the dictates of my reason?" &c. among the questions which a sick person will make to himself. p. 293. "Directed and strengthened by these divine assistances, our native love of truth and virtue leads us to various degrees of goodness." p. 362. Upon the whole, although we are ready to allow a portion of merit to particular parts, and to some entire sermons, in this volume, we cannot forbear remarking, that the subjects selected appear to be of far too general a nature, and too generally treated, where not so, to interest or edify the particular classes to whom the sermons are addressed. It is a defect too, for which we should hardly know how to account, that so few of the topics introduced are strictly christian, or evangelical. We had hoped, that complaints of this kind would be less frequently called for against the more serious description of divines, since the justly popular sermonsof Mr.Gisborne have evinced the compatibility of elegant writing CHRIST. OBSERVER, No. 52. with evangelical teaching; and have afforded, at once, the encouragement of example, and the shelter of authority, to those, who, like him, should be disposed to make the distinguishing doctrines and duties of Christianity the subject of their labours, either from the pulpit or the press. The Christian Mirror, exhibiting some of the Excellencies and Defects of the religious World, containing various Essays in Prose and Verse. London, Williams and Smith, 1805. 12mo. pp. 285. THIS little volume manifests the best intentions, and the talents employed in accomplishing them are on the whole respectable. The essays are twenty-seven in number, and the subjects selected are of considerable practical moment; their object he ing to exhibit just and scriptural views of the Christian character, and to correct those inconsistencies of conduct in persons professedly religious, which shade its excellence and diminish its effect. It is impossible, however, to proceed far without discovering even in the mere turn of many of the expres sions the school of the author. This defect which has been ably exposed by Mr. Foster in his essays, is particularly objectionable in a work of a miscellaneous nature. It serves to repel the bulk of readers. And it is the less defensible on this occasion, as the author appears perfectly capable of giving an intelligible version of the peculiar phraseology to which we object, in the language (as Mr. Foster expresses it) of pure intellect. We also meet occasionally with a coarseness both of sentiment and language which ought to have been avoided. In the progress of the work several characters are delineated illustrative of the effects of piety in persons of different complexional habits and propensities. They are in general placed in lights which re Kk flect much instruction and improve ment; but they labour under the same disadvantage with the author's style; that is to say, they partake of the peculiarities incident to his own circle, and will not often be recognized beyond it. As a favourable specimen of the author's manner, and as calculated at the same time, to teach some useful lessons, we shall present our readers with an account of Miss Lively, designed to exemplify the faults to which a person of ardent feelings is liable, even when earnestly engaged in pursuing a religious course. This extract will serve also to illustrate some of the defects with which we have ventured to charge the work. "Miss Lively was a young lady of an amiable temper, great sincerity, and an uncommon flow of spirits; to these natural qualifications was added every accomplishment which might be expected from an affluent situation in life: her company was sought by all the young and gay of her acquaintance, and every visit seemed dull if Miss Lively was not of the party. "Her friends, however, discovered that she was suddenly become gloomy and melancholy; her company was no longer pleasant, and she, whom every one had admired and flattered, was sneered at as a methodist, and avoided as a religious enthusiast ;-the only kind of enthusiasm which worldly people uniformly condemn. A man may be an enthusiast in poetry, painting, music, or philosophy; that is, he may be unreasonably attached to them, and the world will admire him for that very attachment; but let him shew as great a zeal for the cause of God, and the welfare of his soul, (a cause to which our attachment can never be unreasonably strong, nor our attention too eager,) and every tongue will condemn him. "The following circumstance occasioned the change in Miss Lively, which rendered her so very disagreeable to her former admirers. On a Lord's day evening one of Miss Lively's friends proposed going to hear a popular minister, who was to preach in the town where she lived. As, from unexpected disappointments, they could not make up their party at cards; it was thought the dull hour might as well be passed away in the house of God, and accordingly these two ladies agreed to go. The discourse was occasioned by the death of a young person who had been suddenly called into eternity: the sermon was adapted to the event, and, for once in her life, Miss Lively became serious. She listened, mused, wondered at the truths she heard, and in vain endeavoured to conceal her flowing tears. When the service was over she went home with her companion, but not a word was spoken. Each of them carefully concealed from their friends the place where they had been; the one, because she was ashamed of what she felt, and the other, because she was angry with herself, for having been the occasion of all this anxiety and distress to her amiable friend. It was, however, soon visible enough to all, that Miss Lively was deeply affected with something; but nobody could account for it: one suspected she was ill, another that she had been offended: they were willing to suppose any thing, rather than that their gay companion could be so weak as to be affected by anything said in a pulpit. They thought of a thousand other causes, while she at an early hour retired to her chamber; but it was to weep, not to rest. The faithful warnings of the preacher still rung in her ear, and she could not sleep. Her distress continued for several days, and was increased by the attempts of her friends to remove it. Their amusements, their pleasures, their vain conversation was loathsome to her: instead of healing they aggravated the wound in her conscience; and in the whole circle of her acquaintance there was not one who could direct her to a remedy. At length it was settled, by all, that she had lost her senses; and the poor distracted girl became the subject of conversation and pity in every company. It was found out that she had been meddling with religion, and there was not a doubt but it had made her mad. Every expression of sympathy for her was mingled with a caution against having too much to do with religion; and her connexions rejoiced in the persuasion, that they had just enough to carry them to heaven, without the possibility of its causing any derangement on earth. Indeed, her distress was so great, that, had she not met with relief, it might have ended in real lunacy: but he who knoweth our infirmities, and remembereth we are but dust' administered to her strong consolation. Under hearing the same minister who had filled her mind with terror, she experienced a degree of comfort. While he was representing Christ as the able and willing Saviour of the chief of sinners, her fears were dissipated, the garment of praise was given her for the spirit of heaviness, and the oil of joy for mourning. She now became as cheerful as ever, but her happiness flowed from a different source: praise was continually in her lips. She became anxious to bring her acquaintance to the same Saviour whom she had found, and fondly imagined if they would but give her a hearing, they must be convinced. "The truths of the Gospel appeared to her so plain and so interesting, that she thought wherever they were heard they must be received with gladness. With these views, in all companies, she made religion the subject of her conversation; hence her carnal acquaintance soon forsook her. Miss Lively now laid aside her fashionable dresses, distributed her feathers, her ribbands, and other gaudy articles of her wardrobe, and assumed the dress of a methodist, or a quaker. Thus she completely ruined her reputation with her former friends; and of all her late admirers, there was scarcely one who would speak to her. This might be wisely ordered by Providence, for her good: as in consequence of it, without any difficulty, she was freed from connexions which, on account of her vivacity, would have been to her a perpetual snare. From a natural easy turn of mind she could well endure the frowns of the world, and smile at its contempt; but its smiles and caresses must have ruined her. "She soon acquired a new set of acquaintance, who, though inferior, to her former ones in quality, in fortune, and in rank, were greatly superior to them in virtue, piety, and solid worth. Their society contributed much to her comfort, and growth in grace. She had a heart peculiarly formed for the enjoyments of christian communion, and she frequently stood in need of the counsel, and sometimes of the gentle rebukes of her judicious friends. Her inexperience in religion, and the warmth of her temper frequently led her into errors. She was always judging of her state in the sight of God, by her own frames and feelings: thus, if she was in a lively frame, she would think well of her state, but when her natural spirits sunk, she would then imagine there was no grace in her heart. The last sermon she heard was the worst, or the best she had ever heard in her life: and if the preacher did but move the passions, however injudicious, or erroneous, if not grossly so, he was sure to have her applause. If any person appeared at all under serious impressions, Miss Lively would at once pronounce them converted, and was, sometimes, angry with the more grave and thoughtful, who wished to judge of the tree not by its blossoms but by its fruits. Her friends lamented her want of self-government; she was somehow betrayed into levities unbecoming her profession. Being in the habit of feeling and speaking warmly, she would often make strong declarations of attachment, when, perhaps, she hardly meant half what she said; and sometimes she would make promises, without considering whether she could fulfil them; not to say that she now and then forgot to fulfil them when she was able to do it. "Hasty in her decisions, she would often say and do many imprudent things, and frequently did not use the best means for attaining desirable objects: though it must be allowed, by her activity in embracing seasons of doing good, she often accomplished her end, when the more prudent and cautious Christian has lost the season in reflecting upon the most proper means of improving it. The poor often felt her benevolence, and the afflicted were often refreshed by her kind and friendly visits: her soul was disposed to sympathy; she wept with them that wept, and rejoiced with them that rejoiced. Lukewarm professors would be disposed to mark every little failing in a character whose zeal reproached their own indifference: and it is to be lamented that she so often furnished them with an opportunity. Her more intimate friends admired the excellencies, without overlooking the defects of her character, and would sometimes warn her of her danger; neither was she backward in taking reproof: but whether the warnings were not given with sufficient faithfulness, or repeated with sufficient frequency, we cannot determine: however it was, Miss Lively seemed but little benefitted by them; her natural disposition got the better of every effort, and she continued the same imprudent, affectionate, changeable, amiable creature. "At length her haste and imprudence became its own cure; and the kind providence of God accomplished that by afflictions, which the concern of her friends had in vain attempted. A few months after Miss Lively's conversion, her relatives became so far reconciled as to behave towards her with civility, and she visited them occasionally. At first her visits were short, and she was always upon her guard, and was generally accompanied by some christian friend. But one day, unhappily, she made one among a large party, composed of carnal and worldly persons. Miss Lively had gained the object, he was not very ceremonious in throwing off the mask which Miss Lively had given him the trouble of wearing but for a short time: at first he laughed at all religion as fit only for women and fools, and at length, he openly and violently persecuted his amiable wife. "It is unnecessary to enter into a particu lar account of the trials which Mrs. D— was now called to undergo. With difficulty, and very rarely, could she attend the public means of grace; and in a great measure she was cut off from all her religious connexions. These were heavy trials. She had no companion but her Bible, no friend but her God and Saviour, no means of grace but those of a private nature: nevertheless she has often said that before her afflictions, she talked about religious enjoy ments; now she knew what they were. Her devotions were indeed often interrupted by blasphemy and abuse, her Bible some She had times taken from her; but nothing could "This flower, which now displayed new charms, and appeared peculiarly beautiful, was not long to adorn the garden of God on earth. Severe trials, in a few years, exhausted the spirits of the once animated Miss Lively and though her mind was vigorous, and her soul in prosperity, yet her body sunk under the pressure of accumu lated trials, and after a short and rough continuance here, she was removed into that state where the wicked ccase from troubling, and the weary are at rest'." Essays the sixth and eleventh discuss the subject of theatrical amusements, which are satisfactorily shewn to be incompatible with the purity of mind and manners requir ed by Christianity. We recommend the perusal of these essays to such of our readers as either entertain doubts on this subject, or wish to be assisted with arguments against the amusements in question. Of the poetry which is largely scattered throughout the volume, it is sufficient to say, that no part of it rises above mediocrity. |