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It is not possible for the Gospel to be professed in its unsophisticated energy and spirit, without exciting the opposition of mankind Let us imagine that an individual among the lower orders of society, from a course of life overtly flagitious, should become a reformed and exemplary character. This change, being imputed to merely moral causes, or to motives of ex pediency, would most certainly procure him a degree of respect and encourage. ment which he could not otherwise have enjoyed It is evident, therefore, that morality, simply considered, is far from being an object of contempt or persecution But if the individual under consideration should openly avow that it was the denunciations of the Bible against sin, that first excited his alarm; that, despairing of salvation by his own merits, he had learned to trust wholly and implicitly to the merits of Him who came to take away the sins of the world; and that, in correspondence to his new nature, and as a proof of his sincerity, he had solemnly resolved to live no longer to himself, but to Him who had bought him with the price of his own blood; and if in future he were to make it his undivided aim, to fulfil his baptismal engagements, to confess the faith of Christ crucified, to fight manfully under his banners, and to continue his faithful servant and soldier unto his life's end, and were to exemplify in las conduct that holiness, spirituality, and self-denial, which such resolutions were calculated to inspire,would the same result take place as in the former instance? Would he not rather be censured than applauded by the world around him? Would not his name be often heard in connexion with the terms hypocrite, enthusiast, and others of similar import? In a word, would he not be one instance among many, that the offence of the cross has not ceased; but that, wherever our holy reliangion appears, in its genuine form, the hatred of mankind is sure to be excited against it? The sarcastic hint, the retorted sneer, the malice of the tongue, the annoy. ing vexations of petty insult, are still employed, in place of more formidable weapons, to oppose the Gospel, as often as it is seen in its natural energy and spirit; and the wounds inflicted by these poisoned arrows, though not worthy to be compared with the persecutions of the first Chris tians, are yet usually far more than an unconverted Minister will consent to endure. No regularity of deportment, no consistency with the doctrines and discipline of the Establishment, no amiableness of manners and disposition, nothing, in short, but

an unholy compliance with the world, can entirely prevent the reproach which every minister of Christ is appointed to sustain." pp. 60-62.

He concludes this part of the Essay, with the following para graph :—

"These, then, appear to be some of the chief evidences by which a converted minister may be distinguished from an unconverted one. But to delineate the ministerial character adequately is impossible; for who can fully conceive what that man ought to be, who is sent by the Sovereign of the Universé as his herald to a world in arms, with denunciations of wrath which the tongue of angels might faulter to proclaim; and with tidings of love and mercy so ineffable and divine, that even imprisoned demons, were they interested in them, would melt with contrition, and rejoice once more to employ the golden harps of heaven in singing songs of glory and praise to their beneficent Creator? Were a minister to walk altogether worthy of his high vocation, it would be impossible to mistake his character. He would appear among men as an inhabitant of a superior world. conversation would be in heaven. Elevated above earth, he would learn to look down with equal eye on its honours and its frowns, its sorrows and its enjoyments. His spotless garments would be uncontaminated with its pollutions. Employed in the same, or even a higher work than that of angels, he would participate their spirit. His manners would be celestial. Like the Redeemer himself, he would appear on earth but as one come to do good; and when his course was finished, would quit it with a hope full of immortality and glory."" p. 64.

His

After the citations, which have now been presented to our readers, it is almost superfluous for us to say any thing by way of commendation. These passages will recommend themselves: and we consider them as fair specimens of the work. It will be evident, even on the most cursory perusal, that the writer is deeply impressed with the sacredDess of his subject: and that he has brought to the examination of it, a mind capable of reflection and well

stored with scriptural knowledge. His method has the great merit of plainness and simplicity. In select ing the several signs of "conversion and unconversion," he has displayed a correct judgment, and evinced-although a undergraduate -a thorough acquaintance with the nature and duties of the pastoral office. The different branches of discussion, which he has introduced as subservient to the main design, are intimately connected with the question, and deserve all the prominence that he has given to them. In stating his own sentiments, he is distinct and forcible: he speaks with firmness and decision: no man can be more free from a narrow or dogmatical disposition. A writer of less judgment, or of more limited views would have probably indulged a controversial spirit. For it is a lamentable fact, that scarcely any argument, which relates to the duties or principles of the clergy, can be conducted in the temper of fair and liberal inquiry. But the pamphlet of Mr. Wilks is a noble exception: he takes up the subject on a right ground, and prosecutes his task in the temper and spirit of a Christian. In so young an author, we might naturally look for some deficiency of taste, and some want of discrimination; we might expect to find certain propositions hastily advanced, or maintained without the requisite guards and limitations. But we have seen nothing of the sort: however young in years, he is mature in intellect and we exceedingly deceive ourselves, if he should fail to prove a valuable accession to that church of which we understand he is now a minister. We presume that this pamphlet must have been generally dispersed through the diocese of St. Davids: and we shall consider ourselves as rendering a real service to the interests of piety and religion, if we can promote its wider circulation.

Happy would it be, if every clergyman in the kingdom were animated by the principles which are here recommended, and were careful tó display their efficacy in his life and conversation!

It is possible, that some persons may object to the Essay in toto, on the ground of exclusive Christianity; the evidence proposed of a "converted" minister, must imply that clergymen of an opposite character are "unconverted." Now it must surely be admitted that a wicked man is not in a state of conversion : his life condemns him, and it is likewise plain that some doctrines are according to Scripture, and some are opposed to it. It cannot for example be true, that our creed with respect to the Trinity, is at the same time scriptural and unscrip. tural: that men are justified by their faith alone in Christ Jesus, and are also justified, in some way, by their works: that the Holy Spirit is a person, and that he is not a person: that our minds are naturally prone to evil, and that they are equally inclined to good; and it is therefore obvious, that some men preach true doctrines and some preach false. To censure any person as the advocate of an exclusive system can hardly be the part of wisdom, unless it can be proved that his teaching is inconsistent with Scripture. If he speak according to the oracles of God, his system to a certain extent is and must be exclusive. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned."

We cannot conclude without referring to an advertisement, which is prefixed to the Essay. We were surprised to find in it one or two remarks upon baptism which we are unable to reconcile with the obvious sentiments of Mr. Wilks. We are morally certain that the passage which imputes to baptism the power of "redeeming from ori

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GREAT BRITAIN.

&c. &c.

PREPARING for publication: A new edition of Dr. Pinkard's Work on the West Indies;-The Travels of Robert Johnston, M.A. F.L.S., through Russia and Poland, with plates, &c.;-The Philosophy of Human Nature, by Mr. Duncan ;-Arabia, a Poem, with Notes, by the Rev. Johnson Grant, A. M.;-Display, a Tale for Young People, by Jane Taylor, one of the Authors of "Original Poems; "-A volume of Poems by Mr. Grenfel;-A quarterly periodical Work, entitled the Biblical Jour. nal, by Mr. Bellamy, the Author of the History of all Religions;-An Abridgment of the "True Christianity" of the venerable John Arndt, by Mr. Wm. Jacques ;The Heavens Surveyed; or, Astronomy made Easy, by Bonnel George Thornton; -A Treatise on the Economy of Fuel and Management of Heat, by Robertson BuchaDan, civil engineer -England at the Beginning of the 19th Century, by M. de Lewis-The Theological Works of Arminius ;—Dictionary of Merchandise, by C. H. Kauffman, 8vo. 12s.

The celebrated dramatic poet Werner, whose tragedies, founded on the life and writings of Luther, have attracted so much attention in Germany, has embraced Pope. ry. The history commonly given of his Conversion to the Church of Rome, is singular. He had repaired to Vienna for purposes of amusement. One evening, while employed in contemplating the cathedral of St. Stephen, and absorbed by the reflections which so easily suggest themselves to a man of lively imagination, he saw the door of the cathedral open, and a

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priest issue from it, carrying the host in procession to a dying person, with much solemnity, and amidst the light of torches. Struck with the picturesque effect of the procession, the poet, with a rapidity somewhat congenial to his function, at once felt a yearning to Popery; went to Rome, ab. jured Lutheranism, and united himself to the Church of Rome, in the Basilica of St. Peter. He has now returned to Germany, as a popish preacher, and attracts most numerous and splendid congregations. Several of the foreign princes are said to have been among his hearers. His countenance is striking, his voice absolutely sepulchral; and he carries this claim to at tention, that he has manifested the sincerity of his change by passing two years in eremetical seclusion at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. If any dependence may be placed on the accuracy of this account, which has obtained considerable currency, this is a singular instance of the mischievous influence of an over wrought imagination. Popery could have gained nothing from the circumstances of the host being carried by "torch-light," except in the eyes of one whose imagination had got the better of his reason. A very different account, however, of the change of communion in Werner, has reached us, viz, t That such was the prevalence of scepti cism in Germany, as to drive him, in com. mon with many well-disposed persons, to Popery, in pursuit of the nearest approach to orthodoxy. We ourselves remember to have heard a person, not very far distant from Vienna, declare that "he thought Jesus Christ not a better man than Kant, the philosopher." From such opinions even

Popery is not a bad retreat, if no other were to be found.

The seventh edition of a sermon preached at Cadiz, by Father Blasius Ostalaya, has issued from the Spanish press. The immediate cause of its popularity appears to be the account it gives of the domestic employments of Ferdinand VII, at Valentia. That sovereign, it seems, began the day with prayers, confessions, and offices of piety; and then proceeded, much to the satisfaction of the worthy confessor, to embroider a robe for the virgin Mary.

It is a general complaint, that the finest apples of this country have degenerated. It would not be difficult to shew that every successive graft deteriorates the fruit engrafted. It may be of use to suggest a scheme for securing the race of apples which has been recommended by very scientific gardeners. Every perfectly ripe apple contains some flat and some round seeds. The round seeds will produce good trees; the flat will produce the crab, on which the tree has been originally grafted.

At the table of Collector Anderson, of Thurso, was lately produced a dish of potatoes, being part of a second crop during the same year. The first crop was planted in March, and taken up on the 10th of July; the second was planted the 14th of July,

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M. Thiebaud de Berneaud, one of th

librarians at the Mazarine Library, has been during several years employed in bringing forward a translation of the work of Theophrastus on the history of plants: and to render his labours more correct, be has travelled through various parts of Italy, for seven years, on foot. And yet a man shall decide upon the comparative claims of Calvinism and Arminganism, who has not thought for seven weeks on the subject of religion.

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Mr. Forbes, the benevolent author of a late splendid work, cailed Oriental Me. moirs, states the fact of his having for some time, when in India, kept a cameleon Its general colour was "a pleasant green," spotted with pale blue. Its customary changes were to a bright yellow, a dark olive, and a dull green but when irritated, or when a dog approached, the body be. came inflated, and the skin clouded like tortoise-shell. The animal was most affected by any thing black, and carefully avoided the skirting-board of the room, which was of that colour. The change of colour appeared to be painful to it.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

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drawn up under the Direction of the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Bart.; in five large volumes, Svo. with engravings and plates. 4to. 41. 4s.

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Introduction to the Science of the Law; by Frederick Ritso, Esq 8vo 9s.

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by R. Bell, Esq. Advocate, second Edit. 2 vols. 8vo.

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LONDON

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS.

THE following paper has been transmitted to us, containing a brief sketch of this Society, as it exists under its new constitution, conducted on the principles of the Established Church :-Patron, his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent ;--President, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. M. P.;-Vice. Presidents, His Grace the Duke of Devonshire; Right Hon. Earl of Crawford and Lindsay; Right Hon. Earl of Stamford and Warrington; Right Hon. Earl Grosvenor; Right Hon. Earl of Besborough; Right Hon. Earl of Egmont; Right Hon. Lord Viscount Northland; Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Cloyne; Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Killaloe; Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Meath; Right Hon. Lord Dundas; Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe; Right Hon. Lord Erskine; Right Hon. Lord Robert Seymour; Hon. and Very Rev. Dean of Wells; Right Hon Chancellor of the Exchequer; Sir George Leith, Bart; Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart.; Thomas Babington, Esq. M. P.; Estcourt Cresswell, Esq.; Christ. Observ. No. 160.

George Freek Evans, Esq.; John Louis Goldsmid, Esq; William Henry Hoare, Esq.; William C Hogan, Esq; Thomas Read Kemp, Esq. M. P.; Ebenezer Maitland, Esq; Hon. Charles Noel Noel, M. P. Lewis Way, Esq.; W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P; Matthew Wood, Esq. and Alderman;-Treasurer for the General Fund, Benjamin Shaw, Esq M. P.;-Treasurer for the Hebrew Testament, Thomas Read Kemp, Esq. M. P.;-Secretaries (gratis), The Rev. Basil Woodd, M A. Rector of Drayton Beauchamp, Bucks.-The Rev. Chas. Sleech Hawtrey, M. A. Vicar of Whitston, Monmouthshire,-The Rev. David Ruell, M. A. Chaplain to the County of Middlesex.

"The rectors of the London Society for preoting Christianity among the Jews,* relying upon the Christian benevolence of the British public, and their readiness to promote every undertaking which has for its object the temporal and eternal welfare of mankind, earnestly request the favour of their patronage and assistance 2 L

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