THE BRITISH BRITISH CRITIC, FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, PRINTED FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, No. 62, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. 1799. PREFACE. WE E return to our Anthology of the recent literature of our country, with the fame pleafure as ufual, well recollecting that our last half yearly period has not been lefs fruitful than its predeceffors, in works that deferve to be recorded. It is now the thirteenth time that we have performed this ufeful tafk; and a tolerable library might be formed, of the pleafing or important books which we have thus pointed out to public notice., DIVINITY. In commencing our remarks upon this fubject, we feel fome unavoidable compunction at the delay of one of two articles, which certainly ought to have appeared in this place: yet as they have been poftponed by caufes beyond our influence or controul, we cannot but hold ourselves excufable. We had before been betrayed into a fimilar fault refpecting Dr. Blayney's tranflation of Zechariah, which appeared in 1797, but was only mentioned in our prefent. volume. It is one of those works which tend, like the Jeremiah of the fame author, to complete the elucidation of the Prophetic Scriptures; and, confequently, is of high importance. Though Mr, Wintle differs, in one No. VI. p. 651. BRIT. CRIT, VOL. XIII. a or or two points, from Dr. Blayney, his Differtation* on the fecond Chapter of the fame Prophet deferves attention, as the work of a pious and able commenta The publication of Mr. Kett, entitled, Hiftory the Interpreter of Prophecyt, is a book of merit and utility. The firft volume, in particular, to which alone we can properly refer in this prefent Preface, contains the most diftinct and striking view we have yet feen, of feveral highly important Prophecies, and the circumftances of their accomplishment. Other works in divinity, that have lately occurred, are of lefs extent, excepting a few volumes of Sermons. Among thefe, the Family Sermons of Mr. E. Whitaker, are diftinguished for practical utility; thofe of the late Dr. Enfields, for clear and fenfible reafoning, in a pure and placid ftyle. To thofe who can diftinguish what is found, from the parts tainted with peculiar opinions, the latter will be an acquifition of real value. But that diftinction is very neceffary. Two other fets of Sermons may be mentioned as deferving general approbation, thofe of Mr. Marshall and Mr. Butcher; they did not feem to demand either an extended review, or a more particular notice in this place. An Efay on the Character of the Apostles and Evangelifts, by Mr. Graves**, of Dublin, has much animation and much merit; replying, with confiderable force, to the new or revived objections of Deifts. The articles that remain for us to recapitulate, are of a lighter form, though in many inftances highly excellent in matter. Among thefe a confpicuous place is certainly due to the well-timed Charge of the Bishop of Landaft Certain objections, which it was com pletely necellary to make to a particular paffagett, detract but httle from the general value of the Charge, which deferves to rank with the Addrefs of the fame No. VI. p. 655. § No. V. p. 468. P. 518. + No. VI. p. 600. ↑ No. IV. p. 423. No. IV. P/4337 Ibid. ** No. V. Pr/43311 See p. 13. tt No. I. p. 12) Prez Prelate*, as a patriotic and very useful publication. Of Sermons feparately published, we have lately examined an unufual number; and among them are very few without fome claims to notice and refpect. We can here mention only the most remarkable, which we will take in the order of their occurrence. The Affociation Sermon of Dr. Vincentt, is one of those rare productions which, while they imprefs every mind by the originality of their views, are intelligible to all, from the clearnefs of their statements, and the foundnefs of their arguments. We learn with fatisfaction, that fome important extracts from it have been reprinted by perfons of difcernment and confequence, to facilitate their circulation. Two difcourfes were published together by Mr. Vince‡, the Plumian Profeffor at Cambridge, in answer to the famous fophiftries of Hume, on the fubject of miracles. The topic is hardly more important, than the mode of treating it, adopted by the Profeffor, is fatisfactory and conclufive. The arguments that will fatisfy a found mathematician, are feldom of a light or trifling nature. Among the Faft Sermons, of which the prefent warfare has produced an annual harveft, there have been few, if any, more worthy of distinction than that of the Bishop of Durhams. The admonitions in it are well fuited to the time, and are expreffed with energy and dignity. Dr. Hay's difcourfe on the fame occafion, before the Houfe of Commons, is characterized alfo by a piety and good fenfe, which, from having frequently remarked, we have learned to expect in what he publishes. The last day of thanksgiving afforded to Dr. Rennel¶ alfo an opportunity of difplaying that energetic eloquence, and truly Chriftian fentiment, by which his difcourfes are always diftinguifhed. The occafion was triumphant, yet the difcourfe breathed the most pious See vol. xi. p. 200. No. IV. p. 397. + No. II. p. 196. No. III. p. 258. No. VI. p. 669. humility. |