THE BRITISH CRITIC, FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, MDCCC VIII. Et miferorum ut malevolentes fint, atque invideant bonis. PLAUTUS VOLUME XXXI. London: PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, 1808... Printed by Law and Gilbert, St. Jolm's Square, Clerkenwell. PREFACE. WHILE a ray of light begins to beam upon us from an unexpected quarter, we commence a new Preface. Whether the late events will lead to a happy and extenfive change in Europe, or only to fresh fcenes of cruelty and carnage, muft for fome time be uncertain: but we, who have always been no lefs friendly to true liberty, than hoftile to democratic anarchy, cannot but fend up the warmest vows in favour of the Spanish Patriots, whofe glorious example, if it fhould animate other countries to a like refiftance, would foon produce the downfall and difgrace of ufurpation and injuftice. -Quod felix fauftumque fiet. In the mean time, we keep the even tenor of our way, and commence our sketch of Literature with that which in this country ever has, and we truft ever will be confidered as the most important topic. DIVINITY. We fhall begin with volumes of Sermons, as they happen to be at present the most memorable articles on our lift and firft with the truly excellent volume of the acute and logical Paley. We were rather premature in our hopes, when we flattered ourselves in April laft, that the obftacles to the general publication of this pofthumous volume were at length removed. Not till the month of July were our wishes gratified, when the advertisement at length appeared, by permission of the Executors. We are far from intending any cenfure by itating this delay; we know that there were found realons for it, though of a different clafs from thofe which were in our contemplation. Paley's Sermons, however, are at length publifhed, and we congratulate our readers on the acceffion of fo much Chriftian inftruction. Two able works against Infidelity and Atheifm, next demand our attention: Mr. Van Mildert's Sermons at Boyle's Lecture, and Profeffor Vince's Confutation of Atheifm, on aftronomical principics. The former author takes an Hiftorical View of the rife and progrefs of Infidelity, from the earliest times: the latter brings all the knowledge of the profound aftronomer to bear against the doctrines of the Atheift; and at the fame time conveys, in the fimpleft manner, to those who may require it, the knowledge of the fcientific facts. A work fo worthy of an University, that nothing more appropriate could be offered by a profeffor to the ftudents. Mr. Cooper's fecond volume of Difcourfes maintains the character we beftowed upon the firft, as containing eloquent and fcriptural exhortations, on very momentous fubjects. Of Works on fpeculative or practical Divinity we muft now speak: and firft of the Lectures of the late Dr. George Campbell, of Aberdeen, on Syftematic Theology and Pulpit Eloquence. This pofthumous work appears to be given to the public with fidelity, from the papers of the author, of whose respectable See No. II. p. 159. and IV. p. 402. + No. III. p. 28. No. IV. p. 354. name name it is in general worthy; though we cannot wifh it to fuperfede the Lectures of Dr. Hey, or other initiatory works, more exactly adapted than this to the principles of our excellent Church. To the Effays of Mr. James Smith, of Dundee, on the Principles of Christianity*, we paid a particular attention, because they appeared to us to contain obfervations of great value; and because we hoped, by certain timely cautions, to affift the author in the completion of his defign, which is to occupy another volume. An anonymous publication, entitled Primitive Trutht, on the contefted queftion of the reformed Confeffions of Faith, is evidently the work of a learned and pious divine. We regard it alfo as one of the most powerful vindications of our Articles, from being intended to convey a Calviniftic sense; because the author, while he demonftrates this point, muft, in fome degree, have facrificed his own wishes to the love of truth. Turning to fmaller tracts, our attention is due to the truly Paftoral Letter of the Bishop of London ‡, addreffed to the leading people of all claffes in the Weft-India Islands; enforcing with a zeal, worthy of the character and fituation of the writer, the inftruction of the flaves in the principles of our Holy Religion. The excellent, though fmall, tract of Mr. Cockburn, on the genuine Epiftles of Ignatius §, deferves alfo our warmeft recommendation; as removing every shadow of reasonable doubt from a fubject of much collateral importance to Religion. In addition to the powerful arguments against Atheism, adduced by Paley, Mr. G. Clarke has furnished what he modeftly calls an humble Supplement, but what is, in truth, an argument well deferving to be fubjoined to thofe of the original writer. Nor will the grave theologians object, we conceive, to admit a Lady No. VI. p. 627. No. I. p. 31. No. III. p. 234. No II. p. 204. No. IV. p. 448. A 3 among |