the cure was rarely, if ever, effected without having recourse to mer

cury.

Although the cafes here recited, fixty in number, feem decifive of the inadequacy of the new medicines to cure the venereal disease in any of its stages, yet as the fubject is of the utmost importance, and an opinion contrary to that which is here attempted to be established, is held by perfons of refpectability, Mr. Blair contents himself in this publication with relating the facts, leaving the readers to draw their conclufions. To enable then the better to do this; and to eftirate the comparative weight of evidence on either fide, before he relates his own experiments, he has given a fummary view of the attestations that have been published in favour of the medicine, beginning with the letters from Mr. Scott, of Bombay, who first recommended them.

A careful examination of thefe cafes, thus exhibited together, will ferve better than any arguments to convince the unprejudiced reader, that the favourers of the new method have been much too fanguine in their commendations of it; as they were not warranted even from their own experiments to conclude, that the acids were capable of extirpating the difeafe; and yet fome of them feem to have hoped, that they might in time fuperfede the ufe of mercury. It is a corious fact, that this new method, as it is called, of curing the venereal difeafe, is only a revival of a practice that had been long fince tryed. Mr. Blair cites a cafe from doctor Turner of a patient who had been under the care of a noted philo-acidus of his time. The difeafe was by thofe medicines rendered only more inveterate, and was at length cured by the ufe of mercury.

We have avoided tranfcribing any of the cafes. The analyfis we have given will be fufficient for fuch of our readers as are not of the medical profeffion; thofe who are, will not, we truft, be fatisfied with any other evidence than what the book itself contains.

Mr. Blair acquaints his readers, that another collection of cafes, communicated to him by feveral gentlemen of the highest refpectability in the profeffion, is in the prefs, which will probably include, he adds, all he shall have occafion to say on the subject.

DIVINITY.

ART. 30. A Sermon, preached at the Vifitation held by the Archdeacon of Cornwall at Truro, on the 14th Day of May, 1798, by the Rev. William Gregor, A. M. 4to. 30 pp. 15. W. and T. Richardson. In examining fingle fermons, we can feldom allow ourselves much extent of remarks, or much citation of paffages. We are obliged to wrap up our account of them in fome general defcription of praise or cenfure, or fomething between both. Yet at times we give ourfelves a larger scope, when we are ftruck with the excellence of a particular fermon, or when we confider the contents as peculiarly proper for the times. Both these reasons unite in recommending the prefent fermon to the notice of our readers. We fhall therefore move a little beyond our ufual orbit, to lay parts of it before them.

"The grand object of the miniftry of the Apoftles," fays this preacher," was to found and promulgate a new religion, in open defiance of the power and prejudice of the world. They were called therefore to a work of difficulty and danger, which neceffarily brought forward all the bold and active energies of their nature. It follows therefore, that the Chriftian miniftry, which with the Apostles affumed a character of boldness and impetuofity, proportionate to the dangers and difficulties which oppofed their progrefs; now that thofe dangers, and difficulties have been removed by the establishment of Christianity, has fettled down into a new channel, and flows on with a more regular and tranquil current.-The apofties were, for the most part, uneducated and illiterate men; and by being fuch, they served more effectually the cause of the Gospel which they preached. But we, the prefent minifters of Chrift, in order to produce the fame end, must have recourfe to the aid of human learning, and make every kind of fudy pay its contribution to the oracles of God. As we are to travel into dif tant ages, and are to be converfant with languages and cuftoms different from our own, learning must hold up her torch before us, to guide us in the right way; that we may become true and faithful guides to others.

"Our ancestors had men among them who openly attacked, or who fecretly attempted to undermine the truth of Christianity; and experience has taught us, that the race is not extinct. We have had our fneerers and fcoffers at religion. The modern unbeliever goes over the fame ground that former unbelievers have gone before him: he fleaks upon us with the fame fubtle plaufibility, or endeavours to overwhelm our faith by the fame boldness of attack. The arms which were broken in their hands, he repairs anew; and adapting them to the temper of the times, wields them with the fame prefumptuous confidence of victory. Contempt will not difcourage the effrontery of fuch men, nor will repeated refutation confound them into filence; but, like fome noxious weeds, they throw forth a more bold and rank luxuriance under the very foot that treads them down. "Whilft I am recommending meeknefs," he fays afterwards, "towards thofe who oppose themselves to us on religious questions; far am I from meaning that indolence of temper, or that intellectual liftleffnefs, which flumbers over fubjects the most awful and momentous. I mean not that cold indifference as to the truths or doctrines of Christianity, which would fcreen itself behind plaufible pretences, and would fain dignify itfelf with the name of toleration and liberality of fentiment. ĺ mean not that accommodating faith, which is moulded into any form, nor that latitudinarian fpirit, which, like the sea, is never at reft, but at one time with infinuating address endeavours to fret away and under mine; or, at other times, with open violence indignantly affails that barrier, where reafon ought to end and faith begin."

After remarking fome of the horrible features of the confpiracy of fophifters againft Chriftianity, as exposed by M. Barruel, from their own letters, Mr. Gregor proceeds with thefe animated reflections.

"And what is this boafted philofophy to effect? Is it to change at once man's nature? Are its otacular decrees to fweep away all the

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BRIT. CRIT. VOL. XII. JULY, 1798.

known

known laws of truth and evidence, as obfolete and ufelefs? Is all testimony delufion, all history a fable? Has the world been in darkness, until this new philofophy has arifen upon it? But let us attend to the fruits of this new philofophy, for by its fruits it may be known." We have heard much of univerfal peace, the diffufion of happiness, and the establishment of the rights of men. But where, we might afk, has there been so restlefs, and fo infatiable an ambition, as is now exhibited to the world, diverging from that very nation which is the centre of this ILLUMINATING PHILOSOPHY? We fee there an ambition, that cafts away even the plausibility of the heroic virtues, and obtrudes itfelf upon our notice in all the deformity of fubtle selfishnefs. When has fuch a war been carried on, and by fuch means? Inftead of lofing any of its horrors, it has partaken of the unrelenting favageness of barbarifm.-In the general confufion and the mifery of the furrounding nations, we may feel for the fufferings of mankind, and may fear for ourfelves, but we cannot fear as to the ultimate event for Chriftianity. If we entertain any wavering or doubt on this head, we ourselves fhall cease to be Christians. No! The philofopher may affail our religion, but he will affail it in vain. As foon may the poor mole, groveling in his path of darkness, overthrow an Egyptia pyramid, or a fwarm of flies, rifing from the corruption of a dung-hill, eclipfe the fun; as that the craftinefs, or the power of man, mould prevail against the church of Chrift."

From thefe extracts our readers will fee and will feel for themfelves the excellencies of this fermon. It is animated with an honourable zeal for the Gospel. Its fentiments are ftrong and manly. Its language is clear, just, and energetic. While the language, the fentiments, and the zeal, kindle at times, as we have feen, into a noble flame of oratory.

ART. 31. The Dignity of the Miniflerial Office, and the relative Dution of Minifter and People. A Sermon, delivered in the Parish Church of Stoke-Newington, in the County of Middlefex, on the Sunday next after Inftitution, Nov. 26, 1797. By George Gafkin, D. D. Rector of that Parish, and of St. Ben'et, Gracechurch, in the City of London. 8vo. 32 PP. IS. Rivingtons. 1798.

After a fervice of eighteen years, as Curate of the parish of Newington, Dr. Gaskin has been advanced, very much to the honour of the patron, to the office of Rector: and he takes occafion in the opening of this difcourfe, and in a note, to ftate the circumstances of his fuc ceffion, and to expatiate on the merits of his predeceffor, Dr. Cook, of King's College. The remainder of the fermon explains, in a clear and very found manner, the reciprocal duties of a Chriftian Paitor and his flock. In the notes, good authorities are quoted, and excellent books recommended; and the whole is truly worthy of a man fincerely and confcientiously determined to fulfil every part of the obligation he had taken upon him, and to teach others to do the fame. It would be injuftice not to add, that the precepts and example of fuch a minifter as Dr. G. ought to be efficacious.

ART

AKT. 32. Deliverance from Enemies, a Ground for Thanksgiving. A Sermon, preached on the Day of general Thanksgiving, Dec. 19, 1797, in the Chapel of the Afylum for female Orphans. By William Agutter, A. M. Chaplain and Secretary to the Afylum. 8vo. 17 pp. 6d. Rivingtons. 1798.

To awaken the fincerity of gratitude for the deliverances we have received, Mr. Agutter gives a rapid but judicious sketch of the miferies that have been fo near us, contrafted with our own internal advantages. The fpirit of genuine piety pervades the whole difcourfe; and towards the clofe our excellent fovereign is most justly praised for his fteady perfeverance in the higheft duties, and for the example which, on that day in particular, he was fetting to his people. A few notes are fubjoined, pointing out facts and fources of information, which are far from unimportant.

ART. 33. Unanimity the best Defence of Religious and Civil Liberty; a Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of St. Andrew, Holborn, on Sunday, April 29, 1798, by Henry George Watkins, A. M. The fecond Edition, with additional Notes. 8vo. 32 pp. 15. Rivingtons.

This is a very refpectable and ufeful Sermon, but it begins unfor tunately; "The reafoning powers of our Saviour were wonderful.” (p. 9). We do not approve of fuch expreffions as radicals of Gofpel. religion; identity of Chriftianity (p. 13); real godlinefs the fame identical individual thing. (p. 16).

ART. 34. A Defence of the Old Teftament, in a Series of Letters, addreffed to Thomas Paine, Author of a Book, entitled "The Age of Reafan," &c. By David Levi. 8vo. 208 pp. 4s. Johnfon, &c. 1797. We fee little to commend in this controverfial pamphlet, but the good intention of the writer, who, with an honeft warmth, and a" zeal it is fcarcely poffible to blame, enters into a defence of an injured and calumniated people, whofe early hiftory has been fo bafely mifreprefented by Voltaire, Paine, the junto of atheistical philofophifts, and all the members of the propaganda of illuminifm. We differ on fo many effential points from Mr. David Levi (whom in a former article we have directly oppofed) that our teftimony in his favour, on the prefent occafion, cannot fubject us to the imputation of partiality or prejudice.

Mr. Levi, after adducing, with fome ability, the effential proofs of the divine miffion of Mofes, particularly that which refulted from God's fpeaking to him face to face in the prefence of fix thoufand men befides women and children, concludes with the following juft inference.

"And as it was by fuch extraordinary means, that they were brought to a firm belief in the miffion of Mofes, fo hath it never been effaced from the Jewish nation: for notwithstanding they fell into idolatry and other crimes, yet at no time whatever did the nation deny the divine miffion of Mofes, or abrogate his Laws. No, Sir; not the deftruction of our government, and the confequent difperfion of

H 2

the

the nation; the perfecutions of Heathens and Chriftians, and the af moft univerfal contempt of all nations, have ever been able to root it out of our hearts. In confequence of this, the laws of Mofes have been handed down to us through fo many ages and revolutions, ever the fame, and ever refpectable; whilft nothing remains of fo many forms of government of the most renowned nations, but the names of lawgivers affixed to fome fragments of their laws. But this is not all; not only the Jews, but two thirds of the habitable globe revere these laws, and look upon Mofes as divinely infpired. What human government ever had the like fuccefs ?" R92. He then contrafts the fate of the Laws inftituted by Lycurgus in particular, with thofe of Mofes, and points out the divine interpofition as the only affignable caufe of the difference.

It is furprifing that Mr. Levi, if he is Himself ignorant of the rules of grammar, and the laws of orthography, fhould not fubmit his publications either before, or after, they go to his printer, to the correction of fome judicious friend. The "Introductory Letter to Mr. Paine" in particular abounds with fuch falfe fpellings, and falfe concord, as would difgrace a fchoolboy of twelve years of age..

It is with the utmoft pleafure that we fubjoin a fact, established on the ftrongest evidence, and immediately connected with the fubject of this work. Mr. Stone, in his Letters to Dr. Priestley, (lately intercepted and published by Government, with every testimonial of their authenticity) fays, of France, "The people are, for the moft part, well intentioned, and were there the means of information, they would probably make good Chriftians. Nothing is read here on these fubjects, because nothing is written. We have feen nothing but Mr. Paine's Age of Reafon, of which an immenfe edition in French was pub Lifbed, and not twenty copies were fold." P. 25..

ART. 35. A Sermon, preached at Trinity Chapel, Warrington March 7, 1798, bing a Day appointed for a general Faft. By the Rev. John Woodrow, late of Catherine Hall, Cambridge. Svo. 24 PP. 1s. Eyres, Warrington; Lunn, London and Cambridge. 1798.

A fpirited and judicious oration, of which the text is Ifa. i, 8, 9We fhall give one short fpecimen of the preacher's fpirit, and another of his judgment. "The enemy that shall dare to fet his foot on this foil, in a hoftile manner, will tread on his own grave. In faying this, I utter not the voice of flattery. I feel my felf an Englishman amongst Englishmen; and I believe we have fo much of the spirit of our forefathers remaining with us, that we can fay that we will live freely [free] or we will die nobly, I'would not defpair of the issue of the caufe in which we are engaged, were things worse than they are, if we do not eftrange the love of him from us, to whom the battle belongeth."

P. 20.

"We must recollect, however, he hath no where told us that he will work for us, while we fit idle. All that we have a right to ask from him is a bleffing upon thofe means which we employ to obtain the object we have in view. Our whole life is a fase of probation,

requiring