145 
able, and the execution, in general, 
worthy of the design. Some passages, 
however, occur, in which an attempt at 
Duke, 
Red TG : 12mo. 
THIS is a republication of Mr. Les- 
lie’s Short and Easy Method with the 
‘Deists, “somewhat abridged and cuf 
tailed, and occasionally varied in ponit 
of language; especially with a’view to 
divest it of every opprobrious contro- 
versial term, and every irritating ex- 
pression of polemic defiance.”” As Mr. 
Art. XVIL. dn Enquiry into the Origin 
Agr. XVI. A Letter to a Noble 
of Letters, and the Discovery of the most useful Arts and Sciences: wherein it is attempted 
to prove, that the Knowledge of these Things originated in the East ; and hath been diffused 
" amongst Mankind by various Channels, but chiefly through the medium of the Ancient Jews, 
and those Writings which relate to their Political and Religious Economy. By the Rev. 
James Cretcuton, B.A, 8vo. pp. 51. 
THIS little work appears to be the 
production of a well-informed and be- 
uevolent mind, deeply convinced of the 
value of the sacred records, and. ear- 
estly desirous that their value should 
be fully appreciated by others. » The 
ebject of the author is very fully detailed 
in the title. A great number of inte- 
resting remarks are brought together, 
the result of much careful reading, but 
Agr. XVIII. Socrates and Jesus compared, By Josteru Paicstrey, LL. DL { 
FL R.S.  8vo. pp. 60. 
THE comparison here instittted is 
eminently favourable, as might be ex- 
pected, to the character of Jesus; who, 
though born in obscurity, and educated 
ina corner of the world, which the rays 
ef science and philosophy had not illu. 
minated, was, both in the manner of his 
public teaching, and the truths he com- 
municated, munch superior to the sage 
ot Athens. Besides his inferiority in 
these respects, Socrates was a polytheist 
and an idolater; his notions concerning 
piety and virtue were far from being 
perfect; and in his knowledge of a fu- 
ture state, he was as deficient as the rest, 
of his countrymen. a 
Great therefore as his character must 
be allowed to have been, that of Jesus 
was far greater: and hence Dr. Priestley 
justly thinks it impossible not to be sen- 
sibly struck with the peculiar advantage 
of revealed religion, such as that of the 
Jews and the Christians, in e::lightening 
THEOLOGY AND ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 
fine sentimental writing has produced, 
as it often does, mere rant and bom- 
bast. 
on the incontrovertible Truth of Christianity. 
pp: 88. 
Wrangham’s abridgment of this very 
excellent tract was noticed in our last 
volume, we have now only to add our 
thanks to the present editor, for endea- 
vouring to extend the circulation of one 
of the most demonstrative works we 
possess upon the truth of revelation. 
of True Religion; together with the Invention 
not laying any claim to novelty. If the 
author has not proved all his positions, 
he has done enough to convince every 
impartial enquirer that the western world 
is under no little obligation to the eastern, 
and that the writers of Pagan Greece — 
and Rome were indebted for many of — 
their beauties and their excellencies, to 
those whom the former in particular, 
arrogantly denominated barbarians. 
and enlarging the minds of men, and 
imparting superior excellence. Much 
has been said of the demon. of Socrates, 
or that divine voice by which he asserted 
that he received supernatural intima- — 
tions. It has been generally thought — 
that in these instances he was under the 
illusion of fancy. Dr. Priestley, how-— 
ever, “though far from forming any* 
fixed opinion on a subjeet of so great — 
obscurity, thinks, considering the cha-— 
racter of Socrates, and the tendency of © 
these intimations, that it may admit of | 
a doubt, whether they may not be sup- — 
posed to have come, in whatever manner © 
they were given, from God.” p. 29. P| 
This little tract, like most of the same | 
author; contains many important ob- 
servations; but, upon the whole, is less 
interesting than might have been ex 
pected, considering the subject and the’ 
writer. . 
