Retrofpec? of Domeftic Literature.—Theology, Se. 
This work, ona fubjeét which has ever 
prefented confiderable difficulty to fome 
fe&s of Chriftians, is replete with learn- 
ing: Mr. Belfham, who is perfonally ad- 
dreffed, will perhaps think it incumb-nt 
upon him to defend his tenets, and we 
are perfuaded, that a controverfy. con- 
duéted by two fuch competent and candid 
Writers, will throw coniiderable light on 
the fubject. 
«¢ Sermons by the Rev. Joan Wicur 
Wickes, M.A.’ The chaplain to a 
regiment, on the eve of an engagement, 
may, in order to infpire the troops, in- 
dulge himfelf in language which ill be- 
comes the clergy in general, whofe ofhice 
it is to fpread peace on earth, and good 
will towardsmen. Thefe fermons are po- 
litical: th-y are not well written, but 
feveral paflages prefent a favourable fpe- 
cimen of the author’s talents, which, now 
that peace is concluded, he will probably 
feel dilpofed to apply in a manner more 
confiftent with the holine({s of his office. 
Mr. LowELu’s “* Sermons,” are of 
common-place value: they did very well 
for the pulpit, but -are fcarcely worthy 
of the prefs. In the courfe of the laft 
year, a fifth and final volume. appeared 
‘of “* Sermons,” from the elegant and pi- 
ous pen of Dr. BLair: they were pre- 
pared for the prefs by himéelf, but he 
Jived not to witnefs the publication of 
them. This tafk was undertaken by his 
friend and f-llow-labourer in the vineyard, 
Dr. Finlayion, who has prefixed to this 
volume, a biographical fetch of the ve- 
nerable man, whofe laft legacy it con- 
ta'ns. 
The Bifhep of Durham’s “ Charge to 
the Clergy othis Diocefe,”’ is a very pious 
and liberal! difcourfe: the +advice which 
he offers to the clergy is found; and, if 
genera'ly followed, would add much to 
the refpeétability of that body. 
Dr. SrurGrs, Chancellor of Win- 
chefter, has pleaded the caufe of the non- 
refidert clergy, in a pamphlet, entitled, 
«° Thoughts on the Non-refidence of the 
Clergy, and on the Provifion of the Sta- 
tute of the 21% of Henry VIII. c. 13.” 
An anonymous author has addrefled, in a 
Jetter to Mr. Baron Maferes, fome *‘ Ob- 
f rvations on Dr.Sturges’sPamphlet :”? the 
dubject is diicuffed in a very able end 
gentlemanly manner, by both the‘e writers. 
Mr. Hare’s ‘* Effay on the Unreafon- 
ablenefs of Scepticifm,”” is a well timed 
work: it difplays much reading! and in- 
genuity, and may he placed on the fame 
thelf with the two.popular works of Dr. 
Pyetyman-and Dr, Watfon. Popular, 
Ey P 
G41 
however, 2s is the work of the former 
Right Reverend Prelate, many perfons 
thnk that it contains fuch an avowal of 
difbelief on fome of the do&trines infifted 
on by the Church of England, that a man, 
whole ideas of honefty are of the old fa- 
fhioned and vulgar fort, would retire 
from the dignities, and decline the emo- 
luments which ke derives from it. This 
feems to be the cafe with “ a Prefbyter,”” 
who has *¢ vindicated the Church of Eng- 
Jand from mifieprefentation, fhewing her 
genuine Dotrines, as contained in her Ar- 
ticles, Liturgy, and Homilies, with a parti- 
cular Reterence to the Elements of Chrift 
tian Theology, by the bithop of Lin- 
coln.”” This prefbyrer has called the bi- 
thop to a very ferious account, by pointing 
out feveral (riking contradictions between 
the do&trines maintained in that work, 
and the articles and canons of the church. 
But the fophiftical moralift, Mr. Paley, 
can argue away the folemn act of fub{crip- 
tion, as a mere marter of form, and his 
arguments probabiy are not thrown away 
on the learned prelate, who has not hi- 
therto, we believe, intimated any inten- 
tion of weaning himfelf from the rich nu- 
triment which he draws from the full 
maternal bofom of that church, of which 
he is confidered as a recreant fon. 
Mr. Joun SimPpson’s “ Internal and 
Pielumptive Evidences of Chriftianity, 
confidered feparately, and as uniting to 
form one Argument,” isan excellent com- 
pilation. Mr. Simpfon has arranged his 
materials in admirable order, and his 
arguments are very per!picuoufly ftated. 
“¢ Hore Mofaice; or, a View of the 
Mofaical Records, &c. by Gtorce 
STanLey Faper, A M. &c.” In thefe 
pages, the author has taken a view of the 
Mofaical documents, bothwith regard to 
their credibility, and with regard to their 
connection with Chriftianity. Their cte- 
dibility refults partly from external, and 
partly from internal evidence; a remark- 
able hiftorical coincidence with profane 
antiquity conftituting the one, and vari- 
ous arguments derived from an atten‘ive 
furvey of the documents themfelves, 
ferving to eftablifh the other. Thefe 
Bampton Leétures, inftead of being printed 
as uiual, in the form of fermons, are di- 
vided into fections and chapters, and oc- 
cupy two oftavo volumes. 
A fecond edition, publifhed for the be- 
nefit of the Philanthrephic Society, has 
juft appeared, of the * Sermon and Charge 
of the Right Reverend Joun TLHomas, 
L.U.D. late Lord Bifhop of Rochefter, 
and Dean ef Weftmintter; to which 
is 
