ner; and many a fermon, excellent in other refpects, fails to reach the hearts of its hearers, because it is not compofed in that animated ftyle, nor delivered with that earnestness of manner, which are neceffary to attract and fix the attention of a mixed audience. Should a clergyman endeavour to rife above this level method, to read with greater propriety, or to preach with more vivacity than the majority of his brethren, the very attempt to excel is fure to meet with the difapprobation of many, who will afcribe it to an unwarrantable defire of popular applause, who will cenfure it as either methodistical or theatrical, and give him the title of orator as a term of reproach. It is indeed true that enthufiafts, by their extravagant flights, have often exposed themselves and their preaching to contempt, and that others, in their mistaken endeavours to be eloquent, have facrificed fenfe to mere found, and have been betrayed into a turgid declamatory ftyle. But the popularity frequently acquired by this falfe eloquence, is an additional reason for cultivating the true *. Nothing will fo effectually discourage the former, as the more general study of such a manner of compofition as fhall command the attention, and engage the feelings of the heart, as well as the affent of the understanding. Of this kind of pulpit eloquence, we have comparatively few models in our language, and in this refpect the French preachers have, in general, far excelled our own. Thefe, however, ought to be ftudied with caution; because, even in the most justly admired of them, amid the moft ftriking fpecimens of true eloquence, many inftances may be found of exaggerating declamation. Befide, fo different from theirs is the genius of our nation and language, that modes of expreffion, which might be used with the happieft effect to a French congregation, would appear extravagant and unnatural if adopted by an English preacher, For these reasons, we think the fermons in this volume peculiarly deferving of our attention, as poffeffing the advantages, while they are free from the defects, of the French manner of preaching. They have great merit both as argumentative difcourfes and as eloquent compofitions; and, though we believe they were written without any view to publication, they do honour to the memory of their refpectable Author, whofe learning and piety rendered him, during a long and useful life, one of the most valuable ornaments of the French Proteftant church. They are affectionate addreffes to the audience, and have, in a very high degree, that kind of eloquence which Cicero calls the ethic, and describes as ad naturas, et ad mores, et ad omnem con * Quare, meo quidem animo, nihilo minus eloquentiæ ftudendum eft, etfi ea quidam et privatim, et publice perverfe abutuntur; fed eo quiÇicero de inventione Rhetor. 1. 1. cap. iv. fuetudinen dem vehementius, Q9 3 fuetudinem accommodatum (Orator, cap. xxxvii). When the fubject requires it, the preacher fhews himfelf capable of rifing into the pathetic, and gives many fpecimens of true pathos, and unaffected fublimity of diction. They have alfo the advantage of being methodical without stiffness and formality. The precifion and clearness with which the text is explained, and the fubject deduced from it; the accuracy with which this is difcriminated and proposed; the folidity, force, and luminous arrangement of the arguments; the depth, yet perfpicuity of reafoning, by which they are illuftrated and applied; the ferioufnefs and fervour with which the practical inferences and exhortations are directed to the heart; together with the rational and animated fentiments of piety and devotion which prevail throughout the whole of thefe difcourfes, render them excellent models of that kind of compofition which feems best adapted to answer the beneficial ends of public inftruction. The two firft are ingenious and elaborate difcourfes on Heb. iii. 12. in which the nature of that practical unbelief, proceeding from a corrupt heart, is admirably defcribed and illuftrated; its effects and confequences are pointed out in a juft and striking manner, and the means of preventing it are recommended in that affectionate and earneft tone of perfuafion which refults from a deep fenfe of the importance of the fubject. The third fermon, from Jofhua xxiv. 24, is a very good practical difcourfe on the nature and reasonableness of a refolution to ferve the Lord. The fourth, which treats of meditation on the Divine perfections, is in a higher ftyle of compofition: it abounds with the moft fublime fentiments of piety, founded on the most rational and philofophical ideas of the Supreme Being. The eloquence of this difcourfe is truly fuch as belongs to the fubject. The fifth difcourfe, on the judgments of mankind, is a mafterly piece of moral reafoning, and fhews an uncommon acquaintance with the various caufes that unduly affect our manner of judging of actions and characters. The Author has here pointed out, more efpecially, with his ufual acutenefs, the defects of knowlege and the prejudices of felf-love, that render many incapable of difcerning true merit, and indifpofed to appreciate it with candour, even where it is difcerned. After many judicious obfervations on this head, he exemplifies the partiality and fallacy of human judgments, and their pernicious effects, in feveral cafes; and concludes this part of his difcourfe with the following paffage, which, though it muft lofe much of its beauty and energy in a tranflation, we fhall lay before our Readers: This, O bleffed Jefus, didft thou feel by bitter experience; and thy death, which exhibited an eternal monument of benevolence and charity to the universe, ftill proclaims to heaven and earth the hor rid iniquity of the judgments of men! Yes, my brethren, the fanctity of the Son of God diffufed inward fhame through the corrupt hearts of the pharifee and the scribe, and they accufed him of intemperance, fedition, and blafphemy. His miracles filled them with confufion, and they afcribed them to the aid of infernal powers. Conftrained to admire his fublime doctrine, they vented their malignity by throwing contempt on his perfon, and meanly reproaching him with the obfcurity of his birth. Exafperated by his just reproof, they beheld him only as an enemy. His virtues excited their envy; from envy they proceeded to hatred, from hatred to calumny, from calumny to violence; and this erected the cross on which the Saviour of the world expired.' The fixth fermon, from Proverbs xviii. 14. compares, in fe. veral affecting views, the good and the wicked when apprehenfive of impending adverfity, and when overtaken by it. The feventh, which is on religious gratitude, and the tenth, which treats of love to Chrift, are admirable models of that tender and affecting manner, which steals upon the heart, and engages the most amiable feelings in the caufe of religion. The eighth from Jeremiah xlvii. 6. was delivered on a public faft in 1746, and is replete with fentiments of genuine patriotifm, extenfive benevolence, and bold defcriptive paffages; and is, on the whole, a fine piece of pulpit oratory. The following paffage may be given as a specimen of the Author's ftyle of compofition: Dans quel climat que la guerre exerce fes fureurs, qui font ceux qui les y portent, et ceux qu'elles atteignent ? Qui font ceux qui se prétent aux violences, aux crimes, aux abominations, à tous les excès qui j'y commettent, et ceux qui en fouffrent? Qui font ils, ces foldats furieux, que la terreur devance, que le carnage accompagne, que la mort fuit, et qui laifent par tout, fur leurs traces enfanglantées, la mifere, la defolation, le defef oir? Hélas! Ce font des hommes, nos femblables, des enfans de Dieu comme nous des frères, par conféquent, qui lors même qu'ils deviennent nos ennemis, ne ceffent jamais d'être nos frères; ce font des hommes, que nous devons aimer, pour qui nous devons prier, dont les malheurs, mais plus encore les crimes, doivent nous afliger, et au falut defquels rien ne fauroit nous diffenfer de prendre plus d'intérêt, que nous n'en prennons à tous nos biens temporels.' ner. The ninth fermon is of the argumentative kind, and is intended to fhew the validity of the written teflimony of the Apoftles. This is proved in a brief, concife, and fatisfactory manThe question difcuffed under the first head is, whether the teftimony of the apoftles, as contained in the authentic books of the New Teftament, is fufficient to produce in us as firm a conviction of the truth of the facts of the Gospel, as if the apoftles had in perfon affured us of them. In the inveftigation of this question, the preacher argues, that to us, who have the utmost reason to be convinced of their integrity, the written teftimony of the apostles is to the full as valid as their oral evi Q94 dence dence could have been; and that if there be any difference, it is entirely in favour of the former; because we can more easily and more accurately examine it; because in the books of the New Teftament we have the advantage of being able to confult all the apostles, to compare and confront their feveral depofitions ; and becaufe thefe written depofitions, before they could reach us, muft in many inftances have been fubmitted to the trial of juridical investigation, and have undergone a feverity of examination, which cannot but enhance their authenticity. The remainder of the difcourfe contains a fatisfactory and fpirited anfwer to feveral objections which are frequently urged against the hiftorical evidence of the Gofpel. The eleventh fermon, from 1 Peter, i. 12. in which the angels are represented as contemplating the plan of redemption, may be confidered as a grand piece of painting, exhibiting, in bold drawing and colouring, the objects and decorations of a fublime and extenfive fcene, on which the most important tranfactions are carried on in rapid fucceffion. This difcourfe, and Dr. BLAIR's fermon on the Death of Chrift, are the moft capital productions of the kind known to us. The twelfth difcourfe, from Proverbs xvi. 2. on the illufions of men, whose ways are clean in their own eyes, placed in contraft with the infallible judgment of the great Being, who weigheth the fpirits, will prove a powerful antidote against felf-deceit, to thole who perufe it with attention. The concluding fermon, from 2 Corinthians, on the defire. of St. Paul to be prefent with the Lord, is defigned to fhew how death ought to be confidered by the Chriftian, and in what cafes, and with what reftrictions, it may be, lawfully, the object of his wishes. Great judgment and delicacy are required in treating such a subject, which is often too hastily discussed, and in illuftrating which, the natural temper of the cafuift (be it bold or timorous) has frequently an undue influence. M. CHAIS appears to have confidered the fubject in its true point of view. ART. V. Der Zustand des Staats, der Religion, der Gelehrfamkeit, und der Kunst in Grosbritannien, gegen das Ende des achtzebuten Jahrhunderts. Von D. G. F. A. Wendeborn, Prediger in London. 3 Vols. 12mo. Berlin. [Concluded. [Concluded. See Review for September laft, P. 229.] TH HE fecond volume of this interefting and entertaining pubJication opens with a particular account of the different laws of England, and the courts of juftice in which they are administered. The various offices under the crown, from that of lord chancellor down to a petty conftable, are alfo enumerated. This article gives our Author an opportunity to expa tiate upon the judicious caution taken by our conftitution to prevent the interference of a military power in civil cafes, by the employment of conftables to appeafe riots, and by the ftrict inhibition of the military from firing upon a mob without the permiffion of the civil magiftrate. He next proceeds to give his countrymen a circumftantial detail of a criminal process, as it is conducted in our public courts, and expreffes the highest admiration of the impartiality, expedition, and humanity with which. fuch proceffes are conducted. He cenfures, however, the cuf tom of publishing every trial indifcriminately, as having a bad influence upon the morals of the people. A fimilar cenfure justly falls alfo upon the frequency of our public executions. Dr. W. feems much difpleafed with the law that excludes foreigners, even after naturalization, from offices of authority and truft, as being contracted and illiberal. But may it not be viewed as a neceffary precaution against the pernicious inAluence of a contracted and illiberal difpofition, and of those national prejudices which moft foreigners may be supposed to bring with them and to retain? It is very difficult for ftrangers to affimilate their ideas and manners to the country they have chofen for their refidence; and would there not be fome danger left the natives of defpotic governments fhould act the defpot in their confined circles? There are countries where the most inconfiderable offices infpire the poffeffors with infufferable arrogance, and men like thefe, though they might not dare to exceed their commiffion, would execute it with the harshness of an Egyptian task-master. In enumerating our different modes of punishment, Dr. W. represents the British character in a more unfavourable point of view than it deferves, or than could have been expected from that spirit of candour discovered in many other parts of the work, It was not neceffary to expatiate fo largely on the barbarity of fome laws which are obfolete, or to bring others forward, as an imputation on our humanity, which the humanity of the nation consents to foften in the execution. After dwelling too long on the horrid particulars of the fentence denounced against thofe convicted of high treafon, he enquires, Do thefe quadrate with their boasted humanity, or can they with propriety cenfure other nations for being barbarous in their punishments, forgetting the cruelty of their own? Similar obfervations are made upon the severities that used formerly to be executed on fuch as refused to plead to their indictment. But fhould not candour have allowed that the voluntary repeal, or the open and approved deviations made in the execution of laws, manifeftly fhocking and cruel, are the ftrongeft poffible evidences of the power and prevalence of an humane difpofition? Laws of this nature were made when all Europe retained too much of the ferocity of their favage ances tors. |