THEOLOGY and POLEMICS. Art. 52. Obfervations on the miraculous Conception of Our Saviour: with a particular View to the Exceptions of Dr. Priestley, on the Subject. By N. Nisbett, M. A. Author of Illuftrations of feveral Paffages of Scripture. 12mo. pp. 121. 2s. Johnfon. Candor of mind, and probity of intention, wherever found, are always acceptable and highly valuable. It appears to us, that the treatife now under perufal is worthy of fuch praife. It is not written, we apprehend, to ferve the little purpofes of policy and party; nor does the civility and liberality which it difcovers, arife from indifference. On the contrary, it appears to have been written with a fincere defire to difcover the truth, and a perfect difpofition to embrace it. At the fame time, the author makes every fair allowance to those who, on proper enquiry, take a dif ferent fide. It appears to him t, that the free manner in which Dr. Priestley has treated the facred writers, (though he readily gives him credit for the goodness of his intentions,) is injurious to the caufe of Chriftianity. To fuppofe, as the Doctor has done; that St. Luke might be the author of this hiftory ‡, and have taken up that fplendid part of his narrative, too hastily; is more than feems to be juftifiable-more than was neceffary to the fuccefs of his argument-more, the author trufts, than Dr. Priestley will, on cool reflection, undertake to defend. If the hiftory of the miraculous Conception was a forgery; St. Luke had nothing to do with it. If it was not a forgery, but his genuine compofition, it must ftand its ground; or St. Luke's credit as an historian, is gone for ever.' Mr. Nisbett proceeds to confider diftinaly the reafonings of his antagonist-Refpecting the argument à priori, he afks, whether, it may not be fuppofed, that men are not always adequate judges concerning what would be the means of the Divine conduct ? --§ whether, the temptation, the transfiguration, the refurrection, the afcenfion, &c. were not oppofite to their priori reafonings?whether this writer's plea might not affect all miracles, and consequently affect the credibility of Chriftianity itself and whether, the Jews, at least in our Saviour's time, did not confider this as one characteristic of their Meffiah, that when he came, no man fhould know whence he is, or that he should be introduced in fome extraordinary manner? To the objection which is fuppofed to arife from the filence of Mark and John on the fubject, he replies, that various circumftances are recorded by one Evangelift, and omitted by another: he inftances particularly an event, the importance of which he prefumes Dr. Prielley will allow, viz. the afcenfion of Chrift, which is recorded by Mark and Luke, and not by the other writers of the gofpels; and again, I he urges with great juftice, that though Mark and John do not diftinctly mention 'See Rev. for Jan. 1787. vol. Ixxvi, 20, 21. Sce Rev. for Sept. 1788, vol. Ixxix. p. 230, $ P. 12, 13. P. 15, 16. 4 P. 18,19. 11 28, 29, + Page 6, pref. 281. P. 23- P. 24. the the miraculous conception, they ufe expreffions which have a probable and evident reference to it, as when they fpeak of Christ as the word that was made flesh, as the fon, and the only begotten fon of God. We obferve, that under the head of external evidence, the author infifts, that the fubject was early mentioned by Juftin Martin, and afferted to have been believed, in common with the other parts of the gofpel hiftory; that though there were, in early times, different copies of the gofpels, fome with, and fome without the hiftory of the miraculous conception; from which no inference on either fide of the question could be fairly drawn; yet that this difference of the copies of the gofpels must have led to an immediate enquiry which were the genuine ones, and which bore the marks of forgery; and that the state of men and things at the time, was highly favourable to the difcovery of a fraud, and particularly with respect to the Roman Cenfus; of the truth or falfhood of which, every man in Rome might be able to form an accurate judgment.' Thefe topics are pretty largely difcuffed; and this writer does not fail to take notice + of the counter-evidence of Symmachus, a man of learning among the Ebionites or Jewish Chriftians, who, with them, rejected the article in queftion: but his opinion appears to have been overborne; and it feems to argue much more for the truth of the account, that fuch a man as Juftin Martyr, not far removed, in time or in virtue, from the Apostles, fhould have received and declared it in the face of the world, than that Symmachus, who lived more than half a century afterward, should have fufpected and rejected it.-On the whole, whatever plaufibility muft be allowed to Dr. Priestley's objections, it appears that there is great weight alfo in the arguments that are brought in favour of the doctrine which he oppofes. Art. 53. Afhort Hiftory of the Pharifees, with a Parallel between the Antient and the Modern: which may ferve as a Check to the Spirit lately manifefted by fome furious Writers against Protestant Diffenters. By Thomas Twining. 12mo. pp. 26. 6d. Johnfon. In writing this fhort hiftory, Mr. Twining intended, we fuppofe, to come round with a circumbendibus, on the advocates for our na tional establishment, and to pay them off for their opposition to the late claims of the Diffenters. If this was his object, he has executed it very lamely. His account of the tenets and temper of the Pharifees is drawn up with fome attention to the subject: but his parallel is extremely defective. He informs us that the Pharifees believed in the temporal sovereignty of the Meffiah,' which he confiders as fynonimous with the modern doctrine of an alliance between Church and State,' and hence he leaves us to infer, that all who hold this latter doctrine are modern Pharifees., Art. 54. A Key to the Old Testament and Apocrypha; in which is given an Account of their feveral Books, their Contents, and Authors; and of the Times in which they were refpectively written. By the Rev. Robert Gray, A. M. late of St. Mary + P. 77, &c. * P. 91, 92. Hall Hall, Oxford. 1790. 8vo. pp. 650. 7s. 6d. Boards. Rivingtons. In this elaborate work, a great variety of materials are collected, and methodically arranged, for the purpose of furnishing those who have not leifure for voluminous researches, with all defirable information concerning the history and contents of the several books of the Old Tellament and Apocrypha. The author profefles to have followed the model of Bishop Percy's Key to the New Teftament, but has executed his task much more in detail. He has entered into curious and complicated difcuffions, on various fubjects, and has fupported his opinions by a multitude of authorities. In fhort, he appears to have fpared no pains in accomplishing his defign. The ftyle in which the work is written, is perfectly fuited to the fubject, fimple and accurate. The author maintains, with great ingenuity, the infpiration of all the canonical books; admits the typical meaning of the Jewish ceremonies, and the double fignification of prophecies; and, in all other refpe&ts, adheres clofely to the orthodox fyftem. Detached extracts from a book of this,nature, would be of little value; we can, therefore, only recommend this work as well adapted to give information to the unlearned reader, in many particulars, and to confirm him in his reverence for the fcriptures. Art. 55. A Differtation on Baptifm, intended to illuftrate the Origin, Hiftory, Defign, Mode, and Subjects of that facred Inftitution: wherein the Mistakes of the Quakers and Baptifts are pointed out. To which is added, an Enquiry into the Lawfulnefs of eating Blood. By Alexander Pirie, Minister of the Gofpel at Newburgh. 12mo. pp. 192. 1s. 6d. Murray. Art. 56. Appendix to a Differtation on Baptifm, intended to expose the Fallacy and Abfurdity of the Ideas of the Baptifts concerning Circumcifion and Baptifm, the two Churches of the Old and New Teftament, the two Covenants and two Seeds of Abraham; -Containing a full Anfwer to all that Meff. M'Lean and Booth have advanced on these Subjects. By Alexander Pirie. 12mo. pp. 200. Is. 6d. Murray. We are here told, that the first of thefe publications is not intended as a direct answer to any particular person: there are, indeed, fome quotations from the writings of Mr. M'Lean, but this, it is obferved, is only done because his works are confidered as containing all that has been faid on the Baptift fide of the question; and faid, (it is hand fomely added,) by him with perfpicuity and elegance. Otherwife it only intends to view the fubject in general, without alluding to any particular antagonist, or introducing private names and opinions. We must acknowlege, as we have done in refpect to other writers on thefe topics, that Mr. P. advances arguments and evidence fully fufficient to justify the baptizing of Infants, and that by fprinkling.-As to the mode; we cannot but think with him, on mature confideration, that plunging is no where mentioned as the lone baptifm of Chrift ;'-and again, that as there were diverfe washings or baptifms of old,' fo jefas has left it to his REV. Nov. 1799. difciples B b difciples to ufe either of the modes, (prinkling, pouring, or immering,) as fhall prove moft convenient:-Further, alfo, as to the fubjects of baptifm, we concur with him, that the prohibition of infants is no where to be found, and that feveral weighty arguments concur to affure us of the propriety of their admiffion, by this rite, into the Chriftian Church. Some of thefe arguments, perhaps, this writer may prefent, as he feems to think, in a new or more ftriking light. He particularly in fifts that, as the infants of believing parents had been always admitted to baptifm in the church of God before Chrift came, profelytes to his religion must needs have demanded baptifm for their children.' For the illuftration of this and other parts of the fubject, we must refer to the work itself; as we alfo do for a differtation which is added, concerning the lawfulness of eating blood: the author wholly condemns the practice; though we should rather fuppofe that the nature and fpirit of the Chriftian doctrine left it at the prefent time, a matter of indiffer ence. The other pamphlet confifts of letters to Mr. McLean. It is confined to fome peculiar topics, and, as the title expreffes, enquires concerning the Old and New Teflament Church, the Abrahamic covenan's, &c. an enquiry to feveral readers not very interefting, and here pursued, in rather a diffufive manner; yet the argument is of fome real importance ;-and we incline to think, that Mr. Pirie has the advantage in the debate.--It feems neceffary to add, that he does not profecute the work with that degree of temper and candor which, on the whole, appeared in the former part. He has no doubt met with provocation, as moft difputants do. His fpeaking of the Socinians, or, as he terms them, Half-deifts, as Baptifts, (which, by the way, does not appear to be verified in fact,) and his pronouncing that the weak, the fplenetic, the fanciful, the fond of novelty, and lovers of pleasure, will embrace. their doctrine,' are unguarded and improper affumptions; indeed, what caufe will not, in fome degree, be injured, or at least its defenders, (on whom alone the blame ought to fall,) by thus giving way to paffion, indignation, and relentment! and what caufe, together with its advocates, will not be, in fome degree, recommended by the exercife of Chriftian piety and moderation! SINGLE SERMONS. Art. 57. Preached before the Society of Free Masons, December 27th, 1788, being the Anniverfary of the Feftival of St. John. By the Rev. Daniel Turnor, A. M. Woolwich. 8vo. pp. 47. I s. Cadell, &c. Without the fmalleft intention to depreciate the principles of Free Malonry, which we understand to have a laudable tendency to promote brotherly love, we must again declare, that we cannot deem the pulpit a flation from which it is proper to illuftrate them. Thofe clerical gentlemen who think otherwife, have, poffibly, better reafons to offer for their conduct in this refpect, than we have yet feen. When, therefore, a minifter of the gospel choofes to recommend Free Masonry in his profeffional character, in which character he certainly certainly would not wish to be fufpected of trifling with a religious affembly, we think it is ftrictly incumbent on him to explain what new light, or additional strength, the peculiar leffons of Free Mafonry afford to the Chriftian doctrines inculcating the focial obligations. We easily conceive that Free Mafons may be better men in proportion as they are good Chriftians; and only wish to know how good Chriftians are made better by becoming Free Mafons? Were fuch a fuperiority evident, this enquiry would be fuperfluous: but even if we should yield full affent to the high pretenfions of the Mafons, there ftill remains another interefting queftion, which is, how they can reconcile with philanthropy, the making a monopoly of the means of attaining to fuperior degrees of virtue? We recommend thefe points to the next preacher on the subject. This is a well-written practical difcourfe, from James i. 17. on the Chriftian obligations to piety, brotherly love, and general benevolence. The preacher's arguments are juft, and well connected: but when the fubject naturally draws to a conclufion, he starts afide eccentrically to Free Mafonry, and apoftrophizes his brethren of that class, in a quaint ftyle, totally foreign to the rest of a fenfible difcourfe. Art. 58. Preached in Trinity Chapel, Conduit-ftreet, Dec. 13. 1789. By Thomas Coombe, D. D. 4to. pp. 19. 15. Robfon. This difcourfe, from Ifaiah xi. 9. They shall not hurt, or deftroy, &c. is intitled, The influence of Chriftianity on the condition of the world.' The author fhews, that though the prediction in the above chapter is far enough from its completion, yet, in a lower fenfe, thefe prophecies have had their accomplishment in the amazing change produced in the world, by the appearance of the Sun of Righteousness, after the long night of Heathenifm.'-He obferves in general, and we apprehend with justice, that the condition of Paganism hath been meliorated by it, in various districts, where it hath not hitherto obtained a folid fettlement. It hath imparted to Mahometanifm the truth incorporated with its fables: and even the eyes of modern Deifm, fo ungratefully employed in magnifying the imperfections of Chriflianity, derive their boafted clearnets from its reftoring power.' It needs no formal proof, that the common peafant, or the day-labourer, under the light of the Gofpel, poffeffes jufter fentiments of God and his providence, than those distinguished fages, who claimed to be the depofitaries of Pagan wifdom. To fuch general accounts, are added particular initances of that renovation which the Chriftian revelation has produced, and is ftill producing, among mankind. He attributes to this caufe the abolition of flavery in Europe. Here we wish that we could entirely concur with the author in regarding it as abolished: but when we think of the state of the inferior orders of the people in Ruffia, Poland, and even in Germany, &c. we find it difficult to yield a hearty affent to fuch an account: yet we hope that gradual improvements will be made; -and we are led to cherish this hope, by our author's obfervations, when he fays, Such is the refpe&t now paid to public juftice, that contending powers, whatever be ་ Bb 2 their |