Miscellaneous Works of Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.A.S. Vols. VI. & VII. Sermons. Tegg and Son, 1836. pp. 473,

486.

The sermons of Dr. Clarke can never be recommended to preachers as models. They are compositions of an order very much after their own kind, and unlike any other. Like his Commentary, they contain a great deal of information and exhibit much learning, but thrown together in strange confusion. Something is to be found in them of almost every sort which the antiquary, the scholar, the divine, and the man of general knowledge could bring together, but in such singular conjunctures and collocations, as makes you wonder, by what possibility they could be so associated. On the theology pervading them, we make no remark; it is of course Arminian, and sometimes, as we think, repulsively so. But this is no more than was already known; and all that our duty, in the present instance, requires, is, that we should state the fact, without making it the occasion of controverting the positions of the system. Sometimes passages occur on experimental religion, of great force and beauty; especially we could instance some in which the inward peace of the newly-converted sinner is described, when, for the first time, he enjoys a sense of pardon and reconciliation with God. Take the following:

He

thinker, thought still in his own way, and illustrated his thoughts after a method of his own exempli gratia:

The prayer of the apostle for their increase in all spiritual excellence : "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you," &c. Most children understand what multiplication is; all learners have this definition ready at hand. Multiplication is the act of increasing any number by addition, or production of more of the same kind. Multiplication has the multiplicand or number to be multiplied; the multiplier, or number given, by which the multiplicand is to be multiplied; and the product, or number produced by the other two. Will those who mind high things, condescend to men of low estate; or will they excuse me for doing it? Then I will produce the first question I ever wrought in this rule; and out of the very same book-FISHER'S Arithmetic ; How much is 3 times 472 multiplicand 3 multiplier

Answer 1416 product.

Now suppose grace and peace to be multiplicands, or numbers to be multiplied; then choose any number, say 2, or on to 12, which may be called simple multipliers, because they may be easily done in one line; suppose, then, we take 144, which is 12 multiplied by itself, and make it the multiplicand, and 12 (the last and highest number in the Pythagorean or multiplication table) as the multiplier, and let this sum, 144, stand for grace and peace, and 12 the quantity by which you wish to have this grace and peace increased, thus,

144

12

1728

Then this product, 1728, marks the quantum of those graces which you wish to possess, beyond that which you at present enjoy. So far, surely, you can believe the possibility of having those graces increased in your soul; and when perhaps you consider the small quantum of grace and peace which you possess, and how much more you must obtain before you are fit to see God, you will at once perceive

by loading them with unjust imputations. Those who would reform society must give to every man his due.

The aristocracy of the skin, with its pernicious results, has not had all the attention which was due to it from Mr. Beverley.

To the deputations he has given two letters; on these we shall not offer any remark that will change the neutral ground we occupy in conducting this periodical. But as the book was sent us by Mr. Beverley, or his bookseller, to be noticed, we feel bound to state, that the letter of instructions Mr. Beverley referred to, page 109, never had an existence. All opinions respecting past affairs we reserve; but, since this supposition is now brought forward again as the basis of a grievous censure, we feel bound to state, that the supposition is entirely UNFOUNDED! Mr. Beverley will, of course, consider whether there be not something unmanly and cruel in thus assailing the reputation of individuals, in reference to affairs which he has neither the power nor the right to examine. The public acts of any Society must be liable to discussion; but its private arrangements, with its own agents and members, ought to be too sacred for such unwarrantable interference.

We regret these blemishes, because the work contains some hints of importance which deserve to be brought before the public without this disadvantageous association with error.

order to increase our intelligence and piety. To promote this, Mr. Williams has here given a history of our advancement in" Arts, Literature, and Science, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time." His effort deserves the highest approbation, and the greatest encouragement. Young persons of all classes will derive much interest and improvement from the study of his pages; and with the following specimens of his style we recommend the book with great satisfaction.

Extraordinary Speeches.-The first turnpike road was established by an act of Parliament in the reign of Charles II., but so great was the insensibility to the improvement, that the mob pulled down the gates, and the new plan was supported and enforced at the point of the bayonet. Long after this period, however, travelling was both difficult and dangerous.

fear of what would now be called imIt is also worthy of remark, that a provements was cherished. by the higher ranks, and that many things which have been actually accomplished, were then considered totally impracti cable. Thus, for instance, in April 4, 1671, the second reading of a bill was moved in the House of Commons, "for building a bridge over the Thames at Putney.'

On that occasion Sir William Thompson thus spoke :

"Mr. Speaker,-London is circumscribed, I mean the city of London; there are walls, gates, and boundaries, the which no man can increase or extend; those limits were set by the wisdom of our ancestors, and God forbid they should be altered. But, Sir, though these landmarks can never be removed-I say never, for I have no hesitation in stating, that when the walls of London shall no longer be visible, and Ludgate is demolished, England itself will be as nothing-though, Sir, these landmarks are immoveable, indelible, indestructible, except with the constitution of the country, yet it is in the power of speculative theorists to delude the minds of the people with visionary projects of increasing the skirts of the city, so that it may even join Westminster.'

Mr. Boscawen said,-" If there were any advantage derivable from a bridge at Putney, perhaps some gentleman would find out that a bridge at Westminster would be a convenience. Then other

honourable gentlemen might dream, that a bridge from the end of Fleet-market into the fields, on the opposite side of the water, would be a fine speculation; or who knows but at last it might be proposed to arch over the river altogether, and build a couple more bridges, one from the palace at Somerset-house, into the Surrey marshes, and another from the front of Guildhall into Southwark. (Great laughter.)

"Perhaps some honourable gentlemen who were interested in such matters, would get up in their places, and propose that one or two of these bridges should be built of iron! (Shouts of laughter.) For my part, if this bill passes, I will move for leave to bring in half-a dozen more bills, for building bridges at Chelsea and at Hammersmith, and at Marble-hall Stairs, and at Brentford, and at fifty other places besides.' (Continued laughter.)

Mr. Low declared it to be the opinion of the "worthy chief magistrate," that if any carts go over Putney bridge, the city of London was irretrievably ruined and added, that the river above London-bridge would be totally destroyed as a navigation.

more

In the present day, it is not only highly amusing to read these denunciations of misery and ruin, but we are thereby reminded of the fallacy of human judgment and foresight. Not only is there a bridge at Putney, but the forebodings of Mr. Boscawen are almost all realized as relates to the erection of bridges; although not so as to their desolating effects on the city of London. A bridge at Westminster is found to be a convenience; another has been erected from Fleet-market into the opposite fields, at Blackfriars; even the "couple are really in existence, and nearly on the sites pointed out-the Waterloo and Southwark bridges; and, what is still more remarkable, it has not only been "proposed," but one of these (the Southwark bridge) is actually built of iron. Sir William Thompson, had he lived to the present moment, might have sought in vain for the walls of London. Ludgate-bar is demolished; the "wall, gates, and boundaries, set by the wisdom of our ancestors, which no man could inor extend," have disappeared. London is extended on every side, so that the skirts of the city are not to be distinguished by a stranger from West

crease

minster.

The conclusion of this remarkable debate is not less deserving of notice. Sir Henry Herbert, just before the

house divided, said: "I honestly confess myself an enemy to monopolies ; I am equally opposed to mad, visionary projects; and I may be permitted to say, that in the late king's reign several of these thoughtless inventions were thrust upon the house, but most properly rejected. If a man, Sir, were to come to the bar of the house, and tell us that he proposed to convey us regularly to Edinburgh, in coaches, in seven days, and bring us back in seven days more, should we not vote him to Bedlam? Surely we should, if we did him justice; or, if another told us he would sail to the Indies in six months, should we not punish him for practising upon our credulity? Assuredly, if we served him rightly."

Selections from a Correspondence on Subjects connected with Christian Faith and Practice; with an Introductory Preface. By Mrs. Stevens. pp. 237. HaI milton and Co.

The letters, from which these selections have been made, were written to several persons by a pious and amiable lady, who "will not affix her name" to the volume. Some of them are designed to remove the doctrinal difficulties of inquirers in the way to Zion; others, to pour comfort into the mourner's cup, and wipe away his tears: benevolent purposes which they are admirably adapted to fulfil. To such as are perplexed with the inquiry, “What shall I do to be saved?" the uniform advice of the excellent author is, "Go to Jesus first: you must not think that corruptions are to be grappled with and overcome, and then you shall have joy. Come to your Father in the way his own Spirit has pointed out. Say unto him, Take away iniquity, and receive me graciously; then shall the blessed fruits of pardoning love follow." To the tempted she gives the judicious advice to distinguish carefully between being tempted and sinning. The afflicted will find the alleviations of almost every form of sorrow pointed out in these pages and without pledging ourselves to every sentiment the volume contains, we readily recommend it to our readers.

Sacred Pneumatology, or the Scripture Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; in three books. By the Rev. Joseph Wilson, A. M., Minister of Laxton, Northamptonshire. pp. 358. Seeley.-We have seldom very met with a volume, on this important branch of theology, which has afforded us so much pleasure as the work now before us. The worthy author, we think, must have been richly rewarded in this labour of his hands, though we are far from supposing that his remuneration will be limited to the refined and exalted pleasure which we are presuming he must have experienced while preparing these pages for the press. Indeed, though we hope his finances will sustain no injury by this publication, we are far from calculating, as we trust he also is, by the amount of pecuniary result. The approbation that will be expressed; for it is said, "them that honour me, I will honour;" the benefit which we believe numbers-we hope multitudes-will derive from the perusal of this truly excellent treatise, will unmeasurably exceed the highest ratio of commercial per centage. In all which, so far as the author's knowledge may extend, he will largely participate.

We are happy, in conclusion, that we can most cordially recommend this work on "Sacred Pneumatology," to the attention of all our readers.

"

Going to Service; a Sequel to My Station and its Duties." By the Author of "The Last Day of the Week." pp. 230. Seeley.-It may be expected that patronage judiciously conferred will be attended with the happiest effects. The author of this small volume supplies us with an illustration. The favourable re

ception of his former publication has induced a succession, which, while it is highly creditable to his piety and industry, is calculated to be exceedingly beneficial to a very numerous and important class of readers. We think "Going to Service," is likely to prove, in the connexion for which it is intended, a great favourite. We consider it to be well entitled to the attention of mistresses as well as servants.

Walks and Scenes in Galilee, Judea, &c. pp. 115. Seeley.-The reader will find himself conducted, by the help of these pages, through the principal incidents of the Redeemer's history. The sentiments are spiritual, the style is attractive, and the design is excellent.

By

We have no doubt as to Mr. Wilson being sincerely attached to his communion; but as a servant of Jesus Christ, what must have been his feelings, in reference to the ministry, in that connexion generally, when he wrote as follows ?

"To educate, therefore, young men to the ministry, without reference to their real inclinations, desires for its sacred functions, is to send wolves and not shepherds among Christ's flock, to desecrate the most holy of all employments, and to form blind leaders of the blind."p. 172. But our estimate of this production has too deeply interested us in the pious author, to permit us to add another word upon a subject which, whenever it engages his attention, and that cannot be unfrequently, must induce suffering which we earnestly wish could be conscientiously diminished.

The Christian Gift, containing a Harthe Deity and History of Jesus. Christopher Bell, Esq., A Member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Second Edition. pp. 330. Ward.-Mr. Bell has been well and piously occupied in constructing this arrangement of evangelical truth. The biblical student may consult it with advantage. It by no means supersedes the use of other harmonies; for though, of course, it presents much in common with them all, it furnishes some things peculiar to itself.

The Family Liturgy; being a Course of Morning and Evening Prayers for a Family; arranged and Compiled on the plan of a Liturgy. By the Rev. R. Waldo Sibthorpe, B.D., &c., &c. pp. 185. Seeley.The author of this devotional book, proposes to make family worship resemble the responsive service of the Church of England. In domestic use, however, it will not be as in public imposed. It may, therefore, be adopted, or partially used, or omitted altogether, as those who have the election may deem most edifying. The author's name is quite sufficient to induce the persuasion that this production of his pen is