portion of bile, which is always to be found in the ftomachs of animals, while in health. This is apparent, he thinks, from what is known to take place in fome fifhes and ferpents, which do not mafticate, but fwallow their food intire; the process of digeftion in thofe animals always beginning, and being confined to the part of the ftomach, where the bile.enters. "If digeftion," he fays, p. 71, "was performed by the gaftric juice, we should expect to find the food in the ftomach equally acted on, efpeciall, in thofe animals which fwallow their food whole, as this colourlefs in. fipid juice tranfudes by compreffion, equally from the whole interior furface of the ftomach, and indicates its prefence (as in the ftomachs of calves) by a power diametrically oppofite to that of digeftion, viz. that of coagulation. But as the coagulum formed in the ftomachs of calves, is not. diffolved, till it comes in contact with the bile; and the foda of the bile, like other alkalies, is well known to act upon cascous fubstances in a manner fimilar to oils, there can be no doubt of the bile being the menftruum of digestion in those animals; for it fhews itself as evidently to be fo, as it does in thofe cold blooded animals that fwallow their food with. out maftication.”

We shall here finish our examination of this ingenious perfor mance; what we have faid being fufficient, we trust, to induce perfons engaged in this branch of ftudy to turn their attention to it, promifing they will find other arguments equally cogent as thofe we have produced, in favour of the opinion adopted by the writer,

DIVINITY.

ART. 29. Predeftination to Life: A Sermon preached at Lee Croft, Sheffield, April 18, 1804. Before an Affociation of Minifters, and published by Requeft. To which are added, feveral expla natory Notes on the important Subject of Predeftination, the Origin of Moral Eil, &c. alluded to in the Sermon. By Edward Williams, D.D. Second Edition corrected and enlarged. 8vo. 54 PP. Is. 6d. Williams. 1805.

This author maintains Predeftination to Life; pofitively and ftrongly denying predeftination to death; and in this he feems to approach very nearly to the doctrine of our English reformers. But he attempts to explain the whole mattér, and here we do not find it easy for our comprehenfion to follow him. We rather fear that he has undertaken more than human faculties can perform. We cannot perpetually recur to these obfcure questions, but we have several times given direct quotations from the works of Calvin, to prove that HE held, in the most unqualified manner, that horrible doctrine which is here fo ftrongly denied. This preacher therefore cannot be called a Calvinist. He allows in. deed that "St. Auguftine, Calvin, Perkins, Twiffe, Rutherford,

&c.

&c. &c., though highly valuable and excellent men upon the whole, were not free from this impure mixture of doctrine."

The difcourfe is evidently written with pious feelings and intentions, and may therefore fafely be read by those who are defirous to study the queftion. But, in our opinion, it would be beft to remember the caution with which our feventeenth article concludes; and not too frequently to bring forward a question confeffedly fo dangerous, to the contemplation of thofe whofe minds are not duly prepared for it.

ART. 30. The Duty of National Repentance, and of Patriotic Sacrifices and Exertions confidered; a Sermon, preached in the Chapel of the Foundling-Hospital, on Wednesday, February 26, 1806, (being the Day appointed for a General Faf). By the Rev. John Hewlett, B. D. Morning Preacher at the Found ling-Hofpital, and Lecturer of the United Parishes of St. Vedaft Fefter, and St. Michael-le-Quern. 8vo. 23 pp. is. Johnfon,

&c. 1806.

A plain and strong reprefentation of the duties fet forth in the title-page. If, nearly a year ago, fuch admonition as we fhall produce was feafonable and neceflary; what additional force has it not derived from recent events in Europe?" The awful fituation in which we ftand at prefent, as a nation, calls aloud for great and general exertions on our part. It feems calculated, by the wifdom and goodness of Divine Providence, to cure us effectually of thofe ills to which we are too much addicted. I mean, indolence and eafe, luxury and pleasure, selfishness and pride; and to roufe us, if any thing can roufe us, to the determined exercife of their oppofite virtues."-" All, or nearly all, will probably have their refpective parts allotted them; and their zeal and fincerity are likely to be put to the feverest test."—" Every one may be called on to join heart and hand. Happy is he, who, on fuch an occafion, has it in his power to ferve the general -caufe in every poffible way ;-by his counfels, by his fortune, by his influence, and his own perfonal exertions; but, as for the most part, we must look to individuals for general co-operation only, and fpecific aid; let the rich man, befide the claim which the laws might make, if he have nothing else to give, be liberal of his money; and let the poor man, in addition to his labour ard his ftrength, offer the tribute of a willing and devoted heart. The young, and those in middle life, will be called on to fhew their courage and their firmnefs in danger, and their fortitude under every kind of temporary privation, hardíbip, and fatigue. If we fee and feel the neceffity of thefe facrifices and exertions, in order to fave ourselves from the ruin that has befallen other nations (and, I truft, we do,) let me obferve, that the most cordial union of fpirit, and co-operation of means, are requifite to render our efforts (by the bleffing of God) ultimately fuccefsful. Let

all

all former enmities and diffentions be forgotten. Let us con
fider ourselves as though we were embarked on board one com-
mon veffel; which is, at prefent, expofed to the dangers of a
ftormy ocean, and that we must all fink together, or reach the
and fafety."
wifhed-for haven of peace

ART. 31.

A Sermon. By E. Sandwith, preached at Sutton, near York, the 26th of February, 1806, on the Occafional Faft. 6s. Wolstenholm, York; Scatchard, &c. 8vo. 15 PP. London. 1806.

No!

A plain, patriotic, and useful difcourfe. If the following admonition was in any degree feasonable in February, 1806, no one "Our hopes of fupwill deny that it is fo at the prefent time. port from Germany being thus defeated, the French nation will again be at liberty to turn their force towards this country; and, when this is the cafe, we need not flatter ourselves that their threatened invafion will terminate in mere empty menaces. the foldiers of France have been too long engaged in war, and too fuccefsful in fuch fcenes, not to expofe themfelves to any hazard that carries along with it the leaft ray of probability: and, indeed, when we confider what their paft fuccefs has been, who can fay what their future hopes may be. We do not say this to excite falfe fears and groundlefs alarms: but to fhew that it is not by undervaluing the ftrength and efforts of our enemies, but by rifing to a juft fenfe of our condition, in which our prefervation and fecurity confift." P. 5.

ART. 32. A Sermon, preached before the Archdeacon of Bucks, at his Vifitation held at Stoney Stratford, on Friday, May 2, 1806. By the Rev. Thomas Le Mefurier, M. A. Rector of Newnton Longville, and late Fellow of New College, Oxford. Cooke, &c. Oxford; Rivington, &c. 8vo. 27 PP. IS. London. 1806.

We agree entirely with thofe among "the clergy before whom this fermon was preached, who thought that good might be produced by the circulation of it through the diftrict in which it was preached; we add, and every diftrict in, the kingdom. The preacher moft forcibly calls the attention of his hearers to the fituation of the Church of England; to the attacks now made on her, different from thofe of all former times; by fome of her own members, and even minifters, calling themfelves the only true Churchmen, and the only preachers of the Gospel; by the union of Diffenters with Roman Catholics, in order that the emancipation (as it is infidiously called) of the latter may lead to the perfect freedom of the other; that is, to the fubverfion of the eftablished Church. For this purpofe, all fects, even the moft difcordant, are now uniting; Arians, Socinians, Calvinifts, (or

Methoditts)

Methodists) now very numerous; Baptifts, Old Presbyterians. (now very few) all concur in one point, hoftility to the Church, and generally to the State. The way to counteract and repel fuch attacks is briefly (too briefly) fet forth; but the difcourfe is very worthy of general attention.

ART. 33. A Sermon, preached at the Affies held at Dorchester, March 14, 1806. By the Rev. John Williams, M. A. Vicar of Merfion Magna, in the County of Somerfet. 4to. 18 pp. Is. 6d. Rivingtons, &c. 1806.

A feasonable and proper difcourfe; from which, among many good leffons, we fele the following: "When you are feated upon the throne of justice, the Lord himself is reprefented as being with you; for thus fpeaks the facred text- Take heed what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.' I have not quoted this paffage with the mott diftant view, either to quicken your diligence, or to awaken your circunfpection. For this, bleffed be God! there appears not the leaft occafion: the adminiftration of justice in this happy country, it would be ingratitude not to acknowledge, flows on in an even, pure, and impartial courfe: but I have mentioned it with a view to leffen, if poffible, from motives of religion, that degree of difrefped, of negligence, and inattention, which is too often vifible in our courts of juftice. Were all thofe, who attended there, fenfible of the awful truth, that they were ftanding in the facred prefence of an unfeen, though all-feeing GOD; what an alteration, what an amendment, might not be expected! How cautious would every accufer be, that he was influenced by no improper motive! How deliberate would the officer be, in adminiftering the folemn and binding oath! how defirous, that it should make a due impreffion upon the mind of him, who was about to make the holy appeal!" p. 15.-We have often seen occafion for recommending the laft fentence to the notice of those who prefide in our courts of judicature. Why fhould not profound filence be enforced, and all other bufinefs fufpended, during this folemn act ?

ART. 34. Practical Effys on felect Parts of the Liturgy of the Church of England. by the Rev. Thomas T. Biddulph, M.A. Minifter of St. James's, Briftol; Chaplain to the Right Hon. the Dowager Lady Bagot; and late of Queen's College, Oxford. Five Volumes. 12mo. 11. 10s. Hazard, Bath; Rivingtons,

&c. London. 1805.

The first of these five volumes appeared feveral years ago, and was examined and commended by us in our twelfth volume, P. 582. It confifted of Effays on particular parts of the Morn ing and Evening Services of the Church. The four volumes

A a a

BRIT. CRIT, VOL. XXVIII, DEC. 1806.

now

now added contain Effays on all the Collects in the Liturgy for Sundays and other holidays, and are diftinguished by the fame fpirit of piety and attention to practical utility, which were remarkable in the preceding publication. The Collects of our Church, fo admirably felected from the best and most venerable formularies, are affuredly moft admirable fubjects for the medita tion of any divine, and for conveying his inftructions to his hearers. It appears to us that Mr. Biddulph has made a very edifying ufe of the topics thus prefented to his contemplation: nor do we perceive that he has any where deviated from the found and regular doctrines of the Church. That it is poffible to do fo, even in interpreting parts of her Liturgy, we have lately feen proofs; but we trust that this writer, who has been a champion for the Church, is not likely to fall into fuch an error.

ART. 35.

A Sermon preached at the Primary Vifitation of the oft Reverend the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, holden at Afhford in Kent, June 13, 1806. By the Rev. Edward Nares, M. A. Rector of Biddenden. Printed at the Request of the Clergy. 8vo. 23 pp. 1s. 6d. Canterbury printed. Ri. vingtons, &c. London. 18c6.

The Bamptonian Lectures of this author were lately noticed by us, at fome length. We have now to speak of a discourse, fimilar, in fome refpects, as to its fubject, but admirably planned, and no lefs happily expreffed. The text is, "For God hath not given us the fpirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a found mind." 2 Tim. i. 7.

The Sermon begins by thowing, that the fame qualities, in their degree, ftill belong to the Chriftian Clergy, as are here attributed by St. Paul to thofe of the apoftolic age. They are till to caft away fear, and to maintain courage, charity, pru dence, and every thing conftituting the "found mind" of a Chriftian. It is very happily remarked, that there is entrusted to the Clergy of this nation a religion, originally delivered to the world by the WORD of GOD incarnate; confirmed by figns and wonders the moft ftupendous and irrefiftible, and twice fealed with the blood of Saints and Martyrs! Firft, in its original promulgation and primitive purity; and fecondly, upon its reftoration and recovery from the incumbrances of Popery, and the numerous additions of a corrupt hierarchy.”

See Brit. Crit. Vol. xIx. p. 318.

Speaking of thefe fecond martyrdoms, in our own country, this author fays, with great propriety, "Nor do I difcover any thing in thefe martyrdoms that fhould lead us to fuppofe that the very Spirit of God and of his Christ was lefs prefent to fupport the pious fufferers in their laft agonies, than in the cafe of the Apoitles and primitive Fathers." P. 7.

The