of his lamented death. Some future biographer of the excellent Mr. Lindsey may, perhaps, follow the example. We have seen many, but as our business is only with those before us, we shall confine ourselves to their contents, and instead of attempting an analysis of these sermons, we shall lay before our readers a few biographical particulars collected from them of the venerable man by whose death they were called forth.

Theophilus Lindsey was born at Middlewitch in Cheshire, June 20, 1723 old style, he was named after his godfather, Theophilus Earl of Huntingdon, by whom and by other branches of the same family Mr. Lindsey was afterwards patronized. Theophilus received the greater part of his early education under Mr. Barnard, master of the grammar school at Leeds; and at the proper age was admitted of St. Jolin's college, Cambridge, at which place he was distinguished by exemplary diligence and piety. When he had finished his studies and taken his degrees, he was elected a Fellow of the College. He did not long remain at Cambridge, for in his 23rd year he was nominated to a chapel in Spital-square, London; and in a short time afterwards he was received into the family of Algernon, duke of Somerset, as a chaplain and friend. After this he accompanied the present duke of Northumberland to the continent. On his return, about the year 1753, he was presented with the valuable living of Kirby Wisk in Yorkshire; this he exchanged for another at Peddletown in Dorsetshire, which was in the immediate gift of the Huntingdon family. While in this situation, he declined an offer made by the duke of Northumberland, upon his appointment to the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland, of being bis principal chaplain, and to reside in the castle of Dublin till such preferment should offer as he would

The person,

choose to accept. says Mr. Belsham, (Dr. Dodgson) who was chaplain upon Mr. Lindsey's refusal, was first appointed bishop of Ossory, and afterwards of Elphin, and there can be no doubt that Mr. Lindsey, if he had desired it, would have risen at least to an equal station in the church, In 1763, he by the interest of bis patron obtained permission to exchange his living in Dorsetshire for the vicarage of Catterick in Yorkshire, in order that he might be near many valuable friends, among whom archdeacon Blackburne is particularly mentioned. While Mr. Lindsey continued the minister of Catterick, the difficulties, which he had long felt in a small degree upon the subject of clerical conformity, began to revive, and in a dangerous sickness he felt much trouble by the apprehension of appearing in the presence of God, under the character of one who had prevaricated in the most solemn acts of worship. He now determined to relinquish his situation in the church, which he accomplished in the year 1773. This act, which was most honourable and praise worthy, drew upon him a host of enemies, and caused him to be deserted almost entirely by his former friends. He was however firmly supported by the testimony of his conscience, and could look with emotions of pity and compassion upon his enemies, persecutors and slanderers. After a short interval he removed to London, and in the following April opened at Essex House a place of worship upon principles avowedly Unitarian. Here he continued to officiate as sole pastor about ten years, and for ten other years with the assistance of the Rev. Dr. Disney. In 1793 he resigned his connection with the congregation, but continued to vindicate the cause of religion by his pen till he attained his eightieth year, viz. till the year 1802, when he published his work

:

"As if to crown the happiness of this eminent servant of God, an object to which he had long looked forward with peculiar ardour, and which alone seemed wanting to complete the success of Unitarianism, was triumphantly accomplish ed a little before his death and his last days were employed in studying the books of the Christian covenant, which had ever been his delight, in the most faithful translation of them that was ever given. This volume, (the Improved Version,) may be said to have been the pillow on which his mind rested in its

decline; and on which, in an intellectual sense, he fell asleep in Jesus.

66

Measuring the march of truth by the term of years of the ever-memorable

promoter of it, whose labours in the work of the Lord have been recently soul-inspiring vision bursts upon our terminated by Providence, an animating, view! What may not have been the progress of the Unitarian doctrine when the youngest here present shall have attained to the venerable age of MrLindsey! if it proceed only as it has of late proceeded, great indeed will at that period have been its advances. But with perpetually increasing velocity, and knowledge moves, like a falling body, the obstructions which it meets with accelerate its speed. The everlasting gospel, in its purity, beauty and sublimity, is now flying abroad in the earth on angel-wings; and possibly before all that hear me have ceased in the course of nature, to worship the Father of the Universe in temples made with hands, the long predicted æra may already have arrived, when "Jehovah shall be king over all the earth; when there shall be one Jehovah, and his name one."(Zech. xiv. 9.)

THE author of this volume seems so truly desirous of doing good, that it gives us real concern that we are not able to bestow much praise upon the means he has adopt. ed. It is not by such effusions of religious sensibility as every page of this work displays, that "the disciples of Shaftesbury and Voltaire, (Introd. p. vi.) and mere students in the schools of fiction and romance,' are to be silenced, and the cause of truth promoted. It is not by a chain of texts formed without any regard to their proper connection, that sceptics are to be satisfied, or infidels converted, or respect obtained for the oracles of divine wisdom. The following is not an unfair specimen of this sweet work.

"The flowers and the fields assist us by a thousand sweet similitudes : is it less than a mystery that the rose and the violet pour their fragrance, and breathe their grateful perfume thro' the scented air? Can we explain how the plant grows, and yet owes its attraction to the sun? or what power belongs exclusively to the tree, which spreads its graceful foliage over every leafless branch? No: we see these beauties with our eyes; but as we cannot "enter into the treasures of

the snow," no more can we explain the phenomenon of nature which smiles around us in all its sweet varieties; how much less can we explain the attraction of the ، sun of righteousness ! what power is imparted to the creature, and what belongs to him, in whom we live, and move, and have our being! It is sufficient that we embrace that divine truth,

every good gift, and every perfect gift, cometh from above;' but we must also remember it is promised, those that sow in tears shall reap in joy.' It becomes us to believe, the gift of God is eternal life; and that life is in his Son: but the same Spirit assures us, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap; for he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.'-Whilst in the use of those means of grace which are appointed for the growth and nourishment of the divine life, divine influences are as freely pledged as the return of seed-time and harvest, day and night;' else, wherefore is it said I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine?' The beautiful and excellent effects of industry are vi. sible in our fields and pastures: are they less encouraging when we dig for wisdom as for hidden treasure? The husbandman is not deterred from the prosecution of his labours by that striking interrogation, canst thou lift up thy voice

to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?' Nor should the Christian be weary and faint in his mind, be

cause it is written, the Son quickeneth whom he will,'

The volume contains thirty-two essays, or sentimental Sermons, in the same style; from the titles of which we select the following, as they will serve to shew more fully the temper of the work: The Lilies; The Divine Watchman, suggested by an enigmatical text in Isaiah; The Watchman said, the morning cometh, &c. Comfortable Words; Token of Love; Christian Twilight irradiated; The Christian robbed; Female Followers; The Voice, &c. &c.

The essays are generally concluded by a copy of lines. These we suspect are not all by the same hand. Some of them are pretty; others truly ridiculous. We subjoin the shortest specimen :

"Hail, glorious Consummation of eternal bliss! The Ultimate desire, and animated Hope, which gilds the Christian's pros

pect with

Unfading lustre and triumphant joy!"

WE were just upon the point of perusing this tract for the purpose of gaming such a knowledge of its contents as should enable us to discharge our duty both to the author and the public, when we were, for a moment, checked by the following most extraordinary request. "Now, reader, whosoever thou art, I hope you will not take up this discourse to criticise; if you have taken it up in this view, pray lay it down again, for it is not my desire to have any thing to do with you!" We

felt it, however, incumbent upon us to proceed; but we had not gone far before we found our labour perfectly useless, and gladly followed our author's counsel. We put down the book with feelings of almost unqualified disgust, excited by the senseless rants with which every page appears to be filled. But what else could be expected from one who looked up to Mr. G. Burder as one of the best writers of modern times!

"The Manuscript from which the following pages are printed, is entitled, A Sweete Poesie of variety of Flowers, composed of divine and moral Precepts for a Christian and civil carriage towards God and Man;' and was lately met with by the Editor, in Worcestershire; where it is well known that the learned Dr. Henry Hamond passed the later years of his life, under the protection of Sir John Packington, at Westwood, during the time of Charles II. by whom he was intended for the Bishoprick of Worcester. - In this county it has probably been preserved from that time to the pre

sent.

"It appears probable that the same Dr. John Hamond was the Author of this little work, and that he designed it for one of his grandchildren, a John Hamond also. But however this be, there is so much useful advice contained in it, as may very properly recommend it to further services; for which purpose it is now printed."

Worldly men purchase reputation by the sale of desert; wise men buy desert with the hazard of reputation."

"To speak well and much is a hard task; it is more than the work of one

man; for those who abound in words are often barren in good speech."

you

fall;

"Climb not too high, lest nor lie upon the ground, lest you be trod upon. Consider yourself as safest when your own legs bear you."

"He that liveth according to nature, shall never be poor; if according to opinion, never rich. Nature desireth little; craving." opinion much, and is beyond measure

"If your present situation prove not suitable to your mind, make your mind suitable to your condition."

In general the aphorisms are not constructed in so constructed in so pointed a manner; but consist of plain directions expressed in plain sententious, but not epigrammatic language, as in the following examples:

"Be more careful in the keeping of your word and promise, than of your purse and property; and of what money is committed to you in trust, be as care ful also.

For honest and good men ought so to conduct themselves, that men should have more confidence in their

honesty than in their oaths and obligati

ons."

sion. They are not all original. We select a few for the purpose of shewing our readers the nature and form of the instruction which they will here meet with. We take them without any regard to arrange

ment.

The instruction which is conveyed in this little work, is generally of great importance; and Mr. Plumptre deserves well of the public for putting it into their hands.