of the distribution of subjects through the different portions of the sacred volume; some being loaded with a discordant redundancy of decoration, and other large portions have been almost entirely neglected: while such representations as might exhibit whatsoever knowledge remains of the distinct customs and ceremonies, illustrative of Jewish history, are sought for in vain. This, probably, would not have been the case, to an equal extent at least, had artists studied the Scriptures for themselves, and selected their own subjects of illustration.

The Set of Engravings now presented to the public, has been undertaken with the design and hope of avoiding all these grounds of objection, and of furnishing a series of illustrative prints better calculated to convey correct and enlarged ideas of the scenes and events recorded in Scripture. The designs are original, the production of a young artist of considerable promise. The specimens contained in the first number, certainly exhibit extensive knowledge and deep thought, combined with much boldness of imagination. It is not our object to apply to them minute criticism; but we have no hesitation in saying, that if the work is carried on with uniform spirit, it will form the best series of Bible illustrations which we have hitherto seen, and, by the size and price, it will come within the reach of general purchasers. The prints are accompanied with expla natory letter-press

Art. XIII.-The Fruits of the Spirit, being a comprehensive View of the principal Graces which adorn the Christian Character. By John Thornton. 12mo. Price 4s. London. Baynes. 1813.

WE regret that this excellent little work did not, long since, receive all the currency which our recommendation could give. While it will be valued by the experienced Christian as well calculated to "stir up his pure mind by way of remembrance," it will be of great service to the inexperienced Christian, who, on first finding, in the doctrines of gratuitous pardon and justification by faith, relief from the terrors of conviction, is in danger, through the injudicious treatment of well meaning but ill-informed instructers, or perhaps of artful, zealous, ill-principled partizans of speculative notions, of being seduced from the narrow but safe way of practical religion. When a sinner who had been long careless about the world to come, petrified into insensibility by habits of transgression, a bigot for morality which he never practised, and an enemy to truths, the value of which, not feeling their need, he was incapable of estimating; has, by some proviVOL. II. N. S.

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dential circumstance, been greatly alarmed; and, after having endeavoured again and again, without success, so to reform himself as to obtain peace, is at length, by the necessity of his condition, brought to embrace the doctrines he before despised; he is in imminent peril of mistaking opinions which may soothe him to rest, for faith which would purify his mind; and the pleasurable sallies of imagination fired with liberty and hope, for the influence of the Divine Spirit.

Few ministers who watch over the interests of men with attention, and, in consequence, are aware of the sources of delusion, have failed to observe instances of exposure to this danger; a danger by so much the greater, as a perverted application of right principles, is more difficult to be corrected than the adoption of false ones, and our author has, accordingly, not only noticed and deplored it, but endeavoured, in this useful work, to provide an antidote against it. He shows that the fruits of the Spirit are necessarily connected with the possession of his influences; and that men may not too hastily presume that these evidences are not wanting to confirm their hopes, he takes a distinct view of them, describes their nature and properties, carefully marks their characteristic differences from whatever might, in the eye of self-love, assume their appearance, and so practically applies his remarks, that every reader finds himself, even when he might not intend it, entered upon a course of self-examination.

These discourses or essays, which are of a convenient length for families, embrace the consideration of the chief personal and relative duties; and represent them not as mere external acts, but as acts springing from evangelical principles, and as connected with a purified state of the understanding and af-* fections, never found but where there has been a Divine change. They not only have the advantage of a clear method, of perspicuous language, and of a lively style; but they possess unequivocal marks of a pious mind, a compassionate heart, a deep concern for the welfare of the reader, and a prevailing wish to promote the honour of the Redeemer. We subjoin an extract or two which will, we doubt not, give validity to the commendation by which we would direct our readers to the work itself. The first describes antinomian bigotry; and the last characterizes fanatic delusion.

There are not wanting, in our day, persons who make it their business to disturb and unsettle Christian churches of such troublers, none are more dangerous than those who are tinctured with the leaven of antinomian error. There are certain watch-word terms and phrases, by which they may be easily known. They deal much in bold and unsupported assertions, and bitter, unmerited censures.

They love those ministers who preach high doctrines and deep mys. teries, but hate all serious and faithful addresses levelled at the conscience and the heart. Their conduct is often stained with broad blots, that may be distinctly seen through the disguise of religion, which is artfully thrown over them. Their conversation, instead of being seasoned with grace, is soured with gall, and soaked in the essence of pride and perverseness Among Christians they constantly shew a bad spirit, dividing where they cannot destroy, and disturbing where they cannot divide. The less you have to do with persons of this character, the better. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions, and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them."-Never conclude that all must be fatally wrong, who do not think just as you think. We cannot find two faces exactly alike;why then should we expect to meet many minds that, in every respect, accord with our own? Why should any smaller differences, which do not affect the foundation of our common faith, interrupt the fellowship, or spoil the harmony, of Christians? Why do those who profess to be followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, provoke or injure one another? It has been well observed, that though it is no way surprising for wolves to fight with wolves, it is unnatural for lambs to worry lambs. Our Lord has said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." Honourable distinction would God it were more valued and sought! But, alas! there are many who may be justly called peace-breakers, who leave no means untried to cause divisions and disturbances; meddling intruders, who will have an oar in every boat, a hand in every man's business; tatlers, who keep tales ready made, or stuff from which to make them, fit for all characters and occasions; wranglers, whose element is controversy and stormy debate; incendiaries, who carry the torch of animosity, and spread on all sides destructive flames. Now, if peace-makers are the sons of God, whose children are these? It is not a matter difficult to decide. Every feature in their character declares plainly who is their father. The devil, in the heat of his dispute, contended about the body of Moses; perhaps he grudged it the undisturbed rest of the peaceful grave: but the persons whom I have just mentioned go furtlier; and rather than be without a topic of debate, will contend about the souls of God's people, who are safely gathered to heaven, and daringly pronounce their doom. It is, indeed, impossible for them to rob the saints above of their rest; but they too often succeed in troubling the church below.'

All kinds of religious affection are not lasting. The fire on God's altar was kept alive by being constantly fed, but the strange fire of Nadab and Abihu was but for a moment. Many have been filled with high transports and raptures from an imaginary interest in Christ and heavenly bliss, who were never grounded in the knowledge of God, or duly sensible of their fallen, guilty condition. mind possessed of a weak judgment, and of a strong fancy, may, by instruments and means suited for the purpose, have its feelings so excited and raised, that visionary ideas shall overpower both the

dictates of reason and the testimonies of Scripture. But it should ever be remembered, that if knowledge without love is antinomianism, love without knowledge is enthusiasm. We need not wonder when persons, influenced by this wild-fire, make a flaming profession of religion for a short time, and then sink again into their former indifference. Cold chills not unfrequently follow feverish heats. But the love which the true Christian feels to his God, and all that bears the stamp of his authority or likeness, is not a vapour in the brain, or a vision in the fancy; but a deep rooted principle in the heart. He knows the solid excellency of divine realities. His faith is not grounded on slippery deductions of reason, or slender conjectures of fancy, or on musty traditions, or popular stories; but on the sure testimonies of God. I am far, indeed, from saying, that the love of the sincere Christian is always alike in its exercise: it is subject to many changes, declensions, and revivals. Who is there that may not often take the solemn remonstrances of Christ, addressed to the church of Ephesus, as applicable to himself? "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." Yet it is true as the apostle saith, that charity never faileth. When tongues and prophecies cease, love shall shine and sing in the kingdom of heaven. Faith will accompany us to the gates of paradise, and there bid us farewell: but white-robed charity will enter the gates, and never leave us. Knowledge may fade away; but love shall flourish in immortal bloom. Reader! contemplate the excellencies of this heavenly principle. Without it, there is no harmony, no beauty, no unity, no happiness! Music has a powerful charm to heaven-born souls; but if the harp of love be removed, the charm is gone. The sounding brass grates on the ear with harslı discords; the tinkling cymbal wearies with its tiresome monotony. Perhaps no grace ever sat to the hand of a more consummate master than charity. Her incomparable painter, St. Paul, has drawn her at full length, in all her fair proportions. Every attitude is full of grace-every lineament, of beauty. The whole delineation is 'perfect and entire, wanting nothing." As holy affection is the source of harmony, and the essence of beauty, so it is the cement of unity. "Love." says Mason, "is the master-principle of all good society. It is the holy bond which connects man with man, and angel with angel, and angels with men, and all with God. It is itself an emanation from his own purity: "For God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." Divine love diffuses itself over the whole life of a Christian. There is no duty or privilege, possession or connexion, placed beyond its reach. Its inHuence animates industry, exalts learning, refines friendship, soothes affliction, sanctifies prosperity, and seasons every comfort with the best relish.'

Were we inclined to modify the praise we have sincerely bestowed on this little work, we should mention that, in our opinion, there is a rather fatiguing redundancy; and, occasionally an inaccuracy of metaphorical expression.

Art. XIV.-Observations on the late Treaty of Peace with France, so far as it relates to the Slave Trade: in a Letter to a Friend. Svo. pp. 22. Butterworth. 1814.

IT should seem that the national sentiment excited by the obnoxious article in the late treaty of peace with France, partakes equally of the nature of disappointment and indignation. Nevertheless, we should imagine that the violence of surprise must have been, in a considerable d gree, moderated in the thinking part of the community, by their having observed one great general fact in modern history ;--namely, that in arrangements between states, such as treaties of peace or of alliance, the interests and claims of liberty, morals, and unperverted religion, have been apparently regarded as the least important things they involved, as things which warranted but little pertinacity, and in being obliged to sacrifice which, great statesmen should have the least mortification in acknowledging the ascendency of their rival negotiators. Let them be peremptory about a few square leagues of meadow, or of swamp,-about the choice of one rivulet and fort as a boundary, in preference to another, -about a trivial roadstead and the revenue of its customs,about the form of a title, or the precedence of a signature;-let a high and resolute tone be maintained on such points, and claims of mere morality and humanity may supply fair occasions for evincing a dignified indifference, or a polite facility of concession.

Such a phenomenon of history must have had some influence on very sober minds, in their anticipations of the fate of Africa, as depending on the justice and philanthropy of European statesmen. Nor could they have forgotten some of the more recent illustrations which have been afforded by facts of a less general nature, connected with the foreign policy of our own country. Waving the specification of other particulars, which could not fail to occur to their recollection, let us only advert, as a most glaring and enormous instance of this indifference, to the case of Portugal,-a state, as to its European existence, vanished and gone, as absolutely as any ship that ever foundered in the Bay of Biscay, till we were called in to recover it into political being. This kingdom was rescued and maintained, and ultimately established in indepen dence by the lavish aid of millions of money drawn from English industry, and of the valour and blood of unaccounted thousands that have perished in the exertion. Let this most costly support have been withdrawn, at any period for many years past,