human nature; in decidedly wicked characters, it selects for it object vital Christianity; but, where it unhappily obtains amongst religious persons, it must certainly be ascribed to ill-regulated zeal, and a mistaken apprehension of the genius of Christianity.'p. 107. The fifth section represents the active exertions of the Reformer during his sickness in the decline of life, in which he continued unremitting to his death. The account of his last visit to his church, whither he was carried to receive the Lord's Supper, is very affecting, and is a beautiful illustration of the peaceful end of the pious and laborious Christian, possessing a hope full of immortality.

The last section contains his Will: -humble, faithful, and affectionate addresses to the syndics and ministers of the town; which are, for their excellence, worthy the alten tion of magistrates and ministers : his death, funeral, and character, which is extracted from different authors, principally from Alexander Morus, with which this account closes.

The second part of the work contains Memoirs of the writings of Calvin, with his character as an Author and Commentator; in which Mr. M.'s design, expressed in his own words, is to give rather an exhibition of his theological sentiments than a critical review of his compositions; which, were it practicable, would in all probability be less interesting, and certainly less profitable.'-p. 163.

Our author adds various testimonies in favour of Calvin as an author, and introduces an epitome of his incomparable work, entitled Christian Institutes;' which procured him more celebrity than ail his other performances.

The extracts, which are sufficient to furnish our readers with accurate views of the Reformer's sentiments, are on the following important topics: The Knowledge of a God, -The state in which Man created, The Immortality of the Soul, The Moral Law, Election, -Heprobation,Original Sin, --Free Will, Justification, The

This

Perseverance of the Saints. epitome concludes with a quotation from Bishop Horsley's last Charge, in favour of Calvinism.

The work concludes with an Ap-' pendix, containing biographical sketches of Wickliffe, Huss, Jerome of Prague, Erasmus, Luther, MeJanethon, Cranmer, Knox, and Beza. The account of Jerome is one of the most interesting fragments of ecclesiastical history, extracted from the life of Paggio Bracciolini, a dignitary of the Romish church, who was present at Constance when Jerome was condemaed to be burnt.

We have endeavoured to give an impartial review of a work, which, from the variety of incidents it contains in the life of an active, zealous, and pious Reformer, the great and important events which it recognizes, and the many salutary truths with which it is interspersed, will, we are persuaded, afford pleasure and instruction to its readers, and the sentiment which it breathes prove highly gratifying to the friends of the Reformation, and of civil and religious liberty. It is but justice to add, that the work is handsomely printed, and embellished with an excellent portrait of the Reformer.

membrance of past labours, which have been favourably received, and, he hopes, rendered useful. We have no doubt that these discourses will be as acceptable and as useful as any of Mr. Buck's former labours. They contain much important matter, expressed with perspicuity, and occa. sionally enlivened by anecdote. They sometimes descend to particuJars of a practical nature, not usually noticed in public sermons, but which may have their use, for it is preaching to mens' bosoms and businesses.' The sermon on Divisions in Churches, the substance of which, if we mistake not, was delivered at one of the Monthly Meetings in London, is weli calculated to prevent the evils which it describes. The sermons also on Sickness, Trials peculiar to Business, on the

on

from

Loss of Children, and on Sanctified Adversity in general, appear to have been derived from observation and experience, as well as Scripture; and are well calculated to console the afflicted Christian, and to promote the glory of Him who does all things well,

We could easily transcribe many excellent passages, as specimens of the author's train of thinking and mode of expression; but we rather refer our readers to the work itself, which we think will be a useful companion for the Christian, both in his closet and family.

The Characteristic Principles of the Gospel illustrated and defended : a Sermon for the Benefit of the London Female Penitentiary. By Juha Styles. Is.

THE text is well-chosen: Luke vii. 39, Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him, saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This mau, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner.'

• Simon's house,' says the author, ⚫ becomes, for a moment, a Female Penitentiary; and the proudest euemy of the returning sinner is silenced, and perha, s convinced. The conduct of Christ, in this instance, and of those who imitate him in si

milar circumstances, is liable to objections and reproach. To, obviate these objections, and to wipe away this reproach, I shall, in the first place, exhibit the character of the gospel, as it appears in the conduct of Jesus Christ towards sinners; and, secondly, Defend Christianity from those charges which, on this ground, have been so frequently. urged against it,'

In the character of the gospel, Mr. S. observes, that the first feature which we contemplate, is that of Sovereignty; then Compassion; thirdly, Power; lastly, Grace.

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The author then defends the gospel from the charges urged against it, - aspartial and unjust,' holding out premiums to vice,' as encouraging persons to continue in sin.' These charges are ably refuted; and he proceeds to prove, that the London Female Penitentiary is strictly a Christian Institution.' We should be glad, if our limits permitted, to make several quotations: the following, however, must suffice:

I am well aware that much has been said and written to traduce the character of this Institution. I give the persons who have so violently opposed it full credit for purity of intention, and a generous, though, as it certainly appears to ae, a mistaken, zeal for the public good; for it must, I think, be evident to every impartial examiner of the subject, that the mode of reasoning adopted against the Penitentiary, is precisely of the same nature with that which has been so often employed against the grace of the Gospel. Simon, the Pharisee, felt this reasoning in all its force, when he said within himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner."

If the principle of the Penitentiary be evil, it is the very principle which distinguishes Christianity from all other systems; and I am fully persuaded that the enemies of this institution would shudder to find themselves associated with our modern Porphyrys and Julians. They meant, I am sure, no covert

thrust at the vitals of Christianity, when they attacked the Reformatory at Pentonville. This Institution has been so ably defended in a late pamphlet, that any thing in the form of a vindication from me in this place would app ar unnecessary and perhaps arrogant; but I cannot help referring to one reason which has beea employed against this charity, and which, in my opinion, is a very powerful argument in its favour. It has been said, that for every individual female which this Institution may take from the walks of iniquity, there are two waiting to occupy her place; and it is therefore argued, that, in all probability, the Penitentiary will therefore exceedingly increase the evil it is intended to remedy. If this were true, the argument is as powerful when directed against the reception of unfortunate females into workhouses as into penitentiaries; and thus militates equally against the objector's favourite scheme, and the Pentonville Refor matory. But if the moral slate of society be truly as this author represents; if prostitution be an evil of such extensive influence and tremendous magnitude, it is time indeed, it is full time, to employ every method of prevention and of cure. The Society for the Suppression of Vice must increase its vigilance and its resources; parish officers and justices of the peace should rouze from their lethargy, to restrain the insolent, the daring, and the notoriously profane; while penitentiaries ought to be established and multiplied for the reception of the weeping and the sorrowing, the daughters of Wretchedness, who have drank the cup of misery to its dregs, and who have not where to lay their head. This Institution, my brethren, is reared on the fair supposition, that there are those, among the miserable victims of seduction and profli gacy, who most sincerely desire to be restored, and who feel some yearnings after virtue. Is this too much to be expected? Is there really something so alluring in the trade of

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vice, and its illegitimate wages, infamy, and sorrow, that none are to be found among those that have devotedthemselves to it, who feel anxiety to return to the virtuous and peaceful paths of life? Or does every unfortunate seduced female become utterly depraved at once? Do you imagine that before and after "the acting of a dreadful thing," there are no "compunctious visitings of nature?" Conscience sleep because it has been offended? or, rather, in the first steps of a career of iniquity, does it not alarm and terrify? Why must the spirits be raised by artificial means? Why does the wretched creature flee from solitude and herself?-and what means that heartrending sigh which will obtrude, in spite of the madness of laughter? Is this bosom at ease? Can that heart be peaceful and happy? Oh, no! And where can the wanderer find a refuge? For her, no asylum is provided by law: - let it then be supplied by Benevolence. We do not pretend greatly to reduce the ma's of female depravity by a house at Pentonville. Let all means of prevention, and even of punishment, be resorted to that the law has allowed; but le a refuge be opened for the penitent! Every virtuous house is closed against her; every house for the reception of the sick poor; every house of industry. Let her not be denied admittance, then, to this house of mercy! to this hospital for the heart!

The Friends of the Penitentiary, are much indebted to Mr. Styles for this eloquent discourse.

markably displayed than by the numerous and able advocates who have risen up to defend the Penitentiary from the attacks of its opposers. Among these, Mr. Blair and Mr. Hodson have been the most assiduous. The author of this panphlet, in his Introduction, says, Although I had powerful motives for declining again to interfere in a controversy, from which I could only expect to derive further irouble, undeserved obloquy, and a sacrifice of valuable time, yet it is gratifying to stand between the oppressor and the oppressed, to defend an house of mercy from the assaults of misguided persons,—and to assist in yielding a gleam of hope to females, enveloped in palpable darkness, or sitting in the shadow of Death. Mr. B. has effected his benevolent purpose with warmth and success; and has added to the many obligations under which the Institution laid, by his former publication, and by his constant medical attention, which is perfectly gra

tuitous.

An application, it seems, had been made to Mr. Thomas, by a friend of Mr. Blair, in order to trace the origin of his indirect accusations of that gentleman; but Mr. T. declined affording any information, saying, That he had appealed to the public; and was prepared to give every satisfaction the public may require.' The Letters which passed on this occasion are here published; as is also a Conciliatory Let-, ter from Mr. Blair to Mr. Hale, which does honour to the writer.

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Mr. B. has inserted entire that Critique, printed in this Work, which had given such offence to Mr. T.; and which he had very improperly imputed to Mr. B. For nothing,' says Mr. Blair, in my opinion, but a careful inspection of that entire article, can be requisite to convince any impartial judge, how causeless and peevish were all those (Mr. T.'s) bitter complaints and reprehensions.'

Mr. B. adds Five Letters, which appeared in the Christian Guardian, in confutation of Mr. Hale's Reply; and which, tho' the author's name.

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was then secreted, were deemed by many judicious persous very convincing and satisfactory. shrewd remarks are also made on Mr. Campbell's Letter, which was appeuded to Mr. T.'s pamphlet ; ́ and which, we think, invalidate ali that Mr. C. has advanced on the subject. Towards the close, Mr. Blair has added various Remarks and Facts, in confirmation of the sentiments he formerly advanced respecting workhouses and the imprisonment of loese women; which are also strengthened by Extracts from the late Archdeacon Paley, &c. &c.

We cordially recommend this publication, together with the following, to those who may yet entertam doubts concerning the utility of Penitentiaries; who may wish to see a complete refutation of all the arguments by which they have been opposed; or a vindication of the. character of those gentlemen who had previously advocated this cause of Benevolence and Religion.

THIS is a masterly performance; and so completely refutes the ob jections of Mr. Hale and Mr. Thomas, that we are almost templed to thank those gentlemen for making them. Indeed, their opposition, and the discussion it has occasioned, will, we are persuaded, terminate in a more general approbation and a more liberal support of this House of Mercy, than it would otherwise have obtained.

Mr. Hodson very justly complains, that Mr. Thomas has passed over the arguments by which former objections had been repeatedly answere, and which unquestionably claimed his attention. Mr. Hodson, however, takes care to animadvert with just, yet temperate severity on Mr. Thomas's strange attack on the credit of this Institution. We quote

Mr. Thomas, at the very commeucement of his objections, makes a daring attempt to destroy the Penitentiary by a single stroke. Mr. Hale has advanced many severe things against this Institution; but his young convert has immensely surpassed him in the article of detraction. Mr. Thomas has actually compared this decently and religiously conducted Institution to the Temple of Venus, at Corinth; in which, according to Strabo, “a thousand harlots prostituted themselves for hire." This temple (says Mr. Thomas, speaking of the Peni tentiary)" could only have been equalled by the extraordinary appearance of an intermediate Asylum for such characters, between this temple and the spiritual society of believers! The institution of such an asylum, the apostle Paul never imagined." This is just such an as.. persion as might have been expected from the Barrister, whose chief artifice it has been to degrade the religious public, by combining with their principles and measures, ladi. crous images, and impious associations. For the honour of Mr. Thomas's function, I most deeply lament that he ever made this most unjust and scandalous comparison. "How dare he, as an honest man, as a gentleman, as a Christian," make such a comparison? How dare he" place receptacles, so diametrically opposite both to their character and design, upon an equa lity, or even mention them as bearing the remotest resemblance or relation to each other? Is this a spemen of the CANDOUR and MODESTY" with which Mr. Thomas proposed to state bis Objections? Can he point out a single feature in which a likeness can be traced between the Co. rinthian Temple and the Asylum at Pentonville? between a splendid and magnificent bagnio, filled with abominable impurity, and established for the most execrable purposes, and a house of Mercy and Restoration, in which neither a lascivious look, nor a defiling word is tolerated, and the religious instructions of which invaria y dictate purity of

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thought, affection, and desire! Besides, did Mr. Thomas entirely forgel, that, for sixteen months, he himself regularly visited this modern Temple of Venus, and benevolently, and even affectionately, addressed Christian admonitions to the "harlots" of this Temple? How happens it that Mr. Thomas, who is engaged in the same ministry as St. Paul, and ought to possess a similar spirt, "never imagined," during all this period, that he was giving his sanction to an Institution which had the Temple of Venus for its prototype? for let it be remembered, that he says this temple · could only have been equalled by the Asylum at Pentonville. Admitting Mr. T.'s comparison to be a just one, I presume, even Mr. Hale will allow,

that the internal economy of the Penitentiary has something to do with the discussion of the principle of it.'

Mr. Hodson, however, unwilling to incur such a censure as Mr. T. passed on the Reviewer of Mr. Hale in this Magazine, for imputing improper motives to him, adds the folTowing sarcastical remark: • Mr.

Thomas observes, in his Vindication of Mr. Bale, that an author may unintentionally misrepresent an Institution, and yet shudder at the thought of wilfully misrepresenting it." This remark, says Mr. Hod-. son, is obviously just; and I shall, therefore, conclude that Mr. Thomas did not wilfully misrepresent the Penitentiary at Pentonville, by comparing it to the Temple of Venus at Corinth, but that he only uninten tionally did it!

As much of the opposition to the Penitentiary has resulted from an opinion that an improper description of females is admitted into it, the author considers fully, in what serse the persons admitted are deemed penitents; and refers to the conduct of our Lord in his treatment of sinners, and to the spirit of the admirable parable of the Prodigal Son; which he argues is so far from being inapplicable to the Penitentiary (as was pretended) that had it been constructed with an express view to the vindication of such an Asylum, a person can hardly conceive that it

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