Fuller contrasts it with that of pure Christianity; and makes some excellent distinctions; in which he discovers his accurate acquaintance with the human heart, and with the constitution of society. In speak ing of the affected courtesy and tranquillity of manner which some have assumed, he justly affirms, There is a calmness, I acknowledge, in the advocates of this doctrine, which distinguishes their writings from the low and fulsome productions of the English Antinomiaus: but calmness is not always opposed to bitterness: on the contrary, it may be studied for the very purpose of concealing it. The words of his mouth were smoother than batter; but war was in his heart: his sayings were softer than oil, yet were they drawn .swords. Again,

There is a zeal which may properly be denominated Catholic; and one which may as properly be denominated Sectarian. It is not supposed that any man, or body of men, can be equally concerned in promoting Christ's interest in all places. As our powers are limited, we must each build the wall, as it were, over against our own houses. Nor are we obliged to be equally concerned for the prosperity of all religious undertakings, in which the parties may be in the main ou the side of Christ. It is right that we should be most interested in that which approaches the nearest to truth and true religion, but true eatholic zeal will nevertheless have the good of the universal church of Christ for its grand object; and will rejoice in the prosperity of every denomination of Christions, in so far as they appear to have the mind of Christ. Those who builded the wall against their own houses, would not consider themselves as the only builders; but would bear good-will to their brethren, and keep in view the rearing of the whole wall, which should encompass the city. As it is not our being of the religion of Rome, nor of any other which happens to be favoured by the state, that determines our zeni to be catholic, so it is not our being of a sect, or party of Christians, or endeavouring with Christien meekness

6

and frankness to convince others of what we account the mind of Christ, that gives it the character of Sectarian. It is a being more concerned to propagate those things wherein we differ from other Christians, than to impart the common salvation; Where this is the case, we shall so limit the kingdom of Heaven to ourselves, as nearly to confine our good wishes, prayers, and efforts to our own denomination, and treat all others as though we had nothing to do with them in religious matters, but in a way of censure and dispute. Wherein this kind of zeal differs from that of the Pharisees, that compassed sea and land to make proselytes, but who, when made, were turned to them rather than to God, I cannot understand.'

We are much indebted to the respectable author of this production.

Not

It is the unfeigned wish of our bosoms, that the work may be attentively perused by those professors of religion especially, who have im bibed some of the peculiarities, both of sentiment and spirit, which belong to the disciples of Sandeman. unfrequently have we had cause to moura over those disturbances in religious societies which they have produced, and at this moment, a tear is ready to trickle from our eyes, while we think on the angry divisions which owe their origin to the tortuous advocates of this scheme. We deem it to be no cons nivance at any thing wrong, either in principle or practice, to say, That there are minor points, more parti cularly on the subject of ChurchGovernment, on which good men may innocently and calmly differ in opinion. This is the province in which sound and scriptural candour may be exercised, the sphere in which that divine charity, which

vaunteth not itself, may shine forth in all her benign and geatle radiance; and though we should deprecate nothing more than a peace founded in error and corrupt discipline, yet we offer it as our clear and deep-rooted opinion, That if the churches of Christ are to be incessantly vexed with querylous disputes about modes and terms of government, which are not most ex.

Thoughts on the Sufferings of Christ. By The Author of the Refuge. 12mo, Price

A PARTIALITY for certain phrases, derived from a scholastic theology, is the only defect we perceive in the Thoughts of this very respectable author. The terms vicarious, substitutionary; satisfaction, with a view to atonement; punitory and vindicatory justice, and federal relation, should always be defined; because the complex ideas they convey are apt to encumber and perplex the simple doctrine, which they are designed to explain.

Atonement by the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, is the foundation-truth of the gospel. That his sufferings were of infinite value; that they were endured in consequence of sin being reckoned to bim, as if he had been the sinner,that it is for the sake of those suf

ferings believers are pardoned and accepted, are truths in which Christians of every denomination agree;

that more than this can be de. duced from the Scriptures we con fess ourselves reluctant to admit. The Author of the Refuge is of a different opinion. He thinks the doctrine of Atonement is, in effect, denied by those who affirm our blessed Lord was not punished.' P. 5. He grants that there are difficulties connected with the investigation of this solemn subject;' but maintains, That had the unworthy objects' of the merciful regard' of our Lord

been more numerous,' his' sufferings would have likewise been augimented;' and thinks that, on the 'important fact' for which our Lord was punished, depends our everlasting happiness. His arguments are ingenious; and what hypothesis cannot the Author of the Refuge ingeniously support! If the imporLaut facts above alluded to be denied, then he thinks it follows, that there must be as much moral evil in

& few transgressions as in many,

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that the doctrine of Atonement claims affinity with General Redemption, that it confounds all our ideas of distributive justice, has a tendency to extenuate the guilt of sin, and depreciates the sufferings of Christ. On the contrary, soine persons would reply, that punishment supposes criminality; and as Jesus was not, in any sense, criminal, he was not punished, that criminality cannot be imputed, that the sufferings of Christ, although they avert punishment from others, were not inflicted in displeasure against him, that debts are transferrable, but crimes are not, that metaphorical language may be carried too far, and that satisfaction for sin was made not on pecuniary, but moral principles.

It would lead us far beyond the limits of our Review to pursue the argument through all its bearings; but we think the Author of the Refuge has conceded enough to confute himself.

He says, A sense of sin and obnoxiousness to divine displeasure, are essential to divine punishment." Now, if the language in which this is expressed, mean any thing, it is, That Christ deserved punishment;and this we cannot admit.

The piety diffused through these Thoughts, more than compensates for the polemic cast they have assumed. The argument combated by our author, may be seen fally and ably stated in Mr. Fuller's Essays.

A Biographical Sketch of the Rev. Jonathan Sanderson, formerly Minister of the Gospel at Rowell, in Northamptonshire. Compiled from Authentic Family Documents, with Extracts from his Diary, Letters, and Correspond. ence, from Drs. Doddridge, Conder, and others. By his Kinsman, Benjamin Hobson, of Great Driffield, Yorkshire. 8vo, 2s, Gd,

THIS incorrect title-page should not prejudice any one against the volume, The worthy minister of Great Driffield drew up a Memoir of Mr. Sanderson, his maternal

uncle, for the Biographical Department of the Evangelical Magazine: but finding the work grow under his hands, and judging that our li mits would forbid the insertion of some of its most useful passages, he laid it aside, till he was advised to give it to the public in the present form. We are now happy to announce and recommend the work, as calculated to serve the best of causes in the most effectual way, by promoting religion in the hearts of young ministers. The subject of this Memoir retired to his rest at the early age of 29 years; but if maturity of wisdom, sanctity of character, abundance of labour, eminence of usefulness, and experience of trials, place a man among the veterans in the host of Immanuel, Mr. Sanderson belonged to that honourable corps. He was early taught of God; and went, with a heart panting for usefulness, to study for the ministry at the academy, of which Homerton is a continuation, then under the superia tendence of Mr. Eames, one of the best scholars of his age. Though invited to settle as pastor of what was called The greatest Church in London, his self-denial and disinterested regard for the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, induced him to settle at Rowell. Here the trials he endured from a party, who camonized their crude, defective notions of Calvinism, under the name of Superior Attachment to that System, might induce some to conclude that he mistook the path of duty

but we know Him that said of one

whom he delighted to honour, I will shew him what great things he must suffer for my sake;' and we conclude, that the same voice said to Mr. Sanderson, Go, stem the Antinomian torrent at Rowell.' He who called him to trials, supported him with friends, comforts, and usefulness; and having enabled him to live fast in the noblest sense, gave him an early and abundant entrance into his everlasting kingdom,' April 18, 1747. To students and younger ministers, who have happily discovered how much they are in danger of losing the simpli city that is in Christ," while laudably diligent in the study of languages and science, or the cultiva tion of taste, we affectionately recommend this little book as an antidote to an insidious, but deadly poison..

Literary Notices.

A Third and Last Volume of "The Temple of Truth' is just ready for publication, under the title of Additional Studies.'

Rev. S. Elsdale, curate of Surfleet, near Spalding, is about to publish a second edition of his Poem, entitled Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell,' with other pieces. The profils devoted to the Lunatic Asylum, Lincoln; to which we understand 20 have been paid from the first edition.

Rev. J. Spence, late assistant curate of Spalding, Lincolashire, is about to palilish his farewell-sermon to that parish.