selves, detached from the civil history, and form a sort of whole on those great and much debated points of theology. The story of the degenerate Greeks, the foolish emperors, and profligate empresses, is tedious and tormenting to read; but the chapters on Arabia, Mahomet, the Saracens, Caliphs, Crusades, Tartars, and Turks, are very curious and informing; though shocking to the imagination are the repeated carnage of the human race, and devastations of the globe, first by one set of savages and then by another. When to these you add the intestine quarrels and bitter animosities between the Greeks and Latins, till, at the last siege of Constantinople by the Turks, one of the Greeks in high station declared he had rather see a Turk's turban there than a Cardinal's cap-one really shuts the book, almost ready, with Charlotte Smith, to write an ode to Despair.

As to Lindsey, as a writer, he is a poor creeping soul. I think I shall put down some strictures; but the worst is, one shall be involved by degrees in so many different controversies-nature and degree of inspiration, doctrine of satisfaction, our own establishment, subscription to articles, &c. liturgy, episcopacy, &c. (for they are all lugged in)—and now, besides the case of the demoniacs, the existence of any devil or Satan at all, which Lindsey denies. Another difficulty is that of obviating the sayings and examples of many latitudinarian protestants thrown in our teeth, men otherwise of great note, and universally almost esteemed--some of our own church, that were or are bishops, who have wished for a change of forms, &c.

But, however, the bold strokes of Priestley, Lindsey, &c. will let them see every day, more and more, the danger of innovation, and cure them, perhaps, of their disorder.

Copy of Mrs. Salmon's Letter to her Sister, on the Death of Bishop Horne.

My dear Sister,

[Referred to p. 180.]

17th Jan. 1792.

THIS morning, at twenty minutes past two o'clock, our dear lord departed this life. He died as he lived, a saint indeed! He had not been able for some days to express himself clearly; but yesterday, when Mr. Selby read prayers, he joined with him, and repeated the Lord's prayer with as much composure as ever he did in his life. After that he received the sacrament with my mistress and the ladies, Mr. Millard, Mr. Selby, Gilbert, and myself; and when that was over, he said, "Now I am bless"ed indeed!"-All was peace and joy and comfort within. He blessed us all severally, and thanked us for all we had done. Had you seen him bolstered up, blessing his children, and speaking comfort to his wife, in the hope and trust of their meeting again, you would never have forgot it. I am sure I never shall; nor do I wish it. We have reason to think that he did not suffer at last, as he went off without a groan, and has still a smile upon his face, as if he

was alive. He is to be buried at Eltham.

I can write no more, though I have more to say. Your good master may like to hear how he departed. I hope you will read this to him, though it is scarcely I cannot say more.

to be understood.

Yours affectionately,

E. SALMON.

209

CAUTIONS TO THE READERS OF MR. LAW,

And, with very few Variations, to the

READERS OF BARON SWEDENBORG.

[Referred to p. 68 and 166.]

FIRST. Either J. Behmen's scheme is a new revelation, or an explanation of the old. If the latter, why is it wrapt up in such mystic jargon, never heard of in the Christian church before, and not given us in Scripture language, which is the only explainer of itself? If the former, it is an imposture and delusion; for extraordinary inspirations are not to be credited, unless vouched by miracles, which God always sent to attest his extraordinary commissions: and if they are pretended to come from him, and do not, then it is a demonstration that they come from the devil, "transformed into an angel of light." To equal the imaginations of men to the holy Scriptures of God, and think them as much the inspiration of God as what was dictated as such to the holy prophets and apostles, is strictly and properly enthusiasm. This Mr. Law has done; for he says, he looks upon the writings of J. Behmen to be no more human than St. John's Revelation.

II. Mr. Law by creation will have nothing farther

VOL. I.

P

meant than the formation of the world out of preexistent matter; contrary to the sense always put upon it by the Christian church. The formation is described step by step; but the creation in Gen. i. verse 1. must relate to the production of, or giving being to, the matter, in its dark and inform state. The consequence of Mr. Law's opinion must be, either that matter, though distinct from, is co-eternal with, God, which cannot be; or else, that it is an emanation, generated from his substance or essence, which is the abomination of Platonism brought into Christianity. The confounding God and created nature together is the essence of Paganism, and the foundation of all the errors in the Heathen and Christian world. The Scriptures are constantly guarding against it, and distinguishing Jehovah from what is only the work of his hands. Eternal nature is a blasphemous contradiction; for God only is eternal; he only has being in himself, and gives it to every thing else. Nature may be a manifestation, or representation of God, as a picture is of a man ; but has no more connexion with his substance or essence, than that hath with its original, or the painter that drew it.

III. Mr. Law denies the wrath of God against sin. Now, that wrath in God is the same weak and infirm passion that is in man, no body will suppose. But that it produces effects, which the image of wrath executed by man is taken to give us an idea of, is a truth the Scriptures are full of from Genesis to Revelation. And it is described under all the images that