with sincerity; if you are, with these feelings and dispositions, endeavouring to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, in order to celebrate the advent of the Redeemer, what should cause you on that day to be absent from the holy table? The prayer for the grace of God, the casting away the works of darkness, and putting on the armour of light; the doing these things with faith in Christ Jesus, and with a thankful remembrance of his death; all this is the sum and substance of the preparation for the Lord's Supper? Why then refuse the invitation? You are enjoined to partake of it by those very "Scriptures' to read which with profit and sincerity you profess to have prayed. You are bidden to it by those 'ministers' of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries' upon whose preaching you have implored his blessing. You celebrate in it the sacrifice' of that Redeemer by whom satisfaction has been made for your sins; you receive in it the pledges of his love; you are admitted in it to the holy mysteries ordained by him through whom alone you can expect deliverance from those sins and before whom you must all stand when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the quick and dead." P. 85.

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The Sermon on Regeneration for Christmas day, has also reference to the Collect, not only as suggesting the recollection of our spiritual birth, when by Baptism we were admitted into the Church of Christ, but as intimating the nature of our "Christian life; that

"though regenerate we require to be daily renewed by the Holy Spirit, co-operating with our diligence, to make our calling and election sure. This Collect speaks conformably to the sense of the Church expressed in the ninth article, 'And this infection doth remain yea in them that are regenerated. It intimates the prevalence of temptation, the responsi'bility of trial..... Regeneration places us in a state of salvation, from which we may fall, but shall not fall unless from our abuse or neglect of the advantages which it confers upon us." P. 88.

That Baptismal Regeneration is the doctrine of our Church, -Mr. M. shews from the language of her several liturgical services; and to an unbiassed mind his proofs must be satisfactory. The question is considered more at large in an appendix, where the arguments against baptismal regeneration, which are snp. posed to be deducible from certain points of analogy between baptism and circumcision, are refuted. This is done upon the ground that the passages of Scripture, supporting these analogical reasonings, are erroneously interpreted, and, when consi-dered with their context, will not bear the construction put upon them.

After a Sermon for St. Stephen's day, we find one " on the last day of the year"-a trite subject as we all know, and yet it is by no means a common-place sermon. The text from St. Matt, xxiv. 38, 39, which describes the avidity with which

mankind prefer their temporal to their eternal interests, gives rise to the question,

"How has this year been spent? With what reasons does it present you to conclude that you are not, as many others are, in the broad way that leadeth to destruction? What precise points in your conduct can you recollect which discriminate you from those described by our Lord? Have you been less solicitous than such persons about your pleasure or profit; and more earnest in working out your salvation? Have you been more ready to refer all your actions to the glory of God and more eagerly bent upon striving to enter the strait gate? Have you, more than others, sought the good things of this life rather as talents which you must improve and for which you are to account, than as means to be applied entirely to your own gratification?" P. 144.

The King's Accession affords an opportunity for recommending, on Christian principles, and in conformity with the Apostle's injunction, obedience to "the powers that be." In this Sermon Mr. Molesworth discusses the nature of the submission due to Government, and the benefit resulting from it; and further suggests some considerations which should dispose us to render our obedience cheerfully. This very judicious, useful discourse makes us regret that the subject is not more commonly explained and enforced from the pulpit by enlightened and temperate men, who might, under the divine blessing, contribute to the increase of peace and quietness; and promulgate loyalty upon those grounds which alone can render it permanent or stable,-without running the hazard of being taxed with delivering political discourses.

We could willingly notice several of the sermons which follow, not only on account of the judicious selection of the subjects, but of the sensible, unaffected manner in which they are generally treated. Especially we should be glad to give our readers an analysis of the discourse for the eighth Sunday after Trinity, on the Witness of the Spirit," as being a remarkably satisfactory discussion of a difficult topic;-but we must stop.

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Enough has been quoted from these sermons to shew the spirit in which they are composed. Interesting as this volume must be to every Christian, it will probably be doubly so to those engaged in parochial duty, as the Sermons appear to have been the result of intimate acquaintance with the modes of thinking and habits of life which are prevalent amongst the lower orders. Though the language is suited to the most refined congregation, the style is calculated to make impression upon the most unlearned, because it applies directly to the conscience and the feelings. The rich and poor may here. truly meet together and find one rule, one hope, one end, one ground of acceptance in this world, one promise of reward hereafter..

A Practical View of the Redeemer's Advent. In a Series of Discourses. By the Rev. JAMES HALDANE STEWART, M. A. Minister of Percy Chapel, St. Pancras, and Chaplain to the Most Noble the Marquis of Bute, and the Right Honourable the Earl of Breadalbane.

8vo.

We differ in many particulars from Mr. Stewart. We hesitate in receiving some of his positions, and in consenting to his inferences, we often doubt the accuracy of his interpretations; we do not always like his phraseology; but we bear willing testimony to the spirit of piety which discovers itself throughout his volume. We fully concur in all he expresses of the beauty, the pleasantness, and the efficacy of our holy religion. We deplore with him the general remissness in prayer and watchfulness, which is too observable in the present day; but whether or not this has arisen principally, as he supposes, from the loss of a particular operative principle, which influenced the early Christians, an expectation of the second Advent of our Lord, -we are not prepared to decide.

"Entirely distinct from all sentiments respecting the millenniumupon which he desires to give no opinion-the object of the following discourses is to place before the Christian Church, the substance of that which is revealed in the Scriptures, upon the second Advent of our Lord. It is done with no design of establishing a mere theory or fanciful opinion, but with a view to Christian edification in these remarkable days." PREF.

Accordingly, the practical instruction to be derived from these sermons, is equally useful, so far as it arises from the subject, even if we withhold assent from the premises.

The work is divided into four unequal parts. The First Part discourses of the events which render "the Redeemer's Advent desirable to his friends," in four sermons:- -On "Conformation to the image of Christ, in body and in spirit; Full communion with the righteous and the holy angels; The sight of the Redeemer; The new Heavens and the new earth." The Second Part, on the Advent being terrible to the enemies of Christ, is comprehended in two sermons, on "the occurrence of dreadful temporal distresses, and the close of the offers of mercy; Final judgment." The Third Part details the "reasons for expecting the Redeemer's Advent," in "The general doctrine of the second Advent; The signs of the times." The Fourth Part, occupying nearly half the volume, points out "The course of conduct be

VOL. II. NO, IV.

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coming an expectation of the Redeemer's Advent," in ten sermons-on "Readiness for his coming; The necessity of inward meetness; Assurance of readiness; Holding fast our profession; Earnest prayer for Divine aid; Active zeal in spreading the Gospel; Vigilance against Satan; Watchfulness against the dangers of the present times; Dwelling in love; Patient waiting for Christ.

This last portion of the book is perhaps the best adapted to general readers; but it is unsatisfactory: it dwells exclusively on certain parts of Christian duty, and is, therefore, less profitable than it might be. As a favourable specimen, however, of our author's manner, we take a passage from the sermon on "the new Heavens and the new earth."

"Let the cause of the blessedness of this abode be much considered. Wherefore, my Christian friends, are the new Heavens and the new earth so delightful a habitation? It is that therein dwelleth righteous. ness.' Oh, then, as you cannot yet enjoy those mansions of your Heavenly Father, strive to make this earth as much as possible a similar residence. Seek after higher degrees of excellence. Fix it as a principle in your mind, that holiness is happiness; that freedom from sin is true felicity. Rank, and wealth, and fame, and worldly honours have no place in this happy city. The blessed inhabitants strive not for riches, nor covet popular distinction. It is to be with Jesus, to behold his face, to serve him, to receive the rays of his glory, to drink from the chrystal stream that flows from the throne of God and the Lamb-these, these are their pursuits. As far then, as the duties of life will permit, let these pursuits be yours also; convert your duties into privileges. Consider your station as appointed for you by Divine Providence, that his will may be done on earth as it is in Heaven.' Let holiness be written on the bells of the horses;' or, let your common employments be sanctified by doing whatever you do to the glory of God." P. 76.

Our object being rather to cull what may be useful and acceptable to our readers, than to find all the fault we can, and having already said that we by no means think with Mr. Stewart on many points-we shall extract a part of his sermon on "the dangers of the present times," which contains a piece of sober and excellent advice;-and with this we shall conclude.

"The last danger I shall notice, though others might be mentioned, is neglecting personal religion, amidst the activity of public duties. It is a striking confession of the Church of Christ, They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I not kept.' For there may be so entire an occupation in the religion of others, as to leave little time for the cultivation of our own. This is a day in which we are more peculiarly liable to fall into this error, and particu

larly in this great city, for here we are at the fountain-head of benevolence. On every side useful institutions are forming institutions, whose plans all sincere Christians must approve, to whose advancement they would desire to give every encouragement. But how is this best

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to be done? By first taking heed to ourselves: for, by doing this, we shall proceed in these pursuits with a similar vigour with which men engage in their common occupations who attend to their health; they have then strength to perform, in a few hours, more labour than if weak and debilitated, they could execute in many days. It is thus in spiritual things he who takes time for retirement, for earnest prayer, for Divine meditation, when he comes to his active employment comes with the Comforter with him. His mind is under Divine teaching; his temper calm, his spirit heavenly: so that the aid he gives is real and effectual aid. But the temptation of the day is to another course, to forget retirement, and to be always acting. Hence it is that you sometimes meet with those who have much occupation, with little of the life and power of religion. Always upon the outside; depending upon external excitement, rather than communion with God; at the very time when they are sending the Gospel to the ends of the earth they need that Gospel to be brought with power to their own hearts. Let us watch against this peril, and, amidst activity for others, take heed that we advance ourselves." P. 361.

Lectures on the Essentials of Religion, Personal, Domestic, and Social. By HENRY FOSTter Burder, M.A. Author of Lectures on the Pleasures of Religion. 8vo. pp. 378. 9s. London. Westley. 1825. MR. Burder informs us that he does not intend in his present publication to enter on a discussion of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity; but to exhibit and enforce the essentials of personal and social religion. This, however, is not giving an accurate description of the volume. What are the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, and where are they to be found, if faith, and justification by faith, are not to be reckoned amongst them? On these subjects Mr. Burder treats in two or three of his lectures.

Duties and doctrines may be separated in theory, and therefore in discussion; but the essentials of religion, in whatever light they are viewed, necessarily extend to points of faith as well as practice. However we may have occasion to differ from Mr. Burder, the whole of the volume happily shews, that we are in unison with him on these important points. It is therefore evident that the error to which we have alluded has