the way of acceptance with God, we, in vain examine the Sermons of Mr. Martin. Robinson would have called him, and called him truly " a retailer of small wares." His views were contracted and his mind incapable of any expansion. True indeed, no man is accountable for the exercise of talents which God hath not bestowed upon him ; and we should be extremely censurable were we to blame Mr. Martin for not effecting that which was beyond his reach. But while, we trust, we shall ever be disposed to the exercise of candour towards the feeblest talents when accompanied by modesty and becoming diffidence, we equally feel it our duty to chastise personal vanity and self-conceit wherever it may be found, and more especially in a minister of the Gospel of Christ. Had Mr. Martin possessed the talents of an Angel, the spirit of arrogance and self-sufficiency which pervades his pulpit harangues would still have rendered them to us intolerably disgusting-but when, instead of that, we behold it in one who was scarcely able to put two ideas together, it becomes doubly odious. Let the reader who has not access to the volumes themselves, carefully notice the tenor of the extracts which we have given from them, and mark the dogmatical, pompous, and consequential strut of the preacher, and he will ask no apology for the severity of these strictures.

*

merely among the mass of the popu lation of this vast city, but even in our leading dissenting congregations, and too frequently, alas! among the ministers themselves. The church in Keppel street, appears to us, an instance in point, and it is to be feared that most of the Baptist churches are in a similar predicament. Admitting the Sermons before us to constitute the standard of the degree of knowledge in divine things to which that church has attained, we scruple not to affirm that the subject is deeply affecting. It goes to shew that a Society respectable for its numbers and the description of its members, may continue for generations in a state of infantine imbecility, ever learning yet never advancing beyond the very first principles of the oracles of God, nor even attaining to any clear and distinct conceptions of them! How indeed should the case be otherwise with those who are to be "taught in the word," when the mind of the teacher himself is bemisted upon the plainest and most fundamental articles of the Christian faith? Take for a specimen, the Gospel itself-and faith or the belief of it, by which sinners obtain justification and eternal life.

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We have in the first volume of these Sermons, two discourses on Rom. i. 16. "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, &c." and in the second volume, one on Heb. xi. 1. We do not deny that Mr. Martin "Now faith is the substance of things managed to raise himself to some de- hoped for, the evidence of things not gree of eminence among his cotempo-seen." With respect to the Gospel, raries; but those who have paid any he indeed informs us at the outset attention to the subject of ministerial that the word means glad tidings popularity, will see nothing in this to concerning Jesus Christ"-but then, excite surprise. In three cases out of we have no clear, simple, scriptural every four that occur, the popularity statement of that wherein these glad of the preacher stands on no better a tidings consist-nothing like what foundation than the ignorance of his the apostle Paul gives in 1 Cor. xv. followers; and, perhaps, in no place 1-3. The whole is a confused, under the sun does this more fre- desultory, and round about chase, quently happen than in London. To calculated rather to bewilder and perone who has not had the opportunity plex the mind of the hearer, than to of making his observations on the enlighten and inform it. And then, point, it would appear almost incre- as to faith, we shall quote a single dible to be told how little real scrip- paragraph from his Sermon on that tural knowledge is to be found, not subject, and submit it to the conside

* Some years ago, Mr. M. was one evening engaged, to preach for the late Mr. Timothy Priestley, in Jewin street, the latter gentleman being present. When the congregation were dismissing, one of the members, who occasionally itinerated, happened to come in contact with Mr. Priestley, who taking him by the hand, thus significantly accosted him. "Had this Sermon been delivered by you, it would have been thought nothing of—but this is Mr. Martin!" The remark is a proof of Mr. Priestley's good sense.

66

ration of every competent judge, what must be the confused state of that preacher's mind, who could thus darken counsel by words without knowledge. Thus Mr. Martin speaks; Man, undoubtedly, is possessed of two distinct faculties and powers; of God and dependent on him. To the one we give the name of Sense of the other, the common name is Reason. Sense and Reason, are in different proportions, with all men, with whom we soberly converse. But there is a third faculty and power which it pleaseth God to give, in different degrees to some men, and that is Faith. And, I suppose it will be found, in all our pursuits, in all our connections, in all our businesses, in all our amusements, and in all that relates to religion, it will be found I suppose, that we are carried hither and thither; this way and that; and are led to avoid some things and pursue others, just as it is with us in reference to Sense, Reason and Faith." Vol. II. p. 20.

To those who have learned their religion from the Bible, it must be altogether unnecessary for us to say any thing in the way of exposing the palpable absurdity of thus represting FAITH as a faculty of the mind distinct from Sense and Reason; and to others it would only be so much labour lost; we therefore close our account of these strange compositions.

Before we proceed farther, however, with our critical animadversions, we must take the liberty of remarking for the benefit of our readers at a distance, who have never been privileged with a trip to the metropolis, that the particular part of the country which this Excursion embraced, might not inaptly be termed "the British Garden of Eden." Richmond Hill, as Mr. Evans justly remarks, is a subject on which prose and poetry have exhausted their energies; the spot is so truly enchanting as almost to set exaggeration at defiance. From this eminence "the raptur'd eye sweeps the boundless landscape"

"From hence we trace the matchless vale of Thames, Far winding up to where the muses haunt, To Twickenham bowers; to royal HAMPTON'S To Claremont's terraced height and Esher's groves.

pile;

Has of Achaia, or Hesperia sung

Enchanting vale! beyond whate'er the muse

O vale of bliss! O softly swelling hills!
On which the power of cultivation lies,
And joys to see the wonders of its toil.

See! what a goodly prospect spreads around
Of hills and dales, and woods and lawns and
And glittering towns, and gilded streams, till all
The stretching landscape into smoke decays.”

spires,

THOMSON.

From Richmond to Hampton court, a distance of less than half a dozen

An Excursion to Windsor, in July, miles, is a kind of enchanted valley. 1810, through Battersea, Putney, The village of Twickenham, rendered Kew, Richmond, Twickenham, Straw- ever memorable as the residence of berry Hill, and Hampton-court; Pope; and Strawberry Hill, renowned Interspersed with Historical and Bio- as the abode of Horace Walpole, graphical Anecdotes, for the improve- afterwards Earl of Orford, lie in the ment of the rising generation, &c. &c. road to Hampton court; and these BY JOHN EVANS, A. M. London. interesting objects, as well as almost Sherwood and Co.; about 570 every person and every thing connectpages, with plates, Price 9s. 1817. ed with them, are detailed or described NOTWITHSTANDING that this Excur. by our author with much minuteness sion was made seven years ago, it is and very commendable accuracy. only now, for the first time, submitted Interesting however, as these favou to the tribunal of the public; and it rite villas unquestionably are, they is singular enough that it should find must yield to Hampton court, once its way into our hands, just at the the residence of British Sovereigns, moment when we had returned from and still worthy of a nation's pride, on making, for the first time in our lives, account of its numerous ornaments. the "Excursion" which the volume We followed Mr. Evans very agreeis principally intended to describe, ably in describing its interior, until namely, through Battersea, Putney, we arrived at page 230, where he Kew, Richmond, Twickenham, Straw-notices" the great pictorial treasure," berry Hill and Hampton court." We the Cartoons of Raphael, which have took it up therefore with the greater been for some time deposited at interest than we should otherwise Hampton court. have done, being determined to satisfy ourselves how far Mr. Evans's observations and remarks corresponded to those which he had made.

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"These Cartoons or coloured drawings on paper, were executed by Raphael, at the desire of Leo the Tenth, and sent into Flanders to be copied in the richest

which the Abbe du Bos has fallen, in describing one of the figures in this picture, should have allowed this to without notice. "The Abbe

tapestry. There they remained obscure and forgotten, until Rubens apprized Charles the First of their situation. The king purchased them, and afterwards pass Cromwell gave three hundred pounds for them. They were placed first at Hamp-duced in this cartoon is intended for says, that one of the persons introton Court, then in the Queen's Palace, and afterwards at Windsor Castle, whence they were again brought to Hampton Court. They are placed in the King's Gallery, or what is now emphatically called, the Cartoon Gallery.

"The Cartoons, seven in number, have for their subject:

1. The Miraculous Draught of Fishes. Luke v.

2. The Charge to Peter. John xxi. 3. Peter and John healing at the Gate of the Temple. Acts iii.

4. Death of Ananias. Acts v. 5. Elymas, the sorcerer, struck blind. Acts xiii.

6. The Sacrifice to Paul and Barna

bus. Acts xiv.

1. Paul Preaching at Athens.

xvii."

Acts

Judas; forgetting that this scene is after the resurrection, and consequently, that Judas had hanged himself!"

It is truly astonishing to remark the egregious blunders into which sometimes fallen in their attempts to artists of the first reputation have describe scriptural subjects. Some years ago, a most magnificent edition of the Bible was published by the late Mr. Macklin, as a specimen of the state of the Arts at the close of the eighteenth century. It forms five or six volumes in Imperial folio, and the texture of the paper, the beauty of the typography, and the elegance of the engravings are of corresponding We are quite aware that it is the excellence; so that the tout ensemble fashion of the times to cry up these may be pronounced unrivalled. Among Cartoons as an "invaluable" trea- the engravings, is one representing sure, and that in with-holding our "the mother of Zebedee's children" admiration of them we expose our-introducing her two sons to the Saviselves to the ridicule of the diletanti! our, one in each hand, and asking "The genius of Raphael," says our the favour from him," that they author, 66 was transcedently great, might sit, one on his right hand and and the subject of universal admira- the other on the left in his kingdom." tion." Be it so: let not our admira- Now every one who reads the New tion of his genius, however, deprive Testament with attention must see us of the exercise of common sense that these two individuals, for whom in judging of his performances. Take, this honour was solicited, were our for instance, the second cartoon in Lord's two disciples, James and John, Mr. Evans's enumeration. It is de- who were evidently grown up to mansigned to represent that memora-hood, and probably as old as Jesus ble interview which took place be- himself: but the artist has described tween our Lord and the apostle Peter them in the picture as two little boys, after his resurrection when the scarcely reaching higher than the question was thrice put; "Simon knee of their mother! Yet this stupid Peter lovest thou me?" Peter is re- blunder, is suffered to pass in a work presented as bowing himself to the which cost the Subscribers about earth in humble adoration, while he Sixty pounds a copy-and which was utters the reply, "Yea, Lord, thou to present to posterity a memorial of knowest all things-Thou knowest the state of the arts among us! that I love thee !" Jesus is exhibited There is, at the seat of the Earl as giving him the solemn charge, of Derby, at Knowsley in Lanca"Feed my lambs-feed my sheep" shire, a noble collection of Paintings, and behold! a flock of sheep and which we remember to have been lambs literally are introduced into the much entertained, about a dozen years picture, and Jesus is described as ago, in viewing. Many of them are pointing to them with his finger!! by eminent Italian masters; and, for Now this is preposterously absurd, one of them, in particular, if we reand it requires nothing but the exer-member rightly, his lordship had recise of a little plain common sense to fused a thousand guineas! The subject perceive its absurdity. We are really is Matt. xvi. 18, 19. "Thou art Peter surprised that so acute an observer as Mr. Evans, who has very ingeniously detected a curious mistake into

and I will give thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, &c.;" the artist was either Rubens or Titia

to him. All this is truly laughable, and should be expunged in a second edition. Yet with a proper allowance for these puerilities and a somewhat overweening conceit of his own im

or some one of equal celebrity. The shade and colouring and general execution are doubtless very fine, but who that pays any regard to the truth of history would ever expect to find our Lord exhibited in the atti-portance, we have no hesitation to tude of delivering two large keys into pronounce his book a very amusing the hands of the Apostle? Yet such is companion. The style is lively, and the basis of this renowned painting, the anecdotes seldom destitute of which has probably been the admira- interest-and if, in attempting to tion of thousands !! talk apophthegms the author now and then puts us off with a mere truism, we still venture to affirm, that there is so much gentlemanly chitchat in the volume, such an apparent fund of good humour, of liberality of sentiment, and other companionable qualities, that the reader who once takes it up, whether in his Excursion to Hampton court and Windsor, or at his own fire side, will not hastily lay it down again.

To return, however, from this digression, in which we have wandered beyond our intention; we must sum up our opinion of Mr. Evans's book. It is a highly amusing performance, full of interesting incident, and cannot fail of ministering instruction to readers of every class, but more especially the young, whose improvement in taste and judgment the author appears laudably to have kept in view. He has evinced the extent of

The Hampshire Sunday School Union Teacher's Hymn Book, 2nd edition, with additions. Portsmouth, Mills, and Lea and Son: Whitewood and Horsey, Portsea, 1817. Price 1s. bound.

Advertisement to the Second edition.

of this little Work, and the repeated ap "The rapid sale of the first impression plications for it, have induced the Com pilers to print a Second Edition.

"Anxious to render it still more wor

thy of public patronage, they have made several alterations, and added a number of original Hymns.

his acquaintance with cotemporary writers, both in poetry and prose, by the very numerous quotations which he has introduced into his volume; and as they are in general highly apposite, they serve at once to enliven the narrative and inform the mind. No person, until he examines the volume, can have any adequate conception of the portion of entertainment that it furnishes; and particularly in that most pleasing department of literature, biography. The sketches, which Mr. Evans has contrived to intersperse throughout his volume, of the history of such men, for instance, as Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, Gibbon, Gilbert "Again they acknowledge, with grati Wakefield, Horne Tooke, the ugly and tude, the kindness of those friends who excentric Heidegger, Dean Swift, Dr. have favoured them with their assistance; Beattie, Thomson the poet, Pope, to aid the devotional exercises of Sunday and humbly hope, that their endeavours Atterbury, Warburton, Horace Wal-School Meetings, will have the approba pole, Benjamin West, Thomas Day, Antonio Verrio, Mr. Gray, and many others whom we cannot find room to particularise, gives his book a very considerable degree of permanent interest. We could indeed have wished that he had been more sparing of his CAPITALS and Italics-for his pages are so crowded with them, that they really produce a whimsical effect in our estimation. It seems as if he could not trust the reader one moment to the exercise of his own judgment or sagacity, but must be continually at his elbow, jogging him with

66

now reader! don't let that escape you"-while, such is his courtesy to great men, that not one of them comes in his way but he must doff' off his hat

tion of Heaven, and be productive of much good in promoting the welfare of the rising generation."

This little collection of divine
songs, Eighty-nine in number, is very
deserving of the attention of the
Sabbath-day Schools throughout the
kingdom. "Tis very neatly printed,
and both the sentiment and poetry
entitle it to commendation.
GREAT God, now condescend

To bless the rising race,
Soon may their willing spirits bend
To thy victorious grace.
Oh! what a vast delight

Their happiness to see!
Our warmest wishes all unite
To lead their souls to thee.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE an outline of the whole of the Speeches

In all, 1,675,994 copies, exclusive of about 100,000 copies circulated at the charge of the Society from Depositaries abroad; making a grand total of ONE MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FOUR copies, already circu-pany, are of some value on the principle lated by the British and Foreign Bible Society..

precious faith;' and expected to meet in the place where shall be no dissensions. But, whether there was any remedy for this unhappiness, whether agreement in substantial principle could be made to ..... 62296 9 10 supersede differences in subordinate matters, was a problem too mighty for them to solve; and left them only the feeble consolation of sighing after a blessing which they despaired of enjoying.

"But the problem which had thus excited the desires, appalled the resolution, and extinguished the hope, of age after age, is solved at last-it is solved in this Institution. Blessed are our eyes, for

As we cannot undertake to give even they see, and our ears, for they hear, things VOL. III.