ing the writers of other countries, are in the most fulsome manner representing certain writers in their own as "the most perfect characters of the age;" but who, however distinguished for their talents, were equally distinguished for their timeserving political and religious principles, and for their court sycophancy and adulation. Mr. Robinson's plan of lectures contains a statement of facts, and principles, which however they may be misrepresented and reviled, cannot be confuted. That he is severe throughout is readily acknowledged; but what is it that gives this severity its peculiar sharpness? Truth, and truth ONLY! The books recommended by the author in the last page of the work, afford ample evidence of the justice of what he has advanced; and I am sorry to add, that in spite of increasing light and knowledge, and the liberal spirit of the times, and although the policy of our civil governors has chained the monster persecution, yet even the present age adds to the mass of evidence handed down by history, of the corruption and intolerance which constitute the original sin, and habitual depravity of established churches. The numerous falsehoods, and innumerable equivocations on the subject of ecclesiastical subscription, all of which, even those adopted by the most evangelical of the clergy, and which bid defiance not only to that purity which is the very foundation of christianity, but that common honesty inculcated by the light of nature, the conduct of the clergy respecting

the disgraceful riots at Birmingham;*-their attachment expressed to popish establishments at one period, and their cry of "no popery" at another, thus following the will and pleasure of the administration of the day:--these modern examples of intolerance and servility add additional strength to our author's arguments. In short, however widely I might differ from the opinions of a late high church prelate, Bishop Horsley, I most cordially agree with his right reverend lordship in his character of this, together with another popular tract (Mr. Palmer's catechism) written in support of the same glorious cause." These are tracts, cheap "in price, rich in matter, and which should be gotten by heart, by every one who wishes to "be thoroughly acquainted with the principles of "nonconformity."t

Mr. Robinson to illustrate more fully his plan to his own congregation, gave lectures in the vestry of his meeting house, and went through the

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* See--Memoirs of Dr. Priestley, p. 157, &c. and the Second part of his Appeal in which he brings "specific charges against the clergy of Birmingham, and other persons by name, proving them to have been the promoters and abet"tors of the riot." One of these charges, and which stands uncontradicted, is stated as follows:-" At a dinner of all "the prebendaries of a cathedral church, the conversation "turning on the riots in Birmingham, and on a clergyman having said that if I were mounted on a pile of my publica"tions, he would set fire to them, 'and burn me alive, they "ALL declared they would be ready to do the same!"

† Remarks on the Test Act, &c.

whole in a manner, which, as some who attended have informed me, afforded his audience inexpressible entertainment and instruction. It is much to be lamented that these lectures were not taken down and printed. It would be doing an important service to genuine christianity, if some person of ability, zeal, and fidelity would follow the method recommended and practised by the author.*

In 1779,† Mr. Robinson published-An Essay on the composition of a sermon: translated from the original French of the Rev. John Claude, minister of the French reformed church at Charenton: with notes, in 2 large volumes 8vo. The circumstances which gave rise to this work are thus related by our author in a letter to a friend. "I "had the misfortune by a fall from a coach, to sprain my ankle. This laid me long aside from ་ my public labours, and deprived me of what "above all things in the world, I loved, frequent "preaching lectures in the villages, where mem"bers of my congregation lived. I endeavoured "to console myself, and assist my brethren, by "revising, enlarging and publishing this essay.

To this several gentlemen advised me, and at "the same time Christopher Anstey, Esq. of Bath,

* Vol. IV. p. 253--256,

The title page bears this date, but it was published towards the close of 1778. It is a common practice to date books published in November and December, the year following.

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generously offered me the use of the large library of his good father, the late Dr. Anstey; and my good friends Mrs. and Miss Calwell,* both generous benefactors to our education-society "at Bristol, where pious young men, recommend"ed by our churches, are prepared for the ministry, liberally furnished me with every accomodation, hoping, as the excellent tutors of that society have been pleased to think, that the 66 essay might be of great advantage also to their 'pupils."

The preface to the first volume of the Essay consists of Memoirs of the life of the author, who is justly styled the "inestimable John Claude;" who for his learning and piety was one of the glories of that noble host of confessors, many of whom were murdered in their own country, and the rest banished by that ambitious, perfidious, cruel tyrant LEWIS XIV. If the style in which these memoirs are written is somewhat less polished than that of the memoirs prefixed to the first volume of Saurin's sermons, it is more fervid; the encomiums on civil and religious liberty, the detestation of tyranny in church and state which run through the whole, are expressed in such language as must animate the soul of every christian reader. The preface to the second volume is

*These ladies who were the warm and generous friends of Mr. Robinson, came to reside at Dr. Anstey's house at Trumpington, a village two miles from Cambridge, in 1777.

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styled-A Brief dissertation on the ministration of the divine word by public preaching, and which although only a sketch of a larger work designed by the author, contains a concise history of the pulpit from the earliest ages to the present; concerning which we may borrow his language. "The history of the pulpit is curious and entertaining: it has spoken all languages, and "in all sorts of style. It has partaken of all the 66 customs of the schools, the theatres and the "courts of all countries where it has been erected, "It has been a seat of wisdom and a sink of non،، sense. It has been filled by the best and the "worst of men.* This preface is enriched with a variety of instructive and spirited reflections on the most important events in the history of churches ancient and modern. The account of primitive christianity, the constitution of christian societies, the equality of their members, their plain unadorned mode of worship, if seriously attended to by christian ministers, might have the happy effect of somewhat lowering those high ideas of sanctity of office which, it is to be feared, is the principal sanctity possessed by some wouldbe Rabbies in the church who can scarcely brook contradiction. What renders the Essay peculiarly valuable is the translator's notes, which constitute the greater part of the volumes, and which contain an inexhaustible source of entertainment,

Vol. 1.

p.

226.

+ Ibid. p. 250-262.