but neither father nor council presumed at that time, or long afterwards, to bring any charge against Augustine, as heretical in his sentiments. Whatever individuals thought, or wrote, he was never censured by publick authority; nay, his testimony itself afterwards, became great authority, even to the Reformation; and then, it became still greater. Now this does not appear, as if he had broached new doctrines, never before heard of: but rather, as if he had recalled to men's minds, truths, which had, in process of time, been partly effaced from their memory; but, when thus recalled, were at once recognised as old acquaintance: or rather, that, comparing his doctrine with the holy Scriptures, they discovered, that he had stated the true doctrine, from which they had deviated." Vol. ii. PP, 721, 722. Whatever may be thought of the sentiments in the preceding quotation, it is, to say the least, more reasonable than the illiberal and unworthy abuse, which follows in the "Refutation," of the celebrated Bishop of Hippo. Augustine might not, perhaps, be entitled to the excessive praises which have sometimes been bestowed upon him, even by the most competent judges; but it can scarcely be admitted, that he who, to use the words of one of the best scholars of the age*, "planned the memorable treatise of the City of God;" one of the most valuable works" which the piety and litera ture of the early Christian writers have transmitted to us," was quite "so deficient in learning," as the Bishop of Lincoln would have us believe +. Nor will any candid and ingenuous person brand him, as his lordship has done, as the most contradictory and inconsistent of authors, ancient or modern; because he had the humility and the honesty, in his later years, publicly to retract the errors of bis early life. Surely it is not thus, that a Christian bishop ought to have spoken of this most eminent servant of God; who was so evidently raised up to vindicate the doctrines of grace against the pestilent heresy of Pela Dr. Ireland. + Augustine is termed in the Homilies, "the best learned of all ancient doctors." gius; and whose writings not only illuminated the age in which he lived, but served as a beacon to the solitary travellers towards Zion, during the succeeding ages of darkness; until at length they were hailed, like another star of Bethlehem, at the dawn of the glorious Reformation. 39 In the account of Calvinism, which follows in the "Refutation," many errors and inaccuracies occur, which Mr. Scott has pointed out: such, for instance, as the extraordinary assertion, that Luther, of all men'in the world, (to say nothing of Melancthon, who, however, on this point entirely agreed with his great friend and coadjutor,) "unequivocally maintained the doctrines of universal grace, and the liberty of the human will*, to accept or reject the offered means of salvation." Similar to this assertion of the Bishop of Lincoln, is that in which, with equal historical truth, he informs us, that the Calvinistic doctrines were unknown, or unnoticed, in England, till after the return of the refugees, during the Marian persecution, from Geneva. To refute this notion, Mr. Scott has extracted various passages from the writings of Tindal, of Archbishop Cranmer, of Ridley, and his admirable friend and fellow-martyr, Bradford, and even of Bishop Hooper; containing sentiments, which, according to the view taken of Calvinism by the Bishop of Lincoln, quite as decisively prove those eminent and holy men have been Calvinists, as any which Mr. Scott, or his brethren, have avowed and published. to On the subsequent history of Calvinism, but few remarks are necessary. Much of what is urged in the "Refutation," is founded on gratuitous assertions, which prove nothing, and which might, with equal justice, be met by others of an opposite nature. The negative *See, of course, Luther's Treatise de servo Arbitrio, to which we have already referred, in confutation of the Bishop's statement. which were undeniably drawn up under the sanction of Calvin, or his friends and colleagues, the peculiar tenets of that reformer are stated in much more moderate and unexceptionable terms, than occur in his own personal writings, and, in some cases, in language not differing materially from, and often closely resembling, that of the Articles of the Church of England;—and that even the cautious Melancthon, in com posing, under peculiarly delicate circumstances, the Confession of Augsburgh, which is frequently in sisted on as altogether discordant from the formularies of the Calvinistic churches, avowed doctrines, which were in many important re spects the same as those of Calvin, and which are now in fact stigmatised by the Bishop of Lincoln, and his admirers, as peculiar to the Reformer of Geneva. proof on which the Bishop lays so much stress, arising from the silence of the Liturgy and the Homilies, on the peculiar doctrines of Calvin, is resisted by Mr. Scott. He admits, indeed, that" redemption is never declared," in these formularies, "to be irrespectively partial;" that "human co-operation is never excluded where the influence of the Spirit is mentioned;" that " Divine grace is never considered as irresistible or indefectible;" that "good works are never represented as unnecessary to salvation;" that "sudden conversions, and sensible operations of the Spirit, are no where acknowledged;" what then? What has this recapitulation of tenetssome of which have no more connection even with the Calvinism of Calvin, than with any other system which might be named, and of which others exist no where but in the imaginations of such writers as the Bishop of Lincoln-to do with the doctrines of original sin, of renewal by the special grace of God, and of justification by faith alone, working by love and good works; an infusion of which, undoubtedly, pervades every part of the Book of Common Prayer and the Homilies;-dially agree with him in wishing or even with the statement of the doctrines of predestination and final perseverance in the seventeenth Article, whatever particular interpretation may be put upon the scriptural language in which these two latter points are conceived? It would be easy to enlarge on this important and much misrepresented subject; but we are admonished, by the length to which our observations have already extended, to draw to wards a conclusion. At the close of his work, Mr. Scott has added an Appendix of trans lations from several of the Confes sions of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, to which he especially requests the careful attention of his readers. The chief object of these extracts is to shew, that even in those Confessions of Faith, such as the Helvetic, the Gallic, and others, These valuable and interesting extracts are made from the “Cor pus et Syntagma Confessionum;" a work to which we have before referred, and which, as Mr. Scott justly observes, is well worth the study of all who desire fully to understand the present controversy. We cor that some competent scholar would give a good translation of the whole work; for though loug, and not particularly adapted to the taste of modern readers, it would afford those of our countrymen who are anxious to become well-informed on this subject, a satisfactory opportunity of judging, what preachers and writers have deviated from the grand doctrines of the Reformation, in all the European churches; and who have constantly adhered to them. We have now conducted our readers through Mr. Scott's Remarks on the "Refutation" of his Right Reverend diocesan and we can truly assure them, that no part of our extensive tour through the disturbed regions of Calvinism has given us such unfeigned satisfaction as its close. In fact, whatever some persons may imagine, we cordially dislike controversy; and sincerely deplore the revival of hostilities in the church, which has been provoked by the unseasonable and ill-judged, and, we may add, illconducted attack of the Bishop of Lincoln, on the doctrines he has chosen to term Calvinistic. It requires but a small share of information on the long-contested points, which compose what, for the purpose of avoiding circumlocution, may be called the peculiar tenets of Calvin, to perceive, that no discussion of them, with whatever learning or ability it may be conducted, can prove conclusive. This is an object which has already baffled the attempts of some of the wisest and best men that have ever lived; and we really cannot compliment the present age so far as to suppose, that it is reserved for any of our contemporaries to effect it. It may suit the purposes of interested admirers, or incompetent judges, to pronounce, that the stores of erudition" have been at length successfully exhausted in its attainment, by a living prelate; from whose real merits we are so far from wishing to detract, that we most readily allow to his lordship a considerable share of praise for many parts of his work. But though we have no peculiar system to uphold, we have felt it to be our duty to rescue some fundamental truths of our common Christianity from erroneous statement and unmerited obloquy; though in doing so, we doubt not, that we shall, from some quarters, incur the charge of sectarian, or rather Calvinistic partiality. We can, how ever, confidently appeal to the whole course of our labours, and even to this very article, for a satisfactory reply to such an accusation. Feeling, as we have ever done, the various evils of controversy and division in the church, we have uniformly discouraged, to the utmost of our power, the continuance of theological debates. And, if amidst the din of that spiritual warfare, which is still resounding amongst us, our feeble voice could have any hope of being heard, we would earnestly, and perseveringly raise it in the behalf of harmony and peace. It is devoutly to be wished, that both parties would agree to look less at the points on which they differ; and to eye more attentively and patiently those on which they are united. Though we are perfectly satisfied, that the doctrine of predestination is but very rarely introduced into parochial preaching, even by those clergymen who may hold it in the sense which approaches the nearest to the Calvinistic, we cannot but express our wishes that it were still more generally excluded from popular instruction. "Repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ," together with the nature, fruits, and motives of Christian holiness, are points on which all profess to agree; and which, after all that can be urged in favour of deeper and more mysterious doctrines, are the subjects most necessary to be pressed on Christian congregations. These are the points with which the far greater part of Scripture is occupied: and "these are good and profitable unto men." To these, would to God that the clergy with one heart and mind devoted their labour and care, "warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus!" A continuation of the controversy which has so long agitated the church, can scarcely be productive of any thing better than increased irritation and division. Its enemies may, indeed, rejoice amidst our mutual discords; but the church itself cannot but be a sufferer by the unhallowed strife. Disputandi pruritus," said the memorable John Hales. " scabies ecclesiæ"-a sentiment deservedly inscribed on the tomb-stone of its author, and worthy of being held in lively and per petual remembrance. We earnestly wish, that its "warning voice?? may be listened to by all ranks and orders of men in the church-that instead of "refutations" of doctrines, which, as every impartial and well-informed person must acknowledge, imperiously call for correction and remark, episcopal animadversion and rebuke may be directed to what is manifestly erroneous in doctrine, and corrupt in conduct, amongst the ministers and members of the church; and episcopal countenance and support be bestowed indiscriminately on all, who, with whatever differences of sentiment on points of allowed difficulty and debate, conscientiously and diligently "do the work of evangelists," and make that "full proof of their ministry" which shall alone, "when the chief Shepherd shall appear," be rewarded with the crown of glory that fadeth not away." We cannot, however, conclude this long-extended article, without recommending the study of Mr. Scott's laborious work to such of our readers as feel interested in these discussions. Notwithstanding its formidable appearance, it will amply repay those who are willing to undertake and patiently to pursue its perusal. If it does not afford, what cannot be expected from any human performance, a satisfactory solution of the difficulties which must ever attend some of the subjects of which it treats, it will be found to contain a large and valuable mass of observations on other most important theological topics; and will, at least, leave on the mind of every unprejudiced reader, a strong impression of the extensive scriptural knowledge, the controversial ability, and, what is far more estimable than any other qualities or attainments, the Christian moderation and charity, and the mature and vigorous piety, of its author. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c. GREAT BRITAIN. IN the press: Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, by Sir H. Davy, illustrated with plates;-Theological Disquisitions on the characteristic Excellences of the Jewish Dispensation, by Dr. Cogan ;---England safe and triumphant; or Researches into the Apocalyptic little Book, by the Rev. F. Thurston ;—and, The Poetical Register for 1809. Preparing for publication: A work on Persia, by Mr. J. Malcolm-A History of England since the Revolution, intended as a Continuation to Hume, by Sir James Mackintosh--and, The Remains of the late Professor Porson, arranged and digested by Professor Monk and Mr. Blomfield. At Cambridge, the following prizes have this year been adjudged, viz. Sir W. Brown's gold medals-Latin ode, M. Lawson, St. John's; Greek ode, John Tyass, of Trinity: The Members' prizes for senior bachelors, to Mr. T. Musgrave and Mr. J. Ashbridge, of Trinity; for middle bachelors, to Mr. J.W. Evans, of Trinity, and Mr. E. Blomfield, of Emanuel: The Norrisian prize, to Mr. C. J. CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 128. Lyon, B. A. of Trinity: The English declamation prizes at Trinity, to Messrs. Kendersley, Elliott, and Ingle; and the Latin declamation prizes, to Messrs. C. Musgrave and Sumner. By the Report of the Committee of Agriculture, it appears that the total amount of Waste Lands, in the United Kingdom, is as follows:-England, above six millions of acres; Wales, two; and Scotland about fourteen. It is said, that salted bacon, and unsalted beef or mutton, and other kinds of animal food, when too long kept, or improperly cured, so as to be tainted with putridity, may be perfectly recovered, or rendered quite sweet, by being buried in fresh earth, a foot deep, for a few days. The canker in the stems and branches of apple trees may, it is said, be cured, merely by lifting the trees in October or November, planting them again above the land's level, upon little bills of common road-sand, taken from the scraped heaps by the highway side. No other application is wanted for the cankered holes in the stem-rub the roadsand into the wounds, after cutting out all the black. Branches must be cut away to 3 Z sound wood; and, if you reduce the tree to a mere post, a new head will quickly shoot forth. Among the inventions for which prizes have lately been given by the Society of Arts, are the following, viz. :-To Mr. M. Cook, Winchester Row, Paddington, for a machine by which blind people may both learn and teach music; to Mr. Machell, Wolsingham, near Durham, for an annular saw, which can cut deeper than its centre; to Dr. Cumming, Denbigh, for a cheap vapour, or shower bath, for hospitals or families; to Mr. Goss, of Enfield, for an instrument to work addition of numbers with accuracy and dispatch; to Mr. Perry, of Farnham, for an instrument to form the hand in writing; to Mr. Hodge, Bride Lane, for a mode of preserving butter from becoming rancid in hot weather or hot climates; to Mr. Davies, Catherine Street, Strand, for a cheap and safe temporary scaffolding; to Mr. Bowler, Holborn Hill, for a mechanical method of destroying rats and other vermin; to Mr. Sampson, Great Wild Street, for a new chain; to Mr. J. Martin, Fleet Street, for a method of relieving a horse fallen down in the shafts of a loaded cart; to Mr. Ritchie, Princes Street, Clerkenwell, for a compensation pendulum, to prevent the going of a clock from varying by heat and cold; and to Mr. J. King, Mulberry Court, near the Bank, for a machine to enable shoemakers to work without pressure on the breast and stomach. A steam engine has lately been invented for conveying coals, or other articles, without horses, by Mr. Blenkinsop, agent of J. C. Brandling, Esq., at Middleton, near Leeds. It has been set to work in conveying coals from Hunsley Moor to the coal staith, about a mile and a half, and draws eight waggons of coals, of three tons each, that distance in 25 minutes. It will save Mr. Brandling the use of 50 horses. The Abbé Romanelli has visited, lately, all the catacombs which surround Naples. He likewise entered the subterraneous caverns of the church of St. Janvier; and, assisted by a guide, explored them to the extent of two miles and a half, in the midst of human ashes, broken coffins, skeletons, aud ruins. He behield, on all sides, Greek inscriptions, sculptured upon stone or marble; and paintings of Christians who had suffered martyrdom. He also noticed the remains of some altars, the tombs of the first Neapolitan bishops, and one catacomb, the inscriptions on which recorded the ravages of pestilence in Naples, 1020. Mr. Price, a gentleman attached to our Persian embassy, is said to have made drawings on the spot, of every town, village, castle, ruin, mountain of note, &c., during the whole route from the Persian Gulf to Tehran, the Persian capital; and to have made panoramic views of Shiraz, Persepolis, Ispahan, Kashan, Kom, and Tehran; giving the costumes of the people, &c.: so that ou his return to England, the public may expect to be gratified with the fruits of his labour through this extensive and interesting tract of country, hitherto so little known in Europe. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. THEOLOGY. A Sermon, preached March 17, 1812, before the Reading and Berkshire Auxiliary British and Foreign Bible Society. By the Rev. W. Marsh, M A. Vicar of Basildon, Berks. 2s. 6d. Essays on the Prophecies of the Messiah, from Genesis to the Psalms of David. By the Rev. J. Robinson. One thick volume 8vo. 12s. boards. Social Virtue the Basis of National Pros perity an Address delivered at Salem Chapel, Lynn. By Thomas Finch. 1s. Scriptural Christianity Recommended: a Sermon preached at the New Chapel, Lynn. By Thomas Finch. 25. An Inquiry into the Moral Tendency of Methodism and Evangelical Preaching. By William Burns. The second Part. 8vo. 4s. Brief Rules for the Holy Communion, and Behaviour at and after it. 4d. Serious Enquiry into the Nature and Effects of modern Socinianism. By W.Freeston. 1s. 6d. 8vo. 10s. Bampton Lectures, delivered before the University of Oxford in 1812. By the Rev. J. Mant. 8vo. 12s. Remarks on the present State of Religion and Morality. 6d. Recovery from Sickness; containing seri ous Reflections, Resolutions, and Devotions, suitable to that Occasion. By M. Towgood. 4th edition. 6d. Sermon before the Hon. Society of Lincoln's Inn, May 31, 1812. By the Rev. J. Van Mildert. 2s. The beneficial Influence of Christianity on the Character and Condition of the Female Sex: a Sermon preached April 8, 1812. By Robert Aspland. 1s. 6d. Family Sermons for every Sunday in the Year, and for Christmas-day and Good-Fri |