soning, which is, in him, the necessary consequence of sincerity;* some excellent books of PORT ROYAL, † in which we recognize the voice of religion, and the poetry of the sacred books; the Sinner's Guide, by GRENADE, in which he alarms the apprehensions of the wicked, and holds them, so to speak, suspended between the terrors of remorse, and of divine justice; the Imitation of JESUS CHRIST, a master piece of sim 6 6 an * Abbe de FLEURY was the author of many excellent works, all in French, and very well written. Among these are, "The Manners of the Jews," (translated into English by Farneworth ;) also "the Manners of the Christians ;' Historical Catechism;' the Method of Study;' the In'stitutes of the Ecclesiastical or Canon Law; the Duty ' of Masters and Servants." His principal work, which has been much esteemed, is his Ecclesiastical History,' 20 volumes in 4to. They breathe a spirit truly philosophic.'See New and General Biog. Dictionary. † Messrs. de PORT ROYAL, was the general denomination, which comprehended all the Jansenist writers; but was however applied in a more confined and particular sense to those Jansenists, who passed their days in pious exercises and religious pursuits, in the retreat of Port Royal, a mansion situated at a little distance from Paris. It is well known, that several writers of superior genius, extensive learning, and uncommon eloquence, resided in this sanctu ary of letters.'-MOSHEIM's Ecclesiastical History, vol. iv. p. 350. n. BY THOMAS A KEMPIS. His work is perhaps as much known and read by Protestants, as any other religious performance of a Catholic writer. He died 1471, aged 91. See DUPIN's History. plicity and plainness, and the best book,' says Fontenelle, which can proceed from the hand ' of man, seeing the gospel doth not come from 'thence ;'* in a word, the writings of FRANCIS DE SALIS, which breathe the most affected piety, and where we should find still more pathos, were there somewhat less of wit. † SECTION LIV. OF PATHOS. T is by this persuasive pathos; it is by the language of the heart, that we discover a writer who makes it his practice to read those vari Life of Corneille. After this imperfect enumeration of French theological writers by our author, it may, with pleasure, be observed, that, perhaps, no nation abounds with an equal number of solid, judicious, and instructive discourses, as doth the English. To attempt an enumeration of them would be impossible, and indeed needless, as every reader will consult his own taste. Pathos, in the French l'onction. Dr. BLAIR gives us the idea connected with this term, when he says; • The chief characteristics of Pulpit Eloquence are gravity and warmth. The serious nature of the subject requires gravity; their 'importance to mankind requires warmth. The union of these 'two must be studied by all preachers, as of the utmost con ous works of piety; for it is this happy talent of affecting, which doubtless, constitutes the principal object of Christian Eloquence. - All men have not sufficient ability to lay hold of an ingenious idea; but all have souls capable of being affected with a weighty sentiment; and never are the hearers more universally attentive than when the Preacher becomes pathetic.* sequence, both in the composition of their discourses, and in their manner of delivery. This is what the French call 'onctions the affecting, penetrating, interesting manner, flowing from a strong sensibility of heart in the Preacher 'to the importance of those truths which he delivers, and an ' earnest desire that they may make full impression on the 'hearts of his hearers.' BLAIR's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 105. * On this point let us regard two able judges and eloquent writers. The first is Pope GANGANELLI, who says; As to the style of sermons, it offends against all rules, if it 'be not pathetic, nervous and sublime. If a Preacher only ly instruct, he does no more than prepare the mind; if he only affect the passions, he leaves but a slight impression; 'but if he scatter the ointment of grace, while he diffuses ‹ the light of truth, he has fulfilled his duty.' GANGANELLI's Letters, vol. iii. p. 82. Dr. BLAIR says; 'The only effectual method to become pathetic, is to be moved yourselves. There are a thousand ' interesting circumstances suggested by real passion, which 'no art can imitate, and no refinement can supply. There is obviously a contagion among the passions. • Ut ridentibus arrident, sic flentibus adflent, Guard however, against that affected sensibility, which betrays itself by the accents of the voice, without penetrating to the very bottom of the soul; and which is ready to die away in the ear of the auditor, when it derives no internal animation from the composition. 'I require not,' says Cicero, a feigned com'passion, nor incentives to sorrow, but that which ' is real, flowing from the sighs of a wounded ' heart.'* After a terrifying passage which has distressed me, I wish the Orator to approach me again with affection; to revive my almost extinguished hopes and after having threatened me with an avenging God, to shew me a God, who pardoneth. * The internal emotion of the speaker adds a pathos to his ' words, his looks, his gestures, and his whole manner; ' which exerts a power almost irresistible over those who hear him.—Afficiamur antequam afficere conemur, says Quintilian.' BLAIR's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 193. * Non simulacra neque incitamenta doloris, sed luctus verus atque lamenta vera et spirantia. Orat. lib.2. ' SECTION LV. OF THE PATHOS OF FENELON. HAT is a charming and flowing Eloquence, THAT which, far from exciting violent agitations, gently insinuates itself into the soul, and there awakes the tenderest affections; which is a succession of natural and moving sentiments, copiously diffusing themselves, so that, when experienced, the Orator who inspires them is forgotten, and we suppose that we are conversing with ourselves. Each word increases the emotion, and produces a certain sympathy, which affects and expands every heart. Such is the Eloquence of Fenelon. The first part of his discourse 'On the Consecration of the Elector of Cologne,' is written with the energy and sublimity of Bossuet; the second denotes a sensibility, which is peculiar to Fenelon. I shall only mention one example. 'O Pastors! far from you let the contracted 'heart be banished. Enlarge, enlarge your 'bowels of affection. Ye know nothing, if ye เ are only acquainted with the voice of authority, reproof, correction, and with pointing out the |