not the Netherlands a state?-and is not that fallen?-Was not Hol land a state?-and is not that fallen? - Was not Genoa a state?-and is not that fallen? Was not Venice a state? - and is not that fallen? -Were not the dominions of the house of Austria, in Italy, states ?and are they not fallen? - Was not Switzerland a state?-and is it not fallen?-In short, are not all the states in Europe fallen?-all the states in what constituted the Western empire, and belonged to the Western church, on which this last and tremendous woe has been poured out?-And was there ever a period of the world, when these words of prophecy could be properly and in every sense applied before??

We must not dismiss this 19th verse of the chapter without allowing a little attention to its last clause; - and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.- Mr.K. has the concurrence of the ablest interpreters in concluding that, by Babylon, Rome is intended; ' And is not Rome (he asks) indeed now filled with the effects of wrath and vengeance; and torn to pieces by the scourge? are not its boasted treasures of art and antiquity, removed to another place?-are not its palaces stripped, and spoiled? are not all her pleasant and precious things departed from her? Is she not consumed with the fire of the fierceness of anger and violence? Is not the papal power at Rome, which was once so terrible, and so domineering, at an end? - Was not this end, in other parts of the holy prophecies, foretold to be at the end of 1260 years?-And now let us see;-hear;-and understand. THIS IS THE YEAR 1798. - And just 1260 years ago, in the very beginning of the year 538, Belisarius put an end to the empire and dominion of the Goths at Rome:-leaving thenceforward from A. D. 538, NO POWER in Rome, that could be said to rule over the earib, excepting the Ecclesiastical Pontifical Power.-And if these things are so then truly that great city Babylon is fallen, is fallen : -is thrown down; and shall be found no more at all.

We venture not to controvert this gentleman's exposition of the signs of " the times." They are singularly striking, and wear some features which may have a resemblance to what has been for ages obscurely and emblematically foretold: it seems, however, probable that Mr. King is rather too precipitate in his conclusions, and that he vaults over much time and ground which must be sedulously traversed before that End, on which he has so confidently pronounced, is fully and effectually ascertained: - but he thinks himself sufficiently guarded.... We approach (he says) unto the latter days! I tremble whilst I write! God forbid I should mislead any. - But if I do apprehend aright; I must-I ought to speak, and write with circumspection that which I apprehend. I am no rash enthusiast. I desire to be exceedingly guarded against error: and I have not the least presumptuous idea of intending to prophecy. -The word of prophecy is sealed for ever.' - His concluding words are, These are not days to compliment away the truth, or to be timid in declaring it. Truth is awfully great. Let it ever fairly be brought to light, and left to its own energetic strength to prevail.'

Art.

Art. 26. La Liturgia, ovvero formola delle Preghiere publiche secondo P'uso della Chiesa Anglicana, col Salterio di Davide. Nuovamente tradotta dall' Inglese nel Tofco Idioma. Da A. Montucci e L. Valetti, Professori di Lingua Italiana. 12mo. 6s. Vernor and Hood, London. 1796 *.

Of the necessity for this new Italian translation of our Book of Common Prayer, we have nothing to say, and on the motive for undertaking it the translators are silent. It is elegantly printed: but, owing to the translators in some instances, and to the printers perhaps in others, it is incorrect. In the Gospel taken from Matthew, xxi. at the beginning, we thus read in this version - Gesù mandò due discepoli, dicendo loro: andate nel castello' †. Would not villagio have been a more proper word, as translating from the English?

In the Collect for the 2d Sunday in Advent, Osservarle is written Osservale.

In the title of the first Psalm, impiorum is printed impiocum. The words wanting in the original Hebrew are printed in Italics, in the translation of 1684; (see note:) here they are not discriminated by any difference of type. In short, sufficient attention does not seem to have been paid to this work, which has more errors than we can be expected to specify.

Art. 27. Observations on the Evidence of Christ's Resurrection; the principal Objections answered, and the divine Origin of the Christian Religion clearly proved. Two Sermons preached at the Octagon Chapel in Norwich, April 8th, 1798. By J. Houghton. 8vo. 2s. Johnson.

We decidedly object to a classical motto being prefixed to sermons, such as "Fungar vice cotis," which is adopted by Mr. Houghton; and we are almost tempted to apply the hemistich of the next line, “exors ipse secandi." We remember another motto, taken likewise from Horace, proposed to a clergyman who had preached an occasional sermon which he had borrowed, and was unluckily desired to print, "Non SERMO hic meus est." The merit of Mr. H.'s discourses, however, must be allowed. It is mentioned in the preface that, for the use chiefly of young persons, the author epitomized the evidence of the resurrection of Christ; and that, on a subject which has been in dis. cussion near eighteen hundred years, little altogether new can be expected.' The intention is highly important, and the performance is respectable.

Art. 28. Six Sermons preached before the Right Honourable Brook Watson, Lord Mayor of the City of London. By George Stepney

* This little volume has for some time lain on our shelves, and been overlooked.

† In an old translation of the Common Prayer into Italian, printed at London in the year 1684, castello is here used: but in this new translation we expected to see a new word. The Vulgate indeed render the Greek εἰς τὴν κώμην in castellum; yet the words in our Book of

Common Prayer are not into a little town, but into a village.

REV. Nov. 1798.

Aa

Townley, Townley, M. A. &c. &c. Chaplain to his Lordship. 8vo 3s. Boards. Rivingtons.

These Sermons are written in an unaffected and perspicuous style, and may be read with pleasure and advantage. The first discourse, on the Advent of Christ, contains a summary of the prophecies in the Old Testament, relating to the coming of the Messiah, together with the general expectation of mankind, both Jews and heathens, of some great deliverer about the time of his appearance on earth: the author enlarges on the great importance of Christ's divine mission, and concludes with practical inferences. -The second Sermon was preached on the General Fast-day. On this occasion, Mr. Townley expatiates on what he deems the national vices; in the first rank of which he places infidelity. The manner in which he expresses himself on this subject, we imagine, will be pleasing to every friend of religion and virtue.

• Among the many deviations from religious wisdom, which in defiance of common sense, and of all laws human and divine, disgrace this age and nation, foremost stands the spirit of Infidelity: by which numbers are prevailed on to account it a matter of indifference, whether the mind be impressed with any religious principles, and unbecoming man's dignity and independence to acknowledge that homage and obedience are due to a Supreme Being. This spirit of infidelity, wholly unfavourable to the attainment of religious wisdom, is cherished by the sophistry of some modern philosophers, who rob the heart of its truest happiness, and most glorious expectations, by denying the evidences of natural and revealed religion, and by infecting the minds of parents with these dangerous positions that children are not to be predisposed to any mode of thought or action-and that they should not be instructed in the elements of moral duty, or of Christian knowledge. From this pernicious system, it is not to be expected (for by many it is not so much as desired) that the rising generation shall shew any regard for truths, not fairly presented to their minds; or any reverence for the Christian dispensation, known to them principally through the misrepresentations of its avowed enemies. To the same spirit of infidelity are likewise to be ascribed that avidity, with which profane and atheistical works are perused; and that mischievous industry, by which, under every possible form and artifice, they are recommended to universal notice."

The object of the third Sermon is to prove that God is no respecter of persons: and that the gates of Mercy are open to all mankind, without distinction, if they lead a virtuous and religious life; but that, in proportion to the knowlege imparted to us, a more strict

obedience to the laws of God may reasonably be expected. Truths of this nature can never be too much maintained; and it is but justice to say that Mr. T. places them in a striking light.

In the 4th Sermon, the author endeavours to set forth, - from the imperfection of the systems of ethics among the most enlightened philosophers of antiquity, together with their inadequate conceptions of the attributes of the Deity, the immortality of the soul, and the future state of rewards and punishments, the necessity of a divine revelation, for the communication of doctrines so great and important. important. This subject has been treated so fully, and with such depth of learning and strength of judgment, by Dr. Leland, that it would be difficult to advance any new arguments:- but the Sermon before us may convey much useful information to those who are unacquainted with the works of that excellent writer.

The fifth Sermon is on the resurrection of the body; and the sixth treats on doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God:-which may be said to contain a compendium of our whole duty. This discourse is rational and convincing. After a satisfactory explanation of the words of the text, Mr. T. laments that strange perversity which has led mankind in all ages to mistake their most important duties, to listen to the grossest delusions, and to subject themselves to low and degrading superstitions; or at other times to deny the most self-evident truths, and to adopt opi nions the most daring and impious. The latter he seems to think the prevailing vice of the present age; and we fear that the following observations are but too just:

But at this period, and even in this nation, uncommon diligence is exerted to excite, among all ranks of people, the spirit of Sedition and of Atheism.

• Under the endearing, but abused, name of Liberty, Sedition disperses those descriptions of natural rights,' which are intended not to benefit society, but to subvert every form of government, and to annihilate all social order. The seeds of dissension and discord are sedulously sown by contending against subordination; by representing the existence of "high and low, rich and poor, master and servant, sovereign and subject," as intolerable tyranny; while those, who are true to the levelling system, are extolled as the best Friends of the People. But, though we admire the brightness of their talents, and even give credit to some among them for intending the good of their country, such political wisdom is destructive of all order, law and government.'

We may conclude with observing that in these Sermons few addresses are made to the passions or imagination, yet they will probably meet with the approbation of those persons whose object in reading is the improvement of their understanding, and the just regulation of their conduct.

LAW.

Art. 29. The Statutes at Large, from the Thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, to the Thirty-eighth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, inclusive. To which is prefixed a Table of the Titles of all the Public and Private Statutes during that Time; with a copious Index. Being a thir teenth Volume to Mr. Runnington's Edition, and a seventeenth to Mr. Ruffbead's. 4to. pp. 1020. 11. 163. bound. Law Booksellers.

We introduce this article to the notice of our readers merely for the purpose of giving them the information contained in the titlepage, in order that the purchasers of our statute-law may be enabled to complete their sets.

Art. 30. The Practice of the Courts of King's-Bench and Common Pleas, originally compiled by George Crompton, Esq. revised, cor'rected, and newly arranged by Baker John Sellon, Serjeant at Law. The 2d Edition, with the Addition of Modern Cases to the present Time, and a Practical Treatise on the Mode of passing Fines and suffering Recoveries. 2 Vols. Medium 8vo. 18s. Boards. Butterworth. 1798.

The utility of books of Practice has been too long experienced by the profession to require at this time any recommendation. The present performance is in a great measure composed of the same materials with the late Mr. Crompton's work on this subject: but the largest portion of it has been newly modelled, and has re ceived material alterations and additions. The first volume treats of the mode of proceeding in all common cases, where the action is a common personal action, and brought by and against common persons. The mode of proceeding in particular cases, namely, where the action is brought either by or against particular persons (as peers, members of parliament, attornies, prisoners, infants, paupers, &c. &c.); or where the action itself is of a particular kind, such as ejectment, replevin, penal actions, and all real actions; these, with some detached heads of practice, as amendment, discontinuance, error, costs, together with the mode of passing fines and suffering recoveries, are comprehended in the second volume. As fines and recoveries are become the most common assurances and conveyances, it appears highly expedient and proper to introduce into a book of practice some account of their nature and operation, and of the proceedings relating to them. The deviations as to the practical proceedings are chiefly taken from the late Mr. Serjeant Wilson's treatise on this difficult subject of our law.

To this second edition of Serjeant Sellon's work (we noticed the first in our twenty-first volume, N. S. p. 113) are added all the modern decisions connected with the subject; and no pains appear to have been wanting on the part of the author, to render his volumes as useful as possible to the profession.

Art. 31. An Abridgment of Cafes argued and determined in the Courts of Law, during the Reign of His present Majesty, with Tables of the Names of Cases and Principal Matters. By Thomas Walter Williams, Esq. of the Inner Temple, Barrister at Law. Author of the Whole Law relative to the Duty and Office of a Justice of the Peace. Vol. I. 8vo. pp. 950. 15s. Boards. Robinsons. 1798.

This publication gives, under their respective titles, a statement of the facts belonging to the cases determined in this reign, and the de. cisions of the judges. The omission of the arguments of counsel appears to us the principal, if not the only, difference subsisting between this work and the various reports from which it is compiled. After the new editions of Comyns and Bacon which have lately been presented to the profession, there could be little necessity, in our opinion, for a performance like this:-but the useless multiplication of law-books we have had frequent occasion to regret, and we are now presented with a fresh cause of complaint.

Art.