after evangelical truth. The whole publication is certainly very creditable to the talents and piety of the author, and, what is more important, well calculated to promote the knowledge and the practice of true religion.

Discourses and Dissertations on the Scriptural Doctrine of Atonement and Sacrifice; and on the principal Arguments advanced, and the Mode of Reasoning employed, by the Opponents of those Doctrines as held by the Established Church: with an Appendix, containing some Strictures on Mr. Belsham's Account of the Unitarian Scheme, in his Review of Mr. Wilberforce's Treatise. By WILLIAM MAGEE, D. D. Senior Fellow of Trinity College, and Professor of Mathematics, in the University of Dublin. A new Edition, on an improved Plan, with large Additions. Vol. I. pp. 443, Vol. II. pp. 482. 8vo. London: Cadell and Davies. 1809. Price 11.

THE first edition of this work was published in 1801. It was reviewed by us in our volume for 1803, pp. 232, &c., and 287, &c. We then expressed an opinion of it, of which, upon again referring to it, and considering it, we do not at all repent. It is, in fact, for the purpose of repeating and strengthening that opinion, and by that means assisting, to the utmost of our power, the circulation of the present publication, that in this instance we perform, what in general we consider a work of supererogation, the noticing second or subsequent editions. It will not, however, be necessary to repeat the analysis and judgment which we formerly gave

The second edition of this sermon contains a few alterations, corrections, and ad

ditions, together with two or three good notes, particularly one on the application of the principle of the text to the right interpretation of the articles of our church.

of its contents, and which of course apply to the work, in its present form, not only with their whole force, but with a force increased in proportion to its enlargement and improvement.

Very soon after the appearance of the first edition of Dr. Magee's Discourses and Dissertations, their merit was felt and acknowledged by the religious public. The rapidity with which the edition was disposed of, was an intelligible and powerful encouragement to the author to prepare another, and to add to it such improvements as were either suggested to him, or resulted from his own consideration. Expectations to this effect were soon given; and we believe that on few subjects of literary execution were they cherished with greater impatience. Indeed, the patience of the public was tried for a considerable time; for notwithstanding the hopes of a second edition were excited soon after the appearance of the first, an interval of eight years has intervened between the two. This delay, however, instead of extinguishing, or even abating, the appetite which had been raised, seems only to have set a sharper edge upon it; and before we have finished our review, or notice, of the second edition, just fresh from the press, the importunate demand of the public has produced a third. We are willing to contemplate as a token for good, this avidity for the work before us.

It will be proper to hear both the author's own account of the delay of the expected edition, and his statement respecting its contents, in the following "Advertisement."

"It is now nearly seven years, since ap plication was made to the author, by his bookseller, for a new edition of the DrsCOURSES ON THE scriptural DOCTRINES OF ATONEMENT AND SACRIFICE. It being his intention to introduce into the work, con siderable alterations in point of form, and considerable additions in point of matter; he deferred complying with the bookseller's de sire, until he should be able to accomplist

Courses should first be read through independently of the dissertations; by which mean the reader will be put in possession of the course or chain of the argument; and the second reading should be as above stated. This we believe to be the only practicable method; but we much doubt, whether one reader in fifty will adopt it. With such demands as the press now makes upon the reading powers of man, it is hardly to be expected, that without a necessity, or a very strong inducement, people will be prevailed upon to read a thing twice over. Our opinion is, that the discourses should be much longer, less in the style of pulpit productions, and more methodical. The dissertatious might still retain their character, but should consist chiefly of the authorities for the reasonings and facts in the text. In some cases we think the dissertations might have been less diffuse, and have embraced less of extraneous matter than they appear to do. There is occasionally too much levity, for the gravity of the general subject, displayed in this department of the work. We have sometimes felt inclined to disapprove an apparent excess of asperity; which indeed might be justified, if provocation, or temptation, could justify any thing. The conduct of the opponents of the doctrines established and defended by Dr. Magee is, in general, such as to awaken the irascible energies of the most patient, and to enforce on the friends of truth the injunction, "rebuke them sharply." But there is time and measure in all things. Dr. Magee likewise appears to be too severe against the methodists; although, in so large and mixed a body, it is very possible that the conduct of some or many individuals may be peculiarly offensive and reprehensible. Bishop Lavington's work is the work of an adversary, and of a very unfair one: but the methodists may see some truths in it, and learn some important lessons. Finally, we regard it as a desidera

tum in the publication before us, that it has not professedly, and, as we, were our advice asked, should recommend, at the close of the whole, deduced, detailed, and enforced, in a distinct, and strong, and fervent, but not diffuse manner, the momentous practical results of the great doctrine in which the argument of the book centres, namely, the Sacrifice offered, and the Atonement effected, by the Son of God on the cross. We do not mean to assert, or insinuate, that Dr. Magee is not, and does not plainly and fervently express himself, sensible of the necessity and value of this prac tical application: but the expres sions to this purpose are rather intermixed with the general argument, than brought forward in the professed and prominent manner which, in our opinion, would both have made the work more useful, and have impressed the importance of it on the reader.

We have suffered ourselves to be carried along in our censures on some of the circumstantial parts of these discourses with the less reluctance, because we well knew that the work would bear it. Performances of moderate merit are overwhelmed by a little censure; but the superlative, substantial merit of the present, as soon as it is suffered to shine forth, if it does not totally disperse the clouds which occasionally interrupt its beams, effectually prevents the spectator from attending to them. In truth, without spending more words on the subject, we consider the Discourses and Dissertations on the scriptural Doctrines of Atonement and Sacrifice as absolutely indispensable in a theological library which has the lowest pretentions to completeness. Without fearing the charge of bigotry or precipitation, we hesitate not to assert our conviction, that this work, after considering and refuting the various arguments of opponents, has settled these great doctrines in the truth and that it deserves to be regarded as a book of ultimate re

ference on the subject; as a book instar omnium, with the exception perhaps of Bishop Stillingfleet's, which it has not superseded.

It would not be a very easy task, nor of any essential use, to point out precisely the alterations and additions of the present two editions. That the additions are considerable the increased bulk of the work sufficiently indicates. One of the principal is that, in which the late translation of the book of Job by Bishop Stock is examined, and we think justly censured. To our prejudices it was a gratifying circumstance to find so qualified a judge as Dr. Magee speak in high terms of another translation of that sublime book, by the late extraordinary female scholar, Miss Elizabeth Smith. The work is now published.

It was certainly no great mortification to our own feelings to read the following reference to the Christian Observer: "In a periodical publication, distinguished for the uprightness and talent with which it is condacted, there is to be found,” &c. vol. ii. p. 379. We particularly refer to this expression of approbation, not only because it affords us an allowable gratification to be commended by those, whose commendation we esteem it a duty to deserve, and an honour to obtain; but because it will likewise serve to shew how little importance it is possible for us to attach to such censores as two of our brother journalists, the editors of the Antijacobin Review and of the British Critic, have, in a late number, thought proper to discharge upon us. By the first, under a most conciliating appellation, we are told, "One of these fanatics, it seems, has recently piven an exposition of their creed, is that semi-methodistical publication, ycleped the Christian Ob

sepa

"By the second the Christan Observer is classed with the "principal writers" of the " ralustat." What advantage these *See A. J. for February last, p. 194. 1 Bee B. C. for February last, p. 170.

writers promise to themselves by such gratuitous and palpable calumnies we cannot imagine. In many cases we think they will rather revolt than couvert. On the most formidable supposition, however, we' cannot have much to apprehend from a writer, who knows so little how to manage the very informa tion which he obtains from the performance he is reviewing, as to class our work with Nightingale's Portraiture of Methodism, under the idea that both are united in the same cause; when the decided and universally know object of the latter publication is hostile to the cause of methodism. Our readers, perhaps, will not require from us the proof, that we are not fanatics, semi-methodistical, or separatists.

Select Poems, &c. By the late JonN DAWES WORGAN, of Bristol. To which are added, some Particulars of his Life and Character, by an early Friend and Associate. With a Preface, by William Hayley, Esq. London: Longman and Co. 12mo. pp. 310. price 7s.

IT may be said of wonders, as of misfortunes, that they never come alone. No phenomenon, either in the physical or intellectual world, can make its appearance without being speedily rivalled by some thing equally surprising of the same kind. The elder Bloomfield was succeeded by the younger; one young Roscius “ followed hard" upon another; and we are now called upon to pour our tears to the memory of a second Kirke White, before we have well had time to dry them over the " remains" of the first. There is naturally a strong preju dice against this reduplication of miracles. The reader, who has exhausted his full stock of credulity upon the wonder of earliest date, cannot afford to be drawn upon to the same amount in favour of its successor; and he listens with the more unwillingness to the second

story, because it tends to detract from the singularity, and therefore from the interest, of that which he first beard.

We have ventured, however, notwithstanding these considerations, to introduce Mr. Worgan to the notice of our readers; as we are able to assure them, that he is by no means such a fac-simile of Kirke White, as to subject them in any considerable degree to the tedium of a tale twice told. In some respects, indeed, the resemblance is alarming. Both born in an obscure and humble station, both poetical, both pious, both prema turely snatched from life, and by the same disorder, they are both equally indebted to poetical patrous for a benevolence, which, not content with merely rescuing their life from want, has preserved their memory from oblivion. What Southey did for the one, has been done by Hayley for the other.

The parallel, however, can be carried no farther. The hero of Southey is certainly a poet. Though, in general, his lines possess no remarkable vigour of thought or felicity of expression, they occasionally exhibit such flashes of genius,' as give distinct assurance of the splendour with which his maturer powers would one day have developed themselves. In the verses of Worgan, nothing is perceptible which may not be attained by any young man of good abilities; or which, in any degree, suggests the idea of that latent inspiration, which informs even the earliest productions of the genuine poet.

As Worgan, however, was distinguished by better things than poetry, we imagine that a short account of him, collected from the memoirs prefixed to his works, may not be unacceptable to our readers.

John Dawes Worgan was born at Bristol, in 1791. His father, who was by trade a watchmaker, appears to have been a man of sense and piety. To his assiduity in instilling religious principles into the

mind of his son at a very early age, Worgan was accustomed to refer as the source of his subsequent religi ous impressions; though the effect of these instructions was not immediately apparent.

The cares of the father were not limited to this important subject. Anxious to give him the best edu cation which his circumstances would permit, he placed him at a school in Bristol, at the early age of five years. From hence he was removed to Fulneck, in Yorkshire, a Moravian settlement; during his residence at which place, while he was yet only nine years old, appeared the first symptoms of the pulmonary complaint, which was fatal to him. For the benefit of his health, his friends carried him back to Bristol, and placed him in a commercial school there; where he began to distinguish himself by his progress in writing, arithmetic, and geography.

The ill health of his father called him from his studies, at the age of twelve, to assist in the business of watchmaking; in which, however, he does not appear to have spent more than a year, when his father's death left him at liberty to fix his own future destination. He bad long entertained the wish of devot ing himself to the church; and, with a view to this object, placed himself, by the consent of his mo ther, at an eminent school in Bris tol, for the benefit of a classical education.

The fact which follows, if true to the full extent, affords an uncommon instance of early talent.

His biographer records, that "la one year and a half he passed through the regular stages by which a knowledge of Greek and Latin usually acquired; and at the expi ration of that period was able to read with facility most of the books of highest rank."

All this, however, perhaps meant very little. Such stories are won derful only according to the sense in which they are understood.