spirit, calls, experiences, instantaneous conversions. Preference of the sermon to the prayers in public worship. Amatory addresses to the Deity. False notion, that guilt must precede a call to holiness. Self-examination different from assurance. Orthodox opinion of regeneration. Calvinistic notions on that head. Dislike of moral preaching. Appeal to the Methodists on the bad consequences of their schism. Tendency to popery. Danger of good and pious people adopting singularities. Seriousness is not separation.

LETTER VII.

p. 98

ON THE TENETS OF RATIONAL CHRISTIANS, OR

UNITARIANS.

The doctrines of rational Christians are rather addressed to philosophy and science, than to the community. Attachment to our national church is not bigotry nor persecution; instanced from the example of St. John. The divine institution of sacrifice prefigured the atonement. We cannot judge why man required a ransom. Various. contradictory opinions of the Socinians. Interpolation briefly considered. Testimony of ancient -enemies to the faith, and of Michaelis to the

genuineness of our scriptures. The doctrines that
we are required to renounce too important to be
sacrificed even to the love of peace. Moral
instruction not the primary end of our Lord's
coming. The mission of the Baptist consi-
dered. Eternity of Hell torments. Salvation
of the heathens. Coincidence between the re-
vealed will and visible works of God. Analo-
gies between the limited diffusion of Christia-
nity, and the difference of polar and temperate
climates. The favour shown to the people of
Israel, and the common distributions of Pro-
vidence. Order is preeminent in the Scripture,
and in the creation. The slow developement
of the Christian covenant, and the gradual
growth and perfection of animated nature.
The resurrection of the body, and the revivi-
fication of vegetable seed. The law of dis-
tinctions of degree, and reciprocity of benefit,
is universal. Plurality of worlds, and other
modern discoveries, not contrary to Scripture.
The failure of the full effects of revelation,
compared to the failure of produce through
bad husbandry: The preservation of the
church, to the continuance of all the tribes of
creation. General adaption of christianity to
man in his natural and civil capacity. Applica-
tion to the Unitarians.

LETTER VIII.

p. 204

ON THE DUTY OF STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES, AND ON RELIGIOUS CONFORMITY.

Doctrines are more valuable for being old. The errors of perfectionists. Advantages of a litur gical service, and an independent ministry. Danger of wresting the Scripture by unskilful interpretation of difficult texts: Instances of this fault: May be avoided by an intimate acquaintance with holy writ, which will prevent our faith from being shaken by light or ridicu lous allusions to scripture narratives: It would soften religious animosities. Present state of religion in England. Vices of believers do not impugn the verity of the faith that they profess, or afford an excuse for deists. Prevalence of suicide. Too confident dependence on the mercy of God. Neglect of the sacrament. Great eagerness of inquiry. Suitability of the church to the national character: Review of her offices; The burial service: The marriage ceremony; The Catechism; Confirmation; Churching of women; Visitation of the sick; Ordination services; Commination; Offices for the 5th of November, January 30th, May 29th,

and the King's accession. Temperate loyalty
of the Church of England. Choice of the re-
ligious society to which we will belong. Chris-
tian liberality, as opposed to philosophistical.

LETTER IX.

p. 309

OF THE VIRTUES MORE ESPECIALLY FEMININE.

Change of opinion on the subject of chastity.
Just portrait of a seduction, exhibited in Shen-
stone's Jessy, contrasted with the characters of
Adelaide, Elvira, and Mary Thornbury. Kind-
ness to penitents differs from indulgence to
audacious offenders. Pique at being deserted
is not repentance. Freedom of manners. Dan-
ger from young women thinking lightly of fe-
male frailty. Benevolence must be supported by
œconomy and self-denial: Extends to more
duties than the act of giving: contrasted with
showy liberality. The great should be their
own almoners. Indiscriminate relief blamable.
Parable of the good Samaritan. Candour is
very popular; its restraints chiefly exercised in
forbearance, gentleness, and acquiescence; may
be urged too far. Command of temper necessa-
ry to women: should be founded on principle.
A soft manner often mistaken for real's weetness.

Cheerfulness is not levity; is a preservative of
health. Industry useful to the temper. Prudence
in selecting amusements. Sensibility prejudi-
.cial to the temper, when it is suffered to be ex-
treme; must be restrained when real. False
feeling ridiculed. Imbecility not gentleness.
Danger of aiming at praise for one particular
virtue. Piety the crowning grace. Devotion
should be chastened by judgment; an im-
passioned style condemned. Rational piety
our best support.

LETTER X.

p. 415

ION FEMALE EMPLOYMENTS AND STUDIES.

Needle-work. Religious should precede scientific

information. Abstract knowledge not well suit-
ed to women. History and ethical essays recom-
mended. Biography; faults in modern biogra-
phers; indiscriminate publication of privatelet-
ters of deceased public characters condemned.
Geography, voyages, and travels. Fictitious.
reading apt to inspire false views of life. The
best kind of novels useful introductions to the
world. Modern poetry. Tragedy and Comedy
of late date not intended for the closet. Brief
review of the drama. Works of humour de-
fended; have materially benefited virtue and