Art. XI. Elijah's Translation foretold. A Sermon preached on the 21st of March, 1813, at Masborough, near Rotherham, on the much lamented Death of the Rev. Edward Williams, D. D. By George Lambert. 8vo. pp. 31. Price 1s. 6d. Black, 1813.

Art. XII. Elisha's Lamentation for Elijah. A Sermon preached at Nether Chapel, Sheffield (on the same occasion.) By Joseph Gilbert, Classical Tutor in the same Institution. 8vo. pp. 27. Price 18. 6d. Gale and Curtis. 1813.

Art. XIII. A Sermon preached at Aldermanbury Postern, London Wall, on Sunday March 21, 1813; occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Edward Williams, D.D. Theological Tutor in the Dissenting College at Rotherham, in Yorkshire. By John Hawksley. 8yo. pp. 54. Price 2s. Conder. 1813.

Art. XIV. The Tears of Gratitude. A Sermon preached at West Melton, near Rotherham. By William Moorhouse, jun. 8vo. pp. 35. Price 1s. 6d. Baynes, 1813.

THE mysterious perplexity in which the arrangements of

Providence are often, to our apprehensions, involved, will be found, for the most part, to arise from the imperfection of our knowledge; from our incapacity to form an extensive and impartial judgement; from the powerful excitement of our passions; and from the seeming opposition of events to our personal and relative interests. The feelings and affections of our nature too frequently pervert our reasonings, while we are unconscious of their influence; and lead us to arraign and repine at the procedures of Heaven, when unmurmuring submission is both our duty and our privilege. Such obvious considerations are never more seasonably urged, than under the pressure of those afflictive dispensation, which deprive the church or the world of eminent and distinguished worth. But, on occasions of this nature, submission is widely remote from apathy. He who knows our frame" permits the indulgence of sympathy and sorrow. Such feelings are sanctioned by religion itself. They were exemplified in the affectionate friendship of the Saviour. By their salutary influence, they soften the mind, awaken its best sensibilities, and prepare it for the more lively enjoyment of those divine consolations, which the gospel of Christ alone can impart.

In the moral as well as in the natural economy of Providence we often behold a system of compensations. The premature removal of early genius and piety has connected with it one powerful alleviation: it aids the attraction of a lovely example, and presents a motive to diligence and perseverance, peculiarly adapted to stimulate and impress the youthful mind.

On the other hand, if matured excellence is suddenly snatched from our world, we have the benefit of that maturity; we can contemplate the richness of character, and its more perfect developement, in the lives and thoughts and actions of those, who, having "served their generation," are gathered to their fathers. Who has not felt a consciousness of sublime and undefinable emotion, when studying the biographical delineations of such men as Edwards, or Henry, or Watts, or Doddridge? How often has the ardour of devotion been enkindled, and the activity of benevolence been roused, by the records of their piety? Monuments of the greatness of the human soul, they present to the world the august image of yirtue in her sublimest form: they raise the standard of morals; they arrest the progress of degeneracy; they diffuse a lustre over the path of life; and awaken in distant bosoms the sparks of kindred excellence."

To this train of reflections we have been insensibly led, by the interesting memorials of affectionate veneration and esteem, which have been called forth, on the recent and much lamented death of the Reverend Doctor Edward Williams. Not many months ago, the attention of our readers was directed to the last finished production of his pen*; a production of eminent polemic ability, and which, had it been his only work, would have transmitted his name to posterity as a Christian Divine of the highest order. From an intimation in some of the sermons before us, we are happy to learn that a somewhat ample memoir of his life and writings is in contemplation. Waiving therefore, for the present, a minute examination of the Doctor's works (considerable both in point of number and importance, and abounding in original disquisitions on some of the most abstruse subjects of theology), we hasten to lay before our readers a few particulars collected from the sermons on our table.-In Mr. Lambert's pious and affectionate discourse, we have the following outline of Doctor Williams' life.

He was born at Glanclwyd near Denbigh, Nov. 14, 1751. From papers in the possession of his family, it appears, that his mind at an early age was impressed with sentiments of religion, though placed in a situation where little but its form was attended to. His father, designing him for the church, he received a classical education at St. Asaph, and was afterwards placed with a clergyman, preparatory to his being sent to Oxford. About this time, however, he began to reflect seriously on the subject of conformity, and on the fullest deliberation, resolved to quit the established church, and exercise his ministry among the Dissenters.-He

* Vid. Art. on the "Defence of Modern Calvanism." Vol. viii. p. 485.

commenced a course of academical studies under Dr. Davies, then of Abergavenny. Here his soul met with kindred spirits, and increased in wisdom and the fear of the Lord. His great attainments testify that he was not a loiterer in the school of the prophets. In the year 1776, he settled as a Pastor at Ross: and removed to Oswestry in the year following. He here superintended the education of a few young men, designed for the work of the ministry; and, being invited to succeed Dr. Davies as Divinity Tutor at Abergavenny, the academy at the latter place was transferred to Oswestry. Over this united Institution, he continued to preside, greatly to the satisfaction of all who were concerned in it, till 1791, when from the impaired state of his health, and personal and family affliction, he was induced to accept a congregational charge in Carr's-lane, Birmingham*. But it was not long before God, who had intrusted his servant with an important talent, called him to a sphere, where it was again brought into exercise. After four years residence at Birmingham, he was invited to Masborough, near Rotherham. To the unswerving faithfulness, and the unwearied diligence with which he acquitted himself of his high duties, every heart is a willing witness. The conviction which prevailed of his excellence, is expressed in language that cannot be mistaken-in the sighs and tears, the deep and general lamentations, which have been occasioned by his loss.' pp. 22-24.

We

From the sermons before us, (and their testimonies are confirmed by the observations of all, who were happy enough to have been placed within the sphere of the Doctor's personal influence) we are enabled to form some conception of the fervent piety, the distinguished talents, and the constant practical usefulness which were combined in his character. look forward, however, with considerable anxiety to the more full delineation of his various excellencies in the promised memoir. The worth of such a man demands a permanent record. In the mean time we are thankful for the information, which is supplied by the valuable and judicious discourses of Mr. Hawksley and Mr. Gilbert.

As a Christian,' says Mr. Hawksley, the piety of Dr. Williams was of the most exalted description.-Ardent love to God most evidently inspired his breast.-His benevolence was great and diffusive. He was eminently humble--he was peculiarly resigned to the will of God-and in more than an usual degree, spiritually minded. As a minister, his sermons were strictly evangelical. He never forgot that he was a servant of Jesus Christ. He had copiously imbibed the doctrines of the apostles and prophets, and was mightily impressed with the magnitude and efficacy of the scheme of mediation. He turned with holy loathing, from that ́ministry which veils the superlative glories of the Redeemer in general representations, and studied ambiguity. He considered the New Testament to be afforded for the highest moral purposes-purposes which are to be

* About this time he was unexpectedly presented with the degree of D.D. from the University of Edinburgh, as a testimony of their regard for his abilities, acquirements, and writings.'-Gilbert's Sermon, p. 23.

effected by the means which itself points out. The infinite dignity of the Mediator's person, the value and efficacy of his sacrifice, the necessity of heavenly influence to work in man "both to will and to do"-the malignity and desert of sin-the extent and immutable obligation of the divine Law-the sublime and comprehensible morality of the Gospel applicable to all classes and circumstances-the awful realities of the judgment day these, and the topics they necessarily involve, were the great themes on which he expatiated with precision, with feeling, and with effect. Whilst on the one hand, he refrained not from enlarging on the boundless love and mercy of God, through an unwarrantable and timid apprehension, that some might turn the grace of God into lasciviousness;" on the other hand, he pitied the ignorance and the petulance of those, who represent a close and animated appeal to the consciences of sinners, as incompatible with the sovereignty of grace, an as inapplicable to the impotent circumstances of men.' pp. 28. 33-35.

ور

There is one part of this admirable delineation of ministerial character which we think intitled to special notice.

• His addresses,' says Mr. H. were plain. He felt an anxious solicitude that all might understand him. He never made the pulpit a theatre on which to exhibit talent. He was far from the stupidity and wickednes, of seeking to sparkle on a divine theme. Though so eminently and profoundly skilled in the abstruse sciences, he reserved the discussion of them for a proper time and place. He appeared in the pulpit, not as the philosopher, not as the man of learning, not as the metaphysician, but as the messenger of God. He sanctioned not by his example, a style of conversation, in reference to the ministers of the sanctuary, which tends more to attract regard to them as men of talents, than as zealous and useful preachers of the gospel of Christ *.'

"As a Tutor, he adds, the name of WILLIAMS obtained and deserved an extensive celebrity. His stores of theological knowledge were vast and valuable-he was easy of access he was deeply interested in the religious prosperity of his students.'-pp. 37, 38.

In many of these citations, we have adverted only to the topics of Mr. Hawksley's illustrations, that we might present a condensed view of Dr. Williams' character.-The following passage is selected from Mr. Gilbert's discourse.

To advance the science of theology, and to give coherency to truth, is an object of no common moment. To shew the harmony of scripture; to reconcile opposing systems of religious doctrine; to dissolve unholy alliances of error with truth; to shew whence opposite mistakes arise; and where the sacred medium is that might conciliate and unite the wise and good of every class: these are services for which few are qualified. Luthers and Calvins, and Turretines-are unfortunately not the men,whom

The

•*“ I have been disgusted-deeply disgusted—at the manner in which some men of flaming religious profession tal of certain preachers. They estimate them just as Garrick would have estimated the worth of players, or as Handel would have ranged an orchestra, "Such an one is clever-he is a master." Clever!-a master! Worth and character and dignity are of no weight in the scale.'-Cecil's Works, vol. I. p. 151.

it is the fashion of the present age to emulate. Such however was the venerable man whom we deplore. He was never weary of the search for truth. There was scarcely any divine of note, of any communion, or of any country, with whose writings he was not acquainted, and with the best of them most intimately. He was blessed with a judgment of singular discrimination. He stripped off every veil of eloquence and art, and by the light of indisputable principles contemplated the naked sentiment. Thus from all sources he enriched himself. Yet he was no less qualified to originate important trains of thought than to pursue those which others had suggested. The great doctrines of divine grace and human imbecility, perhaps had never so consistent a defender. When were the characters of God as sovereign and governor so accurately discri minated? or the correspondent relations of man so justly exhibited? The universal obligation of the gospel; the necessity of holy influence, divine decrees and moral agency have all received from him elucidation.'

66

In the preceding extract, there is a reference to some profound and interesting discussions in the Notes to the recent editions of Doddridge and Edwards, published under the direction of Dr. Williams, and which have excited considerable attention among inquiring minds, The Doctor has embodied and systematised them in a very elaborate work on the Equity of Divine Government, and the Sovereignty of divine grace," published a few years ago, and of which an improved edition is now now on the eve of publication; and they are stated and applied in a more popular manner, in the Defence of Modern Calvinism. Without meaning, on the present occasion, to enter into an investigation of the peculiar sentiments of Dr. Williams, we cannot withhold our admiration of the patient research, the acute discrimination, and the uniform devotion by which all his theological writings are distinguished. A most amiable candour pervades his compositions, happily combined with an unbending deference to scriptural authority, and an earnest conviction of the importance of truth. If, on some topics, his meaning is not always obvious, it is because they are of vast and difficult conception: for, on subjects less remote from the ordinary range of thought, he is highly perspicuous and convincing. His disquisitions, too, are invariably important. This, we are aware, has been called in question by some who have not had sufficient patience to investigate, or sufficient intelligence to comprehend the scope and tendency of his reasonings. We confess that the methodical form which they sometimes assume, and the use of a mathematical diction in stating the connections and dependencies of his thoughts, have rendered them less attractive to ordinary readers; but this very formula has its advantages it facilitates the detection of error; it discovers