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he patronises, little expectation of improvement can be derived from this quarter.

equally by conformists and nonconformists. It is essential to the rature of a call to preach that a man be moved by the Holy Ghost to enter upon the work of the ministry; and, if the Spirit of God operate powerfully upon his heart, to constrain him to appear as a public teacher of religion, who shall command him to desist? We have

give no authority to preach the gospel; and if he were to forbid our exertions, we must persist in the work: we dare not relinquish

a task that God has required us to perform; we cannot keep our consciences in peace, if our lips are closed in silence, while the Holy Ghost is moving our hearts to proclaim the tidings of salvation: 'Yea, woe is unto me,' saith St. Paul, 'if I preach not the gospel.' Thus, when the Jewish priests had taken Peter and John into custody, and, after examining them concerning their doctrine, commanded them not to speak

The competition between the Established Clergy, to which this method would give birth, would throw the incumbent in the back-ground only when he was unt to stand forward-im-seen that the sanction of the magistrate can moral, negligent, or stupid. His income would still remain; and, if his influence were superseded by a man of better qualities and attainments, the general good of the Establishment would be consulted by the change. The beneficed clergyman would always come to the contest with great advantages; and his deficiencies must be very great indeed if he lost the esteem of his parishioners. But the contest would rarely or ever take place, where the friends of the Establishment were not numerous enough for all. At present, the selfish incumbent, who cannot accommodate the fiftieth part of his parishioners, is determined that no one else shall do it for him. It is in such situations that the benefit to the Es. tablishment would be greatest, and the injury to the appointed minister none at all.

We beg of men of sense to reflect, that the question is, not whether they wish the English Church to stand as it now is, but whether the English Church can stand as it now is; and whether the moderate activity here recom. mended is not the minimum of exertion necessary for its preservation. At the same time, we hope nobody will rate our sagacity so very low, as to imagine we have much hope that any measure of the kind will ever be adopted. All establishments die of dignity. They are too proud to think themselves ill, and to take a little physic.

To show that we have not mis-stated the obstinacy or the conscience of sectaries, and the spirit with which they will meet the regulations of Lord Sidmouth, we will lay before our readers the sentiments of Philagatharches-a

stern subacid Dissenter.

"I shall not here enter into a comprebersive discussion of the nature of a call to the ministerial office; but deduce my proposition from a sentiment admitted

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at all, nor to teach in the name of Jesus,' these apostolical champions of the cross undauntedly replied, 'Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.' Thus, also, in our day, when the Holy Ghost excites a man to preach the gospel to his fellow sinners, his message is sanctioned by an authority which is far above all principality and power;' and, consequently, neither needs the approbation of subordinate rulers, nor admits of revocation by their countermanding edicts.

"3rdly, He who receives a license should not expect to derive from it a testimony of qualification to preach.

"It would be grossly absurd to seek a testimony of this description from any single individual, even though he were an experienced veteran in the service of Christ: for all are fallible; and, under some unfavourable prepossession, even the wisest decision upon the case. But this observation will gain additional force, when we suppose the power of judging transferred to the person of the magistrate. We cannot presume that a civil ruler understands as much of theology as a minister of the gospel. His necessary duties prevent him from critically investigating questions upon divinity; and confine his attention to that deputed him to occupy; and hence to exparticular department which society has pect at his hands a testimony of qualification to preach, would be almost as ludicrous as to require an obscure country curate to fill the office of Lord Chancellor.

or the best of men might give an erroneous

"But again-admitting that a magistrate,

who is nominated by the sovereign to issue | fine, or deeming it impolitic so to do, let us forth licenses to dissenting ministers, is submit to go quietly to prison, but with the competent to the task of judging of their resolution still to preach upon the first natural and acquired abilities, it must still opportunity, and, if possible, to collect a remain a doubtful question whether they church even within the precincts of the are moved to preach by the influences of gaol. He, who, by these zealous exertions, the Holy Ghost; for it is the prerogative of becomes the honoured instrument of conGod alone to 'search the heart and try the verting one sinner unto God, will find that reins' of the children of men. Conse- single seal to his ministerial labours an quently, after every effort of the ruling ample compensation for all his sufferings. powers to assume to themselves the right | In this manner the venerable apostle of the of judging whether a man be or be not Gentiles both avowed and proved his sinqualified to preach, the most essential cere attachment to the cause in which he property of the call must remain to be had embarked:-"The Holy Ghost witdetermined by the conscience of the indi-nesseth, in every city, that bonds and afflicvidual.

tions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.'

"In the early ages of Christianity martyrdom was considered an eminent honour;

"It is further worthy of observation, that the talents of a preacher may be acceptable to many persons, if not to him who issues the license. The taste of a person thus high in office may be too refined to derive gratification from any but the most learned, intelligent, and accomplished preachers. Yet, as the gospel is sent to the poor as and many of the primitive Christians D well as to the rich, perhaps hundreds of preachers may be highly acceptable, much esteemed, and eminently useful in their respective circles, who would be despised as men of mean attainments by one whose mind is well stored with literature, and cultivated by science. From these remarks, I infer, that a man's own judgment must be the criterion, in determining what line of conduct to pursue before he begins to preach; and the opinion of the people to whom he ministers must determine whether it be desirable that he should continue to fill their pulpit."-(pp. 168173.)

The sentiments of Philagatharches are expressed still more strongly in a subsequent passage.

thrust themselves upon the notice of their heathen persecutors, that they might be brought to suffer in the cause of that Redeemer whom they ardently loved. In the present day, Christians in general incline to estimate such rash ardour as a species of enthusiasm, and feel no disposition to court the horrors of persecution; yet,if such dark and tremendous days were to return in this age of the world, ministers should retain their stations; they should be true to their charge; they should continue their ministrations, each man in his sphere, shining with all the lustre of genuine godliness, to dispel the gloom in which the nation would then be enveloped. If this line of conduct decision, the cause of piety, of nonconwere to be adopted, and acted upon with formity, and of itinerant preaching, must eventually triumph. All the gaols in the country would speedily be filled; those houses of correction, which were erected for the chastisement of the vicious in the community, would be replenished with thousands of the most pious, active, and useful men in the kingdom, whose characters are held in general esteem. But the ultimate result of such despotic proceedings is beyond the ken of human prescience:-probably, appeals to the public and the legislature would teem from the press, and, under such circumstances, might diffuse a revolutionary spirit throughout the country."

"Here a question may arise-what line of conduct conscientious ministers ought to pursue, if laws were to be enacted, forbidding either all dissenting ministers to preach, or only lay preachers; or forbidding to preach in an unlicensed place; and, at the same time, refusing to license persons and places, except under such security as the property of the parties would not meet, or under limitations to which their consciences could not accede. What has been advanced ought to outweigh every consideration of temporal interest; and, if the evil genius of persecution were to appear again, I pray God that we might all be-(pp. 239–243.) faithful to Him who hath called us to preach the gospel. Under such circumstances, let us continue to preach; if fined, let us pay the penalty, and persevere in preaching; and, when unable to pay the

We quote these opinions at length, not because they are the opinions of Philagatharches, but because we are confident that they are the opinions of

ten thousand hot-headed fanatics, and | The whole of Mr. Fox's life was spent that they would firmly and conscien- in opposing the profligacy and exposnously be acted upon.

ing the ignorance of his own court. Philagatharches is an instance (not In the first half of his political career, ancommon, we are sorry to say, even while Lord North was losing America, among the most rational of the Pro- and in the latter half while Mr. Pitt testant Dissenters) of a love of tolera- was ruining Europe, the creatures of tion combined with a love of persecu- the Government were eternally extion. He is a Dissenter, and earnestly posed to the attacks of this discerning, demands a religious liberty for that dauntless, and most powerful speaker. body of men; but as for the Catholics, Folly and corruption never had a more he would not only continue their pre- terrible enemy in the English House of sent disabilities, but load them with Commons - one whom it was so imevery new one that could be conceived. possible to bribe, so hopeless to elude, He expressly says, that an Atheist or a and so difficult to answer. Now it so Deist may be allowed to propagate happened, that during the whole of this their doctrines, but not a Catholic; period, the historical critic of Mr. Fox and then proceeds with all the custom- was employed in subordinate offices of ary trash against that sect which nine Government;-that the detail of taxes schoolboys out of ten now know how to passed through his hands; - that he refate. So it is with Philagatharches; amassed a large fortune by those occu-so it is with weak men in every sect.pations; — and that, both in the meaIt has ever been our object, and (in sures which he supported, and in the spite of misrepresentation and abuse) friends from whose patronage he reever shall be our object, to put down ceived his emoluments, he was comthis spirit to protect the true interests, pletely and perpetually opposed to Mr. and to diffuse the true spirit of tolera- Fox. tion. To a well-supported national Again, it must be remembered, that Establishment, effectually discharging very great people have very long meits duties, we are very sincere friends. mories for the injuries which they reIf any man, after he has paid his conceive, or which they think they receive. tribution to this great security for the No speculation was so good, therefore, existence of religion in any shape, as to vilify the memory of Mr. Fox,choose to adopt a religion of his own, nothing so delicious as to lower him in that man should be permitted to do so the public estimation, no service so without let, molestation, or disqualifi- likely to be well rewarded - so emication for any of the offices of life. nently grateful to those of whose faWe apologise to men of sense for sen-vour Mr. Rose has so often tasted the timents so trite; and patiently endure the anger which they will excite among those with whom they will pass for original.

CHARLES FOX.
(E. REVIEW, 1811.)

sweets, and of the value of whose patronage he must, from long expe rience, have been so thoroughly aware.

We are almost inclined to think that we might at one time have worked ourselves up to suspect Mr. Rose of being actuated by some of these motives:-not because we have any reason to think worse of that gentleman than 4 Vindication of Mr. Fox's History of the of most of his political associates, but early Part of the Reign of James the merely because it seemed to us so very Secund. By Samuel Heywood, Serjeant-probable that he should have been so at-Law, London, Johnson and Co. 1811. influenced. Our suspicions, however, THOUGH Mr. Fox's history was, of were entirely removed by the frecourse, as much open to animadversion quency and violence of his own proand rebuke as any other book, the task, testations. He vows so solemnly that we think, would have become any he has no bad motive in writing his other person better than Mr. Rose. critique, that we find it impossible to

withhold our belief in his purity. But from one thus occupied any great Mr. Rose does not trust to his protes- depth of thought, or any remarkable tations alone. He is not satisfied with graces of composition; but we have a assurances that he did not write his fair right to look for habits of patient book from any bad motive, but he in-research and scrupulous accuracy. We forms us that his motive was excellent, might naturally expect industry in col-and is even obliging enough to tell lecting facts, and fidelity in quoting us what that motive was. The Earl of them; and hope, in the absence of Marchmont, it seems, was Mr. Rose's commanding genius, to receive a comfriend. To Mr. Rose he left his manu-pensation from the more humble and scripts; and among these manuscripts ordinary qualities of the mind. How was a narrative written by Sir Patrick far this is the case, our subsequent reHume, an ancestor of the Earl of marks will enable the reader to judge. Marchmont, and one of the leaders in We shall not extend them to any great Argyle's rebellion. Of Sir Patrick length, as we have before treated on Hume Mr. Rose conceives (a little the same subject in our review of Mr. erroneously to be sure, but he assures Rose's work. Our great object at us he does conceive) Mr. Fox to have present is to abridge the observations spoken disrespectfully; and the case of Serjeant Heywood. For Serjeant comes out, therefore, as clearly as pos- Heywood, though a most respectable, sible, as follows. honest, and enlightened man, really does Sir Patrick was the progenitor, and require an abridger. He has not the Mr. Rose was the friend and sole exe- talent of saying what he has to say cutor, of the Earl of Marchmont; and quickly; nor is he aware that brevity therefore, says Mr. Rose, I consider it is in writing what charity is to all as a sacred duty to vindicate the cha- other virtues. Righteousness is worth racter of Sir Patrick, and, for that pur-nothing without the one, nor authorpose, to publish a long and elaborate ship without the other. But whoever critique upon all the doctrines and will forgive this little defect will find in statements contained in Mr. Fox's his-all his productions great learning, imtory! This appears to us about as maculate honesty, and the most scrusatisfactory an explanation of Mr. pulous accuracy. Whatever detections Rose's authorship as the exclamation of Mr. Rose's inaccuracies are made in of the traveller was of the name of this Review are to be entirely given to Stony Stratford. him; and we confess ourselves quite astonished at their number and extent.

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Before Mr. Rose gave way to this intense value for Sir Patrick, and re'Among the modes of destroying persons solved to write a book, he should have (says Mr. Fox, p. 14) in such a situation inquired what accurate men there were (i.e. monarchs deposed), there can be little about in society; and if he had once doubt but that adopted by Cromwell and received the slightest notice of the his adherents is the least dishonourable. existence of Mr. Samuel Heywood, Edward II., Richard II., Henry VI., Edward serjeant-at-law, we are convinced he | V., had none of them long survived their would have transfused into his own deposal; but this was the first instance, in will and testament the feelings he our history at least, when of such an act it derived from that of Lord Marchmont, could be truly said it was not done in a and devolved upon another executor the sacred and dangerous duty of vindicating Sir Patrick Hume.

The life of Mr. Rose has been principally employed in the painful, yet perhaps necessary, duty of increasing the burdens of his fellow-creatures. It has been a life of detail, onerous to the subject - onerous and lucrative to himself. It would be unfair to expect

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are

What Mr. Rose can find in this sentiment to quarrel with, we utterly at a loss to conceive. If a human being is to be put to death unjustly, is it no mitigation of such a lot that the death should be public? Is any thing better calculated to prevent secret torture and cruelty? And would Mr. Rose, in merey to Charles,

have preferred that red-hot iron should | Rose's accusation, however, is still to have been secretly thrust into his en- come. "If such high praise," says trails?-or that he should have disap. that gentleman, "was, in the judgment peared as Pichegru and Toussaint have of Mr. Fox, due to Cromwell for the disappeared in our times? The periods publicity of the proceedings against of the Edwards and Henrys were, it the King, how would he have found is true, barbarous periods: but this is language sufficiently commendatory to the very argument Mr. Fox uses. All express his admiration of the magnanithese murders, he contends, were im-mity of those who brought Lewis the moral and bad; but that where the Sixteenth to an open trial?" Mr. manner was the least objectionable, Rose accuses Mr. Fox, then, of approvwas the murder of Charles the First-ing the execution of Lewis the Sixbecause it was public. And can any teenth but on the 20th December, beman being doubt, in the first place, 1792, Mr. Fox said, in the House of that these crimes would be marked by Commons, in the presence of Mr. less intense cruelty if they were public, | Rose,— zd, secondly, that they would become less frequent, where the perpetrators incarred responsibility, than if they were committed by an uncertain hand in secrecy and concealment? There never was, in short, not only a more innocent, bat a more obvious sentiment; and to bject to it in the manner which Mr. Rise has done, is surely to love Sir Patrick Hume too much,-if there can be any excess in so very commendable a passion in the breast of a sole exe

entor.

Mr. Fox proceeds to observe, that be who has discussed this subject with foreigners, must have observed, that the act of the execution of Charles, even in the minds of those who condean it, excites more admiration than disust." If the sentiment is bad, let those who feel it answer for it. Mr. Fox only asserts the fact, and explains, without justifying it. The only question (as concerns Mr. Fox) is, whether ach is, or is not, the feeling of foreigners; and whether that feeling (if it ext) is rightly explained? We have to doubt either of the fact or of the elination. The conduct of CromWell, and his associates, was not to be exrased in the main act; but in the manner, it was magnanimous. And among the servile nations of the Contiment, it must naturally excite a feeling of joy and wonder, that the power of the people had for once been felt, and memorable a lesson read to those hom they must naturally consider as Le great oppressors of mankind.

The most unjustifiable point of Mr. VOL. L

"The proceedings with respect to the royal family of France are so far from being magnanimity, justice or mercy, that they are directly the reverse; they are injustice, cruelty, and pusillanimity.' And afterwards declared his wish for an address to his Majesty, to which he would aad an expression, of our abhorrence of the proceedings against the royal family of France, in which, I have no doubt, we shall be supported by the whole country. If there can be any means suggested that will be better adapted to produce the unanimous concurrence of this House, and of all the country, with respect to the measure now under consideration in Paris, I should be obliged to any person for his better suggestion upon the subject.' Then, after stating that such address, especially if the Lords joined in it, must have a decisive influence in France, he added, 'I have said thus much in order to contradict one of the most cruel misrepresentations of what I have before said in our late debates; and that my language which other gentlemen have chosen to answer it. I have spoken the genuine sentiments of my heart, and I anxiously wish the House to come to some resolution upon the subject.' And on the following day, when a copy of instructions sent to Earl Gower, signifying that he should leave Paris, was laid before the House of Comthat the proceedings against the King of mons, Mr. Fox said, he had heard it said, France are unnecessary. He would go a great deal further, and say, he believed them to be highly unjust; and not only repugnant to all the common feelings of mankind, but also contrary to all the fundamental principles of law.'”—(pp. 20, 21.)

may not be interpreted from the manner in

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