mote.

It has for its leading and fundamental maxim-All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. CORRUPT CHRISTIANITY, or the Antichristian System, is of a very different complexion. Like Pandora's bor, it is fraught with all manner of evils and mischiefs. It is admirably calculated to promote discord and contention, hatred and malice, rage and revenge, oppression and violence, rapine and murder, war and desolation, deceit and treachery, envy, hypocrisy, and intolerance; and in short, every odious principle or quality, and every evil work !”

This eloquent passage is taken from his Piece entitled, Reflections on French Atheism and English Christianity. And who can question the justness of the representation? The reddest page in the wars of Ambition is blanched into purity by the comparative fury of an unholy and exterminating bigotry*

In his other piece, Food for a Fast Day, occurs a passage of a similar tendency—

"The WARS of modern Europe are not unlike the fighting matches of our English pugilists; only they are on a larger scale, and being so, they ought

* History of Philip the Second, King of Spain, by Dr. Robert Watson, as well as Dr. Robertson's History of Charles the Fifth, exhibit these monsters in their own proper light. Stripped of their adventitious ornaments, they excite the scorn and kindle the hatred of posterity. Religious wars, by whomsoever waged, ought to be held in universal execration.

to be held in greater abhorrence; seeing their pernicious effects are infinitely more extensive and dreadful. Their very object and principle likewise are evidently more vile and detestable. What renders them still more hateful is the trick of connecting Religion with them, by the appointment and observance of Fast Days, &c. which is representing GOD as the approver and patron of such bloody and diabolical proceedings; and even attempting to join what HE hath put asunder. For GoD can no more be the approver and patron of WAR, than he can be the approver, patron, or author of confusion. It may be very truly said, that where WAR begins, Religion ends; THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION at least must end there!"

III. CONTROVERSIAL.

Mr. Richards was engaged in Controversies relative to Christian Baptism. This was a subject he had well studied. His principal Tract is entitled, A serious and plain Discourse concerning Baptism in its Connexion with the first Principles and Spirit of Christianity, inscribed to " W. Williams, Esq. of Cardigan, one of the Justices of the Peace, and one of the Deputy Lieutenants of Cardigan and Pembroke; to whose approbation and encouragement the following thoughts, in a great measure, owe their appearance in print (first in the Welsh, and now in the English language), in testimony of great respect to an amiable and eminent character, and of warm

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attachment to a beloved friend. 1793." This piece does honour to his judgment and liberality. Expressing a high opinion of his Pædobaptist Brethren, Mr. RICHARDS states freely his idea of Christian Baptism, as represented in the New Testament. This is the alone rule of faith-the alone regulator of practice. An adherence to the Sacred Writings is the dictate of genuine Protestantism; whilst a deviation from them is an approach owards Popery. Extracts from this able Pamphlet might be multiplied; but the whole ought to be perused with attention. Indeed, of all the Author's pieces on Baptism, it best deserves republication. Mr. Williams of Cardigan, on its original publication, left in his will a copy of this Pamphlet, by way of legacy, to each of his children*.

It should have been remarked, that so early as 1781, MR. RICHARDS had been engaged in a controversy with the Rev. Mr. Carter, a respectable

MR. WILLIAM WILLIAMS died Aug. 13, 1799, in the 67th year of his age, having been upwards of thirty years in the Christian ministry. As a Preacher of the Gospel, and as a Magistrate, administering justice tempered with mercy, his death was an irreparable loss to the Principality. The Letters already inserted in a former part of this work shew a sound understanding, an amiable disposi→ tion, and a love of that inestimable blessing of Peace, which Jesus Christ left as his best legacy to the world. The Letters of Mr. Williams to his friend Richards are more numerous than any other correspondent; and not one of them seems to have been destroyed.-The memory of the just is blessed!

minister, of the Independent persuasion-by a REVIEW of his Strictures on Infant Baptism. Then followed two other pieces, much read at the time, and applauded. Their titles ran thus-OBSERVATIONS on Infant sprinkling, or, an Answer to a certain Publication, entitled, The Reviewer Reviewed, and lastly, The History of Antichrist, or, Free Thoughts on the Corruptions of Christianity, in a Series of Letters to the Author of the Reviewer Reviewed, and other late Publications. The two first pieces are purely controversial, and were of local interest. The third and last is of general and more lasting utility. The History of Antichrist is indeed a large Pamphlet of a hundred and fortyfour pages; in which the important subject is discussed with his usual talent, and illustrated by a great variety of information. He spared not the defects of Protestantism, and loudly called on ALL Christians to exhibit a nearer approximation to the New Testament. This is the aim of all his theological writings. A slight specimen of this Tract shall be adduced; it is the Introduction.

"A PROTESTANT engaged in the defence of Infant sprinkling seems to me one of the most awkward figures in the world. He professes the belief of the inspiration of the Scriptures, and their sufficiency as a rule of faith and practice, and at the same time, confidently and zealously asserts the divine origin of a religious rite, which those inspired writings, as is allowed on all hands, never once mention! The folly and inconsistency of such a conduct

have been often pointed out; and the popish champions can always on this ground attack their Pædobaptist opponents with success.

The REFORMATION, it must be allowed, was an event that gave a terrible blow to the kingdom of ANTICHRIST. Like the confusion at Babel, it broke a most cursed confederacy. It proved exceedingly favourable to the rights of mankind, and gave an opportunity to thousands of captives to assume their freedom. The fetters of bigotry and superstition were then in a great degree weakened; and multitudes of those who used to yield unlimited obedience to the mandates of spiritual tyrants, and like the asine offspring of Issachar, tamely to crouch down between their burdens, were taught to think for themselves, resist their ghostly oppressors, and act as rational creatures. In short, that event set the subjects of ANTICHRIST together by the ears; and raised such commotions in his dominions as he will never be able to quell. His house has been ever since a house divided against itself: and from that period one may venture to date the beginning of its decay, which in time will inevitably issue in its downfall! But the REFORMATION was not the restoration of primitive or genuine Christianity: nor did it introduce a more consistent system than that of Rome. Whatever advantage the Reformed religion may pretend to over the Popish, it surely cannot be that of consistency.

Zuinglius, Luther, Calvin, Cranmer, and their associates, are however rightly enough called Re