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historical pursuits, and from what he was accustomed to admire as the polity of Greece and Rome in the matter. But, proceed from what source it might, we must discard his theory as alike baseless and pernicious. It has no authority in the Word of God, and it is condemned by all the experience of man. The day will revolve when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ. But in the meanwhile, such an idea as that of Arnold, if realized in whole or part, would be adding the despotism of Popery to the superstition of Puseyism.

In a future article, if it please God, we shall trace the academical course, and examine the theological views, and state the literary pursuits of Dr Arnold, and close with an estimate of his

character and services.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

The Kings of the East; an Exposition of the Prophecies, determining from Scripture and from History, the Power for whom the Mystical Euphrates is being dried up, &c. London: Seeleys.

There is much that is interesting, and much that is fanciful in this work. We cannot say that the author has proved his position, though he has adduced an immense mass of curious history in its support.

The Children's Missionary Record of the Free Church of Scotland, Vol. I. W. P. Kennedy. 1845.

This forms an exceedingly handsome little volume. Its separate numbers have throughout the year been circulating by thousands among our families and Sabbath schools; and this volume would make a very elegant, and a very cheap New Year's gift. As such, we would earnestly recommend it to parents and teachers.

The Scottish Sabbath School Teacher's Magazine. Edinburgh:

J. Gall & Son.

1845.

Both teachers and parents will find in this periodical a most useful help in the performance of their duties. It contains much that is interesting in the way of information, and much that may be helpful and stimulating in the way of hints and counsels.

Works of the English Puritan Divines-Bunyan. With Life, by the
Rev. J. HAMILTON. London: T. Nelson. .1845.
This is the first of a valuable series, lately projected by an enterprising

VOL. XIX. NO. I.

I

publisher. We need not commend John Bunyan; but we may express our admiration for our friend Mr Hamilton's graphic, beautiful, and characteristic life of the illustrious allegorist. It enhances and enriches the volume, and will, we doubt not, be the means of helping its circulation; though we demur exceedingly to his estimate of the Scottish mind. He would have us almost destitute of imagination and feeling (p. 32.) Now, we have read a good deal of Scotch theology as well as of English, and we have no hesitation in saying, that the balance, in so far as imagination and warmth are concerned, is in favour of the Scotch. Just read Rutherford, Dickson, Welsh, Fleming, Leighton, the Erskines, Dunlop, Gray, Durham, Dr M'Crie, Dr Chalmers, and set them beside Cranmer, Hooker, Pearson, Usher, Owen, Flavel, Manton, Goodwin, Ball, Preston, &c. &c.,* and say, in which of these two classes, is there most of real, rich imagination and fervour to be found? The only four that could stand the comparison, are Howe, Baxter, Charnock, and Bunyan. Yet, even these are no match for Samuel Rutherford or Ralph Erskine. But we have digressed-our readers, however, will forgive the digression. Nationality is pardonable in a Scotch reviewer; though, we trust, that what nationality may have suggested, truth will bear us out in maintaining. This, however, is no place for such a discussion.

History of the Reformation. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D.D. Glasgow: W. Collins.

Do. by

Do. by

do.
do.

Glasgow: Blackie and Son.
Glasgow: W. R. M‘Phun.

We shall not pretend to judge among these three editions. They are all excellent, and they are all most marvellously cheap. Let our readers judge for themselves. We rejoice that such a work is scattering itself like leaves, by tens of thousands over the land. We thank all the three publishers most heartily.

The Accusations of History against the Church of Rome, examined in Remarks on the Principal Observations in Mr C. Butler's Work, &c. By the Rev. G. TOWNSEND, M. A. A new edition, revised and corrected by the Rev. J. E. Cox, M.A. London: Published for the Protestant Association by W. H. Dalton, 1845.

We can merely press upon the attention of our readers the subject which this work discusses, and exhort them to purchase for themselves a book where they will find so much valuable information, on points far too little known among Protestants.

* We might say Jeremy Taylor too, for in spite of the fame of the Pelagian Bishop, we do not hesitate to say that his works are amongst the most unreadable of his age. Let no one scoff at our taste, till they have tried, as we have done, to read through him. His fancy was as rank and gross, as his theology was bad. There is ten times more real fancy and taste in Samuel Rutherford's Letters, than in Taylor's laboured sermons. We much prefer Barrow to Taylor.

Posthumous Sermons.

By the Rev. H. BLUNT, A. M. London: Hatchard and Son, 1844.

We have, on a former occasion, reviewed at length the previous volumes of Mr Blunt's works, and we need only now give our most cordial recommendation to this, which we only received lately. But those who know his character, or appreciate his works, will stand in no need of any lengthened criticism or commendation upon these discourses.

Select Practical Writings of Robert Trail. Issued by the Committee of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, for the Publication of the Works of Scottish Reformers and Divines. Edinburgh, 1845.

The Trial and Triumph of Faith. By SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. Issued by do. Edinburgh, 1845.

It is not the Free Church alone that owe a heavy debt to Dr Candlish, and the Committee of which he is the Convener, for putting into their possession, at so cheap a rate, the works of these old divines. Many other churches, we doubt not, feel the same debt, and are rejoicing that a scheme in itself so valuable and important has been so admirably carried out. From what we learn of its plans, and of the different works in progress or in prospect, we are persuaded that the operations of this Committee will more and more commend themselves to the confidence and approval of the Church, or rather, we should say, of the churches, for the Committee's publications are circulating wide and far among many churches and in many lands.

We do not prefix the titles of the works to the head of this notice, with the design of commending them, and of entering into an examination of their contents. They tell their own tale, and they have been telling it some of them for at least two centuries. We advert to these for the purpose of commending the labours of the Committee to the cordial support of the Christian community.

The Wandering Jew. By EUGENE SUE. London, 1845.

The Wandering Jew is one of the most terrific exposures of Jesuitism we ever read. In this respect it is so appalling as almost to be beyond endurance. A sensitive mind could scarcely stand the shock which the perusal of it would produce. And yet we believe, that it is true to the very letter. History assures us that it is not incredible. Its scenes are those of demons, not of men; yet they are painted to the life. The Rodin of Eugene Sue is nothing but a clever and accomplished Jesuit; though his deeds remind us of nothing but the fiends below.

It is said, that the Jesuits, hearing of the projected work, offered its author an enormous sum if he would suppress it. Conscious of guilt and dreading exposure from such an unsparing pen, they did their utmost to prevent its seeing the light. But they are not omnipotent. They failed

But

in their plan of bribing the author into silence. He was resolved to unmask them. And he has done so, though it is said that assassination may yet be his doom for his boldness. Well, the work was published. It went forth by thousands over France. The Jesuits were galled and infuriated beyond measure. what could they do? The book had gone forth, and it? We do not praise the work as a religious one. tinged with French laxity both in morals and religion. out honestly and truly against that mightiest of all curses that ever came forth upon the earth,-Jesuitism.

who could recall Far from it. It is But still it speaks

But still Jesuitism must not give up all hope of hindering its progress, if not of hindering its mischief. Something must be done. And what is that? The book is to be thoroughly stripped from end to end of every allusion to Jesuitism, and yet given forth as the people's edition of the Wandering Jew. We have before us, while we write, this expurgated edition. It retains most of the names, and some of the outlines of the story; but as to Jesuitism, it is never hinted at from beginning to end! Whether this expurgation took place in France or in England we know It is the English translation that is in our hands. And never did we hear of a more dexterous feat of Jesuitism. To be sure, it is somewhat clumsily done; the story is miserably mangled; the gaps are wide ; and the winding up is bungled most completely; yet there is some cleverness in the different scenes.

not.

And so this piece of bungling, but most cunning Jesuitism, must go forth to the world as the veritable Wandering Jew! It is said to be "translated and adapted from the French." Yes, truly, adapted! But adapted to what? To suit the taste of the society of Jesus,-to hide the terrific exposure of Popery and its agents, to ward off the blow which has in some measure already descended upon Jesuitism from this merciless arm. Yet these are the Jesuits which a British Government is fostering! This is the brood of serpents which Maynooth is rearing for us!

Lessons from Scripture, or, Recollections of Statements once heard with Enjoyment. London: D. Walther.

Many precious gems of truths in this little volume, of which we ex

tract one:

"Poor doubting heart! what sayest thou to all this? wilt thou still turn from grace? still refuse to let God magnify His own name by pouring out upon thy guilty head the oil of His own grace and gladness? Take heed! take heed! poor doubter of grace, lest thy doubts partake of the sad sin of the self-righteous Scribe and Pharisee-the unhappy elder brother; his mind also was filled with himself; that was his burden, so filled with SELF, as to have no room left in it for his father's character or love. And whether it be a good self or a bad self which fills the mind, the feeling which hinders any one from entering into the scene where grace reigns triumphantly over sin, is a sad thing. What the elder brother said was quite true and righteous; but his mind was acting upon righteousness, not upon grace. For when the good old man came out to entreat him, he answering said to his father, Lo, these

many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf:' his thoughts were consistent with truth and with righteousness, but they had no savour of the deep grace of his father's heart, 'It was meet that we should make merry and be glad ;' yes, that is the thing! God, though holy, just, and righteous, has a trait in his character for beauty and for glory beside these: He is the God of GRACE! As the holy, and the just, and the righteous God, he blesses what is subject to him, even if it share not his character fully. But it is by grace alone that he subdues, restores, and brings into the fellowship of His own blessed character, that which has wandered from him, and thus gets him glory in the midst, and in spite of the rebellion of his creatures. Surely there is nothing about our God so wonderful, nothing so peculiarly his own, as Grace!

"I do not now rest upon Christ as the way by which grace_reigns through righteousness, but simply upon grace in God and the Father, as the deep incorruptible well-spring of all the poor sinner's confidence and hopes.

"May the gentleness of grace, which so blessed the poor prodigal, lead the hearts and lives of believers henceforth in humility and lowliness before God and one another." Pp. 125–8.

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistles of Paul to the Ephesions, Philippians, and Colossians. By ALBERT BARNES. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1845.

Mr Barnes' other Commentaries are well known to the public. In many respects they are really valuable. This new volume is by no means inferior to any that he has published; perhaps, in some respects, it is superior. It contains much excellent criticism, as well as many correct statements of truth. A specimen will help our readers in judging of the author :

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Having predestinated us. On the meaning of the word here used, see Notes on Rom. i. 4; viii. 29. The word used (poopi∞) means properly to set bounds before; and then to pre-determine. There is the essential idea of setting bounds or limits, and of doing this beforehand. It is not that God determined to do it when it was actually done, but that he intended to do it beforehand. No language could express this more clearly, and I suppose this interpretation is generally admitted. Even by those who deny the doctrine of particular election, it is not denied that the word here used means to pre-determine; and they maintain that the sense is, that God had pre-determined to admit the Gentiles to the privileges of his people. Admitting then that the meaning is to predestinate in the proper sense, the only question is, who are predestinated? To whom does the expression apply? Is it to nations, or to individuals? In reply to this, in addition to the remarks already made, I would observe, (1.) that there is no specification of nations here as such, no mention of the Gentiles in contradistinction from the Jews.

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