thus shows of what nature, when considered in the lofty New Testament point of view, the righteousness is. So far as the Saviour unfolds the archetypal morality of man, which was neither embodied in any special precepts of the Old Testament code, nor was yet in point of fact deduced from those parts of that code in which it was virtually involved, he certainly may be called a new Lawgiver.

For a specimen of the merits of this commentary our readers are referred to Prof. Torrey's translation of the exposition of the Lord's Prayer, inserted in Bib. Repos. V. p. 190, and VI. p.

187.

The 7th volume comprises Prof. Henry Planck's Introduction to Sacred Philology and Criticism, translated by Prof. Turner of New York.

The 8th volume of the Cabinet embraces the first part of Pareau's Principles of the Interpretation of the Old Testament, translated by Prof. Patrick Forbes of King's College, Aberdeen. "When teaching the oriental languages in the university of Harderwick," says the author, "I formed the opinion that I should consult the advantage of the young men who were studying theology there, if I should briefly explain to them what things seemed to me principally to be attended to and accomplished by the interpreter of the Old Testament, particularly in reference to the present age. After I was transferred to the university of Utrecht, I occasionally gave lectures on this subject, before attending lectures on sacred hermeneutics was imposed as a duty on the students of theology. But though always decidedly of opinion that I ought to complete the whole elementary instruction in the science in one academical course, the disagreeable occurrence frequently happened to me that I was not able to treat certain parts so fully as I wished, nor to give that time to the highly useful exercise of examination which I desired. I had therefore long ago determined to publish a work on the Principles of the Interpretation of the Old Testament, such as I could follow in my academical lectures, and which would answer my object sufficiently of serving the purposes of the students, and at the same time might be of some advantage to others."

"This Introduction to the Old Testament," remarks the translator," seems well adapted for the use of those entering on

the study of that sacred volume, from its containing a succinct account of the principles of the knowledge and acquirements which are requisite and indispensable to the successful pursuit of that study, and from being written in a plain style, without a superfluity of technical terms, or any parade of learning. The translator is of opinion that on the whole the work, by all candid judges, will be acknowledged to be the production of a man of good principles and good sense, as well as of sound and competent learning."

The first volume of the translation contains some introductory historical matters; of those studies inseparably connected with the right interpretation of the Old Testament; of the principal endowments of mind and virtues of soul, to be desired and cultivated in an accomplished interpreter of the Old Testament; of the subsidiary studies which are an ornament and aid to an interpreter; and remarks on the true manner of interpreting the Old Testament, including the understanding and explanation of words and things.

In the 9th volume we find, 1st, Storr's Dissertation on the meaning of "The Kingdom of Heaven," translated by Rev. Manton Eastburn of New York; 2d, Storr's Dissertation on the Parables of Christ, translated by Rev. William R. Whittingham of New York; 3d, Storr on the word ПAHPQMA; 4th, Hengstenberg on the Interpretation of Isa. liii, translated by James F. Warner. The first three of these essays were first printed in the "Essays and Dissertations in Biblical Literature," and the last was published in the Bib. Repository.

The 10th volume of the Cabinet contains that portion of professor Stuart's grammar of the New Testament Dialect, which embraces the Syntax, together with a separate treatise on the Greek Article, the latter first inserted in the Bib. Repository.

The 11th volume, and the last which we have received, contains the Biblical Geography of Rosenmüller on Central Asia, translated and accompanied with notes, by the Rev. N. Morren, of Greenock, Scotland. That Rosenmüller's Bib. Geography is now the classical and standard work among the Germans, may be seen from Fuhrmann's Handbuch der Neuesten Theologischen Literatur, a bibliographical guide brought down to the end of 1835. A review of the first part of Rosenmüller's Geography by Gesenius appeared in the Allgem. Lit. Zeitung of Halle, in 1825. The quantity of supplemental matter furnished by

the translator is considerable, and gives evidence of research and good judgment. These contributions are all inserted in the appendix, or in the foot-notes, with the signature of M.

We have thus given a brief account of the first eleven volumes in this valuable series. We trust that the publisher will find sufficient encouragement to proceed with his most praiseworthy undertaking. The volumes already before the public, though of various merit, both in respect to the value of the matter, and the mode in which it is presented to the English reader, will take their place among the most useful works of the day. The facts and views which they contain are equally important to all denominations of Christians. If the learning, the critical ability, the talent for profound research which characterize the Germans, can be united to the sterling common sense and the practical and enlightened piety of the Englishman and the Scotchman, all parties will have occasion for congratulation and hope.

ARTICLE V.

ON THE ORIGIN AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE REFORMATION; FROM PLANCK'S PROTESTANT THEOLOGY.

Translated from the German, by R. Emerson, Prof. of Ecclesiastical History, Andover Theol. Seminary.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS BY THE TRANSLATOR.

[NEXT in importance to a knowledge of the Bible itself, both to the theologian and the Christian, may be placed a knowledge of the reception and the influence of the Bible among those to whom God has given it. Here is not the place for any extended proof or illustration of this position, if indeed the reflecting reader would need either proof or illustration. I may, however, just remark, that at no period has genuine Christianity flourished, when her history has been neglected; and no where can the devout heart be found that is not delighted and benefitted by a knowledge of the progressive work of redemption. To the general welfare of the church, such knowledge is alike

important for guarding against the irruptions of error and for the advancement of sound theological science. Scarcely any science has ever been advanced without some knowledge of its history; and least of all can this be expected in a science whose foundations are laid in the character of God and of man, as developed in the divine word and in the progress of events. Here are the phenomena from which we are to reason; the ascertained facts upon which we are to build our theories, if we build at all to any purpose. Without them, all will be like the conjectures of the schoolmen, or the dreams of the alchemists. As soon might the natural philosopher hope to make advances in inductive science, without the requisite facts.

Some portions of the history of the church are more replete than others with important facts; and some present stronger analogies to the passing scenes of our own day. In both of these respects, I may venture to say, that of the uninspired history of the church, the period of the reformation is preeminently the period for the theologian at the present time, and especially in this country. This will at once be acknowledged by every one who is tolerably acquainted with the past and the present. We have now afresh before us the discussion of popery as a practical matter. We are already deeply involved, and may become still more deeply involved, in many of the same controversies about doctrines and modes of worship and church polity, which divided and embittered the protestants against each other. And now, as in the days of the reformers, the church is just entering a new period of her development in respect to action. She cannot therefore close her eyes to the treasures of experience afforded by that age.

The work from which the following piece is taken, is replete with instruction on these points, particularly in regard to the controversies about doctrines; and is considered as the best work of the kind which has yet been produced. It cost its author the labor of about twenty of the best years of his life. It consists of six duodecimo volumes, and bears the following title - History of the rise, changes, and formation of our protestant system, from the commencement of the reformation to the introduction of the form of concord, by Dr. Gottlieb Jacob Planck, Professor of Theology at Göttingen. It is also more concisely denominated Protestant Theology. The period extends to the year 1555, and embraces the hot discussions among the protestants, on many of the doctrines of grace, previous to what

is called "the religious peace." That portion, however, which can now be presented, does not extend to these discussions. "In this work," say the authors of the Conversations Lexicon, "by profound research and by thorough and free examination of distinguished works, he has made one of the most important contributions to the history of the reformation." The same subject is pursued by him in a separate work of one volume, from the religious peace to the middle of the eighteenth century.

In the translation, I have often taken the liberty of reducing a long and complicated German sentence to what English lungs may find a more readible form, if an English ear shall not also find it more readily intelligible. A few of the more unimportant notes are also omitted. These are the only liberties I have designedly taken, as a literal translation has been my object.

Notice of the Author.

J. G. Planck was born at Nurtengen, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Nov. 15, 1751. After having studied at the university of Tübingen, he was appointed to the office of repetent in the theological faculty there, in 1774. In 1780, he became preacher to the university at Stuttgard, where he was also appointed professor the next year. He was thence called to Göttingen, in 1784, as professor of theology. There he became first professor of the theological faculty, 1791; and was also entrusted with several other important offices, as that of president of the consistory. During his protracted labors as professor, he is said to have greatly promoted theological study in the university by his instructions on dogmatic and ecclesiastical history. He has acquired much fame by his numerous publications in this department of history. His chief work, however, is the one now before us. He published the first volume of it in 1781; and a second edition of the same, in 1791, from which edition the following portion is translated. The sixth and last volume did not appear till 1800.

His eldest son was professor H. L. Planck, of the same university, and whose early promise in the department of biblical criticism, and early exit, have been noticed in previous volumes of the Repository.

As to the religious opinions of our author, I can only say, that he writes in such a manner, in this work, as hardly to disclose their definite shape on many points. This, it may be