christian duty, as well as privilege, resembling some that could be selected from the writings of Adams of Wintringham, and from Mason's Remains; Evangelical exhibitions of the work of Christ and the influence of the Holy Spirit, for which Owen on Communion would form an excellent model; and we would have the whole pervaded by that chastened piety and tenderness of spirit which distinguish the productions of Bishop Leighton, whom we consider to be the most devotional writer in any language. We e want, in fact, a Comprehensive Manual of Experimental Religion, which should suit the Christian in his best hours, and yet be perfectly free from every thing to which the man of taste and refinement could offer a valid objection; and numerous as are the authors to whom we have referred, there are few indeed who come up to this standard, and combine, in a single work, all the requisites for the purpose. We take leave also to think, that a publication of this kind, is peculiarly wanted in the present times, and will be still more wanted in the times that are approaching, from the general interest that prevails, and is like ly to prevail, upon religious subjects. If we might venture to express a wish, it should be that some of our best living writers would take the general subject of devotional writing into their serious consideration. The task is, indeed, difficult, requiring a knowledge of human nature, an ability to anticipate and sympathize with the religious feelings and experience of different minds, and an acquaintance with the philosophy of character by no means common. It is obvious, therefore, that none but the most gifted, and, at the same time, the most pious minds, are competent to undertake it with any prospect of success. How eminently might such a man as Mr. Hall, did opportunity allow, benefit mankind at large, by embodying his conceptions of what such a work ought to be, and favouring the Christian church with the results of his own invaluable experience, in reference to the more private exercises of religion. He has given us eloquent sermons, models of pulpit composition, and some treatises of a polemical character, but only one short tract upon a subject purely devotional, that on the Work of the Spirit. This, however, is so replete with spiritual wisdom, exhibited in the most simple manner, and relates to so many of the topics which we should like to see more fully expanded, and has been, to our knowledge, so signally useful, that we place it in the very first rank of his admired productions, and should delight to receive some larger work of the same kind, which, under the divine blessing, might be expected to win the attention of the reluctant, and to confirm the piety of the devout. He who teaches his fellow-man to pray, or materially encourages him in cultivating a devotional spirit, is his best benefactor, because he opens to him sources of the highest felicity, and brings him into contact with the only Being in the universe who has happiness to bestow. This is an office in which angels themselves might gladly become ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation; an engagement in which a good man would delight to be employed on the threshold of eternity; and we can scarcely conceive of a more becoming occupation for the close of an honoured and a useful life, than that of directing the devout meditations of others to trated with numerous Maps and similes of Biblical Manuscripts. Four vols. 8vo. London: Cadell, 1829. IT is with much pleasure we again announce a new edition of this valuable work. The first speci mens we saw from Mr. Horne's pen convinced us, that he was a plodding, pains-taking, and indefatigable student; and since he first issued his" Introduction" into the world, we have been furnished with still more abundant proofs, that (to use their own expressive phrase) he possesses the iron diligence of the Germans, whose labours, to the extent of his access to them, he has laid under due contribution in rendering his book more and more adapted to answer the ends of its publication. Referring our readers to the former recommendations which we have given of the work, we shall content ourselves at present with directing their attention to the principal alterations which have been made in the present edition. By enlarging the page, and abridging, where abridgement was practicable, room bas been made for not less than 250 pages, onehalf of which is brevier matter, without enlarging the bulk of the work more than two sheets and a half, and without increasing the price. To the first volume little has been added, besides the collateral testimony to the truth of Scripture, pp. 205-207, which is furnished by the recent discoveries in Egyptian Archæology, and the three appended articles, pp. 521–531, on the ascension of Christ, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, and the difficulties attendant on the propagation of Christianity. The second volume has been entirely re-arranged: the two departments of Scripture Criticism and Interpretation are separated; the table of Quotations newly disposed, so as to exhibit at one view the Hebrew Septuagint and Greek text of the New Testament. All the Bibliographical notices have been thrown into a separate appendix, instead of being dispersed through the volume. This appendix is separately paged, and methodically arranged; but though it is much more complete than in former editions, such is the number of works in Biblical literature, which are continually issuing from the press, the addenda are unavoidably numerous. In volume third, almost every page discovers marks of careful revision. The Geographical Index of former editions is enlarged into a Historical, Biographical, and Geographical Index, including an index of reference to the principal matters in the volume. Thus re-modelled, it forms a concise system and dictionary of biblical antiquities. In the last volume, besides a vindication of the last twentyseven chapters of Isaiah (pp. 173 -182) from the charge of spuriousness, which is given from an Anglo-American work, and of the genuineness of the Gospel of Luke, from the sceptical objections of Michaelis, (pp. 295–300,) against which Bishop Marsh has furnished no antidote, the principal additions are, first, a disquisition on 1 John v. 7, 8, which exhibits the present state of the controversy, and contains the first notice which we have seen, announcing the existence of an additional MS. containing the disputed clause. This manuscript is the Codex Ottobonianus 298 in the Vatican, and reads thus :-οτι τρεις εισιν οι μαρτυρούντες απο του ουρανου πατκρ λογος και πνευμα αγων και οι τρεις εις το εν εισι. Και τρεις εισιν οι μαρτυρούντες απο της γης το πνεύμα, κ. τ. λ. As it is stated to have been written in the fifteenth century, and has been altered in many places to make it agree with the Latin Vulgate, it adds no weight whatever to the reading of the Textus Receptus. Secondly, an abstract is given, pp. 509-529, of the principal hypotheses of the Continental critics, respecting the sources of the three first Gospels. The author has evidently spared neither labour nor expense in endeavouring to render this edition of the work as complete as possible. Some of the books which he has liberally used must have cost him a considerable sum. A mong others, we notice Alber's Interpretatio Sacræ Scripturæ, printed at Pesth, in Hungary, and consisting of sixteen large octavo volumes. But few copies have been imported into this country, and it is not to be had under £13. The success which the work has already met with must be very encouraging to Mr. Horne; and we further most cordially recommend it to all who are desirous of obtaining information on the vast variety of topics connected with the origin, history, interpretation, and correct understanding of the Holy Scriptures. It is a book which ought to be in the library of every minister, and we know of few which would form a more valuable present from the more affluent members of a congregation, to him who has the spiritual oversight of them; but whose circumstances, perhaps, may render it impossible for him to procure it at his own expense. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, WITH SHORT NOTICES. OBJECTIONS TO THE DOCTRINE OF ISRAEL'S FUTURE RESTORATION TO PALESTINE, NATIONAL PREEMINENCE, &c.: in Twelve Letters to a Friend, with an Appendix. 12mo. pp. 178. Holdsworth and Ball, 1828. Price 3s. 6d. It is a favourite dogma of the Millenarian school, that the Jews will, at some future period, be restored to Palestine, and become a great and powerful nation. Whether they derived this originally from their own interpretation of Scripture Prophecy; or, taking up the received notion prevailing among the Jews, applied to the prophecies for its corroboration, it were needless to inquire; but we are inclined to think, that the latter is the case. The Jews, as their fathers did, in the days of their national prosperity, give a literal interpretation to many passages, which we cannot regard as other than highly figurative; and to themselves, as a nation, they apply the prophecies which we apply to the Christian church. This is not surprising; but that Christians should adopt this opinion, is, indeed, matter of wonder. The opinion, however, is far from being an unpopular one, and the writer of the work before us, who is a layman, was requested by a minister to pay some attention to the subject. These letters are the resul of that attention; and they are published at the desire of the minister to whom they were addressed. The following is a summary of the reasons on which the writer founds his objections. “ 1. Because unsupported by the New Testament. "2. Because at variance with the genius of Christianity. "3. Because the allusions in the New to the language of the Old Testament, and the use made of those allusions, are opposed to it. 4. Because there are phrases, terms, and passages in the Old Testament, which cannot be taken literally, or without qualification; and which yet have an equal claim to be so taken with the phraseology adduced in support of a literal restoration; while the literal meaning of others is negatived, some by New Testament authority, and some by the mode of their collocation, or by the sense expressly attached, or otherwise attaching to them. "5. Because there was only one prophet (Malachi) after the last reformation of Nehemiah, until the Christian era, and he does not predict any future deliverance of the Jewish nation; thus leaving us to conclude that the predictions of former prophets were fulfilled, as to their literal import, on the return from Babylon, and the subsequent prosperity, and, therefore, had no reference to the present dispersion. "6. Because the doctrine is encumbered with certain difficulties, which are not necessary to be encountered, because obviated by an interpretation more simple and more in harmony with the general tenor of the word of God, than that upon which the said doctrine is built. "The difficulties are of three kinds. "(1.) Arising from the magnitude of the events necessarily implied. 66 ' (2.) Arising from the ordinary course of things. "(3.) Arising from the apparent contradiction to Scripture testimony which the doctrine involves. "7. Because the doctrine is fruitless of good, and prolific of bad effects on the public mind in general, and on the minds of the Jews in particular."-pp. viii, ix. We could willingly quote largely from the arguments here adduced, particularly those which relate to the difficulties with which the doctrine of a literal restoration is encumbered, but our limits forbid. We have left ourselves little room to notice the " Appendix, containing a Summary of what the writer supposes to be the Scripture Testimony concerning the future Destinies of the World and the Church." It is extremely interesting; and although we cannot follow the writer through it, yet we cordially recommend it, with the contents of the volume, to general perusal. ad A SERMON ON DISHONESTY, dressed more particularly to Servants. By John Jukes. R. Baynes. 1828. 6d. This unpretending discourse is distinguished by a strain of scriptural reasoning, on the painful subject to which it relates, that is eminently adapted to usefulness. It is no new thing that such topics should be found strictly necessary as a part of pulpit instruction. It was so in the age of the Apostles. We sincerely hope, that this judicious address will find its way into every family, and that the benevolent instructions of the author will be abundantly realized. Lon GEMS OF SACRED POETRY. don. Printed by the Religious Tract Society. 1829.-Although the collector for this department has been rather deficient in his researches, the result of his labours, we have no doubt, will be acceptable to those in general in whose hands it is likely to be placed. THE SCRIPTURE READER'S GUIDE to the Devotional Use of the Holy Scriptures. By Caroline Fry. 18mo. pp. 166. 2s. 6d. boards. Nisbet.The Scripture Reader's Guide, by Miss C. Fry, consists of eleven essays on the Importance, Object, and Manner of Reading the Holy Scriptures On the Spirit with which they should be read-On the Selection of suitable Parts for perusal-The Reading of the Historical Scriptures - The Reading of the Psalms-Of the Prophetic Scriptures-And on the Reading of the Gospels and Epistles. These contain many serious and intelligent remarks, written in an impressive style, and well worthy of the attention of the devotional student of the sacred volume. THE LIVES OF CLEMENS ROMANUS, IGNATIUS, AND POLYCARP. By the Author of Salome. 18mo. 2s. Edinburgh: Oliphant. THE HARBINGERS OF THE REFORMATION; or, a Biographical Sketch of Wickliffe, Huss, and Jerome. By the Author of the History of the Reformation. 18mo. 2s. 6d. Edinburgh: Oliphant. THE MORNING OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH; or, the Lives of early Reformers: containing those of Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley, and Hooper. 18mo. 2s. 6d. Edinburgh: Oliphant. -For those who have but little time, which they can devote to books, the select lives of some of the primitive Fathers, and the heroic Reformers of the sixteenth century, are better than the whole mass of ecclesiastical history. We therefore rejoice to see such works, as the neat and cheap volumes now on our table, because they present with brevity, yet spirit, an account of some of the most interesting events and characters that past times disclose to us. The authors appear to have executed the task undertaken by them, with considerable ability as well as faithfulness. Without going into obscure matters, they have compressed in a narrow compass, a rich store of valuable information. In the third of these volumes, we felt some disappointment indeed, to find so small a space allotted to the worthy Hugh Latimer. He had neither the learning, nor the influence of Cranmer; but in holy boldness and decision, in primitive zeal and simplicity, he had few equals, and no superior in that memorable age. We can sincerely and warmly recommend these well-written biographical sketches, with the fullest confidence, that they will promote the cause of pure religion. A LETTER from the Ministers composing the Congregational Board in London to the Churches of the Congregational Denomination with which they are severally connected; and to other Churches of the same Faith and Order in London and the Country, with their Pastors and Deacons. Holdsworth and Ball, 16pp. 8vo. 2d. or 14s per hundred-As the early advocates of the necessity of inquiry, humility, and prayer, in order to a revival of the power of godliness in the churches of our Denomination, we cannot but feel grateful to God that we have contributed to direct the attention of our brethren to a subject which is now generally felt to be of vital importance. The Ministers of the Congregational Board have held prayerful and protracted conferences on the state of their own minds and of the people committed to their care, and the admirable Letter before us may be considered as an epitome of the sentiments and wishes which were then reiterated, alike by the venerable elders and youthful pastors of our metropolitan churches. We hail this publication as most important in itself, and trust that it will obtain an extensive circulation, and we regard it as a most pleasing indication that the Congregational Ministers of London begin to realize their associated influence, and are anxious to employ it for the holiest of purposes. SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS concerning the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. By the Rev. Albert Judson, of America. 24mo. 148pp. boards, 6d Depository, 56, Paternoster Row.-The Tract Society, in republishing this useful American book, with which we have been long familiar, has conferred no small benefit upon Sunday Schools and their teachers. In a series of forty subjects, it includes the principal events of our Lord's life and ministry. Each subject is selected from the Evangelist who gives the most complete account of the event recorded; and upon the text referred to, a series of questions is proposed, by which the whole sense of the portion selected is elicited. shall be very happy to know that the plan suggested in the preface is extensively adopted, and that pastors have formed Bible classes amongst the teachers of their schools, to go over these lessons with them, that they may be better prepared, on the following Sabbath, to traverse the same sacred narrative with the children intrusted to them, as we are deeply convinced that the Sunday School system will never attain to complete efficiency in our churches until the teachers themselves are better taught. We MINISTERIAL PERSEVERANCE: a Charge delivered at the Settlement of |