DIED, on November 26, 1816, at his house, Mile-end, Whitechapel, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, the Rev. Dan Taylor. From the time of his preaching his first sermon, at a village near Halifax, Yorkshire, till the period of his death, was upwards of fifty-five years. His labours of preaching and writing have been very extensive among the now connection of general Baptists, formed in 1770, of which he was one of the first pastors. His death was very sudden; while reading after tea, he fell back in his chair, and immediately expired. His remains were interred in Bunhillfields, December 5, and a funeral oration was delivered by the Rev. J. Kello, of Bethnal-green. A funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. R. Smith, of Nottingham, from 2 Tim. iv. 6-8. Mr. Taylor had been sole pastor of the church assembling in Church-lane, White chapel, for upwards of twenty-two years; and joint-pastor with the Rev. J. Brittain, eleven years preš viously. Review. Modern Judaism; or a brief Account of the Opinions, Traditions, Rites and Ceremonies of the Jews in Modern Times. By John Allen. London, printed for T. Hamilton, 8vo. pp. 434. Price 12s, boards. still more conspicuous example has appeared, since the commencement of missionary efforts among us, in the establishment of a distinct society with this express design, to the benevolent exertions of which we wish all imaginable prosperity. But though these efforts on behalf of the tribes of Israel are entitled to warm commendation, it will probably strike an intelligent and judicious observer, that they have hitherto borne but a very small proportion to the magnitude and importance of the object, and that the interest excited by them has been, in a great degree, fugitive and evanescent. To refer only to what is familiar to us all. The sphere and operations of missionary societies have been progressively enlarging from year to year, while the attention once directed, rather strongly, towards the state of the Jews, has greatly subsided, and seems in danger of being wholly withdrawn. - THE recovery of the seed of Abraham from their long and awful apostacy, is an event closely connected in scripture with the universal subjugation of the Gentiles to the domimon of Christ. Hence, when the minds of Christians have been impressed with the glory of this latter object, and they have been roused, in consequence, to make some efforts for its attainment, a degree of solicitude has been excited also for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Thus, when the "United Brethren," in a spirit of faith and love unparalleled since the apostolic age, determined en sending forth some of their number to preach among the Heathen the love of a crucified Redeemer, the Callenberg Institution sprung up,It is not our design to enter into avowedly aiming at the conversion an investigation of the various causes of the Jews. The capacious mind which have contributed to produce of our late venerable Fuller was not this effect. We believe that one, so absorbed by the mission to the if not the principal, is to be found East, as to prevent the exercise of in the general want of acquaintance tender compassion for the Jews. Of with the subject which has prevailed this, his address to that people in hitherto "The Gospel its own Witness," and his sermon entitled "Jesus the true Messiah," are sufficient proofs. A Nor is this surprizing, when we reflect that the sources from which information could be derived were various and difficult of access. An | to writing in the text of the Pentateuch, authentic and compendious treatise and the other is said to have been handon Judaism has long been a deside-ed down from generation to generation, ratum; such a work is now given for many ages, by oral tradition. Of the origin and transmission of this oral law, they have favoured the world with the following account. to the world in the volume before us; and we congratulate our readers, and the public at large, that the task has been undertaken by an individual so well qualified to perform it as the translator of Calvin. 1 Moses were accompanied with an inter"All the precepts of the law given to pretation. God first dictated the text, and then gave him an explication of No one who peruses this treatise every thing comprehended in it. The will call in question the modest text was commanded to be put into wriavowal of the author, in his preface, ting, and the explication to be com that"in procuring materials from mitted to memory, and to be communievery source within his reach-in cated to that generation, and afterwards separating the correct from the errotransmitted to posterity, only by word neous, and in selecting and arrang- the written law, and the latter the oral of mouth. Hence the former is called ing the most interesting and impor- law. When Moses came down from the tant particulars, he has spared nei-mount, he delivered both these laws to ther time nor labour." We hardly know which to admire most, the patient assiduity which must have been employed to collect such a variety of information, or the judgment and skill with which those materials have been so disposed, as to form a work highly interesting to readers of every class. the people. As soon as he was returned to his tent, he was attended by Aaron, who sat at his feet, and to whom he recited the text, and taught the interpre tation, which he had received from God in the mount. Then Aaron rising and seating himself at the right hand of Moses, Eleazar and Ithamar entered, and Moses repeated to them all that he Mr. Allen has divided his book which they arose and seated themselves, had communicated to their father; after into twenty-five chapters, under the one on the left hand of Moses, and the following heads. Of the Jewish other on the right hand of Aaron. Then scriptures-the Targum-the Tal- went in the seventy elders, and Moses mud-remarks on the Talmud-the taught them in the same manner as he Cabbala-the thirteen articles of the had taught Aaron and his sons. AfterJewish faith-their opinions on hu- wards entered the congregation at large, man depravity, atonement for sin, or all of them who were desirous of future rewards and punishments knowing the divine will; and to them traditions concerning God-Angels and Demons-Paradise and Hell-interpretation, in the same manner as human souls-the persons mentioned in the Old Testament-Behemoth, Leviathan, &c.-Jesus of Nazareth-Messiah-birth, circumcision, &c.-dresses worn by Jews their synagogues and worship-forms of prayer-the Sabbath Calendar festivals and fasts-meats, drinks, &c.-marriage, divorce, &c. sickness, death, burial, &c.-brief notice of the Caractes. Did our limits permit, there are many passages we would gladly transcribe, a few, however, must suffice. The grand source of Jewish delusion is thus laid open at page 22. "The Jews acknowledge two laws, which they believe to have been delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai; of which one was immediately committed also Moses recited the text and the before. These two laws, as delivered Aaron four times, by his sons three times, by Moses, had now been heard by by the seventy elders twice, and by the rest of the people once. After this, Moses withdrawing, Aaron repeated the whole that he had heard from Moses, and withdrew: then Eleazar and Ithamar did the same; and on their withdrawing, the same was done by the seventy elders: so that each of them having heard both these laws repeated four times, they all had them fixed firmly in their memories." The reason why this law was not committed to writing is stated to be, "Because God foresaw that the nations of this world would copy out the twenty-four books which are contained in the Law, the Prophets, and the Hagiographa, and would abuse them to heresy and impiety.In the world to come, God will inquire who are his children. | such a man undergo, when he leaves this Then the Gentiles, as well as the Is- world! The first is, when the soul deraelites, shall produce the book of the law, and they shall both affirm themselves to be his children. Therefore God will inquire again, with whom is the oral exposition which he delivered on Mount Sinai. At this all will be duinb, and not one, except Israel, will be found to have any knowledge of it." page 34. It can excite no surprise, therefore, that the study of the Talmud should be deemed far more important than that of the Bible. "The Bible is like water, the Mishna like wine, and the Gemara like spiced wine." The following description of the transactions which take place after death, forms an affecting commentary on Hebrews, ii. 15. parts from the body. The second is, when his works go before him, and exclaim against him. The third is, when the body is laid in the grave. The fourth is, Chibbut Hakkefer, that is, the beating in the grave. The fifth is, the judgment of the worms. When his body has lain in the grave three days, he is ripped open, his entrails come out, and his bowels, with the sordes in them, are taken and dashed in his face, with this address: Take what thou hast given to thy stomach, of that which thou didst daily eat and drink, and of which, in all thy daily feastings, thou distributedst nothing to the poor and needy as it is said, I will spread upon your faces the dung of your solemn feasts.', Mal. ii. 3. After the three days, a man receives judgment on his eyes, his hands, and his feet, which have committed iniquities, till the thirtieth day: and in all these thirty days, the soul and the body the same hour in which he dies and when the soul leaves the body, the pre-soul, during this time, remains upon are judged together. Wherefore the sence of the divine majesty is near him. earth, and is not suffered to go to the If then the law and good works are place to which it belongs. The sixth is, found with him, he is happy, because the judgment of hell. The seventh is, he has cleaved to the divine majesty that his soul wanders, and is driven about and his soul is qualified to ascend to the till the days of her punishment are the world, finding no rest any where ended. These are the seven judgments inflicted upon men; and these are what are signified in the threatening, Then will I walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even 1, will chastise you seven times for your sins.' Lev. xxvi. whether a dead body be capable of feel28. If any person be disposed to doubt ing, let him listen to the language of the Talmud: Rabbi Isaac says, A worm in a living one."" in a dead body is as painful as a needle 1 "A man is judged in this world in holy place. But wo unto him who cleaves not to the divine majesty, and from whom the divine majesty with draws. When such a man is carried to his grave, all the works he has done in this world present themselves before him, and three heralds (one before him, another on his right hand, and the third on his left) make the following proclamation: This N. has been averse to his Creator, who reigns above and below, and in the four parts of the world. He has been rebellious against the Law and the Commandments. Behold his works and observe his words. It had been better for him if he had never been created.' Before he arrives at his grave, all the dead bodies tremble and move from their places because of him, and say, Many of their traditions respecting angels and demons-the persons mentioned in the Old TestamentBehemoth, Leviathan, &c.-are such as might furnish amusement, were not every such feeling repressed by a sense of the awful state into which a people must be sunk, who accept these ridiculous tales as far more excellent than the scrip tures. Wo unto him that is buried with his evil works which he has done.' All his wicked actions, which at the time of his departure stand near him, go before him to his grave, and trample upon his body. The angel Duma likewise rises, attended by those under his command who are appointed for the beating of the dead, which is called Chibbut Hakkefer, and is performed in the grave. They hold in their hands three fiery rods, and judge at once the body and the soul. Wo -unto him on account of that judgment!ecuted. In the style, brevity is hapWo unto him by reason of his evil pily combined with clearness; and works! How many judgments then does while it was necessary to disclose Of the utility of the work before us there can be no question, and the able manner in which it is exwe cheerfully bear our testimony to rests of sacred literature. And when it is considered that he has conducted this work to its close in! a small country: town, without an individual to assist him, it will not appear surprizing if some errors be found. The pages in which mate some of the ódióus deformities of rabbinical imposture, the author has shown that he knew where to draw the line, so as to avoid wounding the piety or modesty of his readers. Occasional notes are interspersed, which evince extensive reading, and a discriminating judgment, and in-rial errors had occurred, have been duce us to hope that this will not be reprinted; and the list of errata has the last effort of the writer's pen. been formed after a careful revision A commendable regard has been by different persons. shown to typographical correctness, and a well executed frontispiece exhibits a rabbi dressed for prayers. We hope this interesting volume will have an extensive circulation. . Few surely will rise from the perusal of it without feeling thankful for the heavenly illumination which we enjoy, and uniting in the devout aspirations with which the worthy author concludes his preface: The editor can truly say, that the these writings, has alleviated his burpleasure he has often felt while perusing den and sweetened his toils. And of whatever use his labours may be to others, he is persuaded they have contributed to his own improvement in the knowledge of the language, and he trusts in strengthening his convictions, elevating his piety, and giving fresh "Soon may the dawn' of that glor..rdour 1 break forth upon the world. Soon may they acknowledge, the true Messiah whom their fathers crucified. Then will the accounts of reveries and super stition, of which so much of this volume consists, be changed from descriptions of living error, to memorials of a delusion for ever past away." Biblica Hebraica; or The Hebrew Scriptures without points; after the text of Kennicott, &c. accompanied with English notes, critical, philological, and explanatory, selected from the most approved Biblical Critics. By B. Boothroyd. 2 vols.---Vol. II. 4to, 1816. Gale & Co. To those who revere the sacred scriptures it is a pleasing reflection, that Hebrew Bibles are rapidly multiplying. Probably there has not been in any former age so many readers of Hebrew in this country as there are at present. Dr. Kennicott's labours have received far more abundant honour since his death than while he was living. to his devotions. "There are two sorts of Hebrew will be found useful. To those, whose scholars to whom he hopes his labours circumstances are such that they cannot various critical works which are couafford to purchase Polyglotts, and the densed in this. He fears this will be found a, numerous class. There are others, who have a dislike to ponderous folios, and they will find it convenient to have a work at hand, of a portable size, to which they can refer with ease." Preface, p. 4. Few persons learn Hebrew without the points: many, who have made some proficiency, afterwards lay them aside. We confess, we think it highly expedient for the beginner to begin with the Masoretic punctuation; though we feel a conviction, that the justly celebrated Michaelis is not far from the truth in asserting, that "they are 2000 years too modern to merit much respect." See Michaelis' Commentaries on the Laws of Moses, translated by Dr. Smith, vol. 2, p. 193. Mr. Boothroyd's typography is very neat, if we should not say ele gant. His notes, in general, are The first volume of this truly va- selected from the most eminent bibluable work was respectfully no- lical critics, and oriental scholars, ticed in our Number for April, 1815. British and foreign, ancient and We have great pleasure in congra modern. In the prospect of death tulating Mr. Boothroyd and the and judgment, the satisfaction aris public on its completion. The ediing from having edited with fidelity tor must have sacrificed much time and property to promote the inte such a work as this, must be exquisite and delightful to the heart of å pious man. Mr. Boothroyd cannot envy the feelings of a man who has been the laborious editor of Euripides or Shakspeare; nor even those who have been far more usefully employed in Cyclopædias of all the arts and sciences. We have heard that he has other labours in contemplation for the improvement of the authorized version of the scriptures; and in all such labours, we cordially wish him great success. A Treatise on the nature and design of the Scripture Covenants, by Francis Deakin. Longman, &c. 12mo. THIS treatise is divided into twelve chapters-1. On union and imputation-2. On pardon, justification, and faith-3. On the covenant of redemption, and the gift of eternal From these contents, our readers may form some idea of the work, but for the particular views of the various topics discussed, we must refer to the work itself. dation of the world, that they might be holy," &c. Nor do we perceive how the maintaining, "that Christ being constituted the federal head of the elect as persons, and not as believers, should involve the doctrine of justification, previous to faith, any more than sanctification, and glorification: for though every spiritual blessing was included in the purpose and grace which were given in Christ, before the foundation of the world and though justification, with all subsequent blessings, were virtually obtained for the elect, by his death, resurrection, and ascension; yet the actual bestowment of these blessings cannot take place before the existence of the party, for whom they were de signed and procured. The author's reasoning, pp. 106 & 130, could it be supported, would, in our view, completely overturn the doctrine of particular redemption, which yet, judging from other parts of the work, he does not appear to disavow. Speaking of invitations to sinners, he says, "If he (God) invites all, and Christ only died for a certain number, to the exclusion of the rest, the invitation to all cannot be reconciled with the sincerity of God." Again, "God sent his Son into the world, not to die, and thereby make an atonement for this or that man's sin, but to endure the penalty of the law, and thereby make an atonement for sin." In these statements we disagree with the author, and cannot express our views more correctly and concisely, than by borrowing his own words : "For the sake of his elect, and with a specific design to save them, God gave his only begotten Son to die, and make an atonement for sin, whereby they might be legally exempted from punishment. For their sakes Christ sanctified himself. For their sakes he laid down his life, with a specific design to bring them, and them only, to glory." p. 131. The author modestly acknowledges in the preface," that he does not presume to have a perfect knowfedge of all the subjects treated of, or that all the positions, stated as truths, are capable of demonstration." We cannot help considering the following as one of those positions. He says, "I have aimed at subverting the unscriptural notion of justification previous to faith, by showing that Christ was constituted the federal head of per- We shall only add, that the comsons as believers only." We have mand is, "to preach the gospel to been used to consider Christ as every creature," and this is a suffithe federal head of the elect, and that cient warrant for general invita these were viewed not as holy, but fions, without inquiring, who are "chosen in Christ before the foun-elected, or for whom Christ died, |