delineated in his text (1 Tim. iv. 1216), under two distinct heads: 1st, as individual Christians; and, 2dly, as Ministers of the Gospel. Under the former, he enforces the necessity of the strictest attention to their personal conduct, and the example which they set to those entrusted to their care; and under the latter, he insists upon the duty of public and private instruction, and the manner in which it may be most beneficially performed. By private visitations of his flock, a minister will acquaint himself better than in any other way with their spiritual necessities, and will then be enabled to adapt his public teaching to correct the errors, remove the doubts, and confirm the truths, which may be found to prevail among them. In order to this, he must be in the general habit of writing his own sermons; without an ability to do which no conscientious man will enter the ministry. Upon this subject the author shall speak for himself.

That St. Paul's injunction is totally and irreconcilably at variance with a systematic use of the sermons of others, must be saidand need only be said-for it is a deduction equally obvious and inevitable from the uncompromising expressions, meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them.

But though he who has been accepted by the highest authority in the Church as fitted to undertake the dignified office of teaching others, cannot, with any regard to propriety or consistency, be supposed unable to compose sermons himself; yet still, I apprehend, a mere cyclical recurrence even of our own productions from this sacred seat of instruction, does not realize St. Paul's idea of the Minister, who meditates on these things, and gives himself wholly to them. The field of labour which lies before us is immense; our people should be perceptibly edified, and advanced in the knowledge and love of our most holy faith; they ought to see that we make progress in Scriptural learning; that our views of Divinity, both theoretical and practical, become broader, and more comprehensive; the works of illustrious theologians are to be studied, in order that we may appropriate what is most valuable in them; that we may enrich the comparative poverty of our own conceptions with their abundant wealth; thus must our profiting appear to all.-Pp. 25, 26.

I argue only for the expediency of liberally using the labours of others; and not tying ourselves down, as a matter of

duty, to the construction of new discourses at frequently recurring periods. He is a scribe, well instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. We could not materially err on the side of laxity, if we made it a rule to preach no sermon, respecting which we should feel reluctance to lay before our congregation the sources from whence we had drawn it. In general let us be able to say, that what we preach is our own. Important benefits obviously suggest themselves as the consequence. Our discourses are adapted to the circumstances of our people; we are ready and able to seize every passing event of interest, and thereby to fix attention more deeply-such was our Saviour's manner; for he never omitted to take advantage of the like opportunities-our people are themselves convinced that we exert our talents, not merely as far as the letter of the law compels us, but vigorously and conscientiously for their edification. The plainest and simplest discourse, warm from the heart, has more charms for them, and they reap more benefit from it, than from the most eloquent labours of a stranger: however moving they might be when originally uttered, they become icy cold, when addressed by another to those for whom they were not intended.-Pp. 28, 29.

In order to encourage them in their duties, the author follows up St. Paul's assurance, that our studies will be blessed with the divine assistance; provided the whole force of our intellect, and the complete occupation of our time, be commensurate with the demand which our vocation makes upon us. In conclusion, he holds out the assurance of success, through the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, as an additional and powerful incentive to

exertion.

An Historical Introduction to the several Books of the Old and New Testaments: compiled from the most eminent Divines of the Church of England. Oxford: Vincent. 2s. 6d.

THIS is a useful and comprehensive little manual, and will be found of considerable advantage for the purpose of general information, as well as for refreshing the memory of the student, by laying before him a compendious digest of his more extended researches. It contains a carefully compressed epitome of the authors, subjects, and dates,

of the several books in the Bible; with such other topics of its general history, with which every student should be acquainted, though he may not have leisure or capacity for the critical examination of its contents.

Sermons. By the Rev. HENRY R.
REVELL, B. A.
London: Riving-

tons. 1828. pp. 356.

THERE is much sound doctrine and useful application in this volume; but we must candidly confess that we have been at some pains to discover it. The volume throughout is a volume of metaphor; and the plainest truths are so involved in tropes and figures, that "Scripture stares to see herself so fine." Take, for example, the following from the very first page:

The drama once exhibited in Paradise was again brought out on the stage of this world, in which the principal character was sustained by a different personage, and the plot under his auspices underwent an entire revision; for it was reversed, and became more intricate, wonderful, and truly tragical. In the former we find Paradise was lost, but in the latter we have Paradise regained. The principal character in the first was Adam; but in the second it was the Lord of glory. The denouement of this glorious tragedy becomes more and more interesting as it approaches the important crisis; nothing foreign or extraneous is introduced, but every thing strictly bears upon the point, throws light upon the subject, and most skilfully developes and unravels the plot. Our interest is continually excited and kept alive; it never droops; true it is we are at a loss to know how it will end at the last, but this is one of its principal excellences. Dark hints are occasionally thrown out, enough to raise, but not to satisfy inquiry; and at the approaching crisis plain declarations are given concerning the issue, lest the mind should be unprepared for the too tragical event.-Pp. 1, 2.

Really this surpasses our weak comprehension; and there is something almost as perplexing in every other page of the book, at least. Some of the metaphors are unquestionably just; but so great a profusion of them, even were they all so, are miserably out of place in a sermon; which should be adapted to the intellect of the poorer, certainly as much as to the fastidious

ears of the more polished members of the congregation. In fact, instead of an ornament, the unnecessary use of flowery verbiage, is decidedly a blemish in pulpit eloquence; and it detracts in our mind almost entirely from the value, which we should be otherwise inclined to affix to Mr. Revell's publication.

Sermons, on various subjects, Doctrinal and Practical. By the Rev. JAMES PROCTER, A. M. Fellow of St. Peter's College, Cambridge, and Lecturer of St. Michael's, Southampton. London: Hatchards. 1828. pp. 366.

Or a character very different from the preceding, is the volume which is now before us. Herein, through a series of seventeen sermons, the doctrines and the precepts of Christianity are exhibited in that simple, yet earnest, that unaffected, yet impressive language, which appeals to the reason rather than the passions, and is sure to The carry conviction to the mind. truths of the Gospel do not require the aid of artificial eloquence to set them off; and though there may be times when the preacher naturally warms with his subject, and his own feelings will animate those of his congregation; yet the address, to be effective, will not be a studied effort, but the impulse of the heart. But we would not appear invidious. The doctrines of Mr. Procter and Mr. Revell, are equally, we believe, those of the Church of which they are ministers; and we doubt not, that both are equally earnest in enforcing them upon the consciences of their hearers. We certainly prefer the plain and energetic simplicity of the former, to the flowery and ornamental periods of the latter; because we think it likely to produce a more lasting impression, and a more beneficial result. We conclude with an extract from Mr. Procter's second Sermon, as a specimen :

Now contrast such a faith in the Saviour, as this, with that nominal faith in Christ, which you find, professed by those who are content to take their religion not from the pure fountain of truth; but from "the broken cisserns" of the world; that balf reliance upon the word and promises of

Christ, and no reliance upon the death and sufferings of Christ, as the sole meritorious cause of the sinner's acceptance with God; you will then not fail to acknowledge, (having made due allowance for unavoidable prejudices, and unavoidable ignorance,) that if belief in Christ be necessary to salvation; and if diligent and impartial investigation be necessary; and earnest prayer for divine teaching be necessary in order to have a true faith, there is but too much reason to apprehend, that in these latter days, the wide gate is not so contracted in its dimensions, as some are willing to believe. Does this test of faith appear too rigid, and exclusive? then I am willing and desirous that you should try and examine yourselves by another test no less unequivocal and plain; namely, your obedience to the law of Christ. If the faith of professing Christians were what it ought to be, their obedience would be such, likewise: and thus faith and obedience reciprocally prove each other, whether they be scriptural or not. But as we have shewn, that the faith of the many who call themselves believers, is most vague and unscriptural, so also is their obedience most partial and defective. What, I would ask, is the prevailing tone of morals, amongst all denominations, and all classes, in every christian community? are not many sins, decided sins, not only committed but defended? is not the world's standard of morality, a different standard from that of the Gospel? if men are not living in the commission of gross crimes, do they not consider themselves, are they not considered by others, good Christians? is it possible to suppose, that by many, very many amongst us, our Lord's sermon on the mount has ever been thought of as a rule of moral conduct? That purity of heart; that innocency of life; that patient endurance of unmerited wrong; that humbleness of mind; that love unfeigned; that entire forgiveness of injuries received; so much insisted on, in this admirable exposition of the moral law; are these the duties, which men in general, are striving to practise; are these the graces, which they are solicitous to attain?-Pp.26-29.

Constable's Miscellany of Original and Selected Publications, in the various Departments of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Vol. XXVI. "The Pleiad." By Archdeacon WRANGHAM. Edinburgh: Constable & Co.

1828.

THIS little volume contains a series of abridgments from seven distinguished writers on the evidences of Christianity.

In the preface the venerable compiler gives this account of his work:

The following compilation was drawn up from the writings of several eminent Divines, of different persuasions, at a period when atrocious attempts were made, in every possible manner, to strip Christians of every persuasion of the blessings and promises of the Gospel, by undermining the stability of Revelation, and thus withdrawing at once the only sure stay of their happiness in this world, and of their hopes of a better. Its object was to present, in seven successive Tracts, a series of triumphant arguments for the truth of Christianity, in a shape which might generally be understood, and easily circulated.

Although this compilation was directed in its object to a state of things, which, we trust, we are not too bold in hoping, has in some measure passed away, its value is by no means lessened; but at all times, and under all circumstances, "The Pleiad" will be acceptable, as an efficient outwork to the strong-holds which guard the palladium of the Christian's hope; and in its serviceableness to the interests of religion, the venerable compiler will find the full measure of reward due to his pious industry. We are happy to have this opportunity of paying our tribute of praise to the talent and spirit which preside over the Miscellany, of which "The Pleiad" forms a portion; and we will further add, that the design and object of the work is worthy the encouragement of all who are interested in the diffusion of really useful information.

JUST PUBLISHED.

An Abridgment of the History of the Reformation of the Church of England. By the Rev. H. Soames, M.A. 12mo. 5s. 6d.

The History of the Rise and Progress of Christianity; comprising an Inquiry into its true Character and Design. By the Rev. S. Hinds, M. A. 2 vols. 8vo. 1. 1s.

An Essay on the Means of Discovering the Senses of Words. By the Rev. J. P. Potter, M. A. 8vo. 9s.

IN THE PRESS.

Friendly Advice to My Poor Neighbours; in a Series of Cottage Tales and Dialogues. By a Layman. In one volume. 12mo.