ment one another; and as, therefore, France had tormented Austria, Fleming expected that France would be tormented in her turn. He had, he thought, seen the beginnings of this in the humiliations consummated by the then recent peace of Ryswick, which obliged France to resign all her acquisitions in Flanders. He considers that the doom of this vial was to reach its highest pitch in 1717 (no very remarkable year, as it happened), and will run out about the year 1794.' On this system, which appears to us as fanciful as many other Apocalyptic calculations, Fleming says: 'I cannot but hope that some new mortification of the chief supporters of Antichrist will then happen; and perhaps the French monarchy may begin to be considerably humbled about that time.' As he explains his meaning, he clearly intends that by contests between the chief supporters of the papal system, the strength of France would be so broken that it would sink below the level of the neighbouring states, and cease to be a first-rate power in Europe.' But people caught at the words 'The French monarchy may begin to be considerably humbled,' and fancied that, as Louis XVI. was about to suffer on the scaffold, all had come to pass as he predicted. But he had looked to something very different. By 'the French monarchy' he meant the state or power of France as a nation, without a thought as to its form of government; and the humiliation he contemplated was to the nation by the action of foreign nations, which would, as we should now phrase it, reduce France to the rank of a third-rate power. The conjecture with respect to 1794 has therefore been no more fulfilled than that respecting 1848 is likely to be; for although France has thrice cast off her kings, she has not ceased to be a first-rate power, and there have perhaps been few periods of her history in which that power has been relatively more formidable for defence or for aggression than at this moment. Sermons by the late Rev. Nathaniel Morren, A.M., Minister of the 12mo. pp. This volume comprises thirteen sermons, prefixed by a memoir of the learned and excellent author, whom we had occasion to mention in the first number of this Journal. The memoir is a pleasing notice of the uneventful life of a scholar and minister, and has certainly not the common fault of being disproportionately large for the subject-on the contrary, we judge that it might have been made larger with advantage. Mr. Morren, as appears from this memoir, accomplished the following literary labours: a work (not completed) on Biblical Theology; translations of Rosenmüller's Biblical Geography of Central Asia, and part of the same author's Biblical Botany, for Clark's Edinburgh Cabinet Library; Annals of the Assembly (of the Scottish Church); articles in the Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature; contributions to M'Phail's Ecclesiastical Journal; a portion of the notes of the Imperial Family Bible; the notes of Blackie's Pocket Bible; a work a work on Church Politics, with reference to the questions which agitated the Scottish Church at the time of its appearance; and some tracts on the same subject, in which he seems to have interested himself very much. This seems a good deal of work for a man having a pastoral charge, and who died at the comparatively early age of forty-nine (March 28, 1847); but it seemingly bears but a small proportion to what he had designed to execute-for men of his cast, however great have been their labours, usually die-at whatever age-with the somewhat regretful impression that they leave a great part of the intended labour of their lives unaccomplished. The sermons are very good; and, without any parade of learning or quotation, are full of substantial biblical knowledge, as well as of ripened Christian experience. All will see their informing character, though only the biblical student will detect that this arises from the quiet way in which the author has fused down with the mass of his own thoughts the results of extensive reading and of elaborate critical investigations. We were prepared for this, but not for the fine imaginations, expressed in elegant words, which these pages occasionally embody. Sacro-Politica. The Rights and Relations, Civil and Spiritual, of the Anglican Church, examined with and tested by the Laws of England and the Principles of the British Constitution. By R. C. SEWELL, D.C.L., Barrister-at-Law, Fellow of St. Mary Magdalene College, Oxford. London, Bell, 1848. 8vo. pp. 91. The subject treated of in this masterly work, by a learned civilian, though always of great abstract importance, is rendered especially interesting by the present position of most countries of Europe. The inquiry into the foundations of Government, both in Church and State, which has hitherto been the occupation of learned leisure, is now called for by the grave emergency of forming or improving systems of legislation. The reader will find in this pamphlet a lucid account of the immense change in our system which took place at the Reformation, and a comprehensive history of all the legal bearings of that event, with many curious anecdotes of that memorable period, together with specimens of the opinions and reasonings of its principal actors. It will be read with peculiar advantage by those who are interested in the gradual re-ascendancy of the Romish church in this country. Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles. By JOHN DICK, D.D. Third Edition, corrected. Glasgow, Ogle and Son. 12mo. pp. 452. We are glad to see a third edition of a work so well known and so highly appreciated as Dr. Dick's Lectures on the Acts, which has been for some time out of print. Works of this kind, and so ably executed as this, deserve all encouragement, and indeed never fail to obtain it; for we have always found them to be most acceptable to all religious readers, and we believe that few descriptions of theological books books are better calculated to create and foster a taste for Biblical Literature. The present work is one of the best of its class, and were it not already so well known we should feel it a duty to direct particular attention to its great merits. Lectures on the Bible to the Young; for their Instruction and Excitement. By JOHN EADIE, LL.D. Edinburgh, Oliphant and Son. 12mo. pp. 152. This is a very interesting and instructive little book, by the talented successor of Dr. Dick, in the chair of Biblical Literature of the United Presbyterian Church. The Lectures bear the titles of Read the Bible-Understand the Bible-Believe the Bible-Remember the Bible Practise the Bible-Circulate the Bible. It is stated that 'Though written for the rising generation, these plain addresses are not meant for mere children. Simplicity has indeed been aimed at in their style and arrangement, in order to adapt them to a class of juvenile readers whose minds have already enjoyed some previous training and discipline. They are designed to stimulate thought, as well as impart information. The object of their publication is not only to promote present improvement, but also to foster in the youthful spirit a hallowed taste for further study in the best of all the sciences. As conducive in some measure to the same desirable aid, brief quotations of sanctified genius, from a few authors not usually familiar to the young, have been occasionally introduced.' These quotations are very interesting; and the work may be recommended as an excellent speciment of a very superior class of books for religious youth, which the advanced cultivation of the age demands, and which we hope to see greatly increased. The Pastor's Gift; or, A Manual of Pastoral Instruction. In Letters from a Pastor to his Flock. By ALEXANDER GORDON, M.A. London. Snow, 1848. 16mo. pp. 126. The Instruction' of this little book is of a practical nature; and as the subjects embrace the whole range of Christian duty and privilege, are of universal concernment. They are suited to be useful and profitable far beyond the range of the circle of the author's own flock, for whose benefit they are primarily intended. We cordially recommend this 'Manual' as a useful and interesting addition to any family library. The letters are sixteen. The whole are pervaded by a fine catholic spirit and genial temper, which it is cheering to witness, and which it is our duty to encourage. The following passages from the tenth letter, 'On the Way to promote Unity among Christians,' will show this. After lamenting the divisions into which the Church is rent, the author gives the following useful hints' as to the course it behoves a Christian to take: 1. Take care always when called to express difference of opinion, that it be done with self-diffident modesty.-This is no proof that you are unsettled in your views. The greatest self-diffidence is perfectly compatible with the most enlightened and firmly held sentiments. It merely proves that you do not regard yourselves, what indeed none upon earth are-as infallible. Truth and modesty are twin sisters. Self-confidence Self-confidence is a proof of self-ignorance, but is no evidence of truth. Whoever states his opinions, how much soever they may differ from those entertained and cherished by others, firmly, but modestly, precludes offence, paves the way for their candid consideration, and in the end, perhaps joyful reception. 2. Concede readily to others the privilege you claim for yourselves—that of judging for themselves.—You think they are in error on some points, but they have the very same right to think you are in error. In the exercise of the right of private judgment you and they have come perhaps to different conclusions on the same subject. While, therefore, you may regret this want of unanimity, you are bound to honour the principle of independent thought which has led to it. 3. Beware of exalting your peculiar views above others of greater importance on which there is a perfect agreement.—Men are naturally apt to forget their agreements in looking at their differences. This is to manifest more concern about the top-stone in the building--than either the chief corner stone or the foundation. Concern for the feet and inferior members of the body must not be suffered_to absorb attention to the neglect of the head, the bosom, or the right arm. Let agreement, therefore, on the great leading points of the Christian faith, which must exist among all true Christians, always have its due weight. It affords a broad foundation for Christian love. Let not the people of God, bought with the blood of Christ, and sanctified by His spirit, holding with equal firmness the doctrines of his incarnation, supreme divinity, atonement, justification by faith—partakers of the same hope, and ripening for the same heavenly inheritance, lose sight of, or forget in their zeal for some minor peculiarities, that agreement by which they are all one in Christ Jesus. 4. Never depreciate or appear to overlook the excellencies of brethren who differ from you. These are sometimes both numerous and very considerable. Are they zealous? Honour them for it. Are they generous? Commend them for it. Are they active? Let them have all due praise. Some professors of religion seem almost blind to every form of excellence beyond the precincts of their own party. Away with such sectarian meanness. Wherein others excel, strive ye to excel also; and let them have all due honour for what is truly honourable. No man can ever add to his own laurels, by attempting to undervalue or pluck those of another. True greatness of soul, while it refuses to flatter, is too magnanimous to hide or depreciate real excellence in whomsoever it appears. 5. Be ever ready to co-operate with Christians holding different sentiments in every good work. It is wonderful what happy effect such co-operation frequently has. Working together, aiming at the same ends, and guided by similar motives, men naturally become assimilated in their habits, conformed in feeling, one in heart as well as in action. Thus their hearts become knit together in love. Besides they get to know each other better, and this is of great consequence. Much of the alienation of heart among Christians arises from ignorance of each other's feeling and character: kept asunder through the influence of their respective prejudices, and looking at each other through the medium of sectarian distinctions, they are apt to entertain views of each other very different from what they find to have been true on more intimate acquaintance.' BIBLICAL BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE. DR. SAMUEL DAVIDSON sends us the following particulars of a Hebrew manuscript, the property of a lady in Liverpool, which he has recently examined. It is a MS. of the Pentateuch, very beautifully and correctly written on skins. The length is fifty-two yards, and the breadth a little more than two feet. Dr. D. thinks it probable that it was a synagogue roll. As to the age, it is known to be extremely difficult from the shape of the letters, the nature of the skins, &c., to judge of the age of a Hebrew manuscript; but Dr. D. thinks it certainly above 100 years old, but would not like to vouch for its being more than 200. By some, however, it has been considered 800 years old. It is, at any rate, a beautiful codex, admirably written, in excellent preservation, and would be a valuable acquisition to any collegiate or biblical library. As we know that not a few of our readers take interest in the late Dr. Traill's translation of Josephus, the publication of which was interrupted by the death of the translator, we are glad to be able to state, on the authority of the editor (Isaac Taylor), that the next following Part, being the first of the second volume, will speedily appear. This volume will complete the History of the Jewish War. Mr. Barker, formerly British consul at Tarsus, has written a history of Cilicia, which is soon to be printed. It is said to be of no consequence as to the ancient history, but that it contains much important matter with respect to the history of the country in modern times, and its present condition. There is a prospect that Col. Chesney's long-expected history of his Euphrates expedition will ere long be produced. The delay has been occasioned by his appointment to China, and by the loss of many of his manuscripts. We have received from Professor Bush, of New York, his new periodical The New Church Repository and Monthly Review. It is, as the second title expresses, and as the existing views of the editor might lead us to expect, devoted to the exposition of the philosophy and theology taught in the writings of Emmanuel Swedenborg;' but from the known abilities and attainments of the editor, is likely to contain matter of general Biblical interest. The second (February) number contains a curious paper on the Druidism of Ancient Britain; its doctrines, rites, correspondences, &c., reviewed and compared with those of the ancient church. In the United States (Boston) a Bible has been published by Israel Alga, M.A., called the Pronouncing Bible, 'containing the Old and New Testaments, the proper names of which, and numerous other words, are accurately accented in the text, and divided according to the system of John Walker.' This is a useful idea, and it is a matter of wonder that it has not been earlier executed. At New York a new quarterly theological journal is to make its appearance on the 1st of July under the title of the Theological and Literary Journal. The editor is David N. Lord; and it will be devoted chiefly, but not exclusively, to the interpretation of prophecy. At Montreal, Canada, a new magazine was commenced in January, entitled The Colonial Protestant, and Journal of Literature and Science, edited by the Rev. J. M. Crump and Rev. F. Bosworth, assisted by ministers of various denominations. It is in 8vo., 32 pages. The first number is edited with much ability, containing an unusual amount of valuable matter. It is, as its title indicates, specially designed as a bulwark of Protestantism against the assaults of Popery. Among the new periodicals in the United States is the Church Review and Ecclesiastical Register, a Quarterly, issued at New Haven. It is devoted to the interests of Protestant episcopacy, and promises to be conducted with taste and ability. A |