approve itself to his better judgment, he may be able to avail himself of it in a second edition, which we doubt not will speedily be called for.

It may be necessary to apprise our readers, that the author, after long and patient research, has come to the conclusion held by the majority of scriptural commentators, that the Jews will be restored to the land of Palestine. "That such restoration," observes Dr. H., "is taught in Scripture, I had been accustomed to regard as more than questionable, how firmly soever I believed in their future conversion to the faith of Jesus. On examining, however, the different prophecies of the Old Testament, which treat of a return of that people, I have had the conviction forced upon my mind, that while the greater number decidedly apply to the restoration which took place on the capture of Babylon by Cyrus, there are others which cannot, without violence, be thus applied; but which being upon any just principle of interpretation, equally incapable of application to the affairs of the gentile church, must be referred to events yet future in Jewish history. In this class, I particularly include the last six chapters of Isaiah, which immediately follow the remarkable prediction respecting the future conversion of the Jews, at the close of the fifty-ninth. the most distant allusion is made throughout these chapters to any circumstance connected with the deliverance from Babylon; while, on the other hand, they contain a distinct recognition of various things belonging to the new dispensation,-such as the divine mission of the Messiah, the abolition of the Jewish worship, the calling of the gentiles, the rejection of the Jews, and certain features of their present dispersion. At the same time, there is such a marked distinction uniformly kept up between the persons spoken of and the gentiles; such an appropriation to their condition of language elsewhere only used of the natural posterity of Abraham; such an obvious description of the desolation of Palestine; and such express mention of a restored land, mountains, vineyards, fields, houses, flocks, &c., which cannot be figuratively understood, that, with no hermeneutical propriety, can the scene be placed in the gentile world, or regarded as exhibiting the state of gentile Christianity.

Not

That the Jews shall cease to exist as a distinct race on their incorporation in the Christian church, the Bible no where teaches; nor is such an event probable in the nature of things. But, if they shall exist as believing Jews, on what principle can it be maintained that they may not live in Palestine, just as believing Britons do in Fritain, believing Americans in America,

&c.? Christianity does not destroy nationality, nor require an amalgamation of the different races of mankind, however it may insist that, in a spiritual point of view, all its subjects constitute but one nation and one people, holy and peculiar, the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. If the Jews had received the Messiah, when preached to them by apostles, there is no reason to suppose, that they would have been expelled from their own land; so that whatever admission of gentiles there might have been into their community, it would still in the main have been made up of Jews, as in fact, the churches of God' were, 'which in Judea were in Christ Jesus.'"

We should have been glad if Dr. Henderson, in thus ably defending his own conclusions, had noticed some of the difficulties connected with it. By so doing he would have removed a stumbling-block out of the way of those who find it difficult to reconcile the national peculiarity of the Jews with the comprehensive principles of the gospel. We particularly recommend to the careful notice of our readers, Dr. H.'s Introductory Dissertation; particu larly what he has said in opposition to the double sense of prophecy, which he shows to be unnecessary, unsatisfactory, and unwarranted. The whole work we regard as one of the most valuable additions to our stores of sacred criticism, which has been made in the present age. Such a volume cannot fail to enhance the credit of Protestant Dissent, and to shed honour on the theological chair occupied by the amiable author.

The COMPLETE WORKS of the Rev. ANDREW FULLER, with a MEMOIR of his LIFE. By ANDREW GUNTON FULler. Imp. 8vo. pp. 1106.

W. Ball and Co.

It would be difficult to select any theological writer of the present age, to whom the Christian church is more deeply indebted than Andrew Fuller. Possessed of an original mind, which he had cultivated and enlarged by severe and diligent study, and which was eminently imbued with the spirit of holiness, he entered upon his public career at a time when a spurious Calvinism, akin to fatalism, pervaded and crippled the denomination of which he became the distinguished ornament. looked upon the plague-spot with anguish of heart, and, rightly judging it to be the result of ignorance of the doctrine of Scripture, set himself, with full purpose of heart, to remove the unsightly excrescence. success, in this somewhat ungracious undertaking, was far greater than could have

He

His

been expected from the labours of a single life. His writings roused the ire of his hyper-Calvinistic brethren, though there was nothing in them personal; but, meanwhile, he had the satisfaction of seeing the truth prevail, and the churches of his own denomination, and some of other connexions, in a great measure purged from the antinomian leaven. His "Gospel worthy of all acceptation" is the best dissection of antinomian common-places extant; and all the querulous replies made to it, left it unimpaired, a monument of the author's theological research and discrimination.

Not only were his writings blessed, as a check to these prevalent notions of Crisp and others; but also in defending the doctrines of grace from the onset of Arminians on the one hand, and Unitarians on the other. "The Calvinistic and Socinian Systems Examined and Compared as to their Moral Tendency," is a work which, in lucid statement, cogent argument, and clear scriptural induction, can scarcely be surpassed. His replies to Dr. Toulmin and Mr. Kentish, on the same subject, are master-pieces of acute and searching criticism of the Socinian theory and its results. He did noble service, too, in the deistical controversy in His "Gospel its own witness;" in which he examined the moral character of infidelity, and exhibited the harmony of the Christian religion, a triumphant evidence of its divinity.

His works, indeed, which are now for the first time given to the public in one handsome volume, embrace the whole range of subjects connected with revealed truth, and display, throughout, great spirituality of mind, great reverence for the word of God, great insight into the mind of the Spirit, and great acuteness in carrying truth home to the conscience. His Exposition of the Book of Genesis falls more into the spirit of patriarchal simplicity than any other work of the kind we have ever read. It is quite a cordial to the heart. His thirty-one Discourses on the Apocalypse are full of solid interpretations of that mysterious portion of divine truth, and are eminently worthy of the perusal of those who do not desire "to be wise above that which is written." Indeed we know not where to look into Mr. Fuller's works without finding excellences of a rare and peculiar order. His views on the ordinance of baptism we, of course, do not adopt; and we are far from commending his notions of strict communion. There are spots in the sun; and it is matter of astonishment, that a mind so enlarged as Andrew Fuller's should contend for excluding all from the Lord's table not baptised according to his view of the ordinance.

The present edition of Mr. Fuller's works,

at the moderate cost of thirty shillings, is a decided boon to the Christian church.

The ECCLESIASTICAL and POLITICAL HISTORY of the POPES of ROME, during the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. By LEOPOLD RANKE, Professor in the University of Beriin. Translated from the German. By SARAH AUSTIN. In 3 vols. 8vo.

John Murray.

The spirit of the age, and the exigencies of the Protestant faith, demand that every thing pertaining to the History of Romanism should be thoroughly sifted, and brought forth to light. History is the faithful mirror which reflects the true character of religious systems, and he who would form a correct estimate of the papal scheme must follow it along the stream of ages, must trace its variations and its identity, must mark its political and theological aspects, and must judge of its real tendency by its ascertained results. As a "mystery of iniquity," it may be no easy task to unravel its dark page, and to place in the clear sunshine of truth, all the tortuous movements of a system which, for more than a thousand years, has been exerting its baneful influence on the nations of Europe; but every enlightened attempt to furnish mankind with just and discriminating views of the real pretensions of a scheme which has proved itself one of the most deadly foes to human happiness, because one of the greatest corrupters of the Christian faith, is to be hailed with gratitude by all who receive their creed from the infallible pages of "the lively oracles."

A work like Professor Ranke's, written in the spirit of over-weening candour, is, perhaps, the very best (history not being falsified,) for detecting the essential turpitude of Romanism; for, though our author always places the facts of its history in the lights least unfavourable to its claims, the result invariably shows it in striking contrast with the religion of the Bible,-a compound of despotism, intolerance, false doctrine, and practical abuse.

"The History of the Popes of Rome, during the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century," is a work of immense labour and research; and presents to the view of the reader many documents which have slumbered in the public or private collections of the Continent, since the period when they were first committed to writing. Many of these documents throw great light on the political and religious history of the papacy, and illustrate in a very striking manner the variations of that system which its advocates would have us believe had been invariably the same.

We are particularly indebted to Professor Runke for the important light he has thrown upon the causes and progress of that counter-Reformation, which so speedily, in most of the Continental kingdoms, extinguished or impaired the labours of Luther. This, indeed, is the most valuable portion of Mr. Ranke's laborious undertaking; and is deserving of credit for its originality, and for the mass of interesting facts which it contains. It is full of warning to Protestants, while it exhibits the true animus of Rome.

The work before us, as a book of refer

ence, is truly valuable. A more glowing Protestantism would have enhanced its usefulness. It is cold and cautious beyond endurance. But it tells a tale at which Romanists may tremble, and Protestants

Of the three hundred tunes here presented to the notice and patronage of the public, one hundred are said to be new. Of course the extracts from Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, and Weber, can only be new in the very appropriate form now assigned to them. From the specimen here given, we could have wished Mr. Westrop had gone a little further in his selection from those great men; not that we by any means think lightly of the new tunes, bearing less classical names; and we are aware that a caterer for public patronage must give to the public such things as will suit a multitudinous taste. In a collection of Psalmody, therefore, it would be deemed almost treason to leave out the compositions of such writers as T. Clark, Stanley, Milgrove, Tucker, Isaac Smith, Jer. Clark, Madan, and a host of others of equal celebrity. A good selection has been made from the work of the late Dr. Rippon; we repeat, a good selection, because the editor has chosen the best tunes, and he has rendered them in a better because more gram. matical form; the old harmonisation being in many cases defective as to the scientific rules of composition; yet by correcting their deficiencies he has still kept in view

their practicability to congregational purposes; and has avoided the other extreme, into which some of his contemporaries have fallen, that of extraneous and difficult harmouies.

In several of the old standard tunes, such as Angel's, St. Ann's, Bedford, &c. he has changed the time from triple to common; a judicious alteration, and one that admits of a much better utterance of words; for these tunes are drawled out generally in a very uncertain and unsatisfactory manner. We are pleased also to perceive that very few fugue tunes are introduced into this work; as they are seldom well performed, and when performed at all, a mutilation of the sense is a necessary consequence; for these reasons we deem them unfit for Congregational use in most cases.

Each tune is adapted to six different hymns or psalms; one from each of the above collections; and with a discrimination scarcely equalled in any other work; for here the sentiment is in accordance with the sound, and the emphasis of the poetry properly suited to the accent of the music, so that the poetry is made, as it should be, the prominent feature.

As a whole, we congratulate the editor on the performance of his task, which he has accomplished with judgment and discretion. If there is, here and there, a chromatic progression, which may puzzle the uninitiated, it may serve to show the necessity for "praising God with the understanding" as well as with the heart," and may stimulate us to obtain the necessary knowledge of music that shall enable us to do so.

In conclusion, we have no hesitation in affirming that this is a most valuable work both for the church and the chamber; and its study in the latter will greatly promote a better performance in the former, than which we know nothing more desirable. There are some remarks on the adaptation and performance of Psalmody, which are worthy the especial notice of our singers.

MINISTERIAL RECORDS; or, brief Accounts of the Great Progress of Religion, under the Ministry of those eminent, learned, and pious Ministers of God, the Rev. D. Rowlands, of Llangeitho; the Rev. W. Williams, of Pant-y-Celin; the Rev. D. Jones, of Llangan, &c. By the Rev. E. MORGAN, A.M., Vicar of Lyston, Leicestershire. Part I. (Rowlands.)

London: II. Hughes, St. Martin's-le-Grand. The worthy author of this new life of the celebrated Rowlands, of Llangeitho, has discovered the greatest diligence in collecting materials, superior skill in their arrangement, and very creditable ability as a biographical

writer. He seems to have thoroughly imbibed the spirit of the men, whose history he records, whose character he describes, and whose usefulness he relates, in a manner peculiarly interesting. Mr. Morgan is evidently filled with admiration of the men, as men of God, by whose ministry their divine Master was honoured, the word of the Lord glorified, and souls saved from death. Hence his frequent exclamations respecting Mr. Rowland: " Happy instru

ment! Most blessed man!" "What incalculable good has been effected by one individual !" "Oh, what invincible powers of the Spirit came down on the minds of the people, under the word preached by Rowlands!" "How striking and remarkable an instrument! What endless treasures were conveyed through this extraordinary vessel, when he moved through the country on his grand mission!" But whatever may be the opinion of his readers, as to the style in which he occasionally expresses himself, they cannot but admire the feeling by which the author was actuated, and must be charmed with the piety, good sense, and intelligence, discovered throughout the whole performance. In order to show that the admiration to which we have alluded, is by no means unreasonable, we transcribe the following description of Rowlands, as a preacher, by the Rev. Christmas Evans, an esteemed Baptist minister, who frequently heard him: "His manner of speaking was sententious, and his expressions were neat, pithy, and sensible. thinks I see him now, entering in his black gown, and making his appearance in the pulpit, to the immense congregation. His countenance was, in every respect, adorned with majesty. His forehead was high and prominent; his eye was sharp, quick, and penetrating; and he had a sonorous, commanding, and well-toned voice. He would

Me

stand up, and read his text distinctly, so that all might hear. The whole congregation was most attentive, as if on the point of hearing some heavenly oracle. He had, at the commencement of his discourse, some stirring, striking idea, like a small box of ointment, which he opened before the great one in bis sermon; and it filled the house with its heavenly perfume, as the odour of Mary's alabaster box of ointment at Bethany. The congregation, being thus delightfully enlivened, were prepared for more throughout the sermon. He would then divide his text, and proceed with his first division, bending his head down a little, as if to glance at his notes. Thus would he go on with his discourse, in a calm and deliberate manner; but growing gradually warm with his subject, his voice became so elevated that it resounded through the whole chapel. The effect on the people was won

derful. You could see nothing but smiles or tears; and sometimes joyful acclamations were uttered by the vast assembly. There was very little, if any, inference or application, at the end of Rowlands' sermons, because he had been applying and enforcing the glorious truths of the gospel throughout the whole of his discourse. He would conclude with a very few striking and forcible remarks, which were often invincible and overwhelming; and then he would make a very sweet, short prayer, and utter the benediction. Then, full of perspiration, he would make haste out of the pulpit. The congregation was left in a very heavenly frame, enjoying the light of the Lord's countenance, and magnifying his holy name with all the powers of their souls; and all this in such a manner as it is impossible to describe on paper," pp. 125

129.

We

We are sorry that we are obliged to consider Mr. Morgan as almost rara avis in terris among his brethren. There is nothing of that jealousy and exclusiveness, nor any of those unreasonable assumptions in favour of his own communion, which we observe in Mr. Sidney, in the two clerical biographers of Mr. Wilberforce, and other similar writers. The vicar of Sysson has the candour and honesty to speak well of Protestant Dissenters, and to own them as brethren in the Lord. have seen one of his letters to a Dissenting minister, in which he says, "If all Churchmen and Dissenters were like you and me, there would be an end to discord." It is not, however, merely because of the liberal spirit of the author, that we commend his work to public favour, but because of its intrinsic value. It is worthy of being universally read, and will amply repay the attention we wish our readers to give it. Ministers, and especially those who have but recently entered upon the duties of their office, may find much in this publication that will be of service to them, and in consequence of which they will, probably, thank us for directing their attention to it.

CHECKS to INFIDELITY, contained in Four

Essays, on the Being of God, the Scriptures of the Word of God, the Holy Nature of God, the Righteous Character of the Day of Judgment By JAMES HARINGTON EVANS, Author of "Sermons on the Spirit of Holiness," "Letters of a Pastor to his Flock," &c. 18mo, pp. 166.

John F. Shaw, Southampton row. That there is a wide-spreading infidelity in this country, at the present moment, poisoning the very springs of social existence, will not be questioned by any one

acquainted with the moral condition of large masses of the community, both in the middle and humbler walks of life. Our Sunday newspapers, our penny literature, to say nothing of the band of Social lecturers, abundantly demonstrate the fact that revealed religion is discarded and trampled upon by thousands and tens of thousands of our unhappy countrymen.

Among the numerous works which have been prepared by able and Christian men, with a view to counteract the progress of infidelity, the one before us deserves to occupy a conspicuous place. It is written in an amiable and conciliatory spirit; and, with no lack of logical argument, is replete with those appeals to the moral and accountable nature of man which are the most difficult to answer or to parry off. We earnestly recommend these essays to the notice of those who spend a portion of their property in the circulation of works fitted for general usefulness.

VOYAGES and TRAVELS round the WORLD, by the Rev. DANIEL TYERMAN and GEO. BENNET, Esq., Deputed from the London Missionary Society to visit their various Stations in the South Sea Islands, Australia, China, India, Madagascar, and South Africa, between the years 1821 and 1829. Compiled from original documents. By JAMES MONTGOMERY. The Second Edition, Corrected. Beautifully illustrated with twenty-six Engravings. Imp. 8vo, pp. 306.

John Snow.

These Missionary Voyages and Travels have long been out of print, while they have continued to be anxiously demanded by that portion of the Christian public interested in the glorious cause of missions. We have regretted the delay which has taken place in the publication of the second edition, because it was calculated to check the sale of the work; but this regret has, in a great measure, been relieved by the appearance of the work in its present neat and economical form. That two thick volumes, closely printed, and expensively embellished, should be compressed, without abridgment, into a single one of moderate size, at the trifling cost of seven shillings, is assuredly one of the triumphs of the modern press. The whole of the matter has been carefully revised by the former distinguished editor; and some important defences of the South Sea Missions have been introduced by Mr. Bennet, in reply to the gross misrepresentations of Kotzebue. All the pictorial embellishments of the former edition are here given to the public, and the paper and print are such as to entitle

the work to a place in any library, however genteel.

The HOLY WAR, made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the regaining of the Metropolis of the World; or, the Losing and Taking again of the Town of Mansoul. By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of the "Pilgrim's Progress." Eighteen Superior Engravings. Printed by S. Bentley.

12mo.

Religious Tract Society.

This is a beautifully illustrated edition of "the Holy War," a work which many able judges have deemed but little inferior to the Pilgrim.

The SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHERS' ALMANACK for 1841. Being the first year 12mo. after Bissextile or Leap Year.

Sunday School Union.

This Almanack should be in the hands of every Sunday-school teacher throughout the kingdom. It is a manual of inestimable value.

ANTI-POPERY; or, Popery unreasonable, unscriptural, and novel. By J. ROGERS. 12mo. Α new edition, altered and amended.

Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

Notwithstanding the flippant and uncour. teous reference of the Christian Observer to our notice of the first edition of this work, our opinion is unchanged as to its real merits; and we are happy to find that the public have sympathised with us in the views we expressed by calling for a second edition of this masterly and unanswerable exposure of Romanism. It is just such works as Mr. Rogers' that the present crisis demands. Popery is spreading with alarming rapidity in this country, under the deceitful guise of Protestantism; and it is right that Englishmen should be told in plain terms what the Oxford doctors are striving once more to rivet on the public mind of this country. Here is the picture of Nicene Christianity; let men look at it, in the light of Scripture, till they learn to abhor it as "the man of sin," and "the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth."

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

1. Ancient Christianity. No. VI. Containing a Sketch of the Demonolatry of the Church in the Fourth Century. Together with a Supplement to the Vth Number. 8vo. Jackson and Walford.

This truly masterly and seasonable production, which promises to be a great blessing to the church of Christ, is hastening towards its completion. It