C accompany the History of his Campaign in Syria,' have been used for this Work. The track of the Is raelites in the wilderness, is also marked on the same principle; and is altogether different from any hitherto adopted. Indeed, it is cal. culated to cause a revision at least of the explanations usually given of several events that occurred to Israel in the desert. The map, shewing the extent of the three captivities of Israel, is shaded in a remarkably ingenious manner; and illustrates very distinctly the progress of those caJamities inflicted on a sinful nation. The figures of the deities Baal-Gad, Beth-Shen, Baal-Shalisha, &c. open a new view of the idolatry of the nations of Canaan. The medals of Corinth, of Egypt, of Malta (representing the cherubim) of Tyre, of Sidon, and other countries, shewing Ashtaroth, Jupiter, Fortune, and various idols, are curious and instructive. The maps are constructed for distinctness; and some of them, are given both outlines and finished. Of Canaan there are several, on the same scale, adapted to the books of Genesis, Judges, Samuel, the GospelHistory, &c. forming a useful companion to these historical books. It will not be supposed that we patronize every opinion started in this multifarious work even the most ingenious and plausible of the writer's ideas demand further enquiry; and we hope the time will come when the prevalence of peace among the nations will suffer some of them to be investigated, by means of examinations made on the spot, without subjecting the examiner to those personal hazards which hitherto have deterred the most resolute from persevering in researches that might have settled many questions at present undecided. In discussing the probable extent of Scripture Geography, the writer supposes that the Sinim of Isaiah (xlix. 12) is China, that being the name by which the Chinese call their country; and, by the isles afar off, of the same prophet (lxvi. 19) it is extremely probable,' says he, that the British isles are intended. Certain it is, that to these isles, so distant from the Holy Land, the light , of the gospel was communica te. soon after its appearance; and it has never been wholly extinct in our nation-that it may spread also to China, and to regions beyond it, must be the prayer of all who are sensible of its importance to the souls of men'! We, therefore, cannot but White in the desire, with which these Excursions conclude: May the happy time soon come, when we shall no longer be in doubt whether the most distant nations have, or have not, been favoured with the gospel!-but when we may be able to appeal to evident and notorious fact, in proof of that felicity, and re-, joice in the reflection, That "the Lord is one, and his name one, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same;" and that the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the chan. nels of the sea!' There is a small edition of this work, in Eighteen Numbers, price Is. each. The Cure of the Blind Man, near Bethesda, proved to have been Miraculous, by Internal Evidence, deduced from the Peculiar Munner in which that Wonderful Event is described in the Gospel. By the Rev. James Drought, D. D. for: merly a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin, 8vo. THIS learned writer has made a very laudable attempt, if it had been practicable, to shew that our Savi our not only restored the eyes of the blind man at Bethesda to a state of perfect soundness, but also exerted his omnipotent power to supply those defects in the man's vision, which (he says)experience alone could otherwise have conferred. It is here supposed, that the sudden and perfect restora tion of the organ of sight itself does not, in any case, impart the faculty of seeing distinctly, without the farther aid of gradual and reiterated experience; and the Rev. Author of this pamphlet grounds his opinion on the single case of a youth who was couched by the late Mr. Cheselden, surgeon: but he seems not to know that the obser vations of Mr. Ware in similar cases (recorded in the Philosophical Transactions for 1801) go to establish a different opinion; so that, until the facts adduced by these two practitioners can be reconulled, we fear Dr. Drought will find it no easy matter to establish his theory. The author has fallen into an error, in supposing the operation of. couching, or of extracting the crys talline lens of the eye, immediately restores the perfection of the organs of vision' (p. 13, 14); for, in one of those operations, the lens is really taken out; and in the other, it is depressed to the bottom of the eye, rendering it always necessary to use an optical instrument afterwards, in order to supply the defect so produced! We do not, however, think this little work is devoid of merit; and are fully persuaded, that the author's design is as pious as his zeal is commend able. His general conclusion is, That the sudden restoration of sight, derived from the first application of our Lord's hands to the man's eyes, proves the divine power of Christ; and it is evident, from the subsequent communication of experience, that our Lord knew the mere per fection of the organs of sight was not sufficient to render vision perfect, almost 17 centuries before it, was discovered by the most sagaci ous and inquisitive philosophers," Page 21. Happily, we may say, Non tali auxilio, &.; for we have other, and more clear proofs of our blessed Saviour's Omniscience detailed in the Holy Scriptures. The Christian Pastor: a Poem, in three books, 12mg, 5s. THOUGH the above poem displays neither the vigorous pinion of a Milton, the classical polish of a Beattie, nor the warm colouring of a Campbell, it will not, we presume, prove uninteresting to the majority of our readers. In addition to a correct judgment, zeal without bigotry, sand piety without enthusiasm, our author discovers a degree of modesty, bordering upon the extreme. In the first book, the qualifications and duties of the Christian Pastor are stated and enforced; and it closes with a description of the joys of pastoral success; in which angelic hosts are represented as sympathizing. The second book opens with a discrimination between the true and false pastor; the latter is illustrated under three characters. Eugenio, the profligate priest, closes a life of dissipation, under all the agonies of despair. For the sake of modern Eugenios, we select the description of his last moments. 'See where, extended on his death-bed, lies Of his distorted visage is inscrib'd Deep horror and amazement! Friendship strives The avaricious priest, treacherous to his sacred trust, but ever to his darling idol true,' is well depicted, under the title of Avaro, In the person of the haughty Altamont is pourtrayed the proud priest, distinguished by desire of novelty and love of fame.' Depart ing, under the influence of Pride, from the simplicity of the Christian faith, Altamont and his flock become alike ' gay and sensual, thoughtless and secure.' The third book is employed in -the describing, under the character of Come, but with hallowed feet approach, and view We cannot close this article without recommending the work as am interesting accession to the library of every Christian Pastor. An English Harmony of the Four Evangelists, generally disposed after the Manner of the Greck of W. Newcome, Abp. of Armagh. With a Map of Palestine, Explanatory Notes and Indexes, 8vo, Price 7s. 6d. To those unacquainted with the Greek model, the plan of this work will be best explained by a short Extract : — and he sat Jupon him.' This method, though it spreads out the work, is certainly the best possible to compare the different Evangelists, and point out their variations. The Notes are all critical, and short; but, generally, very good. The Indexes are complete; and, upon the whole, we consider this as a valuable and useful Work. Lectures on the Figurative Language of the Holy Scriptures, &e. By W. Jones, M. A. F. R. S. A new edition, price 88. As all spiritual objects are represented to us by their similitude with earthly objects, the language of the Bible must necessarily be figurative; and it is, therefore, impossible to understand the Scripture with out having some acquaintance with the use of figurative language. The author of this work observes, in his Brat Lecture, That the Scripture has a language of its own, which does not consist of words, but of things. It could not otherwise treat signs and figures taken from visible of God, who is a Spirit, and of the spirit of man, and of a spiritual world, which no man can describe. Words are the arbitrary signs of natural things; but the language of Revelation goes a step farther, and uses some things as the signs of other thiugs; in consequence of which, the world which we now see, becomes a sort of commentary on the mind of God, and explains the world in which we believe.' The work is divided into Eleven Lectures, describing the various kinds of figures found in the Scrip - tures, taken from Nature, - the instituted Figures of the Law of Moses, or borrowed from the Events of Sacred History, Personal Figures or Types, as of Moses, Joseph, &c. - On Miracles, particularly those of the New Testament, -The Uses and Effects of the Symbolical Style of Scripture, common to the wisdom of antiquity, profane as well as sacred. These are followed by Four Leetures on the Hebrews, and one on the Natural Evidences of Christianity. We consider this as, upon the whole, a valuable work, and peculiarly useful to the students of divimity. True Religion delineated, &c. By Joseph Bellamy, D. D. A new edition, with a Recommendatory Preface, by Andrew Fuller. 7s 6d THE value of Dr. Bellamy's writings is already well known to the religious world; but we are obliged to Mr. Fuller for his history and recommendation of this work; which, we hope, will introduce it to those persons who are yet unacquainted with it. The author's leading object is to discriminate between the Law and the Gospel; and to define and illustrate the duties which they respectively require. We hope that the circulation of this volume will be as extensive as its contents are interesting and important; and that students of divinity espe cially, will avail themselves of the information which it conveys." Discourses delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. W. Hull ́to the Pastoral Office (in Connection with the Rev. S. Newton) in the Congregational Church at Norwich, June 29, 1809; containing a Confession of Faith, by Mr. Hull; the Charge, by W. Parry; and a Sermon to the People, by S. Newton, jun. A Discourse in the Even ing, by S. Palmer. 8vo, 28. Ie it was a duty enjoined on the exiled Christians in Bithynia, &c. to be prepared at all times to give a reason of the hope that was in them, it cannot be deemed an unreasonable expectation from those who are set apart to preach the gospel to others: it is, we believe, the gene ral practice in ordination - services, among those who exercise the privilege of chusing their own pastors. The Christian society who have thus made their choice, it may be supposed, are already satisfied on this subject; but the elder ministers, who join in the solemnity, surely ought to know to what principles they are about to lend their influence. The other parts of the ser vice follow of course; and, we believe, among truly pious people, are generally approved. Such services awaken the attention of pastors and churches to Christian principles and duties; and foster, in neighbouring societies, a fraternal regard for mu tual peace and prosperity. To render them more useful, they are often printed, and if, from their nature and frequency, they cannot be expected to obtain a wide circulation, it may be reasonably hoped, that in their proper circle the serious impressions of the day will be rendered, by frequent perusal, more permanently useful both to the minister and the people. The services on this occasion were conducted by ministers of acknowledged respectability. Our limits will not permit us both to analyze the discourses and give specimens to our readers; and, therefore, in this instance, we select the later mode; from which they will easily perceive, that the discourses deserve serious consideration in all Christian societies of a similar nature. From the Confession of Mr. Hull. The doctrine of the Atonement, made by the humiliation, the obedience and death of the Son of God, is, I believe, a doctrine decidedly Christian. It appears to me to lie at the foundation of all the other doctrines of our divine religion, to be the grand centre from which all the others issue, like streams of light and glory to irradiate and bless the world. It is the foundation of the church below, and the triumph of the church above! The virtue of the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ is sufficient to extend to the circumstances of every human be every ing who labours under a consciousness of guilt; and redemption by his blood is to be preached indiscriminately to every guilty mortal, as the only method of salvation. The necessity of divine influence, to illuminate and sanctify the human mind, and induce mankind to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of the world, is another doctrine which I hold as scriptural. *—But the doctrines of Divine Influence, of the Sovereignty of Divine Grace, and of the Election of God, are not at all opposed to the responsibility of men as moral agents: they are the subjects of moral government; and those who may die in a state of enmity to God, are considered by the sacred writers as the authors of their own ruin.' From the evening discourse, preached by Mr. Palmer, on Zeal for the Divine Worship, we quote the following: Having thus illustrated the character of a Christian, who is truly zealous for the house of God, let me ask all present, What think ye of it? Is there any thing in it contemptible or irrational ? is it not more reputable, more manly, more consistent in a Christian to be thus absorbed in a zeal for the honour of God, for the interest of the Redeemer, and for the prosperity of his church, than to be eaten up with sloth, with pride, with covetousness, or with zeal for our own secular interest, for the splendor of our own houses, or the aggrandizement of our own families? The character described was such as honoured David, the King of Israel, more than all his royal dig. nities, or his military exploits, for the good of his country! and, Burely, such a character cannot rationally be thought to dishonour any that call themselves his disciples, whom be requires to learn of him.' They who are wholly destitute of it, are unworthy of the name they bear.' Jesus shewing Mercy. By John Hayter Cox. Price is. THERE are many persons to whom the perusal of this book may be. very useful, particularly such as are under their first convictions of sin. The author, affectionately concerned for the relief of such distressed persons, describes their situation; and while he guards them against presumption, proves that the grace of God abounds towards the most unworthy. The book is divided into eighteen short chapters; in which he attemp's the relief of desponding sinners, repels their fears, arising from the greatness, number, and aggravations of sin, replies to the common objections: I will apply to Christ when I am holier, when. I am sufficiently huinbled, but I am not elected; I may have sinned. against the Holy Grost, &c. We think that this little pious and evangelical book may be put into the hands of persons under convic tion of sin with great advantage. Strictures on a Sermon by the Rev. E. Barry, M. D. Rector of St. Mary, Wallingford, before the Reverend the Archdeacon and Clergy of Berks, at the Visitation at Abingdon, May 3, 1809. By J. Raban. 18. MR. RABAN proposes, in these Strictures, to animadvert on the theological errors, the defective morality, the misrepresentation of the inhabitants of Wallingford, and the illiberality of Dr. B. towards Dissenters; which he conceives are contained in the Visitation Sermon. Mr. R. comments particularly, and with just severity, on the following very reprehensible sentence: ' Ïi has been very sensibly remarked, That our virtues would be proud, if they were not chastised by our vices; and our vices would despair, if they were not cherished by our virtues! This Mr. R. conceives to be one of those apologies for sin with which the works of many of our sentimental writers abound. Dr. B. very unfairly charges some of his serious clerical brethren with wearing a specious mask, with arrogantly claiming popular names, and with designedly keeping up an invidious and malignant distinction." - A false and ill-natured charge! Referring to some persons in ་ |