specting it, that it is one of the best helps to the biblical student that has issued from the press in modern times.

The HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By the Right Honourable Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH, LL.D., M.P., and the late WILLIAM WALLACE, Esq. Continued by ROBERT BELL, Esq. In ten vols. royal 18mo. Longman and Co.

We regard it as nothing short of a calamity to the literature of our country, that Sir James Mackintosh only lived to complete the three first volumes of this invaluable History. Not that we would wish to detract from the credit of those gentlemen, who were employed by the Publishers to carry forward and complete his admirable design; but, because we have a settled conviction, arising from intimate acquaintance with Sir James's vast resources, that no man of his times was so well qualified as himself to write a constitutional History of England. The fragment he has left behind him is one of the most precious documents in our language; and we can never examine its contents without a feeling of sadness coming over our spirits, while we reflect on the loss sustained by the death of one so eminently fitted, by his patient research, and acute philosophical penetration, to unravel the mysteries of our national records. His masculine intellect, sound moral feeling, and love of liberty; combined as they were with great constitutional calmness, with a deep insight into the principles of human conduct, with immense stores of well-digested knowledge, and with opportunities of intercourse with the first spirits of the age, distinctly pointed to him as the individual best qualified to furnish a History of England which should abide the test of ages, and rescue this branch of our literature from the just obloquy into which it has fallen. But the behests of Divine Providence had otherwise determined, and we have only now to express our gratitude to God, that the deceased was enabled, before he left our world, to prepare so valuable a sketch of some of the most difficult and agitating portions of English history, in which he was called to express his deliberate opinion on all the great questions of civil and religious liberty, and to lay down certain model principles, which all wise and upright historians will be compelled in future to regard. Our author has well said, "that the characteristic quality of English History is, that it stands alone as the history of the progress of a great people towards liberty during six centuries; that it does not appear reasonable to lose sight of this extraordinary distinction in any account of it, however compressed; that the statement offered here, short as it must be, may much facilitate the right understanding

of more recent controversies and changes; and, lastly, that a writer, however much he is to curb his peculiarities, and guard against his most frequent faults, must at the same time bear in mind that there are some parts of every extensive subject for which nature and habit have less fitted him than for others." This is Sir James Mackintosh's excuse for entering with less minuteness than some other writers, into "the history of our government and laws;" but his readers, best able to judge of the value of his labours, will be thankful that he reserved himself for the more ample development of those portions of our national history, which it required all the philosophical penetration of his well disciplined mind, fully to disentangle from the sophistry or falsehood in which they have been involved. It is indeed matter of congratulation, to all the lovers of constitutional freedom, that, from so able a pen, we are furnished in the three first volumes of this work, with a rapid but accurate sketch of our national history from the period of the Celts to nearly the close of the reign of queen Elizabeth. The two points upon which Sir James Mackintosh has put forth his strength are the careful threading out of the rise and progress, and consummation of our national liberties, and the magnanimous defence of the Puritans, as agents employed by Divine Providence in preserving to us all that was most dear, both in religious and civil freedom. He has not always shown that he quite understood them; but, upon the whole, he has done them ample justice. The views, too, advanced by our author, in reference to the Protestant Reformation, both as it respects the event itself, and the leading actors concerned in it, are highly creditable to his sense of justice, and to his sound discernment of those questions of history involved in this mighty revolution of human opinion.

It is gratifying to us to be enabled to add, that the remaining seven volumes of this his tory, which carry us down as far as the death of George II., have been written with commendable accuracy, and with as careful an adherence to the plan laid down by Sir James Mackintosh as might have been expected from authors by no means equal in depth or research to the lamented projector of the work. But we cannot take leave of this History of England without expressing our settled conviction that no other history extant will bear a fair comparison with it in the assertion of great principles.

Sabbath morning after the funeral of the lamented Pastor. Its appearance from the press has been delayed by causes which those who know the author must greatly regret. We feel peculiar pleasure in the publication, and that for several reasons. As the widow, with her numerous family, will enjoy the proceeds of the sale, whatever they may be, we confess to no common interest in its extensive circulation. The Dissenting churches of the metropolis, and not a few in the provinces, need not be told that our departed brother was a "faithful minister," and "a workman that needed not to be ashamed." To unaffected and fervent piety, and sterling integrity, he united ministerial qualifications not by any means to be despised. He has been removed in the midst of his days and to his glory. Multitudes followed him to the grave, and mourned his departure. But while a spirit of no common sorrow was awakened through an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances, the most bitter of all was the lot of his sorrowing partner and his offspring-but feebly conscious of their loss. Dependent in very great measure on the generous aid of such as have learned "to weep with those that weep," we must earnestly desire the success of every effort to contribute to their temporal comfort.

As a

But it is not as a means of obtaining pecuniary supplies, even for the sorrowing and bereaved, that we chiefly rejoice in the publication of this Discourse. It has claims, as our readers will be prepared to expect, far other and higher than those derived from the circumstances under which it was preached, and the secular object which will be attained by its wide circulation. discourse, it is not to be classed with the mass of such publications incessantly issuing from the press. It contains thoughts of a kind and a compass not often presented from the pulpit. It is the production of a mind evidently accustomed to take independent and philosophical, as well as scriptural views of God, and providence, and life. The subject was wisely chosen to turn the tender and solemn sentiments of a mourning audience into a channel of manly and intelligent action-teaching them how to die well, by instructing them how to "fulfil their course," and accomplish their mission, as inhabitants of earth, as members of the mighty, moving population of the globe. The leading thoughts are, how and why we should serve our age, and these are so discussed, as to guide and goad the mind with no common success, in relation to the momentous interests of our race.

The tendency of the whole is profoundly practical, leaving an impression, not weak and transient, but wide and deep, because wise. The author's own mind must have been solemnly affected by his theme, and he has

succeeded, and will succeed, we doubt not in solemnly affecting the minds of many others.

Our space will not permit us to do more than present one extract, and this sermon is not of the class to abound with independent passages suitable for citation. The one we furnish will show how evangelical is the basis on which the great service enforced by our author is made to rest. Having quoted Phil. ii. 15, 16, he illustrates the necessity of sonship as a qualification for this service.

"What, then, is it to be the sons of God? This matter, on account of its intrinsic importance, and its bearing upon our subject, merits our deepest consideration. The primary and essential ideas involved in God's paternal relation are, causation and likeness. These two principles are impressed upon every part and form of being throughout the universe. The whole creation is not only an effect, but a type of God. Everything rests upon him, and resembles him. In their dependence on the Great Father, all creatures are equal; but in degrees of similitude to him, they widely vary. Matter is from God; and matter, in the very fact of its existing, as well as in the grandeur, power, and beauty which it exhibits, is a likeness of him. It not only proves that he is, but reveals, though dimly, what he is. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead.' Mind is of God; and mind, with its mighty and mysterious power to think, to will, to love, to commune with the infinite and the eternal, is yet a brighter, fairer, image of him who is the Father of spirits. Moral excellence, holy truth, righteousness and love, are of God; and a mind vivified by the breath of their power is as perfect a likeness of himself as his skill can produce. Now this last aspect of the Divine paternity infinitely transcends all others in glory. It was to disclose this that the blessed gospel was given. Causation, superiority, physical preservation, and dominion, are not the characteristics of God's fatherly relation which the New Testament so freshly, so tenderly unfolds. Oh no; but unquenchable love to our nature, compassion, deep and tender, for its guilt and sorrows, intense solicitude for its growth and education, and a fulness of grace to work out its true perfection.

GOD IS LOVE,' pure, necessary, self-diffusing, ever-flowing love! In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his 'Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Behold, what manner of love the Father

hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!' And the scriptural idea of filiation beautifully harmonizes with this affecting view of God. For what, according to the Bible, is it to be his child? Clearly something more than to be the work of his hand, the conscious offspring of his mind, the subject of his moral government. All this he is; but he is much more than this. He is a partaker of the Divine nature; and that nature quickens, brightens, perfects his own. He is created anew. He is born of God, and partakes of his moral essence; he reposes in the bosom of his love; he communes deeply with his perfections, and walks in their light; he adores his glorious character, and aspires to imitate it; and, feeling himself to be one of the forgiven, justified, adopted, sons of God, he wishes all the world to share his blessedness."-pp. 11, 12.

We earnestly recommend this Discourse to our readers, pleading self-interest as well as charity. In making it their own, they will kindly serve an afflicted family, and they will secure a great mental and moral benefit to themselves.

The FALL of MAN; The ATONEMENT; DIVINE INFLUENCE. Three Lectures, lately delivered in Holloway Chapel. By A. J. MORRIS. pp. 72. 1843.

Jackson and Walford.

This able pamphlet will, we doubt not, accomplish its author's design. It contains three Lectures, delivered in the ordinary course of his ministrations, by Mr. Morris, formerly of Manchester, but now of Holloway. The lectures are upon three of the most important doctrines of the Bible, and are at once full, clear, fresh, and nervous. Preached as they were, they ought not to be regarded as either polemical or confessional. They are neither a challenge to controversy nor a declaration of faith. They assume that the audience professed a certain creed; and seek rather to enlighten and confirm their attachment to that creed, than to exhibit it fully, and excite hostility to other flags. They are such sermons as an original teacher and masterly defender of the gospel might be expected to deliver to his people, when deeming it desirable to call their attention to the chief articles of their faith in regular succession. We are not surprised that Mr. Morris's hearers should have desired to possess these sermons as a brief manual of important truths. To them, a recommendation of their pastor's lectures would be needless; but we heartily commend them to those ministers who desire, for the use of inquirers, what we have often desired, such a statement of the truths discussed as is neither prolix nor lifeless, neither petulant

nor affected. All customary buyers of sermons also, whether for devotional reading, or for the sake of introduction to the minds of the more eminent living preachers, we unhesitatingly refer to Mr. Morris's Lectures, assuring them that, with very few exceptions, they will find but little superior in the class to which they belong. The estimate we have formed of the author's mental force and furniture, and of his intelligent and free devotion to evangelical truth, impels us to hope that he will favour us with something more than a rudimental discussion of the great doctrines of our holy religion.

HISTORY of the REFORMATION in the SIXTEENTH CENTURY. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, President of the Theological Seminary, Geneva, and Member of the Societé Evangélique. Translated by D^VID DUNDAS SCOTT, Esq., author of the " Suppression of the Reformation in France." With Notes from the Netherlands Edition of the Rev. J. J. LE ROY, of the Dutch Reformed Church. Illustrated with Portraits. 2 Vols. 8vo. Blackie and Son, Glasgow; and Warwick Square, London.

This beautiful edition of D'Aubigné's great work is now complete, in two volumes, with highly-finished portraits of most of the men who acted a distinguished part in opposing or forwarding the interests of the Reformation. The Notes of the Translator, and of the Netherlands edition, are of incalculable value, as they explain many circumstances otherwise very obscure to the unlearned reader. We trust nothing will occur to prevent the publishers from completing their design, in laying the whole work of D'Aubigné before the public, when it shall have seen the light. They will, of course, take steps to see that this shall be done. Their edition is so perfect, and so valuable, on account of its pictorial illustrations, that we should exceedingly regret if, by any unforeseen circumstances, they should be prevented from executing their purpose.

NOTES, EXPLANATORY and PRACTICAL, on the NEW TESTAMENT. By ALBERT BARNES, Minister of the Gospel, Philadelphia. Vol. IV. 12mo. The Epistle to the Romans.

Blackie and Son, Glasgow; and Warwick Square, London.

We have had occasion to notice, with approbation, in a former number, Messrs. Blackie's edition of " Barnes on the Gospel, and on the Acts of the Apostles." They are certainly the best that have appeared in this country; and we are now happy to introduce to our readers a fourth volume, con

We cannot but feel a lively and deep interest in the continued prosperity of this Institution, which has raised up so many useful ministers of the everlasting gospel; and which, at small cost, has done noble service to the Congregational cause. In the history of this College, many circumstances have occurred of a very pleasing character: one of the most gratifying of which has been, that from its commencement in 1783, members of the same family have successively, up to a recent date, sustained the office of Tutor, with credit to themselves, and advantage to the public. Seldom have three generations followed each other in such honourable and devoted service. The founder of the Institution was the Rev. W. Bull, the friend of Cowper; the Rev. T. P. Bull, his son, entered into his labours; and, from 1831, the Rev. Josiah Bull, the grandson of the founder, was associated in the tutorship with his honoured father.

Another remarkable circumstance connected with this college is, that it owed much of its early success, not more to the zeal of the Rev. W. Bull, than to the disinterested and catholic spirit of the Rev. John Newton, who saw and deplored the state of his own church in his day, and who gave all the assistance in his power in building up this non-conforming school of the prophets.

The pamphlet before us contains Mr. Newton's correspondence with Mr. Bull, on the subject of the foundation of the college; and it is a striking instance of the triumph of Christian principle over the narrowness of party feeling.

Seldom have we seen a more interesting tract than the one before us. The Preliminary Discourse, by Mr. Watson, is a very able sketch of the course of Theological study, through which he proposes to conduct the young men in the college, now under his care; and those who do him the justice of perusing what he has written, will regard him as well qualified to occupy the

responsible post to which the Committee have appointed him as Tutor of the Institution.

The report of a public meeting then follows, at which the students of the College presented an elegant clock, and a copy of Marsh's Michaelis, to their late revered tutor, the Rev. T. P. Bull. The addresses of Mr. Piper, the Rev. T. P. Bull, and the Rev. Josiah Bull, on the occasion, are replete with noble sentiments and Christian feelings.

The Appendix contains the correspondence of the Rev. John Newton, to which we have referred, and a list of the ministers educated in the college.

We wish prosperity, in the name of the Lord, to this unpretending, but excellent Institution.

sea.

SERMONS preached at Park Chapel, ChelBy the Rev. JOHN C. MILLER, M.A., Lincoln College, Oxford; minister of Park Chapel; and formerly curate of Bexley, Kent. 12mo. pp. 360.

Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

The Author of these discourses is an honour to the Established Church; no less on account of his catholic spirit, than of his varied talent and sound learning. Young in years, he is, nevertheless, mature in Christian wisdom and experience; and exerts an influence over a wide and respectable circle, most beneficial to the souls of his fellow men. "A workman that needeth not to be ashamed," he has won for himself the confidence and love, not of his own church only, but of every pious non-conformist in the parish in which he is called to labour in the Lord's vineyard. He knows how to hold what he deems to be truth, in love to others, who differ from him in minor details, but with whom, he yet feels, he is "one in Christ Jesus."

The sermons before us, without being controversial, are able defences of "the truth as it is in Jesus." They are pointed appeals to the heart and conscience; not dry details of mere orthodoxy, but glowing exhibitions of those life-giving doctrines which never fail, as applied by the Holy Spirit, to convert souls from the error of their ways, and to build up God's children in faith and holiness.

We can perceive, since the appearance of Mr. Miller's first volume of sermons, that he has made a happy advance in what may be termed ministerial tact. Adhering firmly to the same evangelical platform of doctrine, he has acquired a greater power of dealing successfully with the diversities of human character, and Christian experience. There is a fulness of experimental truth in this volume, which cannot fail to make it accep

table to those who love to expatiate in the inner sanctuary of the Christian temple. The subjects are well chosen; the outline of thought is natural, simple, and logical; and the spirit that pervades the whole is that of a man anxious to win souls to Christ, and to conduct the sheep of Christ's fold into green pastures, and beside the still waters.

We earnestly recommend the volume, as pre-eminently fitted for the reading of private families.

1. A CELESTIAL ATLAS, containing Maps of all Constellations visible in Great Britain, with corresponding Blank Maps of the Stars, systematically arranged for communicating Practical Knowledge of the Seasons. By J. MIDDLETON, Teacher of the Use of the Globes and Astronomy. 2. A COMPANION TO THE CELESTIAL ATLAS; containing a Series of Lessons on the Constellations, a Dissertation on the Fixed Stars, and Convulsions of the Heavens, with Descriptions and Views of remarkable Double Stars and Nebula. By J. MIDDLETON.

Whittaker and Co.

The Author's object in preparing his Celestial Atlas and Companion has been to furnish an easy method of acquiring an intimate and correct acquaintance with the fixed stars; such as would enable any person, with a moderate degree of attention, to distinguish not only the Constellations but every star to about the fourth or fifth magnitude.

His plan is to exhibit on five maps all the stars and constellations visible in Great Britain, not in an inverted position as they are drawn on celestial Globes, but precisely as they appear in the heavens. On four of the maps, each bearing the title of one of the seasons, may be seen the constellations which are respectively visible in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, while the other map contains those constellations which are always visible; having the names of the seasons on its four sides, as a direction to the position in which it must be held to show the situation of the stars at any season. These five maps are arranged on the right hand pages of the Atlas, and opposite to each is a corresponding map of the stars only, represented white on a black ground, just as they appear in the sky.

The Companion is divided into three parts. The first, which is the most important, (page 7) consists of a number of lessons on the constellations. At the commencement of each is a direction as to the quarter of the heavens in which it may be found in the respective months when visible. Then follows an enumeration of the principal stars as distinguished by Greek letters, and the parts of the constellations in which they are placed,

These are required to be first found on the maps containing the names of the stars, &c. and afterwards on the blank maps opposite, from which the transition to the sky is easy and natural. This list of stars is followed by notes describing the peculiar conformation of the stars, short directions by which they may be recognised in the heavens, notices of double, quadruple, and variable stars, nebulæ, &c.

The second part of the Companion (page 67) treats of the nature, number, distance, &c. of the fixed stars; of variable, double, treble, and quadruple fixed stars, nebulæ, &c. with questions at the end of each chapter to adapt it to the purposes of instruction.

The third part consists of conversations on the heavens. To devise a plan for recognising the fixed stars has been a desideratum in all ages this has been attempted several ways. Catalogues of them have often been made. The first on record is that of Hipparchus, at Rhodes, 120 years B. C. The one most used in England was formed by Flamsteed, the first astronomer royal, who was installed into that office, 1676, the year in which the observatory was completed. Catalogues have been formed in modern times containing from 50,000 to 100,000 stars. Another method very frequently has been by verbal descriptions of the pecu. liar conformations of the stars. A third plan has been by the construction of maps and celestial globes.

Many of the Atlases now extant possess great merit both for their accuracy and beauty of delineation, but we are not aware of any publication on this subject well adapted to the purposes of instruction by which a knowledge of the heavens may be systematically taught as a knowledge of the earth by Geography. This the author has attempted in the publication before us, after the adop tion of a similar plan successfully for nearly twenty years. It has been his object not only to enable a person to know each constellation and star, but while doing this to exhibit a correct view of the present extent of our knowledge of the sidereal heavens; to describe in plain language the important and interesting discoveries of Dr. and Sir John Herschell in this department of science, and to direct any one in possession of a good telescope to many interesting objects for investigation.

Though Mr. M.'s Atlas has been constructed so as to be peculiarly adapted to the use of schools, it will be found to answer all the purposes of celestial Atlases in general.

WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

1. National Distresses and National Sins. Being the second of a series of Discourses for the Working Classes. By J. C. GALLAWAY, A.M. 12mo, 2d. Ward and Co.