to uphold and vindicate the philosophising clergy of the Reformed church of France, who have departed so far from the original creeds and confessions, that most probably not one of the ministers of the church would sign the old confession as it is.' It is time such an establishment were dis-established, which, we trust, it will be, under the Republic. A voluntary church will be a new thing, and develop new powers in that remarkable country. Other nations besides France, are ripening for it. But the laity and the literati are before the clergy upon this question.

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Sacred Geology or the Scriptural Account of the World's Creation maintained; and reasons assigned for questioning that geological hypothesis concerning the sedimentary formation of strata, from which the inference has been drawn, that inconceivably long periods of time elapsed between each of these formations, and before the Creation of man, etc. 12mo. London: Painter.

The Mosaic Creation viewed in the light of Modern Geology. By G. Wight. Recommendatory Note, by W. Lindsay Alexander, D.D.,F.S.A.S. 12mo. Glasgow: Maclehose.

THESE are works of more than ordinary interest, both from the subject of which they treat, and the able manner in which the respective authors have performed their part. They are equally anxious to vindicate the inspiration of the Mosaic record; but they do so upon opposite principles. The author of Sacred Geology,' whoever he may be, disputes many of the first principles of the geologists, and denies that they have adequate ground for their theories. Mr. Wight, on the other hand, admits the theories as proved, and then proceeds to reconcile them with the sacred testimony. His task is very respectably performed; and upon the supposition, that the inferences of the geologists are founded on facts, or founded upon a sufficient induction of facts, and are not chargeable with hasty and immature generalization, his work is as complete and reasonable an exposition of the case between the scriptures and geology, as the believers in both have yet supplied. It is vastly to be preferred before that of Professor Baden Powell, in his article on 'Creation,' in Dr. Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature.'

The author of Sacred Geology' repudiates the entire system of stratification, as laid down in the accredited theories of the geologists, and strenuously maintains that, apart from the authority of scripture, they are inconsistent with the facts already well known, and becoming increasingly so by fresh discoveries in different parts of the world. Among these men of science, it is not for ordinary readers to arbitrate and decide. The friends of revelation, however, may rest perfectly content. Science will ultimately correct its own errors; and though, for a time, its conclusions may seem to be at variance with scripture, as in its past history they have often been, yet time will reprove the hasty theorizers, and bring them, however

reluctantly, to the conclusion, that, though revelation does not profess to teach natural science, yet it is guilty of no foregone conclusion that science has proved to be false. Had it so long ago anticipated the modern theory, before the facts on which it is built were known, it would have neutralized its religious teaching, by affirming what all the world then would have believed, and could only have believed, to be false. But as it did not anticipate science, so neither does its language, when fairly interpreted, contradict science. Let it have fair play, and we cannot doubt that it will come out of its present trial with an ample justification. We recommend both these works to those interested in such inquiries. They have here an alternative suited to the present position of the controversy. They may, if they so judge, dispute the theories of the geologists altogether, with no little show of reasoning, or they may take refuge in the harmony which Mr. Wight has supplied. Time and continued investigation can alone help us to determine which is the true solution of the difficulties at present surrounding this highly important and interesting subject.

England, Rome, and Oxford Compared, as to Certain Doctrines: in Six Lectures. By the Rev. A. Boyd, M.A. London: Seeley and Co. TRADITION, Justification, the Sacraments, Reserve, Unity, Development, are the six subjects treated in these Six Lectures. They are all designedly handled in a popular manner, and exhibit a very adequate acquaintance with the Puseyite heresies, as at present desolating the established church; and a very fair amount of scriptural argument against them. They are not the most learned and elaborate of th ir class: nor are they eminently calculated to recover those infected with the Romanizing leaven, but they may serve to fortify the minds of church people who yet abide by the doctrines of the Reformation. Thorough church of England men cannot lay the axe at the root of the tree; and hence the most able arguments against the new doctrines which have yet appeared, have been from the pens of dissenters. All the evangelical party in the church who have taken up the controversy against Puseyism, appear to us afraid of going into the subject in all its extent. They argue well from scripture, and insist upon its finality; but then they have never harmonized this with that other finality which is said to have authority in matters of controversy.' Their allegiance does not seem to be single; and they constantly betray the awkwardness of having to adjust the assertion that it is so, with the consciousness that it is divided. They fail to reconcile the language of their offices with their own interpretation of scripture. Their appeal to the articles and homilies is not satisfactory, while the language of the baptismal, communion, burial, ordination, and other services, unquestionably favours the interpretation put upon them by the Puseyites. To such men as Mr. Boyd, we always feel disposed to say, better repudiate these authorities, than endanger the Divine one, or allow your opponents to wield against

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you so formidable a weapon. Let God be true, though every man were found a liar. But this singleness of appeal would endanger the theory of a state-church, and the consequences would be unpleasant. Hence the necessity for all the attempts to harmonize the church with the Bible.

Is Christianity from God? or, a Manual of Christian Evidence for Scripture Readers, City Missionaries, Sunday School Teachers, etc. By the Rev. John Cumming, D.D.

THIS is a useful manual, affording, within a small compass, and at a moderate price, a concise, but tolerably comprehensive, summary of the various topics involved in the Christian evidence. The author has skilfully condensed the matter of many elaborate treatises, and availed himself of the powerful arguments of the most celebrated authors. Thus, for instance, Foster's reasoning against Atheism, that no man can assure himself that there is no God, unless he knows all things, and is omniscient, is expanded and forcibly applied by Dr. Cumming. Such an original and striking thought, although put into a very different style, might have been acknowledged. We are not, however, disposed to quarrel with so useful a performance. There are various marks of haste, which a revision will no doubt correct. The work would be improved by a condensation of some of the more lengthy arguments, and an expansion of such as treat of miracle and prophecy, both of which struck us as treated superficially, and yet they are the main stays and bulwarks of revelation. A short defence of miracles as against Hume's argument, and two or three of the more striking instances of prophecy abridged from Keith or Davison, would greatly improve the work. But as it is, we commend it to the classes for whose service it is intended.

'It is Written?' or every Word and Expression contained in the Scrip ture, proved to be from God. By Professor L. Gaussen. London: Bagster.

The Bible not of Mun; or, the Argument for the Divine Origin of the Sacred Scriptures, drawn from the Scriptures themselves. By Gardner Spring, D.D., of New York. London: Religious Tract Society. THESE works, though analogous, and nearly identical in their object, are widely different in their contents. Professor Gaussen stoutly opposes that notion of inspiration which restricts it to the idea or conception of the inspired man, leaving the selection of phraseology to his taste and judgment. The argument for verbal inspiration is very ably and even elaborately stated. Many of the objections to it are greatly mitigated, and the difficulties of the opposite opinion forcibly exhibited. It is altogether one of the ablest defences of verbal inspiration that we have met with. Those who incline to the author's opinion will hail his services, and admire the learning and acuteness with which he has maintained his theme. Others who adopt the

common hypothesis will do well to ponder his arguments. All theologians, and especially those in their noviciate, will find much matter for mature deliberation, and some valuable items of information in this neat and cheap little volume.

Dr. Spring's work, which comes forth under the auspices of the London Religious Tract Society, is intended to display the evidence of inspiration from the character of the Scriptures themselves. This is adapted both to convince gainsayers, and confirm the faith of believers. It is an able and eloquent display of those peculiar marks of inspiration, which ought to satisfy every candid reader that the Bible is not of man. This volume will be read with great delight and profit by all believers in revelation who possess themselves of it, whether they hold verbal inspiration or conceptional. We can cordially commend both volumes as superior treatises, well deserving the careful perusal of all believers and all unbelievers. We wish them an extensive circulation.

Sermons by the late Reverend Nathaniel Morren, A.M. With a Memoir. Edinburgh: Blackwood. 1818.

THESE posthumous sermons are the production of an accomplished biblical scholar, one of the not very numerous men of piety who continued in the church of Scotland after the disruption. They have many of the characteristics of Scotch preaching, a uniformity in the simple textual arrangement, a superabundance of divisions, sometimes a rather tedious elucidation of what was never dark; but there is withal about them a prominence given to evangelical truth, a constant recurrence to Biblical language, an energy and a manliness that comes up to the apostle's notion, speaking boldly as I ought to speak.'

Testimony to the Truth; or, The Autobiography of an Atheist. London: Smith, Elder, and Co.

THIS is a very interesting account of the experiences of an intelligent and sincere mind, on the subject of religion. It describes the author's passage from atheism to Christian faith and character, in circumstances, and by means, that impart peculiar worth to the narrative. The outward history is striking, the inward still more so. Truthfulness, sagacity, and considerable graphic power, mark the whole of the volume. We do not adopt all the author's views; should interpret differently from him some of the facts of both his mind and life, which he records, and imagine that a deeper acquaintance with certain subjects discussed, would have led to a revision or omission of portions of his book; but we can honestly recommend it to the notice of our readers, as containing much, both in matter and form, that is worthy of serious consideration. The Christian cannot peruse it without gratitude and instruction, while the sceptic will derive from it many lessons of sound wisdom, and often find the thoughts of his heart vividly exposed.

The Duties and Defects of Dissenters of the Present Day, in reference to the Ecclesiastical Establishment of this country. In Twelve Lectures. By the Rev. W. Thorn. London: Jackson and Walford. MR. THORN's labours in the great controversy of the age,' are well known, and by those who have carefully examined them, are highly estimated. Such readers as make an author a sinner for a word, may turn from them with distaste; but those who can appreciate sound views, strong convictions, unfaltering zeal, and genuine earnestness, will rejoice in his society, and listen deferentially to his counsels. His tracts are admirably suited for popular effect. They lay hold of the passing occurrence, avail themselves of the impulse of the hour, and blend with happy skill the temporary and the permanent, illustrating the principles of immutable truth by the passions and prejudices which distract many of their professed admirers. The substance of these lectures was delivered before large and highlyrespectable audiences, at Southampton, and they are now issued in an amended form, in the hope of extending their influence through a wider sphere. In preparing the work for the press, the writer bas aimed especially at three things: Comprehension-to omit nothing of moment in the exposition of the entire question under consideration; Conciseness-to state in as few words as possible, the facts and reasonings deemed essential to the discussion of the subject; Perspicuityto make every argument plain and convincing to the most ordinary reader.'

This threefold object has been effected to a very happy extent, and we cordially recommend the publication to our readers.

Literary Entelligence.

Just Published.

The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul; with Dissertations on the Sources of the Writings of St. Luke, and the Ships and Navigation of the Antients. By James Smith, Esq., of Jordan Hill, F.R.S.

Home among Strangers; a Tale. By Maria Hutchings Callcott. 2 vols. Descriptive Atlas of Astronomy, and of Physical and Political Geography.

Part IV.

The Biblical Repository and Classical Review. Conducted by J. M. Sherwood. Third Series. Vol. IV. No. III. Whole No. LXXI. July, 1848. Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats. Edited by Richard Monckton Milnes. 2 vols.

The Modern Orator. Charles James Fox. Part XVII.
The People's Dictionary of the Bible. Part. XXXVI.

Nelson's Edition of Matthew Henry's Commentary. Part XV.

Tales, Essays, and Poems. By Joseph Gostick.

The National Cyclopædia of Useful Knowledge. Part XIX.

The Impending Dangers of our Country; or, Hidden Thoughts brought to Light. By W. Ferguson.

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Sanctified Intellect its Character, Work, and Reward. A Sermon, suggested by the death of the Rev. R. W. Hamilton, LL.D. By W. Leask.