THE REVIEW.

"We belong to the unpopular family of Tell-truths, and would not flatter Apollo for his Lyre."-ROB ROY.

Sacred Literature, comprising a Review of the Principles of Composition laid down by the late Robert Lowth, D.D., Lord Bishop of London, in his Prælections and Isaiah, and an Application of the Principles so reviewed to the Illustration of the New Testament, in a Series of Critical Observations on the Style and Structure of that Sacred Volume, by the Reverend JOHN JEBB, (now Lord Bishop of Limerick). London, Cadell and Davies.

It would be neither instructive nor amusing to detail the various conceptions of the writers on the structure of Hebrew poetry, from the days of Josephus to the age of Origen, and thence to Scaliger, Boecler, and the impostor Meibomius, since confusion and obscurity in each succeeding age seem to have more closely enveloped the subject, so that the waning light of tradition was unable to lend a ray by which the clue to the mystery could be discovered.

Three individuals, at periods not very distant from each other, gave the key which opened to the learned world the treasures which were thought to be irrecoverably lost. The first of these was the younger Buxtorf; the next Schoettgen; and the last the revered Bishop Lowth. The former of these in the Mantissa Dissertationum' annexed to his edition of the book Cosri, is considered by Dr. Jebb, as having stated that which may be deemed the "technical basis" of Dr. Lowth's system; Schottgen is said to have distinctly

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and accurately specified the same doctrine on Hebrew Parallelism, which Bishop Lowth improved.

It is extraordinary but highly probable that Schottgen was not aware of what Buxtorf had published, and, as the learned prelate does not in his works refer to either of them, it may be concluded that their labours were unknown to him, and thus the meed of fame for so great a discovery may be given to our countryman.

It required, not only learning and talent, but also perseverance, boldness, and caution, to traverse à region where the faint traces which could be discerned so intersected each other, that they were to be carefully avoided, lest they should lead to an inextricable labyrinth. To avoid every avenue to error, to draw a perfect map of this unknown country, was more than could be expected from one individual: all that one human mind could effect was performed by the prelate, whose honoured name will descend to distant ages. When once the great land-marks were pointed out, and the track opened, a kindred spirit was alone wanted to follow up the investigation with equal ardour, who would unfold a wider extent, describe new beauties, and present us with an increase of treasure. This has been accomplished by our author, and has therefore allied his name to that of Lowth.

The labours of that prelate were nearly confined to the Old Testament. Dr. Jebb has successfully demonstrated that many portions of the New Testament contain perfect specimens of Hebrew poetry in all its varieties. We must in justice say, that some indistinct surmises have been made known by Fabricius, Campbell, and Michaelis, that a poetical manner was perceptible in many passages of the New Testament. Schleusner spoke of the Parallelism in the hymns of St. Luke, and

Farrer in his Bampton lectures refers to the Beatitudes as being written in verse. But, it was left for Dr. Jebb to realise, by his learning, acuteness, and industry, the hopes these surmises excited.

It would be mere trifling to advance reasons, which, from a first view, seem to militate against the precision of the learned author; since the examples advanced by him prove him to be correct.

We shall produce in succession specimens of the chief varieties of Hebrew poetry selected from the Old and New Testaments; and, without entering into elaborate critical detail, presume to hazard a few cursory observations as we advance.

Before we proceed it will be as well to remark, that the original of some of the books of the New Testament were certainly written in Syro-Chaldaic as St. Matthew; and, if the other Gospels were first composed in Greek it is with the structure of the Hebrew tongue, which accounts for the existence of the parallels. Some of the Epistles must have been composed in Syro-Chaldaic, as that to the Hebrews, &c.

Bishop Lowth considered the first of the varieties which we shall quote, under the name of Parallels Synonymous; Dr. Jebb with great acumen and moderation has decided, that the examples adduced by his great leader do not support the appellation, and gives them the name of Cognate. It is evident on a first examination, that the term Synonymous is incorrect. We do not think that of Cognate sufficiently definite, and prefer the term Progressive, because the peculiar feature of this Parallelism is, a gradually increasing power in each successive clause. Ex. Isaiah, lv. 6, 7.

Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found,
Call ye upon him, while he is near,

Let the wicked man forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts,

And let him return to Jehovah, and he will compassionate him,
And unto our God, for he aboundeth in forgiveness.

Dr. Jebb has illustrated the above at length, but we consider it so evident, that we shall not insert his erudiate remarks. He has given from the New Testament one clear and magnificent example of this variety. 2 Thess. xi. 8.

Whom the Lord Jesus will waste away with the breath of his mouth, And will utterly destroy, with the bright appearance of his coming. The words " ον Κυριος Ιησους” are applicable to both lines: the combination of the two words leads us to remark, that Kugios is the usual interpretation of Jehovah, and which synonymous name the Apostles give to Christ.

The Amæbæan verses of the Latins bear an affinity to this parallelism, the Seventh Eclogue of Virgil is of that nature.

The Antithetic Parallelism is distinguished " by an opposition of terms and sentiments; when the second is contrasted with the first, sometimes in expressions, sometimes in sense only. Accordingly the degrees of antithesis are various; from an exact contra-position of word to word, singulars to singulars, plurals to plurals, &c., through the whole sentence, down to general disparity, with something of contrariety in the two positions." Thus; Prov. xxvii. 8.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend,

But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations,
But ye have made it a den of thieves.

The Introverted Parallelism though often occurring, escaped the observation of Bishop Lowth, and all sub