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The dipping

• The dipping of John, was it from heaven or of men?' which John preached.' 'And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye dipped? And they said, Unto John's dipping! Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of, and be dipped with the dipping that I am dipped with?' Know ye not that so many of us as were dipped into Jesus Christ were dipped into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by dipping into death.' 'And were all dipped unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.' For by one spirit are we all dipped into one body.'. Else what shall they do who are dipped for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then dipped for the dead?' 'As many of you as have been dipped unto Christ, have put on Christ.',

21

"As I thus read these passages, the conviction came upon me with irresistible force, that the original term could not bear the meaning which the Baptists attempt to fasten upon it; and when I had concluded, I stared at the minister, and he stared at me. In this rather ludicrous * position, we sat for a short time; and finding that he did not, as I expected, break the silence, I ventured to ask him whether he could believe that such translations correctly answered to the words of inspired wisdom, and whether they did not turn the solemn and sublime instructions of Scripture into sheer nonsense, or the grossest absurdity? To this he would not assent: when I begged him to explain to me the meaning of such expressions as dipped with the Holy Ghost; dipped with fire; dipped into one spirit; dipped into death; dipped into Christ; and preaching a dipping of repentance. My request, however, was made in vain.' Pp. 14-16.

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Stories of the Primitive and Early Church. By SOPHIA WOODROoffe, Edited, with an Introduction &c. by G. S. FABER, B. D. London: Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley. 1845.

The unlearned and the young are those for whom this book seems to have been originally intended, and yet it is one which even the learned reader will duly prize. The stories are beautifully told, and though known to most readers of church history, present themselves in their present dress, fresh and full of interest. We should like to see Story third expunged. We wonder that Constantine and his miracles should be thus paraded before the young. His piety and his miracles are both equally doubtful. We should like also to see some alterations in Story fifth. We suspect that Ambrose was not altogether the holy man there represented. In other respects the book is a most useful and interesting one. Mr Faber's introduction and notes add very greatly to its value. They are like all his writings, full to overflowing of genuine learning of all sorts. And what strikes us yet more is his earnest zeal against Tractarianism. It displays itself in every page, and not in empty declamation, but in solid argument and scholarship. We give a part of one of his notes to Story second.

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"At first Antiquity was every thing: now, when it is experimentally found to make against them (for no honest student of real Antiquity can ever be either a Papist or a Tractarian), it is absolutely nothing. The

new principle, which we are now invited to adopt, is what they call DEVELOPMENT: and this convenient nose of wax may be rendered intelligible in manner following:

"Any doctrine or practice, which subsists at any given time, the fifth, or sixth, or twelfth, or sixteenth century for instance, must be viewed, as affording a sufficient proof, that such doctrine or practice subsisted, in THE GERM, from the very beginning. The GERM was delivered by the apostles, and was received by the Primitive Church: but its DEVELOPMENT did not take place, until, it might be, four or five, or twelve, or fifteen centuries later. God's revelation in truth was scanty, and defective, and imperfect. Three hundred years (as one of the party assures us) were necessary to bring it into any thing like a manageable shape: and even when, by the skilful doctors of the tardily maturing church, which the less wise apostles had left in a lamentably unformed and unworkmanlike condition, this had been effected in the course of the fourth and fifth centuries; still no limits could be placed to the perfectibility of humans improvement upon Divine revelation. Under the process of DEVELOPMENT, each GERM would be in a state of perpetual growth; so that we might fairly doubt, whether, in this world it would ever attain its full growth. The further we moved from the fountain-head of inspiration, the more pure and the more wholesome would the stream become: for the work of man will be a never-ceasing improvement upon the work of God. Hence, would we know the truth, we must resort, not to the Bible and the meagre attestation of the primitive church, but to the councils in succession; the latest being always the best, inasmuch as it is a more perfect DEVELOPMENT of the GERM, than any of its predecessors. The primeval GERM, it is true, might not be quite easily discovered either in Scripture or in the earliest records. But, though obscure to the dim eyes of mortality, we may be sure it must be there: because its subsequent DEVELOPMENT demonstrates the necessary fact of its ABORIGINAL EXISTENCE.

'Had there

Ex

As how?' asks the bewildered and mystified aspirant. "Why thus: replies the hierophantic mystagogue. been no GERM, there clearly could have been no DEVELOPMENT. nihilo, nihil fit. But there has been a DEVELOPMENT, as you may yourself see by the very simple operation of reading the Acts of the Council of Trent, and comparing them with those (for instance) of Constance and the Lateran. Therefore there must have been an ANTECEDENT

GERM.

Such is the luminous theory and process of DEVELOPMENT, with which the Epopts of the Tractarian mysteries profess their understandings to be satisfied.

"2. The moral of the whole is this:

"THE TRACTARIAN LEADERS, NO DOUBT FOR VERY GOOD AND SUFFICIENT REASONS, HAVE COMPLETELY SHIFTED THEIR GROUND.

"Had they been able, on behalf of their lucubrations, to establish evidentially the PRIMUM and the SEMPER, we should never have heard of DEVELOPMENT either in theory or in practice. Their adoption of it is a plain confession, that the cumbrous machine, which in their nomenclature, rejoices in the name of CATHOLICITY, and which is to initiate us

into true CHURCH principles, will not work without it. The system, confessedly, has no support from either Scripture or Antiquity: It is the pure human figment of a later age.” Pp. 44—47

Clark's Foreign Theological Library-Hengstenberg on the Psalms. Vol. I. Edinburgh: T. Clark. 1845.

Most of our readers have long been acquainted with the " BIBLICAL CABINET," a series of publications which has proved of essential service in the cause of Biblical criticism. We are glad to see that preparations are being made, with a view to much greater service still being rendered to the important cause. Mr Clarke has issued a prospectus, in which he intimates his intention to issue four volumes a-year, of about 500 pages, for the subscription of one pound. By this scheme, the works of some of the most eminent of the Continental theological writers may be obtained, in an English dress, at about one-third of the price which such works have hitherto cost. The series begins with Hengstenberg's Commentary on the Psalms, translated by the Rev. P. Fairbairn of Salton, and the Rev. J. Thomson of Leith. The first volume of the work is already in our bands, and the second, we understand, will appear immediately. The second volume of Hengstenberg will be followed by Olshausen on the Gospels, translated by Dr J. Loewe; Olshausen on the Acts, by the Rev. Dr Lindsay, Professor of Divinity, Relief Synod; by Gieseler's Elements of Church History, translated by Dr Samuel Davidson; by Hävernick's Introduction to the Pentateuch, translated by the Rev. W. L. Alexander, &c. The volume which has already appeared is one of very great value, not only to the scholar, but to the practical expounder of God's word. On several portions of the Psalms, which many are ac customed to read with comparatively little interest, it throws a flood of light. The process by which it traces the train of thought in many cases not palpable to ordinary readers, is exceedingly beautiful. Its disquisitions on the originals are eminently well fitted to stir up to a more careful study of the Hebrew language. While its comprehensive and general views of each psalm, as a whole, of the relation in which several groups of psalms stand to each other, cannot but be peculiarly useful in enabling ministers of the gospel to apply this rich portion of the word to the comfort and encouragement, or reproof the Lord's people. Of the works which are to succeed the second volume of Hengstenberg, we have only to say, that they are the very choicest specimens of the highest class of the present generation of German theologians. Of the whole of the authors mentioned, it may be safely affirmed, that, while they are distinguished for all that is excellent in German scholarship, they are, at the same time, eminent for the spirituality of their minds, and the evangelical character of their views of Divine truth. We trust that this se ries of publications will be hailed with joy by every minister of the gospel, and by many also among our Christian people. To ministers of the Free Church it may perhaps be somewhat of an additional reason to be. speak their favour, that the two first volumes are translated by two ministers belonging to their own body. Mr Clark has long laboured in this field, and has profited nothing by it in a pecuniary point of view. And

we earnestly hope, that the number of his subscribers will be such as te enable him, without loss to himself, to prosecute his useful undertaking.

The Derivation of many Classical Proper Names from the Gaelic Language, or the Celtic of Scotland. By G. STRATTON, M.D. Edinburgh: A. & C. Black. 1845.

There seem to be many curious and ingenious things in this little work. The etomologist will, we doubt not, find in it much that is interesting, and perhaps also something that is new.

Sermons in proof, development, and illustrative of the Evangelical Doctrines of the Church, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic; with an Appendix and Notes on the Evangelical, and Apostolic Characteristics of the united Church of England and Ireland. By Rev. TRESHAM DAVIES GREGG, M.A., Trinity College. Dublin: Curry & Co. 1846.

A volume of good and able sermons, written by one who is ever glancing his eye toward his Roman Catholic brethren. The views of doctrine are not deep, but they are clear and Scriptural. Occasionally the writer's interpretations seem to us not sufficiently proved, e. g., when he takes for granted that the "baptized for the dead" refers to the custom prevalent long after Paul's days, that of catechumens being baptized on the spot where they witnessed a martyr's death; or, when he main tains that "their angels," in Matthew xviii. 10, is the departed spirits of these little ones spoken of. It is, at the best, unguarded language to say, "The difference between the Christian and the reprobate is, that the former hope is changed into assurance, the full assurance of faith." (p. 181.) The context, however, explains his meaning to be, that the vague hopes of the unconverted become certain and solid persuasion of acceptance in the believing man. But we chiefly regret the labour he bestows in some of his notes, with the view of showing that there is an orthodox sense which may be attached to the baptismal regeneration of the liturgy; and that there has, in point of fact, (although the matter may be of secondary importance,) been an apostolic succession in the churches of England and Ireland. He writes, with a view to the members of the Roman Catholic community; and the volume does distinctly exhibit the way of life to a sinner.

A Brief Commentary on the First Epistle of St Paul to the Thessalonians. By the Rev. A. S. PATTERSON. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. 1846.

We agree with Mr Patterson very cordially in the complaint which he makes in his preface regarding the "something like neglect" with which this epistle has been treated both by critics and by ordinary readers of Scripture. We are thankful to record any attempt at rescuing so precious an epistle from such neglect. Those who have studied it most deeply will be the first to attest its exceeding preciousness and beauty. We admire much Mr Patterson's candour in criticism. There is no

squaring by systems or preconceived opinions, but a simple and honest inquiry into the real meaning of the word. Hence there is much minute and useful criticism to be found in this brief commentary. Its style is elegant, its tone is calm and Christian,

The Young Instructed in the Gospel Narrative, being an Explanation of the Principal Events in the Life of the Lord Jesus Christ, continuously arranged, with Recommendatory Preface by the Rev. T. Drew, D.D. Dublin: J. Robertson, 1846.

A very valuable manual for parents and Sabbath school teachers. It is one of the fullest and completest of the kind that we have seen. The preface we do not much admire; the book itself is really a useful one.

The Scottish Church : a View of its History, Constitution, Doctrines, and Ceremonies. Edinburgh: W. Tait, 1845.

This volume is one of a series publishing in Edinburgh, under the general title of "The Churches of the United Kingdom, edited by Alex. Leighton," Its design is excellent, and, to a certain extent, its execu tion is equally praiseworthy. We say to a certain extent ;" for here and there are outbreaks of bitterness against Reformers and Covenanters, which are by no means becoming in one who professes to be giving simply the facts of the case. The facts and doctrines are fairly given, certainly, and if the author had only refrained himself a little here and there, he would have produced a volume, which, containing as large an amount of information, would have been liable to much fewer objections, and would, we are persuaded, have obtained a much wider circulation than the present is ever likely to do. A little more moderation would have rendered his volume a truly valuable one, to which no exception could have been taken, and which all parties might have freely circulated.

The Greatness of the Soul, &c., by JOHN BUNYAN, to which is prefixed another essay by the Rev. R. PHILIP. London: T. Nelson, 1845. This is the second volume of Mr Nelson's Series of Puritan Divines. We need not commend Bunyan or his writings. Our readers know enough of him and them to make them desire to possess, at so cheap a rate, a volume which contains so many of his most precious pieces. We do not admire the Introductory Essay. There is some valuable information in it, but, like Mr Philip's other biographical performances, it is full of silly alliterations, poor attempts at wit, and intolerable affectation.

Review of the Latest Events and Present State of the Church of Christ. By C. F. WINGARD, D.D., Archbishop of Upsal, and Primate of all Sweden. Translated from the Swedish. London: G. F. and J. Rivton, 1845.

A Swedish archbishop writing a Sketch of the Present Condition of the Church of Christ ! Yes, and excellently too, as any reader of this vo

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