few years ago that he left a daughter. These are the chief things in the work that are, strictly speaking, new. But the work, as a whole, is eminently creditable to the talent, research, and scholarlike taste and acquirements of the author. We heartily thank him for this well-executed monograph on so interesting a subject as the first dawn of the Reformation in Scotland, and the beautiful character of Patrick Hamilton. We have no doubt that he will be, at least, equally successful in his projected works on the other precursors of John Knox, Alane or Alesius, and Sir David Lindsay.

New Testament, by

Collins's Critical and Explanatory Pocket Bible. the Rev. DAVID BROWN, D.D. Parts I., II., and III., containing the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

WE have carefully examined these three parts of Dr David Brown's Critical and Explanatory Commentary upon the New Testament, and we cordially commend it as a work of no ordinary value and excellence. The plan is in some respects new and very judicious, and the execution, as a whole, is admirable. It is singularly condensed. There is very rarely a word that is superfluous. And while in this way there is a great deal of matter given, it is almost wholly matter of rare worth and value. It is generally quite fresh, such as is not found in the commentators in ordinary use. And it is singularly well fitted both to convey clear and accurate conceptions of the meaning of the inspired statements, and to apply them powerfully and impressively to the heart and conscience. We have never before seen, within such narrow limits, such a concentration of matter, bearing upon the exposition of the New Testament, that was at once accurate and edifying, substantial and impressive, fresh and interesting. Dr Brown has done a great service to the Church of Christ by bringing his varied powers and acquirements to bear upon such a work; which, if completed as it has been begun, will we have no doubt attain to a large circulation, and do great good.

The Typology of Scripture viewed in connection with the Entire Scheme of the Divine Dispensations, by PATRICK FAIRBAIRN, D.D., Professor of Divinity, Free Church College, Glasgow. 2 vols., 8vo. 3d edition, 1857.

WE are glad to find that this important work has now reached a third edition. It has deservedly secured for itself a high place in general estimation, especially as presenting an able and learned survey of all the most important subjects brought before us in the Pentateuch, in connection with the primeval, patriarchal, and Levitical economies. The chief alterations and improvements made in the work since it was originally published, were introduced in the second

edition, there being no very material difference between the second and that now lying before us. We have in consequence only to express our gratification that a work so creditable to its author, and so well fitted in many respects to be useful, is appreciated by the public, and enjoys an increasing circulation.

Herzog's Protestant Theological and Ecclesiastical Encyclopædia, edited by BOMBERGER. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

We have received the fourth part of this work, containing nearly the whole of the letter B. It confirms the very favourable opinion we formerly expressed of the work.

Things New and Old in Religion, Science, and Literature. 12mo.

Pp. 364.

THIS is an extremely pleasing melange of short papers upon a great variety of interesting subjects, ranking under the different heads specified in the title. The editor is evidently a very accomplished man, and a very pleasing writer, and he has been well supported by the contributions of some friends to the pages of this work. They have succeeded among them in combining a very large measure of the utile and the dulce, and we heartily commend the product of their efforts and researches in "Things New and Old" to all our young friends.

The Great High Priest within the Veil, being an Exposition, Doctrinal and Practical, of Chap. XVII. of John's Gospel. By the Rev. THOMAS ALEXANDER, M.A., Chelsea. 12mo. Pp. 158. EVERY one must have felt that the seventeenth chapter of John's Gospel, containing what is commonly called our Saviour's intercessory prayer, is one of the most solemn and impressive portions of the inspired word. No man whose heart has been touched by a sense of divine things can peruse it, without feeling himself brought very near to the Father of his spirit and the Saviour of his soul. Mr Alexander seems to have been duly impressed with the responsibility and difficulty of expounding this portion of the inspired record. We have no doubt he has succeeded all the better in his exposition, that he engaged in it and carried it on with fear and trembling. And he certainly has succeeded in producing a singularly accurate, impressive, and edifying book. The success with which the train of thought is brought out in its connections, the powerful grasp which the author evidently has of things eternal and unseen, and the force and vividness of his conceptions, have enabled him to make a really valuable addition to our expositions of Scripture.

Memorials of the Rev. John Love, D.D., late Minister of the Gospel at Anderston, Glasgow, consisting of Diary, Reminiscences, and Original Papers. Vol. I. 8vo. Pp. 464.

This is the first part of a selection from the manuscripts of Dr Love, who was so highly and deservedly esteemed as a Christian minister, and whose memory is still so fragrant among "aged disciples" in the west country. They bear chiefly upon Dr Love's own remarkable spiritual history, and the development of his own peculiar religious experience, presenting, also, occasionally valuable theological expositions and observations, suggested by the events, external and internal which are narrated or referred to. They form a sort of autobiography, and embody a great deal of matter fitted to sustain Dr Love's high reputation as a Christian and a theologian, It is dangerous and to be very useful to some classes of believers. for Christians to restrict their reading chiefly to books of this sort, as this is fitted to foster an excessive and morbid subjectivity. But all men may derive much benefit from an occasional perusal of such records of elevated and searching experience, as we are all very prone to neglect communion with God and our own spirits; and it would not be easy to find anywhere materials better fitted to supply a check to this tendency, than are furnished by these memorials of Dr Love. We look forward with much interest to the publication of the second volume, which we are here assured in the preface, "will exhibit more fully his character as a student of theology."

Anniversary and other Discourses, on Special Occasions. By JOHN SMYTH, D.D., Free St George's, Glasgow. 12mo. Pp. 410.

We have read this volume with great satisfaction, both because of the intrinsic worth and excellencies of the discourses themselves, and because the volume, as a whole, will preserve a memorial of the honoured ministry of its esteemed author. Some of the discourses were published before, and are well worthy of a more lasting reputation than is usually enjoyed by single sermons or small brochures. The volume affords abundant proof that its author is an able minister of the New Testament, and in all respects a workman not needing to be ashamed. The discourses on Universal Forgiveness and on Popery are indeed able and scholarlike treatises on these subjects, and are highly creditable to the talents and acquirements of the author.

Commentaries, Expository and Practical, on the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, the Epistle of James, and the First Epistle of John. By ALEX. S. PATTERSON, D.D., Glasgow. A New Edition. 12mo. Pp. 392.

THESE three commentaries had been all previously published separately, and had been received with an encouraging measure of inte

rest and acceptance. They are now republished together in one volume, and we trust they will meet with a wider circulation than before. They present an admirable specimen of a mode of dealing with Scripture which is still far too rare among ministers, viz. investigating with the utmost care and accuracy the precise meaning and connection of the different statements as they stand, and then making their exact meaning, correctly ascertained, the basis of all that is attempted in the way of practical application.

Prejudices against the Gospel considered and answered, by the Rev. John M Laurin, Glasgow, and John Inglis, D.D., Edinburgh ; and, Uses of Creeds and Confessions of Faith, by the Rev. Wm. Dunlop, M.A., Professor of Church History, Edinburgh. Both edited, with Preface and Notes, by JAMES BUCHANAN, D. D., LL.D., Divinity Professor, New College.

THESE Works have been selected by the distinguished editor as fitted to be useful in the present day, and as well adapted to counteract the influence of certain erroneous and dangerous tendencies that are operating around us. They are well fitted to serve these important purposes, and by directing public attention to them, and making them more accessible, Dr Buchanan has rendered a service to the cause of truth and sound doctrine. Maclaurin, on "Prejudices. against the Gospel," has been long well known and greatly admired by competent judges. Dr Buchanan probably did not, at the time, remember that in 1853 it had been published in a valuable collection of theological tracts in two volumes, by Dr John Brown, a fact, however, which only confirms the suitableness of the selection. Dunlop, on the "Uses of Creeds and Confessions," is a work of high and permanent value, and the greater part of it is just as useful and seasonable now as when it was first published. We hope that many will embrace the present opportunity of becoming possessed of it.

Lessons from the Great Biography. By JAMES HAMILTON, D.D., F.L.S. 12mo. Pp. 320.

It is enough to say of this volume that it is worthy of its author, and will not detract from his high and well-earned reputation. Perhaps there is rather less than in some of his other works of the play of fancy, and of the abundance of illustration from all sources. But there is still quite enough of these things to shew that the fountain of supply is as vigorous and productive as ever, as much of them, perhaps, as suits the peculiarly solemn character of many of the subjects treated of. The volume contains a series of discourses on selected incidents of our Saviour's history, and these incidents, both in their leading aspects and in their minuter details, are certainly brought out and applied in a way that is singularly pleasing and attractive, and that commends itself most fully to all the leading departments of our nature.

A Memoir of Allan F. Gardiner, Commander R.N.

By JOHN W. MARSH, M.A., Vicar of Bleasby, Notts. 12mo. Pp. 410.

THIS is a memoir of Captain Gardiner, whose death by hunger, along with six companions, while on a missionary expedition to Patagonia, excited, some years ago, so much interest in this country. Two or three years ago Dr James Hamilton of London published a memoir of one of the party, Mr Williams, the surgeon, and no one could have turned to better account, or made more interesting and affecting, the incidents of this memorable story. Now, at last, we have the narrative of the whole transaction completed by the publication of this memoir of Captain Gardiner. The materials of which the memoir is composed are of deep and thrilling interest, and Mr Marsh has handled them with much judgment, good sense, and good feeling.

Christian Life; or, Expository Discourses on the Gospel by John. By ALEXANDER BEITH, D.D., Free North Church, Stirling. 12mo. Pp. 528.

CIRCUMSTANCES of an unexpected and merely accidental kind have prevented us from examining this handsome volume so thoroughly and so carefully as we meant to have done. But we have read enough of it to warrant us in expressing the opinion, that it brings out a large amount of scriptural truth, and expounds and applies it with no ordinary power and precision. This volume takes in only the first three chapters of John's gospel. But we are glad to see it intimated that Dr Beith is preparing an additional volume for the press.

The City: its Sins and Sorrows. A Series of Four Sermons; with an Appendix. BY THOMAS GUTHRIE, D.D. Pp. 162. Adam and Charles Black.

It would be at once superfluous and presumptuous to commend Dr Guthrie's sermons. The man who could produce a volume of sermons of such attractive power, that the public of this country bought 16,000 copies of it, is very much independent of critics and criticism. We, therefore, merely say that these four sermons on "the City, its Sins, and its Sorrows," are every way worthy of the author of the "Gospel in Ezekiel," and that both by the information they furnish as to the moral condition of our cities, and by the impressive appeals founded upon this, they are fitted to exert the most powerful influence upon the public mind. The Appendix contains some most important information and valuable practical suggestions. We nearly concur in all his leading proposals. We have no difficulty whatever about the compulsory education of the whole children of the community, and not very much about the prohibition of the ordinary sale of intoxicating liquors. We have no doubt that, while