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spicuous and pleasant to the critical student of the Bible.

PERIOD VII. presents the history of the Babylonish Captivity, which, independently of its being a striking exemplification of the fulfilment of the divine predictions, affords a beautiful instance of the wisdom of GOD; who, while by this dispensation he punished his peculiar people for their sins, and effected their reformation from idolatry, made them the messengers of his glory and power in conveying to nations, that were sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, the knowledge of the One true God, the Creator and Preserver of the World. No historical book in the Old Testament contains a complete narrative of the transactions of the seventy years: they are related in various parts of the prophecies of JEREMIAH, EZEKIEL, and DANIEL, and in the latter passages of the books of Kings and Chronicles; all of which are harmonised. To prevent any confusion in rightly apprehending this part of the Sacred History, from the circumstance that EZEKIEL delivered his predictions to the captive Jews at Babylon, while JEREMIAH was prophesying at Jerusalem and in Egypt, MR. TOWNSEND has disposed the events which took place, and the prophecies which were delivered, at Jerusalem, in a different chapter from those which were announced at Babylon. He has also given in a separate chapter the transactions in Egypt, whither the Jews, who escaped from the captivity, fled after the murder of GEDALIAH, and took with them the prophet JEREMIAH. This arrangement will enable the reader to pursue the narrative of the affairs of the Jews at Jerusalem, at Babylon, and in Egypt, without confounding either places or dates. The period under review terminates with the decree of CYRUS, for the restoration of the Jews to their native country, as it is contained in the last chapter of the second book of Chronicles, and the first chapter of EZRA. PERIOD VIII., and last, comprises the events from the conclusion of the Babylonish Captivity to the probable close of the canon: the events recorded are arranged in the order and on the authority of DR. PRIDEAUX, whose method has been adopted by DR. CLARKE, DR. HALES, and other

eminent modern writers. Besides several of the Psalms, which (it is manifest from internal evidence) must have been composed after the Captivity, this period includes a harmony of the books of EZRA, NEHEMIAH, and ESTHER; and the Prophecies of ZECHARIAH, HAGGAI, and MALACHI.

The work (in the margin of each page of which the chronology is carefully given) is terminated by six Indices. The first contains an account of the periods, chapters, and sections, into which the Sacred History is divided, together with the passages of Scripture comprised in each ;-the second, in columns, enables the reader to discover in which part of the arrangement any chapter or verse of the Bible may be found;the third and fourth contain the tables of the Psalms and Prophecies, showing in what part of the arrangement, and after what passage of Scripture, every psalm or prediction is inserted, and likewise on what occasion and at what period they were probably written, with the authority for their place in the arrangement ;the fifth contains the dates of the events according to DR. HALES'S elaborate system of Chronology, which differs very materially from the Bible-Chronology, or that of Archbishop USHER;-and the sixth is a general Index to the subjects explained or illustrated in the notes.

Such is a brief outline of MR. TOWNSEND's arrangement of the Old Testament, which he modestly offers to the judgment and candour of the Christian World, as designed to assist the student of the Sacred Volume in tracing "that great scheme of Providence,-GOD revealed by omnipotence."

"The visible world," he remarks with equal truth and piety, "so magnificent and so beautiful, is a temple worthy of GOD the CREATOR: the spiritual world, described in the pages of Scripture, is a temple equally worthy of GOD the REDEEMER. Both equally demonstrate the mercy and the love of the same allwise Providence to the bodies and the souls of men. In the privileges and in the certainty of a covenanted redemption, as in the changes of the seasons, tion, every child of ADAM is alike inand other blessings of the visible createrested: and if the researches of science to promote the happiness of the body, or to illustrate the laws and the

harmony of the universe, are regarded with favour, in such a manner it is trusted the present attempt will be received, which is intended to promote the happiness of the soul, and to elucidate the great scheme of ALMIGHTY GOD in the moral government of his world." (Vol. i. p. xxi.)

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Considering the subject in this light, it may be justly said, that every class and description of the readers of Holy Writ is interested in this arrangement of its inspired contents. Gladly, indeed, could quote, from his well-written Introduction, MR. TOWNSEND's account of all the various classes of persons, who will find his volumes singularly useful, in studying the Old Testament: but want of room compels us to restrict our selections to two or three passages, which will point out its utility to the great majority of our readers.

While the learned will find his labours lessened, in ascertaining the meaning of difficult words and pas

sages,

"The unlearned will be more able to comprehend those difficulties of Scripture which originate in an ignorance of the occasion on which a Psalm or Prophecy was written. The passages which seem at first sight to contradict each other, will, by harmonizing the several accounts, be clear and consistent; those innumerable false interpretations of single texts, the chief source perhaps of popular theological misapprehension, will be obviated, by fixing that primary meaning which was intended to be conveyed to the mind of the persons to whom the passage was originally addressed."

"The pious mother of a family who is anxious to lay the foundation of Christian morality, upon Christian principles, and endeavours to make her children acquainted with the wisdom that maketh wise unto salvation,' by engaging their tender minds through the medium of connected annals, will be more able to interest them in the finest volume of all history. Many of the most important parts of the Old Testament are with the utmost difficulty made pleasing to children, who do not, and cannot, at a very early age, perceive the connection, the consistency, and the harmony, that pervades the whole. While their attention is arrested by the beautiful narratives of the sacred volume, they are too often .. embarrassed and confused by the attempts of the anxious parent to explain the connection between the parts of that variety of interesting matter, which makes the Scripture so attractive, as

well as useful. The best foundation of a good education is a knowledge of Scripture; and that knowledge will be acquired with delight, if the child becomes interested in the Bible as a com

plete history. By such an arrangement, therefore, the labour of the parent is lessened, and the child at once interested and improved.

"The students of history, it may be justly supposed, will be particularly interested in an arrangement of the Bible. As the history of the world in general has been called 'philosophy teaching by examples,' the history of the Bible may be called religion teaching by examples. Without this inestimable collec

tion of records there would be no foundation for the ancient history of the world: we should be in utter darkness with respect to the most important questions; we should know nothing of the origin of all things,-the cause of the mixture of good and evil,-the manner in which man began to be, and continues to be the being that he is; we should know nothing of the origin of nations, or by what means the world was overspread; we should be still ignorant of the primitive condition of society in the patriarchal ages, before the corruption of the Postdiluvians had introduced or perfected the incongruous and detestable system of idolatry which characterized Egypt and Greece and Rome, and the whole Pagan world, and which now disgraces the nations of the East in general, and particularly Hindostan. Events which are only hinted at, or referred to in Scripture, are related at length in history. In the arrangement of the narrative of Scripture the student of history may read the prophecies that foretold events; and in the events recorded in history, he will read the accomplishment of those prophecies. History will thus be the commentary on Scripture and on Prophecy; and the influence of religion will be confirmed, while the knowledge of the inquirer is increased. The falsely-called philosophical reader of history, who rejects the notion of a particular Providence in over-ruling the affairs of men, may imagine he can discover adequate causes for the several changes in dominion and power among the ancient monarchies; but he who looks beyond what are called secondary causes perceives that all these powers in their turn were raised up to protect, or to punish, the visible Church of GOD; and that when they had accomplished this object, their pride, their greatness, their pomp, and their glory, were annihilated. The history of the Bible alone acquaints us with the real cause of the origin, the decline, and fall, of all the ancient monarchies; and when that history is arranged in its order, a

clear explanation is given to many obscurities of ancient history, to the plans of Providence in the government of the world, and to the pre-disposing causes which led to the various circumstances connected with the history of the Church. "Nor will an arrangement of the Bible be less useful to the general reader, and to the lover of literature; to that large portion of the community, who, though they have no objection to peruse works of instruction, uniformly prefer those which promise amusement only. It never ought to be said that the Sacred Scriptures are given for our amusement; but while they abound in the most solemn and important lessons on the observance or neglect of which our present as well as future happiness depends, it is equally true that the lover of poetry may elevate his mind, and kindle his imagination, in admiring ideas which no other book contains, in language which the epic or the dramatic power of Greece itself has neither surpassed nor equalled. The literary beauties of the Scriptures considering those Scriptures only as specimens of composition, are superior to all that can be selected from the tenderest, the sublimest, the most admired efforts of human genius. Those only are worthy to be placed near them, the authors of which have wandered on the heights of Sion's hill, and visited the flowery brooks beneath.

Lastly,-"The pious and humble Christian, as a member of the Universal Church, cannot but be interested in that portion of sacred history which is related in the Old Testament; and in perusing it in its historical form, he will be able to perceive more clearly the developement of the plans of Providence. He will there discover in what manner events apparently unconnected all tend in a greater or less degree to the fulfilment of some wonderful events which were previously foretold, but which, at the time when these results were delivered, appeared impossible to be brought about; -he will perceive that all the circumstances recorded in the Scripture tend to one end with as much regularity as the incidents in a regular drama bring about the catastrophe. He will see them combine in one purpose, prove one point, develope one mighty scheme, which was planned in the councils of OMNIPOTENCE, gradually revealed to mankind, and is still in progress among mankind;-he will perceive that the scheme of prophecy has been in great measure surely accomplished, and will be more and more convinced that the remaining prophecies shall be all fulfilled; he will hail the day when the curse shall be removed, the house of Israel restored, and the reign of universal righteousness coin

mence: he will learn to apply to himself the doctrine of a peculiar Providence: he will see that though prophecy and miracle have in one sense been discontinued, though the canon of Scripture be closed, yet the gradual fulfilment of the prophecies it contains, may be regarded as a perpetual miracle, appealing to the hearts and to the consciences of all the generations of mankind. The same unchangeable GoD still governs the world and the church, and orders the events that occur to both according to the purposes of his own will. HE rules over the least as well as the greatest events; and as the beauty of a flower, and the mechanism of an insect, declare the universality of his Providence as loudly and as plainly as the sun in the heavens, or the moon walking in her brightness; so does the declaration of his own immutable Scripture, that not a sparrow falls unpermitted to the ground, convince the Christian who views the stupendous events recorded in his Bible, that he too is not and cannot be unnoticed nor neglected in the government of the universe. Happy is he, who, having a hope full of immortality, through Him who has become the propitiation for the sins of man, reads his own lot in the conduct of GOD towards his Church, and resigned and contented with the present, rejoices in the prospect of the future." (Vol. i. pp. xxixxviii.)

The lengthened notice which we have given of this handsomely printed work, will sufficiently indicate the high opinion we entertain of its utility to all who can afford to purchase it. We need scarcely add that, to Ministers of the Gospel, it is a most important help to a comprehensive knowledge, and to an accurate exposition, of the dispensation of mercy: nor do we know any volumes, among the various books on Biblical Literature, which would constitute a more valuable present from opulent members of our Societies to young Preachers of the Gospel, (whose Library is often, alas! very scantily furnished, from the narrowness of their pecuniary means, with books of solid and sterling merit,) than MR. TOWNSEND's Arrangement of the Old Testament, of which we have now given our favourable opinion, and MR. HORNE's Introduction to the Critical Study of the Holy This last-mentioned Scriptures. Work was briefly recommended in our Select List for January; but we hope to have the pleasure of bringing it more fully before our Readers in our Review for June.

RELIGIOUS,

With occasional Characteristic Notices.

[N.B. The insertion of any article in this List is not to be considered as pledging us to the approbation of its contents, unless it be accompanied by some express notice of our favourable opinion. Nor is the omission of any such notice to be regarded as indicating a contrary opinion; as our limits, and other reasons, impose on us the necessity of selection and brevity.]

Remarks on the Objections to certain Passages in the "Inquiry concerning Necessity and Predestination :' By EDWARD CopPLESTON, D. D. 2s.

Essays on the Theory of the Earth. By M. CUVIER, Secretary to the National Institute of France: with Mineralogical Illustrations by Professor Jameson. 8vo. 12s. 4th Ed. with Additions.-The fourth Edition of this celebrated Essay is said to contain, besides many additional facts respecting the natural history of the Earth, some learned discussions by CUVIER on the newness of the present continents, as confirmed by the history of nations, and on the proofs of the antiquity of nations alleged to be contained in astronomical and other monuments. A Comparative Estimate of Mineral and Mosaical Geologies. By GRANVILLE PENN, Esq. 8vo. 123.

Letter to DR. SOLOMON HIRSCHELL, Chief Rabbi of the German and Polish Jews in London, from the REV. G. HAMILTON, M.A., Rector of Killermogh; showing that the Resurrection of JESUS is as credible as the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, &c. 1s. 6d.

Christian Researches in the Mediterranean, from 1815 to 1820, in furtherance of the Objects of the Church Missionary Society: By the REV. Wм. JOWETT, M.A. 8vo. 10s. with maps.

Sketches of Sermons, preached to Congregations in various Parts of the United Kingdom, and on the Continent. Vols. 1 and 2, 12mo. 4s. each.-Each of these volumes contains fifty outlines of sermons, furnished by their respective Authors. In future it seems intended to publish the work in quarterly parts. As no system has been adopted, every volume or part is, however, complete in itself. The texts chosen are generally important, and the subjects are those of experimental and practical religion. From controversial points which divide those "who hold the head," the authors appear to have wholly abstained. That such publications as the present may be of service, when used judiciously, as helps to pulpit preparation, and not as a substitute for it, we have no doubt; and especially to many local preachers and young ministers." The Sketches are evidently composed by those who aim at promoting the religion of the heart, and, as far as we have examined them,

we have not observed any compromise of the great truths of the gospel. Both in matter and arrangement, they are much superior to those in several former publications of this class.

DR. CHALMERS's Christian and Civic Economy of Large Towns.-No. XI. On Pauperism.

A Treatise on the Sabbath or Illustrations of the Nature, Obligations, Change, Proper Observance, and Spiritual Advantage of that Holy Day. By the REV. JoHN GLEN, of Portobello. 12mo. 58.

Ecclesiastical Sketches in Verse.

W. WORDSWORTH, ESQ. 8vo. 63. 6d.

By

Institutes of Theology; or a concise System of Divinity: with a Reference to the principal Authors under each Article: By ALEXANDER RANKEN, D). D. one of the Ministers of Glasgow. 8vo. 148.

The Christian Ministry; its Ultimate Object and Present Duties: a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, Dec. 9, 1821. By the REV. THOMAS MORTIMER, A. M. 18.We are much pleased with the godly simplicity and affectionate spirit discovered in this sermon on 1 Tim. iv. 16. The Preacher, after a suitable introduction, considers, I. The glorious Object of a Minister's Ambition, viz. (1.) to save himself; and (2.) to save them that hear him: II. The Means by which alone that Object can be realized, viz. (1.) by taking heed unto himself; (2.). by taking heed unto the doctrine; and (3.) by continuing in them. These topics are usefully and practically discussed; but, we own, we think it better, on such occasions as that on which this Sermon was delivered, (the Author's election to the Lectureship of the Parish,) that the Preacher should frankly state his views of Christian Doctrine, at least on essential points, in his own words, rather than merely cite Texts of Scripture and passages of the Articles and Liturgy, without stating in what sense he understands the quotations; because it is notorious, that very opposite interpretations have been given of the same passages. We are satisfied, however, of MR. MORTIMER'S attachment to the leading articles of the Truth as it is in JESUS; and as well-wishers to the common cause of Christianity, we greatly rejoice in the accession of such men to stations of extensive usefulness. 2 N

VOL. I. Third Series. MAY, 1822.

OF GENERAL OCCURRENCES INTERESTING ΤΟ THOSE WHO FEAR

1

GOD, ON

ACCOUNT OF THEIR INFLUENCE ON RELIGION, OR ON PUBLIC MORALS AND HAPPINESS.

(To be continued occasionally.)

No. V.-APPLICATIONS TO THE LORD
CHANCELLOR RESPECTING LORD BY-
RON'S "CAIN," AND LAWRENCE's
"LECTURES."-GUILT OF BEING

ACCESSORY TO THE CIRCULATION OF
MISCHIEVOUS BOOKS.

SOME time ago, an injunction was moved for in the Court of Chancery, on behalf of the publisher of a blasphemous poem by LORD BYRON, entitled " Cain," to restrain another bookseller from publishing a pirated edition of that work, on the ground of his property being thereby invaded, he having purchased the copy-right for the sum, we believe, of 26251. The injunction was refused, on account of the immoral and infidel tendency of the poem. More recently, the same Court has been moved to dissolve an injunction which had been granted against a publisher of LAWRENCE'S "Lectures on Physiology," &c., on the ground of their also containing attacks upon the Holy Scriptures. After an elaborate argument on both sides, the injunction was taken off. The ground on which the LORD CHANCELLOR seemed to rest his judgment, in both cases, was, that in a Christian State, and where Christianity is the law of the land, no man acquires a property in works of this description, and cannot, therefore, come to our courts of law for protection. This is, unquestionably, a sound principle; and it is highly honourable to our Judges, that it has been of late so firmly laid down, and so emphatically stated before the public; and that not merely the inferior offenders have been visited, but that the great culprits, those who make taste and science the media through which to convey the poison, have been told that they are making a market of vice, and that the laws of an insulted country shall not be employed

in their favour, to secure to them the hoped-for wages of their iniquity. Pirated editions, it is true, may be multiplied, unless indeed the works themselves become the subjects of prosecution; but the upholding of the great principle of our jurisprudence, grounded as it is upon Christianity, will more than counterbalance that mischief. Nor is it a matter of small consideration, that it removes from us, as a people, the guilt of such publications, which would have become national, had the laws slept, or had they not thus been disclaimed and reprobated by the authorities of the land. The guilt now lies solely with those who write, and those who encourage, the publications in question.

The freedom of discussion is here not in question. Poetry is not the medium of theological investigation, nor are Lectures on Physiology, Zoology, and the Natural History of Man, delivered to medical students. The introduction of infidel principles, in both cases, is gratuitous; and is a spontaneous attack upon the religion and morals of the nation. It is an attempt not to discuss, but to corrupt, in one instance through the imagination, in the other through "science, falsely so called." Infidelity was equally unnecessary to the occupation of the Poet and of the Lecturer. Poetry needs it not, and medical science is unconnected with it. In both publications there has been, therefore, a stepping out of the way, to accomplish a wicked purpose ;-in one case,to write blasphemies against "GOD, blessed for ever;" in the other, to undermine the hope of an hereafter, as to man.

We think, in fact, that the Noble Poet, and the scientific Lecturer, in point of honesty, fall far beneath the modern herd of the vulgar writers and utterers of infidelity. They shrink

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