tical polity vehemently assailed with new weapons by two great religious parties, alike confident, arrogant and exclusive in their pretensions, the Episcopal Tractarians of the Church of England on the one side, and on the other the Congregational Independents, stirred up to new polemical vitality under the leadership of Dr. Wardlaw, his old ally in the voluntary war. On these accounts "the Lectures on Theology," though in many respects excellent, and calculated for permanent usefulness, do not entirely meet the wants of the present day; and students in theology as well as others who take an interest in theological questions, must have recourse for information and guidance to more recent authors. Unfortunately, we have at present no single author in our language who occupies the whole of this extensive field; and there are parts of it which are as yet almost entirely uncultivated. What we want therefore is a ripe and accomplished theologian, fit to undertake this task; and it is a task which might be accomplished, either by an original work drawn from Foreign as well as British sources, or by a new edition of the theological lectures of Hill or Dick, with ample additional notes and illustrations, fully exhibiting the present state of theological science, and meeting the forms of infidelity which are most prevalent in the present day. The weapons which in the last age did good service in the cause of divine truth, must in this, though not laid aside, be supplemented by others better suited to the tactics of its new assailants; and these are a multitudinous host, wearing every variety of uniform, from the cloak of the philosopher, to the gown of the divine. Hence to arm our young theologians-the hopes of the Church -against them, we require new Hills and new Dicks to methodize and digest into new systematic courses of lectures, the labours of new Horsleys, Paleys, and Magees.

Though from the causes to which we have thus adverted, the more elaborate productions of Dr. Dick must soon be superseded by others, we can anticipate for his "Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles," a much more prosperous and lengthened career. Even in them there are statements in which we cannot concur; and the author, we doubt not, would have withdrawn or modified them, if acquainted with the results of that historical criticism which recent writers have applied to the illustration of this portion of the sacred writings. Their value, however, depends not on little critical niceties. Their great charm lies in the succession of topics of great and permanent interest, by which they engage the mind of the reader; and the rare combination of piety, talent, and taste, with which these are severally discussed and practically improved. And as they are topics about most of which all denominations of evangelical Christians are substantially agreed, we can anticipate no such revolution in the opinions or tastes of the religious public, as to lead to their being thrown aside, as no

Might we venture to recommend to that able theologian, Professor Hill of Glasgow University, the publication of a new edition, with such addenda as we have suggested, of his venerable father's admirable Lectures on Divinity? We know none who could perform this important task in a more satisfactory way; and to him, the labour of executing it would be a labour of love.

longer edifying or attractive. Clear without being superficial, elegant yet plain and simple, thoroughly sound in doctrine, and animated by a glow of chastened yet deep and fervent piety, the theologian, the man of taste, and the practical Christian, will all rise from their perusal gratified, instructed, and improved. We can recommend them more especially to preachers and young ministers, as among the best models in our language of a style of pulpit instruction in which Scottish divines peculiarly excel; and which cannot be too assiduously cultivated by pastors who would feed the understandings of their flocks, as well as their feelings and affections. To sermons strictly so called, or discourses on short texts, we attach vast importance. When properly constructed, they afford the preacher peculiar facilities for placing fully before his hearers any particular doctrine or duty to which he may wish to call their attention; for exhibiting it with copious illustrations, in all its varied aspects and relations; and for carrying home the practical lessons it suggests, with warm and close appeals to their hearts and consciences. Still, from the very narrowness of the ground which he thus occupies, he cannot rightly fulfil the purposes of the ministry, if he occupy it always. Almost every preacher has his favourite topics on which he loves to expatiate, without sufficiently weighing their relative importance in the scheme of scriptural truth; and when he confines his pulpit ministrations exclusively to sermons, there is a risk of his omitting or throwing into the background truths of equal importance with those to which he gives prominence. The best and the most satisfactory corrective of every evil of this description is to join to the sermon the expository and practical lecture. Here, if the several topics introduced, are somewhat briefly handled, they are richly varied. Their variety, while it keeps the attention of the hearers awake, imparts to them instruction in history, geography, biblical antiquities, and various other matters, extremely useful for training them to the intelligent perusal of the word of God. And when some particular portion of that word,-a gospel, for instance, or an epistle -is regularly gone over in consecutive lectures, and the instructions which it yields come forth as the obvious and unforced suggestions of the several passages expounded, many a truth can thus be stated and enforced without offence, which captious hearers would resent as personal reflections, if deduced from a text which came less casually in the preacher's way. In the Lectures, too, the leading doctrines and duties of the Gospel, if more rapidly glanced at, pass more frequently under review; and important truths find their way in a compressed shape, and without embarrassing appendages, into the minds of many, who are not fitted either by their habits or their education for following a chain of reasoning or a body of extended illustrations. With these convictions, we rejoice to see a third edition of these valuable "Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles." From their superior literary as well as theological merit, we have every confidence that their spirited publishers will be rewarded by a large and remunerating sale. A volume of this description cannot be judged of by extracts; as its value arises not from the brilliancy or the originality of particular pas

sages, but from its beautiful and finished workmanship, as a harmonious whole. We, therefore, conclude our brief notice of it, by simply quoting the modest, graceful, and appropriate paragraphs which form the introduction to the opening Lecture:

"We are prompted by curiosity to inquire into the origin of nations, to trace their progress from rudeness to refinement, and to mark the steps by which they rose to eminence in power, in wealth, and in knowledge. To these subjects the researches of profane history are directed; and while its pages communicate instruction and entertainment to every reader, they particularly engage the attention of the statesman, who derives from them a more extensive acquaintance with mankind, and is enabled to add to his experience the accumulated wisdom of ages.

"To a Christian the history of the church must appear more worthy of notice than the revolutions of empire. A society, towards which Providence has, in all ages, exercised a particular care, presents an interesting object of inquiry; and must exhibit, in the detail of events, admirable proofs of the power, and wisdom, and goodness of God. Its history is the history of religion; of the accomplishment of a long series of prophecies; of the execution of a scheme, to which all the other parts of the divine administration are subservient.

"The early periods of the history of nations are generally enveloped in fable; and, although the truth could be discovered through the veil which conceals it, would, for the most part, present little that is worthy to be known. The human race may be considered as then in a state of infancy. Their ideas are few and gross, their manners are barbarous, and their knowledge of arts is confined to some simple operations, performed without elegance or skill. The history of the first age of the christian Church is more instructive and engaging than that of any subsequent period. It is splendid, because it is miraculous; it is edifying, as it records many noble examples of faith, charity, patience, and zeal; it arrests the attention and touches the heart, by displaying the triumph of the gospel over the combined malice and wisdom of the world.

"As a record of the Acts, or proceedings of the Apostles, in collecting and modelling the church, this book forms a valuable portion of scripture. It contains information upon subjects of great importance; the miraculous manner in which those simple and unlettered men were qualified for their arduous work; the means by which the church was founded, and rose to a holy temple in the Lord; the rapidity with which the gospel was propagated; the opposition which was made to it by Jews and Gentiles; and the causes to which its unexampled success should be ascribed. The narrative is written in a plain and artless manner; and our pleasure in perusing it suffers no abatement from the suspicion of misinformation, or partiality in the writer.

"The historian, as we learn from the introductory verses, was the same person who published the Gospel, which, from the earliest ages, has been uniformly attributed to Luke. He was alive during the events which he records, was an eye-witness of many of them, and inquired, we may believe, into the rest with the same diligence which he used in compiling his Gospel. Although he was not one of the apostles, yet he lived in habits of intimate correspondence with them; and the church has, from the beginning, received his writings as of equal authority with theirs.

"I purpose to deliver a conrse of Lectures on some passages of this book, selecting such as relate the more remarkable events in the history of the primitive church. Of those passages it is not my intention to give a minuto

explanation, but to illustrate the principal topics, and to deduce such instructions as they seem to suggest. Conformably to this plan, I shall at this time confine your attention to three points, to which the verses now read have a reference: the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead; his last interview with his disciples; and his ascension to heaven."

DEAR SIR,

TO THE EDITOR.

Epistles are rare in your Journal, for they are voices from the depths of obscurity, which it is wise to disregard. Their intrusion, generally, has no good plea, and is not compensated by any cleverness or intelligence. "Constant readers, &c." instead of troubling you, should contentedly explode their remarks at the fireside, or transmit them-for her edification-to some ancient and patient aunt, who may prove her love for her neighbours, by favouring them also with a perusal of the communication, and thus the incontinent men might be satisfied.

In the last number of your Journal, there is a letter from some individual, who complains of the paper written by me, some time ago, on the Millennium, and who prudently declines to refute it. He avowedly leaves my views and proofs out of consideration, and proceeds to a fanatical raving forth of his own, which he complacently regards as having established by the frequent use of the phrase" it is perfectly certain." His mathematical reasoning consists entirely-and has both its beginning, middle, and end-in the triumphant letters Q. E. D. It is demonstrated, quoth he, without having given one jot of proof: and with the words "it is certain"-he boldly walks through his subject, as if on a pavement of solid adamant. But the man who should attempt to follow or pursue, would find himself amid trackless fields of air. The writer has not laid down the merest fragment or semblance of an argument; and it would be excessive courtesy in me to suppose him possessed of any logic. His production has a painful appearance of imbecility, and, without forming an extravagant estimate of myself, I feel that I am entitled to a more able opponent than a mental phantom. Will he understand any other mode of reasoning than bare and gratuitous assertion? In playfulness, I shall first try him with his own method. Well then; "it is certain," that he is ignorant of the subject on which he writes. "It is certain also," that he has adopted a wrong view of that subject. "It is perfectly and demonstrably certain," that until he study it, he will never become more intelligent or sound. "It is a historical fact," that he is the weakest defender of the Millennarian theory, and that Dr. Candlish, even when hard-pressed, will not put him in his quiver. "Now, who does not see" this?"No intelligent man who will give the subject due consideration, can doubt" this.

1

"Now who does not see, who, I say, is so blind as not to see" the truth of all this?

Dear Sir, I have thus settled the man, just as he settled the Millennarian question; and I hope that he feels himself convinced. It is highly refreshing and delightful to get rid of an opponent or of a subject in this easy way. I lay down my pen here for a few moments, to rub my hands together in ecstacy of triumph.

But to resume, and in earnest :-I shall merely make a few brief notes upon the substance of this writer's ridiculous communication.

1. He vastly overrates the importance of the Millennarian question. Neither of the two contested views is worthy of being called a damnable heresy nor a glorious Gospel. The grand essence of Christianity is not affected by either of the two theories. Whether Christ is to reign personally and locally, or by means of his Spirit, upon the earth, before and during the Millennium; and whether or not this earth is to be changed into the eternal residence of saints, these are matters in which a highly intellectual Christian, given to the sublime and all-fascinating speculations which religion suggests, will not take the profoundest interest, whilst an humble Christian may remain undecided about them, without much guilt or loss of spiritual comfort. Yet this writer is as vehement and thundering as if he had been maintaining the vital doctrine of justification by faith, and from his manner I have been led to muse upon the fiery zeal which your Non-Intrusion friends displayed for what they blasphemously termed the cause of Christ's crown and covenant. He characterizes the opinion that Christ will not come to earth before the Millennium-in terms fit only to be applied to the most monstrous and dangerous error; it is "the heresy of the apostacy," and "the very root of error, out of which the whole corrupt system of the mystery of iniquity of Romanism took its rise." Even if he had established his own theory, nothing could have warranted him to take such an awfully serious and sublimely black view of the opposing one. must possess a mind which magnifies subordinate, and reduces important matters, ere he could have affirmed, "The subject is so important, that with the evidence before him, no Christian can safely or innocently remain for a single day in doubt or indecision upon the subject." It is a pity, I must say, that a theme of such transcendent character and meaning should have met with the silliest possible expounder. His view of its grandeur should have imposed total silence upon himself, though, to be sure, when prophets have been erroneous, a voice-not exactly human-though mortal, has brayed out the truth. He even threatens those Christians who do not adopt his views, with "death, mourning, and famine;" and predicts that they "shall be utterly burned with fire"-a destiny which, if he were wise, he would, without delay, award to all the compositions of his brain, and no reader would call him to account for his cruelty. He declares that the common theory of Christendom, concerning the Millennium, "annihilates the hope of the Gospel, and confuses and confounds the whole plan of Revelation." Then, of course, for many centuries, in every church, the "hope of the Gospel," HAS been annihilated! From every pulpit in Scotland, with