have contented themselves with repeating the slanders which his biographer has so triumphantly answered, and with ignoring the existence of the only complete and authentic narrative of his Life ever given to the world.

This was followed by the "LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE," which embraces the era of our ecclesiastical annals immediately succeeding that of Knox, and accomplished for the literary history of Scotland at that period what the other had done for the history of its Reformation. To some, the character and career of Andrew Melville prove more fascinating than even those of his illustrious predecessor.

Subsequently, towards the close of the Author's life, appeared the HISTORY OF THE PROGRESS AND SUPPRESSION OF THE REFORMATION IN ITALY, AND IN SPAIN-two works, in which the fruits of his recondite investigations are rendered subservient to the cause of civil and religious freedom on the Continent. These Histories must be ever valuable, as telling the tale of the brief but bright era during which the beacon-light of the Reformation shone over benighted Italy and Spain, unexpectedly revealing so many striking instances of Christian worth and martyr heroism; while of both of the works it may be well said that the interest, instead of waning, is becoming every day more widely diffused and deeply felt, from the critical position of the two countries in regard to their political prospects.

It is hardly necessary to do more than advert to the "VINDICATION OF THE COVENANTERS," in Dr M'Crie's "Review of the Tales of My Landlord,"-a '—a piece of masterly strength and true eloquence, that has, perhaps, been more extensively read in Scotland, and done more service to the cause which it advocated, than any other production of the same kind.

The republication of these Historical Works, in a cheaper and more popu lar form than any in which they have ever yet appeared, has long been a desideratum with many; and now that several of the works are nearly out of print, it is proposed to issue a NEW AND UNIFORM EDITION of the whole, in a form and at a price which, it is hoped, will bring them within the reach of a larger portion of the reading public than ever obtained access to them before.

In 1825, Dr M'Crie edited "Memoirs of Mr William Veitch and George Brysson, written by themselves." As these do not come properly under the Works of Dr M'Crie, and as they would swell the series beyond what is deemed advisable, it is not intended that they should be included.

Dr M'Crie's high character as a preacher, previously less known, was brought out by the publication of a Volume of his Posthumous SERMONS,

[Prospectus continued on page 4.

JOHN KNOX was born in the year one thousand five hundred and five. The place of his nativity has been disputed. That he was born at Gifford, a village in East Lothian, has long been the prevailing opinion; but some late writers, relying upon popular tradition, have fixed his birthplace at Haddington, the principal town of the county. The house in which he is said to have been born is still shown by the inhabitants, in one of the suburbs of the town called the Gifford-gate. This house, with some adjoining acres of land, continued to be possessed, until about fifty years ago, by a family of the name of Knox, who claimed affinity with the Reformer. I am inclined, however, to prefer the opinion of the oldest and most credible writers, that he was born in the village of Gifford.1

His father was descended from an ancient and respectable family, who possessed the lands of Knock, Ranferly, and Craigends, in the shire of Renfrew. The descendants of this family have been accustomed to enumerate among the honours of their house, that it gave birth to the Scottish Reformer, a bishop of Raphoe, and a bishop of the Isles. At what particular period his paternal ancestors removed from their original seat and settled in Lothian, I have not been able exactly to ascertain. His mother's name was Sinclair.

Obscurity of parentage can reflect no dishonour upon the man who has raised himself to distinction by his virtues and talents. But though our Reformer's parents were neither great nor opulent, the assertion of some writers that they were in poor circumstances, is contradicted by facts. They were able to give their son a liberal education, which, in that age, was far from being common. In his youth he was put to the grammar-school of Haddington; and, after he had acquired the principles of the Latin language, his father sent him, in the year 1521, to the University of Glasgow.5

The state of learning in Scotland at that period, and the progress which it made in the subsequent part of the century, have not been examined with the attention which they deserve, and which has been bestowed on contemporaneous objects of inferior importance. There were unquestionably learned Scotsmen in the early part of the sixteenth century; but most of them owed their chief acquirements to the advantage of a foreign education. Those improvements which the revival of literature had introduced into the schools of Italy and France, were long in reaching the universities of Scotland, though originally formed

left by ti

manuscript, containing Sermons by HowE, akin to his other Phey we never before been published. Suffice it to say, in support of the

>s.

ESSF

which has met with a large measure of public favour, and a new edition has been loudly demanded.

A few Notes, supplied by his own pen, or suggested by later sources, may be added; but, in general, it has been deemed advisable to confine the Editorial labour to a careful superintendence of the press, so that the public may receive the Works of Dr M'Crie exactly as they passed from his own hands.

The Works will be issued in EIGHT PARTS, Quarterly, price Two SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE; to form FOUR VOLUMES, as follows:

Vol. L.-THE LIFE OF JOHN KNOX. Containing Illustrations of the History of the Reformation in Scotland, with Biographical Notices of the Principal Reformers, and Sketches of Litera ture in Scotland during the Seventeenth Century. In Two Parts.

Vol. II. THE LIFE OF ANDREW MELVILLE. Containing Illustrations of the Ecclesiastical and Literary History of Scotland during the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. In Two Parts.

Vol. III.-HISTORY OF THE PROGRESS AND SUPPRESSION OF THE REFORMATION IN ITALY, during the Sixteenth Century. In One Part.

HISTORY OF THE PROGRESS AND SUPPRESSION OF THE
REFORMATION IN SPAIN, during the Sixteenth Century.
In One Part.

Vol. IV.-SERMONS. In One Part.

REVIEW OF TALES OF MY LANDLORD, DISCOURSES ON
UNITY, &c. In One Part.

THE FIRST PART WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MAY.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS, EDINBURGH AND LONDON.

ORDERS RECEIVED BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.

PROSPECTUS OF A NEW EDITION

OF THE

WORKS OF THE REV. JOHN HOWE, A.M.,

INCLUDING SEVERAL WORKS NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED;
AND A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR BY HENRY ROGERS,

CAREFULLY REVISED FOR THIS EDITION.

IN NINE VOLUMES DEMY OCTAVO.

EDITED BY THE REV. DR GOOLD, EDINBURGH.

MESSES JOHNSTONE & HUNTER, encouraged by the singular favour with which the works Dr Joux OWEN have been received, beg to announce their intention of continuing "THE STANRD LIBRARY OF BRITISH DIVINES." They propose to issue now an improved and complete edition the Works of JOHN HOWE, and they have reason to believe that this proposal will be hailed with ely satisfaction by the most of that large constituency of Subscribers, to whose steady support ity are indebted for the means by which they have been enabled to supply a perfect and elegant tion of the works of his great compeer, OWEN. The following reasons justify them in the selecwhich they have made:—

No such Standard Library of Theological Classics, as is contemplated in this Series, could be deemed complete, unless it included the Works of HowE. The rare originality, the eminent suggestiveness, the elevated spirituality, and the eloquence, truly sublime, by which all his writings are characterised, have secured for him, by universal consent, a place second to none is among the great names of British Theological Literature. "As a minister," says Robert Hall, "I have derived more benefit from the works of Howe, than from those of all other divines put together. There is an astonishing magnificence in his conceptions. . . . . He is distinguished by calmness, self-possession, majesty, and comprehensiveness." It was felt therefore, that, at one time or other, an Edition of his Works must be given in order to fulfil the design of the Standard Library of British Divines, namely, to supply their Works in a form at once elegant and accurate, and nevertheless unprecedentedly cheap.

The comparative frequency with which the Works of Howe have been printed indicates a demand for them. The more important of these editions deserve commendation. The folio edition of 1724, in 2 vols., is according to the best style of publishing at that time, and contains prefixed to it the valuable Life of the Author, by Calamy, but does not include his Posthumous Works. The edition by Mr Hunt of Chichester, in 8 vols., 1810-22, must be long since out of print. The one published by Mr Bohn, in a single large volume, is as satisfactory as the small type necessarily employed to condense so much matter into a small space will allow. The edition by Mr Hewlett, in 3 vols., 1848, embracing the works published by HOWE during his lifetime, has been While it is believed that the excellence of the best of these editions LOND prepared with great care. may be fully equalled, and in some respects decided improvements introduced, the number of them illustrates how indispensable to any respectable library of Christian Literature must be the valuable productions of this great Divine.

The demand for them still continues, and is urgent. In response to an inquiry addressed by the Publishers to the Subscribers to the STANDARD LIBRARY, with a view of ascertaining what author they would wish to follow OWEN, by a majority of several hundreds the Works of HowE were preferred, and that with an importunity which really left the Publishers no room for hesitation.

at an important circumstance, apart altogether from these considerations, served to bring to this decision. They have been enabled to make a purchase of two large quarto vol manuscript, containing Sermons by HowE, akin to his other Posthumous Works, wh.. never before been published. Suffice it to say, in support of the genuine and authentic cha

ment of Dr Leifchild, Dr Redford, and Mr H. Rogers, as valid and conclusive.

5. Moreover, the Publishers have succeeded in purchasing the valuable LIFE OF HOWE, by the last of these gentlemen. It has been carefully revised and corrected by the author. Embodying all that is of value in Calamy's Life, it contains the fullest and best critique on the different works of HOWE anywhere to be found.

The Publishers feel that they need only refer to their edition of OWEN in illustration of the character which they would wish the forthcoming edition of Howe to sustain. It will be marked by the same improvements, and appear under the same editorial care. There will be the same careful revision of the text, a decided amendment of the punctuation, similar care in the arrangement, of the treatises, and a set of copious Indices, such as have never accompanied any previous edition. All quotations of importance, and the references to Scripture, will be verified. The volumes will be embellished with a Portrait in the best style of art.

It is estimated that all the works of Howe, when published, including those to be given to the world for the first time, may be comprised in Nine Volumes, each containing about 550 pages; which, to lessen the cost of transmission, it is proposed shall be sent out in two issues.

The plan of publication by Subscription having been found to present so many advantages to Subscribers in the issuing of OWEN's Works, will be adopted also in the publication of Howe's Works.

The Subscription to those giving in their names to the Publishers on or before 1st June 1845, for the whole Nine Volumes, will be £2, 7s. 6d.,-ONE GUINEA (218.) to be paid on entering the names of Subscribers, and the balance (£1, 6s. Cd.) payable twelve months thereafter,—say, 1st June 1856.

To Non-Subscribers the price will be £3, 3s.

Intending Subscribers will please observe that the Publishers do not propose to give merely a reprint of former Editions, but have expended a large sum (nearly £300) in new Copyrights, independently of Editorial expenses. Notwithstanding these heavy expenses, the Publishers are very desirous that this should be a cheap edition, and have fixed the Subscription so low as £2, 78. 6d at present, being at the rate of 21s. for four volumes. Should, however, the number of Subscribe at all approximate to the number of Subscribers for OWEN, or even amount to 2000, be the volumes are put to press,-say 1st August next,-the second year's payment will be only One Guinea, instead of £1, 6s. 6d., as above mentioned. The Publishers trust this prospective reducti ill induce Subscribers to recommend the Scheme to their friends.

To the success of the scheme, a prompt transmission of Subscribers' Names is most essentia. onsidering the liberal terms on which a Work of such magnitude and worth is offered to th blic, and the large sum to be expended in bringing it out, Messrs JOHNSTONE & HUNTER would faz ticipate warm and ready encouragement in this great undertaking.

EDINBURGH, 104 HIGH STREET,

February 15, 1855.

more full Prospectus, with a List of the Works to be contained in this Edition, may be obtained in application to the Publishers.

16 vols. demy 8vo, with PORTRAIT, &c., cloth, price £3, 13s. 6d., scellaneous Works of the Rev. Dr John Owen, contain ing several Pieces never before published. Edited by the Rev. Dr GOOLD.

In Course of Publication, uniform with the above,

* 8 vols. (^_hich 5 vols. are already issued), demy 8vo, Price to Subscribers, £2, 284

the Epistle to the Hebrews," "Theologou

nons never before published. Edited by the Rev. Dr GOOLD