Four Discourses on the Sacrifice and Priesthood of Jesus Christ, and the Atonement and Redemption thence accruing: with Supplementary Notes and Illustrations. By John Pye Smith, D.D., F.R.S., Second Edition, enlarged. London: Jackson and Walford, 1842. pp. 367.

12mo.

SOME works are destined to a very different fate from others. It is, however, the distinguished privilege of but a few to acquire a permanent position in the horizon of literature, and to command the high approval of all who are qualified rightly to judge of the subjects of which they treat. There cannot be a doubt, that "The Scripture Testimony to the Messiah," by the amiable and learned author of the work announced at the head of this article, is a production of this order. While the world lasts, it will not fail to be regarded as a full and satisfactory defence of the doctrine of our Lord's deity, and a triumphant refutation of the Socinian heresy. It is impossible to calculate how many minds it has set at rest respecting that glorious doctrine, or to what extent it has given a check to the spread of the heresy in our own and other countries.

We greatly mistake, if these "Four Discourses" will not possess the same degree of celebrity, and produce results equally important with those we have attributed to his former work. For, though it bears little proportion to it in point of size, and cannot be compared with it as to the amount of verbal criticism, yet, so far as perspicuity of statement, soundness of argument, confirmation of truth, and refutation of error are concerned, it may fairly claim an equal share of authority.

Having cleared his way by treating of the nature, origin, and design of sacrifice, Dr. Smith applies the facts and principles elicited from the Scriptures, and other sources, to the work of Christ as a suffering Mediator; the passages, both of the Old and New Testament, which refer to the subject, are taken up and explained; and it is conclusively shown that they are susceptible of no clear or consistent interpretation, except they are viewed as teaching the doctrine of substitutionary or vicarious suffering. The subject of satisfaction is then discussed, and its principles explained and illustrated, and the value of the Redeemer's sacrifice proved to be properly infinite, on account of the Divine nature of him who offered it; and possessing an efficacy truly Divine, glorious to its all-wise and gracious Author, and replete with boundless blessings to mankind.

The Second Discourse, which treats on the Priesthood of Christ, contains very interesting and important elucidations of those parts of Scripture in which the subject is taught, accompanied by appeals to the most approved continental authorities in matters of biblical criticism. To the manner in which the doctrine is handled in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which Dr. Smith unhesitatingly ascribes to the Apostle Paul,

special attention is devoted; and this part of the work is enriched with most valuable extracts from Michaelis, Tittmann, and other eminent biblical scholars.

In the Third Discourse, the great principles involved in the atonement are expounded in the strictest logical order, and in the most forcible manner.

The last Discourse treats of the Redemption effected by our Lord Jesus Christ, which the author shows, from the Scripture phraseology, and from that of profane writers, to mean the payment of a debt or a ransom-price, and the intervention of a power exercised in righte

ousness.

To the whole are appended Notes and Illustrations, filling one hundred and fifty-nine pages of small type, and possessing the highest value in their bearing upon a variety of points handled in the discourses. It is in these, which have been greatly enlarged, that the superior excellence of the present edition of the work consists. We would invite particular attention to note xxii. entitled, "On the Extent of the Atonement". '-a subject on which, in connexion with some others, loose and floating notions obtain in the present day, under the vague name of moderate Calvinism, but which, in reality, are nothing but impregnations of Pelagian and Arminian error. The whole is too long for transcription, but the following extract will be sufficient to give the reader an idea of our author's sentiments.

"For those who intelligently believe in the infinite perfections of God, it is impossible to suppose that there can be anything vague, obscure, or vacillating in his purposes, or in his fore-ordained plans for the execution of those purposes. As little can we doubt that the intention of the Redeemer, and the end contemplated by him as the accomplishment of that intention, are and ever have been in perfect accordance with the designs of the Almighty Father. The intention and the effect, in the operations of infinite wisdom and power, must be in perfect accordance, the one with the other. If all men are not saved, it could not be the intention of God to save all men. To escape from this conclusion, some appear to satisfy themselves with the idea of a general and indefinite design; which is, in fact, but attributing to the Divine Mind the formation of a sketch or mere outline, and that he is actually unacquainted with the minute filling up till the event declares it. It is in another and a prior branch of theological science, that the futility of such reasoning as this is demonstrated. That, therefore, in the work of expiation by the Lord Jesus Christ, the most important and glorious of all the Divine works, there was the absolute and determinate purpose, that the work should avail to the salvation of a certain number of mankind,-is a conclusion evidently unavoidable. Equally also must it be admitted that the personal mind and intention of the Redeemer coincided perfectly with the absolute will of Deity. There could not be discrepance. Most plainly does our Lord, in alternating sentences, affirm both the fixed purpose and the boundless comprehension: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out; for I have come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me; and this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise them up again at the last day; for this is the will of him that sent me, that every one who

seeth [3 Bewpŵr, contemplateth, exerciseth mental vision,] the Son and believeth on him, shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up again at the last day.'—John vi. 37-40. Thus delightfully and wonderfully do the declarations of the Lord Messiah correspond with those of the prophetic picture; All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all.'—Is. liii. 6.

"But this view of the case does not exclude another. The work of Christ for the good of men is to be considered as one great whole. It may have, and probably it has, aspects and influences to an extent of which we have no conception in this our state of feeble and ignorant mortality. We know not what wonders are comprehended under the good pleasure which he purposed in himself, to gather together as under one head [åvanepaλaiwoarea] all things in Christ; both the things in the heavens and those on the earth.'-Eph. i. 10. It is, therefore, in harmony with the grandeur of the Divine plan that the Saviour should be a centre of good to the whole rational universe, and especially the race of man; and in particular that his work should possess that excellency, merit, or value, which warrants the largest assurances of blessing to all and any who are honestly willing to receive it."

We cordially recommend the work to our readers, and may assure them, that they cannot give a more useful present to students, young ministers, and others who may have occasion to make the subjects treated of matter of special investigation.

CURSORY NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE fifth volume of " The Works of William Jay, collected and revised by himself,” is devoted to his charming and most instructive "Memoirs of the Life of the late Rev. Cornelius Winter, with a selection of his letters." This book, which contains, as Dr. Southey has truly said, "the best account of Whitefield," has been out of print for many years, and we are happy that this new edition, with very considerable and interesting additions, is now before the public. Although uniform with his other works, it may be had separately, and those who have never read it, will not, we think, on its perusal, be surprised that it was "the favourite piece of biography" with the late excellent Bishop Jebb. (C. A. Bartlett.)

"Three Lectures: on the Fall of Man; the Atonement; and Divine Influence; recently delivered in Holloway Chapel," Middlesex, are by the Rev. A. J. Morris, ą young minister, who has recently accepted the charge of the Congregational church at that place. He obviously possesses a mind that has felt the full weight of heretical and infidel objections against the great verities of the Bible, and that has thought out, with much earnestness and profound seriousness, the right methods of obviating and refuting them. His style is clear, Scriptural, and pungent, and his sentiments thoroughly evangelical. We cannot doubt, if we may take these lectures as a specimen, but that his ministry will be highly appreciated, and that the Congregational body, in the metropolis, will feel that a valuable accession has been obtained by the election of our young brother to the pastorate at Holloway. (Jackson & Walford.)

Messrs. Roake & Varty have published, in imperial folio, three parts of an elegant and most useful work, entitled " Chronological Pictures of English History, from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria, designed and drawn by John Gilbert." Each part contains five prints, and each print is devoted to the events of one reign.

Besides a medallion portrait of the monarch, and his armorial bearings, there are five compartments devoted to historical events, and two to historical portraits, in each print. The most prominent and picturesque events have been naturally selected, and the personages pourtrayed with a strict regard to the proprieties of costume, which are fully explained in the letter-press key that accompanies each part. The design and drawing are highly creditable to the artist who has sketched them, for they are full of truth and spirit; while as lithographic engravings, they are amongst the most beautiful specimens we have ever seen. We can assure our readers, that they possess great attractions for young people, and will not fail to interest them in that which should precede all other secular knowledge,- an acquaintance with the history of their own country. (Roake & Varty.)

Our amiable brother, the Rev. Thomas Lewis, having last August happily completed forty years of pastoral service at Union Chapel, addressed to his people a discourse, which he has since published, entitled, "A Retrospect of the Moral and Religious State of Islington during the last Forty Years." This interesting sermon abounds with valuable facts and devout sentiments, and is particularly instructive in reference to the accommodating system which prevailed at the period when he entered on his ministry. Then churchmen could scarcely hear the Gospel but from the lips of Nonconformists, and they were happy to induce the Dissenters to forego their prepossessions in favour of free prayer, and to read in public portions of the liturgy. Then Union chapels were in vogue, and many resorted to them to the saving of their souls. But as soon as evangelical preaching could be secured in their parish churches, they grew cold and haughty, and would not even own the existence of the places where they or their fathers first learned to know Christ. This has been remarkably the case in Islington :-nine new churches and chapels have been erected, and all means, open and covert, fair and unfair, have been employed to draw attendants from the Dissenting chapels; but happily in vain. The consequence is plain in the discourse before us, and Mr. Lewis, relieved from the restraints which the presence of Episcopalians might have imposed, boldly declares, “We are brought to the conclusion, that NONCONFORMITY IS OUR DUTY. We dare not connect ourselves with a secular church,- —a church in alliance with the state." Heartily do we rejoice at the avowal, and sincerely trust, that the era of compromise has past, and that while Christian men assiduously cultivate the spirit of love "towards all the holy brethren," they will be valiant for the truth, and for ever eschew the system of expediency which can never be permanently useful, seeing that it is maintained at the sacrifice of principle. (Ward & Co.)

"Mr. John Rogers, formerly of St. John's College, Cambridge," has done the cause of truth no common service by bringing out a third edition of his “ AntiPopery; or, Popery Unreasonable, Unscriptural, and Novel." We say this because he has revised it, and put away his “lingual innovations," which were as prejudicial to his excellent work with many readers, "as flies in a pot of ointment." Many valuable improvements have also been made in the course of his severe and complete revision, and the whole argument is presented to the reader's mind by a beautiful analysis. This edition is published, not at seven-and-sixpence, as the first was, but at half-a-crown; and we trust it will find a place in every vestry library amongst our churches. We can assure heads of families also, that it will supply them with a brief but perspicuous and forcible antidote to the errors and corruptions of Rome. (Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.)

"Poetry of the Seasons, and of the Kingdoms of Nature," is a charming little volume of more than three hundred and thirty pieces of poetry, devoted to the honour of God in his works. They have been selected by a clergyman of the Church of Scotland with equal taste and piety, and will form a cheap and portable companion for the devout lover of nature, in his lonely wanderings.

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

MEMOIRS of the Life of the Rev. John Williams, Missionary to Polynesia. By Ebenezer Prout, of Halstead. With a Portrait and Illustrations. 8vo. London : J. Snow.

Sermons preached in the ordinary course of his Ministry, and chiefly at Manchester. By the late Robert Stephens M'All, L.L.D., with a Portrait. 8vo. London: Jackson & Walford.

Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Edited by William Smith, Ph.D. 8vo. Part I. London: Taylor & Walton.

Strictures on certain portions of Dr. Marshall's late Work on the Atonement. Addressed to the Ministers, Licentiates, and Students of the United Scottish Church in Scotland. By an English Congregational Minister. 8vo. London: J. Gladding. The Vicar's Lantern. Vol. I. 8vo. London: W. Strange.

Millington's Magazine for the Young, containing Original Tales of every Land, and Anecdotes of every Age and Nation. 12mo. Part I. London: R. Tyas.

Memoirs of the Life, Ministry, and Character of the Rev. William Jones, late Wesleyan Minister: with Sketches of his Sermons. By the Rev. Richard Rymer. 12mo. London: Simpkin & Marshall.

The Church of England examined by Scripture and Tradition; in an Answer to Lectures by the Rev. John Venn, of Hereford, on the Christian Ministry. By R. A. Beverley. 8vo. London: R. Groombridge.

Cottage Comforts, with Hints for Promoting them, gleaned from experience, enlivened with Anecdotes. By Esther Copley. Seventeenth Edition, revised and enlarged. 12mo. London: Simpkin & Marshall.

Second Causes; or, Up and be doing. By Charlotte Elizabeth. 12mo. Dublin: Robertson. London: Groombridge.

The New Englander. Part I. 8vo. Boston. London: Wiley & Putnam.
The Hand. The Religious Tract Society.

Readings and Conversations on Church History; especially intended for the Young. By a Grandfather. 12mo. Jackson & Walford.

A Memorial of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as exhibited in the Life and Death of Miss Mary M'Owan, aged sixteen years. By her Father. 12mo. London: J. Mason.

The Sea hath Spoken! A Sermon preached in Ebenezer Chapel, Shadwell. By the Rev. E. E. Adams, M.A., formerly of St. Petersburgh. 8vo. London: J. Snow. The Master and Mistress; or, Hints to the Heads of Families relative to their Servants. 12mo. London: Tract Society.

Expository Lectures on the First Four Chapters of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, &c. By the Rev. W. Blackley, B.A. 12mo. London: Hatchard & Son. Letters and Biography of Felix Neff, Protestant Missionary in Switzerland. Translated from the French of M. Bost. By Margaret Anne Wyatt. With a Portrait. 12mo. London: Seeley & Co.

Judah's Lion. By Charlotte Elizabeth. 12mo. London: Seeley & Co.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

MR. Charles Theodore Jones is preparing for publication a translation of Professor Vinet's Prize Essay, “Essai sur la Manifestation des Convictions Religieuses, et sur la Separation de l'Eglise de l'Etat, envisagée comme Consequence Necessaire, et comme Garantie du Principe."

The Rev. W. Lindsay Alexander, M.A., Edinburgh, will shortly publish a work entitled, “Anglo-Catholicism not Apostolical; being an Inquiry into the Scriptural