BERNARD ON THE PROGRESS OF DOCTRINE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.*-This small volume, which is introduced to the American public by Dr. Hovey, of the Theological Institution at Newton, is one that cannot fail to interest all who will read it. The author endeavors to prove that there is a progressive scheme in doctrine in the New Testament, which is clearly traceable through all the successive books. Commencing with the Gospels, he shows that they include, indeed, the substance of all Christian teaching, but that they present only the beginnings, which were plainly designed to be completed and brought to perfection afterwards. This completion, according to the declaration of Christ himself, was only to be accomplished after his own departure from this world, and after the coming of the Spirit who should enlighten his disciples beyond the possibilities of the earlier time. In the Acts the system is carried on to a further development-the book everywhere giving evidence of the personal guidance of the Lord Jesus, as well in the special interventions which are recorded as in the instructions which are given to the Apostles through the Holy Ghost. Even yet, however, the doctrine is presented only in outline, and rather in its external bearing as designed for those who are outside of the believing body. The Epistles add the unfolding of the truth within the Church itself-the teaching of the Spirit to the Christian soul for the growth of its own individual and inmost life. And finally the Apocalypse, looking beyond the single believer, opens to view the destiny and victory of the whole body of the Lord's people. Such, in briefest outline, is the plan of the volume, but the development of the plan, in which lies a large portion of the interest and force of the author's thoughts, can hardly be set forth in a notice of this kind. We can only say that the argument is carried forward with much skill, and with great clearness, and that the style is such as to bear the reader along easily and pleasantly. As giving the evidence of the unity of plan and of the Divine direction in all the various writings of the Evangelists and Apostles it will be highly valued, and should be widely read.

*The Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament: Considered in Eight Lectures, delivered before the University of Oxford, on the Bampton Foundation. By THOMAS DeHany Bernard, M. A., of Exeter College, and Rector of Walcott, From the Second London Edition, with Improvements. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1867. 12mo. pp. 258.

THE REDEEMER.*-The author of this book informs us, in the preface, that its chapters "are not sermons," but that the preparation of them was occasioned by preaching a series of sermons on the subject discussed in them. This fact will account for some of the peculiarities of style, which are more adapted for hearers than for readers, as well as for the manner in which the argument is carried forward. It is not so much a scientific treatise, as an earnest setting forth of Jesus Christ as fulfilling all the promises and preparations of the Old Dispensation, and all the demands of the human soul for a Saviour and deliverer from the power of sin. It is well-timed in its appearance, and by the vigor of its thought, and the depth of its Christian sentiment must be of much service to those who would know the truth. The American Tract Society have wisely included it among their publications, offering it thus to many minds as a help and defense amid the doubts and dangers of the time.

ISAAC TAYLOR'S RESTORATION OF BELIEF.t-No English writer has, in our opinion, so well understood, and so ably met the AntiChristian tendencies of his own country as Isaac Taylor. Long before these tendencies had begun to be expressed in writing, or had attracted public attention, while Churchmen and Dissenters were occupied with matters exclusively practical, or contemptibly frivolous, this sagacious interpreter of the tendencies of the times foresaw the appearance of the New Infidelity, and expressed himself in no doubtful terms as to the reforms in Christian Theology and Scriptural Interpretation which would be required to make successful headway against this infidelity when it should take the field. When it appeared in form and in fact, his criticisms and replies were always timely and able, and were distinguished above all others by their profound philosophy, their candid temper, their thoroughly tolerant spirit, as well as by the complete independence of their author of the trammels of sect or tradition. The Restoration of Belief is, perhaps, the most important and the ablest of this class of his writings. We rejoice that it is republished in a new and revised edition, and in a better form

* The Redeemer; a Sketch of the History of Redemption. By EDMOND DE PRESSENSE. Translated from the French Edition by Rev. J. H. MYERS, D. D. Published by the American Tract Society, Boston. 1867. 12mo. pp. 412.

The Restoration of Belief. By ISAAC TAYLOR. A new Edition. Revised, with an additional section. Boston: E. P. Dutton & Co. 1867.

than before. The additional section is a discussion of Renan's "Life of Christ," which is of itself worth the price of the volume for its sagacity and power, softened by the noblest Christian charity.

LANGE'S CRITICAL, DOCTRINAL, AND HOMILETICAL COMMENTARY, VOL. IX., EPISTLES OF JAMES, PETER, JOHN, AND JUDE.*— The most recently published volume of this work, translated and edited by Dr. Mombert of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will be more heartily welcomed, we think, even than those which have preceded it, because it supplies a want which has been widely felt-the want of a commentary on the Catholic Epistles, written from the standpoint of modern investigation, and presenting the views and criticisms of a scholarly mind. As supplying this want we cheerfully commend it, not only to all persons who are already familiar with and appreciative of the volumes on the Gospels and the Acts, but also to those who feel unable to purchase the entire work, and yet are desirous of possessing something of value upon this portion of the New Testament. The editor has devoted much time to his task-more than three years, as he tells us-and he seems to have accomplished it with success. In the more important points, where he differs from Dr. Lange and his associates, he presents briefly his own view with his reasons, and refers to other prominent writers, yet, at the same time, he does not go beyond the proper limits of an editor, and of the plan on which the American translation is carried forward. Especially in the Homiletical part he has made considerable additions, referring to many English authors. The successive portions of this large Commentary are now appearing as rapidly as could be desired, and we are sure that the translators and publishers must be encouraged in their labors by the reception given to each new volume by the theological and religious public.

* A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures; Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical, with Special reference to Ministers and Students. By JOHN PETER Lange, D. D., in connection with a number of eminent European Divines. Translated from the German, and edited with additions, original and selected, by PHILIP SCHAFF, D. D., in connection with American Divines of various Evangelical Denomination. Vol. IX., of the New Testament; containing the Epistles General of James, Peter, John, and Jude. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. 1867.

THE THEOLOGY OF THE GREEK POETS.*-This book consists of six Articles, which have been published before in different Quarterlies. The first two, making more than one third of the book, have nothing to do with the "Theology of the Greek Poets." Indeed, this title is open to another, more serious, objection, namely, that it makes a promise which is not fulfilled. The book is far from giving a complete view of the subject which its title proposes. It contains no account of the theology to be found in Hesiod, Pindar, Aristophanes, not to mention the earlier, less known, poets, and the reasons given in the preface for omitting all reference to Euripides seem hardly sufficient.

With the first essay, entitled "The Head of the Church, Head over all Things," we have nothing to do here. The second, on the "Homeric Question," is a fair presentation of what can be said in favor of the unity of authorship of the Iliad and Odyssey. It does not do justice to the arguments on the other side, and will fail to convince those who know them. Much of the reasoning shows the common error of applying to the Homeric poems analogies drawn from later and widely different periods of literature. Examples of this are the comparison with Chaucer on p. 85, with Virgil on p. 86, with English poets on p. 103. Then follows a chapter on the Homeric doctrine of the gods, then one on the Homeric doctrine of sin, and two others, on the theology of Eschylus and of Sophocles, finish the book. These are all interesting and valuable, especially the last, which sketches happily the story of each of the plays of Sophocles. There is some repetition and want of system in the essays, arising perhaps from their having been published separately and in a different order from the natural one of their subjects. They may be also criticised as failing here and there in accuracy and in clear methodical statement, and sometimes the desire to find Christian ideas in the Greek poets leads the author to unwarranted inferences. But, on the whole, there is, so far as we know, no better presentation of the subject in English.

*The Theology of the Greek Poets. By W. S. TYLER, Williston Professor of Greek in Amherst College. Boston: Draper & Halliday. 1867. 12mo., pp. 365.

CURTISS ON INSPIRATION.*—This is a conscientiously written book, which gives the results of a somewhat long-continued course of honest and anxious inquiry. The author once received the stricter views of Inspiration, but was first led to question their validity by the occurrence of special difficulties, and finally brought to an entirely different theory of the relation of the Human and the Divine Elements in the composition of the Sacred volume. The object of the present volume is in part to explain the process by which he was led to change his views so materially; in part to unfold the difficulties which stand in the way of the doctrine of plenary or verbal inspiration; in part to give the history of opinions upon the subject, and a conspectus of the several theories held during the present century by leading Protestant writers; and in part to discuss the doctrine of the New Testament in respect to the inspiration of both Scriptures.

Several other topics incidental to his principal theme, as Authority in Religion; The Christian Idea of the Paraclete; The New Testament Canon, and some others, are carefully considered. The book is eminently adapted to the times, and the author deserves great credit for the frank expression of the views which he entertains, and for the earnest Christian spirit in which he writes. We are confident that his work will meet the wants of very many persons who labor under the same difficulties with himself, and that it cannot but be very useful. We wish that the work were more methodical, more philosophical, and more scholarly. Some statements need to be more guarded, but we welcome the work as opening in an unobjectionable manner and spirit the discussion of a most important series of topics which no considerations can or ought to repress. The interests of truth and of spiritual and supernatural Christianity are hindered more than is generally believed, by the timid, superficial, and traditional treatment of this subject, which is so generally sanctioned and encouraged. There are other evils which deserve to be feared infinitely more than exposure to the suspicion of rationalistic tendencies.

PROFESSOR PARSON'S "DEUS HOмo."-This work contains not

The Human Element in the Inspiration of the Sacred Scriptures. By T. J. CURTISS, D. D., late Professor of Theology in the University of Lewisburg, Pa. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1867. 12mo. pp. 386.

+ Deus Homo: God-Man. By THEOPHILUS PARSONS. Chicago: E. B. Myers & Chandler. 1867.