while a pious reader finds the point and smartness of the style its lowest recommendation. But there is not a little prolixity in the style, there is some repetition, and now and then there is something of grossness. It is, besides, of bulk far too large for the duodecimo readers of this degenerate day, and we should be very glad to see it submitted to a judicious retrenchment.

It is due to the publishers of Leighton's complete works, to notice the very great pains which have been taken in the present edition, to restore the text to a proper state. The punctuation of the previous edition was execrable, and there were numerous and important errors. In many cases, the division of the sentences, as left by Dr. Doddridge, is stated to have been palpably erroneous; and on collating his edition with the original edition of 1693, the Archbishop's meaning appeared to have been in some instances mistaken, and, in others, his expressions unnecessarily altered. This, to any one who has examined that edition, will not appear surprising, since the task of correction must have been perplexing and endless, and the meaning in some passages could only be guessed at. Some errors are still left in the Greek quotations in the Theological Lectures, but these might well be altogether omitted in the translation. It is, on the whole, by far the best and most accurate form in which the works have yet appeared. We are glad to observe that the corrected text has been followed by Mr. Bradley.

Art. V. 1. An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. By Thomas Hartwell Horne, M.A. Second Edition, revised, corrected, and enlarged. Illustrated with numerous Maps, and Fac-Similes of Biblical Manuscripts. 8vo. 4 vols. pp. 2986. Price 31. 3s. London. 1821.

2. Supplement to the First Edition of the Introduction. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 883. Price 18s.

THE

HE former edition of this invaluable work was noticed with the commendation due to its merits, in the eleventh volume of our Journal.* With that notice we should have satisfied ourselves, nor have deviated from our usual course with regard to reprints, had the present publication comprised nothing more than some slight alterations in the Author's plan, or some scanty additions to the contents of his work. But the work has received so many additions, and the materials by which it is enlarged are of so much value, that we should not be either doing justice to Mr. Horne, or consulting our own reputation, were we to withhold from our readers a report of the "Introduction" in the form in which it now makes its appearance. The Author's object is so entirely in unison with the design of the Eclectic Re

* Eclectic Rev. Vol. XI. N.S. pp. 21; 182. (Jan. & Feb. 1819,)

'view, and his solicitude to meet the wants of Biblical students' is so manifest in the unsparing labour and expense which have been employed in bringing the work to its present state of excellence, that we feel truly gratified in the opportunity of renewing our attentions to Mr. Horne's volumes. The arrangement is very considerably altered and improved, and the additions throughout the work are almost numberless, and of considerable importance.

In the former edition of this Introduction, the Evidences of Revealed Religion were given in a concise manner: in the present, they are stated at considerable length, and occupy a place -in the leading divisions of the work. The first volume is entirely devoted to this subject, and contains a Critical Inquiry into the genuineness, authenticity, uncorrupted preservation, and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. For this copious enlargement of his plan, the Author will not fail to receive the thanks of those persons whose benefit he has most providently consulted in the full and orderly view which he has given of the proofs and arguments which support the cause of Revelation. Nothing can be of higher consideration to a reader of the Bible, especially to a Christian instructor, than the evidences of the Divine origin and authority of the Sacred Volume;-not altogether in respect to the conviction and confidence of his own mind, for a firm persuasion of the truth of Revelation may be the result of even a very limited acquaintance with those evidences, but as he may be required to assist sincere inquirers in their endeavours to overcome the difficulties which impede their progress in the attainment of truth, or to resist the opposition of unbelievers. In these cases, respectively, he will not be qualified to render effective aid to those whose interests he should be ever prompt to serve, while his views are limited to the means of his own conviction in his personal recollections. It is essential, that he should understand the causes of hesitation at which good men may often be found to pause in their inquiries, and the alleged reasons on which the claims of the Bible are resisted by the various objectors to its authority. It is of prime importance, as well in regard to his own credit, as in respect to the cause which he is bound to support, that the Biblical student should not be taken by surprise in the discussion of the leading questions between the advocates and the opposers of the Bible. For his use, the ample collection of topics and arguments in this volume is prepared; and he who follows the Author in his investigations of the several testimonies produced, and properly digests the varied instruction which is here supplied, will be well prepared to repel the objections of his unbelieving adversaries, and to obviate the difficulties which may be suggested by other persons in the course of their religious inquiries. The example, too, which Mr. Horne exhibits, it will be wise in the readers of his

work to imitate. To flippant sarcasm or contemptuous invective, no answer should be given by an advocate of the Bible. Honest prejudice or sober doubt may properly claim his attentions; misrepresentations he should detect and expose; to falsehood he should oppose facts and the illustrations of truth; and in all his discussions, he should invariably maintain the sanctity which belongs to the cause which he defends.

The contents of this volume are as follow: Chap. I. On the Necessity of a Divine Revelation. Chap. II. On the Genuineness and Authenticity of the Old and New Testaments; including External Proofs, Internal Evidence, the consideration of Objections, and the uncorrupted Preservation of the Books of the Old and New Testaments. Chap. III. On the Credibility of the Old and New Testaments, comprising, Direct Evidence-Testimonies from Natural and Civil History-Testimonies from Profane History-Collateral Testimonies to the truth of the facts recorded in the Scriptures from Coins, Medals, and ancient Marbles. Chap. IV. The Divine Authority and Inspiration of the Books of the Old and New Testaments, including the arguments from Miracles and Prophecy. Chap. V. Internal Evidences of the Inspiration of the Scriptures, from-the System of Doctrines and Moral Precepts which they deliver-the Harmony of their several portions-their Preservation-their tendency to promote the Happiness of Mankind-the peculiar Advantages of the Christian Revelation. Chap. VI. Recapitulation of the Evidences. A copious Appendix is added, on the Inspiration of the Bible on the Miracles supposed to have been wrought by the Egyptian Magicians on the Contradictions which are alleged to exist in the Holy Scriptures-a Table of the chief Prophecies relative to the Messiah--on the Books commonly termed the Apocryphal Books. Many of our readers will be able to appreciate the variety and extent of the subjects which the preceding enumeration of general divisions includes. To those who are not intimately acquainted with the ramifications of Theological questions, it may be sufficient to state, that these divisions comprise information and discussion of the most interesting kind, constituting altogether a large body of knowledge directly and indirectly sustaining the Divinity of the Scriptures. To attempt a minute analysis of the preceding chapters, would far exceed our limits; and to endeavour to convey correct and adequate representations of their contents by extracts, would be vain. We must, therefore, refer our readers to the Author's pages, which alone: can display the number and excellence of his selections and the value of his facts and reasonings.

Mr. Horne, after shewing that unbelievers are indebted for the knowledge of which they boast, to the Revelation which they oppose and reject, very forcibly asks:

What ground, indeed, have the modern contemners of Revelation to imagine, that, if they had lived without the light of the gospel, they would have been wiser than Socrates, Plato, and Cicero? How are they certain that they would have made such a right use of their reason as to have discovered truth? If their lot had been among the vulgar, are they sure that they would not have been idolaters? If they had joined themselves to the philosophers, what sect would they have followed? Or, if they had set up for themselves, how are they certain that they would have been skilful enough to have deduced the several branches of their duty, or to have applied them to the several cases of life, by argumentation and force of reason? It is one thing to perceive that the rules of life which are laid before us, are agreeable to reason, and another thing to find out those rules by the mere light of reason.' Vol. I. pp. 23—4.

In our Review of Mr. Benson's "Chronology of our "Saviour's Life," (Eclectic Rev. N.S. Vol. XVI. p. 346,) we slightly adverted to the remarkable spirit of forbearance which the Evangelists display, and which we regarded as not the least of the many indirect evidences of the authenticity of the Gospels. This striking peculiarity of manner has, indeed, been noticed by some preceding writers, but it has scarcely received the attention which it challenges. Mr. Horne adduces the following particulars, in proof that the Apostles of Christ were men of the strictest integrity and sincerity.

This is evident from the style and manner of their writings, which are characterized by the most rigid impartiality and fidelity. They were not ambitious of being known to the world by their writings, but wrote only as they were induced by necessity, for the further propagation of the Gospel. There is no preparation of events; there are no artful transitions or connections; no set characters of persons to be introduced: no reflections on past actions or on the authors of them; no excuses or apologies for such things as a writer might probably foresee would shock and disturb his readers; no specious artifices, no plausible arguments to set off a doubtful action and reconcile it to some other, or to the character of the person that did it. In short, it does not appear that it ever entered the minds of these writers, to consider how this or the other action would appear to mankind, or what objections might be raised against it. But, without at all attending to such a consideration, they lay the facts before the world, at no pains to think whether they will appear credible or not. If the reader will not credit their testimony, there is no help for it: they tell the truth and nothing else. Greater marks of sincerity than these, it is impossible to find in any historical compositions that are extant; and they shew that they published nothing to the world but what they believed themselves. They never attempt to astonish their readers, but uniformly endeavour to enlighten and convince them: regardless of themselves, they seem engrossed by the great truths,

Eusebius. Hist. Eccles. lib. iii. ch. 23.

which they were commissioned to promulgate. They do not dissemble certain circumstances in the life and sufferings of their master, which have no tendency to enhance his glory in the eyes of the world: such are the low circumstances of his parents,-the mean accommodations of his birth,-that when he appeared publicly to the world, his townsmen and near relations despised and rejected him,-that few among his followers were men conspicuous for wealth, dignity, or knowledge, that the rulers, the scribes and pharisees disowned his pretensions and opposed him continually, that some who for a time followed him, afterwards deserted him, that he was betrayed into the hands of the high-priest and rulers by one of those who had been selected for his constant companions, and that he was crucified in the most ignominious manner with two malefactors. Had they been silent concerning such events, their adversaries assuredly never could have discovered them, nor, consequently have taken any advantage of them. They have, however, not failed to relate them with all their minutest circumstances. Impostors would certainly have acted differently. They would either have kept back such facts as appear so disrespectful to their leader, or they would have endeavoured to assign some cause, in order to obviate any bad impressions that might arise from them. They would enter into a laboured detail of the in. tellectual endowments or moral excellencies of their master. But the evangelists do no such thing. They utter no lofty panegyrics; they pronounce no eloquent encomiums. They depart from the common line of historians, and give an artless narrative of every circumstance, however apparently unfavourable to their master, and leave the truth to support itself.

Again, when they relate any of the miracles of Jesus Christ, they announce them with the same dispassionate coolness as if they had been common transactions; saying nothing previously to raise expectation, nor, after the recital of them, breaking out into exclamations, but they leave the reader to draw his own conclusion. Does he confound and triumph over his enemies? We see no symptoms of exultation. Is he in the lowest distress? On their parts we can collect no tokens of fear, of grief, or indignation. Do they record his giving of sight to the blind, restoring the lame, feeding many thousands with a few loaves and fishes, calming the raging sea, and even raising the dead? They seem perfectly calm and unconcerned. Do they narrate his resurrection and ascension? They afford no explanation of any difficulties; they never offer a single argument to enforce their credit: they leave the bare facts with their readers, who may receive or reject them as they please. In perusing the simple and unadorned narratives of the evangelists, it is impossible not to feel that the purport of their writing was, to bear witness of the truth.

The conduct of the evangelists, when speaking of their enemies, is characterized by the same striking integrity.

Vol. I. pp. 160-2. The following excellent remarks occur, on the rejection of the Gospel by the Jews.

So far, indeed, is the infidelity of the Jews from being an objection