Critical Notices.

XIII.-CRITICAL NOTICES.

651

Present Truths in Theology: Man's Inability and God's Sovereignty "in the Things of God," with their Relation to Gospel Doctrine and Moral Res ponsibility. By JAMES GIBSON, D.D., Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History, Free Church College, Glasgow. 2 vols. 8vo. Glasgow: Thomas Murray & Sons. London: James Nisbet & Co. 1863. The age is prolific of literature; but the general object with our literary men seems to be, to produce books which will cost little trouble either to the writer or to the reader. The product of the so-called religious press partakes largely of the same character. Everything is done to make the reading light. There are pictures to allure the eye, word pictures to fascinate the imagination, all tending, we fear, to cinasculate the reflective powers, and to sensualise the taste of our reading public. Such, however, is not the style of book that we have before us. The work may be rather regarded as a great protest against prevailing tendencies at once in the matter and in the manner of theological treatment. Dr Gibson is a man who is ever found treading the old paths. His name is already well known in the fields of Scottish ecclesiastical controversy. Ile bore a prominent part in the Voluntary controversy and in the ten years' conflict. He has been a voluminous writer upon the Popish question. He has, besides, written an unanswered, and, we venture to say, an unanswerable treatise, exhaustive of the subject of marriage with a deceased wife's sister. But in the volumes before us, the author traverses a broader field of discussion than he has hitherto entered.

The title of Dr Gibson's book scarcely conveys an accurate idea of what it contains. It professes to treat only of man's inability and God's sovereignty "in the things of God," which the author well signalises as "present truths in theology," or theological truths claiming present attention; for when infidelity is coming in like a flood-when dignitaries in the Church of England are propounding views subversive of the authority of the word of God-when Arminian and semi-Pelagian heresies are making way, with insinuating tone and stealthy step, amongst us-it was high time that a theologian, thoroughly versed in his subject, should make his voice heard, warning the unwary against errors, plausible, it may be, but just on that very account the more dangerous-and expounding the grand old theology of our Reformers in the spirit of an ancient, Puritan. Dr Gibson's volumes are remarkably well-timed. They do not appear an hour too soon. But while he deals primarily with the great radical truth in theology, that man, by the fall, has become naturally incapacitated for comprehending God, or winning his way to an understanding of the divine character and perfections-especially in matters that concern the sinner's redemptionyet our author by no means confines himself to the discussion of this cardinal topic announced in his title, but branches out and spreads over the whole adjacent field. The range which he traverses is vastly wider than that which he professes to survey, for the book will be found to embrace the whole domain of doctrinal theology, and to present its readers with a tolerably complete system of divinity.

The principles which our author enumerates are those ordinarily distinguished as Calvinistic. He shews conclusively, however, that the body of doctrine which goes by the name of Calvinism does not owe its origin to John Calvin. That great master in theology did nothing beyond combining and presenting to the Church, in one grand harmonious system, doctrines which he found in the book of God-which had been taught by the apostles, and specially insisted on by the apostle Paul-and which, as

proved by Dr Gibson, are inculcated in the writings of all orthodox divines throughout the whole history of the Christian Church. These principles are maintained in the work before us upon the soundest and clearest principles of logic; and, better still, they are established by an elaborate array of Scripture testimony. Indeed, there is no feature of the book more marked than the uniform and unhesitating loyalty rendered throughout to Scripture authority. With Dr Gibson, the Word is the only true and infallible standard; but he at the same time presents us with God's revelation and man's reason as concurrent maintainers of the system of truth which he propounds.

We can furnish our readers with little more than a mere notice of the general contents of the work. The opening chapter is devoted to an exposition of the state of the question, and a definition of terms. Some of his preliminary observations are very weighty, and deserving of careful study, as when he says, "In relation to God, and the things of God, we do not mean by inability, as the Papists, and those who hold their views on this point affirmed, that the reformed theologians did hold that man, as a fallen being, had lost all his powers and faculties; that the knowing faculty was destroyed; that, in relation to God, he was literally a beast, an irrational animal, and of course not a man at all. We do not mean that man has not faculties, but that his faculties, per and in se, are not sufficient to know God, as man, as he was originally created, did know him, and as he ought yet to know.' Were it a question of utter loss or destruction of faculties, it would be a question, not of human inability, but of human existence." And again, in speaking of the necessity of discussing and understanding, as far as they are intelligible, the metaphysical mysteries of the conditioned and unconditioned, the absolute and the infinite, in relation to the limits of religious thought; and the capacity of the crea ture, he tells us, and it is well to bear the truth in mind, that "it is obviously to change and shift the very nature of theology, or the science of God, to place any of its doctrines, or to defend or base their truth on the results of human speculation. It were to invert the order of nature, and to make theology not the science of divine certainties, but of human dialectics. It were to betray theology, and to bring it down at once from the high and unassailable ground of the divine, and to place it on the level and quicksands of the human-to make it the science not of what saith the Lord, but what does the puny speculator himself say? . . . . . It is not meant by these statements to be affirmed that no appeal to human thought, or experience or consciousness, is to be permitted in the region of theology; but, most unquestionably, it is meant to be affirmed that not the slightest weight is to be attached by the Christian theologian to their alleged findings, when they run counter to a plain, simple announcement of 'Thus saith the Lord' in his written word.”

The author then proceeds to his proper subject, setting forth what he understands by "the things of God," and explaining "what man has done in the things of God;" examining, as he advances, the pretensions of the Pantheism of the Hindoo, and of the philosophy of Plato, and demonstrating that human reason, unaided by revelation, has never arrived at any correct knowledge of the God of the Bible-" a one living and true God, alone, and to the exclusion of all other having divine attributes; alone entitled to divine worship; the alone Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe."

He then proceeds to shew how human inability penetrates man's relations towards God in all that concerns the economy of redemption, discussing the doctrine of inability in its bearings upon the general doctrine of sin, upon the doctrines of God's sovereignty, predestination, and election, and disposing in his course of the objections of Payne, Watson, Wardlaw,

Whately, and others. In the second volume, we have exhaustive disquisitions upon the doctrines of reprobation, perseverance, assurance, the nature and extent of redemption, man's inability in relation to the work of the Holy Spirit, justification, saving faith, and man's responsibility for his

belief.

The views of the author are throughout vindicated by appeals to Bible testimony, and an examination of Bible texts, which may be regarded as exhaustive of the Scripture argument. The discussion is also interspersed by a succession of historical sketches, with illustrative extracts, of the opinions which have been advanced on the various branches of doctrine that come under review; and this history of opinions, while bringing out the marvellous range of the author's learning, may be regarded, owing to its comprehensiveness and trustworthiness, as a cyclopædia of theological views, which must be invaluable to the theological student.

These volumes thus supply to its readers a system of religious teaching, whereof the principles are proved to be in accordance with the word of God. And no one, who carefully studies the exposition which the learned Professor furnishes of the doctrines of Calvinism, need feel much difficulty in maintaining his views in the face of any gainsayer. The book is valuable also for its exposure of the erroneous tendencies of many of the plausible but pernicious tenets of the modern theology, which are shewn to be far from new, and only the ghosts of old heresies long ago exploded, and presented to the world in a new dress; while many of those points in the Calvinistic system that are particularly objected to, are viewed in a light which serves largely to relieve them from the difficulties by which they are surrounded. Of course the author does not profess to solve all difficulties; at the same time, he never evades a difficulty; and where he cannot explain, he at once confesses, in the spirit of a true philosophy as well as a true piety, that the efforts of even the loftiest and most sanctified human intelfect are little capable of comprehending the full wonders of the Infinite mind. "We ought ever to remember," he says, "that we cannot by searching find out God, or mark out the paths of the Almighty, much less than we can trace out a path for an eagle in the sky. We must be prepared to bow to simple testimonies of the word of God, and if there is one testimony which we cannot reconcile with another, and both seem to us equally explicit, we must not set the one against the other, but believe that though we cannot see the principle of reconciliation, God is true, and the path clear to him" (i. 318).

Altogether, the work before us cannot fail to increase Dr Gibson's already well earned reputation, not only as an earnest contender for the truth, but as a divine whose labours in the professor's chair must operate favourably, in the way of training up the rising ministry of the Free Church in the good old faith of their fathers. F.

Poems. By G. WASHINGTON MOON, F.R.S. A., Author of " A Defence of the Queen's English." London: Hatchard.

Readers will remember Dean Alford's papers on "The Queen's English" in Good Words, and the correspondence they provoked. Mr Moon was one of the Dean's adversaries, and fired off a pamphlet against him, which called forth a rejoinder from the warlike Dean. The critic laid himself open to a cross fire, and got criticised to his heart's content. Many thought Mr Moon had by no means the worst in the war of words and strife of tongues. And now, mine adversary has written a book, if only the Dean were at hand to criticise it; but, alas, he is at Rome, or elsewhere. Mr Moon has shewn in his slim volume that he is a master of sentences, and knows something about the Queen's English. But he prints in a peculiar way, and we by no means think he improves when he comes down with an innovation. We

like the good old way, for example, of beginning each line of poetry with a capital letter. And some of his rhymes are very rambling, or at least rather Cockneyfied. Who but Mr Moon or a Cockney would think of making "dawn" rhyme to "morn," for example; or, worse, "star" with "ah." This is as bad as Martin Tupper, who rhymes "Alexandra" and "wanderer." Nevertheless, there is here some good poetry, and some good poetic prose; but we will wait till Dean Alford returns from his pilgrimage for a full criticism.

The Divine Treatment of Sin. By JAMES BALDWIN BROWN, B.A. London Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. 1864.

We have given a full review of Mr Brown's theology, so far as we could understand it, in former numbers of this Journal. We are sorry to say that this volume is by no means nearer the truth than Mr Brown's former efforts. There is more outspokenness than we have been accustomed to from him, and from writers of his way of thinking. He seems to feel that the recent judgment in the case of " Essays and Reviews" entitles him to speak out more boldly than was his wont. In the preface penned, or, at all events dated, shortly after that judgment was delivered, we read as follows: "Happily, too, it is more easy to speak freely, and to be judged Christianly, when treating, however imperfectly, yet with honest and reverent heart, of these high matters, than it was when I published The Divine Life in Man' four years ago." With this speaking out the volume is characterised in addition by Mr Brown's usual peculiarities. There is the same vivid conception, the same force, clearness, and beauty of style, the same graphic and poetic touch, the same grace and general accuracy, the same partial thinking, a blindness caused apparently by his very clearness of vision; for he sees one idea, or a group of ideas, so clearly as to overlook the surrounding and correlated ideas. There is, too, the same freshness and originality of thought which is very suggestive, and perhaps the most suggestive when you the least agree with him. And with all its faults, and they are neither few nor small, there is much in the volume that is really good, and effective, and powerful; there is much that hardly any man could read without being bettered thereby. Sometimes you are led on, page after page, in the most approving mood, till, all of a sudden, you are brought to a stand by some half-truth, which, as one said, is oftenest a whole falsehood. The volume can only be commended to a reader who is thoroughly informed and grounded in the faith.

Work and Play. By HORACE BUSHNELL, D.D. London: Alexander Strahan & Co. 1864.

Perhaps Dr Bushnell is the best known and most widely read of any living American author. No American books have had so wide a circulation as his among readers of the more thoughtful class in this country. We cannot, in this place, so much as attempt a statement of his standpoint in theology. In one of the early volumes of our Review, we transferred to our pages a singularly clear and able article from the pen of Dr Hodge of Princeton, in which Dr Bushnell's theology was fully and fairly stated, and amply discussed. We would recommend that article to the reader's reperusal. It will well repay the time devoted to it. Dr Bushneli's radical unsoundness in the root doctrines of the Trinity, and of the nature of the atonement, is there brought out by one who is well capable of giving to these themes an appropriate handling. We can hardly rejoice over the reproduction and circulation of such works as this in our own country, nor do we think the present volume will add to what fame Dr Bushnell has already acquired among us as a brilliant writer and fresh thinker. The essays are of very diverse merits, they seem to have been pro

duced at various periods of life, and there is consequently a lack of continuity of either thought or expression. These essays are eight in number, and are on such topics as, "The Age of Homespun; The Day of Roads The Growth of Law; City Plans; The Doctrine of Loyalty working itself out in America," &c., &c.

The Restoration of Belief. By ISAAC TAYLOR. A new edition, revised, with an additional section. London: Macmillan & Co. 1862.

This is a new edition, amended and carefully revised, of Mr Isaac Taylor's able work in reply to "Essays and Reviews." The added section treats summarily, but satisfactorily, of M. Ernest Rénan's Vie de Jesus. Mr Taylor shows how each succeeding theory of the rationalist's everts by necessity that of his predecessor; that the end must be close at hand; and of the present theory by Rénan, we may say, "The feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee forth also." A few more such home thrusts as that given to this latest theory by Mr Taylor, and it will be ready for decent, if not devout, burial. The republication of the volume is opportune, and is to be commended.

Christian Self-Culture; or, the Origin and Development of a Christian Life. By LEONARD BACON. Edinburgh: Andrew Elliot.

1864.

This little work consists of a dozen brief chapters, tracing out the rise and progress of religion in the soul, the origin and growth of the things that are lovely and of good report. After the introductory chapters, the plan of the work is to follow the passage in Second Peter, beginning " And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue," &c. The author writes a plain, clear style. He thinks clearly, and expresses his thoughts accurately; he uses common words, too, in many cases instead of the set theological phrases, and brings his matter down to the meanest understanding. We do not commit ourselves to the author's theology. We think him mistaken in places, or rather one sided, for he takes often but one part of the truth, leaving the other out of view, or, at all events, keeping it too much in the background. Still the book is fresh and suggestive, and may be read by such as are of a fuli age with profit.

Rest Under the Shadow of the Great Rock; A Book of Facts and Principles. By the Rev. JOHN KENNEDY, M.A. London: The Religious Tract Society. 1864.

Mr Kennedy's book consists of thirteen chapters on the life and walk of faith in such aspects as, the God of consolation; fatherly government and discipline; the efficacy and inefficacy of affliction; domestic bereavements; bodily sufferings; old age and death, its dark and its bright side. The book is illustrated, not by the pencil, but by the pen. It is full of illustrative anecdote and fact from biography and other sources. For the sick or the afflicted, it is a book to be highly commended. The truth is told in a plain, clear, simple way.

Pastoral Recollections. By the Rev. J. A. WALLACE, Hawick. Third Series. Edinburgh Johnstone, Hunter, & Co. 1864.

A first and a second series of the "Pastoral Recollections" will be familiar to many of our readers. Each of the former two volumes contained, in the most condensed form, the substance of the laborious preparation of ten years of the author's ministry. A hard-working and a painstaking pastorate it must have been, had it produced nothing but the elaborate series of sermons, lectures, and expositions, of which we have only the briefest summary. This last volume closes the pastor's labours below; he is now laid aside, and