And the Son of Sirach says, "God sees from everlasting to everlasting, and nothing is wonderful in his sight." Nothing is new or unexpected to Him; nothing can come to pass that He has not foreseen. And his first thoughts are so wise, that they admit no second ones that can be supposed wiser. And this stability and immutability of the Divine decrees is asserted even by the Roman philosopher: Necesse est illi eadem semper placere, cui nisi optima placere non possunt. (It is necessary that the same things be always pleasing to Him who can never be pleased but with what is best.)

They always seemed to me to act a very ridiculous part, who contend, that the effect of the Divine Decrees is absolutely irreconcileable with human liberty; because the natural and necessary liberty of a rational creature is, to act or choose from a rational motive, or spontaneously and of purpose. But who sees not that, on the supposition of the most absolute decree, this liberty is not taken away, but rather established and confirmed? For the decree is, that such a one shall make choice of, or do, some particular thing, freely; and whoever pretends to deny that whatever is done or chosen, whether good or indifferent, is so done or chosen, or, at least, may be, espouses an absurdity. But, in a word, the great difficulty in all this dispute, is that with regard to the Origin of Evil. Some distinguish, and justly, the substance of the action, as it is called, or that which is physical in the action, from the morality of it. This is of some weight, but whether it takes away the whole difficulty, I will not pretend to say. Believe me, young gentlemen, it is an abyss, it is an abyss never to be perfectly sounded by any plummet of human understanding. Should any one say, "I am not to be blamed, but Jove and Fate," he will not get off so, but may be non-plussed by turning his own wit against him. The servant of Zeno, the Stoic philosopher, being caught in an act of theft, either with a design to ridicule his master's doctrine, or to avail himself of it in order to evade punishment, said, "It was my fate to be a thief." "And to be punished for it," said Zeno. Wherefore, if you will take my advice, withdraw your minds from a curious search into this mystery, and turn them directly to the study of piety, and a due reverence to the awful majesty of God. Think and speak of God and His secrets with fear and trembling, but dispute very little about them; and, if you would not undo yourselves, beware of disputing with Him. If you transgress in any thing, blame yourselves if you do any good, or repent of evil, offer thanksgiving to God. This is what I earnestly recommend to you; in this I acquiesce myself; and to this, when much tossed and disquieted with doubts and difficulties, I had recourse as to a safe harbour. If any of you think proper, he may apply to men of greater learning, but let him take care he meet not with such as have more forwardness and presumption.' pp. 251, 2.

-The Expositions of the Creed, of the Lord's Prayer, and of the Decalogue, are fiue specimens of the impressive and dignified, if we may not add with Bishop Burnet, sublime strain of his pulpit addresses. Such, we are told, were the grace and gravity of his delivery, added to the majesty and beauty of his

style, that few heard him without a very sensible emotion. I < never once saw," says the same prelate, a wandering eye

where he preached, and have seen whole assemblies often melt ' in tears before him.'-The Letters are so admirable and so characteristic of this holy and apostolic man, that it is much to be regretted that they are so few.

Of the Commentary on Peter, which is by far the best known of all the Bishop's works, it might seem alike superfluous and impertinent to speak. Thus much, however, we may be allowed to say, that the oftener it is read, the more highly it will be valued, as one of the best practical commentaries ever written on any one of the sacred books, and one of the richest treasuries of Christian wisdom. It may not suit all tastes, but it were certainly worth while to acquire the taste requisite to appreciate and relish the works of Leighton.

We confess that we look with some jealousy on abridgements of such an author. Mr. Bradley states, that his edition, though termed an Abridgement, is, in fact, the original Commentary with a few omissions.

These omissions, it is hoped, will not detract from the value of the book. Indeed, the Editor trusts, that they will increase its usefulness, by rendering it less voluminous and consequently more accessible. The style has been seldom altered; the sentiments never; so that the reader of these pages may be satisfied, that he has always before him the real opinions of the author, expressed generally in his own language."

This is saying little: it is not the opinions merely of such a writer, that we want. It is but due, however, to Mr. Bradley, to say, that, so far as we have compared the Abridgement with the original, he has executed his task with great care, judgement, and delicacy; the alterations are inconsiderable, and the omissions, if any thing was to be omitted, could not have been better managed. All the Latin quotations are suppressed, the English being generally given without any mark of citation. As a cheap edition of the work, though an imperfect one, we cordially recommend it as admirably adapted to be extensively useful. Still, we cannot admit that the value of the book suffers no diminution from the omissions, and we must strongly recommend the original to the preference of those wiro can afford the purchase.

Mr. Bradley's plan of abridgement must be admitted to be every way preferable to tampering with an author's style; and to some works it may be applied with less risk of detracting from the value of the original. Gurnall's quaintly titled work actually wants sifting. No work in the language is richer in original thoughts, pungent axioms, and striking comparisons. An undevout man might almost be tempted to read it for what in less serious composition would be wit, but wit without levity;

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 sen tences, 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 nume rous 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. I vol. 8vo. pp. 883. Price 18s.

THE 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 ■ 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 van rious 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 bis investigations of the several testimonies produced, and properly digests, the varied instruction which is bere 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 atten tions; 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 be 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 Objec tions, and the uncorrupted Preservation of the Books of the Old and New Testaments. Chap. II. 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 pro mote 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 rez lative to the Messiah--ou the Books commonly termed the Apocry phal Books. Many of our readers will be able to appreciate the variety and extent of the subjects which the preceding enume. ration 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 representa tions 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: