The Exposition on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians. By JOHN BROWN, D.D. Edinburgh: Oliphant & Sons, 1853. THIS work belongs to the same class with others from the pen of the same author, which we have had repeated occasion to notice, and which, taken together, already form a contribution to our exegetical literature, such as, whether in extent or importance, no other writer of our age has furnished.

The present is an exceedingly valuable addition to this series of works. Its history has much resemblance to that of the others. Like most of them, though published in the author's advanced age, it is the result of the inquiries and studies of youth and manhood. He states that, 'The Horatian period for retaining in the author's repositories forthcoming publications, has been considerably more than trebled since the first sketch of this Exposition was produced; and during the period which has since elapsed, the manuscript has often been reviewed, corrected, curtailed, and added to. In its substance it has been delivered to a Christian congregation; and, with its philological appendages, repeatedly read in the class of Exegetical Theology, over which I have presided for nearly twenty years.' He adds:

In examining some old papers, I found an application made to me nearly thirty years ago, by a numerous class of students in theology, of various Christian denominations, who at that time were accustomed to spend an hour with me weekly in critically examining the New Testament in the original Greek, requesting me to publish the notes on the Epistle to the Galatians, which I had read to them. I was gratified with the expressed approbation of my young friends, but do not regret that I declined complying with their request. The Notes are now a somewhat less inadequate exposition of this important Epistle than they then were.'

We like anecdotes of this sort; and the manly candour of the following declaration is exceedingly pleasant to us, contrasted as it is in our mind with the maudlin affectations of insufficiency which disfigure the prefaces of many other great writers, who would nevertheless be desperately affronted if their readers were to take their productions at their own ostensible estimate of their claims.

'Had I not thought the provision I bring forward wholesome and nourishing, and, moreover, somewhat rare and savoury withal, it would not have been presented. Had I not thought the positions taken tenable, I should never have occupied them. Nevertheless, it will be a satisfaction to me to see a table more abundantly covered with viands from the same exhaustless repository-more rich, more varied, and more skilfully prepared; and in surrendering when fairly conquered, I will [shall] feel gratitude rather than shame; for, to allude to the fine figure of Jortin, next to attending and gracing the triumphs of Truth as her successful soldier, the object of my most fervent wish is to be a captive tied to her chariot-wheels, if I have undesignedly committed any offence against her.'

We discover in the work itself the same clear insight, the same luminous distinctness of statement and expression, the same ripe scholarship, and the same religious fulness, which characterised the author's former works of this class, and which altogether render them the most nourishing works of their kind-nourishing both to the mind and the spirit-which have in late times been produced.

These qualities are seen to peculiar advantage in the present work, owing, as it seems, to its being devoted to one subject the unity of

which, and the cohesion of all its parts, is admirably brought out by the occasion of the Epistle to the Galatians, and its essential topic being kept continually in view by its expositor.

The occasion of the Epistle is thus clearly stated:-
:-

"It appears that not very long after their conversion to Christianity, the Galatian churches were visited by some false teachers, who professed to be Christians, but who insisted that, on the part even of the converted Gentiles, submission to circumcision, and an observance of the Mosaic ritual were necessary in order to salvation. As this doctrine was in direct opposition to the Gospel as it had been taught by the apostle and confirmed by miracles, these false teachers left no means untried to shake the attachment of the Galatian churches to their spiritual father, intimating that he was no apostle, in the proper sense of the word, but merely a preacher sent out by the churches at Jerusalem and Antioch; that he was not consistent in his teaching respecting circumcision; that he had abandoned the opinion he once held, and now taught the necessity of submission to the law of Moses, even on the part of believing Gentiles. These unprincipled exertions seem to have been attended with but too much success. To stop the progress of this defection, and to bring back to the simplicity of the faith of Christ, as to the ground of acceptance with God, those who had been seduced, and, in subordination to this object, to vindicate his own character from the aspersions cast on it, the apostle wrote this epistle.'

The essential subject, as involved in the apostle's explanation of what he really did teach, and which he again urges upon them, is materially the same with that of the Epistle to the Romans-the ground of a sinner's acceptance with God-the Divine method of justification. But there it is not viewed in exactly the same aspect, or treated in the same manner as in this epistle; and this diversity in the two epistles which have so much in common, arises from the circumstance that the apostle has to do in each of them with a different set of adversaries. In the Epistle to the Romans-in opposition both to Gentiles, who expected tobe rewarded on account of the merit of their good works, and to unbelieving Jews, who expected justification through obedience to their Law, and, who maintained that the Gentiles could not be saved without submitting to it-he shows that men are restored to the Divine favour, not by obedience to any law, but by believing the truth as it is in Jesus, who was delivered for men's offences, and raised again for their justification ;' and that whoever does this, whether Jew or Gentile, shall certainly be saved.

6

In the Epistle to the Galatians, he contends not with Jews rejecting Christianity, but with Jews professing to embrace it, and yet teaching that the observance of the Law of Moses as well as the acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah, was necessary to the salvation even of the Gentiles. In opposition to this dogma he teaches that the Mosaic institution in all its extent never was capable of justifying any person, that it never was intended for that purpose; that it is now entirely abrogated, and that for men to observe its requisitions with the intention of securing to themselves God's favour, was not only lost labour, but was a material renunciation of the grand characteristic doctrine of Christianity, to wit, that men are restored to the Divine favour entirely on the ground of Christ's merit, and entirely by means of faith. The doctrine is substantially the same in both epistles. But in the Epistle to the Romans it is laid down in its most general form; in the Epistle to the Galatians it is laid down with a peculiar reference to the false

doctrine taught by the Jewish teachers. At the same time it is worthy of remark, that as, in the general doctrine of the Epistle to the Romans, 'that justification is not by law,' the particular doctrine of the Epistle to the Galatians, that justification is not by the Mosaic law,' is necessarily included: so from the principles in which the apostle in this epistle shows that justification is not by the Mosaic law, the general doctrine, that it is not by law at all, necessarily follows.

A charge of inconsistency has sometimes been brought against the apostle, on the ground that the opinions respecting the Mosaic law which, in the 14th and 15th chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, he represents as, though mistakes, yet proper subjects of forbearance on the part of better informed Christians, and those which in this epistle he represents as utterly subversive of the Gospel of Christ, are materially different. From this charge Dr. Brown vindicates the apostle by remarking that the persons mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans were sincere Christians, who looked to Christ and Christ alone for salvation, but who, not being satisfied in their minds as to the abolition of the Mosaic institute, still continued to observe its requisitions, not as a means of justification, but merely as religious duties-observances divinely enjoined, and never formally repealed. But the persons referred to in this epistle were men who professed Christianity without understanding it, men who for secular ends had become teachers, and who insisted that circumcision and the keeping of the law were as necessary as faith in Christ in order to justification and salvation. It is therefore by no means wonderful, that although the apostle could bear with the former as well-intentioned though misinformed Christians, he would give place to the others, no, not for an hour;' regarding them as the most dangerous enemies of Christianity, traitors to the Saviour's authority, and murderers of the souls of men.

These views of the relation between the two Epistles will probably create a desire for a similar exposition to this, from the same hand, of the Epistle to the Romans; and we rejoice in having reason to believe that this desire is likely to be satisfied.

Cyclopædia Bibliographica. Parts VII.-XII. London: Darling. September. 1853.

THE twelfth part of this useful publication brings it to the 1920th column, and to the name MADAN. In the parts published since we last noticed this work, we find some names of authors, our acquaintance with whose writings enables us to apply the critical tests with such precision and effect as qualifies us with increased confidence to repeat our testimony in favour of this excellent undertaking. Our attention has now been particularly attracted to the ability and diligence with which Mr. Darling meets the only forcible objection to which his catalogue could be open, namely, that, after all, it was only the catalogue of a particular library. He adds, in a more compact shape, the other works' of the several writers; and it speaks well for the Metropolitan Library' that these other works are rarely of a theological character, those which claim that character being, with rare exceptions, in the

Library itself, and entered fully in the catalogue. We expected to find the catalogue deficient in German theological literature, but this is by no means the case, the Library having been of late enriched in this department.

years much

Four Specimens of a Practicable Method of Teaching Christian Evidences to Bible Classes and Sunday Schools. By the Rev. GEORGE FISK, LL.B., Prebendary of Lichfield, and Minister of Christ Chapel, Maida Hill. Second Edition. Published by the Church of England Sunday School Institute.

We put this little volume into the hands of the parent of a large family, on whose judgment we can rely, and asked for a candid opinion. It was given as follows:-That presuming it is necessary to teach the evidences of Christianity to young persons, the plan is admirable. This necessity the author lays down as the basis of his proceedings, and if that is in any case established, we can cheerfully recommend this thoughtful little book. Otherwise, the best training is that of so reposing in early life on Christianity as undoubtedly true, that a habit of believing it is formed which no after attacks of scepticism or infidelity can permanently injure. The faith of a child in the Bible, as the book revered and loved by its parents, demands no other proof than that of such authority, and anything that tends to weaken that pious confidence is as the withering blast upon the tender leaves of an opening flower.

The London Quarterly Review. No. 1, September, 1853, pp. 296. London Partridge and Oakey.

KNOWING how much influence for good or evil is exerted by our periodical literature, we feel anxious as to the tone and temper of every new candidate for public favour. We are happy to be able to welcome this contemporary as a coadjutor in the best sense, because we find all its articles, light and serious, are pervaded by the principles of the Holy Scriptures. The articles of this number exhibit great talent and deep piety; and we hope and believe the combination will secure for the work extensive patronage. Its papers are, Christian population of the Turkish Empire-Wesley and his Critics-Forbes's Memorandums in Ireland-Cryptogamic vegetation-Spirit-rappings and Table-movings-Modern and Medieval Hygiene Secularism: its Logic and Appeals-Public Education-Ultramontanism; its threatened supremacy in Europe-India under the English. An extract from it will be found in another part of the present number of this Journal.

INTELLIGENCE.

BIBLICAL.

AN interesting and spirited undertaking has just been commenced by the issuing of the prospectus of a 'Society for Exploring the Ruins of Assyria and Babylonia, with especial reference to Biblical Illustration,' under the patronage of his Royal Highness Prince Albert. The light that has been so unexpectedly thrown upon the Bible history of the world by the discovery and interpretation of the Nineveh marbles, and the knowledge that many earlier and more important sculptures remain behind, have awakened an anxious desire among antiquarians and literary men for further acquisitions. Mr. Layard, who has a firman from the Sultan to go on excavating, is of opinion that he has, so to speak, only scratched the surface of the Assyrian mounds, and that the most ancient ruins of this most ancient people have not yet been reached. It is certain that since the publication of his book older monuments have been brought to light, and every discovery gives token, after its kind, of newer biblical light. The government not being disposed to give more money, and the British Museum not having funds for the purpose, it is evident that, to secure these valuable historical records to the pride and glory of our country, must be the work of private enterprise. The idea of forming a society among those interested in the matter has been presented to Prince Albert; and his Royal Highness, with a shrewd appreciation of its genuineness and importance, directly sanctioned it with his support. The interest which he so promptly manifested in the undertaking secured at once the co-operation of the most influential noblemen and gentlemen that could be desired, to take part in it; and we question whether it will not be one of the most useful, meritorious, and popular labours with which the honoured name of Prince Albert has been associated. Subscriptions to the amount of 10007., including five of 1007. each, have been contributed privately within the last few days. An expedition will at once proceed to Assyria to carry forward the necessary operations. A photographist will accompany the expedition, and will take copies of all objects of interest discovered. În England facsimilies of the drawings and inscriptions will be issued as often as they come to hand, together with explanatory letterpress, the publication of which Mr. Layard has kindly undertaken to superintend. It will be less the object of the expedition to obtain bulky sculptures than to collect materials for completing the history of Assyria and Babylonia, especially as connected with Scripture. These materials consist chiefly of inscribed tablets in stone, and in clay, bronzes, bricks, and sculptured monuments of various kinds, all illustrating the remarkable advancement of that ancient civilisation. It is confidently believed that the whole history of Assyria may be restored to a very early period, and that discoveries of the most important character will be made in connection with the literature and science of the Assyrian people. It is presumed that the sum of 10,000l. will be required to commence operations at once in various parts of Mesopotamia, and to sustain necessary activity during a period of three years. But as it is of the utmost consequence to proceed with the greatest vigour during the first twelvemonth, it is calculated that up to August, 1854, 5000l. of the sum named might be expended. In addition to the donations, it is intended to raise annual subscriptions of a guinea each, the payment of which shall entitle the subscriber to the reports and memoirs issued by the society. The present undertaking being regarded as a continuation of the researches already commenced by the British Museum, it is determined that the monuments shall ultimately become the property of the

nation.

From the Church Missionary Intelligencer for September we extract the following, as the result of a consideration of the various reports and statements respecting the leader of the extraordinary movement in China:-That he is probably still alive, and about 40 years of age; that his name is certainly Hung