well; if not, after that thou shalt cut it down." This awful sentence has already been executed upon the Jewish nation, and it shall as certainly be fulfilled in our case, if we profit not by our many advantages. In conclusion, let us each put the question to our own hearts-are we bringing forth fruit unto God? or in other words-are we acting according to what we profess to believe? When we come to the Lord's table, we profess to die unto sin, and to live unto God, "to present ourselves, our souls, and bodies a living sacrifice unto him;" are we, indeed, and in truth, endeavouring daily (by the grace of God) to do so? Oh! let us beware of deceiving ourselves upon this deeply important point. Remember the foolish virgins how nearly they approached heaven, and yet were shut out at last. Remember those whom our Lord describes as having eaten and drunk in his presence, and in his name having done many wonderful works, yet he says of them, that at last he will profess that he never knew them, and command them to depart from him. Oh! do not thus provoke thy compassionate Saviour, nor cause him to frown thee from his gracious presence. Improve the talents which he has intrusted to you, that when he shall appear, you may be greeted with the heart-cheering words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Am I an Israelite, indeed, Have I renounced my sins, and left Say, does my heart unchanged remain, Or is it formed anew? What is the rule by which I walk, The object I pursue? Cause me, O God of truth and grace, My real state to know! If I am wrong, O set me right! NOTICES OF BOOKS. S. LECTURES on THEOLOGY, by the late Rev. JOHN DICK, D, D., Glasgow. Four vols. 8vo. OLIPHANT & SON, Edinburgh, 1834, THIS is a valuable addition to our theological literature. Our brief limits altogether preclude such a notice of it as it deserves; but we cannot omit recommending it to the attention of our readers, by stating some of its leading features. It is extensive, embracing the entire range of theology; nor does there appear to be any subject overlooked that is usually treated of in this department of literature. It is this circumstance that renders the perusal of such a work particularly useful, especially to the young student, as it brings all the doctrines of religion more or less under his attention, many of which might be overlooked if he confined his reading to treatises on particular topics. The work is also comprehensive. It is not possible, in so extensive a course, to enter into lengthened illustrations of any particular topic; but upon all the topics there is generally such a statement of particulars as presents it fully to the mind. Such materials of explanation and illustration are given as may furnish the thoughtful and diligent student with matter for extended investigation, and varied exposition. While every subject is touched upon, there is usually a compre hensive summary of each. It is sound. Dr. Dick's theology is strictly that of the Westminster Divines, and of the bible. Nor, in this age of change and zeal for novelty of opinions, is this a small recommendation. There is a serious error extending itself in the church, respecting the extent of Christ's atonement; and the strict views of Owen, and such men as he, are pronounced to be altogether at variance with the liberal purpose of the gospel; and whereas the doctrine of the church used to be, that Christ died for all who should believe in him, with many it now is, that he died for the world. Our author has not been carried away by this novelty, but maintains, defends, and abundantly justifies the faith of his fathers. When it is considered that even the eloquent Dwight did not withstand this spreading error, it is no small matter of thanksgiving that the system of theology which seems destined to succeed to his inpopularity, reverts to the ancient and scriptural view of the subject. The same may be said of his views of the Sonship of Christ, and the doctrine of the eternal generation. The principal subject upon which we do not altogether fall in with his sentiments, is the inspiration of the Scriptures, distinguishing different kinds and degrees of inspiration, while we believe there is but one inspiration. In point of style, the book is simple and concise. Scarcely a word is used that would better have been omitted, nor, in many pages, will the reader discover a single term inappropriately applied. There is little of ornament, but the illustrations are often very beautiful and instructive. The work is well written, though labouring under the disadvantages of a posthumous publication. It affords a model of correct and good composition, equally free from stiffness on the one hand, and verbosity on the other. It is systematic. A cry has been got up, of late years, against the systematic teaching of theology, which, we confess, we do not exactly understand. By system, we mean simply good arrangement-such arrangement as will embrace all the parts of any subject, while it disposes each in its proper place, and all in a lucid order. Thus botany and chemistry are taught systematically, nor would it be possible successfully to teach them otherwise. And it is just as necessary that theology be taught as a system, if the student would become acquainted with all its topics, and distinctly apprehend them in their relation to one another. The work is sufficiently critical. There is no show of learning, yet there is learning. Its pages are not much ornamented with Greek and Hebrew quotations, yet there is often all the force and advantage of the soundest criticism. The author was obviously a scholar, but discovers no anxiety to display his scholarship. His present work is didactic rather than controversial. Happily he has not considered it to be necessary to acquaint his students with all the foolish, as well as all the wise things that have been said upon every subject which he handles. He seems to be satisfied if he succeeds in placing before them what the Word of God teaches. Not that he wants the power of a controversialist. In some places this is conspicuously displayed, but it is not his habitual method. There are times, indeed, when he indulges in the severity of controversy in a manner to be blamed. There is occasionally a tone of severe irony against those whose errors he exposes, and sometimes a severe expression of contempt for the follies that have been broached in the name of religion. These things had been as well spared, but they are not indulged to any serious extent. Upon the whole, we think the work may be fairly characterized as a medium between that of Hill and of Dwight. It is more full, and interesting, and practical, than the dry, though correct summary of Hill, And though it is less eloquent than the full and flowing style of Dwight, yet is it more accurate in its doctrinal statements. It cannot be said to be original in its views, and this is, perhaps, one of its recommendations. Upon a track so beaten, it is not reasonable to look for any thing new in matter, and little that is novel in illustration can be expected. Yet the author has thought, and that fully and accurately, for himself, he has followed out his own views and expositions, and he has produced a work which will associate his name with the soundest teachers of theology, and will hand it down to posterity, honoured as that of one who, while he lived, served his day and generation, and being dead, yet speaketh. HINTS designed to regulate the INTERCOURSE of CHRISTIANS. By W. B. SPRAGUE, D. D. America; with a Preface, by W. URWICK, D. D. J. ROBERTSON and Co. Dublin. 1834. P. p. 242. so. DR. SPRAGUE is already known to the public as the author of a Treatise upon revivals of religion, That is a judicious work, and this is not less It treats of a subject not a little difficult and delicate, but it is handled by a master. He has disposed it under two heads-the intercourse of Christians with each other, and with the world. Under the former he briefly discusses the object of Christian intercourse-its grounds -hindrances-mode of conducting it-occasions-opportunities—in the family-of youth-of the higher and lower classes-by letter-its perversion-and obligations. Under the latter he considers the Christian's intercourse with the world in the common concerns of life-in the social circle-gaieties of the world-responsibility of Christians in the higher walks of life-and the Christian's intercourse with the unrenewed sin ner, in respect to his salvation. These various topics are wisely and profitably treated. Such a work was needed, and it is seasonably published in this country. It is subject of thankfulness that Christian intercourse begins to obtain some prominence in society, and that man does no trifling service who gives good counsel upon its management. It is one of those instruments by which good or ill must be extensively promoted; and if the considerations suggested in this little volume are attended to, they will go far to render it the means of extensive and lasting benefit. IN my former letter, published in August, I was able to overtake only one of the many important matters brought before our late Assembly-Sabbath Observance. II.-On Popery. Passing over reports on our church missions and various other general topics, I think it right to advert to the revived attention of our church, relative to Popery. The attention of our fathers was much directed to this point. The range of their missionary operations being comparatively limited, and the dread of Popish influence hanging still over them, their energies were much more powerfully directed against this delusion, than ours have of late been. For many years Popery ceased, in this country, to cause either fear or any very lively sympathy in behalf of the few who, in some remote corners, remained its devotees. The immense number of settlers from Ireland during the last fifty years, has, however, greatly changed our circumstances. In all the manufacturing districts in this country, and in some strictly agricultural, we have a considerable number of persons connected with the church of Rome, living among us. This of itself calls for our most active endeavours. To enlighten those who are thus brought to our very doors, ignorant of the gospel, is a christian duty. But Popery having now assumed a political character, and coalesced with practical infidelity in seeking to change, if not to unchristianize the government of the country, it again occupies a place of national importance, and demands the serious consideration of the Protestant community at large. In these circumstances, we were happy to observe that the subject was taken up by our late Assembly, as the following entry will explain-" The General Assembly took into consideration an overture from eighteen members of Assembly, relative to Popery. It was D moved, seconded, and agreed to-That the General Assembly, adhering to the doctrine held forth in the standards of the Church of Scotland, and often repeated by former Assemblies, that Popery is that falling away from the pure christian faith foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus, do hereby recommend to all the ministers of this church to preach occasionally on the errors of Popery, and principles of the Reformation, as recommended by the Assembly, 1749, especially in those quarters of the country where Popery is still prevalent; and to be at pains with Papists, by endeavouring to bring them to a knowledge of their errors by affectionate instruction and counsel; and farther, the Assembly do appoint a committee to collect information as to the present state of Popery in Scotland, and to suggest means which may be adopted by this church, for enlightening and convincing those who are still led captive by the delusion of this system. III.-On the Call. This subject has occupied much of the attention of our church during the last three years. To enable your readers rightly to understand the nature and effect of the call, it may be necessary to mention, that it has always been the law of our church to proceed with the settlement of ministers, not on the nomination of a patron, but on the call of the people over whom he is to be placed in holy things. The patron, if such there be, nominates, and the people either call and invite, or refuse their assent; assigning the reason, which may be any thing affecting the acceptableness of the presentee, and thus the edification of the people. In the one case, the Presbytery being otherwise satisfied, proceed; in the other, they risk procedure, and instruct the patron to look out for some one more agreeable to the wishes of the people. This, we have said, is the only sense in which patronage has ever had any legal existence in our church; and it is well that persons who may have acquired their ideas of church-patronage from the practice of Episcopalians, should be aware of this. The king being ecclesiastically the head of the Church of England-he presents directly, without any intervening check. And to wreath a similar yoke about the neck of the Scottish Church was part of the general policy of the court, from the accession of James VI. to the crown of England, down to the revolution. But this she perseveringly resisted; and firmly grasping her own blue banner, carried it through many a field of blood, till this, with other valued privileges, was secured to her perpetually at the Union. But the security of law does not always guarantee practice. A variety |