The doctrine of Justification naturally ranks amongst the fundamental truths of Christianity. As the Gospel is itself the Divine answer to the question which baffled man's wisdom, "How shall man be just with God?" it is of first consequence to interpret its words aright, and only of second importance to "hold the truth" so taught us "in love." Yet, strange to say, the meaning of the words which the Holy Ghost taught the Apostles of Christ to use on this subject, is to this hour debated as uncertain, and not only are large bodies of professed Christians avowedly separated from each other in consequence of their different conclusions thereon-as in the case of the Romish and Protestant churchesbut even amongst Protestants themselves are to be found men who repudiate the old ideas associated with such familiar phrases as "justified by faith," and "made the righteousness of God in Christ." Remembering the watchfulness of our Romish neighbours, and the use they are fond of making of the motto "Divide et impera," we confess that we observe all diversities that are to be found amongst Protestant Christians with profound sorrow. They can only portend evil to the churches.

For when these diverse opinions arise, controversy is inevitable, and the tendency of controversy always has been to admit every sort of evil bias into the discussion of the meaning of Scripture. Not only have men who were humbly desirous to walk so as to please God, of a sudden assumed magisterial importance in the churches, but they have been seen full of anger and wrath against all who would not bow to their decision as

to what is "the mind of the Spirit," and the peace of the churches has been disturbed to make way for "confusion" and its usual accompaniments, "every evil work." No one can reflect upon the controversies which are identified with the movements of the "Plymouth Brethren," but must confess that they have tended to unsettle multitudes of devout men and women, without providing a basis for their becoming "grounded and settled in the truth." The notorious strifes which prevent intercommunion between the followers of different leaders amongst them, are but a mournful sign that Christians may not promise themselves a refuge from the evils which are to be deplored in other bodies, by subsiding into their fellowship. And this small volume contains abundant evidence that the teaching of one of their principal men-Mr. Darby-is not only contradictory of our old-fashioned Protestant doctrine on the question of Justification, but that it is unsustained by sound criticism, and subversive of some of "the first principles of the oracles of God."

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As far as our information goes, the Plymouth Brethren" in this country have displayed much greater zeal in winning members from other evangelical communions, than in gathering into the fold of Christ those who are altogether "out of the way." Nothing has given them so great an advantage in this direction as their professed subjection of heart and life to "the Word," and the earnestness, not to say vehemence, with which they strive to sustain their statements by quotations from its pages; but, taking Mr. Darby as a type of the body, we would rather trust ourselves with many Sunday-school teachers of our acquaintance than with him, when we wished a clear, full, precise statement of Christian doctrine. Judging of him only from his writings, he seems to us to mistake mistiness of expression for pro

fundity of thought, and his own ipse dixit as an infallible interpretation of documents which others can read as well as he.

Mr. Govett is, in some respects, happily circumstanced for dealing with the peculiar tenets of the "Plymouth Brethren," and especially of Mr. Darby. An earnest millennarian himself, he is by that token commended to the sympathies of the "Brethren," and as pastor of a church that "breaks bread" every Lord's-day, he is still further regarded with favour by them. Having left the Established Church of this country, and thus given evidence of his conscientious regard for truth wherever it might lead him, he is above suspicion of being swayed by unworthy motives in thus grappling with a teacher with whom he holds many things in common. And though we do not wish to assign undue importance to his work, we believe that, from the reasons we have mentioned, it is likely to be read with greater attention by the people for whom it has been specially written, than a similar work would have been if written by the pastor of a Baptist or Independent church.

The plan pursued by Mr. Govett is well adapted to the readers he hopes to win. First of all, he gives Mr. Darby's views of the Righteousness of God, and having quoted from that gentleman's publications passages in proof of his statements, he sums up the teaching. which he controverts in these two propositions:

"1. The righteousness of God is the internal principle of justice in God the Father.

"2. It is exhibited in His exaltation of the Son of God to His right hand in heaven, in consequence of the glory which Jesus had brought to His person and government."

In opposition to which unscriptural teaching he maintains :

"1. The righteousness of God with which we have to do as the Gospel (or good news) is something separate from God's character.

"2 That it is a sum of obedience, and obedience to law.

"3. That it is wrought by Christ in His life and death,

"4 That it is properly called 'The Righteousness of Christ.'

"5 That it is imputed to the believer, and is upon him, as his spiritual clothing before God."

And the manner in which these propositions are established is by a minute examination of the principal passages in Scripture, in which the terms in controversy between Mr. Darby and himself occur. We heartily commend the tone and temper of the book, and thankfully accept it as adapted to those who have been led astray by the "seducing doctrines" it seeks to overthrow. We hope it will have a large circulation, and that our readers will introduce it to the notice of any of their friends who are being tampered with by "Plymouth Brethren," or "Plymouth Sisters." It is fitted to confirm the faith of all its readers in that evangelical teaching which has hitherto been, and we trust will always be characteristic of our churches;, and it cannot be read by thoughtful persons without suggesting many useful reflections, and stimulating devout gratitude to God for "His unspeakable gift," and the blessings which are derived from the gift of His Son.

In giving our warm commendation to his book, Mr. Govett will not suppose us to hold with him as to the millennial kingdom of our Lord, nor expect us to endorse every phrase he employs. Indeed, were not the points raised between him and Mr. Darby of too transcendent importance to be put aside by discussions of particular words and phrases, we should deal with a few phrases which we think might be made to give place to others that would more exactly present "the truth," and Mr. Govett's conception of it, to the reader's mind at We are, however, in no mood for anything of the kind, as we are anxious that the sale of this edition may give Mr. Govett an early opportunity of issuing it with such verbal corrections as a careful perusal would we have no doubt, suggest as desirable, expedient, or necessary.

once.

The Theological Works of the Rev. John Howard Hinton, M.A. In six vols. Vol. I., Systematic Divinity. London: Houlston and Wright, Paternoster Row. 1861.

We hail with cordial satisfaction this appearance of Mr. Hinton's collected theological works. Extending over at period of nearly forty years, there are some which it would now be difficult, if not impossible, to procure. Remarkable productions many of them were at the time, and excited no little attention and controversy. Distinguished for a fearless independence of thought, it was inevitable that Mr. Hinton's peculiar opinions should have been the frequent subject of adverse criticism. Yet, that the positions which he took up were in the main impregnable, is sufficiently evinced by the fact that only one of his more important works was ever ventured upon by an opponent. Even the objections raised have gradually died away, and the points in question, though not conceded in our author's favour, have fallen into their due place as trivial blemishes in a comprehensive system. It is as a whole that that system must now be judged, and not by carping at details, by which its integrity can scarcely be affected. The publication of these volumes may well be an interesting event to Mr. Hinton himself, since they are a monument of literary labour which few men, in addition to uninterrupted pastoral engagements, have ever been able to perform.

We say literary labours, for really the literary merits of Mr. Hinton's works are not to be passed over in silence. They are evidently the productions of a highly cultivated mind, and are in no slight degree adorned by the graces of composition. It is true that he never condescends to rhetorical effect, and has therefore been too hastily described as a "veteran polemic." But innumerable passages might be adduced to prove that Mr. Hinton can unite eloquence with strict logical reasoning, and combine beauty with power. If in other respects he is inferior to Andrew Fuller, he excels him in this. Andrew Fuller is the in

carnation of strong common sense and natural genius without any pretence to literature and style. He goes right on like an unconquerable leviathan, bearing down all before him by the sheer force of what he has to say. But Mr. Hinton's is not mere power--what he wants of this, he makes up in learning, logic, and scholarship. Everywhere compact, solid, free from verbiage, expressing his thoughts in a simple, strait forward manner, he convinces while he pleases; for although we may not be pleased with his conclusions, we are so by the ingenuity and point with which his arguments are conducted. It is true that he sometimes slides into sophistry, and minds of a low order are deluded by it. But this is not often the case, and although it is a fault it is compensated for by many excellencies. Posterity, we think, will determine that after Fuller we have produced no greater theologian than Hinton.

The present volume contains, "Theology; or, an attempt towards a Consistent View of the whole Counsel of God," with an appendix in reply to Mr. J. A. Haldane, of Edinburgh; "The Harmony of Religious Truth with Human Reason," and the treatise upon "Man's Responsibility." These very titles indicate subjects of so high an order, that works in which they are competently discussed must be worthy of any man's attentive perusal. It is a great advantage to have these publications presented to us under their author's own supervision; instead of a mere editor who is not at liberty to make any important corrections, we have one who can take every means to put every sentence before us in its permanent form, who can clear up whatever has been found to be obscure, and rectify any errors which might have passed unnoticed in the first issue. We cordially congratulate Mr. Hinton upon the appearance of the first of a series of volumes which will for years to come enrich the libraries of all intelligent and thoughtful students of Scripture doc

trines.

This handsome volume is another fruit of the Bicentenary movement in 1862, and is not only valuable as a contribution to the history of Nonconformity in England, but a token that the Evangelical Nonconformists of the present day are conscious that they have a history attaching to their principles, and to the men who held them in days of old, which ought not to be forgotten. It bears evidence of great research, and of much careful gathering up of authenticated facts as to former times, which will be appreciated by all competent judges. But, being a compilation of narratives, and not the production of one writer, it lacks as a whole that unity of style and method which would have added very considerably, in our judgment, to its great merits. The editor deserves great credit for his own contributions to the volume, and would have had our hearty approval if he had overstepped his natural modesty more than he has done by revising the labours of his correspondents; but, as it is, we most cordially commend the volume to our readers, and assure them that it will be a welcome addition to every Congregational library in the kingdom. We shall hope to meet with Mr. Urwick (the Editor) another day in other contributions to our theological literature, and we congratulate him on having carried through the press this volume as a memorial of his fitness for work that demands great patience and sobriety of judgment, as well as accurate knowledge and scrupulous regard for the truth. We wish we could hope for a volume of equal value for each of our English counties, and should be glad to hear of any attempts to preserve memorials of our fathers that must possess much local interest, but would at the same time be contributions to the religious history of England. If Nonconformists are true to themselves,

they will not be content until such books are provided on all hands.

Rest under the Shadow of the Great Rock; a Book of Facts and Principles. By Rev. J. KENNEDY. London: Religious Tract Society. The strong consolations of the Gospel are here exhibited in their application to the various phrases of human suffering. Too many books of this class, though prepared with the best intentions, miss their aim because they are lugubrious and dull. Such a complaint will not stand against any of Mr. Kennedy's writings. In this instance he has produced a work which Christians will read for themselves with great advantage; and good results must certainly follow, if it be brought under the notice of those who are not Christians but prepared by affliction to give heed to spiritual truth. The style is easy, abounds with illustrations, and possesses unction without unctuousness.

The Wisdom of our Fathers. Selections from the Writings of Lord Bacon, with a Memoir. London: Religious Tract Society. -Nothing that is good seems to be foreign to the purpose of the indefatigable conductors of the Tract Society. Sometimes we light upon them disembowelling the dumpy quarto of an old Puritan; anon, it is an illuminated periodical, or a choice morceau of engraving that bespeaks their determination to capture all the gateways of knowledge. They unroll the ample pages of the Cottagers, for our village Hampdens, and purvey for the student the classic wisdom and wit of our deepest penmen. Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam, Viscount St. Albans, whom everybody persists in calling by the name of Lord Bacon (a title which we believe never existed in the British peerage), is the last subject in this gallery, entitled The Wisdom of our Fathers. A selection from his essays, his theological and philosophical works, some specimens of his forensic productions, and an extract from the "New Atlantis," compose the bulk of this volume. A carefully written memoir is prefixed, in which the editor ably discusses, in a limited space, the grave accusations that have been lodged against Bacon's character, and pleads for a revisal of the judgment which has stigmatised him as "the meanest of mankind." The value of this publication at the present time cannot be more appropriately set forth than in the following extracts from the memoir :--" A reader conversant with the history of modern theological controversy can hardly fail to be struck by the extent to which Bacon anticipated the difficulties and cavi

urged against evangelical doctrines in recent times. The relationship of science to Scripture, and the seeming opposition between them; the nature of miracles, and their value as an argument for inspiration; the connection between reason and faith, and the place of the former on matters of revelation-these and other kindred questions are fully discussed. The result is a firm and uncompromising avowal of the things most surely believed among us.'

With a courage, bordering on audacity, he refused to take anything upon trust, but insisted on proving all things.' If such a mind, engaged in such a work, had carried its destructive criticisms into the realms of religion, as well as into those of science, the fact could hardly have been wondered at, however much it might have been regretted. That he yielded so complete a submission to the authority of revelation, accepted so cordially and fully the evidences of the doctrines of Christianity, and ascribed to theology so important a place in the Advancement of Learning,' must be regarded as one of the most important tributes paid to the Gospel in the whole range of uninspired literature." Our space will not permit us to dwell upon this most attractive theme, suffice it to say that this volume is most accurately edited, and in its external features is worthy of the wisdom and wit of its contents.

Wholesome Words; or, One Hundred choice passages from Old Authors. Selected and edited by J. E. RYLAND, M.A. London: Jackson, Walford, & Hodder.-Adams, Leighton, Sibbes, and Jeremy Taylor, are the authors from whom Mr. Ryland has culled this fragrant posy. The extracts are not so brief as to dwindle into mere sentences, nor so lengthy as to prove wearisome. In these busy times when great books are deemed great evils, such a treasury of devout thought as this cannot fail to be extensively acceptable. The subjects chosen are varied as well as practical, and Mr. Ryland's good taste is as conspicuous in the selection as his good feeling is in the publication.

Readings for the Sick Room. By ALEXANDER W. WALLACE, M.D. London:

Morgan & Chase. Price 18.-No profession affords larger opportunities of usefulness to men's souls than that which addresses itself to the welfare of their bodies. The gentleman who has written this little book is evidently a disciple of the Great Physician, and prescribes the healing truths of the Gospel for his patients. May his practice enlarge and be greatly blessed! These

readings are brief expositions of portions of Scripture which set forth the way of salvation. They are simple, forcible, and affectionate, and thoroughly to the purpose. It has often struck us as a defect that we so rarely hear from the pulpit or in the prayer-meeting, supplications for the conversion of gentlemen of the medical profession.

The Martyrs and Heroes of the Scottish Covenant. By GEORGE GILFILLAN. Third Edition. carefully corrected. Edinburgh: Gall & Inglis, 6, George-street. London: Houlston & Wright. Pp. 288.-A great and noble subject, handled by a clever author, whose writings everybody reads, though not with unmingled approbation. This is, however, only a new and revised edition of a work that has been some time before the world, and therefore we need do no more than call attention to it, as an elegant book for which the name of GilAllan will be with many a sufficient recommendation.

Instant Salvation by the Instant Accep tance of a Mediator and Surety. By the Rev. JAMES GALL. Edinburgh: Gall and Inglis, 6, George-street. London: Houlston and Wright. Price 6d. The design of this little book is to make the awakened sinner feel that Jesus Christ is waiting to save; and that to be saved he must, just as he is, accept Christ as his Saviour, and cast himself upon Christ for pardon, sanctification, and life. It is just the thing to be put into the hands of one sincerely enquiring, "What must I do to be saved?"

Lon

Have we every Word of God? By the Author of "Is the Bible True?" don: S. W. Partridge, 9, Paternoster-row; Seeley, Jackson and Halliday, Fleet-street. --This is a reprint from "The Quiver," and furnishes argument in support of the inspiration of the Bible from the Articles of the Church of England, the Confessions of various Protestant Churches, the testimony of Scripture to its Divine Author, the intrinsic character of the Bible and its effects. Its style is peculiar, and it is calculated to do good.

The British Mothers' Family Magazine. Edited by Mrs. Bakewell. London: John Snow, Paternoster-row. Price 3d.

The Mothers' Treasury. London: The Book Society, 19, Paternoster-row, Price One Penny.

These monthly periodicals have a kindred object, and are pervaded by a kindred spirit; but would command different classes of subscribers. The former has an estab