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URING the year 1796, the lift of tranflators into Englith from the original of the facred writings has been enlarged by the name of Dr. Charles Garden, late a tutor at Eton College. That gentleman has published "An improved Verfion, attempted, of the Book of Job: a Poem, confifting of Parallels, Conftructive, Synonymous, and Triplet; with a preliminary Differtation, and Notes, critical, hiftorical, and explanatory." To do juftice to the tranflator's intention" to give an exact and faithful reprefentation of the words, and of the fenfe of the poet, to imitate the air and manner of the author, to exprefs the form and fashion of the compofition, and to give the English reader fome notion of the peculiar caft and turn of the original," required an intimate knowledge of the Hebrew language, profound fkill in appreciating the criticifms of preceding commentators and lexicographers, and no fmall fhare of poetical tafte. Dr. Garden, from the tone which he frequently affumes, appears to have had full confidence in the qualifications which he poffeffed for fuch an undertaking. From the long lift of names in the prolegomena it would feem, that he has been induftrious in confulting and felect

ing from every learned author he could meet with on the subject. Indeed the greatest share of merit which his work can claim, from the acknowledged learning difplayed in the preliminary differtation, and the very numerous notes, is founded on the labour of felection. In original criticism it cannot be faid to abound, The language of this version, likewise, is frequently uncouth, obfcure, and inaccurate; and, on these accounts, but ill adapted to prefent us with the beauties of the most sublime of the facred poets, Ifaiah alone excepted, who may be faid, not to de fcribe, but to render visible, whatever he treats of." On the whole, we cannot pronounce that Dr. Garden, from this refult of his philological ftudies, is entitled to any diftinguifhed rank among biblical fcholars.

The books of "Proverbs, Ecclefiaftes, Wisdom of Solomon, and Ecclefiafticus," have been published, in a feparate form, not only for the purpofe of cheapnefs, but of convenience, by a well wifher to the interefts of virtue, " as a fmall compendium of ancient morals, or what would formerly have been termed a manual of ethics;" and are accompanied with an introductory preface, containing a concife,

but

but well written view, of the agriCulture, commerce, policy, and fcience in Palestine during the reign

of Solomon.

Mr. Burgefs, in a "Letter to the Honourable and Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Ely, on the Subject of a new and authoritative Tranflation of the Holy Scriptures," fuggefts his gloomy apprehenfions of the confequences which would follow from the introduction of a new, or improved verfion, however well executed. The principal topic on which he expatiates is, the trite and hacknied one of the danger of innovation; particularly in the prefent ftate of fociety. Under exifting circumftances," he had rather be the man to add a link to the chain of fuperftition, than to cut one from it." Such language would have been fuitable to the character of a bigoted catholic priest, at the æra of the Reformation, or of a pagan hierophant, a the firft introduction of chriftianity; but is utterly unworthy a clergyman of a proteftant church, at the clofe of the eighteenth century.

Mr. Marth's "Letters to Mr. Archdeacon Travis, in Vindication of one of the Tranflator's Notes to Michaelis s Introduct on, and in Confirmation of the Opinion that a Greek Manufcript, now preferved in the public Library of the University of Cambridge, is one of the feven which are quoted by R. Stephens, at John v. 7." conftitute a most learned and valuable production in biblical criticifm. If any thing be thought wan.ing, after the erudition and ingenuity difplayed by Mr. Porfon, in demonftration of the fpurioufnefs of the difputed paffage, thefe letters will afford conplete fatisfaction, and terminate the controverfy with the

judicious and impartial. They ferve, at the fame time, as an admirable guide to scholars in the best mode of ftudying ancient manufcripts, and of determining the value of collations and early editions, in facred or profane literature. In a long Appendix, Mr. Marth clearly convicts the archdeacon of a variety of inaccuracies and illegitimate conclufions, which are unpardonable in a man of learning and critical skill; proves, by extracts from Mr. Pappelbaum, that the Codex Ravianus is merely a copy of the Complutenfian edition; and fatisfactorily explains the origin and object of the Velefian readings.

Free

Dr. Williams, in his "Remarks on a Treatife by William Bell, D. D. &c. entitled Arguments in Proof of the Authenticity of the Narratives of the extraordinary Conception and Birth of Jon the Baptift, and the miraculus Conception and Birth of Jefus, contained in the two firft Chapters of the Gofpels of St. Matthew and St. Luke," maintains the fame ground which he occupied in his Enquiry," noticed in or Register for the year 1789. With the fame calmnefs and liberality as were difplayed in that production, he dif cufles anew that part of the evidence for the genuineness of the difputed chapters to which Dr. Bell's ingenuity had given its utmoft force; and urges additional arguments, drawn from conjecture and probability, which have ferved to confirm him in his former opi nion. The biblical ftudent, by poffeffing the publications of Dr. Williams and Dr. Bell, will be enabled to meet with every thing of importance which can be advanced on the controverted fubject, at least as far as relates to St. Mat

thew's

thew's Gofpel, and to judge on which fide of the fcales the weight of evidence preponderates. In an Appendix our author maintains, with Auguftine, and other writers among the ancients as well as moderns, that St. Mark's Gospel is an abbreviated translation of St. Matthew's Syro-Chaldaic Gospel.

In our Register for the year 1788, we announced to our readers the object and general character of Mr. now Dr. Ryan's "Hiftory of the Effects of Religion on Mankind; in Countries ancient and modern; barbarous and civilized." It is but lately that we have feen a Supplement to that work, in a IId. Vol. which bears the date of 1793, and is executed with the fame learning and ingenuity as the forIt is divided into four fections, in which the author fhews, that the erroneous doctrines and fuperftitious practices of Chriftians are not to be imputed to Chriftianity; illuftrates the enthufiafm of the heathens, the origin, progrefs, and influence of fanaticifm in the times of the crufades, &c. with the effects of it on the literature, the religion, and the morals of the English nation; points out the real caufes of feveral perfecutions, herefies, controverfies, wars, &c. falfely imputed to Chriftianity by modern infidels; and refutes the objections which have been urged against the utility of religion.

Mr. Roberts, in his "Obfervations on the Principles of Chriftian Morality, and the Apoftolic Character, occafioned by Dr. Paley's View of the Evidences of Chrifti. anity," attacks that valuable writer on account of the liberality with which he concedes to the enemies of Revelation, what he deems to be untenable and ufelefs points, and the caution with which he has

refrained from ufing the language of party principles. Thefe very circumftances, in the opinion of fome of the ablest and most zealous advocates for Revelation, have ftamped fuperior excellence on the doctor's labours, and contributed effent ally to ferve the caufe which he fupports. Mr. Roberts is of à different opinion; and endeavours to convict Dr. Paley of injuftice to the religion of the gofpel, by giv ing improper or defective views of its morality, of its peculiar doctrines, and of the characters of its founder, and his apostles. From the manner in which he conducts his hoftility, he does not prove himself to be a very formidable antagonist.

"Chriftian Philofophy, or an Attempt to difplay the Evidence and Excellence of revealed Religion; by Vicefimus Knox, D. D." in 2 Vols. is a work which the well known talents of the author led us to open with confiderable expectations; but which the perufal hath moft grievously difappointed. Abandoning the ftrong ground which the most venerable and judi cious advocates for Chriftianity have fo well maintained, that of hiftorical teftimony; and even undermining it (for he is willing ferioufly to make the conceffion that Chriftianity is not founded on argument), Dr. Knox refts the faith of a Chriftian on " the divine irra, diation of the holy ghoft, fhining upon and giving luftre to the letter of Revelation." Very diftinet is this principle from the doctrine of divine energy, operating on the heart of a virtuous man, to affift him in the performance of his duty; as it fuppofes the belief of Chrifti. anity to depend on an immediate divine impulfe. This, furely, is myfticism, rather than philofophy;

and tends more to encourage the fneers of the infidel, or the vifionary conceits of the fanatic, than to fatisfy the mind of the fober rational enquirer. To many of Dr. Knox's excellent obfervations on the practical influence of Chriftianity, and to the vast weight in favour of its truth which that influence affords to the minds of those who embrace it, we fubfcribe with all our heart. We are also proud to appeal with him to that branch of the internal evidence of our holy faith; while at the fame time we are confident in the fuccefs of an appeal alfo to human reafon and human learning in its defence, although "the infidel is ever ready to oppofe weapons from the fame armoury."

Mr. Clarke's "Anfwer to the Question, why are you a Chriftian?" originally published at Bofton, in New England, deferves to be recommended to young perfons, as a well written and pleafing manual of the leading arguments in favour of Christianity. The author has arranged thefe arguments under the heads of internal evidence, arifing from the nature of the doctrines and precepts of Christianity; its early and extenfive propagation; the completion of prophecies; and the character and miracles of Chrift.

Mr. Malham's "Word for the Bible; being a serious Reply to the Declarations and Affertions of the fpeculative Deifts and practical Atheists of modern Times, particularly the Age of Reafon, Part II." is one of thofe hafty and indigefted productions, which do no honour to the talents of their authors, and differve the caufe they are intended to fupport. It was written, as the advertisement ac knowledges, currente calamo, in lefs than three weeks. Such precipi1796.

tancy, on fo important a fubject, and in reply to a fhrewd and popular, although a grofs, illiberal, and difingenuous adversary, cannot eafily be excused.

Mr. Winchester's "Defence of Revelation, in ten Letters to Thomas Paine; being an Answer to the ift Part of the Age of Reafon," was first published at New York, whence it came ftrongly recommended to the friends of religion in this country. It would be injuftice in us not to acknowledge that it is deferving of confiderable praife, as a calm, comprehenfive, and perfpicuous fummary of the arguments and facts which may be reforted to in repelling the calumnies of Paine.

"The Age of Infidelity, Part I. in Anfwer to the Second Part of the Age of Reafon, &c." proceeds from the fame pen with the" first part, which was announced in this department of our work for the year 1794. It discovers the fame abilities, and fpirit; and the fame impolicy in embarraffing the grand queftion, by the introduction of topics which relate only to dif putes agitated among Chriftians, and not to the points at iffue be tween Chriftians and infidels.

The "Effay on the Originality. and Permanency of the Biblical Hebrew, with an Application to the leading principle of a modern Unbeliever, who denies the Exift ence of any written Word of God, by the Rev. Gerald Fitzgerald, D. D. &c. Profeffor of Hebrew in the Univerfity of Dublin," is highly creditable to the learning and ingenuity of the author. Without either adopting or rejecting his opinions refpecting the origin and permanency of the Hebrew language, the priority and permanen. cy of the prefent Hebrew letters,

M

or

or the antiquity of the vowel points, we have no hesitation in pronouncing him completely victorious over his opponent. We are not convinced, however, that fuch an expenditure of talent was neceffary to the object which the worthy author had in view.

The "Apology for the Bible, in a Series of Letters, addreffed to Thomas Paine, &c. by R. Watfon, D. D. F. R. S. Lord Bishop of Landaff, and Regius Profeffor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge," is a publication for which the Chriftian world is greatly indebted to the worthy prelate. In his attack on the fcriptures, Mr. Paine chofe to difclaim all appeal to learning and antiquity, and engaged to fhew, from the books themselves, that they are entirely unworthy of credit. Dr. Watfon, refraiming to avail himself of that ftrong collateral teftimony, the value of which his opponent was incapable of appreciating, meets him on his own ground; and, as far as it was poffible to arrange his mifcellaneous and confufed ob. jections in any regular order, pro ceeds to the feparate difcuffion of them in a series of ten letters. In perusing them, the reader muft be ftruck with the liberal, candid, and gentlemanly spirit which pervades the whole; while he will find numerous opportunities of admiring the judicions and happy manner in which the biflop employs his extenfive and well known acquaintance with literature and fcience, and his acknowledged logical acumen, in a pleafing and popular defence of the Jewish and Chriftian Scriptures. We cannot too ftrongly recommend them, as moft admirably adapted to counteract the injurious effects which the treatife they are designed to au

fwer was calculated to produce on ignorant and uninformed minds.

The publications entitled "The Bishop of Landaff's Apology for the Bible, examined, &c. by A. Macleod," and "Thomas Paine vindicated, &c. by a Beift," by no means abound with argument; nor do they appear to have been dictated by that candour and seriousness, which we confider to be infeparable from the proper love of truth.

Mr. Hollis, in his "Sober and Serious Reafons for Scepticism, as it concerns revealed Religion," is decorous and modeft in ftating the difficulties which have operated fo powerfully upon his mind, as to

induce him to renounce his be lief in Revelation. Thefe are, chiefly, the fcripture doctrine concerning the future punishment of the wicked, which he conceives to announce everlafting mifery to be the deftination of the great mass of human beings; the extermination of the Canaanites; and the improbability of the deity's ever breaking in upon the established order of nature by miraculous interpofitions. Our readers will perceive that there is nothing new in Mr. Hollis's difficulties; and may probably be of opinion that they require no new folution.

Mr. Williams's "Reafons for Faith in revealed Religion, opposed to Mr. Hollis's Reasons for Scepticifm," contain an ingenious, candid, and difpaffionate reply to the arguments adduced by the laft named writer; and alfo proofs in favour of the Chriftian Revelation drawn from the character of Chrift, and the hiftory and prefent state of the Jews. Those readers, however, who do not concur with Mr. Williams in embracing the com monly received opinions, will con

tend,