thoughts as he approaches nearer to the heavenly world, scattering, it may be, with a trembling hand, and with a step less firm than before the day of the sear and yellow leaf, yet from a full basket, the seed which his extensive knowledge and varied experience have enabled him to collect. And still more delightful is it when the subject of his later communications to those whom he is leaving behind, refers chiefly to the blessed abode which his Saviour has prepared for him, and from which he is not far distant, and to the innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, into whose society he is waiting to enter. Heavenly truths come to us with ten-fold power from lips prompted by a heart often borne upwards on contemplation's wing,' and refreshed, in the calm evening. of life, as by spiritual gales, spreading their celestial fragrance even through a mortal atmosphere.

Thoughts like these have been suggested to us by the delightful volume now on our table. Views of the Heavenly World," by "Jonathan Edmondson," one of the fathers of our Connexion, a veteran of nearly fifty years' standing, yet still keeping his place in the ranks, nor seeking repose among the honoured band of our milites emeriti. His Short Sermons, his Treatise on Selfgovernment, and on the Christian Ministry, are well-known, and deservedly esteemed; and the present volume, we are satisfied, will not obtain a less degree of favour than those which have preceded it. The object of the respected author is evidently not to gratify curious and useless inquiry, he knew better than to aim at this,-but to supply subjects of animating and instructive reflection to the Christian in his closet; especially if, as is most frequently the case, the time that he can allot to its important exercises be very limited.

Something of the nature and plan of the work may be collected from the following table of contents :-View I. There is a heavenly world. II. Scripture names of heaven. III. God is present in heaven. IV. The

presence of Jesus in heaven. V. No sufferings in heaven. VI. No death in heaven. VII. No night in heaven. VIII. No war in heaven. IX. Heaven is a holy place. X. Heaven is a happy place. XI. Heaven is a glorious place. XII. Happy employments of heaven. XIII. Extensive knowledge in heaven. XIV. We shall know each other there. XV. Many ranks and orders in glory. XVI. The religion of heaven is love. XVII. The resurrection-body in heaven. XVIII. The pleasures of heaven are pure. XIX. The wicked are shut out of heaven. XX. Heaven is eternal. In addition, there is a plain and concise, but very conclusively reasoned, preface on the "Immortality of the Soul." On this subject, Mr. Edmondson, with his usual accuracy, distinguishes between argument, which goes to show the probability of the soul's immortality, and Revelation, which assures us of the fact. We quote the opening paragraph:

:

"The immortality of the soul is a If subject of vast importance to man. it can be proved, he is placed in awful circumstances; if it cannot, he will live and die in painful doubt and uncertainty. Many books have been written, by ingenious men, on a future state; but those writers who have followed no other guide than that of human reason, have left the subject in the dark, and their readers in a perplexing state of doubt and fear. Reason is a precious gift of God, and, when used with sobriety, is a blessing of

incalculable value; but its powers are

confined within the narrow circle of visible objects, beyond which it cannot pass, without the aid of divine Revelation.

"In the following observations we state in few words, the probability of the soul's immortality, on the evidence of reason; and then prove its certainty, on the evidence of divine revelation. All that reason can affirm is, 'It may be so;' but the infallible oracles of God assure us, 'It shall be so.'" (Preface.)

Mr. Edmondson thus occupies the right ground. Facts prove this beyond dispute. The wisest of the Heathen rather hoped for a future state than believed in its existence. The fancy-visions of the poet, gorgeous as they might appear to be, never satisfied them. Hadrian, who

lived after the Gospel had cast such a splendour of light upon "life and immortality," when gazing upon the gloom which he could not penetrate, anxiously inquired in what place his soul, so long the guest and companion of his body, was about to dwell. And Cicero could not describe his virtuous old man, waiting for his dismissal from life, without expressing the doubt, in point of fact, far stronger than the hope, that all might be delusive. "But if I err in this, that I believe the souls of men to be immortal, I err will ingly."+ If it were not for the word of God, we should have no "view of heaven." As a specimen of the general style and spirit of the volume, we quote from View XVI. The religion of heaven is love :

"Pure love, in active operation, is the one religion. As there is but one God in the boundless universe, religion must be one thing in every place; and as he is pure essential love, religion must be love, not only on earth, but in heaven. In the present world, pure love to God produces all the duties of piety, both in doing and in suffering the divine will; and pure love to created beings, of every rank and station, produces all the relative and social duties of life; and this is the foundation of evangelical piety in all its varied beauties and excellencies.

"That love which we seek (here) in the use of appointed means, is the religion of the heavenly world. Nothing contrary to love can live in that holy place. All ranks and orders of celestial spirits are full of love, both to God and to one another; and that love has no interruptions, no foolish partialities, and no decays. Heavenly charity, or love, 'never faileth,' but runs on in a sweet and even course,

'God is love,

and will run on for ever. and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and he in him.'

"Both saints and angels live in the element of love, and constantly enjoy all its salutary and balmy influences; and it is to them a perpetual source of the ing is wanted in heaven that love can sweetest and highest delight. No blesssupply; no enjoyment is denied to any individual that love can afford; and no bright prospect is closed in that happy world, that love can open. Actuated by this God-like principle, every one is good to all within his reach; and is always ready to promote, in every possible way, the happiness of his companions in glory. They are all of one heart, one mind, and of every rank and order, are kindred spione way. All the inhabitants of heaven, rits; and all are brethren beloved; for all have one common Father. Many things lie far beyond the reach of the most highly-exalted created spirits; but love will reign in every breast, and fill every soul with joy unspeakable and full of glory." (Pp. 180—182.)

When we contrast this delightful state with that which too generally prevails on earth, and is too often found even in the church, we really cannot help exclaiming, in the language of the tractate already referred to, "O bright and glorious day, when we shall repair to that divine council and assembly of souls, and escape from this contentious and turbid state!

66

We have pleasure in recommending our readers to lose no time in procuring for themselves this unpretending but very valuable little volume; not only because of the instruction and encouragement which it will af ford, but also because of its tendency to promote the habit of devotional reading, and to fit the mind for regular devotional exercises.

Learning and Piety united: or, a Plea for the Wesleyan Theological Institution.

By the Author of "Hora Britannica." Second Edition. 12mo. pp. 40.

Mason.

To

An Exposition of the Ninth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. With the Banner of Justification. By John Goodwin, M. A., sometime Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge; and Vicar of St. Stephen's, Coleman-street, London. which is added, EIPHNOMAXIA : The Agreement and Distance of Brethren. With a Preface, by Thomas Jackson, Author of the Life of the Rev Richard Watson. 8vo. pp. 530. 88. Baynes and Son. This volume contains a reprint of three tracts by John Goodwin; one of the most accomplished Divines of modern ages. He was equally distinguished by his logical acumen, correct knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and profound and original views of revealed truth. His object in the Exposition of the ninth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is to prove that the Apostle intended to establish the doctrine of justification by faith; and not, as many persons have supposed, to assert any absolute election and reprobation of men from eternity. The argumentation pursued is remarkably clear and powerful; every sentence and clause in the chapter being viewed in connexion with the context; and the practical bearing of the whole is distinctly specified. The second tract is designed to point out the numerous causes which are employed, under the divine appointment and direction,in investing men with the great blessing of justification to eternal life. It developes more completelythe principle upon which the Exposition is conducted. "The Agreement and Distance of Brethren" is a concise outline of the entire controversy respecting the extent of human redemption, and the points of doctrine connected with it. The author shows how far he could agree in opinion with his Calvinian brethren; the precise points at issue between them; and the principal reasons upon which his dissent was founded. All the tracts have for several years been extremely scarce, and therefore in the hands of very few people. They are here republished, in a handsome and readable form, for the benefit of the theological student, and all who feel an interest in these import

ant discussions. The volume is remarkably cheap, considering its size and elegance. The tracts are printed entire, without any curtailment ; and the Exposition comprises several elaborate disquisitions on some of the most interesting and difficult questions in theology.

Russia: or, Miscellaneous Observations on the past and present State of that Country and its Inhabitants. Compiled from Notes made on the Spot, during Travels, at different Times, in the service of the Bible Society, and a Residence of many Years in that Country. By Robert Pinkerton, D. D., Author of "The Present State of the Greek Church in Russia," and Foreign Agent to the British and Foreign Bible Society. Royal 8vo. pp. 486. Seeleys.-There is no nation in the present age that is placed in so striking an attitude as the vast Russian empire. It has risen in a few years from a state of comparative barbarism, to be a firstrate power in Europe; and the probability is, that it is destined by Providence to subvert the Mahometan empire, which for ages has been the principal support of that grand religious imposture that has so long blasphemed the truth of the Lord Jesus, persecuted his saints, and defied his power. It is to the manners and customs of the Russians, and to their moral and religious state, that Dr. Pinkerton directs his principal attention; and on these subjects few men are better qualified to give an opinion. His long residence in the country, his incessant journeyings, and the nature of the service in which he has been employed, give him advantages of observation of which no other traveller can boast; and he certainly has produced a volume of superior interest and instruction, describing the character and condition of every grade of society, from the Autocrat himself, to the most abject serf. To the volume are appended seven sermons preached by Russian Ministers, which serve as a specimen of the doctrine at present inculcated by the Clergy of that section of the Greek Church. It is needless to add, that the work has our very cordial recommendation. It is ornamented with several coloured plates, representing the costume and amuse ments of the people.

The Triglott Evangelists, interlinear: consisting of the original Greek, from the Text of Griesbach; the Latin taken form Montanus, Beza, and the Vulgate ; and the English of the Authorized Version accommodated to the Greek Idiom : with Grammatical and Historical Notices, Indexes, &c. To which is added, a

Grammar, containing the idiomatic Peculiarities of the Greek Testament. pp. 508, with pp. 78 of grammar and indexes. Taylor. The editor of this volume, we believe, is already known as the diligent compiler of a copious and really valuable index to Professor Long's meagre edition of Herodotus, and as the author of " Exercises on Xenophon." The present volume is creditable to his talents and industry; and will serve materially to assist those persons who are desirous of becoming acquainted with the style and diction of the original Greek Testament, without having enjoyed the advantages of a classical training in youth. We must express our regret, that the Greek text is not accentuated. The very partial use of the accents and breathings which is fashionable at the Gower-street Establishment, is not creditable to the scholarship of a University, however it may be convenient to a printer. Why should the circumflex accent and rough breathing only be retained, except in cases of interrogation, and perhaps a few others, against the whole voice of antiquity and learned men? The contents of the volume are so copiously stated in the title, that it does not require any further analysis.

Oriental Memoirs: a Narrative of Seventeen Years' Residence in India. By James Forbes, Esq., F. R.S. Second Edition, revised by his Daughter, the Countess De Montalembert. In Two Volumes. 8vo. pp. 550, 552. 248. Bentley. The first edition of this work was published about twenty years ago, in an expensive form. Unlike most books of travels, it loses none of its interest and value by time. It relates principally to the natural history of India, and the manners, habits, and superstitions of the people. As these are subjects which do not change like the political relations and circumstances of mankind, faithful and well-written descriptions of them never become obsolete. The author is a decided friend to Christianity, and strenuously pleads for its propagation in India; and certainly the view which he gives of the idolatry and vices of the Hindoos places the necessity of Christian instruction in a very striking light. Mr. Forbes was an attentive reader of the holy Scriptures, and has produced several very beautiful illustrations of particular passages, a few specimens of which will be found in the miscellaneous department of this Magazine. To those who wish to obtain an accurate knowledge of the Hindoo character, and of the animals and vegetable productions of India, these

volumes may be safely and cordially recommended.

Sympathy; or, the Mourner advised und comforted. By the Rev. John Bruce, Minister of Necropolis, or Low-Hill General Cemetery, Liverpool. Second Edition. 12mo. pp. 302. Hamilton.A pious and edifying manual, intended at once to comfort the bereaved, and to render their sorrows subservient to their spiritual benefit.

The Law of Moses viewed in Connexion with the History and Character of the Jews, with a Defence of the Book of Joshua against Professor Leo of Berlin: being the Hulsean Lectures for 1833. To which is added, an Appendix, containing Remarks on the Arrangement of the Historical Scriptures adopted by Gesenius, De Wette, and others. By Henry John Rose, B. D., Fellow of St. John's College. 8vo. pp. 236. 8s. Rivington.

Vol.

The Family Expositor; or, a Paraphrase and Version of the New Testament: with Critical Notes and a Practical Improvement of each Section. V. Containing the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon. By Philip Doddridge, D. D. 8vo. pp. 520. 5s. Alan Bell.-The Family Expositor of the excellent Dr. Doddridge is too well known to need any recommendation from us; and we only notice the successive volumes of this edition because of their cheapness, and the clearness and boldness of the print, so well adapted to private and domestic use.

Mount Pisgah; or, a Prospect of Heaven. Being an Exposition of 1 Thess. iv. 13-18. By Thomas Case, sometime Student in Christ Church, Oxon; and Minister of the Gospel. A. D. 1670. Abridged. 24mo. pp. 232. Religious Tract Society.-Thomas Case was a Puritan Minister of great picty and spirituality of mind. His "Mount Pisgah " we have always regarded as the best of his publications. The small volume before us is rather an extract from this work, than an abridgment of it. The original book contains some very valuable matter on the work of the Holy Spirit, particularly as witnessing the adoption of believers into the family of God, which we regret to see omitted in this reprint: a considerable portion of Calvinistic sentiment is, however, retained.

The Devotional Psalter; or, Sacred Meditations for every Day in the Year, upon the Psalms of David, 32mo. pp. 548. Oliphant, Edinburgh.

A New Dictionary of the English