Bucks, and chaplain to the Lock Hospital. Vol. I The First American from the second London edition, improved and enlarged. William W. Woodward. Philadelphia. 1804.. N. B. The whole Commentary consists of four volumes, quarto. IN 1779, the author of this ad mired and useful work published a narrative, entitled, THE FORCE OF TRUTH. In this narrative the honest and ingenuous writer gives a very instructive history of his own conscience and heart; from which the following hints are taken. When Mr. Scott first sought admission into holy orders, he was, according to his own confession, filled with the proud notion of man's dignity, particularly of his own profound understanding and moral worth; and, therefore, embraced a system of religion suited to the feelings of a proud heart. He was "nearly a Socinian.". But perceiving that his Socinian principles were disreputable, and being conscious from his own experience, that they were unfavourable to morality, he, in a great measure, concealed them. Being divine ly designated, as a vessel of mercy, and an able and successful defender of the truth, it was so ordered in the course of provi dence, that he became doubtful respecting his own sentiments, and after a most attentive and serious study of the holy scrip tures, attended with earnest and constant prayer for the teaching of the divine Spirit, he fully and cordially embraced that scheme of doctrines, which he bad view ed with abhorrence, and treated, with contempt, By this gra cious change in his character he was prepared to serve God in the kingdom of his Son. He has now become an author of celebrity in England and in America. His usefulness has already been very extensive. The work now before us, which must have been the fruit of im mense labour, will render his name beloved, and what is of infinitely greater importance, will honour the Redeemer's name, and promote his cause, in future ages. Mr. Scott is now publishing in London a new edition of his Commentary, with many im provements and additions. The American edition will be taken wholly from the new and im proved London edition. The following recommenda-" tion, which accompanied the proposals for the American edition, is entitled to high respect. "SCOTT'S FAMILY BIBLE is at once an instructive, pious, and popular Commentary of the holy scriptures. It has, as far perhaps as such a work can have, the merit of origi nality. The author, indeed, appears not only to have studied the sacred but to have made himself well actext with great care and diligence, quainted with the sentiments and opinions of other Commentators. But he had well digested his knowledge, had thought much for himself; labours of others, but gives the props! and in writing he does not retail the er product of his own mind, in his own language and manner, some times suggesting new ideas, and frequently presenting old ones in a new is purely evangelical, and the practiand striking light. The whole work cal observations are generally very impressive, and often deeply interest ing. The pious writer informs us, that he intended his book for the use indeed, would it be, if every Chris of Christians in general; and happy," tian family could possess so rich treasure of religious instruction and His information, whether derived from scripture, or any other source, is advantageously used. He has not only obtained extensive information, but arranged it in the best manner. He is so happy, as to possess a mind, which views divine subjects in their proper order, and in their own harmonious and powerful abilities and acquirements emconnexions. Some men of great ploy their knowledge to very little purpose. They are in the unfortunate condition of a general at the head of a vast army, who, through his own unskilfulness and the want of discipline among his troops, can do nothing to weaken the enemy, or protect his country. But Mr. Scott's acquirements are under the direction of a judicious, regular mind. He is not more remarkable for the copiousness of his ideas, than for their due arrangement. The Commentary is evangelical in point of sentiment: The author understandingly and thoroughly embraces the doctrines of the reformation, or the Calvinistic doctrines, as the truths of God contained in the scriptures. He receives that system, not as being taught by man, but on the authority of inspiration. In illustrating and defending the scheme of evangelical truth, he has this peculiar advantage, that he has been on the list of its' most learned and active opposers. He knows the strength of their arguments. He can enter into their views. He understands their objections and their evasions. ༢ ་ ། "The system, to which he finally acceded, and for which he "earnestly contends, as the faith once delivered to the saints, is the system, which reveres divine authority, which regards the Lord Jesus, as all in all, and allows to the word of God its obvious meaning and full energy. The commentator, who embraces the latitudinarian scheme, must unhappily find himself in a state of opposition against the spirit of inspiration; must acknowledge that a considerable portion of scripture is unwelcome to his feelings and contrary to his taste. Under his artful management, those things become trivial, which the inspired writers consider as most important; the plainest parts of the Bible the Bible are obscured, and the most impressive parts weakened, by distant and figurative constructions; the sacred warmth of evangelical fervour is chilled, the harmony of truth broken, and its majesty dwindles to nothing. But Mr. Scott, who embraces the pure doctrines of the gospel, is carried along by the current of scripture, falls in with its clear and solemn import, exhibits it in its own connexion and force, is raised by its sublimity, and humbly bows to its mysteries. The work before us is very practical. The author appears deeply impressed with the idea, that all the doctrines of revelation, however mysterious, as well as the great variety of examples which it exhibits, are of a practical tendency. He aims to give them their proper influence on the affections and life. represents their genuine fruit, as consisting in universal good ness. He The commentary is highly de votional. It happily corresponds with the scope of inspiration, which is, to bring God constantly into view, to make his true char acter known, and to produce in mankind a rational, sublime, and fervent piety. The work has, as far as any work of the kind can have, the merit of originality. The mar ginal references are in a considerable measure new. The notes show the author to be a man of extensive reading; yet they are at the greatest distance from a mere compilation. Though he has evidently taken › sufficient pains to furnish him self with the best information, which can be obtained from authors on every subject; still he does not retail their labours, but brings out of his own treasure things new and old. We are supplied and enriched from the fulness of his own mind. We must notice the singular excellence of the marginal refer ences. In this part, our author observes," he has availed himself of the pious labours of his predecessors; especially of the la ter editors of the Oxford Bible in quarto, of Mr. Brown's Bible, and Mr. Cann's. Yet he has by no means taken their references as such. On the contrary he has omitted many, especially of the two latter, which did not appear to bear on the subject, or to elucidate it. On some parts the refer ences are almost entirely original. Every reference in this work is again examined in the proof sheet. "In the original references the author has sometimes pro.' ceeded by way of contrast, that the reader, by comparing the opposite characters, or conduct of the persons mentioned, mayi more clearly perceive the excel ences. lency or evil of the case in ques fully consulting all the refer tion; or by comparing the differ ent language of scripture used on the same subject, he may more readily see the true interpretation, especially on controverted subjects. The meaning of scripture phrases may also be often fixed by comparing the several places where they are used," , Mr. Scott observes, that "although he has for many years, studied the scriptures, as his one grand business; he can truly aver, that the insight he has already obtained into many parts, which before he had not so carefully noted, is such as abundantly to repay his labour, and to convince him, that, along with other means, consulting marginal references forms one of the best helps for fixing the word of God in the memory, leading the mind to a just interpretation of it, and in many cases rendering it most affecting to the heart. It tends powerfully to counteract all sceptical doubts, when every, part of scripture is found like the stones in an arch, to support: and receive support from the rest, and to constitute one grand whole. It serves also to satisfy the mind as to the meaning of disputed passages, when one sense is found manifestly to accord with the rest of the sacred word, and other interpretations evidently run contrary to it." To those who desire to study the scriptures accurately and deeply, especially to young men, either intended for the sacred, ministry, or newly engaged in it, Mr. Scott earnestly recommends to set apart an hour, or half hour, every day, and regularly to, go, through the scriptures, care This commentary is free from a very considerable inconveni ence, to which the paraphrast in liable; the inconvenience of exg pounding every passage. Many parts of scripture need no expla nation. Their meaning and their connexion are as plain, as they can be. Some parts admit no explanation. They have a sacred majesty, force, and beauty, which appear best, in the unadul, terated language of inspiration. To explain is to weaken. To al ter, in any way, is to degrade, Even the pious and learned Doddridge, in his justly admired Family Expositor, sometimes obscures the glory of scripture. He took upon him a very need. less and unnatural incumbrance by introducing into his paraphrase all the words of the original text. Under this incumbrance, together with the gener al one of a paraphrase, he not unfrequently injures the excellence of scripture. He expands, till he enervates. He takes away the animation and strength of inspired brevity. He sometimes sinks the sublime; brings down divinity to humanity, and heaven to earth, This fault, however, is not so directly chargeable upon the amiable and useful author, as upon the plan of his work. An attempt to paraphrase many parts of scripture is, from the nature of the thing, dangerous. For instance: Who can read, without painful disgust, a paraphrase of the direct words of Jehovah, or of such a story, as that of Joseph, or that of Jesus Christ? From the peculiar inconveniences attending a paraprase, Scott's com mentary is free. On passages, which need no illustration, he makes no remarks. Thus time is saved to the writer and the reader, and the attention of both directed either to the pure, im pressive language of revelation, Religious Intelligence. We have received from the Secretary of the London Missionary Society, an “Abstract of the proceedings of their Directors, since their last Annual Meeting, to Feb. 20th, 1806; from which we have derived the following information. ОТАНЕІТЕ. Letters had been received from the Missionaries at Otaheite, dated 12th of December, 1804, with eight Journ als of their itinerant labours, in various parts of the Island, during two years preceding that date. These Journals are intended to form the 14th No. of Missionary Transactions. SOUTH AFRICA. The Mission in South Africa continues to flourish through the pious care and faithful and indefatigable la. bours of Dr. Vanderkemp, Mr. Read, and the other Missionaries associated with them. One of the natives, named Kruisman, has been baptized. He is a person of great zeal and activity; and hopes are entertained of his extensive usefulness among his countrymen. Gov. Jannsen is very friendly to the Missionaries. CHINA. The Directors, in consequence of some valuable information received by them, contemplate a mission to China, and are educating Mr. Morrison for the purpose, who is now learning the Chinese language in London, from Yong Saam Tak, a native of China. He is transcribing Harmony of the Gospels, and other parts of the New Testament, in that language, from a M. S. copy in the British Museum. It is proposed that Dr. Vanderkemp, if he will consent, shall superintend this important mis. sion. Accordingly a letter has been written to the Dr. informing him that the Society intend to send two or more Missionaries to the Prince of Wales' Island, with a view to the translation of the Holy Scriptures into the Chinese language, and to Mission to the empire of China, and requesting him to take the charge of conducting it. EAST INDIES. GENTOO MISSION. A Letter of a very pleasing and satisfactory nature has been lately received by the Directors of the Missionary Society, from the Brethren George Cran and Augustus Desgranges, dated Vizagpatnam, Oct. 16, 1805, together with their Journal, from March the 4th to September the 8th. Their first residence in India was at Tranquebar, where they had opportu nity to consult with the worthy Breth ren of the Danish Mission, and to commence the study of the language of the country. In the beginning of March, 1805, Mr Cran and Mr. Desgranges judged it best to remove to Madras, where they arrived on the 6th of that month, and had a pleasant meeting with the Baptist Missionaries, who have since left that place for Se. rampore. At Madras they met with very kind friends, some of whom occupy the most respectable stations, and who a were of eminent service to them in forwarding their Missionary views. After consulting with gentlemen of the best information, earnestly seek. ing direction from above, and maturely weighing all the circumstances of |
