apocryphal books: The Apocalypses of Moses, of Esdras, of Paul, and of John; Johannis Liber de Dormitione Mariae; Liber de Transitu Mariae Virginis; Additamenta ad Acta Apostolorum apocrypha and ad Evangelia apocrypha. The several documents are accompanied by notes, prolegomena, various readings, and in part translations. It is a most interesting addition and contribution to apocryphal literature. The getting up is all that could be desired; the price very moderate; and the reputation of the editor beyond praise from us. We may mention here that the above volume is one of a series, including Evangelia Apocrypha, Acta apostolorum apocrypha, and De Evangeliorum apocryphorum similiumque librorum origine et usu, issued by the same eminent editor. In these days no theologian should neglect examining the extant apocryphal Christian literature.

THE OPENING VERSES (1-18) of the Gospel of JOHN.'- This is a series of ten meditations, or lectures delivered before a mixed public, by the author of the valuable Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, and of one of the most authoritative systems of Lutheran Theology. The titles of the lectures are: The Positive and Negative Design of the Gospel of John; The Word; The Life and Light; John the Baptist; Darkness; Sonship; The Incarnation of the Word and the Glory of the Incarnate One; The Only-Begotten, the Temple of God and his Baptism; Law, Grace, and Truth; and the Supper of the Lamb. The meditations are thoroughly orthodox, Lutheran, and warm.

THE HISTORICAL INFLUENCE OF DON CHASDAI CRESKAS' RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY.2- Who was Don Chasdai Creskas? He was a Spanish Jew, who lived and wrote towards the end of the fourteenth century; but who, though of a highly respectable family and a man of eminent philosophical ability, has hitherto remained so unknown that even Munk, the celebrated French scholar, does not mention him in his sketch of the History of Jewish Philosophy. His principal work or Adonai, "Light of God," was written in the interest of orthodoxy, and was directed mainly against the liberalism of Gersonides and Maimonides, and their followers. He defends the Bible against the prevailing Aristotelic philosophy. Dr. Joel gives a clear account of the doctrines of this Light of God, and deserves the attention of all who are interested in inquires of this character.

1 Der Eingang des Johannes Evangeliums. Von. Dr. F. A. Philippi, Professor of Theology in Rostock. Stuttgart: Liesching; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co.

1866.

2 Don Chasdai Creskas' religionsphilosophische Lehren in ihrem geschichtlichen Einflusse. Von. Dr. M. Joel. Breslau: Skutsch; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1866.

THE IDEA OF Absolute PERSONALITY; OR, God and HIS RELATION TO THE WORLD, in particular to HUMAN PERSONALITY.'—It is high time that theologians of all schools should set about a revision of the traditional doctrine of the nature and attributes of God. This may perhaps startle some of our readers; but we assert it, because in our view the current representations of God are not purely Biblical, but an unsatisfactory mixture of false philosophy and revelation. If this were the proper place we could trace back the former elements to their source. As long as our teachings on this subject are marked by their present vagueness and selfcontradictoriness - we can compare our ordinary theological image of God to nothing but an image of gold and clay — we shall never be able fully to defend the Incarnation of Christ, or overthrow those nearly related, though apparently opposed errors, Deism and Pantheism, errors which are now stalking through the ranks of the cultivated and scientific with greater boldness than ever. We welcome, therefore, any attempt in this direction, even though we may not agree with it in all respects; especially when its leading feature is a thorough discussion of that which is common to God and man - personality. Dr. Hanne's work treats of the historical development of theism, and its conflicts with deism and pantheism; the following are its principal headings: (1) The beginnings of theism among cultivated heathens prior to the advent of Christ, and the ancient idea of deity as substance, their fundamental metaphysical error; - Plato and Aristotle are here carefully noticed; (2) The development of Christian theism in the early church; (3) Theism during the Middle Ages; (4) The struggles of Theism with Pantheism and Deism since the Reformation, and the evolutions of modern philosophy in this sphere since the time of Kant. His exposure of Hegel is masterly. Though the positive results of Dr. Hanne's treatise is rather a testimonium paupertatis for philosophical speculation than anything else, still as a history, and as indirectly drawing the mind back to the grand unity and vitality of the Biblical teachings regarding God, we regard it as not unworthy of attention.

CONFESSIONS; Or, Three BookS OF FAITH.':- Another work by the same author, in three parts: first, monologues; secondly, poems; thirdly, articles. The first are on the following subjects: Modern questionings about Faith; Glances in the forecourt of Faith; Passages from my own life on the forecourts of Faith; State of the church at the present day;

1 Die Idee der absoluten Persönlichkeit, oder, Gott und sein Verhältniss zur Welt, insbesondere zur menschlichen Persönlichkeit. Von. Dr. F. W. Hanne. 2 vols. 2d ed. Hannover: Rümpler; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1865.

2 Bekenntnisse oder Drei Bücher vom Glauben. Von. Dr. F. W. Hanne. 2d ed. Hannover: Rümpler; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1865.

Faith and Reason; The Wretchedness attendant on the Conflict between Reason and Faith. The third part contains discussions of the Idea of the Image of God; Prayer; and the Sacraments. Much that the author advances is opposed to our English orthodox view of matters; but as representing the thinking of thousands in Germany, perhaps in America too, and as the production of so able a man, Hanne's Confessions deserve a careful perusal.

TIME AND ETERNITY.'- A small treatise, by an able man, on an important subject. Dr. Fabri is the author of the Letters against Materialism, noticed in a previous number of the Bibliotheca Scara. The result at which he arrives is, that time is an objective law of formation or development inherent in every created being, in each after its own peculiar manner; or otherwise expressed, time is nothing but the law of creaturality which adheres to all created beings. Eternity is a mode of existence differing in kind from the temporal mode; it is the state of perfection; it is the true present; i.e. the state in which the dualism between ought and being is done away with. We do not think Dr. Fabri has cleared away the difficulties attending the subject; but still his treatise is suggestive.

A carefully

THE CLEMENTINE HOMILIES AND RECOGNITIONS. edited edition of an ancient production falsely attributed to Clemens Romanus, which has become of great importance since the Tübingen School used it in support of their theory of the rise and progress of the Christian church. The learned author promises to issue also a commentary on the

text.

HISTORY OF PROTESTANT THEOLOGY.-The important work whose full title is given below, forms one of a series, whose publication was commenced under the auspices of the late King of Bavaria, Maximilian II. The series in question, entitled The History of the Sciences in Germany, is divided into three sections, the first of which is devoted to theology, philosophy, and philology; the second to general history, jurisprudence, political economy, and other general sciences; the third to the physical sciences. The task of writing the history of Protestant theology was

1 Zeit und Ewigkeit. Von Dr. Fabri. Barmen: Langewiesche; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1865.

2 Clementina. Edited by Dr. P. de la Garde. Leipsic: Brockhaus; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1865.

3 Geschichte der protestantischen Theologie, besonders in Deutschland nach ihrer principiellen Bewegung und im zusammenhang mit dem religiösen sittlichen und intellectuellen Leben dargestellt von Dr. I. A. Dorner. München: Cotta; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1867. Price, 3 thalers, 20 sgr.

entrusted to Dr. Dorner; that of writing the history of Roman Catholic theology, to Dr. Werner. We shall now very briefly indicate the design, spirit, and compass of Dr. Dorner's work. It has been very differently received, as might be expected, by Protestants and Roman Catholics. The latter are ill-pleased, as well they may be; for, though any one who is acquainted with its author would feel sure beforehand that he would be guilty of no injustice and no unnecessary polemic; that, on the contrary, his work would be marked by breadth, justice, and sobriety; he would still be prepared to expect that vigor, distinctness, and thorough Protestantism which are always hateful to Romanism. This new work of Dr. Dorner's is in every respect a worthy counterpart of his History of the Doctrine of the Person of Christ. It is scarcely a history in the common sense of the term; for it does not give a detailed account of the various theological schools, conflicts, systems, works, and the like, which have filled out the three hundred years since the Reformation under Luther. Such a task would have required many volumes instead of one. It is rather a history of the principle of Protestantism in its varied developments, specially in Germany. Not two hundred pages of a work of nine hundred and eighteen pages are devoted to the Protestantism of other countries, — a circumstance which may surprise some. Dr. Dorner has taken this course, not from narrowness or ignorance, but in the conviction that while in other countries Protestantism has found fuller practical development, Germany has been the main seat of theological investigation. Nor can this be denied. In our opinion the church has had its chief history in England and America; theology has had its chief history in Germany. And our judgment will be found confirmed by German Church Histories; for the German part refers almost solely to theological movements; the other parts refer chiefly to practical movements. While we are quite sensible of the important position occupied by theology in the life of the church—its importance is too frequently underestimated in America and England — we must say that we would rather see the practical element outbalancing the theoretical than vice versâ. For after all, the mission of the church in the world is primarily the practical one of regenerating human life, or, in common phrase, of saving souls; and the theoretical is one element, but only one, in this process of salvation The point of these remarks is directed, however, not against Dr. Dorner, who would probably not object to our position; but against other German writers, who sin against foreigners both from narrowness and ignorance. The work is divided into three books, the first being devoted to the first age of Protestantism, the second to the separate life of the two Evangelical Confessions (Lutheran and Reformed); the third to the nineteenth century, or the Regeneration of Evangelical Theology. The introductory chapters on the negative and positive preparations for the evangelical principle, or for the Reformation considered in its theological aspects, those on Luther, and the section treating of the

formal and material principle of Protestantism, or of the scriptures and the doctrine of justification by faith in their mutual relations, are most masterly. In these days when historical criticism has acquired such vigor and authority, the last-mentioned sections ought to be earnestly studied by every one who wishes to arrive at clear views regarding the relation of the scriptures to our faith and salvation. Dr. Dorner's references to the course pursued by theology in England and America, though brief, are marked by thorough fairness, and indicate its significance in few but very vigorous and accurate strokes. But we must here close our notice, though the work richly deserves a detailed review. It is a book to be studied - studied long and attentively; and as such we introduce it to the notice of our readers.

COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN.-Though this is not a German work, since it has come into the hands of your German correspondent, he feels he ought to refer to it. It is also deserving of notice. Pasteur Godet has produced an able and readable apologetic and theological commentary on the Gospel of John. The introduction, which includes the usual chapters, is admirably done, and puts a number of points very clearly and forcibly against Baur, Strauss, Renan, and the whole of the so-called critical (really uncritical) school. The commentary, so far as we have been able to examine it, is judicious, warm, and up to the mark. It does not profess to be either learned or edificatory; it will however be found to be edifying by scholars, as indeed every thorough book written by an earnest man is.

JUDAISM AT THE TIME OF CHRIST.-Dr. Langen, who is Roman Catholic Professor of Theology at Bonn, and has written a meritorious book on the Last Days of the Life of Jesus, has here given a sober, painstaking work on a very important subject. His treatise is not brilliant, lacks points, and seems to have no proper wholeness, but is still serviceable. It treats first of the sources of our acquaintance with the opinions of the Jews about and at the time of Christ, which are, 1. (what he, in Romish manner, calls) The canonical books of the Old Testament in the Jewish Hellenic age; that is, Sirach, 1st and 2d Maccabees, Wisdom; 2. The noncanonical books which arose in Palestine; that is, Henoch, The Psalter of

1 Commentaire sur l'Evangile de Saint Jean. Par E. Godet, Pasteur. 2 tomes. Paris: Librairie Française et Etrangère; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1864, 1865. Price, 13 francs.

2 Das Iudenthum in Palästina zur Zeit Christi. Ein Beitrag zur offenbarungsund Religions-Geschichte als Einleitung in die Theologie des neuen Testaments. Von Dr. Joseph Langen, Professor der Katholischen Theologie an der Universität zu Bonn. Freiburg: Herder; London: Asher and Co., Trübner and Co. 1866. Price, 1 thaler, 24 sgr.