proofs of Paley and Gisborne-should be digested as illustrative of the character and perfections of the Divine Author of our religion. Nor should Paley's Hora Paulinæ be forgotten, as opening a new track of collateral evidence of Christianity, which has since been extended to a wider field with satisfactory reasoning.2 Reserving the subject of acquaintance with the Scriptures for the next section, we proceed to remark the importance of Church History, as a component part of Ministerial study. This will teach the student' (as Dr. Dwight justly observes) - the sins and virtues, the errors and sound doctrines, the prosperous and adverse circumstances, which have existed in the church in its various ages; together with the causes, by which they have been produced. Generally he will derive from this source the same advantages, in the ecclesiastical sense, which the statesman derives in a political sense, from civil history. He will learn what the church has been; why it has thus been; and how in many respects it may be rendered better and happier.' 3 Mosheim will furnish the requisite information respecting the visible church, and Milner respecting the real church. A comparison of these two works in the prominent events of successive eras will open a field of most enlarged and interesting, but too often painful, contemplation, A work, combining the two in a comprehensive grasp, and with impartial but decided Christian views, remains yet to be supplied to the church.1 1 See Clarke on the Attributes. Charnock's Works, Vol. i. Paley's and Gisborne's Natural Theology. The Veracity of the Gospels and Acts argued from undesigned coincidences. By Rev. J. J. Blunt, 8vo. 1828. 3 Dwight's Theology, chap, v. p. 227. 4 Weisman's Historia Sacra (2 Vols. 4to. 1745, by a disciple The importance of an intelligent acquaintance with the grounds of his own church, seems to direct the candidate for the Ministry in the Establishment, to a thoughtful study of Hooker's incomparable work. The power with which he has set forth the apostolical foundation of our church, and its careful conformity to the Scriptural model, is at once above all praise, and proof against all attack. Nothing has since been added materially to strengthen the ground on which he has fixed her—nothing indeed is needed. But the characteristic of the work—that which gives to it its peculiar dignity and interest, and in which it differs from many similar works of acknowledged ability-is its holiness. It not only exhibits the exquisite symmetry of the outward superstructure, but it views the interior of the temple with the eye of a man of God. The work is cast into the mould of the subject matter. It marks the genuine spiritual character of the church in its requirements and its privileges, and displays the "beauty of holiness" stamped upon the services of her sanctuary. We hesitate whether to admire more the strength or the sanctity of his Fifth Book; but it would be difficult to produce objections to the system or detail of our Ecclesiastical polity (the result either of prejudice, misconception, or conscientious inquiry) that are not there met with a satisfactory consideration. Jewell's Apologies are highly deserving attention, as being of a kindred spirit and eloquence with of Dr. Spener's school) is considered by Mr. Conybeare to combine erudition and piety, but it is little known, and being shut up in Latin, is scarcely popular enough to supply the vacuum. Spanheim's Ecclesiastical Annals, from the creation of the world to the reformation (contained in the first volume of his works) is a store house of valuable information. A translation of his own abridgment of this work has lately appeared by the Rev. George Wright. Hooker. Comber will give an able and devotional exhibition of our public formularies. The doctrines of the Church are best known by a careful comparison of her Homilies and Articles with the word of God. Burnet's History of the Reformation furnishes most interesting details of their gradual formation upon the Scriptural basis. His Exposition of the Articles (if it does not always display the full and clear views of Evangelical truth, and if it occasionally errs in an excess of candour) contains a vast body of information well worthy of the attention of the Ministerial student. But after all, it is in the wide field of divinity, that the student, like David, must "prepare with all his might for the house of his God." He had need be a man of store—“ a scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven." His "lips must keep knowledge," that they may "seek the law at his mouth."2 His course of reading therefore must embrace a comprehensive view of Scripture in its doctrinal light, practical obligation, and experimental influence. In the first of these departments, Robinson's Christian System and Dwight's System of Theology will furnish most valuable materials for digestion. In the latter fields, the writings of our Reformers open a rich treasurehouse. From the mass of their writings the difficulty of selection is proportionably great.3 Cranmer and Jewell however stand foremost for deep learning, large views of truth, and Christian wisdom and eloquence. Bradford's writings for their unction of spirit, and edifying and experimental matter, deserve the highest regard. Among the Foreign Reformers, Calvin, 3 We cannot forbear to recommend Mr. Richmond's Selection, (Fathers of the English Church) and a more recent digest now in progress under the direction of the Religious Tract Society. Luther, and Melancthon, indisputably are the first three.' Yet to select from upwards of thirty folios is no easy task. Calvin's Commentaries however (even in the judgment of Bishop Horsley and others. unfriendly to his peculiar dogmas) are among the most valuable expositions of the Sacred Volume. His Institutes (apart from the system which they were intended to unfold) are full of admirable illustrations of the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel. His expositions of the Moral law and of the Sacraments are eminently judicious and practical. Luther's Commentary on the Galatians exhibits the most full and enlivening display of the grand doctrine of justification probably ever given to the Church. His Diatribe against Erasmus (allowing for some hasty statements) a powerful defence of the humbling doctrines of the Gospel against the pride of reason and self-sufficiency. Melancthon's Common Places (taking care to obtain the latest expression of his sentiments) was one of the most important and influential works of the Reformation era, and abounds with solid and Evangelical statement. Indeed this school affords perhaps the most Scriptural model for the moulding of our system of Divinity. Its standard of theology is high and consistent, its statements of Christian doctrine are less encumbered with distinctions, less fettered by systematic accuracy, and more immediate and direct in their reference to the great object of our faith, than those of the subsequent school.' The Divines of the Puritan school, however, (with due allowance for the prevalent tone of scholastic subtleties) supply to the Ministerial student a large The Harmony of the Confessions, (4to. 1643,) and Corpus et Syntagma Confessionum, (4to. 1612,) are well worthy of consideration in the study of the School of the Reformers. • D 3 If they fund of useful and edifying instruction. be less clear and simple in their doctrinal statements than the Reformers, they enter more deeply into the sympathies of Christian experience. Profoundly versed in spiritual tactics-the habits and exercises of the human heart-they are equally qualified to awaken conviction and to administer consolation, laying open the man to himself with peculiar closeness of application; stripping him of his false dependencies, and exhibiting before him the light and influence of the Evangelical remedy for his distress. Owen stands preeminent among the writers of this school. His scholars' (as Mr. Cecil observes) will be more profound and enlarged, and better furnished than those of most other writers.' Among his voluminous works, we may mark his Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (with all its prolixity), as probably the most elaborate and instructive comment upon a detached portion of Scripture. His work on the Spirit (though discordant in some particulars from the principles of our Church) embraces the most comprehensive view of this vitally-important subject. His exposition of Psalm cxxx, exhibits the most full and unfettered display of Divine forgiveness, admirably suited to the perplexities of exercised souls. Tracts upon Understanding the mind of God in Scripture,' and the Reason of Faith,' manifest his usual accuracy of spiritual discernment. His Treatises upon Indwelling Sin, Mortification of Sin, the Power of Temptation, and the Danger of Apostacy-mark uncommon 'depths of exploring the secrecies of the heart. His view of Spiritual Mindedness draws out a graphic delineation of the tastes and features of the new character. And indeed upon the whole-for luminous exposition, and powerful defence of Christian His |