such evidence as stood open before his eyes; he made it his daily study to search out the proofs of divine mercy; in all the works of nature, in all the events of life, he sought for and was sure that he should find traces of heavenly love. Even in the suffering of his last hours, the fire burned within him as he mused on the goodness of his heavenly Father, and he breathed out his overflowing gratitude with his dying as well as his living voice.

Verily I say unto you, he had his reward. This constant engagement of mind and heart, this deep devotion to an absorbing study saved him from all the dreariness and vacancy, which so often bring misery to old age. You did not hear him sighing over the past; you did not hear him lamenting, that the summer was past and the cold autumn of his life was come. Being thus interested, always interested in a pursuit which kept the mind and heart in perpetual and exalted action, he did not mourn for what time takes away; he was always cheerful, — always happy; because he was looking forward with high hope to what eternity would bring. Thus his path was upward to the very last; though his eye was dim and his natural strength abated, there was no decline,no old age to his soul. In truth, there is no winter in the year of a life spent in the service of God.

His death was the natural close of such a life. Knowing that the Son of Man might come at an unexpected hour, he endeavored to be always ready; and when the Master came and called for him, he arose willingly, cheerfully to depart. In that hour when the bravest tremble, he kept the firmness of his soul; he leaned with unshaken confidence upon the Rock of Ages; with delightful serenity he expressed his faith in the religion of Jesus; he felt that his work was done; when he thought of heaven he was impatient to be there; but he was willing to linger here as long as it pleased his God. Would to God that all who hear me this day, could have been present at his closing hours; the chamber of death was not a place of darkness and gloom; the sun shone in bright at its windows, and the light of the Sun of Righteousness shone upon his dying bed. When he fell asleep, there was not a word of sorrow; for we felt that he was gone where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. The feeling of every heart was, "Let me die the death of the righteous!" What has this life half so desirable as such a death? Who would

not say, "Let me die in the lowest wretchedness,

let me

die in poverty and sorrow, let me die on the pavement of the dungeon, if my last end may be holy and happy as this!" We have before us a solemn lesson of mortality and of life; we see the need of preparation; we know that our souls may be required this night; why will we not apply our hearts unto wisdom? O, that he could break the sleep of death! O that he could start up from his slumber to give us one more warning! But it may not be! his form is forever motionless! his voice forever still! He has done his part, to remind us of our duty, and well and faithfully was it done. What greater blessing can we ask of God, than that our lives may be equally faithful, and that we may finish our course with equal joy?

And now I should address myself to the mourners; but I forbear; they know that we mourn with them; for their loss is ours.

To the associates of the departed, to those who are going down the vale of years, I would say, another of your number is gone, and you are following fast; the circle of your acquaintance is lessening, and very little is left to remind you of your early days. All vestiges of the past are sinking under the change of improvement and the change of decay. And now let him say to you, as when living he has often said to you, "Set your affections on things above. Do not cling to the dust. Unclench your grasp from earthly possessions; you must lose them at the grave; for the entrance of eternity is so narrow, that only the naked soul can pass through. Bless God that there is yet time to redeem. Live so, that you can welcome death when he comes. Live so that the end of life may be the birth-day of a better existence, that you may be welcomed in heaven by the friends of former days, by your fathers and the prophets, by the Mediator of the new covenant, and God the Judge of all."

And let the coming generations tell me, who shall fill the places where the wise and the just have fallen? who shall step forth to uphold the institutions of religion? Now it is as when a standard-bearer fainteth; for well do you know, that the departed stood forward without fear to plead the forsaken cause of God. I entreat you to come forward,— to do as he hath done. Thousands on earth will rise up to bless you, and God will give you the immortal crown.

And now, for the grave! nothing remains but to give the VOL. XXII. 3D S. VOL. IV. NO. II.

22

dust to dust. Bear him to his narrow mansion; but as the clods of the valley are cast upon him, remember that we shall meet him yet once more at the judgment-seat of God. And then, my people, enter into your chambers, and shut the doors about you. Pray that you may have that love which is stronger than death; pray that you may have that faith in Him that liveth and was dead, which shall enable you to overcome the grave.

ART. III. Η ΚΑΙΝΗ ΔΙΑΘΗΚΗ. The Greek Testament, with English Notes, Critical, Philological, and Exegetical, partly selected and arranged from the best Commentators, ancient and modern, but chiefly original. The whole being especially adapted to the use of Academical Students, Candidates for the Sacred Office, and Ministers; though also intended as a Manual Edition for the use of Theological readers in general. By the Rev. S. T. BLOOMFIELD, D. D., F. S. A., Vicar of Bisbrooke, Rutland. First American, from the second London edition. In two volumes. Boston: Perkins & Marvin. Philadelphia: Henry Perkins. 1837.

THIS is the last of three editions of the Greek Testament, with a critical apparatus, the almost simultaneous publication of which would imply that the English theologians intend to vindicate themselves against the charge of slumbering upon the labors of their predecessors. Mr. Valpy, Dr. Burton, and Dr. Bloomfield, the editors of the three works, now claim to be enrolled on the list which bears the respected names of Hammond, Whitby, Locke, Lowth, Pearce, Benson, Kennicott, Geddes, Newcome, Priestley, Wakefield, Campbell, and Macknight. The Eclectic Review, in a notice of the three works, gives the preference to that of Dr. Bloomfield, pronouncing it to be the most valuable that has yet been issued from the English press. The reviewer, however, more than

*

* Eclectic Review, Third Series, Vol. VIII, p. 473.

hints that both Dr. Burton and Dr. Bloomfield were provoked to their good works by the example of Mr. Valpy, concerning whose publication, though it was the first, the two Doctors maintain "a contemptuous silence." That the work of a clergyman of the Established Church should be held in unqualified esteem by the Dissenters, is not to be expected, though we think there are sufficient reasons, independent of this, for the judgment added by the Reviewer, in the following words; -"Dr. Bloomfield's Exegetical Notes are for the most part very inferior to his Critical and Philological ones, proving that an accomplished scholar and biblical critic, may be at the same time a very illfurnished divine." And again, the Review qualifies its praise by impeaching the fidelity of Dr. Bloomfield as a theological commentator, and his judgment as a critic. The Doctor saw this Review, and in his second edition speaks of it as an "able critique" on his work.

In our country, Dr. Bloomfield's Greek Testament is commended to the religious public, as it was to the publishers, by Professor Stuart, who states that Dr. Bloomfield had expressed great solicitude in his letters to him, that American scholars might possess the work in a neat and accurate form. The books before us, in their correct and beautiful, though most difficult, typographical execution, bear witness that the request has been complied with. Of course it is not to be supposed that Professor Stuart agrees with all the opinions of the English editor. He enters his dissent from Dr. Bloomfield's opinion, expressed in his note on Titus iii. 5, "that regeneration accompanies the external rite of baptism." Probably the same dissent is implied in relation to the Anticalvinistic opinions advanced by Dr. Bloomfield. It is pleasant, however, to see so much good feeling manifested by the parties. We must make allowance for the common overstrainings of courtesy, in Dr. Bloomfield's complimenting the Professor in return as "the Father of Exegetical Science in the New World."

We learn from the Prefaces to the work before us, that Dr. Bloomfield possesses "an inconsiderable benefice, in an obscure situation," and resides at Tugby, in Leicestershire, where he has had the care of two parishes. He says,

"As a faithfully attached son of the Church of England, he has the highest satisfaction in reflecting that his works are so strongly confirmatory of her doctrines, discipline, and principles.

May she derive that accession of support from the contents of the present work, which it is calculated to supply! Then indeed, unsparing as have been the sacrifices of health, fortune, comfort, and whatever renders life desirable, which he has so long made in her service, he will not, under any circumstances, think that he has labored in vain, and spent his strength for nought."- p. xx.

The other works, by which Dr. Bloomfield is known to us, are a fourth English translation of the History of Thucydides, with Annotations, and his "Recensio Synoptica Annotationes Sacræ." From the latter work we have often derived considerable aid in the critical study and exposition of the New Testament. It is a digest of the other commentators, intended to assist the Student in making up his opinion among the various interpretations thus collected together.

Dr. Bloomfield now comes before the public again, with a confidence inspired by the approbation which his former works have received. Anticipating the question which he knew would be asked touching the necessity of another critical edition of the New Testament, he undertakes in his Preface to justify his present labors.

He admits that as regards the Text of the New Testament, the various editions already existing afford sufficient evidence to enable those who are competent, in learning and criticism, to ascertain the true reading. But the standard texts differ considerably, when compared with the textus receptus. He wishes, therefore, to supply a Text so constructed, that readers who have not all the standard editions at hand, may, as far as is practicable, have the variations from the textus receptus, marked in the Text itself, and not be left to seek them in the notes; and further, that the evidence in all important cases, and the reasons of any variations adopted by the editor, might be submitted to the judgment of the student. A new recension, formed on such a plan, and based on sound principles of criticism, the author says, nowhere existed.

"The Texts for Academical and general use on the Continent, being little more than reprints of that of Griesbach; of which the imperfections (as will appear from what is said in these pages [Dr. Bloomfield's Preface] and in the course of the following work,) are very considerable."

So much for the ground of necessity for a new Text. "The want of a consistent and suitable body of Annotation was much