he must forgive him not merely till seven times, but until seventy times seven. It is evident that he referred to private offences. Christ enforced this precept by the parable of the ser. vant who was forgiven by his lord a debt of ten thousand talents, but would not remit to his fellow servant a debt of an hundred pence. It is plain that this conversation proceeded from what Christ had said in the verses under consideration.. In Luke xvii, 1-4, Christ discourses on the same subject as in Matthew xviii. He says in the 3d and 4th verses, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy broth ar trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him.' None will pretend that Christ here enjoins a church to remit public offences, seven times a day, upon the confession of the offender; nor is he laboring to make his people lenient to persons guilty of public scandals; no one therefore will deny that he is here speaking of private offences. If so, then when Christ says, “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him, he lays down a rule for private offences. But who does not see that the rule "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him," is the same with the rule, "If thy brother sin against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone?" But though the rule in question is manifestly intended for cases of private offence, all the advantages that attend private admonition are still due to every offender. It is the duty of individuals to strive to reclaim a fallen brother without waiting for the interposition of the church. It would be strange and unnatural indeed, if the church should take notice of the matter, and ascertain the offence, and in the mean time no one make any attempt to convert his brother from the error of his way. H. S. REVIEW. LXXVII. Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews; translated from the Latin of the Right Rev. Robert Lowth, D.D. Pralector of Poetry in the University of Oxford, and afterwards Lord Bishop of London. By G. Gregory, F.A.S. Author of Essays, Historical and Moral. To which are added the principal Notes of Professor Michaelis, and Notes by the translator and others. Boston: Printed and published by Joseph T. Buckingham, Winter Street, 1815. 8vo. pp. 516. Isaiah. A New Translation; with a Preliminary Lisseriation, and Notes Critical, Philological, and Explanatory. By Robert Lowth, D.D. Lord Bishop of London. Boston: Printed and published by Joseph T. Buckingham, Winter Street, 1815. 8vo. pp. 422. THE design of this article is not to exhibit a labored critique, on these two principal productions of this great man. The public have long since decided, that they hold a place among the first works of criticism, of taste, and of sacred exegesis, in our language. With respect to the objects which they embrace; those who are least acquainted with them, will not scruple, we think, to give them the highest place. Sacred criticism, (we use this word in its greatest latitude,) is more deeply indebted for some of its important rules, to Bishop Lowth, than any other person in the English world. It is agreed on all hands, that he was a man of most exquisite taste, and profound erudition; specially in the classics of ancient and modern times. His Lectures on Hebrew Poetry form such a body of observations and rules, as are not, we presume, to be found in any other book. This work was originally written in Latin, and has been well translated by Dr. Gregory, and some additional notes of his own, of Michaelis, Henly, and others, added. The Latin of Bishop Lowth in his Lectures resembles very closely that of the most eloquent writers of the Augustan age. We doubt, whether modern times dan furnish any specimen equal to it, in point of purity and elegance. "With the date of these Lectures," says the celebrated Eichhorn, "posterity will begin the history of an improved and more correct interpretation of the Hebrew Poets and Prophets." In some important respects this is true. So far as we know, Bishop Lowth was the first man in modern times, who maintain ed that most of the prophetic writings are poetry, and recog nized and explained the nature of parallelisms, as constituting the prominent feature of this species of composition among the Hebrews. A more important key than this, to unlock the treasures of the ancient Scriptures, cannot easily be pointed out. The excellent use which the Bishop himself has made of his own discovery, is every where evident to the attentive reader of his works. Dr. Lowth has chosen the happy medium in the interpretation of Scripture, between a cabbalistic and mystical way, on the one hand, and a skeptical and presumptuous one, on the other. His Translation of Isaiah, with the Notes, constitutes a practical illustration of the principles laid down in his Lectures. It is impossible for any man to study these works attentively, without important gain. We are persuaded that they will be prized, in proportion to the knowledge which persons may possess of the importance of enlarged views and correct taste, in enterpreting the figurative and poetical parts of the holy Scriptures. It could not be expected that in two works of such magnitude, no errors should be found; specially when the path which the author struck out, had, in many parts of it, never been trodden before by any critic, whose works are now extant. If we may be permitted to specify a single error in each of the works before us; we should say that in the first, the attempt to reduce the poetry of the Hebrews to the classifications of Greece and Rome is unsuccessful. It is wholly unnecessary. The high reputation of the Greek and Roman clas. sics in England, induced the . Bishop to recommend the Scriptures to his hearers as a classical production. Such indeed they are, in the best sense of that word. But they are neither Greek nor Roman. The poetry has no relics of measure, which can be discerned. Parallelism appears to be the essential constituent of its form. In this respect it is totally diverse from the Greek and Roman. Besides, the idiom, the objects, the fig ures, the very spirit of it is Oriental. Why then compare it with the Greek and Roman productions? The Epopaea, the Ode, the Idyll, may be found indeed, as to some of their constituent qualities; but the distinguishing forms, the regular disposition of them, can be found only by a heated imagination in the Bible. Who will spurn at this? Is there no excellence but that which comes from Greece and Rome? Are there no poets but in these countries? Common candor must revolt from the injustice of obliging us to every thing by their rules. Had Bishop Lowth been less concerned that the Scriptures would suffer by a comparison with them, he would have taken less pains to have distinguished the kinds of Hebrew poetry, and saved himself and readers the tedium of the dry discussion of technical rhetoric. scan This is the principal error. which we have remarked in the Lectures; and this is unimportant to the reader, if he be duly aware of it. In the Translation of Isaiah there is much to admire. In some instances, where alterations from our common Version are made, we think that no adyantage whatever is gained. In others, and in most instances, the text is evidently rendered more perspicuous and intelligible. The translation of Bishop Lowth is too stately, indeed, for common use; but the biblical student may be greatly aided by it. The error which we proposed to point out in this work, is an occasional alteration of the text, on bare conjecture. The fact occurs but seldom, and is generally not important. But the principle is what sound criticism must reject. In the hands of a less pious, and less skilful judge, it might thoroughly unsettle the very basis of religion. The notes to this work are, in our opinion, one of the very best exhibitions of what a man of piety, taste, and learning can do, to interpret the Scriptures. No man can well study them without profit. They illustrate, in an admirable manner, the fundamental rules of prophetic exegesis. The study of them may serve, not merely to explain the prophecy of Isaiah, but as an introduction to all the poetic parts of the Bible, specially the prophetic. We are much gratified with the appearance of a new im pression of these standard works, in our country. It is a sign that the public taste is improving. It is auspicious to the cause of Sacred Literature. We hope that every expositor of the Scriptures will possess these treasures, and give them his most serious attention. We would earnestly recommend them especially to all, who read the Scriptures in the Original Hebrew, and make it an object to understand the nature of Oriental and Prophetic Idiom. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS PROPER, HOLDEN AT ROYALSTON, ON THE FOURTH TUESDAY, VIZ. THE 27TH DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 1815, AND CONTINUED BY ADJOURNMENT TO THE 29TH OF THE SAME MONTH. THE Rev. Joseph Lyman, D.D. was chosen Moderator, and the Rev. James Murdock, and the Rev. John Codman, were chosen Scribes. The members next presented their credentials, from which it appeared that the following persons were entitled to a seat in this body, viz. The standing rules of the Association were read. The Moderator led in an address to the throne of grace. Voted that the Rev. Joseph Emerson of Beverly, attending under the expectation of being entitled to a seat as a Second from the Union Association, have leave to sit and act with us as an honorary member. Voted that any representatives of this body to other similar bodies in our connexion for the last year, who may be present, be invited to sit and act with us as honorary members. The Rev. Evan Johns in consequence took his seat. The Rev. Messrs. Hale, Austin, and Nye were chosen a Committee of arrangements, The Rev. Messrs. Mead, Eliot and Brown Emerson were chosen a Committee to take minutes from the reports on the state of religion, and prepare a general narrative for publication. The Committee of arrangements inade report in part which was accepted. Voted that a Committee be chosen to prepare an address to the churches within our limits with a view to excite the attention of ministers and Christians to faithful discipline in the churches, the instruction of the rising generation in the principles of religion, the sanctification of the Sabbath, and other subjects relating to the general interests of religion. Voted that Messrs. Austin, Woods and Johns, be the Committee with instructions to report before the termination of the present sessions. Voted to dispense during the present sessions with the rule of this body, which requires reports of delegates from this Association to other bodies to be made in writing. The Rev. Evan Johns, delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, made an oral report. Voted that the two Scribes be a Committee to distribute at their discretion the printed Minutes of other bodies communicated to us by their delegates. Voted to adjourn till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Closed with prayer. * Through whom communications may be made. Wednesday morning, June 28th, 7 A.M. the session was opened in due form. After prayer the minutes of the last session were read. The Committee of arrangements made farther report which was accepted. Voted that the Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D.D. be a Committee to prepare a petition from this body to the Congress of the United States, against the transportation and opening of the mail on the Lord's day. Voted that the Rev. Messrs. Johns and King be a Committee to take order respecting the accounts of the Secretary of this body and to provide for its funds. Voted that a Committee be chosen to take measures according to their discretion, to promote among our churches and congregations, respectful and earnest petitions to the Congress of the United States against the transportation and opening of the mail on the Lord's day. Rev. Messrs. Hale, King and Morse, were chosen a Committee to nominate five persons, to fill the Committee mentioned in the last preceding vote. The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the General Association to inquire into the history of an original MS. document found among the papers of the Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather, containing an answer to the question, "What farther steps, &c." made their report which was read. Voted a recess of 10 minutes. After a second reading and farther discussion of the Report last mentioned, a motion to print and to call up the same next year, was postponed till to-morrow morning, and assigned for the first business of the session. Voted a recess till the close of the public services. At 2 o'clock P. M. the Associational Sermon was delivered by the Rev. John Codman, of Dorchester, from 1 Cor. ii, 2, "For I am determined not to know any thing among you, save JESUS CHRIST, and him crucified." The Delegates from the several Associations represented in this body, and from other similar bodies in our connexion, reported the state of religion and morals in their respective parts of the country. The Rev. Mr. Hale, from a Committee of nomination, reported that J. Morse, D.D. L. Woods, D.D. S. Worcester, D.D. Jeremiah Evarts and Samuel Farrar, Esqrs. be the Committee to take measures &c. to promote among our churches and congregations, petitions against the transportation and opening of the mail on the Lord's day. Voted to accept this report. The Berkshire Association gave official notice of the suspension of the license given by them to "Mr. Judson Phelps of Simsbury in Connecticut, to preach as a candidate for the gospel ministry, until he shall give better satisfaction of his qualifications to serve as a Candidate." Voted that this notice be printed with the extracts from the Minutes of this meeting. The Rev. Timothy M. Cooley and the Rev. Dr. Spring, were chosen delegates from this body to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church to meet at Philadelphia, on the third Thursday in May, A.D. 1816, and the Rev. John Fisk, and the Rev. Samuel Mead, their substitutes. The Rev. John Codman, and the Rev. Jedidi ah Morse, D.D. were chosen delegates from this body to the General Association of Connecticut, to meet on the third Thursday in June, A. D. 1816; and the Rev Walter King, and the Rev. Brown Emerson, their substitutes. Rev. Joseph Estabrook, and the Rev. Experience Porter, were chosen delegates from this body, to the Gener al Association of New Hampshire, to meet at Keene, on the third Tuesday in September, A.D. 1815, and Rev. John Cushing, and Rev. Alfred Ely, their substitutes. Rev. James Murdock, and Rev. John Nelson, were chosen delegates from this body to the General Convention of Vermont to meet at Benson, on the second Tuesday in September 1815. The Rev. Enoch Hale was chosen Secretary of this Association, for three years next ensuing. Voted to adjourn till to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, to meet at the meeting house. Closed with prayer. Thursday morning, June 29th, 8 A.M. met according to adjournment. After prayer took up the business assigned to this hour. Voted to go into a free discussion of the subject of the following motion; "That the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the history of an original MS. Document, &e. be printed, and copies sent to the several Associations in our connex. jon, for the purpose of ascertaining the public sentiments respecting the plan of eeelesiastical order therein presented, and that the subject be called up at the next meeting of the General Association." After the discussion, the motion was passed into a vote, and Messrs. Morse, Codman and Woods, appointed a Committee for pubfishing the above mentioned Report, with instructions to print it in connexion with the preceding vote. |