22 NOVEMBER 1845, Page 14

SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

THEOLOGY,

The Gospel Narrative, according to the Authorized Text of the Evangelists, without Repetition or Omission. With a continuous Exposition, marginal Prooth In full, and Notes briefly collected from the best Critics and Commentators. By the Rev.

John Forster, MA., her Majesty's Chaplain of the Savoy Parker. PrOoltATITY,

' Memoirs of the JacobiteS of 1715 and 1745. By Mrs. Thomson, Author of" Memoirs of the Court of Henry the Eighth," "Memoirs of Sarah, Dutchess of Marlborough,"

Re. Volumes I. and II. Bentley. POETRY,

The Rose Garden of Persia. By Louisa Stuart Costello, Author of "Specimens of

the Early Poetry of France." Longman and Co. Firms, Honour and Shame ; a Novel. In three volumes Bentley• Railway Results, or the Gauge Deliverance ; a Dramatic Sketch. By Sir Fortnnatus Dwarris. Chapman and Hall. STATISTICS,

Statistics and Calculations essentially necessary to Persons connected with Railways or Canals ; containing a variety of Information not to be found elsewhere. Calcu-

lated and arranged by Samuel Salt. Bradshaw and Blacldoek • THE REVEREND JOHN FORSTER'S GOSPEL NARRATIVE. THE primary object of Mr. Forster's elaborate work is to combine in one text a Life of Christ in the exact words of the Evangelists, with a com- mentary or exposition of the Scripture narrative. A secondary purpose is to illustrate the historical and geographical allusions of the text, as well as such references to manners and customs as cannot be incidentally dis- played in the narrative, by means of notes selected from the best authorities, and condensed into a readable form. A third object is to pre- sent the reader with a species of concordance, but doctrinal rather than verbal, by printing in the margin of this ample volume the entire pas- sages which bear upon the subject of the text, instead of the usual meagre references.

Of these sections the last two are the least difficult of execution. The marginal illustration is, no doubt, a rather happy conception : it requires, too, a large acquaintance with the sacred writings and commentaries, as well as a critical perception of the bearing of scattered texts upon the pas- sage in the Evangelists to be illustrated: but the capability is a proper characteristic of the scholarly divine, if he has the industry to exercise it. The notes involve more of learning and composition; and, executed as they are by Mr. Forster with a happy medium between the superficial and the pedantic, they are entitled to praise both for judgment and taste, though seldom professing to be more than compilation. The execution of the life, or, as the titlepage expresses it, "the Gospel Narrative," is a weightier matter ; nor can we imagine anything of the kind much more difficult. The devout regard the authorized translation, even in its errors, with al- most the same reverence as the language of the original text, and are prompted to regard any alteration or rearrangement much as they would look upon a living dissection ; whilst early associations and con- stant habit, with the old simplicity, the patriarchal air, and the tho- roughly English character of the translation, have raised a feeling in its favour (for it is scarcely to be called a prejudice) even among the indif- trent. Over this difficulty Mr. Forster has, we think, successfully tri- umphed: but his success is greater perhaps in design than in execu- tion, for reasons we shall presently assign.

The plan of the author is to proceed by a series of epochs or incidents, in strict chronological order. Thus, after the prefaces or exordiums of Luke and John, Mr. Forster proceeds to the prophecy respecting the birth of John the Baptist as the herald or precursor of Christ, from Luke i. 5-25. The three following sections, containing the annunciation, the visit of the Virgin to the mother of John, with John's birth, and the pro- phecy of Zacharias, are also taken from Luke. The Angel's visit to Joseph is from Matthew ; the journey to Bethlehem again from Luke ; and the genealogies both from Luke and Matthew ; so as to present every incident till the final ascension in continuous order, but in the exact words of the Evangelists describing it. When, however, an event is described by each, though the basis of the narrative is taken from one, it is composed from all, so as to include every essential trait.

The emendations and expositional narrative of Mr. Forster are inter- woven with the text, but at once distinguished from it by typographical peculiarities. Any emendation or more exact translation is contained within parentheses, and printed in Italics. The expositional parts are distinguished from the text by the Italic type alone. Sometimes these additions are merely a word ; at other times part of a sentence, noting the hour, describing a custom, or indicating a form, an act, or a Jewish opin- ion,—as in the following passage of the angel's annunciation to Zacha- rias, from Luke i. 8-11.; which contains, it will be observed, two emended translations.

the house when the man an Angel of the Lord standing near the table of shew- stood on the right side of with his face towards the West, there appeared unto him Mled the inner court. Ezek- Z. 3. propitious—sad' e of the Altar of incense. (d.) Tex. 8. went in, and the cloud bread on the right—or North, which was reckoned the

ath the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon the altar, a perpetual incense Isetore the Lord throughout your generations. Ears!. (4) Now the Cherubline Is) And when Aaron light-

went into the Temple (the Sanctuary) of the Lord, where course, his lot—the most solemn and honourable of all the o es so distributed—was, according to the custom of the Golden Altar of incense stood.—And the whole charged) the priest's office before God, in the order of his multitude of the people assembled were silently pra in the courts without tire Sanctuary at the time o the oblation of incense; a solemnity which lasted about half an hour.—And as Zacharius entered the Sanctuary And it came to pass, that while he executed (dis- priest's office, to burn the evening incense (c) when he Sometimes, however, the additions proceed beyond mere illustration Mich as is exhibited in the preceding extract; supplying collateral facts, or expanding the text, and occasionally interpreting it.. The first class of illustration appears to us a happy thought., for the most part happily executed : it not only furnishes a mass of information at once curious and instructive, in the smallest compass, but brings out the text in a more forcible way, and suggests to the reader the Oriental character of the narrative. To the addition of collateral facts, supposing them to be via established, there is no objection, beyond their interference with the direct march of the story. The interpretational parts are of a more question- able character. They present a greater impediment to the reader's pro- gress, both by interfering with the narrative and by diverting his atm. tion to a matter of opinion ; and when they happen to contain points of doctrine in favour of an Anglican interpretation, they necessarily depthie the work of its catholic character, by suggesting questions of controversy. Both these objections may be met by the reply, that the book was pri- marily designed for divinity students ; in which point of view the ob- jections are advantages, as they force reflection, and point to research. We are speaking, however, of a more general circulation ; to which The Gospel Narrative is entitled from the merit of its design and strne- tare, as well as the amount of erudition, presented in a plain and con- densed shape, which it contains.

From the character of the work depending a good deal upon typogra- phical exhibition, it is difficult to convey an idea by description, or even by extract ; as it requires to be examined at length before its scope is

fully apprehended ; and our column, broad as it is for a newspaper, is not well adapted to display the ample page of the original. We will,

however, give an extract from the miracle of Cana, as containing within a small compass the most variety of specimens, and on topics not un- fitted for our journal.

THE BEGINNING OF MIRACLES AT CANA OF GATITNF

John IL 1-11.

And the third day after the arrival of Jesus in the country there was a marriage-feast in Cana, a town of Galilee. And the mother of Jesus was already there, being either a relative or intimate friend of the bride. And both Jesus was called (was invited), and so also were His newly-converted disciples, to the marriage. And before the days of the feast were over, when they wanted wine,—for the quantity provided had failed from the great concourse of guests to see Jesus,—the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine lefi. Mary felt a natural anxiety that He should dis- play his miraculous power on behalf of her friends by a further supply: but Jesus, at once discouraging any dictation in the exercise of his miraculous powers, saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? (3) (a) His brethren said un- Mine hour (a) (the proper time) for doing what you to Him, Depart hence and go into Judea, that thy Ths- suggest is not yet ernne. Ciples also may see the ills mother, ea-pear:1g that at his own time He would works that Thou doest. gratify the wish she had expressed, saith unto the ser- Then Jesus said unto them, vants—tha t so all might be in readiness,—WhatsoeverHe My time is not yet come: I go not up yet to this feast. saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six John vii. 3, 6,8. water-pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, for their various ablutions before meals; containing two or three firkins (measures of several gallons) apiece. (4) Jesus saith unto them who were in attendance, Fill up the water-pots with water: and they filled them up to the brim. And this being done, He saith unto them, Draw out now some of this and bear it unto the governor (the manager or presi- dent) of the feast. And accordingly they bare it. When the ruler of the feast bad tasted the water that was now made into wine, and knew not whence it was —but the servants which drew the water well knew,— the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning of a feast doth set forth (setteth on) good wine, and when men have well (sufficiently) drunk, then that which is worse (of an inferior quality); but thou has kept the good wine

until now.

(3) Woman, what hare Ito do with thee?] which worships the Virgin. The same In the use of the term " woman " in the Church disparages Marriage, absolutely Greek there is no disrespect. Ladies of the prohibiting it in the Clergy : yet it was an highest rank were anciently so addressed : occasion of a marriage that our Lord was in Xenophon, Cyrus so addresses the Queen pleased so remarkably to make His first of Armenia; and we find the same In Ho- display of glory, sanctioning this solemn mer's poems, in the Greek drama, and also and interesting rite by His presence. in writers of the more refined age of (4) Containing two or three firkins apiece.] Augustus when Christ was born. It is by The quantity of Wine made might be, the same appellation that our Lord tender- altogether, above a hogshead. We need ly addresses Mary Magdalene after his Re- not suppose that so considerable a quantity surrection (John xx. 15) ; and also His was required or consumed at the time, mother, on that most affecting of all oc- though Jewish feasts usually lasted several casions, when His thoughts were dwelling days (Judg. sly. 12), and the guests were particularly on her welfare, and He was numerous ; but it was not unsuitable to Himself expiring on the Cross (John xix. our Lord's character to provide the new- 26).—The words which here follow," What married persons with the remainder as a have I to do with thee?" are merely a stock. The wine of Palestine, it should be formula taken from the language of corn- added, was simply the unfermented juice of mon life, and are to he interpreted accord- the grape, and being the ordinary Mink, Ma to the occasion and circumstances of would be much weaker than what is used each particular case. It appears to have in Northern climates. From this miracle been chiefly used in repressing any request we gather that wine, "which maketh glad or intended action, and sometimes shews the heart of man" (Ps. ay. 15), may be disapprobation of the proposal (see 2 Sam. innocently drunk; and St. Paul recom- xix. 22; I Kings xvii. 18 ; 2 Kings iii. 13; mends it, taken in moderation, to Timothy Mark v. 7). The reply of our Lord on this for his health's sake (I 'MM.'s,. 23). curie- occasion conveyed some reproof, and was, liens must, however, bear in mind, that to no doubt, an intentional discouragement multitudes it has proved the occasion of of the interference of His earthly parent guilt and utter ruin, and that it is danger- in such matters. It appears to be almost ous even to approach the limits of pro- a prophetical and standing protest against priety.

the superstition and idolatry of that Church

The notes by themselves are more available, and we quote a few.

THE PUNISHMENT OF CRUCIFETION.

They crucifled Him.] Crucifixion is spoken of in Egyptian, Grecian, and Car- thaginian, as well as in Roman history; but it was never employed as a Jewish punishment. The Romans executed slaves in this manner; and it was deemed so disgraceful, that Cicero, enlarging on the crimes of Verres, describes his ordering the crucifixion of a Roman citizen as the highest conceivable enormity, and declares, that "no language is adequate to express the horror he feels at the infliction upon any such -persons of this most shocking punishment" (in Verrem, lib. v. See also the Oration pro Rabirio).—It was the most cruel of ishments; and the Romans, when expressing the greatest degree of suffering, w from it the term, which we retain, exeruciating.—Some crosses were of the form of an s, but the one used on the present occasion was in the fonn of a T, and not so lofty as is commonly supposed. Upon the transverse beam the arms were extended back in an unnatural position, and the hands nailed to it, causing exquisite pain from their many nerves and tendons. Thus suspended, the sufferer occasionally hung some days, till he perished through agony and

gradual exliaustion.—The Emperor Constantine abolished this punishment out of respect to the Saviour, and it has never been revived.

JESTING PILATE.

Nate Saith fiStO him, What is truth!) This same question had long agitated the world, and was, in our Lord's time, the great subject of inquiry in the Greek schools. Pilate did not suppose that a person in the apparent condition of a Jewish peasant could solve such a question, and most probably he only put it to our Lord in contempt. The explanation which Jesus had given of the nature of His sovereignty, must have satisfied the Governor that his conduct did not in- volve the guilt of treason; and as he would be aware how frequently lofty titles and a chimerical royalty formed a part of the heathen philosophy, he may have taken Him for one of those harmless Wise men attached to the Stoic school,

"Who reigned a monarch, though without a throne."

Francis's Horace (lib. i. Sat. 3).

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF ST. :MATTHEW.

Matthew, otherwise Levi.] It was common with the Jews to have more than one name. Levi was clearly a Hebrew name; Matthew, probably a Gentile one assumed in the exercise of his profession, which was to collect the customs upon the imports and exports of Capernaum. By this name he invariably styles him- seif,—to show, perhaps, the condescension of Christ to a man of such a calling; whereas St. Mark and St. Luke always mention him by his more honourable name of Levi. Humility seems to have been a prominent feature of his character: for he omits the incident here recorded by Luke, that he "left all" to follow Christ; he also places himself after Thomas (Matt. x. 3), before whom he is ranked by St. Mark and St. Luke, in the enumeration of the twelve; and he makes no men- San of the great feast at his house, which our Lord honoured with his presence (Luke v. 29). We may conclude that St. Matthew was converted in heart before this call; for he must have had frequent opportunities, as a resident at Caper- nanm, of witnessing the miracles of Christ, and of hearing His doctrine,—and possibly he was one of those publicans who came to John for baptism. St. Mark here calls Matthew "the son of Alpheus," and Church history con- firms the fact. Of his history after our Lord's death we are entirely ignorant, except that he died a natural death. He was an eye-witness of every fact which he records except two, which he gives on the authority of the more favoured dis- ciples. There is no doubt that he wrote first, and for the use of the original converts; probably in or about the year 61, though some opinions have placed the date considerably earlier. As his object was not a circumstantial biography, he writes, not in the order of events but of things, in the manner that Xenophon wrote his Memorabilia. With regard to the language in which he wrote, the con- sent of antiquity pleads strongly for a Hebrew onginal, which must have been corrupted, and afterwards lost: but there is very strong internal evidence for the Greek; and he quotes from the Septuagint, rather than the Hebrew version. On the whole' it is not improbable that he wrote in both languages, as Josephus wrote his history.