SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION, A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature. Edited by John Kitto, D.D., F.S.A. Editor of "The Pictorial Bible," &c. Illustrated by numerous Engravings. In two

volumes Black, Edinburgh. POLITICS,

Eastern Europe and the Emperor Nicholas. By the Author of "Revelations of

Russia"; "The White Slave.' Volumes L and II Newby. FICTioN, The Chainbearer ; or the Llttlepage Manuscripts. Edited by the Author of "The Spy," "Pathfinder," "Two Admirals," Satanstoe," dre. In three volumes.

POETRY, Bentley. Oliver Newman ; a New England Tale (unfinished): with other Poetical Remains.

By the late Robert Southey Longman and Co.

CYCLOP2EDIA OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE.

NOTWITHSTANDING the necessity for human illustration of the Scriptures, to explain customs and allusions—fill up the brief narrative by as much information as may be derived from other sources—exhibit the contempo- rary condition of the Oriental and European world—expound the state of society, opinions, and the arts, among the Jews—and illumine the dark and obscure, so that the eyes of the reader may be opened, and he may be able to read with a sharpened sense— Ca/met's Dictionary is still the chief storehouse for this purpose. Since Calmet's time, however, great additions have been made to our knowledge. Travellers have given more exact particulars relating to the geography and natural productions of Asia, and more graphic descriptions of Oriental manners. Philosophical philology has investigated the origin or at least the primeval characteris- tics of languages ; and German labour has thrown various degrees of light upon many mooted questions, from a flickering gleam to a steady blaze. Hence, as Dr. Kitto, the editor of the Cyclopeedia of Biblical Litera- ture, observes, the necessity of a new work, which shall not only distil the facts and views that the last and present centuries have produced, but bring a more modern mind to bear upon the subject matter, and em- ploy a philosophical spirit upon the historical parts of the Scriptures, as well as upon the humanity of the persons themselves.

"There were giants in those days." The immense Dictionary of Calmet was the work of a single mind, devoting itself to a purpose with an in- tensity of which we have no example : the present Cyclopadia is the pro- duction of many hands. Dr. Kitto felt, and truly, that to take the fullest advantage of modern discoveries and accumulations, required a combina- tion of labour ; since, if the singleness of mind which characterized the scholar of bygone days existed, the spirit of the compiler could not be avoided in treating of such multifarious and even opposite subjects as are involved in the archreology of the Jews, Egyptians, and Asiatics, the history of the ancient world, the manners, customs, arts, and institutions of the Hebrews, not to mention the biography of so many persons and the bibliography of so many books. Dr. Kitto therefore put himself into communication with the learned world ; and has procured the assistance of forty scholars of various denominations, embracing many distinguished German with some American writers, and ranging from Dr. Stebbing to the eminent naturalist Colonel Hamilton Smith, who takes subjects of natural history and matters of war.

This plan of assigning a particular class of topics to persons whom previous study has best qualified to treat them, has given greater fresh- ness and variety to the articles of the Cyclopedia of Biblical Litera- ture than could have been obtained by any other mode. It also gives more independence of view, and procures the reader the great advantage of having the materials drawn from original sources, instead of getting a mere repetition of Calmet or some of Calmet's reproducers. The ob- jection to this plan which most pressed upon the editor's mind seems to have been theological—that there would be variety of religious views, according to the religious tenets of the authors. To this we attach little 'weight; for, as matters now stand, a greater discrepancy of opinion would be found between Dr. Pusey, for example, and Bishop Wilson, than exists between sensible Churchmen and Nonconformists. It seems to us, too, of the less consequence, as what may be termed Church theology does not appear to be at all an object of the work. Thus, under "Virgin," the worship of the Romanists is not alluded to ; the article being chiefly on the question of the perpetual virginity of Mary. What struck us more in our inspection of the volumes, was an occasional appearance of inequality, some of the contributors being more diffuse than others; so that literary or critical peculiarities seem more conspicuous than reli- gious. This, however, hardly admits of remedy. If we are to have the solid advantages of variety, we must put up with its inevitable con- COmitants.

The nominal division of the subject matter is sixfold-1. Biblical Criticism; 2. Biblical Interpretation ; 3. History and Biography; 4. Geo- graphy; 5. Arcbreology ; 6. Physical Science. But to give any idea of the multifarious contents of the volumes by description or enumeration, is impossible ; the subjects extending from the simplest plant which is casually mentioned in Scripture, to the widest question that indirectly bears upon the Jewish dispensation—as the Roman Empire. In so large a field and on certain subjects, it is perhaps impossible altogether to avoid theology ; but illustration is the main object and general design. In the words of Dr. Credner's rather long and German exposition of the term "Theological Encycloptedia," which Dr. Kitto includes at full length in his preface, we are to "try and unravel the various circumstances and Conditions which have exercised more or less influence upon the com- position of the Scriptural Books." In Natural History, for instance, the truth or character of the Jewish system is of little consequence. "It is, for instance, quite immaterial what place the date-palms or balsam- shrubs occupy in the system—such investigations being of no importance for the understanding of the Bible, the writers of which have disregarded those points; while' on the other hand, the peculiarities of the locality where the palm-tree stands, its external appearance at the different seasons of the year, its growth, fertility, use, &c.—in short, all that particularly strikes the sense of the beholder, have frequently exercised considerable influence on the inspired writers; and these

sources of external impressi, on the senses and mind of man are to be particu- larly considered and noticed by Biblical archology."

In our quotations from the Cycloptedia of Biblical literature, we shall confine ourselves to the philosophical passages. Here is an example of the manner in which the Adoration of the Magi is handled, by the Reverend Dr. J. R. Beard.

EXPOSITION OF THE STAY IN THE EAST.

The solid learning and free conjecture of Christian divines have combined wall the unfriendly daring of Infidelity to cast a heap of difficulties on the particalani involved in this passage of Holy Writ. Our space will not allow us to review and examine what has been written by friends and enemies, (last of all, by Strauss, Leben Jess, i. 249, 4th edit.) on the subject. We must content ourselves with a brief statement of what appears to us the right view of the case; referring in ;ustification to the authorities whence we have drawn our materials.

These wise men were Chaldrean magi. During many centuries the inagi had been given to the study of astronomy, and for some considerable time before the birth of our Lord they had corrupted and disfigured their scientific knowledge by astrological speculations and dreams. A conviction had long been spreaa throughout the East, that about the commencement of our zero a great and victorious prince, or the Messiah, was to be born. His birth was, in consequence of words of Sacred Scripture, (Num. xxiv. 17,) connected with the appearance of a star. Calculations seem to have led the astrological astronomers of Meso- potamia to fix the time for the advent of this king in the latter days of Herod, and the place in the land of Judwa. Accordingly, at the appointed time, two planets, Jupiter and Saturn, were in conjunction under such circumstances as to appear one resplendent heavenly body, and to marshal the way for the magi from their own homes to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the inn. But as this view is, we believe, novel in this country, we will enter somewhat more into particulars. It owes its origin to no less a distinguished person than the astronomer Kepler. It has been investigated and approved by some of the soundest minds of Germany. Under the influence of a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, which took place in the year 1604, Kepler was led to think that he had discovered means for determining the true year of our Saviour's birth. He made his calculations, and found that Jupiter and Saturn were in con- junction in the constellation of the Fishes (a fish is the astrological symbol of Judea) in the latter half of the year of Rome 747, and were joined by Mars in 748. Here then he fixed the first figure in the date of our Bra; and here he found the appearance in the heavens which induced the magi to undertake their journey, and conducted them successfully .on their way. Others have taken up this view, freed it from astrological impuntres, and shown its trustworthiness and applica- bility in the case under consideration. It appears that Jupiter and Saturn came together for the first time on May 20th, in the twentieth degree of the constellation of the Fishes. They then stood before sunrise in the Eastern part of the heavens and so were seen by the magi. Jupiter then passed by Saturn towards the North: About the middle of September they were near midnight both in opposition to the sun, Saturn in the thirteenth, Jupiter in the fifteenth degree, being distant from each other about a degree and a half. They then drew nearer: on October 27th there was a second conjunction in the sixteenth degree, and on November 12th there took place a third conjunction in the fifteenth degree of the same con- stellation. In the two last conjunctions the interval between the planets amounted to no more than a degree; so that to the unassisted eye the rays of the one planet were absorbed in those of the other, and the two bodies would appear as one. The two planets went past each other Lee times, came very near together, and showed themselves all night long for months in conjunction with each other as if they would never separate again. Their first union in the East awoke the attention of the magi, told them the expected time had come, and bade them set off without delay towards Judzca (the fish land). When they reached Jerusalem the two planets were once more blended together. Then, in the evening, they stood in the Southern part of the sky, pointing with their united rays to Bethlehem, where the prophecy declared the Messiah was to be born. The magi followed the finger of heavenly light, and were brought to the child Jesus. The conclusion, in regard to the time of the advent, is at our Lord was born in the latter part of the year of Rome 747, or six years before the common rem. We have not presented this view from any leaning in favour of a rationalistic interpretation; believing that God could, had he so pleased, have created a heavenly body for the purpose. But it must also be said that the Divine Ruler of the Universe is frugal (absit invidia verbo) of his instrumentalities, and might well, in the case before us, make use, for the gracious purposes of his providenoe, of cosmical arrangements which he had fixed ere the earth and heavens were made.

The following endeavour to explain the conduct of Judas Iscariot may be taken as an example of the biography. After dismissing the various small and personal reasons that are vulgarly supposed to have actuated Judas, the writer, the Reverend J. F. Denham, of St. John's, Cambridge, proceeds. "We are now at liberty to consider the only remaining motive for the conduct of Judas—namely, dissatisfaction with the procedure of his Master, and a conse- quent scheme for the furtherance of his own views. It seems to us likely, that the impatience of Judas for the accomplishment of his worldly views, which we conceive to have ever actuated him in following Jesus, could no longer be re- strained, and that our Lord's observations at Bethany served to mature a stratagem he had meditated long before. He had no doubt been greatly disappointed at seeing his Master avoid being made a king, after feeding the five thousand in Galilee. Many a favourable crisis had he seemed to lose, or had not dared to em- brace; and now while at Bethany he talks of his burial (John xii. 7); and thoub none of his Apostles, so firm were their worldly expectation from their Master, coultl clearly understand such sayings,' (Luke xviii. 34,) yet they had been made 'exceed- ing sorry' by them (Matt. xvii. 23.) At the same time, Judas had long been con- vinced, -by the miracles he had seen his Master perform that he was the Messiah (John vii. 31.). He had even heard him accept this tide from his Apostles in pri- vate (Matt. xn. 16.) He had promised them that when he should ' sit upon the throne of his glory, they should sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelves tribee of Israel' (Matt. xix. 28.) Yet now, when everything seemed most favourable to the assumption of empire, he hesitates and despcaids. In his daily public conferences, too, with the chief priests and Pharisees, he appears to offend them by his reproofs, rather than to conciliate their favour. Within a few days, the people, who had lately given him a triumphal entry into the city, having kept the passover, would be dispersed to their homes, and Judas and his fellow Apostles be' perhaps, re- quired to attend their Master on another tedious expedition through the country. Hence it seems most probable that Judas resolved upon the plan of delivering up his Master to the Jewish authorities, when he would be compelled, in self-defence, to prove his claims, by giving them the sign from heaven they had so often de- manded: they would, he believed, elect him in due form as the King Messiah, and thus enable him to reward his followers. He did, indeed, receive from Jesus many alarming admonitions against his design; but the plainest warnings are lost upon a mind totally absorbed by a purpose,and agitated by many violent passions- The worst he would permit himself to exiAitt, was a temporary displeasure fir placing his Master in this dilemma; but as he most likely believed, judging from himself, that Jesus anticipated worldly aggrandizement, he might calculate upon Isis forgiveness when the emergency should have been triumphantly surmounted. Nor was this calculation wholly unreasonable. Many an ambitious man would gladly be spared the responsibility of grasping at an empire, Which he would willingly find forced upon him. Sextns Po:mpey is recorded to have rebuked his servant Menus, who offered to put him in possession of the empire by the treache- rous seizure of the triumvirs, for not having, unknown to him, performed the service, which, when proposed to him, he felt bound in honour to reject (Suet. Octav.) In Shakspere's version of his language—.

At, this thou shouldst have done, And not have spoke on't Reingdone, unknown,

I should have found it afleiwards well done.'

Ant. and Mop • Judas could not doubt his Master's ability to extricate himself from his enemies 4, miracle, lie had known him do so more than once (Luke iv. 30; John 59; k. 39.) Bence his direction to the officers to 'hold him fast,' when he was apprehended (Matt. xxvi. 48.) With other Jews he believed the Messiah would never die (John xii. 34); accordingly, we regard his pecuniary stipulation with the priests as a mere artful cover to his deeper and more comprehensive de.. sign; and so that be served their purpose in causing the apprehension of Jesus, they would little care to scrutinize his motive. All they felt was being glad' at his proposal, (Mark ail/. 11;) and the plan appeared to hold good up to the very moment of our Lord's condemnation ; for after his apprehension his miraculous power seems unabated, from his healing Malchus. Judas heard him declare that he could even then ask, and his Father would give him twelve legions of angels' for his rescue. But when Judas, who awaited the issue of the trial with such different expectations, saw that though Jesus had avowed himself to be the Mes- siah, he had not convinced the Sanhedrirn; and, instead of extricating himself from their power by miracle, had submitted to be condemned, buffetted, and spit upon' by his judges and accusers; then it should seem he awoke to a full view of all the consequences of his conduct. The prophecies of the Old Testament 'that Christ should suffer,' and of Jesus concerning his own rejection and death, flashed on his mind in their true sense and full force, and be found himself the wretched instrument of their fulfilment. He made a last desperate effort to stay proceedings. He presented himself to the chief priests, offered to return the money, confessed that he had sinned in that he had betrayed the innocent blood; and upon receiving their heartless answer, was wrought into a phrensy of despair, during which he committed suicide. There is much significancy in these words of Matt. xxvii. 3, Then Judas, when he saw he was condemned,' not expiring on the cross, 'repented himself,' &c. If such be the true hypothesis of his conduct, then, however culpable it may have been, as originating in the most inordinate covetousness, impatience of the procedure of Providence, crooked policy, or any other bad quality, he is certainly absolved from the direct intention of procuring his Master's death."

Such a work as the Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature is often improved by graphic illustrations, and often requires them. On this point there is nothing to desire. Wherever the text treats of subjects that are best understood by forms being presented to the eye, the reader will be gratified by wood-cuts of the clearest and most effective cha- racter, from the branch of a plant up to a building or a landscape Al- together, it is a valuable and very interesting work of its kind.