Expositions of Holy Scripture. By Alexander Maclaren, D.D. Vol. IV.,
"St. Matthew 9-16." (Hodder and Stoughton. 7s. Gd.) —These "expositions" are chiefly homiletic, aiming at edification rather than interpretation. It is true that they are not without valuable suggestions in this direction. There could not be a better example of the maxim, pectus _tacit theologum. But the object Is to move the heart rather than to convince the intellect. So much is shown by the form as well as by the substance of these "expositions." They abound in direct appeals to hearers who are supposed to be present. A good illustration is furnished by the treatment of the "Fish and Tribute" miracle. No one could fail to appreciate the dignified and sympathetic treatment which Dr. Maclaren gives to it. This contrasts favourably -with the rationalistic attempts to escape from the difficulty, that of Paulus, for instance, who suggests that Peter was to sell the fish and pay the tax out of the produce. Still, we are left with the feeling that, after all, the miracle does not stand on the same plane of meaning as those of healing, or even those of feeding the multi- tude.
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