The Life and Writings of St. Paul. By Francis Rivington.
(Sampson Low.)—It was scarcely possible for Mr. Rivington to say anything new on a subject which has been so exhaustively treated by Messrs. Conybeare and Howson and by Mr. Lewin, bat he has put together the most important things concerning his subject in a con- venient and easily accessible form. Ho is scarcely to be blamed if he followed those who have preceded him into some of the exaggerations which seem almost inseparable from the special treatment of any sub- ject. Tho statement that St. Paul was well acquainted with Jewish and Grecian literature rests, as far as the second is concerned, upon mere quotation; one of which (that from Euripides or Menander, in the First Epistle to the Corinthians) is doubtful. And it seems absurd to say that "his extraordinary memory is shown by his numerous citations from the Scripture of the Old Testament." It is probable that every Jew who had received the Rabbinical instruction which St. Paul had shared in the school of Gamaliel knew the Old-Testament Scripture nearly by heart. It was not to be expected that Mr. Rivington should correct all the errors in our Authorised Version, but there are important passages which almost demand an explanation. "He thought it not robbery to be equal with God " is not, it is generally allowed, a possible rendering of eim &preemie 47,4476TO 70 iTssa Yea eili, and so much should have been stated, especially as a theological use is made of the text. A brief sketch of the progress of Christianity during the first three centuries is added to the work, and there is an appendix, consisting of quotations from eminent writers, bearing on the nature and working of Christianity.
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