they converge to the same point-the eternal wellbeing of human kind. While each of them glides

grace.

in its own channel, and interferes not with the course of the others, it carries along with it its own portion of pure salubrious efficacy from the fountain of saving From each of them apart, the pensive Christian may imbibe an influence which is deeply spiritual, and powerfully exciting; and, from the diligent use of the whole combined, he may gather up "doctrine, or reproof, or correction, or instruction in righteousness," to an extent, and with an appropriate diversity, which is rarely to be met with in so short a compass.

The reader who has but little experience in specific Christian exercise, we would earnestly request to peruse this volume, in the order in which it is set before him. But let the perusal be calm and wakeful, admitting of no haste, and disturbed by no intrusion which he feels to be incompatible with distinctness of view, and closeness of application, as he passes along.

In its first Treatise, by RICHARD BAXTER, the most forcible and fervid of Puritan writers, you have the " Duty and Privilege of Walking with God," not only sketched in its general outline, but powerfully delineated in its nature and spirit, its latitude and diversity, its manifold utilities and indispensable obligation. Nor is the delineation merely contemplative, but, in a practical point of view, controversial and searching. It goes directly to the conscience, detecting its sophistries and delusions, showing it its errors and evasions, evincing the claims

of God upon man, and disclosing man to himself, with a warmth of eloquence, and cogency of holy argument, which depravity may resist, but reasoning can never refute.

In its second Treatise, by Baxter also, under the title, "Converse with God in Solitude," you see the passive virtues of the Christian life brought out into view; the scenes of diversified sorrow, which ought to bring these virtues into operation, impressively sketched, and satisfactorily accounted for; and a most instructive description of what it really is to have the gracious presence of God amidst the sorrows of life, with the considerations which render it desirable, and the means of attaining its consolations, or promoting its increase and perpetuity, clearly stated, and most forcibly recommended. And here, dejected Christian reader, you meet with nothing that is laboured or lengthy, but brief and pointed paragraphs, indited in the tenderness of Christian sympathy, and fitted, often by a single touch, to break the spell of your oppressive sorrow, and introduce you to holy tranquillity.

In its third Treatise, from the pen of CORBET, whose eulogy has been written with the highest applause, you have the exercise of dealing with yourself in secret, and the workings of piety in affiction, exemplified after a manner which is invitingly brief, yet clear, and full, and faithful, and followed up by a series of hints or admonitions, so sound in themselves, and so admirably adapted to the occurrences of life, that the Christian who imbibes their spirit, and reduces them to daily practice, will find his industry most richly rewarded.

In its last Treatise-whose author we cannot name, but which has been renewed and enlarged by the late Mr. Brown of Haddington, to whom Scotland owes much we see the Christian in his native element, conscious of guilt, and distance, and debility, but awake to the interest of the spiritual world, engrossed with the forethought of its sublime enjoyments, and tending towards it as he may, on the lifted wing of evangelical aspiration. It has got the name of "Devout Breathings," and this designation is so graphic and complete, that we presume not to characterize it in any other terms. We know not of any thing human which is better fitted to guide, or enrich, or stimulate devotion in the heart of a languishing Christian. If you grant it a fair perusal, copying its Author's example while you gather up his sentiments, it will humble and yet exalt you; fill you with shame and contrition, and

yet entice your affections out into adoration, like the chariots of a willing people.

Such is a mere outline of the Volume, it will speak more largely for itself; but we cannot conceal the rising presentiment, after surveying the whole, that these four precious memorials of the piety of other times, thus put together in one convenient portable volume, will be hailed by British Christians as a very valuable acquisition. Let them be sought after, however, not for ornament, but for use; not for the shelf, but for the closet and the heart; not for their connection with the times that are gone, but for their present worth. And let each of the excellent Authors have fruit from you in his own department.

There is one class of Christians with whom this Volume is sure to be high in esteem, and who can scarcely fail to peruse it, without a large accession of spiritual advantage. We mean the people who dwell alone, not from choice but necessity; who have been driven out of society by the wreck of their fortunes, or the infamous abuse of their reputation or who have lived on amidst multiplying changes, till they have grown into solitude by the very course of nature, and find themselves in a world, which, although teeming with life, and warm with interest as that in which they started, is desolate to them, because time has altered its aspect, and death has taken out of it the friends of their youth— or, which is yet a more common case, who have been chastised into a weariness of the world, by bodily affliction, or the conduct of profligate relatives, or the heart-breaking sorrows of domestic bereavements, or, in some cases, it may be the pressure of all combined. These are a people who need a companion to abide with them in their dwellings, and mingle in quiet with their meditations, and avert their thoughts from fruitless anxieties, to that which is soothing and healthful. Many and varied are their sources of disquietude, bitter and pungent their secret sorrows, and powerfully affecting are their claims on the succours of Christian sympathy. We offer them this volume as a friend who loveth at all times, but a brother born for adversity; and we dare venture to say of it, in special reference to their case, that, although it cannot bring back the days that are gone, nor restore to their bosoms the terrestrial endearments which the course of provi

dence has swept away, yet, by opening their hearts to a familiarity with its pages, and adopting it for their spiritual intimate, and gradually giving way to its upward attractions, it will distance, and thus diminish the ills of life, and gild, if not disperse the gloom which sits around them; and bring them to confess, with a great and tried Apostle, to the honour of God and their own unspeakable consolation, that "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

D. Y.

PERTH, October, 1827.