8. Biblia Sacra Vulgatæ Editionis, Sixti V. et Clementis VIII. Pont. Max. auctoritate recognita, unà cum selectis Annotationibus ex optimis quibusque Interpretibus excerptis, Prolegomenis, novis Tabulis Chronologicis, Historicis, et Geographicis illustrata, Indiceque Epistolarum et Evangeliorum aucta. Auctore J. B. DU HAMEL. Parisiis, 1706. 2 tomis folio.

The Prolegomena treat briefly on the canon and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and on their transmission to our times, incorrupt; on the authority and various editions of the Hebrew text and antient Versions; and on the exposition of the Bible, including its style, figurative language, and spiritual sense. A short Chronological and Geographical Appendix is subjoined, in which the weights, measures, and money of the Hebrews are discussed. 9. LA SAINTE BIBLE, expliquée par DAVID MARTIN. 1707. 2 vols. folio.

Amsterdam,

M. Martin revised the Geneva version of the French Bible, and corrected it so materially, that it is frequently considered as a new translation. The short notes, which he has annexed, contain much good sense, learning, and piety.

10. JOANNIS CLERICI Translatio Librorum Veteris Testamenti, cum ejusdem Paraphrasi perpetuâ, Commentario Philologico, Dissertationibus Criticis, Tabulisque Chronologicis et Geographicis, folio, 4 vols.

dami, 1708, 1710, 1713.- Ejusdem Translatio ex Anglicâ Linguâ Henrici Hammondi Paraphrasis et Adnotationum in Novum Testamentum, Animadversionibus suis illustrata. Francofurti, 1714. 2 vols. folio.

Le Clerc's Translation and Commentary are highly commended by Bishop Watson: of Dr. Hammond's Paraphrase and Notes on the New Testament, some account is given below. Many of Le Clerc's observations throw great light on the Scriptures; in others he has indulged his own fancy, and, what is most to be regretted, has completely frittered away the meaning of the Prophecies concerning our Saviour. He considers miracles as effects of nature. His commentaries on the Prophets and on the Hagiographa are greatly inferior to those on the Pentateuch. John Justus von Einem published a volume of Animadversiones ad Joannis Clerici Commentarios, at Magdeburg, 1735, 8vo.

11. OSTERVALD (Jean-Frederic) La Sainte Bible, avec les Argumens et Réflexions. Neufchatel, 1772, folio.

M. Ostervald was an eminent divine of the French Protestant church. The French text of the Bible is that of the Geneva Version, revised and corrected by himself; whence it is often considered as a new version. Ostervald's arguments and reflections are very valuable, and have been liberally consulted by later commentators. A detached translation of them, in three vols. 8vo., was published by Mr. Chamberlayne in the early part of the eighteenth century, at the request and under the patronage of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge the later editions of this translation are in two volumes 8vo.

:

12. JOANNIS COCCEII Commentarii in Sacras Scripturas, in ejus Operibus. Amstelodami, 10 vols. folio.

The commentaries of Cocceius are also extant in quarto and folio, under different dates as they were published. It is the fault of this learned man, that he has in the Old Testament spiritualised every thing to the utmost; his commentaries, however, particularly on the New Testament, abound with valuable illustrations, and will amply repay the trouble of perusal. He is "a commentator from whom a judicious expositor may derive much assistance. Often fanciful, and even fanatical, he is learned, pious, and far more discerning in the true scope of prophecy than many who succeeded him." (Dr. Apthorpe's Disc. on Prophecy, vol. i. p. 106.)

13. CALMET. Commentaire Littéral sur tous les Livres de l'Ancien et du Nouveau Testament, par Augustin CALMET. Paris, 1719-1726, 8 tomes in 9 vols. folio.

It contains the Latin text of the Vulgate, and a French version in collateral columns, with the notes at the bottom of each page. It has a vast apparatus of prefaces and dissertations, in which immense learning, good sense, sound judgment, and deep piety are invariably displayed. "This is without exception the best comment on the Sacred Writings ever published, either by Catholics or Protestants." (Dr. A. Clarke.) Walchius (Bibl. Theol. vol. iv. p. 433.) has pronounced an equally strong but well-deserved eulogium on this valuable work, to which we have been largely indebted in the course of these volumes.

14. La Sainte Bible de Vence, en Latin et en Français, avec des Notes Littéraires, Critiques et Historiques, des Prefaces, et Dissertations, tirées du

Commentaire de Dom Calmet, Abbé de Senones, de l'Abbé de Vence, et des autres auteurs les plus célèbres, pour faciliter l'intelligence de l'Ecriture Sainte; enrichie d'un Atlas et de Cartes Géographiques. Cinquième édition, soigneusement révue et augmentée d'un grand nombre de Notes par M. DRACH, Rabbin converti, et enrichie de nouvelles Dissertations. Paris, 1827-1834. 27 tomes 8vo. Avec Atlas.

This was, originally, a reprint of the Bible published in Latin and French by L. E. RONDET, first in 1748 in fourteen volumes quarto, and, a second time, between the years 1767 and 1774. The date of the third edition we have not been able to ascertain. The French translation, with the exception of a few corrections, is that of father Carrières. Besides the Latin Vulgate and French version, this work contains prefaces to the several books, notes, and dissertations, chiefly taken from Calmet, but abridged in some places, and in others altered or enlarged: most of the alterations are pointed out. There are also notes, and several dissertations from the Abbé DE VENCE, and the fathers Houbigant and Carrières, with many additions by Rondet; though these last are not very distinctly specified. The critical and historical dissertations, which are one hundred and seventy in number, treat on various passages of Scripture and biblical subjects. There are seven large indexes relative to Scripture chronology and geography, to the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, and Greek names, and in general to the contents of the text, prefaces, dissertations, notes, &c. The Atlas con

tains thirty-eight maps and engravings. There is an edition of this Bible printed at Nismes, in seventeen volumes 8vo. (Peignot. Manuel du Bibliophile, tom. ii. p. 134. Month. Rev. O. S. vol. lii. p. 344.) The fourth edition was published at Paris in 1820-1824, in twentyfive volumes 8vo.

The superintendence of the fifth edition was confided to M. DRACH, formerly a Jewish rabbi, who embraced Christianity in the form professed by the Romish church. This edition was intended, at first, to be a mere reprint of the Bible de Vence, revised and accompanied with additional notes. But, with the seventh volume, the editor entirely changed the plan which he had adopted at the commencement of the undertaking, and instead of revising the French version of father Carrières, he has so altered the latter in the seventh, and following volumes, as to render it a new translation. M. Brunet states that these alterations, which were made in order to please the then dominant party in the Romish Church in France, were by no means satisfactory to divines. (Supplément au Manuel du Libraire, tom. i. p. 152.) Besides the correction of typographical errors, this edition contains the following among other improvements; viz. 1. New Dissertations relative to alleged difficulties drawn from geology, astronomy, chronology, the zodiac of Dendera, &c. &c. by various distinguished scholars, especially the Abbé Halma; -2. References to the best authors who have refuted, in detail, the objections of modern infidels ;- -3. Numerous notes by M. Drach;-4. A new and corrected Atlas, on thirty-seven plates, consisting of maps and other engravings, to illustrate the Scripture History;-and, 5. A notice of the best works treating on the Bible generally, and on each book in particular. And as M. Drach in his notes often refers to his "Letters d'un Rabbin Converti aux Israelites ses Frères," (Paris, 18251827, 8vo.) it will be desirable to add these letters to the work itself. An Italian translation of M. Drach's edition of the Bible de Vence was published at Milan in 1830 and following years.

15. CHAIS.- La Sainte Bible, avec un Commentaire Littéral, et des Notes choisies, tirées de divers Auteurs Anglois, &c., par Charles CHAIS. Hague, 1743-1790. 7 vols. 4to.

Besides a French translation, which in general is judicious, this learned and elaborate work contains a valuable comment on the Old Testament as far as the end of the historical books. The seventh volume was posthumous, and was edited by the late Rev. Dr. Maclaine. "It is much to be regretted that the learned and pious author did not complete the whole. What he has published, however, at long intervals, is excellent. His notes are chiefly taken, as he professes, from the best English commentators, to whom he gives a decided preference above the foreign, Houbigant, Calmet, &c.; all of whom he appears to have carefully studied. It may therefore be justly considered as a considerable and valuable improvement upon his predecessors, of every description, as far as it goes." (Dr. Hales.)

16. HOUBIGANT.- Caroli Francisci HOUBIGANTII Notæ Criticæ in Universos Veteris Testamenti Libros, cum Hebraice, tum Græce scriptos. Cum integris ejusdem Prolegomenis. Francofurti ad Monum, 1777. 2 tomis 4to.

A neat reprint of the Prolegomena and notes annexed by Houbigant to his Critical Edition and Version of the Old Testament, which has already been noticed in p. 7. suprà. 17. Jo. Aug. DATHII Libri Veteris Testamenti, ex Recensione Textûs

Hebræi et Versionum Antiquarum, Latine versi, notis philologicis et criticis illustrati. Halæ, 1773-1789. 6 vols. 8vo.

This work is in high repute on the Continent: see a notice of Dathe's Latin version in p. 65. suprà. The difficult and obscure passages are illustrated by notes placed at the bottom of the page. After M. Dathe's decease, Rosenmüller edited a collection of his Opuscula ad Crisin et Interpretationem Veteris Testamenti spectantia, 8vo. Lipsiæ, 1795. These should be added to the above work, as they contain critical disquisitions on some antient versions, &c.

18. Interpretatio Sacræ Scripturæ per omnes Veteris et Novi Testamenti Libros, ab Joanne Nep. ALBER, Clerico Regulari e Scholis Piis, S. Theologiæ Doctore, Linguarum Orientalium et Sacræ Scripturæ in Archiepiscopali Lyceo Professore. Pesthini [Pesth, in Hungary], 1801-1804. 16 large vols. 8vo.

Though published upwards of thirty years since, this exposition was unknown in England until the year 1827, when a few copies were imported. Professor Alber dedicated it to the clergy of the Romish church in Hungary, for whose use he undertook its compilation. There are three maps, and to each volume there is a list of numerous errata, besides a copious supplementary list in the last volume, all of which ought to be corrected before the work can be consulted. To the first volume are prefixed about fifty pages of preliminary observations on the various aids for the interpretation of Scripture, which are not characterised either by novelty or depth of information. The following is the method pursued by the author. At the beginning of each book are placed a short preface, treating on its author, and a synopsis of its contents. The text of the Latin Vulgate is then inserted: and where any passage occurs which appears to be either difficult or obscure, he endeavours to elucidate it, more in the way of exposition than of concise critical annotations. Dr. Alber professes to have consulted the various exegetical labours, both of Protestants and Romanists; and that he has eneavoured to state the various points of difference between them without asperity and with Christian candour. In this endeavour, truth requires it to be stated, that the author has succeeded. Wherever an occasion presents itself, he fails not to impugn and to refute the notions of the antisupernaturalist divines of Germany, as well as of the enemies of divine revelation. The profoundest reverence to the opinions of the fathers of the Christian church, and to the doctrinal decisions and decrees of the Romish church, pervades this exposition.

-

19. Libri Sacri Antiqui Fœderis ex Sermone Hebræo in Latinum translati; notatione brevi præcipuæ Lectionum et Interpretationum diversitatis addita. Auctoribus D. Henrico Augusto SCHOTT et Julio Friederico WINZER, Volumen primum. Altonæ et Lipsiæ, 1816, 8vo.

This volume comprises the Pentateuch only. With a few exceptions, the version is said to be close; and the annotations, which are very brief, are strictly confined to the indication of the principal various lections, and of the different interpretations proposed by eminent biblical critics. The three first books were translated by Dr. Schott, and the last two by M. Winzer. This work has not been continued.

20. Commentarius Grammaticus, in Vetus Testamentum in usum maxime Gymnasiorum et Academiarum adornatus. Scripsit Franc. Jos. Valent. Dominicus MAURER. Fasciculi I-III. Lipsiæ, 1832-1836, 8vo.

This is strictly a grammatical commentary, the author of which has a strong leaning in favour of those neologian interpretations which explain the Messianic Prophesies of any one rather than the Messiah himself. That portion, which contains the prophesy of Isaiah, was published by itself in 1836. Dr. Maurer has so perpetually referred his readers to the valuable Hebrew Grammars of Gesenius and Ewald (expressly in order that they may familiarise themselves with them), that his work is of comparatively little use, except to those who may happen to possess those Grammars.

21. La Sainte Bible, en Latin et en François, suivie d'un Dictionnaire Etymologique, Géographique, et Archéologique. Paris, 1828-1834. 13 tomes

8vo.

The principal recommendation of this beautifully printed but costly edition of the French Version of the Scriptures, is the Etymological, Geographical, and Archæological Dictionary, which was announced as being compiled by M. Barbier du Bocage, under whose direction an Atlas, possessing more than ordinary claims to attention on account of its accuracy, was to be designed and engraved: but no such atlas was published, in consequence of his death. The version is that of De Sacy, which is printed in columns, and below it is given in smaller characters the Latin Vulgate. contains a Dissertation on the Authenticity of the Books of the Old

The first volume Testament: and to

The work is each book of Scripture is prefixed a short preface explanatory of its contents. adorned with sixty-four engravings, executed by the most distinguished French artists, after the designs of Devéria. The thirteenth volume contains the Chronology of the Bible, together with an index of the matters contained in the Scriptures, an explanatory Dictionary of the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, and Greek names occurring therein, and an archæological and philological Dictionary of the Bible. This last is for the most part derived from Calmet's well-known Dictionary: those articles, which are not designated by his name, have been compiled from the most recent authorities.

22. La Bible. Traduction Nouvelle, avec l'Hebreu en regard, accompagné des Points-Voyelles et des Accens Toniques, avec des notes philologiques, géographiques et littéraires, et les principales Variantes de la Version des Septante et du Texte Samaritain. Par S. CAHEN. Vols. I-X. 1831-38. 8vo.

Paris,

The author of this translation is a Jew, who of course has given Jewish interpretations to those predictions which relate to the Messiah. Many of the notes are very useful, but many also are tainted with German neologism. The translation is very close; and, the Hebrew text being placed opposite, it is an excellent aid to the grammatical study of the Old Testament. The ten volumes, which have been published, comprise the Pentateuch and historical books, as far as the second book of Chronicles and the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah. The typographical execution of the work is very neat.

23. La Sainte Bible en Latin et en Français accompagnée de Préfaces, de Dissertations, de Notes explicatives et de Reflections Morales tirées en partie de Dom Calmet, l'Abbé de Vence, Menochius, Carriéres, de Sacy, et autres Auteurs, par M. l'Abbé J. B. GLAIRE. Paris, 1835-1838. 3 tomes 4to. avec Atlas.

[ii.] British Commentators on the whole Bible.

1. THE REFORMER'S BIBLE. - The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the Authorized Version, with short Notes by several learned and pious Reformers, as printed by Royal Authority at the time of the Reformation, with additional Notes and Dissertations. London, 1810, 4to.

The notes on the Old Testament in this edition are reprinted from those appended to the English version of the Bible, published at Geneva by Coverdale, Sampson, and other reformers, who fled to that city during the reign of Queen Mary: whence their translation An account of it is given is generally known by the appellation of the Geneva Bible.

in p. 75. suprà. The annotations on the New Testament are translated from the Latin of Theodore Beza. Although in this edition the orthography is modernised, and the style has in some few instances been improved, the editor (the Rev. Thomas WEBSTER, B.D.) states that the utmost caution has been observed, that no alteration should be made in the sentiments of the reformers, whose "notes and illustrations" the late eminent Bishop Horsley, (no mean judge of biblical literature) has pronounced to be “very edifying, except that in many points they savour too much of Calvinism." The notes on the Apocalypse are selected by the editor from various commentators: he has also occasionally supplied arguments to the different books of the Old and New Testaments: bis dissertations on which, though concise, are sufficiently comprehensive for those readers who have not leisure to consult more expensive commentaries. A few useful maps and tables accompany the work, which is further ornamented with some neatly executed vignette engravings.

2. HALL (Bishop).— Contemplations on the Old and New Testaments. London, 1808. 2 vols. 8vo.

These have been reprinted at various times and in different forms; the edition now noticed was published by the Rev. Josiah PRATT, B. D., and is very correctly printed. Bishop Hall's Contemplations "are incomparably valuable for language, criticism, and devotion." (Dr. Doddridge.) The Bishop also wrote a "Paraphrastic Exposition of hard Texts," These exwhich forms the 3d and 4th vols. of Mr. Pratt's edition of his whole works. pository notes Dr. D. pronounces to be " very valuable, especially for showing the spirit They do not, however, contain much learned and force of many expressions that occur.' criticism. Most of them, if not all, are inserted in the valuable Commentary of Bp. Mant and Dr. D'Oyly, noticed below.

3. MAYER. A Commentary upon the Bible; wherein the Divers Trans

lations and Expositions, Literall and Mysticall, of the most famous Commentators, both ancient and modern, are propounded and examined, by John MAYER. London, 1653. 5 vols. folio.

4. Annotations upon the Old and New Testament. London, 1654–62. 5 vols. folio.

By John TRAPP.

This work contains many judicious observations, collected from various sources: but they are for the most part expressed in uncouth language. It is very scarce and dear, and is seldom to be found complete, the several volumes of which it consists having been published at different times: viz. the Annotations on the Minor Prophets in 1654; on the New Testament, in 1656; on Ezra, Nehemiah, Job, and the Psalms, in 1657; on the books of Proverbs to Daniel inclusive, in 1660; and on the Pentateuch to the second book of Chronicles inclusive, in 1662.

5. Annotations upon all the Books of the Old and New Testament: this third, above the first and second editions, so enlarged, as they make an entire Commentary on the Sacred Scripture; the like never before published in English. Wherein the text is explained, doubts resolved, Scriptures paralleled, and various readings observed; by the labour of certain learned divines thereunto appointed, and therein employed, as is expressed in the preface. London, 1657. 2 vols. folio.

This valuable work, (for valuable and learned it is, considering the time when it was composed) is usually called the " ASSEMBLY'S Annotations;" from the circumstance of its having been composed by members of the Assembly of Divines who sat at Westminster during the great rebellion. The reader will find an account of its authors in Dr. Calamy's Life of Mr. Baxter, p. 86. et seq.

6. POOLE. Annotations upon the Holy Bible, wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annexed; together with the parallel Scriptures. The more difficult terms are explained; seeming contradictions reconciled; doubts resolved, and the whole text opened. By the Rev. Matthew POOLE. London, 1683. 2 vols. folio. Edinburgh, 1803. 4 vols. 4to.

The Annotations are mingled with the text, and are allowed to be very judicious; the author (who was an eminent non-conformist divine) wrote them only as far as the 58th chapter of Isaiah; the remainder of the notes was compiled after the same manner, by several eminent dissenting ministers.

7. CLARKE.-The Old and New Testament, with Annotations and parallel Scriptures. By Samuel CLARKE, A.M. London, 1690, folio.

The selection of parallel texts is admirable; and the notes, though very brief, are written with great judgment. The work was commended in very high terms by Drs. Owen and Bates, as well as by Mr. Baxter and Mr. Howe. "It has been an excellent fund for some modern commentators, who have published a great part of it with very little alteration." (Chalmers's Biog. Dict. vol. ix. p. 403.) This work, notwithstanding the learned author was a non-conformist, is inserted in the list of books recommended by Bishop Cleaver to the attention of the younger clergy. It is very scarce and dear. The purchaser must be careful that he be not misled by another Bible published also in one vol. folio, in 1811, in the name of S. Clarke, in numbers; and which is a very indifferent compilation by some anonymous editor from various commentators, all of whom lived long after the time of Mr. Clarke.

8. The Rev. Dr. Edward WELLS published a Help for the Right Understanding of the Scripture, in various parts, between the years 1709 and 1728. As this useful work is not often to be met with complete, the following bibliographical notice of it is copied from the Rev. Dr. Cotton's List of Editions of the Bible and of parts thereof. (Appendix, pp. 163-165.)

Wells's Paraphrase of the Old Testament.

Part I. The Title," An Help to the more easy and clear understanding of the Holy "Scriptures being the book of Genesis explained after the following method: viz. "The common English Translation rendered more agreeable to the original. A "paraphrase. Annotations." Oxford, printed at the Theatre, 1724. "A preface to