cording to the Christian names of the writers, which renders it very inconvenient. Most of the authors who are noticed are foreigners; and it rarely gives any other account of the book than what is supplied by the title.

In the third volume of the English translation of Calmet's Dictionary to the Bible, published in 1732, there is a very extensive Bibliotheca Sacra. While this part of his work displays the great erudition and research of the celebrated author, it discovers strongly his partiality for Catholic writers. With these and the older commentators, it is almost entirely occupied; so that a great proportion of the works mentioned are now utterly inaccessible to British scholars.

The Bibliotheca Britannica, by Dr. Watt, is a work of no ordinary labour, and well calculated to aid inquiry in every branch of knowledge. While the author does justice to its general merits, truth compels him to say, that he has found it frequently deficient and incorrect in the theological departThis will not surprise those who consider the nature of the undertaking; it was too extensive to be accomplished successfully by any one individual. Its expense, also, puts it beyond the reach of the great body of scholars; and, contain

ment.

ing nothing, in general, but a list of titles and editions, it can afford little aid to the juvenile student.

The lists published by the Bishops of Llandaff, Durham, and Lincoln; by Dr. Hales of Trinity College, Dublin, Dr. Williams of Rotherham, and Mr. Horne in his Introduction; and the characters of books by Dr. Doddridge and Bishop Marsh, in their respective lectures, are well known, and all possessed of a portion of merit. To all the works enumerated the present Bibliotheca is occasionally indebted; and, as it contains few references, this general acknowledgment of obligation is now made. Wherever it was practicable, the original work itself has been examined, that a faithful report might be given. In this way, many mistakes in former lists have been silently corrected; and many books also have been omitted, which ought perhaps to have found a place; because they could not be personally examined, and no satisfactory account of them could be obtained.

From mistakes it is impossible that such a work as this can be altogether free. Greater diligence, more extensive information, and certain local advantages, would no doubt have rendered it more worthy of the reader's acceptance. An unbiassed judgment, at least, has been exercised; and every

thing has been done which was in the author's power, that the opinion expressed might be correct as well as impartial. For minor mistakes, he must throw himself on the candour of those who best know the difficulties of such an enterprise; and, should the work live beyond the present edition, whatever errors and omissions may be pointed out, or which may occur to the author, will be readily corrected and supplied.

At the end of the volume an arranged index is inserted, by consulting which, the reader may easily find the different writers who treat of particular subjects, and the commentators on the several books of Scripture. The author will now conclude this preface, by warning those who may consult the Bibliotheca against receiving implicitly various theological sentiments, which are contained in many of the works recommended in it. Let them, in every case, try the spirits, whether they be of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Books are important and useful; but the teaching of the Divine Spirit is of far greater moment, to the understanding of the sacred word, than all the aids of science and literature.

66

PERTH, 1st July, 1824.

BIBLIOTHECA BIBLICA.

ABAUZIT, FIRMIN, a Swiss writer, born at Uzes, 1679; died 1767. Reflections on the Eucharist, on Idolatry, &c. with Paraphrases and Explanations of sundry parts of Scripture. Translated from the French, by E. Harwood, D.D. 8vo. 1770.

Dr. Harwood considered this work important. Its critical information, however, is not very profound; and the opinions it expresses on some theological subjects, abundantly free. In this respect it suited well the views of the translator. Abauzit was the friend of St. Evremond, of Sir Isaac Newton, and Rous

seau.

He was the author of a work on the Apocalypse, in which the authority of that book is disputed. It was translated into English by Dr. Twells. Harwood translated another volume of his also, which he entitled "Miscellanies on Historical, Theological, and Critical subjects;" to which he prefixes a life of the author. In this volume, also, there are dissertations on several passages of Scripture. It appeared in 1774.

ABENDANA, JACOB, a learned Spanish Rabbi, President of the Jewish Synagogue at Amsterdam,

B