criticism. The object of them is to illustrate the style and meaning of the writers of the New Testament by the profane writers of Greece; and though his zeal for the classical purity of the sacred penmen sometimes carries him too far, he certainly throws considerable light on many of the peculiar terms and phrases which they employ. The second work mentioned above is not confined to the Scriptures, but takes in some passages of Hesychius and others. In it he often enters the lists with Pri

caeus.

Besides these, Alberti published another work of some value. This is entitled, “Glossarium Graecum in Sacros Novi Foederis Libros," etc. 8vo. 1735. This ancient Glossary of the words of the New Testament, was presented to Alberti by J. A. Fabricius, who published it with a commentary, and some other critical pieces.

ALESS, or HALES, ALEXANDER, a learned Scotchman, who resided long in Germany; born at Edinburgh, 1500; he was appointed Professor of Theology at Cambridge, about 1535, whence he was soon driven; but occupied the same office, first at Frankfort, and afterwards at Leipzig, where he died 1565.-Commentarius in Evangelium Joannis, Basle, 8vo. 1553.-Disputationes in Epistolam ad Romanos, cum Philippi Melanchthonis Praefatione, 8vo. Wittemberg, 1553.-Disputatio in utramque Epistolam ad Timotheum, et ad Titum, 8vo. Leipzig, 1550.

On the merits of these works, as expositions of Scripture, I can pronounce no opinion; not having met with any of them. The author was an excellent scholar; greatly esteemed for a time by Henry VIII. and Archbishop Parker. Thuanus also speaks highly of him. A short, but interesting account of him, is given by Dr. M'Crie, Life of Knox, vol. i. Note I. He was beloved by Melanchthon, and praised by Camerarius. a work on the Psalms also ascribed to him. It is marked as published at Leipzig, in fol. 1596.

There is

8

ALEXANDER-ALLEN-ALLIX.

ALEXANDER, JOHN, an English dissenting minister of the Unitarian Faith. He was born 1736; and died on the 29th December, 1765.-A Paraphrase upon the fifteenth chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians; with Critical Notes and Observations, and a Preliminary Dissertation.-A Commentary, with Critical Remarks, upon the Sixth, Seventh, and part of the Eighth chapters of the Romans, and a Sermon on Eccles. ix. 10. 4to. Lond. 1766.

This work contains a few good critical remarks; but the theological creed of the writer occupies a most prominent place throughout. The denial of the doctrine of the atonement, of a state of happiness of separate spirits, and of the resurrection of the same body, (it will perhaps surprise the reader,) is founded on the 15th chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians. None of these important truths, however, could Mr. Alexander find there!

ALLEN, JOHN, a learned dissenting layman.Modern Judaism, or a Brief Account of the Opinions, Rites, and Ceremonies, of the Jews in modern times, 8vo. Lond. 1817.

This is the best work on modern Judaism in our language. The various topics mentioned in the title are treated very judiciously, and passages of Scripture are occasionally illustrated. Mr. Allen is the author of an excellent translation of Calvin's Institutes, in three vol. 8vo. and also of a translation of Outram on Sacrifice.

ALLIX, PETER, D.D. a distinguished French refugee, was born in France, 1641; and died 1717, in England, where he resided many years. -Reflections upon the Books of the Holy Scripture, to Establish the Truth of the Christian Religion, 2 vol. 8vo. Lond. 1688.

These Reflections are not in the form of a continued commentary on the Bible; but take up what may be called the spirit of it, under distinct heads, chiefly with a view, as the title expresses it, to establish the divine origin of Christianity. They are often shrewd and original, and well deserve the careful perusal of the Christian advocate. Bishop Watson thought so highly of them, that he republished them in the first volume of his Theological Tracts. They were published in French about the same time that they appeared in English. They were also translated into German, and published at Nuremberg in 1702. -The Judgment of the Ancient Jewish Church against the Unitarians, 8vo. Lond. 1699.

This work, though without his name, is well known to be the production of Dr. Allix. It affords much curious and interesting information on those passages of the Old Testament, which have been supposed to contain the doctrine of the Trinity. He successfully shows, that if the ancient Jews were not strictly Trinitarians, they were firm believers of a plurality in the Godhead. Dr. Smith's opinion of it is, “ that it is not remarkable for accurate statement or judicious reasoning." This volume is now scarce, and brings a very high price. It was translated into German, and published at Berlin in 1707.

-The Book of Psalms, with an abridgment of each Psalm, and rules for the interpretation of this Sacred Book, 8vo. 1701.

This is a small anonymous work, and of no great value. It is too brief to be satisfactory, either to the critic or the lover of practical exposition.

-Diatriba de anno et Mense Natali Jesu Christi, etc. 8vo. Lond. 1710.

In this Latin tract, Allix endeavours to show that the Messiah was born, not in winter, but in the spring. He has also various discussions respecting the census taken by Cyrenius-what happened in Judea during the time of Herod—the slaughter of the infants-the Magi, &c. All these subjects, says Walch, are treated in a manner worthy of the erudition of Allix.

10

ALTER-ALTINGIUS-AMAMA,

ALTER, FRANCIS CHARLES, a distinguished German scholar and critic; born 1749; died at Vienna, 1804.-Novum Testamentum Graecum, ad Codicem Vindobonensem Graece expressum; Varietatem Lectionis addidit F. C. Alter, 1786, 1787, 2 thick vol. 8vo.

The plan on which this critical edition is formed, differs entirely from that which was adopted by Mill, Wetstein, and Griesbach. The text is printed separately, and the various readings at the end. The text is that of the Codex Lambecii I. in the imperial library at Vienna, which he terms in the title, Codex Vindobonensis. But wherever he discovered manifest errata, he corrected them from the edition of Robert Stephens, 1546; of which errata he has subjoined a list at the end of each volume. "It is generally acknowledged," says Michaelis, "that this edition has been executed with great care and diligence; and as it contains the readings of manuscripts, which had been hitherto totally neglected, or very superficially examined, it is a work with which no man engaged in sacred criticism can dispense."

ALTINGIUS, JAMES, a learned German divine; born 1618; died 1679.-Commentarius in Jeremiam Prophetam, Amst. folio, 1688.-Commentarius Theoretico-Practicus in Epistolam ad Romanos. Opera Altingii, Amst. 5 tom. folio, 1687.

The works of Alting contain expositions of many parts of Scripture besides the above. He is not perhaps one of the most interesting of the Dutch Expositors; but his sentiments are generally correct; his learning was extensive; and he spared no labour to promote the interests of learning and piety. He was well acquainted with the Eastern languages and dialects, of which his Grammar for eight of the Oriental tongues affords a striking proof.

AMAMA, SIXTINUS, Professor of Hebrew in the University of Franeker; died 1629.-Antibarbarus

1

Biblicus sex Libris, 4to. Franeker, 1628. Edit. opt. 4to. 1656.

This learned work was originally designed to consist of two parts, each containing three books. The author lived to publish only the first part. The fourth book was added in the 2d edition after his death. It is rather a miscellaneous work. He justly represents those as barbarians who despise the study of the sacred languages. He defends the original texts against the charge of corruption, and makes many just remarks on the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate. On the latter he is very severe, especially on the editions published by Sixtus V. and Clement VIII. It contains a kind of regular criticism on the Vulgate version of the Historical Books, the Psalms, and the writings of Solomon. In the book which was added after his death, Isaiah and Jeremiah are comprehended in the same manner. There are also some dissertations interspersed; among the rest, one on Prov. viii. 22, ❝ The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways," in which he defends Drusius against the charge of Arianism. There is also a Tract in reply to Father MersenThere are many things in this work deserving of attention, though it is now little known. It is praised by Dr. Owen,' Bishop Walton, and Walch.

nus.

66

AMES, WILLIAM, D. D. a learned Independent, some time Professor of Theology at Franeker, in Holland, where he died in 1633.—An Analytical Exposition of both the Epistles of the Apostle Peter, illustrated by doctrines out of every text, 4to. Lond. 1641.

This is a translation from the Latin work of Ames, which was published at Amsterdam in 1635. It is not a critical work, but it gives a very accurate analysis of the two Epistles, and deduces doctrinal observations from every part of them. The theological writers of that age, and especially the Puritans, were generally more remarkable for the accuracy of their logical reasoning, than for their critical or philological speculations. Mosheim acknowledges, that "the productions of Ames are not