Vol 04 - THE DECALOGUE.

THE DECALOGUE.

[This list does not include comments contained in Bodies of Divinity, etc., but those forming separate volumes. In many theological works there are lengthy portions set apart for the Commandments.]

190 ANDREWES (LANCELOT, Bp. of Worcester. 1555 — i62.6). The Patterne of Catechisticall Doctrine at large; or a Learned and Pious Exposition of the X Commandments. Folio. I675. 7/6 to 10/- This is a book indeed; it is a fay to read it, for it flashes with thought and illustration, and sparkles with ingenious remarks. Profound learning did not lead the Bishop into the depths of dul-hess, as it has done many another divine; he manifests the happy quaintness of Latimer side by side with great scholarship. He was highly esteemed by his contemporaries; but we can hardly believe that his death “Left the dim face of our dull hemisphere All one great eye all drown’d in one great tear.”

Yet so we are informed at the foot of his effigies.

191 BARKER (PETER). A Learned and Familiar Exposition. 4to.

1624. 5/’

Old-fashioned, remarkably quaint, and even coarse in places. Barker’s work abounds in Scriptural illustrations, but it is almost forgotten, 192 DALE (R. W., M.A., of Birmingham.) The Ten Commandments. Cr.

8vo. 3/6. Zonal., Hodder and Stoughton. x873.

Written in a clear, bold, and trenchant style. We could not subscribe to all the author’s views, but we admire his practical remarks, and their outspoken manner.

193 DOD (JOHN) & CLEAVER (RoBERT). Familiar Exposition.

Eighteenth edition. 4to. Zonal., x632. S. 2/6. This work was published by John Dod and Robert Cleaver, with an intimation that the name of the author was purposely suppressed. Our edition, dated 1632, is the eighteenth, so that the work enjoyed a rare popularity in its own time. it has been frequently reprinted since. The book has been long held in high esteem.

194 DOWNAME, OR DOWNHAM (GEORGE, D.D., Bishop of Derry.

Died I634). Abstract of the Duties Commanded and Sinnes Forbidden in the Law of God. 8vo. Lond., 1635. x/6. A sort of catalogue of sins, arranged in a tabular form under the Ten Commandments. These are the heads and divisions of a larger treatise, which does not appear to have been published. These mighty men could afford to leave in the oblivion of manuscript works which would cost modern weaklings half a life-time to write.

195 DURHAM (JAMES. I622 — 1658.) Exposition, with a resolution of several momentous questions, and cases of conscience. 4to. Lond., I675. 8vo., I735, 2/6 to 4/- Whatever Durham has written is very precious. He has the pen of a ready writer, and indites flood molter.

196 ELTON (EDWARD), B.D.) God’s Holy Minde, Touching Matters Morall; which himself uttered in Ten Commandments. 4to. Lond., 1648. 3/6. This work discusses the Decalogue in question and answer, in a somewhat dull manner; but touches many cases of conscience, and deals wisely with them.

Belief in witchcraft comes out very strongly in some passages.

I97 FISHER (EDWARD, A.M. Born about 16oo.) A plain, pithy, and spiritual Exposition of the Ten Commandments. [Marrow of Modern Divinity. Numerous editions.] 12mo. 2/- This exposition is part of the work which occasioned the famous 2liratrow Controversy. One fails to see anything calculated to stir up such a strife.

Fisher might have said that the lines had fallen to him in troubled waters.

HOOPER (JOHN. Bishop and Martyr. 1495 — 1554). A Declaration of the Ten Holy Commandments of Almighty God. I548, x55o, etc. [Reprinted in Hooper’s Works.] After the manner of the English Reformers. The style is harsh to the modern ear, and the matter too much occupied with the controversies raging in the author’s times to be very interesting now.

199 HOPKINS (EZEKIEL, D.D. Bp. of London-Derry, x633 — x69o). An Exposition of the Ten Commandments. 4to. i692. [Reprinted in Hopkins’ Works.]

Hopkins in this exposition searches the heart thoroughly, and makes very practical application of the Commandments to the situations and circumstances of daily life. His homely eloquence will always make his works valuable.

200 KNEWSTUB (JOHN). Lectures on Exodus XX. 4to. 1584. 7/6.

More valuable for its antiquity than for anything else.

McCAUL (JOSEPH B., Chaplain to the Bp. of Rochester). The Ten Commandments; the Christian’s Rule of Daily Life. 8vo. Lond., Saunders, Otley & Co. 186z. S. 3/’ The author says, “There is nothing deep in the following pages except their subject “: a modest estimate.

202 NEWTON (RICHARD, D.D.) The King’s Highway. Post 8vo. 2/6. Lond., Nelson. Also x6mo. x/6. Nisbet. Though intended for children, ministers will find it useful, for it teems with illustration, and brings up little points of conduct worth touching upon. Dr. Newton is the prince of preachers to children.

203 TUDOR (RICHARD), B.A.) Decalogue viewed as the Christian’s Law. Cr. 8vo. 1o/6. Lond., Macmillan. z86o. S. 6/- The author attempts to give the Christian sense of the Decalogue in its application to present needs and questions. With much moderation he discusses many of the disputed points of the day, such as the legislative enforcement of the Sabbath, marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, etc. He usually takes the view which is natural to a clergyman; but he says some capital things.

204 WEEMSE (John. Died about 1636). The Morall Laws. [In Vol. I. of Weemse’s Works; 2 vols., 4to. Lond., 1632, etc.] 3/-Solid, sober, weighty.

Orme says of Weemse: “He was well acquainted with the original Scriptures, with Jewish manners and antiquities, and with the best mode of interpreting the Bible. The style is quaint, but always intelligible.” (See No.

225.) 2o5 WHATELEY (WILLIAM Puritan. 1583 — 1639). A Pithie, Short, and Methodicall Opening of the Ten Commandments.

12mo. Lond., 1622. (Not often in the market.) Exceedingly scarce, but as rich as it is rare.