298 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



three heads — Sentiment, Diction and Style, and Regularity of Plan 

 — and, in adopting this division, he follows the canons of sound 

 criticism, as being applicable to every work possessing any preten- 

 sions to the name of literature. 



I. Sentiment. — Under this terra, according to Dr. Jones, may be 

 comprehended the principles and opinions of an intelligent being, 

 respecting himself and others. Such sentiment abounds in the 

 wisest and most learned works of all ages and countries ; but, how- 

 ever recommended by novelty, excellence or beauty, it cannot have 

 that weight which the sentiments expressed in the Holy Volume 

 so justly and so imperatively claim. The reasons of this superio- 

 rity are obvious, — the veracity on which human sentiments are 

 rested, and the sanctions by which they are enforced, are infinitely 

 inferior ; they cannot have the infallibility which pertains exclu- 

 siveh^ to the Word of God. JMankin*!, therefore, are constrained to 

 pay immediate and implicit obedience to Scriptural sentiment, be- 

 cause it emanates from wisdom that is perfect and never errs. 



Dr. Jones evinces with many apt and conclusive illustrations — 

 that, for its exquisite adaptations to expand the mind, refine the 

 taste, improve the understanding and judgment, beautify the life, 

 purify and exalt the nature of man, the Scriptural Sentiment is 

 supremely excellent, in all respects, over the highest and best in- 

 stances of pathos or sublimity to be found in the stores of polite 

 literature. He concludes this first branch of his lecture, with the 

 observations ; 



" I conceive that this review of Scripture Morality comes within the legi- 

 timate range of my subject. If that which is pure and becoming in senti- 

 ment runs, like a golden thread through the philosophy of an Aristotle, or a 

 Cicero, with what a more lieavenlv grace and dignity are the ethics of the 

 Gospel clad. Classic philosophy may tell us to worship God, but Christia- 

 nity adds — ' (71 spird and in frulh.^ If that would enjoin us to love our neigh- 

 bour, how is the precept spiritualized and ennobled by the gospel-rule — ' fo 

 do;/ood to them who hate ns and dcspilcfiilbj lae us." Let us suppose ourselves 

 the auditors of the Sermon on the IVIount, that practical summaiy of uni- 

 versal motive and duty. It furnishes, not merely an outward shew- of good- 

 ness, often assumed from a sheer regard to respectability', but it tries the 

 very thoughts and the conscience. With what sublime simplicity, with what 

 honaely allusions yet wuming eloquence, with w hat an evident and ardent 

 concern for man, are its precepts addressed. The instances of the true sub- 

 lime and beautiful are not prized by us as they deserve to be; but were those 

 adduced now for the first time disclosed, I should have little trouble in the 

 enforcement of my thesis — The Literary Beauty of the Holy Scrijiltires." 



II. Diction and Style. — Dr. Jones manifests a vigorous activity of 

 the faculty of language and its organ, while descanting on the ex- 

 cellency of biblical diction, and shewing this by reference and illus- 

 tration. His transition from sentiment to style comes in these 

 words ; 



" The very^ spirit of literary beauty depends so mainly upon the external 

 form and diess of language, that words become things. So intimate and har- 

 monious is the bond, thai the very strength and beauty of the thought con- 



