have no hesitation in denominating the most profound and eloquent Scottish Theologian of the last century. MACLAURIN is less addicted, than most writers of his age, to the technicalities of human systems. But he is a systematic writer, in the best sense of the word. He is a master in that kind of systematic theology we have been recommending. The grand principles of Christian doctrine were clearly apprehended by him; and are exhibited by him, in a manner peculiarly calculated at once to satisfy the understanding and to touch the heart. It cannot be expected that we should here enter into a particular critical examination of his writings; but we must be permitted to say, that the Essay "On Prejudices against the Gospel," and the Sermons on "The Sins of Men not chargeable on God," and "On glorying in the Cross of Christ," are compositions, the two first for profundity and acuteness, the last for impressive eloquence, to which, in the whole range of theological literature, we will not easily find any thing superior; and that there is not one of the Treatises in the volume, which do not contain in them many indications of a mind of extraordinary endowments, subjected to the best of all influences, and employing its best energies in the best of causes. MACLAURIN'S thoughts have, in a remarkable degree, the characteristic mark of original genius; they are singularly pregnant thoughts. They germinate in the mind-there is a living spirit in them. It is impossible to read him with attention, without being, as it were, compelled to exercise your own faculties. He is a writer who requires attention in his readers; but he richly repays it. Let no one be deterred from prosecuting the perusal of his works, by finding it at first a somewhat laborious exercise of mind. Let him persevere, and we can confidently promise, the toil will soon become a pleasure: for MACLAURIN is by no means a dry writer. There is a depth of spiritual feeling corresponding to the extent and clearness of his spiritual discernment. Indeed, he combines, in an extraordinary degree, excellencies which seldom meet, and have sometimes been thought incompatible: for, while scarcely less intellectual than BUTLER, he is as spiritual as LEIGHTON. ४ SECT. V. Of the peculiar Excellencies of the grace of Divine Love, and the lively vigorous Exercise of it, 272 SECT. VI. Of various general Properties common to the THE SINS OF MEN NOT CHARGEABLE ON GOD. "Let no man say, when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: 347 "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"-Rom. viii. 32. "The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.”——Isaiah xlii, 21. 494 THE NECESSITY OF DIVINE GRACE TO MAKE THE WORD EFFECTUAL. "And some of them were men of Cyprus, and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Gre cians, preaching the Lord Jesus, And the hand of the THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED THE SUM AND SUBSTANCE OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE. 594 1 MR. JOHN MACLAURIN was born in October 1693, at Glenderule in Argyleshire,* where his father was minister. He was the eldest of three brothers, of whom the second, Daniel, died young, and Colin, who was the youngest, is well known to have been one of the most celebrated mathematicians of the age. Their father dying in 1698, and their mother in 1707, their uncle, Mr. Daniel Maclaurin, minister at Kilsinnan, took them under his care, and bestowed great pains on them; to which he was encouraged by the appearance of their uncommon capacity and application. While they studied philosophy in the University of Glasgow, they were noticed, not only Now called Kilmodan. It is situated nearly in the centre of that district of Argyleshire, named Cowal. It is in the Presbytery of Dunoon, and Synod of Argyle. His father was distinguished as a faithful and diligent parish minister, and was one of the translators of the Gaelic version of the Psalms in metre, which is used in that country in public worship. He was descended from an ancient family, who were formerly long in possession of the island of Tirrye, on the coast of Argyle. His mother's name was Cameron. |