The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-11-27
GLEANINGS FROM ADAMS COI-
MENTARY.

1t was our good fortune few years ago
to obtain copy Of the Commentary of the
Rev. Thomas Adams on the Dad Epistle Of
Peter. 1t was first published in 1880, and
we cannot fad any other edition till it was
re-published IN Londcn in 1913, large
octave volume of nine hundred pages
After a careful reading, the impression IF
its extraordinary merits is so great that the
purpose has been formed of making regu-
lar gleaniugs through q field so rich, that
some of the golden sheavea may go into
the stOre-house of others.
The Rev. Thomas Adams was clergy
man of the Church Of England, who lived
in the early part of the 18th century. He
was first a minister at Wilmington, Bed
fordshire, and afterwards in St. Gregory's,
London. His writings prove him to have
been man Of great eminence, aboundng
in deep and varied learning. He belonged
to the class Of Puritaus called Co4tormist',
that is those who did not leave the Church
Of England. He was decided Calvinist
in his doctrinal views. There are few
senseless scriblers in some of our political
papers who are never weary of heapiDg IN
discriminate abuse upon the old Puritans !;
a class of men Of whom, with all their faults,
the world was not worthy.
The wor ks of Mr.. Adams we're published
in 1880 in one folio volume of l,24Opages.
This does not include the Commentary. The
author is uuquestionably to be set by the side
of the great lights of the church of that day.
He was Inferior tomany of them Uncertain re-
spects but he was in others fully their equal, it
not their superior. lie has not escaped the
faults Of style belonging to writer's OF that
day. But he is rich in their best qualities
also. 1t would he hard to fnd in the use OF
words, or structure of sentences more
thorough English. His imagery is often
surprisingly 6ue.
OF his Exposition of the 2ud EPistle Of
Peter, an excellent Judge, writing from
England says" We know nothing Of the
kind in English theology that at all equals
it for fitness of explanation, richness Of
matter, depth of sagacity, originality OF
thought, and strength aud brilliancy OF ez-
preston" His qoain:ness will be rather
a relief from the tame mouOtOny that has
so long passed for elcqaence. Hisingenui-
+, cannot fail 90 delight 'Clear in bis
understanding, he unravels the tangled
threads Of speculative theology, and weaves
a web of wholesome doctrine. With the
eve of a poet, the heart OF a saint, and the
tongue of an orator, he gives substance to
abstraetions, persOuiies the virtues, paints
the beauties Of holiness, and brings to the
ear the voices of the distant and the dead
Life seems to be the grand distinction OF
his writing. In his hand the word of truth
becomes lively oracle and Christianity
not thing, but BENG. His appeals are
IS uungent and as solemn as sentences from
throne of judgment"
The Commentary of which We have sPO
ken cannot be expected to come into gene
raj circulation. 1t will continue to be
rare work. On this account it is hoped tbs
gleanings we make will be the more vel
come to brethren in the ministry, as well as
to other readers. We shall take the liber-
ty of abridging, and otherwise changing
immaterial things; always however Presery
inc the author in his proper person. II a
some suitable time in the future the goOC
opinion of judiciOus brethren should en-
courage the undertaking, these extracts
NAV be gathered and arranged for Pablica
ton. so that the admirable thoughts of this
great and good man may not continue t(
lie buried, but may long instruct and de-
light the church.
WIZ. g., No. l., viii appear next week