"WE have perused, with much pleasure, a part of Mr Fraser's Translation of WITSIUS on the CREED, and consider it as a faithful expression of the sense of the original. We recommend the work to the public as a scriptural, luminous, and pious exposition of that short summary of the Christian faith. JOHN DICK, D.D. JOHN MITCHELL, D.D." GLASGOW, November 15th, 1821. "To all who are in some measure familiar with the writings of the orthodox continental Divines, it must often have been the subject of regret, that, from their being composed in a dead language, the stores of theological learning and evangelical truth with which they are so liberally replenished, are in a great measure inaccessible to Christians in this country. Among these theologians, few occupy a higher place than WITSIUS -who, to profound learning and fervent piety, added a taste for classical elegance, in his days rather uncommon among his countrymen. Of his voluminous and valuable works, none, so far as we know, have ever been translated into English, except his Economia Foederum and his Animadversiones Irenica, both of which have been favourably received by the religious public. His work on the Apostles' CREED appears to us to have at least equal claims on a kind reception. It is learned, perspicuous, pious and practical, and free of that tediousness which often characterises the Dutch divines. In Mr Fraser, (part of whose Manuscript we have had 1. the satisfaction of perusing,) Witsius has met with a Translator, capable, in no ordinary degree, of transfusing not merely the meaning, but the spirit of his original into his version. Though not a slavish, he is a faithful interpreter; and while the reader is furnished with the sentiments of Witsius, he is not frequently reminded by the foreign turn of expression, that he is not reading an original work. We have no hesitation in saying, that the original work of Witsius is equally worthy of the public patronage as any of that Author's treatises which have yet been translated, and that the Version is superior in merit to that of either of his works which have appeared in an English dress. JOHN BROWN, Whitburn. WHITBURN, November 12th, 1821. MEMOIR OF HERMAN WITSIUS, D.D. THIS eminent Divine was born on the 12th of February, 1636, at Enchuysen in the province of WEST FRIESLAND, a town distinguished not only by the magnanimous efforts made by its inhabitants in the cause of liberty, when the United Provinces threw off the yoke of Spain, but also by their zealous attachment to learning and religion. Several individuals who attained celebrity in the religious and literary world, were natives of Enchuysen. The parentage of Witsius was highly respectable. His father NICHOLAS WITS, or WITSIUS, was universally beloved by his fellow-citizens as a man of unfeigned piety and primitive simplicity; and sustained, with much reputation, the character of a deacon and an elder in the Church, as well as some honourable offices in the state with which he was successively invested. To the laudable attention of this good man, the Church of Holland was indebted for an excellent collection of Sacred Songs. JOHANNA, his wife, a godly and prudent woman, was the daughter of HERMAN GERARD, who, after experiencing numerous vicissitudes, and escaping the most imminent dangers, obtained a peace the satisfaction of perusing,) Witsius has met with a Translator, capable, in no ordinary degree, of transfusing not merely the meaning, but the spirit of his original into his version. Though not a slavish, he is a faithful interpreter; and while the reader is furnished with the sentiments of Witsius, he is not frequently reminded by the foreign turn of expression, that he is not reading an original work. We have no hesitation in saying, that the original work of Witsius is equally worthy of the public patronage as any of that Author's treatises which have yet been translated, and that the Version is superior in merit to that of either of his works which have appeared in an English dress. JOHN BROWN, Whitburn. WHITBURN, November 12th, 1821. MEMOIR OF HERMAN WITSIUS, D.D. THIS eminent Divine was born on the 12th of February, 1636, at Enchuysen in the province of WEST FRIESLAND,—a town distinguished not only by the magnanimous efforts made by its inhabitants in the cause of liberty, when the United Provinces threw off the yoke of Spain, but also by their zealous attachment to learning and religion. Several individuals who attained celebrity in the religious and literary world, were natives of Enchuysen. The parentage of Witsius was highly respectable. His father NICHOLAS WITS, or WITSIUS, was universally beloved by his fellow-citizens as a man of unfeigned piety and primitive simplicity; and sustained, with much reputation, the character of a deacon and an elder in the Church, as well as some honourable offices in the state with which he was successively invested. To the laudable attention of this good man, the Church of Holland was indebted for an excellent collection of Sacred Songs. JOHANNA, his wife, a godly and prudent woman, was the daughter of HERMAN GERARD, who, after experiencing numerous vicissitudes, and escaping the most imminent dangers, obtained a peace |