Page images
PDF
EPUB

not merely a member of it, but the whole communion, e. g. its extent, its doctrine, its internal discipline, its vital principle, and its generative and expansive power. If under these heads we consider the Roman Church, taking it merely as a fact, like the British monarchy, is it too much to say, that no work of art, no discovery of genius, no scheme of philosophy, physical or metaphysical, earthly or heavenly, no history of human deeds in doing or in suffering, no political constitution, no scientific confederacy, no association of monarchs or of peoples, no past or present civilization, nothing about which men have wearied themselves in research and discussion, is so worthy of patient thought and humble consideration as is that communion? The following are a few reasons for the above observation :-1. The Roman Catholic heirarchy depends on the pope as its centre of unity, and as the divinely-appointed head of the Church on earth. From him all its bishops receive canonical institution, that is, the grant of spiritual jurisdiction," &c. pp. 356, 357.

Then the author proceeds to state the numbers of the Roman Catholic bishops, and continues thus:

"Here then is one spiritual empire, stretching over all the continents of the earth, entering into so many various nations utterly different in manners, language, origin, and temper. This empire, though outnumbered in some few of these nations by other Christian communions, yet has no one other over against it, equally wide-spread, united, and claiming, like it, universality. And its functions, though necessarily exercised in this world, sometimes in friendship with, sometimes in opposition to, the civil power, have to do exclusively with man's relations to the unseen world. So that it is strictly in this aspect a 'kingdom of heaven' on earth, whose several members hold together by their common union with their chief."-p. 361.

The author labours to establish the truth of the pretended miracles of the Estatica and the Addolorata, and other Romish miracles. On the whole we must say decidedly, that we deem the work most offensive to the Church of England, and unfit for the perusal of its members. It may be placed in the same category as Froude's Remains, or Mr. F. Faber's work on Foreign Scenes. Mr. Allies will be charged by many persons with being a Romanist; and we know not how he can be defended by any one. Books of this kind were bad enough eight or ten years ago; but after all that has passed they are really intolerable. We deeply regret to be compelled to use such strong language, but we deem it a positive duty to warn our readers against this most objectionable work.

[ocr errors]

XXVIII.-Sacred Latin Poetry, chiefly Lyrical, selected and arranged for Use; with Notes and Introduction. By RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH, M.A., &c.

A VERY pleasing and well-selected series of Latin poetry commencing with St. Ambrose and Prudentius, and continued to the present age. The volume is copiously illustrated with English notes, and biographical notices from the pen of the editor. Most of the fine old hymns and proses of the Roman Church find a place in this selection.

XXIX.-The Inheritance of Evil; or, The Consequence of Marrying a deceased Wife's Sister. London: Masters.

THE object of this tale is sufficiently explained by its title. It pourtrays in a forcible way the social evils arising from such unhallowed connexions as it alludes to. The writer makes terrible work towards the latter part of the tale, when a series of catastrophes demolish (with one exception) all the characters in the piece.

xxx.-Lectures on the Apocalypse; Critical, Expository, and Practical; delivered before the University of Cambridge; being the Hulsean Lectures for the year 1848. By CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, D.D., Canon of Westminster, &c. London: Rivingtons.

THE present times are teeming with events which almost compel the mind to seek for their solution in the pages of prophecy; so that such works as Dr. Wordsworth's are calculated to supply a want which is very generally felt. It is true that the writings of many eminent commentators are already in circulation; but any thing which proceeds from Dr. Wordsworth's pen on this awfully interesting subject, is certain to be worthy of diligent perusal. The volume before us, which is to be followed by another comprising the text of the Apocalypse with much critical apparatus, is chiefly occupied in the interpretation of that obscure and sublime portion of Holy Writ. It comprises a full discussion of the doctrine of the Millennium, which the author rejects as inconsistent with Scripture and the general belief of Christians, though it was held by some of the early fathers. The subjects of the genuineness and inspiration of the Apocalypse are also treated with much care and learning; and its relation to the canons of Scripture, its doctrinal finality (which is argued as conclusive against the advocates of rationalistic and Romish development), and the symbols employed in it, are also the subjects of well-considered

discussion.

To enter into any detail on the Exposition itself would be impossible. Suffice it to say, that, as regards the interpretation of the mystic Babylon, and the two beasts, the author adopts generally that which has been the prevalent view amongst the opponents of Romanism; while he does not accept the doctrine which marks 1260 days as the symbol of an equal number of years. We anticipate an extensive circulation for this able and learned volume.

XXXI.-The Acts of Saint Mary Magdalene Considered, in a Series of Discourses, &c. By HENRY STRETTON, M.A., St. Mary Magd. Hall, Oxford, Perpetual Curate of Hixon. London: Masters.

THE question of the identity of Mary Magdalen with the sister of Lazarus, and with the woman who was a sinner (mentioned in the 7th chapter of St. Luke), is one of very high interest, and has given rise to much discussion, and many a learned treatise before now. The early Church was divided on the question; but the authority of St. Augustine, who, after weighing the evidence, pronounced in the affirmative, caused that view to be adopted generally in the Western Church up to the Reformation. At that period opinion again became divided; and although the Services of the Church of Rome decidedly support the notion, the great body of her learned men have as decidedly denied it. The volume before us contains a full and carefully digested analysis of the arguments on this question; and it proceeds to consider the Life of St. Mary Magdalen in the same point of view as St. Augustine did, i. e. as identifying the Magdalen with two others mentioned in Holy Writ, who are usually considered as distinct persons from her. Unquestionably this provides fuller materials, and a much more remarkable combination of circumstances than the opposite theory; and Mr. Stretton has availed himself of the advantage thus afforded, to produce a series of discourses which are of unusual interest, and combine much sound argument, with much practical and devotional exhortation. We have been highly gratified by the tone of all that we have read of the work, and especially with its cordial and unmistakeable spirit of attachment to the Church of England.

XXXII.-Lectures on the Nature and Use of Money. Delivered before the Members of the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution. By JOHN GRAY. London: Longmans. Edinburgh: Black. THE author of this volume appears to be at least thoroughly

satisfied of the correctness of his views: indeed, his confidence appears to us somewhat excessive; but, as he is of opinion that this country is taxed to the extent of one hundred millions a year beyond what is needful, we cannot doubt, that if his theories are correct, they will be very thankfully accepted by the people of England. His plan includes an alteration in the present monetary system. He would make labour the standard of value; would constitute the pound note the unit of our monetary system, and fix its value by Act of Parliament; and would render the value of all coins or their weight fluctuating. He would also establish National Banks in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for carrying out this system, by which "Proportionate production would, in these lands, become, and for ever continue to be, the We must unfailing Cause of Demand, and that ad infinitum." be excused for being rather incredulous as to the beneficial effects of such vast schemes as this, involving a revolution in our whole monetary system.

XXXIII.-Godfrey Davenant at College. By the Rev. W. E. HEYGATE, M.A. London: Masters.

THE readers of the former part of Godfrey Davenant will be glad to peruse this continuation of that interesting tale, in which the hero is carried through his residence at the university. We have here a lively description of the characteristic dangers, temptations, advantages, and pleasures of a college life at Oxford.

XXXIV.-Nelson's Companion for the Fasts and Festivals of the Church of England. Abridged, with Notes, by J. Poynder, Esq. London: Painter.

WE are inclined to look with some degree of doubt on abridgments of works so justly esteemed as that of Nelson on the Fasts and Festivals; but from what we have seen of the work before us, Mr. Poynder appears to have very fairly represented the sense of his author, and to have produced a very excellent and unexceptionable book. The catechetical form of the original is certainly an obstacle to its popularity, and this form is changed in Mr. Poynder's Abridgment.

Xxxv.-Demoniacal Possession: its Nature and Cessation. An Essay by the Rev. THOMAS WOODWARD, M.A., formerly Scholar of Trinity College, Dublin, Curate Assistant of Fethard, in the Diocese of Cashel.

In this ingenious and learned dissertation, Mr. Woodward main

tains the reality of demoniacal possessions against the theories of those who would resolve the phenomena described in the Gospels under that term, into the results of ordinary physical causes. He also labours to establish the position, that the Evil Spirit was permitted to resort to this fearful mode of tormenting his victims in an eminent, and indeed unique degree, during the period of our Lord's ministry, and that these impersonations of himself and of his evil angels partook of the nature of imitative parodies of the Incarnation itself. Simius Dei Diabolus is a true saying, and it seems to have suggested to Mr. Woodward the idea which he has since developed with considerable ability in his Essay. The reader cannot fail to be interested with his researches; but perhaps an argument against the theory may be alleged, in the fact that the Evangelists do not represent demoniacal possession as a new thing, nor do we hear any expression of surprise from the mouth of those who are witnesses of it.

Mr. Woodward may confirm his opinions on the cause of the fall of angels (p. 14), by the observation of Hooker (Eccl, Pol. i. iv. 3); and his remark on the two opposite kingdoms of Christ and Satan become more forcible, when the words of the Apocalypse are quoted according to their true reading-in the singular and not plural—“The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ." (Rev. xi. 15.)

We specially recommend for perusal pp. 40-50 of this Essay, on the personality of the Evil Spirit and his ministers ; doctrine too often lost sight of in the theological teaching of the present day.

XXXVI.-The Romaunt Version of the Gospel according to St. John, from MSS, preserved in Trinity College, Dublin, and in the Bibliothèque du Roi, Paris, &c. By WILLIAM STEPHEN GILLY, D.D., Canon of Durham. London: Murray.

DR. GILLY has in this volume presented the Public with the results of his researches into the history of the Version of Scripture anciently in use among the Waldenses, and has published the text of one of the Gospels, with various readings, prolegomena, and fac-similes. The work appears to be very carefully executed; and the Version itself, Dr. Gilly ascribes to the 12th century, We have no doubt it will be a valuable addition to the existing published remains of the Romaunt language.

XXXVII.-Discourses on the Life of Christ; or, The principal Events in the personal History of the Redeemer. By the Rev. WILLIAM DE

« PreviousContinue »