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Sermons preached before the University of Oxford, in the years 1836, 1837. By Charles A. Heurtley, M.A., Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Parker, 1837. pp. 159.

In the first of this course of sermons, Mr. Heurtley discusses "the Christian's Sorrows and the Christian's Consolations." The facts, that the early Christians were called upon to suffer for their holy faith, that the Old Testament saints were perfected by sufferings, and that our blessed Lord's was a life of sorrow, are thought by Mr. H. to afford a strong presumption that all who would live godly in Christ Jesus must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. His church triumphant-their sorrows may be different to that which the martyrs and confessors of past times underwent, but it is not therefore the less real. It will arise, says Mr. Heurtley, from the situation in which a truly religious man is placed with reference to the world around him, and from the conflict between good and evil which must ever be going on even in the renewed soul. The Christian's consolation is, in the words of the preacher, "the assured hope of eternal life, grounded upon his union with Christ."

The second sermon is an illustration of Rom. xii. 12-" Continuing instant in Prayer." Mr. Heurtley explains the text at some length, and shews, "that in every Christian's life, prayer, though by no means the sole and exclusive occupation, ought at all events to hold a distinct prominence, and to be prosecuted, in its proper season, with as much ardour and diligence as men bestow upon those occupations which contribute to the furtherance of their most favourite earthly schemes." p. 39.

Sermon III. is on " Adherence to the Laws and Regulations of the Church, a Means of the Church's Preservation." It contains an eloquent testimony to the great value and beauty of the institution of the church of England. This is followed by an inquiry into the neglect of church ordinances, and a strong expression of sorrow for the evils caused by that neglect.

Mr. Heurtley's fourth sermon is on "Submission to the Church's authority in controversies of faith." Mr. H. thinks that the authority claimed for "the church," in the 20th Article, resides in every particular church. He does not admit the right of private judgment as urged by ultra-protestants; and while he allows that well qualified persons are at liberty to test the doctrines of their communion by the unerring rule of catholic antiquity, he contends, that if a man be not competent (and this, he presumes, is the case with the great majority of Christians) to make the above investigation," he owes it to his own church to place so much confidence in her judgment as to believe either that her faith is no other than that which was the faith of the third or second century; or, if in any instance it is at variance, that she had scriptural warrant for the variation." pp. 126, 127.

The last sermon is an exhortation to mutual forbearance and charity in theological controversies. Mr. H. concludes this sermon with a stirring address to the clergy to endeavour to heal the unhappy dissensions within the church, and perfect the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

It only remains to observe that these sermons contain, among some things on which there will be a difference of opinion, much which is excellent, and which tends to render them worthy of the distinguished place in which they were preached.

A Commentary on the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. By Dr. Gustav. Billroth, late Professor of Philosophy in the University of Halle. Translated from the German, with additional Notes by the Rev. W. L. Alexander, M.A., Edinburgh. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: Clark. 12mo. pp. 289. THIS is No. XXI, of the Edinburgh Biblical Cabinet, which is now so well known as to need no description. The commentary is the work of a young man of great promise, carried off at an early age by consumption, but it is one which he had himself determined to revise and correct. He was a warm adherent of Hegel's philosophical system, which entails the necessity on his translator of altering or omitting all that bears on philosophy. Now, without meaning to say any thing harsh either of translator or author, is it desirable to introduce among our own countrymen commentaries written by a very young man, and with which he himself was already beginning to be dissatisfied? Part of it the translator expressly condemns as mischievous. Were it any other kind of work, with a bad opinion occasionally occurring, the case might be different; but unsound and crude commentaries on holy scripture, it is better to leave in their original language, as those who can use the matter collected in them are then more likely to be persons of sufficient learning and soundness to judge correctly.

The Mysterious and Prophetic History of Esau considered in connexion with the numerous Prophecies concerning Edom. London: Rivingtons. THE author's theory, as far as regards Esau, is this:-that the promise to Ishmael alone never implied anything more than chieftainship of the wandering tribes of Arabs; while that to Esau (of great dominion) was of a much higher character; but that Esau married a daughter of Ishmael, and thus the two races were incorporated; that Edom was his dwelling, and that Esau is perpetually called Edom in scripture; that the prophecies about him are so remarkable that it cannot be supposed that he would disappear from the earth before the last days; that Esau's race was always to be at enmity with the good seed; that this (as far as the reviewer understands the author) is first fulfilled in the Saracens, who were Edomites; but further (on the authority of a note in the Pictorial Bible, and some Sicilian inscriptions-rather slight foundations,) that the Romans were descendants of the Edomites; that the promise to Esau was, that he should live by the sword, and to Jacob that he should have corn and wine; that thus Esau had a sword and no wine, Jacob wine and no sword; that as to Esau this answers exactly to the Mahometans, while to the latest posterity of the good seed, the Christian feast of bread and wine fulfils the promise to Jacob! These are matters far beyond the reviewer. The rest of the book, which treats of the metallic image, and of the 12th and 13th of Revelation, is still more so.

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

'H KAINH ALAOHKн.The New Testament in Greek, chiefly from the text of Mill, with copious English Notes, adapted to the use of Schools and Universities. and to the purposes of general reference; to which are annexed a Chronological Harmony and Three Indices. By the Rev. William Trollope, M.A., formerly of Pembroke College, and one of the classical Masters of Christ's Hospital. London Rickerby. 1837. 8vo. pp. 600.

Ir may, at least, be said of this volume, that it is very convenient in form, and that there is a good deal of matter in the notes which serves to assist in explaining the construction of the text, and the allusions to Jewish and other ancient customs which occur in the New Testa ment. It is intended, the editor seems to intimate, chiefly for the lecture-room, to which in some respects it is well adapted; although he hopes it may be useful "for the common purposes of the clergy in general, and even for the ordinary references of the more matured divine." There are certainly in the notes, as far as the writer of this notice has examined, several useful references to other passages of the New Testament, where the word which is remarked upon occurs also, but this edition cannot be looked upon as supplying much which the "matured divine" ought to need. It does not give the common marginal references, except those incorporated in the notes; and as far as any scholarlike decision on the meaning of a given passage is concerned, the very size of the book precludes the editor (who appears, however, to have taken much pains in studying the language and the antiquities of the New Testament) from doing much more than giving the result of his own study. On looking to several passages of some nicety and difficulty, it is only fair to say, that the reviewer was well satisfied with what he found. But certainly for the purpose of studying the New Testament, very much more is wanted than can be found here. In a future edition, it would be well to mark the chapters at the top of the page or in the margin.

The Judgment of the Anglican Church (posterior to the Reformation) on the Sufficiency of Holy Scripture, and the Authority of the Holy Catholie Church, in matters of Faith, as contained in her authorized Formularies, and illustrated by the Writings of her elder Masters and Doctors: with an Introduction, Notes, and Appendix. By the Rev. John Fuller Russell, S.C.L., of St. Peter's College, Cambridge. London: Bailey. Cambridge: Stevenson. Oxford: Parker. 1838. 8vo. pp. 286.

THE title-page of this book sufficiently indicates its nature.
tains a large collection of passages very judiciously collected from
It con
great prelates and writers of the church, and shewing, with such force
as a simple fact can shew it, that these true sons of the church of
England held doctrines on the subject of tradition which would call
down the wrath of ultra-protestants in the present day, and bring them
under the accusation of being, at least, semi-papists. There stand then
their recorded sentiments; can it be objected to any man, as an evil,
that he holds the same language and opinions which the divines and
prelates of his church have usually held, or does the accusation arise
from that ignorance of the real question about tradition so well ex-

posed in the beginning of Bishop Marsh's Comparative View of the Churches of Rome and England ? If it does not arise from that ignorance, does it arise from a spirit of party? If it does, it would be well if those who are led away by it would consider the extracts here collected from our writers and great divines.

Mr. Russell deserves great thanks for the judgment and care he has shewn in the collection of his materials, and for the valuable service he has thus done. It would be well if the same course were pursued with regard to other opinions much misrepresented in the present day. There will be found also many good suggestions and extracts in the introduction and notes.

Maternal Instructions on the Rite of Confirmation. London: Simpkin and Marshall, 1837. pp. 201.

TAKEN as a whole, these "instructions" are calculated to inform and exercise a favourable influence on the youthful mind on a subject of great importance, which is too generally neglected, and consequently misunderstood.

The Prose Works of Bishop Ken, with Letters never before published, and his Life, by W. Hawkins, his Executor. Collected by J. T. Round, B.D., Rector of St. Runwald, St. Nicholas, Colchester. London: Rivingtons. 1838. 8vo.

Ir piety and high principle can command the reverence of future ages, Bishop Ken has that claim in the fullest measure and degree, and Mr. Round, who has here brought together some of the works which establish it in this very handsome volume, is entitled to the thanks of all true churchmen. We have here the bishop's beautiful Winchester prayers, his exposition of the catechism, other prayers, three sermons, and some letters of great value and interest. They shew how entirely he differed from many of the nonjuring party in his condemning all consecrations among them, and in his wish to heal the schism, if it could be done without loss of principle. It seems that his distinct appeal to Hooper to take his diocese drew down a torrent of wrath and anger from the nonjurors on him, and that Bishop Lloyd, who had approved of it, was frightened by their language. On one occasion, (Life, p. 22,) the bishop was so nearly persuaded to take the oaths, that he begged the friend who argued the point to desist, as, if he took them, and afterwards went back to his old opinions, he should be most miserable. Surely those things are lessons for us to profit by in these days, when division for nothing seems one of our dangers and one of our sins.

Mr Round is already known by his munificent contributions and his zeal as to the erection of a new church in Colchester. He has now established a different claim to our regard and respect.

One remark the reviewer would venture to submit to Mr. Round. Mr. R. has rejected a piece sometimes ascribed to Ken, called "the Royal Sufferer," on the ground that its likeness to Ken's style is only

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

faint. But there is a passage in it which was pointed out to the reviewer some time back, in which the writer certainly speaks of himself as one of the seven bishops, and defends their conduct. Mr. Round has probably considered this point, and it would have been desirable for his readers to know his solution of this difficulty.

A Guide to the Churchman in his Devotional Use of the Litany. By John
Bickersteth, A.M. London: Seeley. pp. 157.

Village Lectures on the Litany. By the Rev. William Palin, B.A. London:
J. W. Parker. pp. 156.

It is no very common occurrence to have two works subject, and nearly of the same dimensions, sent for review at the upon the same same time. They shall therefore be noticed together. Mr. Bickersteth's consists of seven well written discourses upon the several great divisions of the litany. They are more an exposition than an explanation, and better calculated, and more intended, to prove the beauty of the litany, and the propriety and obligation of using it, than to illustrate each particular petition. Mr. Palin's, on the other hand, consists of a series of lectures, one upon each individual petition of the litany, shewing what it contains and what it implies, with easy and familiar illustrations and impressive admonitions. are therefore better adapted to one who would wish to comprehend Mr. Bickersteth's discourses the litany as a whole; Mr. Palin's, to one whose thoughts never reached beyond a wish to understand the petitions it contains, and to know for what and why he prays. To some readers, of a cultivated mind, Mr. Bickersteth's might, perhaps, prove the more interesting work; but for the practical benefit of a domestic or dependent, and for one's own practical benefit also, one would be inclined to take up Mr. Palin's, though whether some of his animadversions upon the Roman-catholic church are quite judicious in such a publication is questionable. Does not Mr. Bickersteth, too, almost verge on presumption, in suggesting the probability that to the intercession of the first martyr, St. Stephen, was owing the conversion of Saul? This occurs in his discourse on that portion of the litany which contains the intercessions for all sorts and conditions of men. subjoined from Mr. Bickersteth, (one of them being from the aboveSee page 71. Two extracts are mentioned sermon):

"In churches formed of those who profess and call themselves Christians, one may differ from another in respect of external advantage or internal purity; one may approach nearer to the standard of truth in doctrine, or hold that truth more or less in error; and doubtless that church which comes nearest to the truth, and is most free from error, is worthy of most honour, and imposes on its members, in consequence, deeper responsibilities and weightier obligations.

"But as in a church formed like our own, after the primitive models, tares spring up together with the wheat, so in another less favoured in its construction wheat may be found among the tares. deviated wider from the faith of true doctrine than the one which challenges for Of churches holding the head, few persons have itself alone the name catholic, or universal, and denies even salvation to those out of its pale; yet in this there may be found, as in purer churches, some ransomed members of Christ's body. The church of England might help to enlarge the synagogue of Satan, and the church of Rome to increase the congregation of faithful men." pp. 75, 76.

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