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to gloss over, that authentic history will never be able to establish the moral phenomenon of the real writer of the Icôn Basilikè (him whom we hold "PROVED" to be such) carrying about with him a corrupt heart. So far from it, it is amongst our devoutest aspirations after that "unseen" state to which we reverently look upwards and forwards, to cherish the hope, that should it be our's to attain the regions of bliss, we shall find there our departed Sovereign whom we have just named, in the company where our Church militant here below has reverently placed him, and where, as long as our Church stands, we trust he will stand also, (notwithstanding the scoffs of our modern reviewer,)† amongst "the noble army of MARTYRS."

LITERARY REPORT.

A Sermon, preached at Usk, at the Anniversary Meeting of the Monmouthshire District Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. By EDWARD, LORD BISHOP OF LLANDAff. London, Rivingtons, 1828. 8vo. Pp. 24.

FROM the parable of the tares sown, while men slept, among the wheat, (Matt. xiii. 24, 25) the reverend Prelate infers that the power which the devil is still permitted, and ever will be permitted to exert, in opposition to the propagation of the Gospel, is considerably augmented by the supineness and inactivity of mankind in diffusing the knowledge of it, and of course proportionably diminished by their watchfulness and activity. Hence the benefits which may naturally be expected to result, and which actually have resulted, from the collected exertions of the members of our Church, united in the two venerable Societies, which are so actively employed at home and abroad in promoting this desirable end; and hence the duty of every true Churchman to lend his support to them, in preference to those of a more doubtful character.

There is indeed a warm, and I trust a charitable and holy spirit of emulation, observable in Societies whose avowed object is of a kindred nature with our own. I

would by no means decry or speak slightingly of those, whose constitution seems to me less perfect than ours, and whose proceedings are less in unison with the doctrines and discipline of our Apostolical Church; but I cannot conceal my own fears that their constitution may sanction the grand religious error of the times-an indifference, I mean, about the duty of Church union, or rather an ignorance of that point of Christian duty which our Saviour enjoined, almost with his dying breath, upon all his disciples.

Wherever indeed vice and irreligion are rapidly spreading, it is well to stay the pestilence by whatever means are nearest at hand, although they may not be the best and most unexceptionable remedies that might be employed were a free choice given. We must not in such cases of imminent danger stand upon niceties; we must endeavour to save life, even at some expense or some risk of things valuable in themselves; but which we may hope to recover and set right, when the principal object shall have been attained. The urgent necessity of the case, and the certainty of much good, may preponderate over the attendant evil.

But when a choice is placed before us of accomplishing this very purpose, by means altogether free from exception, it is not very consistent with our profession to prefer the less perfect way, or to act as if there were no material difference in the proposed methods. We ought undoubtedly to keep the unity of the faith in the bond of peace; but not for the sake of peace to sacrifice that unity. And I cannot but regard it as

See p. 221, and Who wrote, &c. pp. 339, 412, &c. + Edinburgh Review, No. 95, pp. 138, 141.

VOL. XI. NO. 11.

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a symptom of a morbid or an ill-instructed mind, when those points of difference are studiously kept out of sight, or represented as unimportant, upon which the Apostles lay the greatest stress in their exhortations to all the churches which they founded.

But I will pursue this topic no further. I have adverted to it, chiefly because a fallacious argument is sometimes built upon the good done by societies not in union with the Church, and the stimulus they have unquestionably supplied to our own bodies. I neither deny the fact, nor refuse praise to the authors of it; but I contend that the question is now become simply this-Shall we do all that they propose to do, and more, in our own way, or shall we transfer a part of our limited aid from purposes which we entirely approve, to those which confessedly fall short of them, both in principle and in practice, and deliberately place it where religious zeal is undoubtedly tinged with party feeling and spiritual disunion; and, as we must need believe and acknowledge, with some portion of religious error?-Pp. 20-22.

The justice, the candour, and the true Christian spirit of these remarks, cannot but recommend them to the consideration of every Churchman. They are in perfect unison with the motives which we have ever laboured to inculcate, as imperative upon the members of the Established Church to associate themselves with the Societies in question; and we are proud to find so learned and excellent a Prelate as Dr. Copleston, urging the same duty upon the same principles. The Bishop concludes his discourse with a powerful appeal in favour of the cause which he had undertaken to advocate.

Twenty-one Prayers, composed from the Psalms, for the Sick and Afflicted. To which are added, various other Forms of Prayer, for the same purpose; with a few Hints and Directions for the Visitation of the Sick, chiefly intended for the Use of the Younger Clergy. By the Rev. JAMES SLADE, M. A. Vicar of Bolton, and Prebendary of Chester. London, Rivingtons, 1828. 12mo. Pp. xiv. 239. 4s. 6d.

AMONG all the clerical duties, there is not one more important, and at the same time more difficult and embarrassing, especially to the younger clergy, than the visitation of the sick. The office appointed for this purpose in the

Liturgy, and the rubrical directions respecting its use, are of necessity expressed in general terms, and may be considered rather as a useful guide, than as a full and sufficient resource in all the variety of cases that may arise. Hence it is that frequent attempts have been made to simplify this interesting part of the pastoral care; and the manuals of Bishop Taylor, Bishop Mant, Mr. Le Mesurier, and others, have greatly contributed to this end; but Mr. Slade has, we think, been eminently successful in providing both for the assistance of the minister and the benefit of the patient. The devotional character of the Psalms renders them admirable subjects of meditation for the sick and afflicted; and Mr. S. has formed twenty-one of them, as models for treating others in the same way, into prayers adapted to different states of mind in which a sufferer may be found, and which may be used, according to circumstances, with one or other of a variety of prayers and liturgies which he has compiled or selected from the Common Prayer Book, and the most eminent devotional writers. Independently of this, however, the directions which he has laid down in the Preface are so extremely judicious, that they alone would be sufficient to induce us to recommend the work to the attentive perusal of all our clerical brethren, young and old, without exception. The offices for the Communion of the Sick, and Private Baptism, are also added, so as to form a complete manual for a minister, in his pastoral visitations of his parish. The observations prefixed to the former of these offices are invaluable; and, in fact, the only fault which we can find in the work is of so trivial a nature, that we are almost ashamed to notice it. We trust, however, that in a future edition, the pronouns and variable appellatives will be printed in italics.

A Formulary of Devotion for the Use of Schools, after the manner of the Book of Common Prayer; composed chiefly in the Language of Scripture, and arranged for each Day of the Week. London, Whitaker, 1828. 12mo. Pp. iv. 71. 1s. 6d.

A SERIOUS and attentive train of thought in accordance with the solem

nity of the duty in which we are engaged, is unquestionably essential to a devout worship of God; and it may be that in family prayer, the attention of the younger members more especially would be more readily kept up, by making them take a part in the service, instead of restricting its performance to the principal. To promote this desirable end is the author's ob

ject in this little manual; but we are fully persuaded that he is very far from having succeeded in producing a formulary "after the manner of the Common Prayer." The responses in the Liturgy are remarkable for their comprehensive brevity, and the fervent piety which is contained in them. They are rather ejaculations than sentences; and scarcely one of them, excepting those which are repetitions after the minister, exceed the compass of a single line. The petitions in the "Formulary," on the other hand, are nothing more than a continued prayer broken into sentences, which are alternately read by the principal and his pupils; so as rather to produce a Babel of confused sound, than the sober quiet of serious devotion. In the prayers themselves we see nothing either objectionable or otherwise, with the exception of the improper use of the word regenerated (p. 37) instead of renewed.

What must I do to be saved? or, Pulpit Instruction "according to the Scriptures." A Plain Address to the Humbler Classes of the Members of the Church of England; with concluding Observations on Catholic Emancipation. By the Rev. RICHARD WARNER, F.A.S. &c. Rector of Great Chalfield, Wills. London: Rivingtons. 1828. 8vo. Pp. 37. 2s.

LIKE Mr. Warner's preceding pamphlets, in which he has recently directed the attention of the public to the legitimate subject of Pulpit Instruction, and exposed the errors, and the fatal tendency of the doctrines popularly denominated Evangelical, this also is a clear and scriptural statement of gospel truth. After proving the unfitness of those, who entertain these tenets, to instruct the people in the way of salvation, he establishes the indispensable necessity of repentance, faith, and good works as

conditions of salvation, through the merits of our Redeemer. These points he has clearly made out, by an induction of passages from the Bible; that one of two alternatives must be embraced by his opponents; either that the Bible is inconsistent with itself, or that their tenets are inconsistent with the Bible. His concluding remarks on Catholic Emancipation are peculiarly apposite; and we expect as great pleasure in the perusal of his forthcoming address on this all-important subject, as he has already repeatedly afforded us.

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IN the Preface to this reprint Mr. Walter has given us a brief account of its first publication, and subsequent improvement through several editions. The copy from which he has printed is one of the latest and the best; but he has omitted the references to the portions of Scripture which formed part of the original publication; and, indeed, since the Prayer Book, which was not in existence when the Primer first appeared, has a portion of the Psalms marked out, and two lessons appointed in the calendar for each day, their retention is unnecessary. To this edition also is added an Appendix, of "Certaine godly prayers to be used for sundry purposes," which were usually subjoined to the Common Prayer Book during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. We have now before us a beautiful old black-letter copy of the Common Prayer which belonged to Charles II. when Prince of Wales, and printed in 1615, which contains these prayers. They are arranged in a different order from that which Mr. W. has adopted; and for what reason he has made this change, and altered several forms of expression in the prayers themselves, we are at a loss to conceive.

A Volume of Sermons. By the Rev. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M.A. London: Hessey, 1828. Pp. xvi. 272. 58. This "Volume of Sermons" is simple in style-simple in language-and occasionally too simple in idea; indeed we are convinced by its perusal, that the author studies his simplicity, and wishes to be thought original; and that he forgets that sometimes in his bonhommie, he may to many readers appear quaint, formal, and conceited. He is, however, evidently a good man, and we will not quarrel with his foibles. His Preface aims at something beyond the common mode of sermon-writing. It treats much of the author and his plan, and states many homely truths, touching preaching; and one thing, not quite true, touching preachers. The volume contains sixteen sermons; one a prison sermon, preached in Bury goal a few hours before the execution of a parishioner-a very affecting appeal to the better feelings of fallen men. cannot say much of the rest; but we may say, and we trust we say it "in the spirit of a sound mind," that such passages as the following, however well meant, have a certain air of singularity about them which do not accord with the subject. They are whimsically worded; and though they prick the heart, tickle as they go to it.

We

I know that I am making the subject very familiar, but I hope not too familiar, in requesting you to consider with me some of the observations to which this man of plain principles, and honest obedience to God, would subject himself from his neighbours and his friends. Figure to yourself, first of all, the man of high and poetical imagination discoursing with Noah, and agreeing with him, that the idea of a flood which should overwhelm the whole earth was grand, awfully, horribly, grand; that it would be a fine theme for the numbers of his lyre: but think how he would smile in calm derision when Noah persisted in speaking of the flood as actually about to happen and how he would treat the building of the ark as not only unpoetical but ridiculous!

Again, suppose yourself listening to the remarks of the mechanic employed by Noah in the building the ark; how he would disapprove of the plan adopted by Noah, and hint at the improvements he could suggest in many parts, and wonder at the ignorance and obstinacy of Noah in adhering to his own strange design; telling

him, that it would be impossible for so huge and clumsy a vessel to sail about in safety on a boisterous flood of waters, with probably only eight persons, and four of them women, to direct and manage it!

The very workmen who put the ark together would probably go about their work wondering, and passing their opinions, but agreeing among themselves, that to be sure the end and purpose for which the ark was building did not concern them; that it was their duty to attend to their work, and allow their master to spend his time and money as he chose.

Imagine to yourself how his more intimate acquaintances would seriously advise him not to make himself the subject of general conversation, assuring him that every one talked of his strange conduct, and that it was far from pleasant for them to hear the remarks that were made upon him and his ark.-Pp. 61, 62.

Nevertheless, without any wish to recommend unconscientiously, we do recommend this volume to the attention of our readers. They will be gratified, and perhaps instructed by its perusal.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Preparing for Publication, Some Account of the Writings and Opinions of Justin Martyr. By the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. 8vo.

The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Lecturer of Greek in the University of Dublin, is preparing a new Edition of the Agamemnon of Eschylus, to be accompanied with the German version of Voss, and a new English Translation in Blank Verse. With copious Notes, Critical and Explanatory, and Indexes. In Royal 8vo.

IN THE PRESS.

Tractatus Varii Integri, being a Selection of the most valuable Productions of the Fathers of the Church during the First Four Centuries. By the Rev. Dr. Turton, Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. 8vo.

The Rev. S. Wix has a Volume of Sermons on the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer, nearly ready for Publication.

A Plain and Short History of England for Children, in Letters from a Father to his Son. By the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

The New Testament; with a Key of Reference, and Questions, Geographical, Historical, Doctrinal, Practical, and Expe, rimental; designed to facilitate the acquaintance of Scriptural Knowledge in Bible Classes, Sunday and other Schools, and Private Families. By Henry Wilbur, A. M. With Etymological and Chronological Tables, &c. &c.

MISCELLANEOUS.

SCHISM.

Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοὶ, διὰ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ λέγητε πάντες, καὶ μὴ ᾖ ἐν ὑμῖν ΣΧΙΣΜΑΤΑ, ἦτε δὲ κατηρτισμένοι ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ νοὶ, καὶ ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ γνώμῃ. 1 Cor. i. 10.

'Tis some relief, that points not clearly known,
Without much hazard, may be let alone.
And, after hearing what our church can say,
If still our reason runs another way,
That private reason 'tis more just to curb,
Than by disputes the public peace disturb :
For points obscure are of small use to learn,
But common quiet is mankind's concern.

DAYDEN'S Religio Laici.

THE general interests of the Christian Church, and its present circumstances in particular, make it especially desirable that correct notions should be entertained on a subject which has been long and variously misunderstood. To contribute to this important result is our intention in offering a few observations on the meaning and nature of Schism. As the very first object of our present undertaking is to remove causes of variance and separation, we hope our expressions will bear to the world the impress of that charity which dictates them. We censure no individuals as such; we pronounce no ex-cathedra condemnations; but we seek that truth which we cannot but believe to be profitable to the souls of ourselves and others; and we calmly and earnestly invite the attention of those who, in Christian meekness and sincerity, are prosecuting the same search. We speak as unto wise men, and we desire them to judge what we say.

It seems that there is a sin of such deep importance, that St. Paul beseeches his Corinthian converts, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (a more solemn adjuration cannot be conceived), to abstain from it. That his entreaties are no less applicable to ourselves than to the Corinthians, no Christian can possibly doubt. It must surely then be of some consequence to understand what that sin is, because, even if committed unwittingly, where knowledge might be procured, it cannot be destitute of danger. It might indeed be supposed that on such a subject the Scriptures would not speak with obscurity and the truth, as it appears to us, is, that they have spoken explicitly, though the interests of particular opinions have been busied to confuse them.

"If we

Dr. Campbell, in his Preliminary Dissertations on the Four Gospels, seems to have taken a very insufficient view of that text of St. Paul which we have quoted, as the motto to this article, in the Greek, on account of its inferior emphasis in the authorized version. inquire," says he, "by an examination of the context, into the nature of those differences among the Corinthians, to which Paul affixes the name oxiguara, nothing is more certain than that no cause of difference

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