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Transubstantiation and the Sacrifice of the Mass; On the Characteristics of the Christian Church; and on the Rise, Progress, and present State of Roman Catholicism. The authorities adduced by the writer are of the most respectable character, and the style of the volume is at once faithful, uncompromising, and firm.

Lectures on the World before the Flood. By the Rev. Charles Burton, LL.D., &c. 8vo. pp. viii, 343. App. 72. Hamiltom and Co.-We have perused these Lectures with considerable satisfaction, as furnishing a practical illustration of the infinite wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator, and of the agreement of science with the imperishable record of revelation. On the doctrine connected with the fall of man and his recovery by Jesus Christ, Dr. Burton has displayed much acquaintance with his subject, in which he appears eminently at home. The various speculations of modern geologists, whenever at discord with the testimony of Divine truth, are met by our author with a faithful and unsparing hand. We wish the volume may meet with great encouragement.

The most delectable History of Reynard the Fox, and of his Son Reynardine. A revised Version of an old Romance. 12mo. xv, 102. J. W. Parker. This is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable books of the middle ages. Germany, France, Belgium, and Holland have contended for the authorship; and the conflicting claims are by no means decided at present. Within the last twenty years, libraries have been ransacked for old copies, and large sums have been expended in the purchase of manuscripts discovered in private collections; all this research has been accompanied by much controversy and criticism, in which some of the greatest writers in Germany and Holland have taken part. The oldest manuscript of the Romance of Reynard known, is in rhyme: it was written soon after the year 1300, and is now in the public library of Stuttgard. It was printed at Delft, in Holland, a. D. 1485. A copy of the early manuscript was bought by an Englishman at Amsterdam. in 1826, and a few years afterwards sold by auction in London. This was purchased about ten years ago for the King of Belgium, at the recommendation of the learned Belgian Professor Willems, who says, that an enormously high price was given for its acquisition. It is now deposited in the Burgundian library at Brussels, and was made the basis of a

new edition in 1834. Another version appeared in print still earlier, in prose; which has a greater interest for an Englishman, if, as is alleged, it was the original from which our Caxton translated the work, A. d. 1481. This Editio Princeps of Reynard, was printed at Gouda, in Holland, A. D. 1479, and is of excessive rarity. The concluding words of Caxton are, "For I have not added ne mynusshed, but have followed as nyghe as I can my copye which was in Dutche and by me, Willm. Caxton translated in to this rude and symple English in th abbey of Westmestre. Fynysshed the vi. daye of Juyn the yere of our Lord MCCCClxxxi, and the xxi. yere of the regne of Kynge Edward the iiijth." The work, we are informed, was intended to have been a satire on courts and governments in general; and we cannot deny that there is, or was, too much truth in it, although exaggerated. But the main and most useful object of this, as of other fables of the Æsopian nature is, to teach by irony, to caution the reader against the tricks of the artful, and the more delusive self-deceits which induce a man to imagine himself brave, generous, or forgiving, when he is only ambitious, calculating, or grasping. The teaching by irony may not be at first so plain to a young reader as that by precept; but it is often not less effective. Caxton says, in his introduction :-"This booke is maad for nede and prouffyte of alle god folke, as fer as they in redynge or heeryng of it shall mowe (be able to) understande and fele the forsayd subtyl deceytes that dayly ben vsed in the worlde; not to thentente (the intent) that men shold vse them, but that every man shold eschewe and kepe hym from the subtyl false shrewis (evil ways), that they be not deceyuyd;" and with that venerable personage, we doubt not in reference to this reprint, that "for them that understandeth it, it shall be ryght joyous playsant and prouffitable."

Principles of Education practically considered, with an especial Reference to the present State of Female Education in England. By M. A. Stodart, Author of "Every-Day Duties," &c. 12mo. pp. 281. Seeley & Co.-We have been highly gratified with the perusal of this important volume: the excellent author has brought to the subject a mind well stored with principles of the best order, which she has successfully endeavoured to exhibit to her reader in their importance and value. Every parent who is solicitous for the spiritual as well as temporal welfare of his children,

and all who are interested with the education of youth, should carefully read this work; and although much has been written and said on the subject of education, were a little more done to accomplish the object which is recommended, the rising generation would present an aspect far more gratifying both to the philanthropist and the Christian.

The Useful Arts employed in the Production of Food. 12mo. pp. 183. John W. Parker. This volume is another of that instructive series of books which the spirited publisher is providing for our mental instruction and amusement. There is scarcely any of the various departments of industry connected with the production of food either for man or beast which has not been the subject of numerous treatises or essays: such details, however, are often to be found only in the cumbrous Cyclopædia, or published in such an expensive manner as to be beyond the reach of many. This excellent volume endeavours to meet this difficulty by giving concise yet sufficient information on the various subjects which come under consideration, and, we think, sucsessfully. One feature of interest consists in statistical accounts of the principal articles, such as the quantity exported or imported, or consumed, as the case may be. We cordially recommend the work as well deserving a conspicuous place in the domestic or juvenile library.

With

Memoirs and Manuscript of Isobel Hood. By the Rev. John Macdonald, Free Church Mission, Calcutta. introductory Notice, by Hugh Miller. Second Edition. 18mo. pp. xi, 92. Groombridge. A beautiful illustration of the influence of religious principle in the humbler walks of society, exercising and improving the intellect, and preparing the soul for the realms of bliss. It would form a valuable addition to our Sunday-school and village libraries.

Margaret; or, The Pearl. By the Rev. Charles B. Taylor, M.A., Author of "May you like it," and "Records of a good Man's Life." 18mo. pp. vii, 278. Longman and Co.-Mr. Taylor has long been known to us as an honest and uncompromising adversary of the Tractarian heresy, which, while we are writing, is positively preying on the vitals of the Reformed Church of England; so that, notwithstanding her boasted apostolicity and purity, she either has not the power, or is deficient in moral energy, to spurn the viper from her bosom. We are not surprised that the Reviewers who are in the pay, or under the patronage, of the Romanizing party, should designate the

productions of our author "mawkish," and unworthy of being read, seeing that, wherever they are seriously perused, the doctrines of the blessed Reformers are valued, and those of Romanism are proyed to be "earthly, sensual, and devilish." The principle which Mr. Taylor seeks to establish in the volume before us, is, that "vital religion is the true antidote for Tractarian error." His pre

mises are evangelically sound, and the conclusion at which he arrives is scriptural and true.

Smeaton and Lighthouses. A popular Biography, with an historical Introduction and Sequel. 12mo. pp. vi, 120. J. W. Parker.-We admire the plan which has been adopted by the compiler of this entertaining and instructive volume; namely, that of tracing the history of this important branch of knowledge and human ingenuity in close association with individual biography. When the labours of the philosopher are amalgamated with those of his contemporaries, or absorbed into the history of any gigantic undertaking, a danger exists, lest the obligations which are due to our distinguished countrymen should be disregarded, or that industrious labourers in the foreign field of science should be deprived of their just meed of praise. To guard against these evils, we have in this work a brief history of Lighthouses, associated with a comprehensive sketch of the Life of Smeaton. The former department comprises an account of that peculiar class of building upon dangerous and difficult points of coast, to the time when the engineering skill of Smeaton was called into exercise, together with a description of the improvements which have taken place, since the erection of the lighthouse on the Eddystone. We cheerfully recommend this production to the attention of our readers.

Linnæus and Jussieu; or, the Rise and Progress of Systematic Botany. A popular Biography, with an historical Introduction and Sequel. 12mo. pp. v, 112. J. W. Parker. We have in this volume the biography of the above eminent individuals associated with a history of the rise and progress of systematic Botany. A record of the science, anterior to the day of Linnæus, is first given. This is followed by an account of the life and labours of that extraordinary man, the founder of what is now so extensively known as the natural system of plants; and concludes with a brief, but sufficiently elaborate, notice of the labours of the most eminent botanists from the time of the death of

Jussieu. The journal of Linnæus, written by him during his tour in Lapland, occupies an Appendix. The volume will become universally entertaining, and we hope, as useful.

In

The Idolatry of the Church of Rome. By the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, M. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. 18mo. pp. xxiv. 552. W. H. Dalton.-An important addition to the valuable works recently published by the Protestant Association, to counteract the untiring efforts of Romanism, by an honest and diligent exposure of the tenets and general character of the great apostasy. Our author, in the Introduction, brings forward the charge of idolatry against the Papal Church, which he substantiates by overwhelming evidence. three of the chapters, the idolatry itself is exhibited, as comprising the adoration of the host, of the saints, and of images. We have risen from the perusal of this useful publication, having our minds more fully impressed with the truth, that the Church of Rome is essentially antichristian and idolatrous, and with the antiscriptural character of those concessions, which of late years have been made to the Papacy. Our Legislators and Statesmen have given a legal and national sanction to that which they knew and swore to be superstitious and idolatrous. They have paid, and are paying, money out of the resources of this professedly Protestant country, to train up and instruct men to teach superstition and idolatry, by the annual grant to the College at Maynooth; and to the Priests and Bishops of an antichristian church, for positively teaching superstition and idolatry, by the endowment of Popish Priests and Bishops in our colonies; they have given, and still give, large sums of money for the support of a national system of education in Ireland, which works into the hands of those Popish Priests, and gives them increased facilities for educating the young subjects of our Protestant Queen in Romish superstition and idolatry; and they have, by the fatal Bill of 1829, declared, that these antichristian idolaters are as fit and worthy to legislate for and govern this Protestant empire, as the faithful profes. sors and confessors of scriptural truth and evangelical piety! We tremble for the consequences which await Britain from the righteous government of that God, who said, with regard to a guilty people in olden time, "Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" Comparatively few there are fully aware of the fætid, rampant idolatry

of the Paparchy. This volume per forms its duty, by tearing away the veil which conceals these chambers of iniquity from the full gaze of Protestantism! What a lamentable exposure of mental infatuation and unblushing wickedness! Charity would almost dispose us to imagine that such facts are not realities, but dreams of a disordered fancy! What! in the nineteenth century, are we to witness blasphemies, which exceed in atrocity the like fruits of ages of darkness, blindness, and superstition? Are human passions even yet to cover, like a rank and noxious weed, the pure and hallowed altars of our God? Is the sobriety, the decency, the propriety of the heart-felt, spiritual worship, enjoined by the examples and precepts of our blessed Redeemer and his Apostles, to be still impiously outraged by such indecencies, as are almost sufficient to frighten religion out of the world, if the arm of Almighty Power were not mercifully stretched out according to the assurance of Heaven in her defence?

A plain Sermon on Peevishness. By James Kendall. 18mo. pp. 28. Simpkin. It contains much truth, and is adapted for general and extensive usefulness.

Thoughts chiefly designed as preparatory. A Persuasive to Private Devotion. By John Sheppard, Author of "Christian Encouragement," &c. Eighth Edition. 12mo. pp. xvi, 308.

Tract Society. The extensive circulation which this volume has received, proves its general acceptability. To the pious mind the subject is one of paramount import ance; and the "Thoughts," embodied in these pages cannot fail to strengthen the principles, and assist the exercise, of those who worship God "in spirit and in truth."

Hymns, Dialogues, and Addresses for Sunday-School Anniversaries. By Thomas Hirst, Author of "The Music of the Church," &c. 18mo. pp. xii, 92. Whitaker.

The Zephyr, containing a Set of original common Tunes and short Pieces, adapted to Sunday-School Anniversaries. By Thomas Hirst. Hart. If we speak of these productions abstractedly, we do not hesitate in saying, that the poetry is evangelical, and in several parts really good; and that the tunes are superior to many that have been placed before us in our editorial capacity. We have, nevertheless, an objection to the object for which they have been sent into the world. Far from being adverse

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to the institution of Sabbath-schools, properly conducted, we have an insuperable dislike to those systematic exhibitions which so often occur on the occasions to which we allude. We like not the array of children on the Sabbath of the Lord before a numerous congregation in fantastic dress, which neither the funds of the school, nor the pockets of the parents, can conveniently and honestly provide; a show which, while calculated to inflict deep and permanent moral injury on the child, mournful instances of which have frequently come before us, tends to the desecration of the sacred day in far more numerous instances than the friends of those annual sabbatic exhibitions are aware. We are no advocates of that custom in several of the provinces, of placing children before a Sunday congregation to recite such pieces of poetry as those which our author has furnished. All this may be praiseworthy and useful in a suitable place, and on a proper day. Nevertheless we must protest against these practices, as pregnant with evil of a fearful character and extent. Cui bono? Where is the benefit of all this? The advantages of religious education, and the value of an immortal spirit, are not enhanced by such displays! and shall we be brought to believe, that the principles of religion and the habit of Christian benevolence, are so feeble and so reluct antly exercised, that the member of a religious congregation and society needs thus to be tickled in order to discharge an important duty which he owes to the rising generation, to the church, and to God? We trow not!

The Lever of the Gospel; or, The Working Church. By J. R. Balme, Author of "Human Life considered." 18mo. pp. 108. Hamilton and Co.The useful information, the practical hints, the heart-searching appeals, and the truly evangelical principles, which our author has made to bear upon all classes of his readers, will insure for this volume a wide circulation.

The Church of England examined, with reference to Scripture and Tradi tion. By R. Mackenzie Beverley. Second Edition. 12mo. pp. xv, 207. Groombridge. We can by no means subscribe to all the principles which are embodied in this work, on some of which we could speak strongly in reprobation. Nevertheless this difference in opinion does not alter the subject on which our author writes. We deeply deplore the aspect of the times with respect to the ecclesiastical affairs of Britain, and also

the spirit in which the various adversaries of the national hierarchy are preparing for a conflict, which they hope will terminate in its utter downfal. We would rather the controversy had been commenced and carried on by individuals, who knew the grace of God in truth, than by those who were strangers to the knowledge of the life and power of godliness. This is perhaps too much to expect, seeing that in the Establishment, the world and the Church are so intimately associated, that grace and condemnation, righteousness and ini quity, they that are born of the flesh and they that are born of the Spirit, are promiscuously blended. We feel convinced that the present state of affairs cannot very long continue. Since the publication of the Oxford Tracts, in 1833, high clerical propensities have increased, while notions of a salutary ecclesiastical reform have been on the wane, A decided tendency to adopt the scheme of Laud is manifested by the dignitaries of the Church, and also to establish the dominion of the traditional school; so that if success attend such an enterprise, the Protestant character of the hierarchy is gone.

Reconciliation of the two parties, namely, the Evangelical and the Tractarian, is, we think, impossible, so long as the doctrines of the latter are viewed as "hateful and antichristian " by the former; and now, at the close of nearly three centuries of an unquiet life, the Church of England is in this extraordinary position, that its own Clergy are disagreed about fundamentals, and are drawn out, as in battle array, to fight the quarrel respecting first principles. The volume ought to be read by every friend of the Establishment: it contains much valuable information, although some principles are avowed, which we think do not quadrate with the sacred record.

Notices of the State of Religion in Geneva and Belgium. By H. Heugh, D. D. 12mo. pp. vii, 250. Hamilton and Co.-It contains the substance of a series of addresses on the following interesting topics :-The locality and institu tions of Geneva; the decline of religion in Geneva; its revival; the religious history and condition of Belgium; facts and opinions in Geneva and its vicinity, respecting the separation of Church and State, &c. The industrious author has given a graphic description of the present aspect of several of the Reformed churches, which cannot be read without deep and thrilling emotion. Their desolation is extensive, which we fear will continue and increase, unless some efforts

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our attempts to extend the interests of Christ's kingdom among the Heathen, those places where the glorious Reformation was cradled ought not to be surrendered an easy prey to the gigantic efforts of Rome on the Continent. We cordially join in the prayer of Dr. Heugh: "O that the zeal of Rome might provoke Britain to jealousy!"

Baptism in its Mode and Subjects. By Alexander Carson, LL. D., Minister of the Gospel. 8vo. pp. xx, 518. Houlston and Stoneman. This is an elaborate defence of the doctrines entertained by that respectable section of the church of Christ, the Baptists, on the mode and subjects of the initiatory ordinance of the Christian dispensation; together with a reply to various opponents who have recently assailed the position which they hold we allude to Mr. Bickersteth, Dr. Henderson, the Congregational Magazine, Dr. Miller, Mr. Hall, Mr. Munro, Mr. Thorn, and President Beecher. Although we think Dr. Carson has entirely failed in his attempts to shake the principles of the Pædobaptists, which remain wholly unscathed and firm, we have been pleased with the temper he has displayed, in the manner in which he has conducted his inquiries, a somewhat novel circumstance as connected with the Baptist controversy. To those who are interested, or actually engaged in the dispute, this volume will be useful, as containing a digested statement of all that has been or can be said, on that side of the question.

12.

Novelties in Priestcraft: or, the Puseyite among the Poets. A Recent Scene on the Banks of the Kt. By Philo-Britannicus. 12mo. pp. Ward.-A very clever and amusing jeu d'esprit in the Hudibrastic style; written by Our anonymous poet, to exhibit the "doings" of a young gentleman, recently imported into his parish as Curate, from one of our national seats of learning, who, having reached the boiling-point on the scale of Puseyism, speedily commenced a series of aggressive movements on the hitherto peaceable inhabitants of that part of the country, by enjoining severe fastings and austerities during Lent, absolutely reprobating, in a sermon expressly on the subject, the use of egg-sauce with fish; refusing the rites of sepulture to individuals not baptized by episcopally-ordained hands; unhesitatingly asserting, both from the pulpit and in social conversation, that all who have unfortunately died Wesleyans or Dissenters

are gone to perdition, and all at present associated with such heretical schismatics, are undoubtedly on the way thither. Well may we, with the Jewish High Priest of old, "doubt whereunto these things will grow. It is certain, that steps must be taken to prevent these young Divines outraging, as in the above, and also in numerous other instances, the godly feelings of individuals, who, long before many of them were born, were not only acquainted with the truths of the Bible, but had sought and found salvation in Christ, and adorned the Gospel by a holy walk. By the bye, are these juvenile Clerics prepared to carry the principles of their party to their full application and extent? From what we can gather, they are so, especially if we may judge by information received from va rious parts of the kingdom of fresh inroads upon the liberties of the people, and more lengthened strides to that state of things which existed in the early ages of Christendom. Our Curate's party profess to be guided by that rule of Vincentius Lirinensis, "Quod semper, quod ab omnibus, quod ubique;" so that if they can prove that any custom was, in primitive times, adopted always, by all people, and everywhere, whether useful or expedient, or not, such custom was of apostolic origin, and therefore it ought to be retained in all the churches throughout England. We ask this Curate who has so unluckily fallen among the poets,-is he prepared to go thus far with his friends? We are serious, and hope our readers will not indulge even a smile. We refer to an ancient custom, which not only combines all the criteria to which we have referred, but has scriptural authority for its origin. (1 Thess. v. 26; 1 Peter v. 14.) There is the authority for this custom of the four holy ancient Liturgies, which are supposed to have been deduced from the Apostles, or from their immediate suc cessors; the very same Liturgies which, the Puseyites say, teach that there is an actual sacrifice in the eucharist, and which contain a prayer, that "God will make the bread and wine the body and blood of Christ." St. Peter's Liturgy, which is the Roman, Milanese, and African; St. James's Liturgy, which is the Oriental; St. Mark's Liturgy, which is the Egyptian and Ethiopian; St. John's Liturgy, which is the Gallican, Ephesian, and Mozarabic; all command the kiss of peace and the prayer for the dead. The eighth book of the Apos tolical Constitutions (lib. viii., cap. xi.) commands the Deacon, at the time of the

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