The "conclusion" contains allusions to, and quotations from, the recorded opinions of Mr. Basil Woodd upon controverted points, especially those in which we are glad to see there have been mistakes amongst many who knew him living. We conscientiously think, that his opinions are the most rational of the party to which he belonged. He was certainly not an Arminian, but he was also not a Calvinist, according to the modern scheme of Calvinism. He rejected the doctrine of reprobation, but considered also the 17th Article of our Church too strongly worded,— "I would," he says, "rather it had not been inserted: it is a little too strongly expressed for me, though the concluding paragraph enables me to assent to it," (p. 214). There is much sound sense and practical importance in the judicious observations he has made on "moderation," and we heartily commend those remarks to the consideration of some of our Boanerges brethren.

Memoir of the Rev. Cornelius Neale, M.A. formerly fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. To which are added his Remains, being Sermons, Allegories, and various Compositions in Prose and Verse. Collected and edited by the Rev. WILLIAM JOWETT, M. A. late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. London: Seeleys & Co. 1834. Pp. xxiv. 384.

THIS volume is a reprint of one circulated in private, a short time since, amongst the most intimate friends of the pious subject. Books of this class must do good; and even if, as may sometimes occur, there are readers who will not go the length of any given author on particular points of doctrine, still there can, we think, be found but a few who do not hail the evidence of devotedness such as this Memoir establishes, and rejoice that so many tried and faithful servants are found in these days of lukewarmness and infidelity. St. John's College may be proud of many of her sons, who, like Mr. Neale, have risen to the highest University honours; but Neale as well as Martyn confer greater honour by their piety, faithfulness, and zeal, than

all the senior wranglerships which their college numbers.

Mr. Neale's Memoirs (properly so called) do not occupy more than, if so much as, a third part of the volume. The remainder is occupied with the Sermons, &c. mentioned in the titlepage. The partiality of friends and relatives have probably been less sparing in the selection (though there be nothing objectionable, nothing incorrect) than an indifferent person would have been. We say this with reference to more volumes than one- -Miss Graham's Memoirs, for example. We think the great objection to these frequent publications of memoirs is, that the editors overshoot their object, and run on into dissertations which are not actually called for, as well as introduce other parties only indirectly connected with the topic itself; and thus the memoirs of one individual become a sort of joint-stock memorial of half-adozen others. But it may be urged, that good is done by this; if so, we object to the increased price of the books.

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. With a Commentary, consisting of Short Lectures for the daily Use of Families. By the Rev. CHARLES GIRDLESTONE, M.A. Vicar of Sedgley, Staffordshire. Part 111. containing the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles to the Romans and Corinthians. Oxford: Parker. London: Rivingtons. 1834. 8vo. Pp. x. 374.

A Concordance to the Psalms of David, according to the Version of the Book of Common Prayer. By the Rev. C. GIRDLESTONE, M. A. London: Rivingtons. Oxford: Parker. 1834. 12mo. Pp. 179.

Or these publications the latter is simply a book of verbal reference to the Psalms, precisely similar to other works of the same kind, except that the Common Prayer Book version is chosen as the basis, as being more familiar than the Bible translation to most ministers and members of the Church of England. Respecting the other we have heretofore spoken in terms of merited commendation; and

we shall now merely advert to the Author's Advertisement to the present Part, for the benefit of those who are not acquainted with the nature of the work. It is intended." to furnish masters of families with an exposition of the New Testament for daily reading, at the hour of domestic worship. The Scripture is divided into paragraphs of a convenient length; and the explanatory and practical matter is digested, under each paragraph, into one consecutive lecture, so as to demand of the reader no previous pains and attention." We are happy to hear that the completion of the work may be expected about Christmas.

Short and Plain Sermons for reading in Families. By the Rev. JOSEPH S. PRATT, B.C.L. Prebendary of Peterborough, &c. London: Cochran. 1834. 12mo. Pp. xii. 309.

As far as their moderate length and simple diction is concerned, these sermons may answer the object which the writer has had in view in their compilation. We know not, however, that we can pass them from us with a cordial approval on the score of doctrine. The Sermons on Regeneration, for instance, and that on Salvation by Grace, are at least vague and inexplicit, if they are not positively unsound.

are some valuable observations on the bearing of the Sabbath question on the present militant posture of the Church, which alone would make the pamphlet worth the purchase. It is, we understand, the production of a lady whose useful and excellent writings have long been a treasure to the religious world, but whose name has been modestly withholden. We have already noticed her "Meditations and Prayers for the Heavenly Communion."

Sermons. By HUNTER FRANCIS FELL, A. M. Minister of Trinity Church, Islington. London: Seeleys. 1834. Pp. xi. 300.

PLAIN, simple, yet forcible. But we

think them better calculated for the pulpit than the closet; and better adapted to the author's own congregation than to a circulation amongst general readers. Nevertheless, they may preach effectually, though silently.

A Clergyman's Remarks upon a Dissenting Teacher's Tract, circulated in Hounslow and its neighbourhood, entitled "A Plain Answer to an Important Question." By the Rev. W. BOLGER. Hounslow: Gotelee. London: Hurst; Nisbet. Pp. 52. WHATEVER may be said of these Remarks, none can call them unfair, for their author has published with them his opponent's tract at full length. This shows, at least, confidence in the strength of his cause: and, as we think, a confidence which he was fully entitled to entertain. The tract is, indeed, as vapid and ignorant a production as well may be; but that does not prove that it has not been influential, or that it ought not to have been answered. It is in truth, only the stump of

open to his choice; and that he has made concessions, especially about baptism and confirmation, which were not required by truth. Perhaps this may result from some leaning to Calvinism. If so, this is another proof that our Calvinistic brethren are not (as slanderously reported) indifferent to the fate of their Church.

Scenes and Sketches from English History. Vol. I. London: Parker. 1833. Pp. viii. 314. (Published under the direction of the Committee of General Literature and Education appointed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.)

A VERY pleasing and well-written volume indeed. It contains the anteNorman history of our island, in the form of short chapters, wherein events are treated at more or less length, not so much on account of the time they occupy, as of their interest and narrative character. It is a very acceptable present for youth, but by no means confined to the instruction of that period of life. The engravings

are

numerous-the subjects judiciously chosen, and well executedthe style animated and perspicuous. It is highly creditable to its author, and to the useful Committee under whose patronage it appears.

The Ultimate Object of the Evangelical Dissenters Avowed and Advocated. A Sermon preached at the King's Weigh-House, London, previous to notice being given that Petitions to Parliament for the Removal of Dissenters' Grievances would lie for Signature in the Vestry during the Week. By T. BINNEY. London: Jackson & Walford. 1834. Pp. 44. MR. BINNEY possesses a very unenviable notoriety-and he seems to be better pleased with evil fame than with none. We only notice him now for the purpose of observing that he has the effrontery to state that the CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER " exults in the fact that anti-evangelical clergymen are an overwhelming majority." We deny the fact, and therefore can

not exult in it. After this specimen of Mr. Binney's capability of expounding the ninth commandment, it may not be necessary to say more about his Sermon.

The Case of the Church of England. Reprinted from Fraser's Magazine for February 1834. Pp. 19. AN article written in "Regina's" best style, in which an able parallel is drawn between the Church and the Schismatics.

Report on the State of Public Instruction in Prussia, addressed to the Count de Montalivet, Peer of France, Minister of Public Instruction and Ecclesiastical Affairs, by M. VICTOR COUSIN, Peer of France, Councillor of State, Professor of Philosophy, Member of the Institute, and of the Royal Council of Public Instruction. With Plans of School-houses. Translated by SARAH AUSTIN. London:

Wilson. 1834. Pp. xxxviii. 333. WE have long been acquainted with the facts stated in this work, and have seen the working of the system described in different parts of the Prussian dominions; and being impressed with the usefulness of the plan, are truly glad to see such an able exposé of it laid before our countrymen. There are some things to which we object in it: ing the Lord's day in Prussia, where amongst the rest, to the mode of keepit is more of a holiday than a holy day. Nevertheless, we wish some such plan of a general school-instruction the National system been adopted uniwere introduced into England. Had versally, as that of Prussia is in Prussia, and made a sine quá non, under certain limitations of voluntary education, we should not have seen England split into parties as it is, nor the lower orders so easily seduced by designing We are glad to find that the public attention is a little more alive than it was to this important topic; and we hope Mrs. Austin's able translation of M. Cousin's Report will be productive of much assistance in awakening general thought upon this national means of national reformation.

men.

A Sermon, preached at Amersham, on Tuesday, June 3, 1834, at the Triennial Visitation of John, Lord Bishop of Lincoln, and printed at the request of the Clergy present. By SAMUEL BIRCH, D.D., Vicar of Little Marlow. London: Rivingtons. 1834. 8vo. Pp. 24.

THAT dangers beset the Church as well from the lukewarmness of her friends as from the malice and cunning of her enemies, is no less clearly proved by Dr. Birch, than his own zeal is manifest in the cause of our beleaguered Zion. From Phil. i. 27, 28, he sets forth the example of the suffering Church of Philippi as an encouragement and a warning to ourselves in the crisis that overhangs our destiny. Our destiny did we say? No! We know in whom we place our confidence; and we have His word that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. Still in these times we must not slumber on our post.

If we

will not exert ourselves, we cannot expect another age of miracles. We have, however, some forward champions in the field; and we are proud to acknowledge Dr. Birch among the first of the number.

The Church of England its own Witness.-An Argument to prove the Identity of the Church of England with the ancient British and Apostolic Church in Locality of Jurisdiction, Form of Government, and Institution of Doctrine. By BRITANNICUS. London: Rivingtons. 1834. Pp. 33.

THE enemies of our Church, who intended us much evil, have in reality, in many ways, done us much good;

inasmuch as there has not been a supposed evil charged upon her but what has been honestly and manfully rebutted. The talent which has been called forth from the clergy and laity of the Church of England in the different works that have issued from the press, convinces us more and more that the infidels and heretics would not have made so great a stride in their unhallowed course had they been instantly met,and their falsehoods simultaneously exposed. Silent satisfaction in our own

strength and rectitude has been our failing. In the pamphlet before us we have another learned and enlightened champion in our holy cause, who has, with no mean ability, defended the different points specified in the above title to his work.

We quote the following as a literary curiosity, as well as a document in favour of Episcopacy:

"The ancient records of the British Church, which have been collected by the authorities to which I have before alluded, inform us, that Bishops have existed in the island from the earliest dawn of Christianity. We have the names of many, in a long continued succession, who have filled various bishoprics. I shall give the names of the primitive bishops of London and York. We begin with those of York; Sampson, about A.D. 170; Eborius, 314; Taurinus, appointed by Constantius Chlorus, 300; Pyramus, appointed by King Arthur, about 520; Todiacus, who fled into Wales, 586. Of London, the names of a greater number have been preserved; Theanus, about A.D. 170; his church was founded on the spot now occupied by St. Peter's, Cornhill. Three bishops were delegated by the Church of England to attend the Council of Arles, in France, A.D. 314. These were, Eborius, of York; Restitutus, of London; and Adelfuis, of Carleon; and it may be mentioned in connexion with this historical fact, as an important corroborative proof of the agreement of the ancient with the modern British Church, that Bishop Adelfuis was accompanied in his mission by Sacerdos, a priest, and Arminius, a deacon. To conclude this portion of proof, I shall only further quote the words of Gregory, in answer to an inquiry of St. Austin, as to the manner in which he should conduct himself towards the bishops of Gaul and Britain. We give thee no power over the bishops of Gaul, they being under the Bishop of Arles; but all the BISHOPS of the BRITONS we commit to thy paternal care.'-Bede, B. l. c. 7. This is conclusive evidence of the fact.

"The government of the ancient British Church was episcopacy; and the Church of England at the present day maintains the same discipline."-P. 10.