view-not of the Vatican, but of the Pontifical Palace on the Monte Cavallo.

It is somewhat strange that an Editor, whose " long residence on the continent enabled him to glean largely from the Vatican Library," should have been guilty of such a blunder.

Hele's Select Offices of Private Devotion, viz. I. Office of Daily Devotion, with a Supplement. II. Office for the Lord's Day. III. Office of Penitence and Humiliation. IV. Office for the Holy Communion. With large collections out of the Holy Scriptures. New Edition, revised and enlarged. 8vo. Pp. 556. London. Rivingtons. 10s. 6d. 1825. THOUGH We do not consider ourselves pledged to notice reprints of works however valuable in themselves, the one before us has claims which cannot be disregarded. The great importance of publications of this nature, as most deeply affecting the spirit and tone of the religion professed by us, cannot escape the consideration of any; and certainly the times in which we live imperatively call for the greatest caution in the means which are made use of to preserve amongst us the rational and practical piety of our ancestors. We are singularly happy in the form of sound words preserved in our invaluable Liturgy, but it is at least highly expedient (if not absolutely necessary) that similar helps to devotion in private should be afforded, and that the same admirable temper should pervade the forms of private prayer which are so manifest in our public formularies. The want of aids of this kind will ever occasion attempts to supply forms of private prayer, and if standard publications of the kind be not provided, those of an inferior cast will be taken of which it is not difficult to foresee the effect. In this instance, however, the value of the original work is sufficiently stamped by time; and is, we believe, so far generally known as torender any detailed examination of its contents unnecessary. To those who may not yet have met with it, the following observations (which also shew the peculiarities of this edition) will, we trust, furnish a sufficient motive for personal investigation. on their own part.

"Of the present edition it is only necessary to say, that it varies from the former chiefly in a somewhat different arrangement of the parts, in a few omissions, in the addition of prayers to be used under special circumstances, in such a combination of the public with the private office for the Holy Communion, as renders the whole a companion to the altar,' and in a careful reference of the selections from Holy Writ

to their places in the Old and New Testament. These selections, .which constitute the largest and most valuable portion of the book, the author tells his reader, cost him the greatest pains,' they form, indeed, its distinguishing characteristic. In setting forth every fundamental doctrine, and every important duty of our holy religion in the very words of inspiration, they complete the offices, and render them a scriptural standard of faith and practice, no less than a well-tempered manual of Christian devotion." p. v.

This praise is indeed well merited. From its intrinsic excellence it deserves the most extensive circulation,-and when'we add, that the entire proceeds of this edition are to be made over to the Clergy Orphan Society, no further recommendation can be necessary.

A Manual of Devotion, being Meditations and Hymns for every day in the Month. By MARY HOLDENESS, Author of " New Russia," and "Manners and Customs of the Crim Tartars." 12mo. pp. 152. London. Duncan. 1825.

THIS little work merely consists of reflections on important religious topics, to which are appended hymns relative to the same. Without much pretension it exhibits some talent, and a degree of piety, which would compensate for more imperfections than are in fact attached to it.

A Synopsis of the Evidences of Religion, natural and revealed, drann principally from the writings of Butler, Paley, Doddridge, and Marsh; designed as a Manual for youth. By the REV. JOHN TOPHAM, M.A. F.R.S.L. Head Master of the Grammar School of King Edward VI. Bromsgrove. London. Whittaker. pp. 58. sewed. 1825.

THIS is not, strictly speaking, a synopsis of the Evidences, but a very good summary of certain of the leading arguments adopted by the divines from whose works it is professedly compiled. The treatise appears, indeed, quite unexceptionable so far as it goes, and may, therefore, be safely recommended:-but whether it be sufficient to pre-occupy the minds of youth, and to afford them so clear and complete a digest of the evidences of their

ral duties of the Clergy and the magistrate. It is obvious that the latter is to exercise the authority which he derives from the arm of the law, and he must in no case exceed the limits of power with which he is entrusted. But a Christian magistrate is amenable to a high tribunal; and therefore, as one who is to give an account, he must labour to advance the glory of God, and the present and future welfare of mankind. We maintain, moreover, to speak generally, that there is a close connection between opinions which are false in religion, and those which are dangerous to the country; and that this assertion is confirmed by our Blessed Saviour's parable of the tree and the fruits. But if a magistrate be in some sense responsible for the eternal interests of his countrymen, and if those be endangered by the prevalence of "opinions false in religion," it is obviously his duty to discountenance, and, as far as is sanctioned by law and discretion, to suppress them. When he is called upon to legislate he must be actuated by the same views and be perpetually referring to the highest principles. In short, for the sake of his sovereign, and his countrymen, for the sake of himself, of his sons, and his son's sons, he must in all his enactments providere ne quid detrimenti Ecclesia capiat.

We trust that these feelings and observations can trace their origin to the fountain of truth, and that they will be approved by every cool head, and warm heart; but unfortunately we are travelling a road diametrically opposite to Dr. Scot, and to him

we must return.

The second Essay treats of religious observances. In our examination of this precious production we shall be as just to Dr. Scot as he is to himself, for he virtually refutes himself; and we shall attempt no more. Dr. Scot strenuously argues against attaching any importance to religious observances;-if justly, then the inference is, that they may be innocently complied with, and in this case we ought not to please ourselves. But Dr. Scot considers persecution a much less evil, than submitting to this yoke of bondage, and in his own words "if we should suffer, our lot is not worse than that of the apostles and martyrs."

Dr. Scot shall now give us his own account of religious ob

servances.

"In all the observances attached to our religion men have varied and will vary. One may think himself bound to read a written prayer, another to use an unpremeditated prayer: one to sing psalms standing, another to sing psalms sitting: one may contend for baptizing children,

another may be eager for baptizing adults: one may believe that he is called upon to take the Lord's Supper every sabbath, a second that once in the year is sufficient: and a third that it was never intended to be taken beyond the age of the Apostles. The reason of all this difference among Christians is, that no one of these and a hundred like things are prescribed in Scripture, but left to human discretion." p. 29.

Dr. Scot may find one follower here and there, but we portend upon the whole that he will not be more successful in making than he is in spelling prosylites. The majority of those who name the name of Christ will ever desire to feed on the Bread of Life, and will turn aside with scorn from the speculations of those who either add to, alter, or mutilate that sacred law which they have received from above. The expression, "prescribed in Scripture," is capable of bearing an extended meaning, but, as appears from the whole passage, it is here used in a more limited sense. If then we adopt the principles laid down in the foregoing quotation, all those parts of Scripture which do not contain direct precepts and commandments, would unavoidably become a dead letter. For the resolution of all doubts whether in matters of faith, practice or ceremonies, to the Law and the Testimony,' as our Author on another occasion exclaims. But if the Law and the Testimony contain no express injunction, are we immediately to conclude that the question is a thing of indifference? Can no authority be derived from the equity of the thing in general, the Analogy of the Jewish Law,-probable insinuations in the New Tes tament,—and the continued practice of the Church in her earliest and purest ages? Can a legitimate inference from Scripture, the example of our Blessed Lord and his Holy Apos tles impose upon us no obligations? Ought we to care for none of these things? Or rather, on the other hand, is not a disposition of heart and mind to be guided by a concurrence of them all, or the greater part of them, prescribed in Scripture. We are much mistaken if with these lights the necessity of retaining Infant Baptism, and the duty of kneeling at prayer be not discerned.

But further, according to Dr. Scot's views, a precept (as will be seen by his allusion to the Holy Sacrament) may be given to the Apostles, and at the same time be neither in letter nor spirit binding upon ourselves. But we must require him to produce one single reason why we are not equally exempt from obeying the precept, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," Matt. vii. 12. as we are from

* See Bishop Sanderson's Cases of Conscience.

holy religion, as to render harmless the sophisms of infidelity, we would leave to Mr. Topham's own good sense to determine. If it effect not this, it will scarcely answer his benevolent purpose.

1

Christian Instructions, consisting of Sermons, Essays, Addresses, Reflections, Tales, Anecdotes and Hymns, on Various Subjects, for the Use of Families, Schools, and Readers in general. By the Rev. W. MORGAN, B. D. Incumbent of Christ Church, Bradford, Yorkshire. Author of the Pastoral Visitor, Psalmody Improved, A Selection of Hymns for Sunday Schools, Hints to Sunday School Teachers, The Welsh Weaver, &c. 2 Vols. 12mo. London. 1825.

FROM the title of this singular medley, the reader may infer there is no want of quantity, nor of variety, in the Volumes of Mr. Morgan. We wish we could say as much for the judgment and talents of the author, as we can willingly and conscientiously for his zeal and industry. This however is wholly out of our power: in not one of the various kinds of writing which he has attempted, is there any thing to contradict the epithet of "feeble," which he has anticipated in the Preface to his Second Volume.

Mr. Morgan appears very solicitous both in his title page, and throughout his performance, to convey the idea of his being a veteran author. This is the more to be regretted as there is the less excuse for publishing a collection such as this, and the less hope of improvement. That Mr. M. may find readers and admirers, among those who conceive with himself, that "we shall have neither vice nor pauperism in the world, when the Bible Association System becomes universal," and that in the Anniversary Meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Free Masons' Hall, we have the nearest resemblance to heaven of any thing that has yet been ever found among Christians," is indeed very possible; but if he would be consistent with his own professions, and desire to be permanently and extensively useful, he must read more, and write less.

66

The Mystery of Godliness, or Directions for the Attainment of Holiness, founded upon a Work called, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification. By the Rev. WALTER MARSHALL, Fellow of New College, Oxford,