[British Critic, January 1839.]
Dr. Cramer has given to the theological world a new Catena on the Acts of the Apostles from MSS. Existing in Oxford and Paris. Chrysostom is the principle author used in it; after him, Cyril, Didymus, Ammonius, and Severus.
Jewell’s celebrated “Apologia Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ” has been republished, (Rivingtons); as has also, Bertram’s or Ratramn’s Book “de Corpore et Sanguine Domini,” with a translation, and Ælfric’s “Homily,” (Parker, Oxford.) This book, it is scarcely necessary to say, is a remarkable historical confutation of the Roman doctrine of Transubstantiation, though, as being controversial, it is of course cauté legendum.
Dr. Neander’s “Life of St. Chrysostom,” translated by Rev. J. C. Stapleton (Seeley & Burnside,) is the very learned work of an eclectic Christian. The English reader will profit by his learning without being induced probably to embrace his peculiarities.
The publication of the original of St. Cyril’s “Catechetical Lectures” is, we we understand, delayed under the hope of obtaining some important collations of the text from Rome as well as Oxford. It is in contemplation to collect sums with a view of defraying the expenses of foreign collations.
It is with pleasure we announce the republication of Dr. Brett’s Work on “the Ancient and other Liturgies,” (Rivingtons,) which may be recommended to all who need information on the sacred subject of which it treats. Another useful little work of the same author has been published at Oxford (Talboys,) “The Honour of the Christian Priesthood.”
Mr. Manning has published an Appendix to his Sermon on the Rule of Faith, in which he goes more into the details of objections urged against the Catholic view of it, than any one who has taken part in the controversy. It is a work of considerable research, much independence of thought, and great promise of usefulness.
Dr. Hawkins has published two admirable Sermons, (Fellowes,) on very distinct subjects; the one is an almost parochial sermon preached in aid of the two Societies; the other was preached before the University of Oxford, and on “The Duty of Private Judgment.”
Dr. Pusey has published two Sermons in aid of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, (Rivingtons,) called “The Church, the Converter of the Heathen.” Dr. Pusey cannot touch any subject without exhausting it. The present contain a vast mass of information on this subject, and doubtless have been, and will be, much consulted by clergymen who, in obedience to the Queen’s letter, have to bring it at this time before their parishioners.
Mr. Oakeley has published a Sermon on the same subject. (Parker: Oxford) Why does a writer, whose style is so attractive, and matter so sound, stint us with single sermons?
A Funeral Sermon preached at Calcutta, by Krishna Mohana Banerjee, an Anglican clergyman, on Baboo Mohesh Chunder Ghose, a superintendent of the Church Missionary Schools, in the same place, (Rivingtons, Seeley, and Nisbet,) gives rise to a number of pleasurable and serious reflections. The unity of that faith and temper which the One Lord vouchsafes through the One Church, is what most obviously suggests itself. We are surprised too to find a Sermon of a recently converted native so free from even the phraseology of Ultra-Protestantism. How is it? do converted heathens bring with them a more healthy taste and robuster appetite which refuses to feed upon air?
We have a satisfaction in noticing two Sermons on the death of the late Bishop of Moray, (a name which will be long remembered, in the Scottish Church especially,) by the Rev. W. C. A. Maclaurin, M.A., and the Rev. Charles Pressley, A.M.
Sermons by the Rev. T. T. Haverfield, B.D., 2 vols., (Straker,) have a good practical aim, and contain right views on the Sacraments. Some of the doctrinal ones however are scarcely clear.
Mr. Hutchinson’s “Plain Discourses (adapted for family reading) on the Catechism and Book of Common Prayer,” (Hayward and Moore,) are sound, unpretending sermons. They give right views of the Church and Sacraments, and are evidently the productions of a serious mind.
Mr. Cameron’s “Parochial Sermons,” (Seeley & Burnside,) contain views superior to those of most modern preachers; but still have some of the defects of our popular theology.
Mr. Kilvert’s Sermons (Taylor and Walton,) are written in a pleasing easy style, which strikingly contrasts with that which preachers commonly think they must adopt, in order to prove themselves what preachers should be.
Mr. Bramston’s excellent Sermon on “the Church and Ministry” (Hatchards,) is calculated to instruct and raise the views of persons who are in doubt or ignorance about the subject. We wish he was somewhat more definite in his language about the Sacraments: but it is evident that his meaning is right, even when his words are not well chosen.