[British Critic, April 1840.]
Bishop Mant has added to his unwearied services in behalf of the Established Church of the sister country, by publishing an elaborate “History of the Church of Ireland, from the Reformation to the Revolution” (Parker). It is a work of much research, and its venerable author’s principles are too well known to need any account here of the ecclesiastical views upon which its materials are disposed.
A third edition of Dr. Wordsworth’s “Ecclesiastical Biography” (Rivingtons), has appeared with important alterations. The life of Philip Henry has been omitted, partly in deference to the feeling that its value does not compensate for its length, and that its character and subject are unsuitable to the leading design of the work. “The new lives adopted are only two. The first a short account of Dean Colet, founder of St. Paul’s School, consisting of extracts, brought together from sundry letters of Colet’s friend, Erasmus: and the other is an interesting narrative by himself, of the troubles of Thomas Mountain, a London clergyman, published by Strype, from Fox’s papers.” A two-fold introduction has been added, containing a history of the corruptions of popery, derived from Dr. Job Inett’s Church History, and from Dr. Richard Bentley’s Fifth of November Sermon. This new appendage is designed to show, that while we are theoretically bound to admire, we are in a practical point of view equally bound not to imitate “the early champions of respiring freedom and truth.” This important collection is undoubtedly more consistent in its new shape; and the great number of notes added will proportionably increase its value as a book of reference. We are not sure, however, but that the venerated author has somewhat narrowed his ground, at least in appearance, for in reality the alteration is not so considerable. He has excluded a good many pages of Non-conformity, and supplied their places with æquuntum sufficit of the more sober, more discreet, and better favored, but perhaps, on the whole, less interesting material of Protestantism.
Archdeacon Hale has selected and edited some of Bishop Hall’s Epistles (Rivingtons) on subjects especially adapted for seasons of affliction. He has printed them in a large type, for the use of the aged and the sick.
Mr. Todd’s “Lectures on the Prophecies relating to Antichrist” (Dublin, University Press), are too valuable and important to admit of any notice here, except that of their publication, which has been anxiously expected for some months.
We are glad to announce the publication of several of the series called “The Englishman’s Library” (Burns), edited by Mr. Churton and Mr. Gresley, viz. Dean Howard’s Scripture History; Bishop Patrick’s Parable of the Pilgrim, edited by Mr. Chamberlain; Mr. Gresley’s Clement Walton; Mr. Chamberlain’s Help to Knowledge; and Mr. Palmer’s history of the Church. The last of these is an especial boon to Churchmen at this time. It consists of a series of beautiful sketches of holy men in every age of Christianity; and thus it supplies a desideratum which has long been felt in our religious literature, of a history of the Church, pious and interesting like Milner’s, yet on deeper and truer theological views. Like Milner, the author holds himself at liberty to drop such parts of characters or facts as he considers not to conduce to edification.
We rejoice to see a reprint of “Bishop Ken’s Practice of Divine Love, or Exposition of the Church Catechism” (Burns). Such a book requires no recommendation from us.
Also a new edition has appeared (Parker, Oxford) of “Bishop Ken’s Prayers for Winchester Scholars,” signed and dated “G. M. Winchester.”
A new number of the “Tracts for the Times,” No. 87, is on the point of making its appearance, being a second Tract upon Reserve. This will be an advance towards completing the fifth volume, and from its subject cannot fail to attract attention.
The papers which appeared in the British Magazine, under the title of “The Church of the Fathers,” have been published in a duodecimo volume (Rivingtons), with some additions. The writer almost confines his sketches to the fourth century.
Mr. Merewether, of Cole Orton, has published “Strictures on Mr. Benson’s Sermons on Tradition and Episcopacy” (Rivingtons). They are learned, courteous, and convincing.
The celebrity of the Reverend R. I. Wilberforce’s “Second Letter to Lord Lansdowne” (Hatchards) has outstripped a quarterly publication like this. It is already well known, from the large extracts which have been made from it in newspapers. It is written with great spirit and effectiveness. We wish he had not called the Roman system “the great imposture;” though of course those who accuse others of excessive language respecting Rome, should be sure they have never at any time used it themselves, which few indeed can boast at this day.
An admirable letter in the best tone has been addressed to the Bishops of Exeter and Salisbury, by Mr. A. Acland, on the present state of religious societies, and the mode of obtaining contributions in aid of Christian objects. Mr. Acland suggests the revival of the practice of inviting the alms of the congregation, whether at the offertory, or by collections at the church-door, on every Sunday. And he lays down the principle that “the Church is the appointed channel of public Christian charity. Our alms and oblations belong to the Church, and are through the Church to be offered to God.” The pamphlet has come to a second edition; other writers, some of name, have lately been advocating the same views; and the American Church is setting us the example. There is promise in all this.