An Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain, chiefly of England, from the first planting of Christianity to the end of the Reign of King Charles the Second; with a Brief Account of the Affairs of Religion in Ireland; Collected from the best Ancient Historians, Councils, and Records. By JEREMY COLLIER, M.A. New Edition; with a Life of the Author, the Controversial Tracts connected with the History, Notes, and an Enlarged Index. By FRANCIS BARHAM, Esq. Vols. I. II. III. IV. London: Straker. 1840.

THIS important work is now reprinted, with the additions above stated; and we are hardly aware of a greater service that can be done to the community than that which Mr. Barham has performed. The facility of publication, which so deluges us with trash, does also furnish us with the sterling productions of other ages: productions which have stood the test of criticism and of time. We do not intend to say more at present on Mr. Straker's welcome publication, as we purpose before long to recur to it at considerable length. We now give, as a specimen of the notes, a passage which will set in a clear light Mr. Barham's high qualifications as an editor:

"By degrees the syncretic doctrine of kingship prevailed, and was fully established in the reign of Henry VIII. After that period the true dignity and supremacy of the crown were secured. Some writers were indeed still found absurd enough to represent the king as so ecclesiastical a person, that he had no business to interfere in secular matters, as if, like another Edward the Confessor, he had become "civiliter mortuus;" and some others, going to the opposite extreme, represented him as so civil and secular, that he had no authority to sway ecclesiastical affairs. But the opinions of these writers, though they made some stir, and exhibited very violent oscillations, never again regained the ascendancy. I am obliged thus early to be very explicit on this particular question, which is so vehemently and elaborately discussed by Collier. The more the parental character of the British crown is understood, the more certainly will our national monarch become a centre and bond of union to all ecclesiastical and political denominations within this empire. Beneath a sovereignty thus emulative of the God from whom it sprung, and whose government it exemplifies to men, will Jews, Papalists and Protestants maintain their several spheres of action in harmony and prosperity. If our national monarchy is to be held any thing short of this, our sects and parties become as children without a parent, each running riot in a vain assumption of superiority, an anarchy of spirits toy-bewitch'd.'"-Vol. ii. p. 179.

While however Mr. Barham thus upholds the rights of monarchy over all parties, and supports civil and religious liberty, he not the less strongly upholds the rights-the indefeasible rights of the Catholic Church.

A Treatise on Justification. By the Rev. GEORGE HOLDEN, M.A. 12mo. London: Rivingtons. 1840.

In our exposure of the papistical tendency of the so-called "Tracts for the Times," we introduced the name of Mr. Holden to our readers as the author of a perspicuous and valuable "Treatise on Tradition," of whose reasonings we gave an abstract. (See vol v. of our Journal, pp. 209, &c., &c.) The same calmness of mind, sobriety of thought, and close argumentation, which characterized that work, will be found to pervade his "Treatise on Justification." As the primitive Church taught the doctrine of justification by faith generally, without attempting any particular delineation of it, Mr. H. considers it as being quite in vain to have recourse to its authority for deciding the many questions to which it has given rise in modern times. His discussion, therefore, is drawn exclusively from the divinely inspired Scriptures. The following is the order which he has adopted in prosecuting his inquiry. After some preliminary remarks, in chapter ii. he treats on the nature of justification. This, he proves, is an act of God, which includes an acquittal from the guilt of sin, a reception into the divine favour, a communication of the Holy Spirit, a grant of righteousness, and a right and title to eternal life. He then considers the objection that this view confounds justification with sanctification; and in chapter iii. he exhibits the means, or instrument, or condition of justification, viz., faith; the nature, distinctive character, object, cause and effects of which are investigated. The connexion of works with justification, and the doctrine of merit are next examined; and the supposed discrepancy between the apostles Paul and James is reconciled. Chapter iv. treats on the time of justification; and the necessity of the Holy Spirit's influence throughout is strongly urged. In conclusion, the doctrine of the Romish Church concerning justification is developed and exposed. As Mr. Holden has himself briefly but accurately summed up his discussion, we think we cannot do better than present his own abstract of it to our readers:

"Justification, then, 'is an act of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,' by which, from mere grace and mercy, through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, he acquits men from the guilt of sin, receives them into favour, communicates to them the Holy Spirit, regards them as righteous, and bestows a right and title to eternal life. The required condition, on the part of men, is a fruitful faith; and by this faith justification, through divine grace, commences at baptism, is preserved during life, and receives its consummation in future glory."-p. 116.

In an appendix Mr. Holden has given a bibliographical list of the principal Treatises on Justification. No reader who sits

down to the candid perusal of this volume can lay it aside without feeling sentiments of great respect for the devout, temperate, and lucid manner in which he has conducted this very important discussion.

1. Guy Fawkes; or, the Gunpowder Treason, A.D. 1605; with a Developement of the Principles of the Conspirators, and an Appendix on the Authorship of the Anonymous Letter. By the Rev. THOMAS LATHBURY, M.A. Second edition, corrected and enlarged. 12mo. London: J. W. Parker. 1840.

2. The Spanish Armada, A.D. 1588; or, the Attempt of Philip II. and Pope Pius VI. to re-establish Popery in England. By the Rev. THOMAS LATHBURY, M.A. 12mo. London: J. W. Parker. THE first edition of Mr. Lathbury's "Guy Fawkes" was published in 1839, and was reviewed at considerable length in our number for January, 1840; in which we instituted a judicial examination of the evidence demonstrating the guilt of the Papists convicted of, or implicated in, the atrocious Gunpowder Treason, and we directed Mr. L.'s attention to some additional sources of information, of which we rejoice to see that he has diligently availed himself. The proceedings of the conspirators are now traced with chronological minuteness; so as to enable the reader to perceive how they advanced month by month. There is also a curious account of the concealment and discovery of the traitors, Robert Winter and Stephen Lyttleton. Much new and interesting matter is added respecting the guilty Jesuit, Garnet. In an appendix Mr. L. has gone fully into an examination of the authorship of the celebrated letter addressed to Lord Monteagle, of which he has given a lithographed facsimile, and also of the pretended miraculous straw representing the features of Garnet, and of the signature of Guy Fawkes These additions impart much interest as well as a permanent value to Mr. Lathbury's History of the Gunpowder Treason; which, in its present greatly improved state, is not only a valuable present for the young, but is deserving of a place in every well-chosen library.

The same character is applicable to his History of " the Spanish Armada;" all the circumstances of which and the machinations of the Papists are fully developed. References to authentic sources of information are given throughout; and the erroneous statements and misrepresentations of the popish historian, Dr. Lingard, are detected and censured in terms of severity, which however are not more strong than they are richly deserved.

Oriental Musings; and other Poems. By P. SCOTT, Esq. London: Fraser. 1840.

WHEN a few months back we spoke, with great pleasure, of the "Hope of the World," by Mr. Mackay, as a poem full of bright promise, and no mean performance, we said somewhat of the paucity of poets. The volume now before us is one of a rather anomalous character. There are parts, especially the translations from the Persian, so good as to give us a very high opinion of the writer; and other parts so poor as to appear by an ill educated school-boy. Mr. Scott is evidently capable of good things; none but a poet could have written what follows:"Alas, how dark and silent now

Is what was once so brightly fair!
Over the cold and marble brow,

The tangles of her raven hair,

Wet with the dews of death, are straying;
While, like unto a stringless lute,

That hath forgot its former playing,

The music of her lips is mute!"

:-

Many such exquisite passages are to be found; and we will not spoil the effect of what we have quoted, by bringing forward any of the poor frigid conceits that may be seen in other parts of the volume.

Proper Lessons to be read at Morning and Evening Prayer on the Sundays and other Holidays throughout the Year; with a short Practical Commentary and Explanatory Notes. By JOHN JAMES, D.D., Prebendary of Peterborough. London: Rivingtons. 1840. Of this book we must speak very neutrally. It is neatly printed; but why it was printed at all we cannot very easily comprehend. The Notes are free from objectionable matter, but they are extremely slight. The New Testament, which is added to the Morning Lessons, has scarcely any elucidations; and while we entertain no doubt that Dr. James had some good reason for preparing the book and dedicating it to is Royal Highness Prince Albert, we confess that we can see no reason either for one or the other.

Letters from Italy, to a Younger Sister. By CATHERINE TAYLOR. London: Murray. 1840.

A DELIGHTFUL work, from which, did our limits permit, we would willingly make long extracts; and we hope to return to it on another opportunity. Miss Taylor promises a second volume. We trust that she will perform this promise; and if the book be as interesting, as eloquent, and as instructive as the present, all younger sisters will have cause to thank her.

Heber; Records of the Poor; Lays from the Prophets; and other Poems. By THOMAS RAGG, Author of "The Incarnation," "The Deity," &c., &c. London: Longmans. 1840.

MR. Ragg has raised himself from the situation of a labourer to that of Editor of a Conservative newspaper: this he has done simply by the energy of his mental character, while among the poets of our day he holds already a distinguished place. The present volume is well calculated to add to his reputation. Always religious, and often sublime, his works are fit for the young as well as the old, and calculated to foster a spirit of true piety, and a love of order and subordination.

An Outline of the History of the British Church. By PHILECCLESIA. London: Burns. 1840.

IN ninety-four pages we have here an abridgment of Mr. Churton's "Early English Church," and a notice of her history to the time of the Reformation. So short, yet so judicious a manual, should be learned by heart; this is its true use. Churton is the book to read; Collier to consult. This little book should be in all Sunday Schools, and lending libraries; it is well adapted as a present to children of from twelve to fifteen years of age, and forms a very good introduction to the reading of Churton.

1840.

The History of England in Amusing Conversations between a Mother and her Children, during their residence at Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight. By ANNE WOOLTON. London: Painter. THOSE who are doubtful as to the tendency of a History, need have no fear in putting this into the hands of their children: it is both sound and "amusing," gives a just account of events, and takes a correct view of political questions, without however being what is called a political book.

SERMONS.

1. Six Sermons on the Church and her Ministry. By the Rev. JOHN STONARD, D.D., Rector of Aldingham. London: Rivingtons. 1840. 2. God's History of Man: Sermons preached in Eaton Chapel. By the Rev. JOHN EDWARD SABIN, B.A., Minister of the Chapel, and Rector of Preston Bissett, Bucks. London: Hatchards. 1840. 3. Olney Lectures. By the Rev. D. B. LANGLEY, D. C. L., late of St. John's College, Cambridge, Vicar of Olney. London: Hamilton and Adams. 1840.

4. Ministerial First Fruits; or, Twenty Practical Sermons, both on General and Particular Subjects. By the Rev. J. W. WATSON, B.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Vicar of Ellerburne. London: Hatchards. 1840.