something offering to be definite and consistent with which to supply its place. And here we cannot follow Mr. Irons: we are at one with him in what he objects to; but we think that he falls into the very same fault, if fault it be, which he criticises. He seems to add quite as much to the letter of Scripture, as those from whom he differs; hence our conclusion is, that rather than object to the principle of supplement to the written Word, we must be content to take the question of details, and see whether this or that realising and picturing of details is in subordination to the analogy of faith. Thus Mr. Irons objects to "our theologians" (p. 31)-of course he is aware that the theories against which he contends are not the invention of "our," if by "our" he means English divines-for saying that the Agony in Gethsemane was either the concentration of human sin, or the heavier wrath of the Father: he says, that "Scripture does not define this;" he calls these views, "a taxing of ingenuity rather than of reverence;" he adds, that "they are to be feared and shrunk from, so far as they are human attempts to draw aside the veil from a Divine Mystery." And then Mr. Irons goes on to say, or rather to suggest, that the Agony consisted in the final separation of our Lord from His merely human relationships; in the putting off of "the accidents acquired in its passage through time." Whether this view be true or not, and Mr. Irons endeavours to fortify it by a reference to St. Chrysostom which does not seem quite to come up to the point,—we cannot but think this interpretation quite as extra-scriptural as any of S. Bonaventure's. We are not saying that Mr. Irons has not much, and what is very good, to say in support of his theory; and we are quite sure that he says it very well and impressively, we are not prepared to controvert his theory,-but surely it is a theory, quite as much as the statements to which he objects. We are glad to find Mr. Irons very properly criticising certain doctrinal statements of Mr. Henry Melvill, which seem to show that it is all but impossible to avoid incorrect statements upon the higher Catholic dogmas. The four sermons are a valuable step towards the right understanding of a subject unequalled in importance; and we recommend them with this view. Mr. Harington, of Exeter, has published a very learned and able work "On the Consecration of Churches," (Rivingtons,) which, like a previous work on the Scotch Church, from the same writer, consists, for the most part, of History's bones and frame-work: we mean, documents, facts and patristic citations. The Appendix contains the valuable form used by Bishop Andrewes at the consecration of the chapel near Southampton; every member of the Church of England should know what high doctrine was once practically taught in his communion. "Five Club Sermons," by Mr. Gibson, Vicar of Chedworth, (Hamilton, Adams, and Co.) are a sort of abbreviated Malthus and the new poor law, in the novel shape of pulpit addresses. Certainly, the benefits of Savings' Banks, (Sermon ii.) and the improvidence of what are called early marriages, (Sermons iv. v.) are unpromising subjects in the teeth of " Lay not up for yourselves," &c.—-and "This is a great mystery," &c.—which sayings we observe are not the respective texts: and "the transformation of the acrid and disagreeable apium graveolens into the delicious celery," (p. 40,) we cannot recal, in any sermon with which we happen to be acquainted. Whether the theology of Chedworth is as sound as its vegetable physiology, and domestic and practical economy, the present volume affords no indication. "Sermons by William Jay." (Bartlett). These are the sermons of a dissenting minister, and are based upon the ordinary doctrines of dissent. They are decidedly, however, above the tone of their class, and exhibit simplicity of style, good sense, and quiet religious feeling. An interesting and valuable visitation sermon has been preached at Amersham, by Mr. Shaw of Stoke Poges-"The Identity of the Jewish with the Christian Church," (Williams, Eton); not the less interesting because the same subject has been most beautifully treated by Mr. Newman. We do not quite agree with Mr. Shaw on the synagogue service, i. e. its liturgical character, which, in the proper sense of the word, the synagogue worship was not. There is a verbal inaccuracy at p. 11, where the Christian Church is said "to supplant the Jewish :" Mr. Shaw's whole argument being, that the Gospel is the expansion of the law,-his title being, “the identity" of the two,-it is obvious that there is no "supplanting" in the matter. But we are constrained to say, that the ordinary selon les regles phrase of "debased Christianity of Rome," &c., seems here quite uncalled for. We cannot feel, while we are writing in a true Catholic spirit, that we are always called upon to say, as many respected writers do, "Mind! though I am a Catholic, I am not a Roman Catholic." Why, of course not; the very fact that you are preaching in an English church is enough for this. Besides, Mr. Shaw is much too learned and able to encourage this sort of compounding with ignorant prejudices; he, and such as he, can afford to take a good consistent line, careless alike of what stands to the right or to the left. These little phrases always look to us like afterthoughts, foisted in for fear of the "Record," or the Radical county paper. Is Mr. Shaw quite accurate in speaking of "the detestation of the Jewish church of every description of image?" (p. 13.) What were the cherubic creatures? and the oxen in the temple? Apart from these minute blemishes we are much pleased with Mr. Shaw, and we trust to meet him again in a larger work. "Songs and Hymns for the Nursery, adapted to Original Music." Parts I. and II., (Burns.) A good idea, and very neatly and prettily executed. We recommend this nice companion and assistant to the nursery. INDEX TO VOL. VIII. (NEW SERIES.) 237. A. ARTICLES AND SUBJECTS. African Travellers. [Hay's Western Barbary. B. His Bremer's, Miss, Novels. [The Neighbours, &c.] and peace," 17. Miss B.'s false philosophy, C. Campbell, the Genius of. [Campbell's Poetical E. Eldon, Life of Lord. [Twiss's Life, &c.] 274. tique, 137. -- SHORTER NOTICES OF BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS. -- JULY. Fosberry's Hymns for the Sick AUGUST.-Mr. Maskell's Ancient Liturgy, ac- Thoughts on the Irish Board of Education- -- OCT. TO DEC.-Lachrymæ Ecclesia-Thorn- |