Treatises, Devotional and Practical: selected from the Works of JOSEPH HALL, D. D. Chaplain to King James I., Bishop of Norwich, &c. With an Introductory Essay and Notes, by the Rev. R. CATTERMOLE, B. D. London: Hatchard. 1834. 12mo. Pp. xliv. 345. [Sacred Classics, Vol. V.] By the methodical arrangement of the treatises in this volume of the Sacred Classics, their intrinsic value, in itself great, is very considerably enlarged. They are not thrown together at random, or printed in the order of their dates; but so as "to accord with the natural succession of the sentiments and needs of the Christian" in his onward progress towards that "spiritual perfection," which was the subject of the preceding work in the series. The introductory essay is chiefly confined to an interesting epitome of the life of Bishop Hall, whose merits are thus admirably described by his contemporary, Fuller:-He was our English Seneca, dexterous at controversy, not unhappy at comments, very good at character, better in sermons, best of all in meditations and contemplations." In this last and best character he now appears again before the public; and a more acceptable service could scarcely have been performed, than the republication of these treatises, which are only to be met with in scarce and expensive editions of the Bishop's entire works, in a form so tangible, and a manner so well adapted to religious edification. Twelve plain Sermons, preached in a Village Church. London: Rivingtons. 1833. 12mo. Pp. iv. 236. PLAIN indeed! almost to a fault. In reading the first of these Sermons to a family, their quaint simplicity nearly provoked a smile, at the same time that we were not a little pleased with the clear development of the argument, and the impossibility of its not being clearly understood, even by the meanest capacity. We are free to confess, however, that we consider language somewhat more elevated essential to the dignity of a pulpit discourse; and that the endless repe tition of the same sentiment in different words,-nay, almost in the same words, must savour of tediousness even to a village congregation. 1. The Use of the Holy Garments, especially of the Surplice, in the performance of Divine Worship; a Sermon preached in St. Mark's Church, Le Roy, New York. By the Rector, F. H. CUMING, A.M. Le Roy. Genesee County. P. 16. 2. The Spiritual Character of the Liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church. By the Rev. F. H. CUMING, A.M. Second Edition. New York. P. 24. 3. The Plan of Salvation, made fumiliar to Children; a Sermon preached to the Scholars of Christ Church Sunday School, Reading, Pennsylvania. By the same Author. New York. P. 18. 4. A Catechism of the History of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, &c. By the same Author. New York. P. 51. THE author of the above four works has rendered a valuable service to the Church, of which he is a distinguished ornament, and to the christian community at large, by their publication. Although their style is plain, they contain matter of deep moment, impressively stated; and, with a slight pruning, the Catechism might be advantageously transplanted to this side of the Atlantic. A Practical View of the prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country, contrasted with Real Christianity. By WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ.; with a Memoir, by the Rev. THOMAS PRICE. London: H. Fisher and Co. 1834. A NEW edition of a well-known work. The Life is the only novelty. The type is clear, and the volume compact. A Concise History and Analysis of the Athanasian Creed, with Select Scripture Proofs, and Answers to some Common Objections. By the Rev. T. H. HORNE, B.D. London: Cadell. 1834. Pp. 36. IN this little tract is contained much useful information, which faithfully fulfils the description given in the title-page. The Work of an Evangelist; a Sermon, preached at the Visitation of the Lord Bishop of Winchester, at Kingston, October 31, 1833, by the Rev. CHARLES CATOR, A.M. of Brazennose College, Oxford; and Rector of Carshalton, Surrey; and London: of Beckenham, Kent. Baldwin and Cradock. P. 44. IN these times of "blind error, pestilent superstition, perilous hypocrisy, and infidelity," it is quite refreshing to observe the diligent and pious labours of our Clergy. While some are stemming the tide of popular tumult, by a steady and conscientious discharge of their pastoral duties, and by "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," which is of so much price before God, others are standing forward boldly in the face of the Philistines, and setting the battle in array in defence of their Carmel, wielding the sword of the Spirit against the sons of Belial, and vindicating thetruth as it is in Jesus" against our Binneys, who love that " unclean thing," schism. Mr. Cator ranks high among these honourable champions; for this is by no means his first, though, in some respects, the ablest of his works; and we fully agree with him, "that, if the Church of England be true and faithful to the trust reposed in her of God, in the strength and power of the Son of God, Christ Jesus, she will endure the trial by which she is now assailed, and overcome the powers of the world arrayed against her." A Letter to Sir R. Inglis, on the relative Numbers, Influence and Benevolence of Churchmen and Dissenters. London: Seeleys. Pp. 12. A JUST, concise, and useful comparison; shewing at one view the inferiority of the Dissenters on the three points above stated. A Short Course of Reading from the Old Testament. By the Rev. H. N. BEAVER, M.A. London: Hatchard. 12mo. Pp. 581. THE object of this work cannot be better explained than in the author's own words. He aims "to assist those who have little time for reading, in the attainment of that general knowledge of the principal matter of the Old Testament which is so necessary both for understanding the writings of the New, and for obtaining any tolerably just idea of that plain evidence of the truth of Christianity, which is afforded to us in the present visible fulfilment of ancient prophecy." Numerous observations are dispersed throughout the work," to point out the relation between the Old Testa ment and the Gospel, the light they throw upon each other, and the evidence which they mutually afford to the divine origin of both." IN A FEW DAYS WILL BE PUBLISHED, THE Duty of a Christian State to support a National Church Establishment. The Scriptural Character, and Peculiar Claims of the Church of England. Five Sermons preached in the Church of the Holy Trinity, at Leeds, in April, 1834. By the Rev. JOSEPH HOLMES, M.A., Curate of Trinity Church, and Head Master of the Free Grammar School, Leeds; late Fellow and Tutor of Queen's College, Cambridge. A SERMON FOR A FRIENDLY SOCIETY. PROVERBS VI. 6-8. Go to the ant, thou sluggard! consider her ways, and be wise; which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How differently does God judge from man! We say, in the pride of our hearts," By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent;" but God says, "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." Let him put aside all reliance on his own wisdom, and then God will vouchsafe to teach him true knowledge and understanding. And when God does teach us, the first thing he does is to humble us. It would be no abasement of our pride to be taught by God immediately and directly from himself; so he teaches us by those creatures of his hand which we would most despise. He says, “Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee." What can seem more contemptible, more unworthy a look or a thought from man, than a mean insect like the ant, thousands of which we trample to death at a step, without being perhaps aware of the existence of one of them? Yet it is to this little despicable creature that the Spirit of God sends us for instruction; and it is disregard of that instruction which is daily sending millions to ruin, and daily setting before our eyes the most pitiable spectacles of want, disease and sin. There are many who are too proud to heed the best advice of their friends and of the ministers of Christ's gospel, who yet might have received instruction from the ant, which would have saved them in body and in soul; from distress, from an unpacified conscience, and from an unreconciled God. The wisdom of the ant is, that "she provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." She does not put off her maintenance to the winter, when there is little food to be had, and when the frosts would close the ground against her, and the rains hinder her progress, and chill her, and when she must live in distress and scantiness, and perhaps die at last for want of nourishment: but she works while she is healthy and able, while the sun gives her warmth and strength, when food is abundant, and easily procurable. And thus, when the winter comes, she is in plenty and ease. Her labours have provided for all her wants, and she is in no need of encountering the pinching air, and the chilling rain; and the season which by nature is most grievous to her, becomes by her wisdom the time of quiet and enjoyment. This is plain, practical wisdom; it is the highest wisdom, for God gave it, and God recommends it; and yet it is so low that the meanest insect can practise it, and the commonest understanding can comprehend it and follow it. There is a winter to us as well as to the ant; there is old age, or there is sickness, there is a time when we shall be unable to lay up or even to gain provision, and yet when we shall be in the greatest need of it. There are a summer and a harvest to us as well as to the ant, when we may provide our meat and gather in our food for that winter. Youth and health are that summer and that harvest. Then is the time to work, then is the time to lay by, and thus, when sickness comes on, or accident or age, and the claims of a family press upon us, we are provided for all these things, and able to weather the inclement season. And now, my brethren, let us look at those sluggards and spendthrifts whom the Spirit of God has sent in vain to learn from the ant. I say, spendthrifts, as well as sluggards; for it clearly makes no difference in the end, whether a man will not labour, or whether he throws away what he earns. The wisdom of the ant is not only to gain, but also to put by. It would be to little purpose to work so hard and gain so much, if she were not to save what she gained. And so it is to little purpose to have good wages, if they are all to be spent in intemperance and folly. These are as destructive as idleness, and so the wise man speaks of them. "The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." O wretched misery of him who has not put by against the evil day! See him on his sick bed, with a constitution worn out by evil habits ;-no means of obtaining medical relief;-scarcely the means of keeping life itself; with none to pity, and with a starving family around crying for bread, and perhaps cursing him for having drunk or squandered their subsistence away;—for the sluggard and the drunkard must not expect to have dutiful children, and the tree will bear its own fruit. Is this saying too much, my brethren, or rather is it saying more than what many of us have seen, and what it is to be feared none of us ever need go very far to see? I know that the dissolute and intemperate will sometimes say, "I will spend my money as I please now, for the parish must maintain me at last." But this is very foolish, and exceedingly wicked. It is very foolish; as any one may judge, by going when he will to the sick bed of a labourer who has depended on God's blessing on industry, and then going to that of another whose relief comes from the parish. There is every difference. One has cleanliness, comfort, sufficiency, peace; the other has dirt, wretchedness, distress, restlessness. No parish can possibly do that for its sick, which an honest, hearty, industrious labourer can do for himself by the honourable work of his own hands. Beside this, the laws of the land require parishes to take morals into consideration whenever they relieve; and thus the idle and the profligate, if they trust to the parish, trust to what will only save them from starvation; for no parish would give them more, and no parish could be required to do it. But it is really exceedingly wicked as well as foolish to squander money in youth and health, and then trust to the parish in age and sickness. The merciful laws of this country, my brethren, were made to comfort and relieve those who might be suffering under the dispensations of Almighty God;-but surely not as a premium for 66 idleness, as an encouragement for intemperance. This is altogether to pervert their whole intention. When a man squanders the fruits of his labours, and says, "I will trust to the parish," this is in effect saying, "I will live upon my neighbours." It is in effect his neighbour's property that he drinks and throws away, and not his own. It is breaking God's own awful command, "Thou shalt not steal." Let none suppose it is not a theft, because the law cannot touch it. He may escape by the laws of man; he cannot by the law of God. In that all-seeing eye he is as much judged as if he had broken into his neighbour's house, and openly rifled his goods. The Apostle warns us that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter; because,' says he, "that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified." In the ancient church there were funds for relieving the poor, as there are with us. And men that called themselves Christians used to spend their money as they pleased, and come upon those funds, as they do with us. And what says the Holy Spirit by St. Paul of such?" If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Such men, though they have not much sense of religion, have at least thus much, that if they were called upon to deny their baptism, to say that they would put off Christ for ever, to say that they would never hope or pray for mercy, but give themselves body and soul to Satan,-if they were asked to do all these things, they would be struck with horror, and refuse with indignation; and yet in reality those who squander their own substance in reliance on the poor laws, have done all this already, in the unerring judgment of the Spirit of God, who says they have "denied the faith;" and they are worse than infidels, because they pretend to be Christians, which infidels do not, and would pass for the servants of Christ, whose faith they have denied, and whose name they have dishonoured. Your Society, my brethren, professes to abhor and abominate these things. You profess to take a very different course. You profess to be led by the holy and humble wisdom of the text. You would be teachable disciples of the meanest insect in creation, if God commanded you to heed her teaching. You would, in the summer of strength, and in the harvest of abundance, lay up for yourselves and your brethren for the winter of sickness and age. See that you act up faithfully to this design. And remember that neither this nor any other institution, purpose, resolution or plan can come to any thing unless his blessing go along with it, who sends us for instruction to the ant; and that blessing will never go with you either as a society or individuals, unless you ardently desire it, and earnestly seek it, and be ready to give up every thing for it. If you like your sins or your pleasures better than God's blessing, you will have your own portion, as you have desired; like the prophet's book of woe, it may be sweet for a moment to the taste; but it will carry with it an abiding bitterness, the curse of the wrath of God. For, my brethren, the ant is our example, not for this world only. There are sluggards in grace as well as sluggards in work. There are those who are not slothful in business;" but they are sluggards in the great work, for they are not "fervent in spirit serving the Lord." 66 |