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range themselves on the side of her adversaries, and to co-operate with them in their plans of injury and spoliation. Now we do not wish to use hard names; but we confess we can find no other epithets by which to denominate such conduct as this, than those of insincere, treacherous, and dishonest. We tell such

persons openly and boldly, that we do not wish for their pretended friendship, and covet not their hollow alliance. We regard with merited contempt the companionship which, although assuming the guise of protection and favour, in order to secure its own interested purposes, yet, under this well-contrived mask, aims the most insidious blows at the safety and existence of our most sacred and venerable edifice of christian truth.

But such individuals as those we have adverted to, are few in number compared with the countless host of those members of the Church, who, in sincerity and truth, act up to their profession of belief. New champions are continually rising up on all sides, who will consider it a part of the sacred warfare in which they are engaged, to detect the insidious artifices, to reveal in its true and proper character the pretended alliance, of these selfstyled friends of the Church. A new and unexpected spirit has sprung up throughout the land, ready to display itself in defence of the Church, that, through the gracious help of the Most High blessing its endeavours, shall confound the schemes of the unbeliever, the Unitarian, the Dissenter, and the Romanist; and shall utterly overthrow those projects of spoliation and destruction, which in the pride and vanity of their hearts they have presumed to meditate against that true Church erected in this nation, which, having the Lord Jesus as its chief corner-stone, hath received the witness of the Spirit of God, and hath been adorned and strengthened, in each successive age, by the testimony of the best, the wisest, and the most learned of the land.

Mr. Benson concludes his admirable discourse, by making an application of his previous observations to the present circumstances of our nation and Church: and this portion of his sermon we cordially recommend to the serious attention of our readers, as abounding in most important matter. Among other topics on which he insists, he points out the lamentable consequences that have resulted to the Church, at different periods, from lukewarmness on doctrinal subjects on the part of her followers, and an indifference to the marks of distinction existing between their own creed and the opinions of surrounding sects; and draws from thence an awful warning to the cold and faithless disciple, and an instructive lesson for his future guidance to the sincere and genuine churchman.

Popish Sham-Bishops. What be they? By FREDERICK A. GLOVER, M.A., St. Peter's College, Cambridge. 12mo. Roake and Varty. Third Edition. 1836.

THIS is an excellent little tract; it displays considerable research and erudition. The author, not contented with merely advancing statements, uniformly proves them, by appeals to unquestionable authorities. Indeed, we scarcely know a pamphlet, which, within so small a compass, shows such thorough acquaintance with its subject. The chief position which the author endeavours to prove is the following:-that those persons, who in this country style themselves bishops of the Romish church, and assume the powers belonging to such an office, are in reality only pretenders, and are not entitled to exercise the privileges which they claim; and, as a necessary consequence from this position, that those persons who receive orders from them as Romish priests, have no valid right to those orders. Now, these positions may perhaps appear singular at first sight, but notwithstanding, the author demonstrates their truth in the most incontestable manner.

These persons in question, it is well known, do not style themselves by the name of any episcopal see in England, but generally assume as their title the name of some place situate in the East, in which they do not pretend to have any authority or interest whatever; which they have never seen, and are never likely to see; but which they make use of as a paltry evasion, a miserable subterfuge, under which to evade the penalties attached to an assumption of the style and title of any episcopal see in this country by persons of the Romish faith. This practice Mr. Glover proves to be directly at variance with the canons of those general councils, the authority of which has never been questioned by Romanists. These canons expressly forbid it, and declare such consecrations to be invalid. Amongst other proofs, he cites a passage from Dean Prideaux, which places the case in the clearest point of view, and sets the question completely at rest. We shall therefore extract it for the

benefit of our readers.

"I desire it may be also asked them (the Romanists), that, since the 6th canon of the Council of Chalcedon so severely prohibits all absolute ordinations (i. e. such as are made without a title), as utterly to exclude all from the office to which they are so ordained; how comes it to pass that it is so common a practice of the church of Rome to ordain bishops without bishoprics; such as the bishop of Chalcedon, the bishop of Adramyttium, and the bishop of Amassia, and abundance of these nullatenses men? And if the titles they bear be urged to excuse them from the breach of this canon, it is a mockage which will not serve their turn; for the title is only an empty name which they assume, without any intent of ever being in reality bishops of those places from whence

they take them, or of at all executing any pastoral charge in them. And, if it were otherwise, without this mockage in the thing, yet since this very 6th canon of the Council of Nice, which you insist on, saith, that all bishops are to be ordained by their own metropolitan; what hath the Pope to do to ordain bishops for those places where he hath no jurisdiction at all, either as metropolitan or patriarch,-as it is certain he hath not in any of those bishoprics from whence those titles are usually assumed? For they take them almost always from the bishoprics of the Eastern empire, which never acknowledged (save but by a ten years' trial) the jurisdiction of the bishop of Rome, but had always patrarchs of their own at Constantinople, Antioch, and Alexandria, whose jurisdiction continues even to this day. And under them, those very bishoprics being always provided of bishops of their own, legally ordained and legally invested with them, I ask further, how comes it to pass, that, contrary to the 8th canon of the Council of Nice, the Pope makes bishops of those places where there are bishops already? And, therefore, if the breach of ancient canons must void ordinations, certainly these can be no bishops."-Prideaux on the Validity of Orders of the Church of England, pp. 139, 140.

"These men, then," to use Mr. Glover's words, "who say they are bishops,-but, by the operation of canons to which they profess rigidly to adhere, are not,-can consequently confer no orders; and therefore, those ordained by them are not priests, in any sense in which they admit the use of the word priest.'

There are many other important positions and arguments brought forward in this pamphlet, which we have not space to notice as they deserve, but which we strongly recommend to our readers.

Thoughts on the State and Prospects of Conservatism, with especial reference to the Associations of the Gentry, Tradesmen, and Operatives. By R. S. S. 8vo. London: J. Fraser. 1837.

THIS little pamphlet merits a most extensive circulation. The author, after considering the momentous aspect of the present times, and the state of parties, goes back to that period during the height of the Reform mania, when the Conservative cause was at its lowest point; and traces its progress from that time until now, when it has become the greatest party in the State. He refers the ascending stimulus given to Conservatism to the origination of Conservative associations, and to the influence exercised by them over the good sense of the country at large. "The formation of Conservative associations," he observes," amongst the gentry, quickly gave birth to the idea of extending its principle to the other classes of society; and accordingly, in process of time, the labouring classes and the tradesmen followed the example. Thus was the system of organization rendered complete; and we now behold the peer, the tradesman, and the

operative, firmly united in the bonds of union and good fellowship. It would occupy much more space and time than I can at present command, were I to publish a statistical table, showing the strength of the various Conservative associations in Great Britain; but I am satisfied such a statement would carry alarm and dismay into the camp of the enemy, and at the same time prove a source of no ordinary satisfaction to our friends."

The author recommends that particular attention should be paid by Conservative associations to the registration of voters; and he has given a most admirable set of tables under this head, for the use of such associations, which we strongly recommend to their adoption. He particularly urges the necessity of dividing the duties of these societies among the different classes which compose them; so that each should attend to those which are most suited to their respective circumstances, habits, and occupations. He also speaks on another point, which we consider of the greatest importance-" the necessity of upholding and bestowing extensive patronage on the press." "If the means of fully comprehending the nature of Conservative principles were placed in the hands of every man in Britain, in a short space of time there would be comparatively few to espouse any other cause; and it behoves every man, whose income will admit of it, to circulate Conservative newspapers everywhere within the range of his influence."

1. The Queen's Accession, or the English Church and Monarchy: a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Oving, near Chichester, on Sunday, July 9, 1837. By THOMAS AGER HOLLAND, M.A., Vicar of Oving. London: Groombridge. 1837.

2. Eighteen Sermons, on various Subjects. By the Rev. C. H. MINCHIN, A.M., Prebendary of Kilgobinet. Dublin: Bleakley. London: Groombridge. 1837.

MR. HOLLAND observes, that there was always a visible church upon earth, manifested by an uniform mode of public worship: there was one without "the gates of Eden, where God's worship was performed in some particular spot-one in the wilderness, with its ark and tabernacle-one in Canaan, under the rule of judges and kings; until the Messenger of the Covenant suddenly came to his temple, purified and remodelled it, stamped it with his own name, and promised to abide with it to the end of the world." Hence he shows the responsibility of princes to God; and the right which the Church has to demand from them the performance of their solemn obligations; inculcating forcibly, at the same time, the duties which the Scriptures impose on the people towards their rulers. The preacher then proceeds to show the sanction which the word of God gives to a monarchical

government; and to establish, by the same authority, the union of Church and State, from whence he branches into various historical details. The sermon contains many parts which recommend it; but we do not perceive that Mr. Holland lay under any necessity of vindicating, from scriptural and other sources, the legality of a queen presiding over these realms.

We do not see much that is of particular value, beyond a practical nature, in Mr. Minchin's volume; and regret that he should have so frequently interlarded his sermons with scraps of sectarian hymns. The History of Joseph, the Disciples at Emmaus, and Christ's Visit to the Temple, afford a greater scope than he has taken, and offer many historical considerations, of which he has not availed himself. The sermons are fitted well to family purposes; but as such only can we recommend them.

Questions on the History of Europe; a Sequel to Miss Mangnall's Historical Questions. By JULIA CORNER. London: Longman, &c. 1837.

THE object of this work is to familiarize the minds of youthful readers with the history of the modern nations of Europe, as they have been made with that of Greece and of Rome, by means of Miss Mangnall's Historical Questions. All the most

striking events of modern history are compressed in this work, and so arranged as at once to convey to the mind the authenticated records which it contains. To parents, and to those who have the instruction of youth, this work will be eminently useful, and, we hope, will meet with a large circulation; indeed, looking to its character, we have no doubt that it will obtain it.

Ecclesiastical Keport.

THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.

WE are happy to glean thus much at least from late events, that the people of Great Britain were never more attached to their Protestant Episcopal Church than they are at the commencement of the reign of our new sovereign. In no instance, on this side of the Channel, did any Whig or Radical candidate venture to found his pretensions on principles hostile to the Establishment. They were obliged "to feign a virtue if they had it not."

The evidence of this truth we conceive to be more than ordinarily valuable; it must instruct our gracious queen,

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