LITERARY REPORT. NOTICE OF BOOKS. New Week's Preparation, revised by the Rev. SAMUEL WIX, M. A. F. R. and A. S. Vicar of St. Bartholomew the Less, in two Parts, each 2s. 6d. neatly bound in black, or complete 5s. neatly bound in calf. Rivingtons. 1827. To give any account of the nature of this work we feel to be perfectly unnecessary, inasmuch as we presume that but few persons who attend to the command of their blessed Saviour, "Do this in remembrance of me," are without it. We therefore merely confine our notice of the present edition to its emendations and improvements. The editor has been induced to republish the work, in order to expunge the common phraseology which too often prevailed in the former edition, so as to render it more acceptable to the sober and devout Christian. And in this, by comparing the two editions, we are happy to say he has well succeeded. Many of the sentences are much altered, while, at the same time, their spirit is fully retained. The meditations in Part I. from Tuesday to Thursday, have been transposed, and we think judiciously; but we would suggest to the editor, whether in a future edition it would not be an improvement to place the prayer, which at present stands for Wednesday evening, at the end of the meditation for Tuesday evening; the prayer for Thursday morning, at the end of the meditation for Thursday evening; and the prayer for Thursday evening, at the end of the meditation for Wednesday evening. To render the work more complete, the editor has added several occasional prayers, well adapted to persons under various circumstances both of body and mind. Upon the whole, the revision has evidently been conducted with great judgment and discretion; and its adaptation to the pious purpose for which it was originally designed, considerably improved. We therefore trust, that those who have been accustomed to read it for their sacred preparations, will in future derive from it increased satisfaction; and that those who are at present unacquainted with it, will be induced to add it to the number of their devotional aids. The Duties and Attainments of the Clerical Character considered :—a Visitation Sermon. By the Rev. J. HEWLETT, B. D. and F A. S. Rector of Hilgay, and late Morning Preacher at the Foundling Hospital. London, Rivingtons. 1827. 4to. 1s. 6d. This discourse has been some time before the public, and we are not sure that some apology is not due to the excellent author, for our delay in noticing it. No recommendation of a work of Mr. Hewlett's can be necessary to promote its circulation; since the fame which he has long enjoyed as a scholar and divine, will always be a sufficient guarantee for the utility of his productions. At the same time there is a degree of attention which we owe to the man; and we trust that the debt, though of some standing, is not unredeemable. In saying that there is nothing new in Mr. Hewlett's Sermon, we rather add to, than detract from, its merits. There can be no novelty in theology; but it is no mean service to the cause of Christianity, to place old truths in a new light, to enforce sound advice by solid reasons, and to model the pastoral office upon the principles which can alone ensure its efficiency and success. From 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. Mr. H. has pointed out the various attainments in scriptural, literary, and ecclesiastical knowledge, which are essential to the clerical office, more especially as regards the refutation of sectarian errors, and the misinterpretations of the self-styled evangelical party in our own Church. He then lays down some excellent rules for the conduct of the clergy, insisting strongly upon the force of example, stating the proper mode of dealing with the rich and poor respectively, and regulating the motives by which we should be actuated in maintaining our temporal interests, so as not to injure our successors in the ministry by private indolence and neglect. The discourse concludes with a prayer for the increasing zeal, vigilance, and constancy of the ministers and stewards of the gospel of Christ. A Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of St. Bride, Fleet Street, before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, &c. By the Rev. T. DALE, M. A. for the Benefit of the Printers' Pension Society. London, Richardson. 1828. 1s. Job xix. 23-25.-The plan of this Sermon is well imagined, well designed, and well executed; the language in which it is written easy and energetic; and the appeal with which it concludes forcible and just. After a few introductory remarks upon the peculiar and extraordinary circumstances under which Job uttered the animated apostrophe in the text, the author first shews that the desire there expressed does not imply the hope or design of transmitting to posterity the record either of his former greatness, or present misery; but that he was influenced by the wish of imparting to his own, and to all future ages, the knowledge with which, in the midst of his sufferings, he was endowed from heaven,— the knowledge "that his Redeemer lived, and that he should stand at the latter day upon the earth." Having then briefly enumerated the heads of evidence, which tend to prove that Job was a real character, he proceeds to consider, secondly, by what means, and to what extent, the wish so ardently expressed has subsequently been accomplished. It is evident that the printing to which Job alludes bears no analogy to the art which is now so denominated; so that the fulfilment of his prayer is now, by the providence of God, much more fully realised than he could possibly have anticipated. From the consideration of the benefits which have arisen to mankind by the invention of printing, more particularly in the diffusion of religion, Mr. Dale naturally adverts to the cause which he had undertaken to advocate, and concludes with a warm and earnest appeal to his hearers in support of it. As a specimen of Mr. Dale's manner, and for the consideration of certain of our modern reformers, who would banish the Scriptures from their systems of education, we select the following animated passage. Hitherto the Scriptures have been able in their own strength to resist all the attacks of the adversaries of Christianity, by which they have been no more affected, than is the rooted and immovable rock by the waves which dash impotently around it. With ample reason has it been said, that never yet was there an attack upon the Gospel, which did not, by the defenders who were thus called forth, eventually contribute to its confirmation and establishment. Still, while we bid defiance to the assaults of the sceptic and infidel in general, confiding in the inherent and insuperable firmness of the truth itself, we cannot but lament over those mistaken, misguided, and deluded individuals, who have yielded to the "sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive," and who barter "faith and a good conscience," for the empty epithets of "liberal," "enlightened," and "unprejudiced," which are too often nothing better than the disguises-and miserable disguises they are-of sceptical philosophy and vain deceit.-P. 23. Why the Poor should go to Church. A Tract for Distribution among the Poor: in which the different Excuses commonly made by them for not going to Church are severally considered; and the Necessity for their going to Church set plainly before them. The Second Edition. 12mo. pp. 23. Rivingtons. This excellent Tract is the production of the Rev. C. J. Heathcote, M. A. Minister of the Stamford Hill Chapel of Ease to the parish of Hackney. The author has well combated the excuses of the poor for their frequent neglect of the sacred duty referred to in the title. The language is easy, and within the comprehension of the persons for whom it is written. gladly recommend it to the notice of the Clergy, who will find it well adapted for distribution among the poor committed to their charge. We Twenty Plain and Practical Sermons, delivered to a Country Congregation. By a late Rector of a Country Parish. Revised from the Original MSS. by his Son-in-law, a Village Curate. London. 1828. Rivingtons. 12mo. 5s. 6d. If we are right in our conjecture, the author of these discourses retired to his preferment from the Head Mastership of a large public school; and we recollect an observation of one of his pupils, that, although he was himself an indifferent reader and an indifferent writer, he had the nicest perception of good reading, and the most critical judgment of good writing. This remark is fully justified by the present volume. The subjects of the several sermons are well chosen, and the reasoning contained in them plain and convincing; but there is a degree of harshness in the language, and a clumsiness in the turn of the sentences, which evidently arises from an inability to express the simplest ideas with a corresponding simplicity of style and expression. With this single exception, these sermons would rank among the most useful of their kind; and we wish that the editor had thought himself at liberty to soften down the inelegancies of which we complain. In the event of another edition, to which we look forward with pleasure, he will probably do so; more especially as clearness and perspicuity are essentially required by that class of readers, for whom the publication is designed. WORKS JUST PUBLlished. A Visit to the Seven Churches of Asia, with an Excursion into Pisidia, with Maps and Inscriptions. By the Rev. F. R. V. J. ARUNDELL, British Chaplain at Smyrna, 15s. Christian Essays. By the Rev. S. C. WILKS, M. A. Second edition, 12s. A Commentary on the Epistles to the Hebrews. By MOSES STUART, Associate Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover, United State. Vol. I. 14s. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans; with an Introduction, Paraphrase, and Notes. By C. H. TERROT,A.M. late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. 8vo. 9s. Sermons adapted for Family and Parochial Use; by the Rev. F. G. CROSSMAN. 8s. The Holy Week, or the Passion of our Blessed Saviour (with a Supplement for Easter) taken from Dean Stanhope's Paraphrase and Comment on the Epistles and Gospels, used in the Liturgy of the Church of England. 5s. Observations on Early Rising and on Early Prayer; by H. E. HEAD, M. A. WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. The Second Volume of the Works of Arminius. Translated from the Latin, with illustrative Notes. By JAMES NICHOLS. 8vo. An Introduction to the Literary History of the Bible. By JAMES TOWNLEY, D. D. Author of " Illustrations of Biblical Literature," &c. In 1 vol. 12mo. A Volume of Sermons. By the Rev. H. REVELL. The Rev. GEORGE STANLEY FABER, has nearly ready for publication a new work, entitled, The Sacred Calendar of Prophecy. 3 vols. 8vo. An Abridgment of the Rev. H. SOAMES'S History of the Reformation of the Church of England. The Rev. E. B. PUSEY, A. M. Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, will shortly publish an Historical Inquiry into the Rationalist Character, lately predominant in the Theology of Germany. 8vo. Proposals have been issued for publishing, by subscription, a new edition of "Le Neve's Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ," or a Register of the Dignitaries in each Cathedral, Collegiate Church or Chapel, in England and Wales, from their erection to the year 1716; continued to the present time by the Rev. W. RICHARDSON, M. A. The work will form two volumes in folio, price to subscribers Seven Guineas. Sermons for the Kitchen and Servants' Hall, by the Rev. W. DowNES WILLIS, will shortly appear. The History of Ireland, Civil, Military, and Ecclesiastical; with the Lives of the Stuarts, from authentic documents in the native Irish Language, and from rare State Papers; translated and compiled by Lieut.Colonel KEENE: in three thick volumes, 8vo. A Sermon Historically and Scripturally Explanatory of the Doctrines of Election, Predestination, and Reprobation. By a Clergyman of the Church of England. 2s. MISCELLANEOUS. The PECUNIARY CONDITION of the PAROCHIAL CLERGY, and the BENEFIT of "MUTUAL ASSURANCE” BRIEFLY CONSIDERED. HOWEVER accurately the principles of LIFE INSURANCE, properly so called, have been investigated and determined, and however widely acted upon, as resources against the contingency of death, it is but very recently, comparatively speaking, that much attention has been attracted to them, for purposes of " MUTUAL ASSURANCE," in what may be called a more domestic, simple, and approachable shape, than that which they assume at public institutions, and in order to meet other contingencies as well as that of death. Mr. Rose's Act for the encouragement and protection of Friendly Societies, which was passed, we believe, in or about the year 1790, may, perhaps, be deemed one of the earliest public indications of such a system; as well as of the first public appeals to the English people to realize it: but it was an appeal considered to be, and which in point of fact was, made to the lower orders. The main point we have in view is to demonstrate the peculiar interest, we had almost said duty, of the CLERGY, to associate for this purpose, and in this manner. And, first, as it regards the independence of their character and conduct. It is one of the earliest and best deductions of practical wisdom, that every man should be taught what resources he possesses in himself and his own energies to help himself and others. In the conviction of this truth lies indeed much of the cementing principle and strength of social union and happiness. The possessor of it is a contributor, in fair and equal share, to the common stock of effective and productive exertion; and takes from the shoulders of others a portion of the burthen, which they must otherwise sustain ; and which if they did not sustain, the frame of society, founded upon the supposition of each doing his portion of the general work, must fall to pieces. It is the parent of thoughtfulness; a restraint upon idleness and profligacy; a summoner into life and activity of latent power, and, as yet, dormant energy; a guardian of uprightness and manliness; in aș far as it takes away the dispositions, and the temptations, to dishonest subserviency and unworthy compliance. To crown all, leaving untouched, and unappropriated, the resources of charity, which the hand of the liberal is ever ready to supply; but which, like every thing else, must have their limits; it transfers its share of them, if we may so speak, to those, whom the direct visitations of God, or the positive helplessness of their own condition, have completely disabled from providing for their own wants; and who would be so much less benefited, if really unqualified claimants took, instead of relinquishing, their portion of the disposable relief. Such a principle must needs have the approbation of all good and wise men; and, therefore, it is one which the clergy, the official and delegated promoters of " whatever things are holy, lovely, and of good report," cannot consistently omit to encourage; if not as, in itself, necessarily religious, yet, as akin to religion in its leading spirit, preparing the way for its cordial reception, and not unfrequently testifying strongly and palpably to its actual operation. But what they encourage in others they will not, cannot decline (if they hope to witness any fruits of their counsels and admonitions) to practise themselves. an 66 Thus then is the minister of holy things called upon, if it be only as exemplar" to others, to aim at providing, from his personal resources, for his personal iudependence. How could he urge it upon the mechanics and labourers of his charge, to apply a portion of their savings towards a provision for the visitations of humanity, when, being equally subject himself to those visitations, equally able to lay up in store for them, and equally bound to do so, he nevertheless neglects it? We have said "equally bound," but this is far from expressing the amount of his relative obligation. He is, in truth, much rather bound; not simply as leading in a good way, (or, as Bishop Taylor expresses it, "bearing the heaviest end of the burthens which he puts upon others,") but, because, in the instance before us, the practical result is of much greater importance to his influential and operative character, than it can be to that of any of his fellow christians. But let us now advert to some other evils of straitened means in the ministers of religion. They have been stigmatized, by the unfriendly, as time-servers; let us hope, and believe, with injustice. It is certain, however, that their usually confined circumstances, (we are still speaking of the great body, and of their circumstances, in reference to any reasonable standard of sufficiency) offer but too powerful a temptation to them to be so. It cannot have escaped the observation of any considerate mind, nor have been remembered without pain, by any conscientious one, that our English patronage is not, for the most part, bestowed, as the deserved recompense of worth, but with an eye to the support, or increase, of family or political interest, or for some such secular purpose. There are exceptions to this, no doubt, and they shine with the greater lustre from their forcible contrast with the surrounding gloom. Our hope and prayer is, that they will become daily more and more numerous ! Meanwhile, the avenue to preferment being such as it is, partly from the fault of its givers, and partly, too, of its takers, (for there seems a mutual wrong), it is less to be wondered at than lamented, that those who are in the receipt of very confined incomes, and see, in compliance' (we will not use the harder word 'subserviency') the channel to their enlargement, should not have recourse to it; especially when the demands of public opinion from the clergy, are also taken into the account. It is our boast, and not without reason, that we do not commit the spiritual functions to rude, uneducated hands: our ministers, as a body, are well instructed men; and that, and their office together, gives them a title, by common consent, to rank as gentlemen; for which, however, as we all know, a certain appearance is necessary;-a certain moderate external conformity to that standard of dress and demeanour, assigned by the general voice to this rank. It is due to them, upon |