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LITERARY REPORT.

Oaths; their Origin, Nature, and History. By JAMES ENDELL Tyler, B.D. Rector of St. Giles' in the Fields, and late Fellow of Oriel College. London: John W. Parker, 1834. 8vo. Pp. 319.

THAT oaths, and solemn adjurations, are not unlawful to a Christian, is sufficiently evident from their occurrence in the Old and New Testament, and their use even by our blessed Lord himself: but it is no less clear that the excessive multiplication of oaths in this country is totally at variance with that awful solemnity of occasion, upon which alone they are sanctioned by Scripture. Mr. Tyler, in the deeply learned, and at the same time cautious and conciliatory volume before us, has made out a case of such infinite concern, that we have little doubt of his appeal being met by a christian legislature with the most scrupulous and attentive consideration. In tracing the origin of oaths, he has carefully examined, not only those in the sacred writings, but those of the Greeks and Romans, and other countries, from the earliest to the present times; and that with a view of determining the three following practical questions:

First: Are oaths, in themselves, lawful to a Christian? or, are they altogether prohibited by the gospel?

Secondly If oaths are in themselves lawful, are they, as at present administered and taken in England, calculated to promote truth and justice? and are they agreeable to the spirit of the Religion which we profess?

Thirdly: If any alterations in our system of oaths should appear desirable, on what principles, and by what means, may such changes be most safely and satisfactorily effected?

Independently of the satisfactory tendency of the writer's arguments,more especially with respect to the inefficiency of official oaths, the breach

VOL. XVI. NO. V.

of which is not punishable as perjury the careless and unimpressive manner in which judicial oaths are administered, and the utter absurdity of the University oaths, there is depth of historical research, and critical acumen, which prove him to be gifted with no ordinary powers. The dissertation on Perjury, annexed to the second part, is peculiarly interesting and important; and the miscellaneous fact and anecdotes, which are thrown together into the third division of the work, are well worthy of attention. We repeat, that Mr. Tyler's labours are replete with instruction, and calculated to effect a most beneficial change in the religious, as well as political, institutions of the country.

A Popular View of the Correspondency between the Mosaic Ritual, and the Faith and Doctrines of the Christian Religion. In Nine Discourses. By the Rev. W. GRESWELL, M.A. Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, &c. Oxford: Parker. London: Rivingtons 1834. 8vo. Pp. xiv. 221. ALTHOUGH there is little in this volume which may not be found in the works of Faber and Graves, and other writers on the connexion between the Jewish and Christian dispensation, yet the compass into which the author has brought his investigation, so as to include within its scope every particular of the Jewish law which bears upon the points, and the familiar manner in which he has treated the subject, render it a valuable accession to the treatises which have already been written thereon:-from the sacrificial institution of the law, from the offices and ministration of the Aaronical priesthood, from the distinction of clean and unclean things, and the ceremonial purifications enjoined upon Hebrew worshippers, and from the solemn times and seasons set apart for the assembling of the entire Jewish nation at Jerusalem, Mr. Greswell has

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clearly proved and confirmed the doctrine of the Apostle, that the law was merely "a shadow of good things to come. To prove this point is a main object of St. Paul, in his Epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews; whence it follows, that if Judaism was a divine revelation, so also is Christianity; and that the former has now given place to the latter, having answered the end for which it was designed. Both are to be considered as a portion of the great scheme of Redemption, every part of which, like the part of a well-constructed machine, is admirably calculated to effect its destined purpose. Τί γάρ ἐστιν ὁ Νόμος; Εὐαγγέλιον προκατηγγελμένον· τί δὲ τὸ Εὐαγγέ λιον; Νόμος πεπληραμένος. (Justin. M. Quæst. ad Orthod. 101.)

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Llandaff, in September, 1833. By EDWARD, LORD BISHOP OF LLANDAFF. London: Rivingtons. 1833. 8vo. Pp. 36.

EPISCOPAL Charges, in these times, may naturally be expected to embrace a variety of topics of deep and solemn importance; nor are such expectations unrealized in this address of the

Bishop of Llandaff. The present aspect of the times, more especially with reference to outcry against the Church, and the loud, though unmeaning demand for its separation from the State; the subject of Non-residence, both in relation to its abuse, and the cases in which it is sometimes both advisable and necessary; the moral and ministerial duties of the Clergy; and certain local directions to his own diocese in particular; are the chiefest matters upon which the learned Prelate discourses. In the course of the charge his Lordship has made some very pertinent remarks on the present state of the law, as affecting the suspension or deprivation of Incumbents, who conduct themselves in a manner unbecoming the priestly character, which, to say the least, deserve an attentive consideration. We received this excellent Charge very recently, which must be our apology for delaying the notice, which it would otherwise have received at an earlier date.

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An Apology for the Study of Divinity; being the Terminal Divinity Lecture, delivered in Bishop Cosins's Library, before the Bishop, the Dean and Chapter, and the University of Durham. By HUGH JAMES ROSE, B.D. Chaplain to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. London: Rivingtons. Durham: Andrews. 1834. 8vo. Pp. 50. THE foundation of the University of Durham forms a grand epoch in the Religious History of the country; and we are happy to announce the commencement of its academical proceeding under the most favourable auspices. Contributions to its library and museum are daily pouring in; several benefactions have been received; and its professors and teachers are anxiously alive to the due discharge of small thing, in the midst of the attheir important duties. It is no tempts which are making by the diffusers of useful knowledge to undervalue the study of Divinity, to find so powerful an engine in motion for its advancement; which Mr. Rose has powerfully shewn in his Terminal Lecture to be of the highest importance to the temporal and eternal interests of man. After adverting, in terms of feeling regret, to the unhappy change which has taken place in men's pursuits and habits, since the days when our Bacons and Seldens, our Lockes and Newtons, confessed the supreme honour which was due to theology; the Professor briefly exposes the modern error of regarding the practical arts of life, as better fitted to promote the exercise of the social duties, than literature or divinity; and maintains, that, however calculated are the natural exercises to tend to habits of instructive economy, they are merely useful, as a branch of education, to prepare the mind for other things. The paths of science," he observes, "like the paths of glory, lead us to the grave; and to the disembodied spirit, what," he asks," will be the value of a knowledge of the laws and properties of that matter, which it has quitted for ever?" Hence he argues, that the meaning of the word useful, as applied to any other knowledge than that of

theology, as involving the study of mankind in this relation to God, is limited and comparative. In conclusion, he points out a few of the principal departments of study which a Divine is called upon to pursue'; and, while he admits the necessity of an acquaintance with history and languages, morals and metaphysics, as subservient to the investigation of the evidences, and illustrative of the truths of religion, limits their value, with reference to pursuits of a higher and more enduring character.

The Natural History of Animalcules; containing descriptions of all the known species of Infusoria; with instructions for procuring and viewing them, &c. &c. Illustrated by upwards of 300 magnified figures on steel. By ANDREW PRITCHARD, Esq. Author of the "Microscopic Cabinet." London: Whitaker. 1834. 8vo. Pp. 196.

Of late years, the study of Natural History has been rapidly advancing; and, as no study can be better calculated to raise the mind to meditate on the attributes and perfections of Nature's God, we cannot but rejoice in the fact. Even in the ordinary operations of nature, the contemplative inquirer will find abundant proofs of the wisdom and goodness of the great Creator; but it is in the minuter objects of existence by which he is led to tremble at the immensity of His power, and to view with silent awe the astonishing wonders of His providence. The knowledge that there are myriads of living atoms in a single drop of water, exerting all their faculties with as much facility and precision, as the great Leviathan, who sports at large in the boundless ocean, cannot fairly fail of exciting the most exalted sense of the divine intelligence, and of the merciful provision which he has made for apparently the most insignificant of his creatures. This knowledge has been opened to us by the microscope; and we have received from former publications of Mr. Pritchard, and his coadjutor, Dr. Goring, much interesting and useful informa

tion on the construction and use of the various kinds of this instrument, as well as much amusement and benefit from their illustrations of the amazing discoveries to which it has given rise. In the present work we have a copious account of that class of Animalcula which are supposed to be produced from infusions of animal and vegetable matter; together with abundant and explicit directions for the method of procuring them, and the manner of viewing them. A supplementary volume on the class Phytorea is promised, and to which we look forward with a degree of expectation proportioned to the pleasure we have derived from the perusal of that which is already in our hands.

The True Christian; or, the Way to have Assurance of Eternal Salvation. By the Rev. THOMAS JONES, Rector of Creaton. London: Seeley. 1833. 12mo. Pp. vii. 229.

PATIENCE is the very essence of critical virtue; but, though we partake thereof in a very pre-eminent degree, it soared away most rapidly during the perusal of this book. To save our readers a like trial, we beg to inform them, that this "True Christian" is formed out of the reveries of an Octogenarian Calvinist, upon the following points:-The assurance of Salvation, the nature and necessity of Regeneration, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, the different degrees of Grace, final Perseverance and the great Salvation. The mild placidity with which he chuckles over the unshaken and unspeakable truth of his positions is amiable in the extreme. "To be sure," says he," many objections have been made," to such and such a doctrine; but then "I shall not stop to answer them at any length, for two reasons. I hate disputations; and debates about this doctrine are quite unnecessary. The truth must stand." (P. 169.) Unquestionably it must: and we think our author a wise man in not attempting to uphold it.

The Doctrines contained in the "Pious Parishioner Instructed," and the objections to it considered. By A MEMBER OF S. P. C. K. London: Rivingtons. 12mo. Pp. 35.

THE "Pious Parishioner Instructed" is one of those tracts which has lately undergone the ordeal of an evangelical purgation, by a knot of zealots, whose judgment, if they possess any, is of a very meagre class. In the tract, however, under notice, we have an able but mild defence of the doctrines which that tract contains, and some sober advice to the members of the S. P.C. K. to which they will all do well to attend.

A Practical Exposition of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. By the Rev. R. ANDERSON, Perpetual Curate of Trinity Chapel, Brighton, &c. London: Hatchard. Brighton: Loder. 1833. Pp. ix. 485.

THIS work is a SOUND, plain, and practical analysis of the Epistle to the Romans. We like it much. The writer has consulted the best authors; and worked up his materials to great advantage.

Parohcial Sermons. By JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, M.A. Vicar of St. Mary the Virgin's, Oxford, and Fellow of Oriel College. London: Rivingtons. Oxford: Parker. 1834. Pp. xii. 402. SOUNDNESS of doctrine, clearness of argument, earnestness in exhortation, and affection in rebuke, form the characteristic excellence of the Sermons before us. They are the very antipodes of those of Mr. Melvill; and the impression which they are calculated to make would, we should suppose, be as lasting and effective, as that of the others is likely to be transient and ill-defined. There is no necessity for an extract: the volume should be read throughout. It embraces the following important topics of Parochial Instruction:-Sermon 1. Holiness necessary for future blessedness, Heb. xii. 14. 2. The immortality of the soul, Matt. xvi. 26. 3. Knowledge of God's will without

obedience, John xiii. 17. 4. Secret 5. Self-denial, faults, Ps. xix. 12. the test of religious earnestness, Rom. xiii. 11. 6. The spiritual mind, 1 Cor. iv. 20. 7. Sins of ignorance and weakness, Heb. x. 22. 8. God's commandment not grievous, 1 John v. 3-9. 9. The religious use of excited feelings, Luke viii. 38, 39. 10. Profession without practice, Luke xii. 1. 11. Profession without hypocrisy, Gal. iii. 27. 12. Profession without ostentation, Matt. v. 14. 13. Pro

mising without doing, Matt. xxi. 28

-30. 14. Religious emotion, Mark xiv. 31. 15. Religious faith rational, Rom. iv. 20, 21. 16. The Christian mysteries, John iii. 9. 17. The self

wise inquirer, 1 Cor. iii. 18, 19. 18. Obedience the remedy for reli19. gious perplexity. Ps. xxxvii. 34. Times of private prayer, Matt. vi. 6. 20. Forms of private prayer, Luke xi. 1. 21. The resurrection of the body, Luke xx. 37, 38. 22. The Christian witnesses, Acts x. 40, 41. 23. Christian reverence, Ps. ii. 11. 24. The religion of the day, Heb. xii, 28, 29. 25. Scripture, a record of human sorrow, John v. 2, 3. 26. Christian manhood, 1 Cor. xiii. 11.

Some Remarks on the probable Consequences of establishing a General Registry of Births, and legalizing the Registration of Dissenters' Buptisms. By the Rev. WILLIAM HALE HALE, M. A. Prebendary of St. Paul's, &c. &c. London: Rivingtons; Fellowes. 1834. 8vo. Pp. 51.

WE regard this as a very able and

well-timed pamphlet. With respect to a general registry of births, Mr. Hale proves most clearly the impracticability of such a measure without compulsion, the tyranny of compelling parents to carry their children to a distance for registration, and the almost insurmountable difficulties of appointing officers to make domiciliary visits for the purpose of ascertaining the number of births within certain districts, not to mention the expense which it would involve, and the odium which it would incur if regarded as a system of espionage. The registration

of Dissenters' baptism, if performed through the medium of the parish priest, is shewn to be fraught with dangers of no ordinary kind to the peace of the Church, and calculated to give a degree of strength and importance to the Dissenters, which must eventually lead to place them on a level with the Church, as a first step to the overthrow of the Establishment. In conclusion, Mr. Hale makes some seasonable observations on the proposed scheme for allowing Dissenters to celebrate marriages in their own conventicles, and adverts to the facility which would thereby be afforded to illegal and clandestine marriages. To give an abridged abstract of the arguments urged in the pamphlet would diminish greatly from their weight; and we accordingly refer our readers to the pamphlet itself, assuring them that they will be amply repaid by its perusal.

Picturesque Memorials of Salisbury;

a Series of Original Etchings and Vignettes, illustrative of the most interesting Buildings, and other Remains of Antiquity, in that City and Neighbourhood. By the Rev. PETER HALL, M.A. late Curate of St. Edmund's. Salisbury: Brodie. 1834. 4to. Nos. IX. & X.

THESE are the concluding parts of this very interesting publication. They contain views, on copper and wood, of St. Edmund's Church, Houses of Canon Hume, and Mr. Lacy, the interior of St. Thomas's Church, the Old Council Chamber, Old Sarum, the Pulpit of St. Martin's Church, an ancient Fire-place, the Chancel Screen of St. Thomas's Church, the Old Guildhall, and some Old Houses in Milfordstreet. As an introduction to the work, the Editor has drawn up a concise account of the cities of Old and New Sarum, which contains much matter of considerable interest to the Church. In reference to the event which occurred there after the defeat of Stephen on the plains of Wilton, Mr. Hall observes, that "the Church, as has ever been the case when affairs of State have miscarried, became an easy prey to the rapacity and ill-humour of

the contending parties." (p. 3.) Again at page 9,-" In 1315, the citizens of Salisbury were moved to take offence at the control and interference of the Church, and particularly at its wealth and magnificence. They accordingly petitioned the King for an exemption from this dependency; and the King, like an indulgent parent of his children, acceded to their request. The consequence was, that, before another twelvemonth had expired, the trade of the place, and, with its trade, its comfort and importance, were visibly declining and the citizens were but too happy to appeal again to the royal clemency, and, with many professions of regret, to regain the patronage and protection of the Church." These are warning words, under the present aspect of the times, and we could fain wish that they might be duly considered.

Prefixed to the last Number is a respectable List of Subscribers, but scarcely sufficient, we should fear, to remunerate the author for the great outlay which the preparation of the work must have required. We sincerely trust, now that the work is completed, it may meet with a wider circulation.

An Historical and Descriptive Account of Persia, from the earliest ages to the present time: with a detailed View of the Resources, Government, Population, Natural History, and the Character of its Inhabitants, particularly of the Wandering Tribes: including a Description of Afghanistan and Beloochistan. By JAMES B. FRASER, Esq. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd. 1834. 12mo. Pp. 472. [Edinburgh Cabinet Library: Vol. XV.]

WE regard the Edinburgh Cabinet Library as a very valuable series: and, of the several volumes now published, this account of Persia, and the History of Arabia, by which it was preceded, are, perhaps, among the best. The religious systems of Mahomet and Zoroaster, which are ably set forth in the two works respectively, have occupied our especial attention; but the entire volumes are replete with

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