Review of Books.

HOLY SCRIPTURE THE ULTIMATE RULE OF FAITH TO A CHRISTIAN MAN. By the Rev. W. Fitzgerald, B.A., Trinity College, Dublin. -Seeley and Burnside.

THIS is the work of a learned man, writing for the learned, and disproving in a clear, quiet, effectual manner, the assertions, while he firmly opposes the notions, of such as would exalt human tradition into an adjunct to scripture where God has commanded the latter alone to be received-i. e. as a Christian man's rule of faith. Mr. Fitzgerald, in a most workman-like manner, neatly and noiselessly, unclasps one after another the links forming this notable chain of oral tradition, and leaves it a heap of useless, unconnected, incongruous fragments. He quotes very largely those celebrated personages "the fathers," but it is to prove how very far they are from

yielding the testimony so much depended on by our traditionists, not as bringing them forward to establish any thing asserted in the word of God, much less to confute it, as they blasphemously do, who, on such authority, would teach reserve in communicating religious knowledge, and other anti-scriptural inventions.

We certainly wish, however, that Mr. Fitzgerald had rather adopted the language of our article in making the assertion with which he sets out, in the very first sentence of his book. He says, "The only ultimate reason for believing any article of faith, which a Christian can consistently rely upon, is this-that it was delivered as part of the Gospel, by Christ and his apostles." We admit that he fully and satisfactorily explains himself on the point; but we imagine, for instance, an enquiring Jew, (of whom, God be praised! there are now very many,) taking up this truly valuable book; and we cannot but think how much more encouraging to such a one would be the language of the article, "Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation." . . . . . In the name of which Holy Scripture it is added we understand "the canonical books of the OLD and NEW Testament." Our Author's language has the advantage of brevity; but there are some whom he would delight to instruct, who would be disposed to throw down the book on meeting such an apparent setting aside of the more ancient scriptures.

We consider this volume very important; and trust it will be found eminently useful, particularly by our clerical friends.

JACOB'S WELL. By the Rev. G. A. Rogers, B.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Curate of WestonSuper-mare.-Hatchards, &c.

AN exposition of that portion of scripture which relates our Lord's discourse with the woman of Samaria. Sound, practical, and pleasing, we can safely recommend it in these days when such recommendation involves a serious responsibility unless the work noticed has been carefully compared with the word of God. There is much of brevity and point in this running commentary, calculated to arrest the attention, and to remain on the memory: A decided advantage to the reader.

A COMPANION TO THE BAPTISMAL FONT, Being an abridgment of a Treatise on Baptism ; designed as a help to the due improvement of that Holy Sacrament; As administered in the Church of England. By the Rev. E. Bickersteth, Rector of Watton, Herts.-Seeley and Burnside.

WE can permit Mr. Bickersteth to abridge his own books, but should give little thanks to any one else who undertook to abridge them. In the present instance he has compressed into a neat pocket volume the leading points of his larger treatise on this important subject. We need say no more, having spoken of the original when it appeared. On the one great difficulty in the baptismal service-the thanksgiving for regeneration-Mr. Bickersteth, like Mr.

Molyneux, and other 'enlightened ministers who know well that baptism is NOT regeneration, and that, in point of fact, the vast majority of those who are baptized die wholly unregenerate, has done all that can be done to reconcile the custom with God's word. We give no opinion on the subject: but seeing what perplexities arise from that thanksgiving, we do openly what we think almost every enlightened Christian must do in his heart,-we sincerely wish it was expunged from the book, no longer to act as a stumbling-block, or to supply a bone of contention. And this we do, not in the spirit of dissent, but because we dearly love, and truly venerate, and firmly adhere to the established Church.

THE TONGUE OF TIME; or the language of a Church clock. By William Harrison, A.M., of Brasenose College, Oxford: Morning preacher at the Magdalen Hospital. Domestic Chaplain to H. R. H. the Duke of Cambridge.—Cradock and Co.

CONSECRATED THOUGHTS: or, A few notes from a Christian Harp.-Same.

THE former of these volumes is prose, the latter is poetry we do not say merely verse, but actual poetry. The prevailing character of both is elegance of the highest order; and with this is combined simple, fervent piety, breathing in every page. An unknown hand sent us these books, which, from the care bestowed on the typographical department, and their handsome exterior, we almost expected to find

of a class remarkable for all but doctrinal correctness; and were most delightfully disappointed. We will give one specimen from the volume of poetry; not as being the best, but the shortest example of the general style.

"When fainting Israel cried aloud to God,

Oppressed with heat and thirst,

He smote the barren rock with Moses' rod,
And streams forth burst.

And when a fainting world had almost died,

God heard th' unequal strife;

With Moses' curse he pierced the Saviour's side,

And gave us life.

Infinite gain! returning thirst befel

The lips that drank of yore;

The Christian drinks one draught from Calvary's well
And thirsts no more.

THE YOUTHFUL CHRISTIAN: containing Instructions, Counsels, Cautions and Examples. By J. Burns, Author of "The Christian's daily Portion." "Four hundred sketches and skeletons of Sermons." "Youthful Piety," &c. &c.-Houlston and Stoneman.

A MISCELLANY, well calculated to attract the young, and truly instructive in its character. Some very interesting biographical notices are given under the head, Examples.' It is a small book, with much matter in it, and nothing, as we think, unprofitable or uninstructive.