Montaigne. Laud, on succeeding him, instantly threw himself into the breach with the directly opposite aphorism, Resolve, for there is no end of yielding.' "On the very same day went forth his Majesty's well-known declaration respecting the lawfulness of Sunday sports. This was the beginning of fresh unpopularity and trouble to the Archbishop. The appearance of this declaration was the signal for a general outcry from the more rigorous Sabbatarians. No better names could be found for it, than a profane edict,-a toleration for dishonouring the Lord's Day,-an unhallowed sacrifice of God's glory to the power of the King. As usual, the main burden of the obloquy fell upon the Archbishop. "In order to estimate his conduct rightly, it will be proper to take into consideration the consequences which had resulted from a neglect of this department of ecclesiastical discipline. In the Cathedral Churches, then, and in the Chapels of the nobility, that, which we now scruple not to call the Altar, was in many of the Parochial Churches dragged, by Puritanical scruple or caprice, into the body of the Church, and treated as if no peculiar sanctity belonged to it. The Archbishop felt it to be his duty to attempt a reform of these unseemly abuses. And when he was, finally, called upon to answer for his proceedings, he solemnly averred that his motive was not a stupid attachment to Popish mummeries, but solely a desire for the restoration of external and visible Religion!'" "Away then, ye petitioners, consumed with zeal against superstitious vanities. Sir Herbert Jenner Fust may decide that the Anglican Communion-table is not an altar; the Christian Knowledge Society decides that it is; and you may approve an order of vestry to destroy a picture which you consider Popish and contrary to the Second Commandment, but the Christian Knowledge Society calls it a sacrilegious outrage.' The above remarks refer only to emblems of God the Father; we have not touched upon various other symbols which are now being revived in our churches. The most common are, a triangle for the Trinity; the Mystic Dove for the Holy Ghost; and the Agnus Dei, holding a cross and banner, for the Second Person. All these were expelled at the Reformation. We quoted last February, p. 91, what Jeremy Taylor says of the symbol of the Dove. The Agnus Dei was peculiarly offensive to our forefathers, as being connected with the worst superstitions and most nefarious priestcraft and cupidity of Popery; and to introduce one into the country, or to be found in possession of one, was made by statute a heavy offence. Of the triangle, we will not utter one word ourselves;-for, as we have repeatedly stated, we are not personally fastidious or scrupulous in regard to matters not important in themselves, or in their adjuncts ;-but we will quote what a learned Brahmin, the late Rammohun Roy, says upon the subject; and we doubt not he echoes the words of all his countrymen who visit our shores, and observe such decorations upon the walls of our churches as the medallions recently fixed upon the church in Bloomsbury Street, London. That remarkable man, in his work entitled "The Precepts of Jesus the Guide to Peace and Happiness," (London, 1822), says: "First, The analogy between the Godhead and a triangle, denies to God any real existence; for extension of all kinds, abstracted from position or relative situation, exists only in idea. Secondly, It destroys the unity attempted to be established between Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; for the three sides of a triangle are conceived of as separate existences. Thirdly, It denies to each of the Three Persons the epithet GOD, inasmuch as each side cannot be designated a triangle, though the Father of the universe is invariably called God in the strict sense of the term." Rammohun Roy goes on to show that the symbol of a mathematical figure is adapted to support the polytheism of the Hindoos; and would also "equally suit the Atheist ;" for as the Trinity is represented by the three sides of a triangle, so the eternal revolution of nature, without any Divine Person, may be compared to the circle, which has no sides or angles; or if regarded as a polygon, with an infinite number of sides, the Trinitarian triangle will by analogy justify the polytheist who maintains an infinite number of persons in the Godhead. A Right Reverend prelate, riding past a church thus decorated, may say truly enough, "All this metaphysical nonsense never entered my head;"—but if it enters the heads of Jews, Turks, and Infidels; if it encourages Papists in their grossest symbolisms, and distresses many pious, though, it may be, weak-minded, persons, and is fast driving back the people to Puritanism in order to avoid Laudism; it is reason enough for saying, "Take down those unauthorised images;-Rammohun Roy and Ďurandus have convinced me that we must not play at symbolism in the worship of God." ON THE AUTHORSHIP OF EDWARD THE SIXTH'S CATECHISM. To the Editor of the Christian Observer. IN reference to the Catechism of Edward VI., 1553, alluded to in your last Number, there is no doubt of its being Bishop Ponet's, though afterwards expanded, with the help of the Geneva Catechism of Calvin, to the form in which it was brought by Nowell. Jacobson, in his Preface to the Oxford reprint of Nowell, expressly states that it was so derived, and is correct. As for Ponet's right to the Catechism of 1553, see an extract from a letter of Cheke, in the Preface to the Parker Society's volume of Liturgies of Edward VI., p. xii.; which letter is now printed in the volume of earlier Zurich letters at press. S. REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. THE PARKER SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS. 1. The Works of John Jewell, Bishop of Salisbury. The first portion containing a Sermon preached at Paul's Cross; Correspondence with Dr. Cole; the Reply to Harding's Answer; of Private Mass, &c. 1 Vol. Royal 8vo. 2. Select Poetry, chiefly Devotional, of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 2 Vols. Post 8vo. 3. The Zurich Letters: or the Correspondence of several English Bishops and others, with some of the Helvetian Reformers, during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth: chiefly from the Archives of Zurich. The Second Edition, chronologically arranged in one series. Demy 8vo. IN all ages of the history of Christ's Church, fitting instruments have been supplied by the wisdom of God to carry out his purposes; fresh weapons for the conflict between good and evil, as it has proceeded and deepened. These indeed are not always new; and where the questions at issue are the old truths, it is not desirable that they should be, but rather that new modes and opportunities of bringing these truths effectually to bear upon the dispute should be afforded. It is instructive to observe, in this respect, the work ing of God's providence interposing in emergency, with seasonable means to check the progress of error, and maintain the purity of the Gospel. Thus about six years ago, when it was plain that a scheme had been concerted, the great object of which was to pass by the Reformation " as a tale that is told," and to depreciate the character and the writings of the venerable Fathers of our Protestant Church, it was evident that the best means of counteracting such a plot would be, to bring again those writings to the light of day, that none might be deceived by the bold assertions that would date the well-being of our Church from a subsequent class of divines, who rather laboured to obscure the Gospel truths which were sealed by the blood of its martyrs. Such a means was provided in the PARKER SOCIETY. There is no occasion now to describe minutely its origin, or to detail the preliminary efforts that led to its establishment. These, as is in such cases unavoidable, had been made principally by individuals, among whom might be enumerated several clerical friends not unconnected with our own Publication. The success of the London Camden Society, in publishing valuable historical documents, called the attention of a layman to the practicability of accomplishing in a similar way the long desired work of reproducing the writings of the Reformers, and the plan was eagerly hailed in various quarters. And here we should speak something of the invaluable services of our respected friend, Mr. George Stokes, Honorary Librarian to the Society, if the little we might say-though far from adequately stating the worth of his unwearied labourswere not more than would be grateful to his retiring feelings. We know of no person who has a more intimate acquaintance with the writings of the English Reformers, of whose works he possesses a choice and rare collection; and his time and information have been lavishly devoted to the affairs of various religious institutions; but especially of the Parker Society. He, and his colleagues, have their reward in the abundant blessing which it has pleased God to bestow upon their labours. The facilities then recently afforded by the change in the Post-office system, availed in an extraordinary degree to making known the projected plan, shewing its advantages, and procuring subscribers; and the result was, the formation of an union by which in five years, more than twenty volumes have been sent forth, and very widely circulated. Seven thousand copies of each volume have been called for; and these, be it noted, were books of which commercial publishers had declined to print a few hundreds, though repeatedly urged to the ventureso mistaken may be the estimate formed of the public mind, even by those supposed best to understand its temper; though in all probability no private bookseller could have successfully prosecuted the undertaking, the prosperity of which required a very large body of subscribers, as mutual assurers, so as to afford the books at a low price and prime cost. Though the object of the Society was the needed diffusion of Gospel truth as received and set forth by our Protestant Reformers; it originated not in any spirit of rivalry with another Society, engaged in the production of books of a very different character, instituted about the same time. Avoiding any party or partial objects, it has pursued the even tenor of its way, with the simple design of presenting faithful reprints of highly valuable works, not now to be obtained in any other way; and it is to be regarded as a national effort, calculated largely to benefit this Protestant land. Amid much to discourage and alarm in the aspect of the world, there are few things more full of hope than the ardour with which the republication of the writings of the English Reformers has been welcomed. Not only have thousands both of the clergy and of the laity, as just stated, shewn themselves most anxious to possess the volumes, issued by this Society of Reformation theology; but if death, or change of any kind, removes some of the original members, others press immediately forward to occupy the place of the departed. When sets or separate volumes are at any time to be disposed of, they are freely re-purchased at more than the first cost. All this proves that no evanescent feeling has been excited; and this is a token for good; a token that the doctrines for which our Martyrs suffered privation, and loss, and imprisonment, and torture, and death, are still very highly and extensively valued among us. In this view it is peculiarly gratifying to count upon the list of subscribers not less than thirty-four Bishops, (English, Irish, and Colonial,) a proof that our honoured prelates despise not the faith of their holy predecessors. The Society's publications have been as follows. For the year 1841, The Works of Ridley; Pilkington; Sandys, (Sermons, &c.); Hutchinson. For the year 1842 The Examinations and Writings of Philpot; Writings of Grindal; Letters of Jewell, and others, translated from the Originals in the Archives of Zurich; Early Writings of Becon; Christian Prayers and Meditations. For the year 1843: Fulke's Defence of the English Bible; Early Writings of Bishop Hooper; Cranmer on the Lord's Supper; Catechism and other Pieces of Becon. For the year 1844: Liturgies, Primer, and Catechism of the Reign of Edward VI.; Writings of Coverdale; Sermons of Bishop Latimer. Prayers and other pieces of Becon. For the year 1845: Second Series of Letters from Zurich; Remains of Latimer; Writings of Jewell; Devotional Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. The Volumes preparing for publication in 1846, and the following year are, A further portion of Jewell; The Remains of Cran mer; another portion of Coverdale; Liturgies and Occasional Services of Queen Elizabeth; Calfhill's Answer to Martiall; Letters from the Archives of Zurich, written before the Reign of Queen Elizabeth ; and Writings of Bradford. Three works of this inestimable series have just issued from the press; viz. a portion of the writings of Bishop Jewell; Devotional Poetry of the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and a reprint, in one volume, of the translated Zurich Letters. Of Jewell, little needs be here said. His fine genius, his varied learning, his earnest zeal, his firm grasp of scriptural truth, must render his name a cherished one in the English Church, so long as she perseveres in contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. In Jewell's vast repository, almost every theological topic may be found more or less directly handled. His polemical writings go to establish the important fact, that the Fathers of the earlier ages, fairly interpreted, give no countenance to either the usurpations, or the main doctrines, of the Papacy and this position, which some ill informed Protestants have shown themselves inclined to surrender, Jewell manfully makes good. He demonstrates the comparative novelty of the Romish creed. In the discussions contained in this volume an immense multitude of authors are cited; and to verify these references, no small measure of laborious search was needed, not only among rare printed books, : but occasionally for the manuscripts quoted by the writer. Such was the vast range of learning, such were the unwearied investigations, of this great divine, who refuted from their own authorities the cavils of his opponents, or mastered them with their own weapons. The Select Devotional Poetry is valuable, as showing to what an extent the general literature of that day was imbued with religious feeling. The great Theological convulsion which had just taken place, had left, we are thus shown, almost every where, its impress. Many of the pieces contained in these little books, are also, poetically viewed, of exquisite merit. The volume of Zurich Letters comprises all those in the English translation which had previously appeared, but re-arranged, to form a continuous series in chronological order. They are thus in a more commodious shape for the general reader. The historian, as well as the divine, will be greatly indebted to this collection, the value of which was sufficiently indicated by Burnet and Strype more than a century ago. The volume now put forth, is not part of the ordinary issue of the Society, but is to be obtained by those who wish for it, by a separate small subscription. Persons who do not possess the collected series would do well to secure this edition of the Letters, which has been eagerly inquired for. A very inadequate view will be taken of the value of the Parker Society, if its works be looked at separately. Selections from the writings of the Reformers, and individual authors, have been repeatedly published, and have done good service in their way: but here is an attempt to place the mass of Reformation theology before the public; and it is as such that it deserves the greatest encouragement. In this light too, CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 104. as parts of a whole, the execution of the Society's plans should be judged of, and an estimate formed of the mode in which its volumes are put forth. Difficulties of no ordinary magnitude encompassed the Parker Society at its outset. Though it at once secured some warm friends, it was disregarded by many who might have been expected to be foremost in aiding such a work, some of whom indeed afterwards repaired their fault. We would not, however, scatter blame indiscriminately; for there were some, who, like ourselves, ardently desired to promote the object, but had their hands too full of pressing employment, to take an active share which they would have considered a privilege-in carrying out this extensive plan. But neglect was not the only or chief hindrance to the establishment of the Institution. Suspicions were cast upon its motives; and its progress was watched with a jealous eye. Objections were multiplied to its name, its plan, its constitution, and to the personal composition of its Council; and at a later period, some of those who professed themselves its friends, in their eagerness to expose some blemish, shewed themselves hardly sensible that there is any thing to commend. Praise or blame, however, if applied without discrimination, can be little worth; and can exercise upon well-judging minds a very feeble and short-lived influence. The first care of the Council was to search for competent Editors. To some persons it might seem that that search needed not have been a long one. But those persons can know little of the conduct of such undertakings. There was abundance of talent and learning in the country; but that this talent and learning should be found on the instant disengaged, or disengageable, and ready to lend 3 R |