that three thousand were ready to go all lengths to obtain, what he calls, an efficient, salutary, and scriptural reform in the Church. This is a somewhat gloomy picture; and, we contend, that it was this sad state of things which produced Tractarianism. Many men saw and lamented the laxity among the clergy; they did what they could to correct the evil; and Tractarianism is the result of the re-action.

THE SCOTTISH SCHISMATICS.

The Bishop of London has given his judgment of the clergymen in Scotland, who have revolted from the Church in that country; and we rejoice that his lordship has spoken so plainly. It is pretty evident that such men cannot, in visiting England, find churches in the diocese of London. We know not how Mr. Bickersteth may view the matter; but it appears to us, that he ought to feel somewhat uncomfortable, in taking a retrospect of his conduct, in sanctioning in Scotland what he dare not practice in England. The pretence of being under the English bishops is entirely demolished by the Bishop of London's letter. In our opinion, the men who can countenance such proceedings in Scotland, would much rather dispense with bishops in England. They cannot be zealous for the order, though they have asserted that it always existed in the Church. We hope that the bishops in England will prevent the Scottish schismatics from officiating in our Churches: for it is certain, that the men who can defy episcopal authority in Scotland would do the same in England, if they could do so, and yet be considered as within the pale of the Church. It may be taken for granted, that they would reject episcopacy altogether, if they were left to their own inclinations. Sure we are, then, that all sound members of our Anglican Church will feel truly thankful to the Bishop of London for the full expression of his sentiments, on the Scottish schism, in his letter to the Bishop of Glasgow.

It will now scarcely be pretended, that English clergymen can act in Scotland in defiance of the bishops, and yet maintain their characters as supporters of Episcopacy. The thing is impossible, because the very term episcopal implies subjection to a bishop: yet the schismatics in Scotland owe no subjection to any authority on earth. To pretend that they are clergymen of the Church of England is dishonest: since that Church does not permit her ministers to act without a license from a bishop.

General Literature.

Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature. By JOHN KITTO; assisted by various able Scholars and Divines. Part XIV. Edinburgh A. and C. Black. London: Longman and Co.

WHEN the early parts of this work appeared we spoke of it in general terms of approbation, which is all that can be said at the commencement of a publication like this. For, however judiciously the plan may be laid, and however liberal the outlay, in order to insure the first-rate talent, expectations may be disappointed when the results appear. Nor will we conceal the fact, that some of the earlier articles, to which the initials of names having some standing and celebrity, did disappoint us, and, in one or two instances, were deserving of reprehension, for want of information or sound principle; but we have pleasure in saying that we have not observed a repetition of this in the later articles, and that the work bids fair to be brought to a conclusion in a manner creditable to its projectors, and very beneficial to the public.

The work was intended to be, not theological, not doctrinal, but illustrative of the Bible, as to its text and canon; as to its history; and as to the manners, customs, and mode of life of the people to whom it relates: together with the natural history of the countries referred to, and a particular description of every animal, or vegetable, or mineral, spoken of in the Scripture. It is obvious that, for such a purpose, the editor would act wisely in endeavouring to obtain the assistance of the ablest men in these several departments, without considering whether they belonged to a church on this or the other side of the Tweed, or whether they were Germans or Englishmen. Provided they were Christians, and he took care to exclude everything which was in the remotest degree hostile to Christianity, he would do well to avail himself of the kind of talent he wanted, wheresoever he could find it; and this work has the merit of original and very vigorous dissertations on all the subjects which it undertakes to explain. Some of the most eminent writers of Germany and America appear among the contributors; together with professors of the universities of Scotland and England.

The arrangement, of course, is alphabetical, and we take at random a few articles in sequence, to give our readers some idea of the contents of the work. Jubilee. Judæa. Judah: tribe of kingdom of. Judas Maccabæus: Iscariot, &c. Jude. Judges. Judgment-hall. Judith, &c. Under these heads there is opportunity of discussing the system of legislation

under which the Jews were placed, which was purely theocratical in its whole character and tendencies; as no other kind of government would be consistent with such an institution as the Jubilee. The tribe and kingdom of Judah enable the writer to bring before his readers the greater part of the history of the children of Israel, in that royal tribe which was the last to be carried into captivity, and out of which the Messiah was predicted to arise. The Maccabees fill up the chasm between the last of the prophets and the coming of Christ. The Judges afford occasion for elucidating one of the most difficult points of chronology in the whole of Scripture. Judgment-hall brings out many of the Roman customs; and Judith leads to observations on the Apocrypha.

All these questions are discussed with great learning and ability, so as generally to carry with them the conviction of the reader and some of the historical articles, such as Egypt and Jerusalem, which have appeared in earlier parts, have been very full, and equally satisfactory. The names of animals and plants are always accompanied with careful enquiries into the particular species intended, deduced from a comparison of the different passages where the name occurs. It is also pointed out whether, and in what respects, they differed from the animals and plants which we know by the same name; and in cases where they remarkably differ wood-cut representations are given. Dresses, arms, furniture, and implements of husbandry are also represented, in many instances, taken from authentic sources, as far as possible; or similar usages in neighbouring nations of that early age, as found in Egyptian tombs, or the sculptures of Persepolis.

All these are admirably executed; but we do not think so highly of the views of places, whether engraved on wood or on steel. On wood, the scale is too small, and the printing too coarse, to afford a satisfactory representation; and steel engravings also we could well dispense with in such a work, as they are, for the most part, views from the sea; and any one such view is so much like another, that we remember only waves, and boats, and sea-gulls-not places. One such steelengraving, no doubt, costs as much as ten wood-cuts; but we would prefer one good wood-cut of an animal to ten such engravings.

But the articles which afford occasion for critical and hermeneutical observations, will, to many readers, be the most instructive. Under the head of Latinisms, for instance, it is remarked, "The Latinisms of the New Testament are of three kinds; (1) of Latin words in Greek letters; (2) of Latin senses

of Greek words; and (3) of those forms of speech which are more properly called Latinisms." Assarius, census, centurio, legio, speculator, and macellum, are given as instances under the first head; all of which are found written in Greek letters, with only a change of termination. The Greek word for fruit, used in the sense of emolument, and praise in the sense of judgment, are Greek words with a Latin sense. The proper Latinisms are phrases, such as "willing to content the people" -"give diligence"-"see thou to that," &c., &c. The importance of the Latinisms in the Greek Testament consists in this-that they are to be found in the best Greek writers of the same era. Their occurrence, therefore, in the New Testament add one thread more to that complication of probabilities with which the Christian history is attended; and much more to this purpose. A good article on Law follows; and useful clearing away of objections, and pointing out of analogies, and strengthening of proofs of the authenticity and purity of the Scriptures, by means of critical researches, are continually occurring. When the work is completed, we shall take occasion to bring it more fully before our readers as a whole, and in all its several aspects, as doing more, and in a greater variety of ways, than any work of the kind that has appeared in England.

Oxford: Tract, No. 90: and Ward's Ideal of a Christian Church. A Practical Suggestion respectfully submitted to the Members of Convocation. With an Appendix, containing the Testimonies of Twenty-four Prelates of the English Church against Tract No. 90; and a Series of Extracts from Ward's Ideal of a Christian Church, carefully printed from the original Work. By the Rev. W. SIMCOX BRICKNELL, M.A. Oxford: J. Vincent. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1844. 8vo.

Mr. Bricknell had the honour of being early in the field against the errors of the so-called "Tracts for the Times." The present (if we mistake not) is his fifth publication, and it has justly excited much attention; a second edition being required within a very few days after the appearance of the first.

The former part of Mr. Bricknell's pamphlet relates to the Popish tendency of the "Tract No. 90;" as evinced by the secession of upwards of twenty persons (for the most part members of the University of Oxford,) to Popery, and particularly by the "Ideal of a Christian Church," published by Mr. Ward, who has acquired unenviable notoriety by the following sufficiently audacious declaration :

"Three years have passed since I said plainly, that, in subscribing the articles, I renounce no one Roman doctrine: yet I retain my fellowship, and have received no ecclesiastical censure in any shape."(p. 567.)

Mr. Bricknell suggests that a memorial be presented to the Vice-Chancellor, and Heads of Houses, requesting that Convocation may be assembled for the express purpose of solemnly repudiating the pernicious system of interpretation propounded in the ninetieth number of the "Tracts for the Times ;" and at the same time of recording the formal censure of the University upon Mr. Ward's "Ideal of a Christian Church."-(p. 16.)

Mr. Bricknell's suggestion for assembling a Convocation, will, in no long time, be acted upon. While the pen is in our hand, it has been announced in the daily journals, that Mr. Ward's volume has been submitted to the Hebdomadal Board, of Heads of Houses, and Proctors at Oxford; and that the Vice-Chancellor of that University has given notice of a Convocation to be holden on the 13th of February next, for the following purposes:

1. To censure certain passages in Mr. Ward's book, as utterly inconsistent with the Thirty-nine Articles, and with the declaration made by him previously to his admission to his degrees of B. A. and M. A., and with his good faith in respect of such declaration and subscription.

2. To degrade Mr. Ward from his academical degrees, should he not submit and retract.

3. To make provision that the Articles shall in future be honestly subscribed, in the case of persons suspected of holding erroneous opinions, contrary to the doctrines and discipline of the Church of England.*

In taking this step, the Hebdomadal Board has discharged its duty to the University, to the country, and to the Church. It had no power to do more than submit the plan to Convocation, which we doubt not will perform its sacred duty.

The appendix to Mr. Bricknell's Tract contains two important articles, viz.-1. A series of extracts from twenty-four episcopal charges, exhibiting the judgment of as many bishops, on the character and tendency of Mr. Newman's "Tract, No. 90;" and 2. A series of passages in favour of Popish tenets, extracted from Mr. Ward's "Ideal of a Christian Church," and arranged under twelve heads. Mr. Bricknell's publication is most seasonable, and has deservedly had an extensive circulation.

* Church and State Gazette, December 21, 1844.