printed: other Catholic editions of the whole Bible or the New Testament have likewise appeared, and obtained a cons siderable circulation: several Catholic · bishops, deans, doctors of divinity,» and priests, publicly recommend the devont reading of the New Testament from the pulpit, the professor's chair, and the press; they also personally put it into the hands of the common people, cheerfully contribute to the funds of Bible Societies, and collect money from their connexions*." pp. 70,71,

"The distribution of the Munich, Ratisbon, and Marbourg New Testa ments had been carried on, during the year 1815, by the Society's Catholic fellow-labourers; and not fewer than 120,000 were in circulation in Germany and the Catholic parts of Switzerland, In the latter, the Vicar-General (now Bishop) of Constance, Baron Von Wessenberg, continued to afford his countenance and aid towards the widest dissemination of the holy Scriptures among the subjects of his spiritual jurisdiction. His sentiments on this subject were, in a communication to the Basle Bible Society, thus admirably expressed:

“The advantages resulting from a general dissemination of the Sacred Re cords of Christianity are so evident, that I am determined to employ every means in my power, in order that each Chris tian family in our bishopric may be fur. nished with a copy of the New Testament.'

"In these measures the Baron ex perienced from his Procurator, Mr Held, and also from the pious and bene volent Pro-vicar Reininger, a liberal and effective co-operation.

“I duly received' (writes this venerable ecclesiastic) ' the 120 New Testa↓ ments on the 18th. In the morning, about ten o'clock, they arrived; and the day following, at two o'clock, all were gone. I distributed them gratuitously because I intend firmly to keep my resolution of distributing, at my own expense, as many copies of this divine book as my means will allow. Blessed fruits are likewise produced. Many fa

• “A parish priest in Bavaria voluntarily gave a douation of 700 florins (upwards of 70%.) to the Ratisbon Institution; subscribing, at the same time, for a large number of Testaments, in order to supply every individual cottage in his parish."

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 229.

thers of families, who have hitherto been accustomed to drown the miseries of life in wine, even when they ran in debt for it, now remain at home, and find themselves more strengthened and comforted, by reading the Bible than they ever were by strong drink.'

"The distribution in Germany seems to have been attended with similar, results. Many Catholics, both in town, and country, were reported, in conse-, quence of these steps, to have occupied themselves in the diligent perusal of the Scriptures. In some villages' also (says Professor Van Ess) ' meetings are held on Sabbaths, and other festivals, during which the New Testament is read with much edification. Wherever it is introduced into schools, a cheering, dawn of the approaching day in the kingdom of God may be perceived," 'You' (he observes, addressing the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society) have brought thousands nearer their Saviour and their salvation; you have conducted them to the invi sible Head of the Church; you have opened to them the pure inexhaustible fountain, from which they may draw light in darkness, rest when oppressed by a sense of sin, comfort under the weight of affliction, undaunted courage on the approach of death, peace and joy in this world, and perfect bliss in that which is to come."

"In these sentiments, the Director of the Ratisbon Institution, Regens Witt man, will be found to concur: and the impression made upon his mind by this unusual dissemination of the Divine word, at so extraordinary a crisis, was, in a communication to the parent institution, thus justly and forcibly de scribed :

"Your Bible Society in London is a wonderful phænomenon in the approaching crisis of our times, in which so many of our learned men no longer acknowledge the authenticity and his torical accuracy of our sacred books. Infidelity boasts of a complete triumph; and yet must behold, at the same time, the holy Scriptures exalted and spread throughout Europe, and from thence over the whole habitable globe, in a most wonderful manner. Great and powerful is our Lord at the right hand of the Father, and all his enemies must be put under his feet. May God strengthen you in your labours, and cause your confidence in his power and love never to abate." pp. 96–99.

From the communication of a Catholic nobleman, it appeared, that, in 1817, the Testaments of the pious and intrepid M. Gossner (a Catholic clergyman) circulated very extensively among the members of his communion; and that applications were made for them from the remotest parts of Bavaria, Suabia, and the Rhenish provinces. Surely' (observes this nobleman)' there are still eyes which see, and ears which hear. And what light and what voice are more éfficacious to dispel the Egyptian darkress, and to call back the poor wandering children of men to the way of salvation, than that light and that voice which proceed from the invisible world?'

"But our attention is more especially claimed by Professor Leander Van Ess. This distinguished champion of the holy Scriptures, of whose zeal and activity in promoting their dissemination the reader has already heard so much, continued to pursue his landable career with an intrepidity and perseverance, increased, rather than diminished, by the difficulties and perils to which he saw himself exposed. Generously sustained in his prodigions undertakings by munificent grants from the British and Foreign Bible Society, and encouraged by the sanction of some ecclesiastical dignitaries, the approbation of certain learn ed bodies, and the co-operation of not a few pious individuals of his own com munion, the diligent professor printed and dispersed successive editions of his New Testament; and had the happiness of witnessing their increased circula tion, against all the attempts to obstruct or abridge it.

"There is' (he observes) a great and irresistible desire in the people to have the Bible: the newly-issued mandates against reading the Scriptures have only tended to quicken attention, and to increase this desire. There is now a spirit evidently rising against the violated rights of conscience, which neither the sword, nor any canonical proceedings can possibly stifle: and what right is more sacred than the undisturbed possession of that inestimable Book, which is the property of all; which is given from Heaven, to inspire faith, hope, consolation, and peace, for time and eternity; and which is as much a man's property as God himself is his portion?'

"And again:

"How shall I sufficiently praise the Lord, for his wise and unsearchable

ways, in disposing of all events"; who; changes night into day, and darkness into light, and is able to make friends out of foes; in whose omnipotent band › opposition and obstruction become instruments of bringing forth that which is good, and accomplishing his eternal decrees? For never did I disseminate in so short a period such a vast number of copies of the New Testament, as since the time of the late Bible-prohi bitions; and no where have I perceived a more lively and ardent desire after the word of God, than in those very places where infatuated men strive to dry up that fountain of living water, or to prevent the people from having free access to it!"" pp. 311-313.

Mr. Owen thus describes the Pro-vicar of Constance, whom he met with during his tour on the continent in 1818.

"I found him a man of extensive. learning and profound thinking, simple manners, and warm and liberal piety. In the conversation with which he favoured me, the Pro-vicar advert ed, with high approbation, to the ob ject of our Society, that of circulating the Scriptures without note or comment. He considered all the schisms whiel had taken place, to have arisen from the undue stress laid upon human interpretations. The recognition (he observed) of the pure word of God, as the unerring standard of truth, was a principle in which he most heartily con curred; and he was convinced, that it would, eventually, unite all the different denominations of Christians in one holy catholic church. Let the labourers in this glorious work be stedfast and unmoveable, and their cause must finally triumph. I am' (he added)' a soldier of Christ, an aged weak instrument in his service; but, wherever I may be stationed, I shall endeavour to stand my ground in defending the Gospel in its purity, and resisting to the last all attempts to impose upon me, as commandments of God, the traditions of men.' Early on the following morning, I made him (with his permission) a second visit. In the course of our interview (which lasted a considerable time), the Pro-vicar entertained me with a variety of observations, all characterized by acuteness of thought and liberality of sentiment. He referred, with a mix ture of respect for the victim, and indignation against his persecutors, to the

·

illustrious John Huss. The house in which you now are' (said this venerable ecclesiastic) is that in which John Huss was confined:' and conducting us into an adjoining room, and throwing up the windows, he pointed, with much feeling, to the chamber which had been the prison of this martyr, and the spot on which he had been committed to the flames. He said, he saw antichrist in every thing which opposed the doctrine of Christ; adding, that, for his part, the only question he put to a stranger, was, 'Lovest thou the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, thou art my brother.' He complained of the declension of his eye-sight, as occasioning a great impe diment to his exertions; and said, that the last thing which he had written (and which had cost him a considerable ef fort) was his testimony of approval and recommendation in favour of Leander Van Ess's New Testament. On taking him by the hand, to bid him farewell, I asked the Pro-vicar what message I should deliver from him to the Bible Society, on my return to London? Sir, said he, after a short pause, the Bible Society has deserved the gratitude of the world; and it has my most cordial wishes and prayers for its success;' and pressing my hand, as I was retiring from him, he added, in a tone of emphatic tenderness, ' Wir sind eins,' ' We are one.'"

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• "All good men will certainly rejoice, wherever and by whomsoever good is done; particularly if the effect be to glorify the word and the name of Christ; and this is surely the case now, when such earnest zeal is displayed to make known his great salvation, and proclaim his infinite merits. This grateful joy will be much heightened by the pleas ing intelligence which I have to communicate; and which is the result, not only of my own observatious, but also of an extensive correspondence;-that the dissemination of the holy Scriptures is attended with a signal blessing, both among our Catholic and our Protestant brethren, whose hearts have been drawn

to the God of the Bible by the perusal of his holy word." p. 455.

Sermons. By the late Very Reverend ISAAC MILNER, D., D. F.R. S. and F. A. S. Dean of Carlisle, President of Queen's Col lege, Cambridge, and Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in that University. 2 vols. London: Cadell. 1820. 8vo. pp. 416 and 447. Price 11. 1s.

WE are persuaded that few works have been looked for with more eager expectation than these volumes. The distinguished abilities, the high station, and the enlightens ed piety of their author, have naturally awakened the public curiosity; and perhaps also the infrequency of his appearance in the pulpit, and the fame of his powers for addressing a popular audience; propagated by all who had heard him, may have contributed to excite this feeling, which must have been quickened by the large share he took in the ecclesiastical history begun by his brother. The desire, moreover, to know the deliberate sentiments of such a man on a variety of most important theological questions, and especially on those which have agitated the Christian church in our own day, would naturally add force to all the other motives for examining with attention whatever may have come from his pen.

We apprehend that some disap pointment may possibly be felt, in the first instance, by readers who open the volumes before us with such sentiments. No state of mind vourable consideration of can be more unfriendly to the fa than high expectations; for these any work being disappointed, proportionate complaints and dissatisfaction are apt to occupy the place of exi travagant hopes and ideas of imaginary excellence. But to all the reasonable anticipations of even the warmest admirers of the late Dear of Carlisle, we think these volumes