Some have indeed feared, that a superabundance of Memoirs may not only overstock the market, but also create satiety and disgust. There is, perhaps, little ground for this apprehension, as we may calculate pretty accurately on the proportion of the great mass of modern biography, which will soon and silently sink into obliFeeble common-place characters can, by no artifices, be raised to more than a momentary prominence. On the other hand, men, distinguished by superior talent, and high moral excellence, especially when their course has been marked by striking incidents, are sure to command attention. Such a man was the late Rev. John Cooke. He possessed strong sense, sterling piety, a frame and a mind admirably fitted for vigorous and useful exertions; and few devoted to the same sacred profession, have had their life diversified by so many remarkable Occurrences. It is long since we have seen a more interesting memoir than that which now lies before us; and much credit is due to Mr. Redford, for the judgment and diligence he has displayed in the work. It is full of information and incident, yet happily free from minute and tedious details. A complete analysis of this large and close-printed volume, would fill too large a space in our pages; but we will endeavour to give the reader a general idea of its con tents. Mr. R. first gives a lucid account of Mr. Cooke's early years, conversion to God, entrance upon the Christian ministry, with the difficulties and successes which attended his labour, intermixed with brief but appropriate reflections; and concludes with a sketch of his friend's character, which clearly displays, in every line and touch, a master-hand. We have then a number of facts and anecdotes connected with Mr. Cooke's life. These will probably, by many readers, be considered the most interesting portion of the work. Mr. Cooke's Select Remains follow, which consist of one hundred and eightyfour Short Essays, and eightytwo Letters to his friends on religious subjects. This Miscellany possesses high value, for though we find nothing profound in the matter, or brilliant in the style, we are constantly refreshed with the rich savour of divine truth and Christian experience. As we have spoken in strong terms of the integrity and excellence of the man whom our biographer holds up to our view, the following fact will suffice as specimen of the grounds and reasons on which this opinion rests. a "A gentleman of very respectable appearance called at his house rather early one morning, and requested to see the Rev. Mr. Cooke. As soon as Mr. C. entered the room, he said, Sir, I am an entire stranger to you; and it is business of no very pleasant or ordinary kind Some years ago an estate was purchased, which has brought me to Maidenhead. for which an adequate value was given at the time. But I find, on looking over the deeds, that, although it has been in the possession of my family many years, the sale is not valid, nor my title good, until it is signed by one John Cooke, who was, at the time of sale, a minor. legal advisers, I have ascertained that After much search, by the aid of my you are that John Cooke: and now it depends on you, whether what my father honourably purchased, but your father dishonestly sold, shall continue in the gentleman then most frankly opened and possession of my family or not.' The exposed to Mr. Cooke a bundle of parchments, containing all the particulars of the sale, with the deeds that had been executed. It is believed that the estate had greatly increased in value, and at the time of this application, was worth between three and four hundred pounds per annum. Mr. Cooke, after looking all was open and honourable on the side over the writings, and ascertaining that of the purchaser, replied to the fol lowing effect. 'Sir, I feel for the situation in which you are placed. The estate is the just right of myself and family; and, in point of law, I could disposses you and your's: but as I am satisfied whatever injustice has been practised on the part of the seller, you have acted honourably in the purchase, and have actually paid to another the price of what is mine-to set your mind at rest, I will affix my signature, although by so doing, I shall alienate from my family what they ought to possess. I do so, Sir, under the influence of those principles which the Gospel teaches, and humbly depending on the care, and wisdom, and bounty of that heavenly Father, who took me up from my youth, who has always supplied my necessities, and on whose promise I rely, that he will give me all things needful for life and godliness.' He then affixed his signature and seal to the title deeds." ment, and at another, some chapters in the New Testament. This method with a blessing, soon opened my eyes, corrected my error in practice, and endeared the sacred volume. Reading one morning that part of Abraham's history, where he feared the inhabitants of the land would kill him, to possess his wife; and in the afternoon, reading a few chapters in Proverbs, I paused at Solomon's words,' The fear of man bringeth a snare;' and was so struck with the illustration of it, by the snare which entangled Abraham, as to think Solomon had it in his eye. I began to see, that Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture; and from that trial compared spiritual things with spiritual.' words, alluding to it, to have Mr. Cooke appears possessed colloquial powers and gifts, which eminently quali fied him for instructive conversation. Both profligates and sceptics were reclaimed by his arguments and persuasions. While the work before us is fitted to instruct and encourage Christians of every rank and order, we think it cannot fail to be peculiarly acceptable to those who fill the sacred office. Many of the letters, indeed, are addressed to his younger brethren in the ministry, and abound with very valuable hints on the best methods of preparing for the pulpit. The following is a fair specimen of these epistles, and acknowledges and corrects a fault, which we fear is but too common amongst young preach ers. "My dear Kinsman,-In the early part of my Christian profession, 1 eagerly seized every human author in divinity; preferring them to the Bible itself, because I thought I understood them better than the prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ. This I lamented, and felt the reproofs of conscience for it. I often suspected my sincerity on this account. I resolved to make trial of the Sacred Scriptures, by reading one part of the day a few chapters in the Old Testa "On another occasion, I read the Jewish law respecting a bird, which might be killed when wandering in the field or flying in the air; but not on her nest. After this I read Solomon's as a bird that wanders from her nest, so is the man that wanders from his place ;' - his danger begins with his wandering for safety! Ever after, my mind was determined on keeping my eyes on the Sacred Scriptures night and day: and, by the divine blessing, this has furnished me for thirty years, with three sermons on the Lord's day, and twice on week evenings. And the more I read, preach, converse, and expound, the more amply I am filled with divine truth. All my fears of wanting a text or a subject, vanished, when I adopted this plan. Yet such was my folly and disposition to cleave to the dust,' that the first funeral sermon I was called to preach, I flew to Dr. Bates' Sermon on Death. I read it with attention and anxiety; but on my finishing it, felt myself weary, unhappy, disappointed. The thought occurredwhy not read the book of Job, the Psalms, the writings of Solomon on the I did so, and was subject of death? soon supplied with a text and a sermon. This cured my folly, and convinced me, that the word of God is able to make the man of God perfect,' or completely "Your's faithfully, furnish him for his work. "JOHN COOKE." Pp. 499, 500. Mr. R. is not chargeable with the common sin of bookmaking, for the mass of materials here collected would have formed two large volumes, in the customary customary and expensive style of most of our modern biography. In taking our leave, we sincerely thank Mr. R. for this valuable addition to our family and closet libraries, and indulge a confident hope that it will be widely circulated and become very useful. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, WITH SHORT NOTICES. THE MILLENNIUM, or Twelve Stories designed to explain to Young Bible Readers the Scripture Prophecies concerning the Glory of the Latter Days. By Mrs. Sherwood. Hamilton and Co. Price 28.-The productions of Mrs. Sherwood are all of an unquestionably good tendency. They are well fitted to afford instruction and pleasure to the class of persons for whose use they are designed. The present little volume is quite worthy of being placed by the side of its predecessors. Although it treads upon delicate ground, yet it treads circumspectly. Without interfering in the controversy respecting the personal or spiritual reign of Christ in the Millennium, the work affords a general view of the prophetic delineation relative to that highly interesting subject. So far as we have been able to discern, there is nothing that savours of human conceits throughout the volume, and we have no doubt it will prove acceptable and instructive to the young. It is embellished with a very neat and interesting plate. THE PROSPERITY OF ZION DE SIRED. A Farewell Sermon, delivered Oct. 12, 1828, in Ebenezer Chapel, Malton. By W. Greenwood. 8vo. pp. 37. Malton: Westley and Davis, London. A faithful and affectionate discourse from Psalm cxxii. 7, 8. It discovers rather too much of the author's fondness for that high-flown language which modern courtesy miscalls poetical: we recollect, however, that Mr. G. has appeared before our readers in the character of a poet. Many of his late congregation will, doubtless, treasure up these farewell words on their book-shelves; may the truths which they inculcate be also treasured up in their hearts. at the Ordination of the Rev. John Owen, as the Pastor of the Congregational Church at Chepstow. 8vo. pp. 62. Stroud: Westley and Davis, London. 2s This plan of publishing complete Ordination Services, has our warmest approbation; it tends materially to promote, not only among our own, but also among other denominations, a spirit of inquiry, and consequently more correct information respecting our sentiments and practice as to church government. Their value, however, would be still enhanced, by the addition of a short historical account of the church and interest to which they relate. The materials thus furnished to future historians of dissent, would be invaluable; and the information could not but be acceptable to the members of the church, many of whom are, generally, little acquainted with the events which befel their predecessors. —The Introductory Discourse, contained in the pamphlet before us, by the Rev. J. Wooldridge, of Bristol, comprises a concise and clear statement of the nature of a Christian church, and the leading principles of nonconformity to human authority in matters which relate solely to the connection between God and man, and not between man and his fellow-creature. To apologise, introduction of this topic, is, at least, as is the case in the preface, for the needless. The grounds of dissent are rather too rarely, than too frequently, illustrated by our ministerial brethren, and an ordination is an occasion which demands, rather than justifies, such a Rev. T. Loader, of Monmouth, affeccourse. From 2 Timothy iv. 5. the friend, a view of the vigilance, the tionately places before his young endurance, and the exertion required in the pastoral office, with the encouragement afforded for its faithful PRAYER OFFERED, April 1, 1828, discharge; and from Phil. ii. 1-4. DISCOURSES DELIVERED, AND A the Rev. J. Burder, of Stroud, exhorts the people to the practice of that unanimity, humility, and love, which the text so powerfully enforces. The profits of the publication will be devoted to the liquidation of the debt on the chapel. THE UNION COLLECTION OF HYMNS: additional to the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts, comprising that part of the Union Collection of Hymns and Sacred Odes, adapted to Public Worship. 18mo. cloth. 38.6d. Bristol: and Holdsworth and Ball, London.The Union Collection is too well known to need eulogy from us. This is a very neat edition of that part which is suited for public worship; and the original numbers are retained, for the accommodation of those who possess the complete collection. The type is good, and the execution of the work highly creditable to a provincial press. A PASTORAL LETTER, on the Subject of Revivals in Religion, addressed primarily to the Church of Christ, assembling in Carr's Lane, Birming ham, and submitted to the Consideration of the Independent Churches in General. By John Angell James. 12mo. 40 pp. 6d. Westley and Davis. -Although we contemplate a more formal notice of the various works now issuing from the press on the all important subject of religious revivals, yet we cannot refrain from promptly announcing this excellent pamphlet, which we beg to recommend to all our readers, as eminently calculated to excite that spirit of humility and selfexamination which must precede any extensive increase of the power of religion, either in communities or individuals. THE MONTHLY BIBLE-CLASS BOOK, upon the American Plan; or, Scriptural Aids to promote a Revival of Religion among the rising Generution; in the Form of Catechetical Exercises upon some of the most interesting Portions of Sacred Writ. Intended also as a Familiar Commentary on the Books of Scripture. Vol. I. Part. I. Gospel by John. By John Morison, Author of "An Exposition of the Book of Psalms,' &c. &c. 12mo. 6d. Westley and 22 Davis.-We are glad to see a work upon the plan of this Bible-Class Book, and we are, moreover, glad to see it in such able hands. The esteemed author has found that his efforts to draw the attention of the young of his own congregation to the simple study of the Word of God have been crowned with success; and he has, therefore, determined, we think wisely, to give the result of his Class Exercises to the public at large. The plan pursued is highly explanatory of the Holy Scriptures, by which circumstance the work may be of the utmost service to young and old. We deem this a very valuable accession to the means already possessed for advancing the work of religion in the hearts of those who are growing up into life. We quite agree with the author in his preface, that, "should religion experience a preeminent revival in this country, a powerful impression must be made upon the rising generation." TWENTY-ONE SERMONS, by the late Rev. Thomas Spencer, of Liverpool; from his own Manuscripts. Religious Tract Society. 12mo. pp. 312. Price 4s. 1829.-The name of Spencer, we have no doubt, notwithstanding the lapse of seventeen years since the melancholy catastrophe which deprived the church of his services, will procure for this volume a very ready sale. If, however, any persons should read these sermons who imagine that eloquence necessarily stands connected with a florid style; and that the popularity of Spencer must, in some measure at least, have been owing to the facility with which he was accustomed to pronounce a long succession of tropes and figures, they will soon, it is probable, find themselves disappointed. These discourses are exceedingly simple both in plan and language. They are dated from the year 1807, when he was only sixteen, the period at which he entered the Academy at Hoxton, to July 21, 1811, fifteen days before his death. They are evidently mere sketches, but they abound with frequent addresses to the conscience; and we are informed, by those who were better acquainted with his mode of preaching than we were, that his applications, which were mostly extempore at the close of his sermons, were, in general, copious and peculiarly striking We know not why the editor should have felt himself obliged to retain the numerous breaches of grammar, with which the volume abounds, particularly in the use of the tenses. We think it would have been an act of justice to have presented the work to the public, as nearly as possible, in that state which Spencer himself would have wished it to appear, had he contemplated its publication. In all other respects, this volume of the remains of Spencer does the Tract Society much credit. A HELP TO THE PRIVATE AND DOMESTIC READING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: including several Essays in relation to the Scriptures; an Arrangement of the Books of the Old and New Testament in Chronological Order; an Analysis of Mr. Mede's Scheme of the Apocalypse; and an Explanatory Index of various Mutters contained in the Bible. By John Leifchild. London: Nisbet." 12mo. boards. pp. 132. With a Map. 2s. 6d. THE SCRIPTURE STUDENT'S ASSISTANT; being a complete Index and concise Dictionary to the Holy Bible: in which the various Persons, Places, and Subjects mentioned in it are accurately referred to; and every difficult Word briefly explained. Designed to facilitate the Consultation and Study of the Sacred Scriptures. By the Rev. John Barr. 12mo. boards. pp. 178. London: Duncan. 3s. 6d. A SHORT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY: illustrated with various Remarks on the History and Religion of the Patriarchs, Jews, and Christians; together with the Laws, Customs, and Writings of the Ancient Jews. Originally published by J. Watts, D.D. A new Edition, with Tables of Chronology, Analyses of Scripture, and other Improvements, by John Whitridge. 18mo. pp. 180. boards Price 2s. 6d. Holdsworth and Ball. THE SCRIPTURE DIARY FOR 1829: comprising Daily Portions of the Holy Scriptures in the Order of their History, for reading the whole Bible within the Year; together with Selections from the Calendars, and Notices of Ecclesiastical and Biblical Literature. By John N. S. No. 50. Whitridge. 12mo. pp. 54. sewed. 1s. Holdsworth and Ball.-It has been well observed by Mr. James, in his Pastoral Letter, that we must "seek a revival of religion, by a revived attention to the Scriptures." For, perhaps the Bible was never more talked about, and comparatively less read, than it is now." 66 We therefore announce, with real satisfaction, the valuable little books before us, each of which, in its way, is well adapted to facilitate that study which will best vitalize our piety. Mr. Leifchild has well entitled his neat volume "A Help to the Private and Domestic Reading of the Holy Scriptures;" for besides short and very impressive Essays on the Duty of reading the Scriptures-on the Inspiration of the Sacred Writers -on the Symbolical Language of Prophecy-on the Collection of the Sacred Books of the Old Testament; he has furnished his readers with a Digest of the Books of the Old Testament, and an Arrangement of the Books of the New. These are presented to the reader in a tabular form, and follow the course of time, as far as it can be ascertained, and direct in what order the Scriptures are to be read, to secure a view of the historical chain which connects the whole. In this part Mr. L. has availed himself of the voluminous labours of Lightfoot and Townsend, and has succeeded to compress into a small compass the best information on this subject. Epitomes of Jewish History, from the Prophetic Age to the Birth of Christ-of the Life of Christ-and of the Life and Labours of the Apostle Paul, are added; and we feel persuaded, that to private Christians, who have but little leisure for biblical studies, and to Sunday School teachers, this work will be found a very useful manual, and we therefore cordially recommend it to the attention of our readers. Mr. Barr's very chaste and interesting volume will form a suitable companion to the preceding. He justly remarks, "That one unknown word in a sentence often obscures the whole of it;" and therefore to furnish just views of the various terms of the inspired writings, 66 every difficult word is briefly explained-figurative lan |