SIGNS OF THE TIMES. (WRITTEN IN 1828.) WHEN from scattered lands afar Heaved like ocean's stormy tide; When the fig-tree shoots appear From the grass-grown village grave, Where are they, whose proud disdain Quelled are all thy foes, O Lord; Earth, whose sabbath glories rise Sacred be th'opposing veil Mortal sight and strength must fail : Review of Books. HISTORY OF THE GREAT REFORMATION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, in Germany, Switzerland, &c. By J. H. Merle d'Aubigné, President of the Theological School of Geneva, and Member of the Societé Evangelique. Vols. I. and II. Walther. WE hardly expected, after so many years' delighted contemplation of this mighty work-the re-awakening of the nations to life from the dead-after becoming so familiar with the name, the acts, and the sentiments of Martin Luther, as to feel a glow of delight whenever he was spoken of, and to treasure up every stray leaf of his writings-we little thought it would be ours to open a book that should place before us these well-remembered things in all the freshness of novelty, and lead us to look on our actual acquaintance with Luther and his fellow-workers as only now commencing. Yet such is the effect produced by the narrative of Mons. Merle d'Aubigné. There is a life, a soul in these pages that could only be imparted by a full participation of the author in the spirit which actuated the subjects of his biography; while the depth of feeling, force of expression, and vividness of description sustained throughout the volumes, carry the reader back three centuries, even into the midst of that mighty struggle compared with which our modern controversies are the veriest toying. The second volume leaves us at the foot of the Swiss mountains, where Zwingle wrestled in prayer with God, for the cause so inexpressibly sacred and dear to his soul: and never in the idlest days of our folly did we lay down a tale of exciting interest, with so eager a desire to resume and to finish the story. That a book on this subject so fascinating in style should have appeared to win the attention of Protestants, is matter of rejoicing; and we trust a widely-extended blessing will accompany it. We know not in what language it was originally written: a foreigner could scarcely exhibit such command of our own; and there is about it nothing of the stiffness of a translation. It is a noble story nobly told; a sacred subject most spiritually treated of. to the judgment, the taste, and highest principle of the human mind, it commends itself; and we do trust it will operate as a trumpet-call, summoning our scattered forces to their post, and guiding them to the spiritual conflict that must again be waged in defence of Protestantism. Alike DISCOURSES UPON TRADITION AND EPISCOPACY. Preached at the Temple Church, and published by request. By Christopher Benson, A.M., Master of the Temple. Second Edition. Parker. THE Benchers of the Inner Temple, who heard these discourses delivered, and requested their publication, deserve no thanks from the tractarians' of Oxford. Mr. Benson, moved with a desire to guard his flock from the seductive errors to which many of them must necessarily be exposed, preached four sermons on the following subjects:-I. The scriptures and the fathers: II. The true honour of the clergy: III, Christ's presence with his ministers: IV. The Apostolical origin of episcopacy. Among many admirable features that distinguish these truly eloquent discourses, no one can avoid being struck with the exemplary mildness, moderation, and brotherly love that pervade the whole. Mr. Benson has not used one expression calculated to give offence; but has attained to the rare excellency of shewing all honour to the men, while he exhibits in a blaze of pure light the deformity of their errors. Puseyism is such a provoking thing to deal with, that few indeed of its opponents can uphold this tone without compromising their cause. The calm, temperate dignity of Mr. Benson's style is beautiful; and there are passages not of unfrequent occurrence that would be called splendid, if placed beside the choicest selections from our very first-rate writers. Nothing can be finer than the picture drawn of the ministerial office; its cares, responsibilities, and due honour are so finely discriminated and sifted from the abuses |