A commentary on Ecclesiastes

by Thomas Pelham Dale

“Beginning with a sketch of the errors and contradictions of the Popes, and of the position which, as a matter of history, they held in the early Church, the book proceeds to describe the three great forgeries by which the Papal claims were upheld—the Isidorian decretals, the donation of Constantine, and the decretum of Gratian. The last subject ought to be carefully studied by all who wish to understand the frightful tyranny of a complicated system of laws, devised not for the protection of a people, but as instruments for grinding them to subjection. Then, after an historical outline of the general growth of the Papal power in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the writers enter upon the peculiarly episcopal and clerical question, pointing out how marvellously every little change worked in one direction, invariably tending to throw the rule of the Church into the power of Rome; and how the growth of new institutions, like the monastic orders and the Inquisition, gradually withdrew the conduct of affairs from the Bishops of the Church in general, and consolidated the Papal influence. For all this, however, unless we could satisfy ourselves with a mere magnified table of contents the reader must be referred to the book itself, in which he will find the interest sustained without flagging to the end.”—Pall Mall Gazette.

“In France, in Holland, and in Germany, there has already appeared a multitude of disquisitions on this subject. Among these several are the acknowledged compositions of men of high standing in the Roman Catholic world,—men admittedly entitled to speak with the authority that must attach to established reputation: but not one of them has hitherto produced a work more likely to create a deep impression than the anonymous German publication at the head of this notice. It is not a piece of merely polemical writing, it is a treatise dealing with a large subject in an impressive though partisan manner, a treatise grave in tone, solid in matter, and bristling with forcible and novel illustrations.”—Spectator.

“Rumour will, no doubt, be busy with its conjectures as to the name which lurks beneath the nom de plume of ‘Janus.’ We do not intend to offer any contribution towards the elucidation of the mystery unless it be a contribution to say that the book bears internal evidence of being the work of a Catholic, and that there are not many Catholics in Europe who could have written it. Taking it all in all, it is no exaggerated praise to characterise it as the most damaging assault on Ultra-montanism that has appeared in modern times. Its learning is copious and complete, yet so admirably arranged that it invariably illustrates without overlaying the argument. The style is clear and simple, and there is no attempt at rhetoric. It is a piece of cool and masterly dissection, all the more terrible for the passionless manner in which the author conducts the operation.”—Times.

LETTERS FROM ROME ON THE COUNCIL. By Quirinus. Reprinted from the “Allgemeine Zeitung.” Authorized Translation. Crown 8vo. 12s.

FEMALE CHARACTERS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE. In a Series of Sermons. By the Rev. Isaac Williams, B.D., formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. New Edition. Crown 8vo. 5s.

THE CHARACTERS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. In a Series of Sermons. By the Rev. Isaac Williams, B.D., formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. New Edition. Crown 8vo., 5s.

“This is one of the few volumes of published sermons that we have been able to read with real pleasure. They are written with a chastened elegance of language, and pervaded by a spirit of earnest and simple piety. Mr. Williams is evidently what would be called a very High Churchman. Occasionally his peculiar Church views are apparent; but bating a few passages here and there, these sermons will be read with profit by all ‘who profess and call themselves Christians.’”—Contemporary Review.

“This is a new edition of a very popular—and deservedly popular—work on the biography of the Old Testament history. The characters are ably and profitably analysed, and that by the hand of a master of style and thought.... The principle of selection has been that of prominence; and partly, too, that of significance in the characters so ably delineated. A more masterly analysis of Scriptural characters we never read, nor any which are more calculated to impress the mind of the reader with feelings of love for what is good, and abhorrence for what is evil.”—Rock.

THE HILLFORD CONFIRMATION: A TALE. By M. C. Phillpotts. 18mo. 1s.

APOSTOLICAL SUCCESSION IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. By the Rev. Arthur W. Haddan, B.D., Rector of Barton-on-the-Heath, and late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. 8vo. 12s.