Notice of Recent Publications [pp. 443-477]

Notices of Recent Publications.
author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, as inferences very correctly
drawn from his writings." P. 419.
A History of the Christian Couneils, from the Original Documents to the
close of the Council of Nicea, A. D. 325. By Charles Joseph
Hefele, D.D., Bishop of Rottenburg, formerly Professor of Theology
in the University of Tubingen. Translated from the German, and
edited by William R. Clark, M.A., Oxon., Prebendary of Wells and
Vicar of Taunton. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. New York:
Scribner, Welford & Co. 1871.
This is a volume of great value for its learning, its calm and scholarly
analysis of facts, and the great facilities it furnishes for obtaining a
knowledge of the Primitive Councils, their origin, objects, decrees,
and authority. It begins with an able introductory dissertation on
the nature, scope, comnposition and power of these councils. The
bias of the author towards the primacy of the Roman See and Pontiff
are always perceptible, he being a Romish bishop, and member of the
late Vatican Council. There is, however, along with this bias, a prevailing judicial candor, which is unusual with this class of writers, and
leaves the facts of the case to tell their own unvarnished tale to the
reader, and to testify that the dogma of Romish and papal primacy
was of gradual and post-apostolic growth.
The Messrs. Clark of Edinburgh, and Scribner, Welford & Co., New
York have also issued a further instalment of their Ante-Nicene Library now approaching completion, consisting of translations of the
writings of the Fathers down to A. D. 305 edited by Drs. Roberts
and Donaldson. We have now before us the 3d and last volume of
Tertullian's writings with the extant works of Victorinus and Commo dianus. It contains his famous tracts against Heresies, on modesty,
chlastity, virginity, monogamy, fasting, etc. Although these with
other writings have made his name immortal, and are valuable as indi cative of the state of doctrine and life in the early church, they also
evince the absurdity of exalting the early Fathers to a height of au thority co-ordinate with the inspired writers, or of making patristic
theology an authoritative exposition, or infallible development of Chris tian doctrine. With much that is admirable they contain much that
not even the most pronounced ritualists could endure.
The other volume contains the Clementine Homilies and the cele brated Apostolical Constitutions. They are especially valuable as
bringing us most nearly to the apostolic age, although their assumed
authorship is mythical. They rather show what their authors under stood and would have others understand to have been taught by the
Apostles and by the Father whose life reaches back to theirs. They
1871.]
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