ADVERTISEMENT

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THE SECOND EDITION.

In the Appendix to a Sermon recently published by the Rev. Dr. Hook, of Leeds, entitled, "A Call to Union on the Principles of the English Reformation," the following passage occurs, with reference to various publications which have appeared in opposition to the favourite theological opinions of that writer. "The want of information betrayed by these accusers, discreditable as it is, is still more offensive when it is found, as too frequently is the case, accompanied with a want of candour, and a tone of insult towards those whom they cannot, or will not under

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stand." To this sentence the following note is appended: "An instance of this may be given in a work just advertised under the title of Revelation not Tradition.' This title is evidently assumed to imply, that the advocates of the English Reformation elevate tradition above the Bible, or that they place tradition on an equality with it, — thereby insinuating a gross and uncharitable false

hood."

As the Title which was prefixed to the first edition of this Dissertation, is incorrectly given in the passage just quoted, it is certainly possible that the reference may be intended to some other publication, of the existence of which the Author of these pages is not aware. It is therefore only on the hypothesis that it is to this work, that the allusion is made, that he ventures to call the attention of the reader to the following few remarks in reply.

Dr. Hook complains of "the want of candour, and tone of insult," contained in the writings of those who think differently from himself on the subject of the authority due to tradition, and he refers to the present publication, as it would appear, as a case in point. Now, in the first place, it would seem from his own expression, that he really knows no more of the work which he thus censures, than the advertisement announcing its publication. And, in the second place, should he have condescended to glance his eye over its pages, the Author cannot but ask him "in what single sentence or expression contained in them, he can find justification for charging them with a want of candour, or a disposition to insult ?" The Author does not pretend to pronounce a judgment upon the force of his own arguments, or the skill he may have displayed in treating upon a nice and much controverted question; but he can

with confidence say, that not one word on the present occasion has slipped from his pen unbecoming the diffident and charitable feeling towards a literary adversary, which is so superlatively demanded in the discussion of a religious question. It is asserted by Dr. Hook, that the title is evidently assumed to imply, that the advocates of the English Reformation elevate tradition above the Bible. The Author of this work asks Dr. Hook, what grounds he has for asserting that the title does assume thus much; and at the same time challenges him to point out any one passage in the whole body of the work where this assumption is conveyed. The real charge which this tract does make, is, that the advocates of tradition consider it as concurrent and of equally divine authority with the Scriptures. As however Dr. Hook, in no very measured, and surely in not easily justifiable language, calls even this statement 66 a gross and uncha

ritable falsehood," the Author refers him to two passages of the writings of that party whose opinions Dr. Hook advocates, for his authority and justification. Has Dr. Hook never read the following passage in the "Tracts for the Times ?"-" We may say, 'The Bible, and nothing but the Bible;' but this is an unthankful reception of another great gift, equally from God, such as no true Englishman can tolerate. If, on the other hand, we proceed to take the sounder view, that the Bible is the Record of necessary truth, or of matters of faith, and the Church Catholics' tradition, the interpretation of it," &c.-No. 71. Or, again, has the following sentence of the Reviewer and panegyrist of Froude's Remains, in the British Critic, never met his eye?" He was one of those, who, feeling strongly the inadequacy of their own intellects to guide them to religious truth, are prepared to throw themselves unreservedly