Practical Religion. By the Rev. J. C. Ryle, M.A. (Hunt
and Co.)— This book is the third and last of a series, which is intended by the author to cover the whole ground of Christian faith and practice. It has now a special interest, from the author's subsequent elevation to the Bench. He shows himself, in this volume, as thoroughly attached to what are called Evangelical views as ever ; but he has been too long well known in his own part of the country, and in his own section of the English Church, to need any introduction from us. We therefore content ourselves with selecting from the sermon on " Reality " a few sentences :—" Let reality be one great mark of your approach to Christ Your repentance may be feeble, but let it be real ; your faith may be weak, but let it be real ; your desires after holiness may be mingled with much infirmity, but let them be real. Let there be nothing of reserve, of double-dealing, of part-acting, of dishonesty,
of sham, of counterfeit, in your Christianity If there is any- thing which a man ought to do thoroughly, really, truly, honestly,
and with all his heart, it is the business of his seal If there is anything in the world of which a man need not be ashamed, it is the service of Jesus Christ." In a postscript to the last sermon, on "Eternity," Mr. Ryle enters a strong protest against the doctrine of Canon Farrar's sermons on "Eternal Hope," but the subject is too wide to be entered upon here. We may, however, be permitted to express a feeling of surprise, which rises unbidden, whenever we see fresh proof of the exceeding fear with which the most excellent and kindly people view any doctrine of the kind. Has it never occurred to them to observe that it is the incorrigibly debased who appear to dwell most on the opposite ideas ?
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