A History of the Councils of the Church. By the
Right Rev. Cl. J. Hefele, D.D. Vol. II. (T. T. Clarke.)—This volume, like its prede- cessor, is a piece of very thorough and conscientious work, which can be safely recommended to every student of Church history. It orobntoes an important period, from A.D. 326 to 429,—that is, from the Council of Nie0311, the first of the (Ecumenical Councils, to the preparations for the third (=Ecumenical Council, of Ephesus, in A.D. 431. Within this century are abundant materials for study, alike for the general and for the more special student of history. It is the period in which figure the great names of Arius, Athanasius, Chrysostom, among Churchmen, and of Constantine and Theodosius among princes. As we glance over the table of contents, we cannot but be struck with the multitude of ecclesiastical synods, and we at once fool how keen must have been the interest generally taken in matters of both dogma and discipline. The work seems to be of a thoroughly learned and exhaustive character; it is written from original sources, which are constantly referred to in the notes. The subject of ecclesiastical councils in less skilful hands is apt to have a disjointed and fragmentary appearance, which to most readers renders it only irksome and distasteful, but Bishop Hefei° has aimed at show- ing how each synod of any real importance was a link in the develop- ment of the Church. Those who differ from him most widely will, we think, acknowledge that he has done his best to deal fairly and con- scientiously with his materials. In Mr. Oxenham, whose name is well known in connection with this branch of literature be has found a competent editor and translator.
Previous page
