28 JANUARY 1899, Page 13

The Later Medimval Doctrine of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. By the

Rev. B. J Kidd. (Published for the Church Historical Society by the S.P.C.K.)—The episcopal referees of this Com- mittee are Dr. Westcott, Dr. Stubbs, and Dr. Browne ; its presi- dent is Dr. Creighton. The publications have two objects,—to instruct the younger English clergy and educated laity, and to furnish them with sound historical teaching for anti-Roman con- troversy in a cheap and accessible form. The present publication (No. 46) is exceptionally valuable just now, as it deals with Article 31; this is usually treated as if it were purely Protestant by both sections of English Church controversialists, whereas Mr. Kidd shows it to be both negatively Protestant and constructively anti-Roman. It most distinctly assumes such practices have been, and will go on, as are shown to be in existence during the years in which the " Chantry system" of priced Masses was destroyed. Mr Kidd has done good work for the English position in stating most clearly what is, in the opinion of English scholars, the historical answer to this question : "Was the doctrine of the Mass, current in the sixteenth century, primitive and catholic, or was it of later scholastic growth? Upon the answer to that question depends in some measure the truth or falsity of the charge so often made against the Church of England, that in her teaching on the sacrifice of the Eucharist she has rejected part of the Catholic Faith." It is a most interesting little book on a big question.