Page:Letters of John Huss Written During His Exile and Imprisonment.djvu/9

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complete history of the persecuted precursors of the Reformation.”—Morning Herald, December 24.

“In reading De Bonnechose’s pages, you find yourself listening to the great Reformer’s words. You see Sigismund with the blush of shame mounting on his cheeks; you perceive, within the walls of the same dungeon, the inoffensive and heroic martyrs; and John XXIII., charged with every crime, deposed and condemned. Your admiration is excited by the generous sympathy of the manly Bohemian noble, John de Chlum. . . . . We cordially recommend the work.”—The Critic, January 1845.

“We give our readers to understand, that this very valuable work of M. De Bonnechose does not confine itself to a mere history of John Huss; on the contrary, it contains a full history of the Papal Schism from its commencement down to the period of the election of Martin V. The importance of this volume cannot be too highly rated; and happy should we be to hear that a copy of it existed in every house in England.”—Church and State Gazette, January 3. 1845.

“Next to D’Aubigné, this is one of the most interesting and able histories we have read since the life of John Knox and Andrew Melville. . . . . With scarcely less eloquence and vigour, it opens up the condition of the Church in those days when Huss and Jerome witnessed a good confession before many witnesses. It is altogether a most remarkable book, and destined to occupy no inferior place in our historical and ecclesiastical literature.”—Presbyterian Review, January 1845.

“This is truly a valuable and instructive work, eloquently written, and detailing circumstances and events of surpassing interest. The author seems quite equal to the task of discussing the occurrences of this momentous period in the history of Christendom. His views are liberal and enlightened. To both the author and the translator we tender our thanks, and trust the public will patronise this well-timed and useful work.”—The Patriot, January 9, 1845.

“This historical work embraces a period of between 70 and 80 years,—that is to say, from the commencement of the Great Schism of the West, in the year 1378, to the end of the war of the Hussites, towards the middle of the following century. A considerable portion is, as might be expected from its subject, devoted to a biographical account of John Huss, the famous Reformer, of whom the biographer writes in a spirit of animated panegyric, though we are not aware that his praises are, in any one instance, unduly exaggerated. It is pervaded throughout by a fervent religious spirit.”—The Sun, January 10. 1845.

“In the present state of religious controversy, especially as it shews itself in this country, we consider the publication of Bonnechose’s work as peculiarly opportune. The great principles for which the earliest reformers contended,—and which, now that they are clearly developed, seem as natural to man’s mental constitution as the air which he breathes is to his physical existence,—are in this volume elaborately expounded, and the causes which called them into being, and aided their development, carefully and impartially traced. We take leave of this excellent work, (here follows a quotation.) It is as truthful as it is eloquent.”—The Atlas, January 18.