baptism as “ being now born again, one that doeth righteousness is born of and being made an heir of everlasting him” (1 John ii. 29), “created in Christ salvation"! Unless, therefore, Mr. Jesus unto good works"(Ephes. ii. 10)? Baylee can prove his canon, “ every I must once more assure your readers spiritual term is employed in Scrip- and Mr. Baylee, that in these remarks, ture in a twofold sense” (p. 12) to be I am actuated by no unfriendly, no applicable to the Scripture-term “heirs personal, and no controversial motives. of God, and joint heirs with Christ” I respect Mr. Baylee's pious zeal and (Rom. viii. 17) and to the Church-term Christian character. Truth is iny sole is heir of everlasting salvation,” we object in writing. And if Mr. Baylee must consider that he has completely can clear up the difficulties to which failed in his particular line of defence I have now directed attention, no one for our Baptismal services.

will rejoice more than myself. 5. Mr. Baylee in condemnning the I am, Sir, your obedient servant, hypothetical view that Baptism does

C. H. Davis. sometimes_" when successful" as Mr. Nailsworth, 10th March, 1852. B. terms it-convey the inward re- P.S. Mr. Baylee has scarcely done newal, speaks thus : “Baptism plainly justice to the hypothetical view, when was not intended for so high and holy he represents it thus: “ Although after a purpose. Its privileges are very great, experience shews but too plainly that but they are not these” (p. 22). How spiritual birth was not given in bapdoes Mr. Baylee reconcile this state

tism, yet that in the judgment of chament with the doctrine of the Cate.

rity we may hope that it was, and in chism that Baptism, being “a Sacra

that hope thank God for the gift" ment," is “A means whereby we

(p. 21). It would have been more receive" the “ inward and spiritual

correct to represent it thus: “We grace,” that is, the “new birth unto

may hope that it was, until the conrighteousness ," the meaning of which

trary too plainly appears in an ungodly phrase appears from these texts,' every life,

Reviews, and Short Notices of Books.

A RejoinDER TO THE Bishop of

Exeter's REPLY TO THE EDINBURGH
Review. By the Edinburgh Re-

VIEWER. Longmans.
In reviewing last month the Bishop
of Exeter's Letter to Sir Robert Inglis,
we expressed our anxiety to see this
Rejoinder. We felt so sure that the
Bishop was in good hands, that we
gladly excused ourselves from the
trouble of some enquiries and investi-
gations into which we might otherwise
have felt it desirable to enter; and
we left it to one who was evidently
already acquainted with facts, and
had doubtless in his possession docu-
ments to which we could not easily
find access, to deal with such portions
of the Bishop's Letter as called for
notice. This Rejoinder has fully sa-
tisfied us that we did wisely in so

doing : it does much more for the
complete exposure of this unhappy
disturber of the Church, than our limits
would have permitted us to attempt
-even if we had been fully prepared
to enter at large into the investigation
of the subject. In short, if the Review
was powerful and overwhelming, the
Rejoinder is still more so: and this
not the less, because it is written in a
more calm and measured style. There
is less of indignant censure; but more
of sober statement. The language is
less vehement; but the facts are still
more clearly and strongly brought
before us: and they are left more
simply to make their own impression.
The Reviewer says very candidly,
(P.30)

“The manner in which we executed our task, we doubt not was susceptible of great improvement. Yet we are anxious

to meet one complaint, which has been had been noticed in the Review; and made by some whose opinion we respect. it shews further that the general It has been said that we spoke with too charge of demanding a sight of the

ch of levity and ridicule on so sad a title-deeds before he institutes, is adsubject; and that the tone in which we wrote was inconsistent with a deep feeling

mitted by the Bishop himself: and it of regret for the evils which we exposed.

adds that in other respects, when But surely we may see the ludicrous cha

property was concerned, his conduct racter of many acts which yet we earnestly

was open to just and grave exception. deplore.”

We need only conclude this brief And as the Reviewer thus acknow

notice by quoting the following pasledges, and apologizes for, something

sages :in the tone and manner of his Article,

“ Finally, we desire to say, that no which was open to objection, so he is

feeling of personal hostility has actuated very careful in his Rejoinder to avoid

us, in the painful task we have undertaken. everything of the kind.

Our hostility to the Bishop of Exeter is a We need not dwell long upon this public, not a private hostility ; nor have Pamphlet. We commend it to the we ever had any private grounds of hosattentive perusal of those who wish to tility towards him. We saw the Bishop understand, if they do not already, excommunicating, vituperating, and inthe true character of Dr. Philpotts.

sulting the venerable Archbishop, whom We need only mention that it refers,

he had sworn to reverence and obey; we as we had done, to the large portion

saw him defying the law of the Church of of the charges, which the Reply does

England, and reviling its administrators ;

and we believed that he, who was thus not attempt to touch.

convulsing the Church, was only acting a “But before we enter upon our exami- part for selfish ends. Under these cirnation of what is said in this Pamphlet, cumstances, it seemed to us an imperative we must notice what is not said. We must duty to communicate our own knowledge call the attention of our readers to the fact, to the English public.” that of the numerous and grave charges “ We address these remarks especially brought against the Bishop in the Review, to those for whom we most desire to write, he does not answer, either by himself or the religious men who still follow the Bihis secretary, above one fourth part. The shop of Exeter. We do not write for the reinainder he tacitly admits to be true, factious partisans, who will continue, as and amongst these are some of the most they have ever done, to call evil good, and important. In order to verify this, we good evil, for party objects. We care not beg our readers simply to mark those to detach them from the standard which pages in the Review which the Bishop's they have chosen. Mane ant, qui nigrum Pamphlet attempts to answer ; and they in candida vertant ! But we know that will find them to be only ten out of thirty- there are many devout and holy men who

fight under the same banner. Let such And it then proceeds to enquire

men ponder the facts which we have re

corded, and then reflect upon the infinite “ how the Bishop has succeeded in

evil which is caused by the identification meeting these few charges to which of a religious system with practices which he has made any reply." The Re- are condemned by the most worldly. If joinder shews triumphantly the utter the world sees religious men defending insufficiency of the Reply-even on such practices, it will be confirmed in the those points to which it refers : and belief that religion has nothing to do with then proceeds to bring additional morality, and that theology is a matter of proofs and instances of the Bishop's mere verbal disputation. Thus every nepotism, and of his conduct in regard pious man who shuts his eyes and blinds to Lapses. On these points, it shews

his conscience to the transgressions of clearly the falsehood of the statements

those with whom (because of his dogmatic

agreement with them) he continues to made in the Bishop's behalf by Mr.

act, is doing what in him lies to increase Barnes, and, in addition to seven or that growing mass of infidelity, which eight instances of Nepotism which threatens to alienate whole sections of our were acknowledged, produces six population from the very name of Chrismore : in regard to Lapses, it enume- tianity. We shall not have written in rates four in addition to three which vain, if we convince good men (even in a

single instance) that it is no light mis- been, raised to caution persons against it. chief to sever faith from works, by prefer- And so long as the parties alluded to conring the outward uniformity of dogma fined themselves to means such as these and observance, above the inward unity to introduce their senii-Romish religion of faith and love.”

amongst the People, persons who came within the influence of their System, and

so were carried away into error, owed it Miss Sellon AND THE “Sisters of

greatly to their own imprudence; since MERCY.” An Exposure of the Con- with their eyes open, and knowing, or at stitution, Rules, and Religious Vicws,

least able to know the consequences

which might result from the steps they and Practical Working of their So

were taking, they voluntarily placed themciety; obtained through a “Sister,” selves in danger. who has recently seceded. By the

“Not content, however, with these

open attempts to undermine our Protest. Rev. JAMES SPURRELL, A.M., Vicar

antism, the Romanizers within our Church of Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire. are now working also through a system

most insidiously and artfully contrived, Hatchards.

as the narrarive contained in the followREPLY TO A Tract BY THE Rev.

ing pages will shew, designed to entrap

the unwary, and lead them ignorantly James Spurrell, Vicar of Great

forwards, till they have made them in Shelford; containing Charges con reality, if not in name, Romanists. And

it is from the desire to expose this covert cerning the Society of the “ Sisters

System most dangerous to, and certainly of Mercy't of Devonport and Ply

subversive of, the Protestantism of our mouth. By the Superior of the So land, if not crushed; from a sense of ciety. Second Edition. Masters.

duty to the Master, whose servant he is;

and from regard for the Spiritual welfare The first of these Tracts is a very of the mernbers of the Church to which simple narrative of Facts, confirmed

he belongs, as well as of the people of and illustrated, in many important

this Country generally, that the writer of

this pamphlet has undertaken to lay bepoints, by large quotations from let

fore the Public the following statement. ters of Miss Sellon herself. These

“ The disclosure of this subtle and sequotations and these facts, may be

cret design against the truth, working in safely left to speak for themselves.

the very bosom of our Church, dissimilar The whole of Mr. Spurrell's pamphlet apparently, in nothing to that feartul one is well worthy of perusal: and the founded by Ignatius Loyola, except in whole of his statement should be read, the falser colours in which it presents itin order to a clear view of the self, it should, perhaps, here be noticed, evils of the system which it exposes. is made with the full concurrence and conWe will only quote the commence

sent of the Mother of the Young Lady ment and the conclusion.

from whom the information was obtained,

and of the Young Lady herself, who are " Strenuous efforts, it is well known,

members of a family of the highest res, have been made by certain parties within

pectability: and also, that the documents, the pale of the Church of England, du

and the letters quoted from, are in the ring the last few years, to introduce prac

writer's possession. Every thing, theretices and observances into it, having for

fore, that is stated, may confidently be re

fore, that is stated their object the assimilating it more nearly lied upon as authentic: and the greatest to the Church of Rome. These proceed

care having been exercised to keep what ings have been watched with the deepest

is advanced within the truth, the whole distress by those who love our Reformed may be read as a statement in no way Religion; and greatly has it aroused coloured, but, on the contrary, falling their grief and indignation to witness the

vitness the

short, in some measure, of the reality." lengths to which these innovations have been pushed, in certain districts in, and around the Metropolis, and in other parts “ Should the language applied in the of the Kingdom. This, however, for the foregoing pages to this Institution and its most part, has not been done in a cor. Foundress seem somewhat severe, it is ner.' but openly and publicly, so that asked, is there not a cause ?' Can any the voice of warning could be, and has dwell on such a delusive system, deceit.

fully sheltering itself within the pale of for example, that one of the “Sisters" our Protestant Church,without the strong- was enjoined, as a penance, to make est {feelings of indignation? Can we “the sign of the cross with the tongue speak of one who arrogantly assumes to on the Æoor of the Oratory.” This is herself an authority, which only an ex. not only admitted, but gravely depress warrant from Heaven could give her, over the consciences of those around

fended: for a “friend” (a layman)

told her “ that this was a penance he whoin she has cast her spell, in milder phraseology? It is impossible, neither

had read of as recommended as an is it" charity to do so. Error, wherever

act of self-abasement for sins of this it exists, and by whomsoever upheld,

kiud, (falsehood, detraction, &c.) by should surely be denounced in the strong

one of our Bishops and eminent Diest terms. And every Protestant will, vines." Alas! there are few things it is believed, agree with the writer, that which may not be defended by refethis whole system is but one of form and rence to the writings of some one superstitious ceremony, much more akin or other " of our Bishops," or those to Romanisin than to the Reformed Re.. whom certain parties choose to desigligion established in this Land.

nate as “ eminent Divines”!!! What does Protestantism-what does Miss Sellon complains (p. 4) “It is the Church of England know of the

implied that confession is an enforced • sign of the cross' being a Sacramental

and formal discipline in this house." Symbol in the which lies deep mystery:?' What does the Church know of

Now Mr. Spurrell's statementis,“ ConConfession formally and frequently made fession also, as Miss Sellon informed to a Priest ? What of Penance ; of the Miss - at her first coming to Dekeeping of the • Canonical Hours ;' and vonport, was used in the Institution” of the administration of the Communion (p. 23). And again “Miss — who in private houses to persons not sick, and after what the Mother had said consiat Midnight? And what of Conventual dered its performance a lounden duty, Institutions ?

when she came to Confession used to “It is earnestly hoped, that the Heads kneel at a table, her Confessor sitting of the Church will take such steps as in a chair, and repeat the following may seem to them best to

form of words, which he at the first sible, Institutions wherein such practices

taught her.” — (It is copied very as have here been disclosed are carried

closely from the Popish form). on; and that they will not suffer Clergy.

Now it does not appear froin Miss inen of the Church of England to violate its laws with impunity, by officiating in

Sellon's own statement that it was at such Institutions at unauthorized Ser

all probable, that any person received vices. The Protestant Laity too are ear

into the Society would come to any nestly besought to make a stand against other conclusion. Yet it may be very these semi-Romish Societies, if they have true, that what Miss Sellon means by regard for the peace of their families, and “a system of forced confession” is not for the purity of that Faith which they “practised here.” But the question profess; to secure which to thein, many is, Whether Confession is the ordinary of their forefathers sacrificed their lives. custom of the House? Is it advised ?

“ The writer has now discharged a duty, Is it expected? We should conclude, which was not sought by him, but sent to from Miss Sellon's own statement, him in the clear Providence of God; and

that it is. For she says, “ The Church which had he shrunk from, he could only have done so, with the greatest unfaith

of England advises confession to burfulness to his Sacred Calling as a Minis

dened consciences before Commuter of Christ, and with a most culpable

nion :" which is false : what is encou

mion;" which disregard to the Spiritual welfare of his raged by our Church is a totally differFellow Countrymen.”

ent thing: "let him come to me

and open his grief : that by the minisBut Miss Sellon has sent forth a try of God's holy Word, he inay receive Reply. She impugns the accuracy of the benefit of absolution, together with some of Mr. Spurrell's statements, ghostly counsel and advice, to the quiand attempts an explanation of others: eting of his conscience, and avoiding yet all the main facts are admitted, of all scruple and doubtfulness :" this and several of the most revolting; as, does not of necessity imply anything like “Confession” -(as is well known religious Establishments of the Romish to those who have had much expe- Church, it will at a glance be apparent, rience in encouraging and comforting is modelled exactly after them.” distressed and burdened souls). In Which assertion is undeniably true. fact the only confession recommended And yet it may be equally true, that or mentioned by the Church of Eng. Miss Sellon, in doing her part, may land (except in the Homilies,* to con- have been utterly ignorant of the demn it) is a special Confession of fact;--a mere blind instrument in the his sins, if he feel his conscience trou- hands of others, to introduce a form bled with any weighty matter." Now it of Romish superstition-an exact imiis evident that this gives no warrant tation of a Romish nunnery, without for, no encouragement to, anything knowing what she was doing. Such that resembles Popish Confession. In blind and ignorant tools are often the short Scripture and the Church of most effectual tools in the hands of England use the word Confession in more crafty and unscrupulous persons. one sense. Romanists and Romanizers On the subject of the Canonical hours use it in another : and those proofs and Miss Sellon is quite a Romanist, and authorities which establish the im- proposes to refresh us with an old portance of Confession in a Scriptural hynn, the wretched and barbarous sense, they pervert and misapply to versification of which is much upon enforce the necessity of it, or (at a par with its unwarrantable asserleast) the practical observance of it, tions, that such and such things took in the Romish sense.

place at such and such hours-some “ But in this case, and in others, of which are mere guesses, and some writers of this Romanizing class do of which flatly contradict the Scripnot seem at all to understand when a tures. thing is proved, and when it is not with respect to Angels, Miss Sellon proved. For example, Mr. Spurrell (like Romish advocates of Angel Worasks: “ What know we of the sign ship) cannot distinguish between the of the Cross being a sacramental sym- Angel of the Covenant- the Angel bol in the which lieth deep mystery ?” Jehovah—and created angels. “That What indeed! To which Miss Sellon the Angel of Peace, the faithful guarreplies by a long string of quotations dian of souls and bodies, may encamp respecting the pious and lawful using around me," must refer to Psalm of the sign of the Cross; and ends, xxxiv. 7-where the Angel of the • Such was the custom of the Chris- Lord can be no other than our Lord tians within a century after S. John. Himself. Such the justification of the judicious B ut we must conclude: taking Hooker.” But Hooker does not justify Miss Sellon's pamphlet as a whole, all that S. Cyril asserts : neither does even if it be granted that here and any one of the quotations say one there it points out an inaccuracy as word about “a sacramental symbol to the details in Mr. Spurrell's statein the which lieth deep mystery”! ment (the appearance of which, in They do not even touch the point several cases, arises from not consiwhich they are adduced to prove! dering carefully what he really says Again : Miss Sellon says:

before she begins to answer it) “ It is said that I have modelled this taking it, we say, as a whole, it institution from that of the religious

strongly confirms the view which Mr. establishments of the Romish Church.' S. has given us of “the Constitution, This is impossible, because I am unac. Rules, Religious Views, and Practical quainted with all of them.”

Working” of the Sisterhood of Mercy Which last assertion may be true; over which Miss S. presides. In all but Mr. Spurrell's assertion is : main points it is not an answer but a

confirmation; and an apology for this “Such was the Constitution of this Sis

attempt to carry out Romish princiterhood, which, to all acquainted with the

ples and practices in our Church. See the Second Part of the Homily of Re

The two pamphlets taken together pentance. Book II. Hom. 19.

are worthy of perusal, as an expose of