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sists between the Protestant and Roman Catholic religions:" a fact which he laments to find is so much overlooked both in and out of Parliament-and that even Mr. Wilberforce himself should appear to lose sight of "the essential distinction which subsists between a Religion which is founded on the Scriptures of truth, and one which is built, in the main, upon human authority-between a Religion of toleration and charity, and one of intolerance and cruelty." This subject occupies several succeeding letters, from the fourth of which we present our readers with the following compendious view of

popery.

"The doctrine of Papal Infallibility, for example, is too monstrous for endurance, when we observe the errors which the Popes have committed, and the vices in which they have indulged; while that of Papal Supremacy is too gross, either for wise Statesmen, or true Patriots to admit with safety to their country. The spiritual power exercised by the Romish Clergy (each of whom is the Pope of his own district,) is equally at variance with good sepse and sound reasoning. The doctrine of Purgatory accords no better with the constant declaration of Scripture, that the present is a state of probation, and the future of retribution. The doctrine of Papal or Priestly Absolution, is only an usurpation by man, of a power which belongs to his Creator; while that of Papal or Priestly Indulgences affords sanction and toleration for every species of crime. The

is almost identified with the same system. We see a Religion of forms, processions, ceremonies, and externals, usurping the place of that Faith, which produces the fruits of Holiness, without which, the Reli gion of every man is vain. Prayers and Invocations offered to saints many of whom have been canonized by the Romish Church, after lives of open and notorious sin, are as repugnant to reason as they are contrary to Revelation. The immoral and profligate lives of the Catholic Clergy, as a body, chiefly arising out of their self-imposed celibacy, are a grievous scandal, which is thus described by Pinkerton." "The conscience is seared by the practice of absolution; and strangest of all phenomena - theoretic piety and practical vice united in honds almost indissoluble." Such are the men to whom power is now to be given in England and Ireland, and who are to be paid from English taxation.

the mind becomes reconciled to the

"I wish then to ask, with such facts as these before your eyes, what you and your Religious friends can promise yourselves, or the cause of Truth, by the support of the Roman Catholic claims? why are you not rather found on the side of the Ark of God, in times when your ancient foes are unusually vigilant and active?" If Baal be God, follow him; but if the Lord be God, then follow him."-My next will have reference to the ancient policy of Protestant England."

This is certainly a tolerably fair and accurate view of the subject; but, in going over it carefully, we are apt to wonder whether there was no lurking suspicion, no misgivings in the writer's of Catholicism should turn round upon own mind, lest some doughty champion him and exclaim, "Physician heal thyself!" Is it possible that he can re

terrors of excommunication and anathema, are the mere engines of temporal power, assumed for secular purposes alone. The doctrine of Transubstantiation is an invention, by which a mystery was introduced into the simplest institution, in order to en-view the articles and constitution of his force the necessity, and exalt the authority of a standing Priesthood. Auricular Confession, in enabling the Ministers of religion to penetrate into the secrets of families and individuals, tends above every other expedient, to consolidate their power, and to

own excellent Protestant church, and find no traces of episcopal supremacy, of spiritual power exercised in church courts,-of priestly absolution,-of the terrors of Excommunication and Aramultiply their resources. The denial of the thema,-of Auricular Confession,-of Bible to the common people, is an evident the mixture of human tradition with mark of the departure of that Church from divine Revelation, of the prohibition the truths which it revealed, and the best of certain orders of the Clergy from proof of the weakness of a system which re- marrying, &c. &c. Can this sensible sorts to such a measure. The attempts of writer be so blinded by prejudice, as to that Church to mix human tradition with view the Church of England all imma Divine Revelation, are utterly unjusti-culate purity in regard to these points? fiable. By thus putting their own gloss and But, we spare him! comment upon the Scripture, they virtually invalidate the sanctions, and evade the

force, of the word of God himself. The Profanation of the Sabbath is a characteristic of Popery, wherever that religion prevails; and the violation of the Marriage Vow

Of the persecuting spirit of the church of Rome, we are as fully sa tisfied as the author of these "Letters:" and, consequently, we are precisely of his mind, that, were that church in

possession of power equal to her wishes,
the first use that she would make of it
would be to put down all Bible, and
Missionary, and Tract Societies, and,
indeed, all the benevolent institutions
enumerated by him in his sixth letter
not even his favorite "Christian Ob-
server," would continue to be pub-
lished; and, we really think, that Mr.
Wilberforce himself must be of the
same mind, though he may differ from
the letter writer, in viewing the con-
nection to be so certain, or the danger so
great, from granting the Catholics their
present claims, as that which he so fully
apprehends. After all, we readily ad-
mit, that the palpable disclosures, which
the Catholic clergy of the present day
are making from time to time, are
sufficiently alarming to put Protestants
upon their guard, and to justify every
precaution which they can take against
their obtaining the means of playing
their former pranks over again. On
this subject, we submit to our readers
the eighth letter, beseeching them to
"read, mark, learn, and inwardly di-
gest" the facts stated in it, for they
surely speak volumes!

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have, through the temerity of men, been productive of more injury than advantage." For this cause it is declared to be " necessary to adhere to the Decree of 13th June, 1757, which prohibits all versions of the Scriptures in the vernacular tongues, except such as are approved by the Apostolic See, and are published with annotations from the writings of the Holy Fathers." In other words, the only Translations permitted, when Translations are used at all, are such as have been published by the Romish Church, with such interpretations as frequently dilute the strength, and corrupt the purity of the original text; thus affordthe Sacred Writings as may perpetuate the ing a vehicle for conveying such a sense of errors of the Romish Communion.

"In this Modern Papal Anathema, suited as it is to the darkest ages, his Holiness does not stand alone, but finds in those of his Clergy who are now resident in our own Protestant Empire and Metropolis, the most faithful coadjutors; in all which we are and the unity of design, which are secured led to observe the co-operation of parts, by such a system as induces any persons to denounce the exertions for enlightening the world by the Holy Scriptures. Does the POPE declare, that the Bible printed by Heretics, that is, the Protestant version, is a prohibited Book, and that the Scriptures are not to be read in the vulgar tongue?— "It appears of the last importance that The Vicar Apostolic, and the Priests of his all Protestants who value the Religion of Communion, now resident in the British the Holy Scriptures, should observe the Metropolis, inform a British House of present feelings of the Romish Church, in Commons, that these are the undoubted reference to their general use and free cir- dogmas of their Church, and that they are culation. In the Bull of the present POPE, bound by every principle of conscience, the circulation of the Bible is characterised and every motive of duty, to act upon them. an abominable device, by which the Bishop POYNTER, the Vicar Apostolic of very foundation of Religion is undermined." the London District, in his answer to the It is stated to be the duty and object of the Education Committee of the House of ComSee of Rome," to employ all means for mons, remarks; "I could not in any manthe purpose of detecting, and rooting out ner approve of any Catholic children reading such a pestilence in every way." The Pri- the Protestant version of the Scriptures;” bemate of Poland, to whom this anathema is cause (he says) he should "act contrary to addressed, is highly commended for his the constant discipline of the Catholic "zeal and activity, under circumstances so Church." He afterwards states, that all threatening to Christianity, in having de- the Catholic versions have notes; so that nounced this defilement of the faith, tending when the Holy Scriptures are explained by to the imminent peril of souls ;" and he is Romish notes and comments, but not other"earnestly exhorted to execute, daily, wise, they may be consulted. Upon being whatever he can achieve by his power, asked, whether the objection to the Propromote by his councils, or effect by his au- testant version would still occur, if passages thority, in defeating the plans which the were taken which are exactly the same in the enemies of the Catholic Religion" are two versions, he replies, " The objections stated to have "prepared for its destrue- would be the same, although the words were tion." It is further declared to be "the the very same!!!" He then states, that special duty of the Episcopal office to ex"children and the unlearned" (or the poor) pose the wickedness of such an abominable (6 are not allowed to read the Scriptures in the scheme, by shewing, in obedience to the pre- vulgar tongue, without the permission of their cepts of the Catholic Church, that the Bible Pastors." He further states, that "there printed by Heretics is to be numbered among was never any prohibition at all in the Caother prohibited Books of the Index." After tholic Church against reading the Scripwhich, it is expressly asserted, that 66 ex- tures in Latin; but all the regulations reperience has proved, that the Holy Scrip-ferred to the translations in the vulgar tures, when circulated in the vulgar tongue, tongue; and the Church," he adds,

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necessary humility and docility to dispose them to submit their own private opinion, upon all articles of faith, to the belief of the great Church of all nations, and all ages." Again:-" My brethren, I am confident you will not encourage, or countenance, the distribution of Bibles, or Testaments, among the very illiterate persons of your congregations, as proper initiatory books of instruction for them." The same Prelate, in a Letter, in the Orthodox Journal for October, 1813, signed by himself, calls the Bible Society" a novel and portentous Institution, unknown to the Fathers and Doctors of past ages;" and concludes with this remark:-"It is evidently impossible to add any notes whatever to the Sacred Text, which will make it a safe and proper elementary book of instruction for the illiterate poor."

two views:-one, that the translation should The Romish Bishop, MILNER, in his be such as was authorised by the Catholic charge to his Clergy, dated 30th March, Church," (and we have before seen that 1813, while he severely reprobates those of there is no authorised translation without his own Communion who join Bible SoRomish notes,) and 2ndly, that they cieties, remarks, "The promiscuous readshould not be read by those, from whose ig- ing of the Bible is not calculated, nor innorance or dispositions, the Pastors of the tended by God, as the means of conveying ReChurch had reason to fear that the reading ligious instruction to the bulk of mankind." of the Scriptures would be rather prejudicial | Again:-" It is evidently a much more rathan beneficial to them;" or, as the POPE tional plan to put the Statutes at large into says, in his Bull against the Bible Society, the hands of the illiterate vulgar, telling "The Holy Scriptures, in the vulgar them to become their own lawyers, than it tongue, have been productive of more injury is to put the text of the mysterious Bible than advantage”— -a blasphemous position, into their hands, for enabling them to hamby which the Anti-Christian power of the mer their religion and morality out of it." Apocalypse has placed himself in direct op- Again :-"The Church recommends the position to Him, who has dictated those reading of the Bible to all who have some Scriptures by his unerring Spirit, declared tincture of learning, and an adequate knowthem able to make us wise unto salva-ledge of their Religion, together with the tion," and enforced upon all men the paramount duty of searching them. The Romish Vicar Apostolic adds, "The reading of the Protestant version of the Bible is a point to which I could never give my approbation;" and being asked, "Could you allow any portions of that version to be selected for the use of Catholic children?" he says, "No." On being asked, "Whether he could consent, by the instruction of Protestants, to better the moral condition of those Catholic children, whom he had admitted to have fallen into vicious and bad habits, arising from their ignorance;" he replies, "As a Catholic Bishop, I do not judge that their morals could be improved, but by Religious Instruction; and, I could not consent for them to receive it from Protestants;" and, on being asked," whether he conceived that the Religious Instruction which might be conveyed by teaching them to read the Protestant Scriptures, would not better their moral condition?" he answers, "Certainly not." The Rev. JAMES BRAMSTON, a Priest, states, first, that "it is not at all the practice to give the Scriptures to the common people without notes;" and secondly, that "the Bull Unigenitus" (the main object of which was to prevent the general use of the Scriptures,)" is still, undoubtedly, in force in the Romish Church." Thus also, the Rev. JAMES ARCHER, another Priest, states, "that he knows of no Catholic version in England without notes;" and that the Priests "think it unsafe for children to be taught even such parts of Scripture as BOTH CHURCHES AGREE UPON, without notes;" after which, he still further reduces the chance of a free circulation, by stating, that, even with notes, the Priests do not sanction the promiscuous reading of the Scriptures, but to such persons as they think will make a good use of them," which is, to take upon themselves the tremendous responsibility of withholding the Word of God from all persons, whom they, in their wisdom, may deem unfit to possess it.

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[To be continued.]

Letters chiefly practical and consolatory; designed to illustrate the nature and tendency of the Gospel. By DAVID RUSSELL, Minister of the Gospel, Dundee. Edinburgh, printed for Waugh and Innes; and sold by Ogle, Duncan and Co. London. 1821, pp. 330, 12mo. price 5s. boards.

THIS Volume contains fifteen letters, the subjects of which are,-The Sufferings of Christ-The Glory of ChristThe Invitations and Promises of the Gospel-The Design of our Lord's Mission-Thoughts on the Law and Gospel-On Christian Comfort-The Practical Influence of the Truth-Hints on the Means and Happy Effects of Sanctification-On the Perseverance of Christians-On the Death of a Relative -On the Benefit of Affliction-On our Lord's Answer to the Sons of Zebedee

On the Diversity of Degreesi n GloryOn some Difficulties relative to Coming to Christ-And on Christian Confidence in Prayer.

We are informed, by a short Advertisement prefixed to this volume, that the letters were primarily addressed to persons in affliction; and were consequently intended to minister to their consolation, by presenting to their view THE GREAT TRUTH which purifies the heart, and which "saves and sets the sinner free," in the various lights and connections under which it is presented to us in the Scriptures. We had the privilege of seeing one of the letters in manuscript, some time before the volume appeared in print; and the interest which it excited in our minds made us very anxious to possess the whole; assuring ourselves, that if all the other letters were of equal value, their publication could not fail of a favourable acceptance, or of high utility. Nor have our expectations been at all disappointed; it is a volume of great merit, richly imbued with doctrinal sentiment, and that of the choicest kind.

Mr. Russell is not of the class of divines who have studied Theology through the medium of human systems, and whose days have been spent in accommodating the Scriptures to human standards. He has evidently read them for himself, as one well affected to their leading design; and he shews himself in these Letters to be a scribe well instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. We should think it scarcely possible for any one who really understands and loves the genuine apostolic gospel, to peruse the book without receiving much edification from it; and to those who are the subjects of affliction, in particular, it must be peculiarly acceptable. The author's method of speaking peace, and of restoring comfort to the mourners in Zion, differs widely from that which is commonly resorted to in such cases, by many professed ministers of the gospel. It is not by leading them to reflect upon their past experience as an evidence of their being in a state of grace, and so buoying them up with the fond but delusive conceit, that "once in Christ always in Christ,"-that "if thus and thus they have been affected, they should therefore hope." His is a much safer, because a far more scriptural plan; namely, to call their attention to

the all-sufficient remedy which divine. Wisdom and Mercy have provided, and which is fully revealed in the gospel of grace, for the relief of the guilty, the destitute, and the miserable-the blessings of the everlasting gospel, that feast of fat things provided by the bounty of heaven, consisting of the unsearchable riches of Christ, on which the hungry are invited to come and partake freely, without money and without price. He exhibits the suitableness of this remedy to all the various cases of human wretchedness, and opens up the sources of consolation which flow from it, in the way of doctrine-of invitation-of promise-and of hope; removing stumbling blocks out of the way, and displaying it in all its glorious fulness, and freeness, and immediate nearness to the guilty, perishing, self-condemned children of Adam. But he is too well instructed to administer consolation to any one aside from the glorious gospel of the blessed God, or to speak comfortably" to those who are not believing it, and living under its influence. The volume would readily supply us with extracts of the most valuable kind with which we could enrich our columns, but we prefer recommending the purchase of it to our readers, assuring them that they are in no danger of repenting of what they shall have done.

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Lily Douglas; a simple story, humbly intended as a premium and pattern for Sabbath Scholars. Second edition. Edinburgh, W. Oliphant; and London, Nisbet. Pages 105, pr. 1s. 6d.

THIS is a truly simple, unaffected, and affecting little story, well suited to answer the noble end of the author; which evidently is to recommend the subject of Sunday Schools, not merely to those who are fit objects of their benevolent designs, but also to the patronage of those in whose power it is to aid them in their laudable efforts to diffuse religious and other useful knowledge among that class of society which must otherwise remain in gross ignorance of all that is profitable for the life that now is, and for that which is to come. In a short preface to the narrative, the author intimates that "the story, if story it may be called, is not entirely real, neither is it altogether fictitious;" and expresses a hope, that

no part of it" will be found out of proportion with truth." This is most happily verified throughout the whole; and the reader may really take this little volume, and sit down to peruse it without the least fear of being disappointed by any falling off in the interest of the story, or of being disgusted with the clumsy attempts at the marvellous which are now, unhappily, so prevalent in books professedly for the instruction of youth; as if the young mind were incapable of comprehending any thing that does not amount to an outrage on truth and common sense. The author's talent for description is by no means of the common sort; with a mind feelingly alive to the beauties of nature, and possessing just views of divine revelation, she commands at pleasure the most charming combinations of imagery, and carries the reader along delighted and instructed.

The conclusion of the story is truly admirable. The fine conception, which the warmest words would have frozen, is disposed of with consummate skill, and produces an effect similar to that which one feels while gazing on painting or a piece of sculpture, in which the artist has contrived to conceal some inexpressible emotion of the soul, by hiding the face in a fold of drapery.

a

It is impossible that efforts such as this to do good can be ineffectual. Where the most important and useful truths are set forth in a form so interesting, they must excite attention; and we can without fear venture the prediction, that Lily Douglas will soon pass through many editions.

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apostle simply uses it as an argument
to enforce the duty of holding fast the
profession of our faith without wavering.
And, in the third place, the passage is
inaccurately quoted; the word
being very improperly supplied before
the term "pure." This last is an error
very prevalent among Pædobaptist
writers and preachers: when the Scrip-
tures are quoted, they ought to be
quoted with the most scrupulous accu-
racy; since a neglect of this only serves
to perpetuate and to multiply mistakes,
as might easily be proved in numerous
instances.

The Catechist; a Fragment. Part Second. Parable of the Marriage Feast and Wedding Garment. By the Author of Lily Douglas. Pages 119, price 1s. 6d.

THIS work, the author informs us, intended for young persons in a rank of life somewhat above that occupied by the Sabbath scholar. It seems intended to awaken in the breasts of those who are properly qualified for the task, a desire to be useful in the honourable employment of Sabbath school teachers.

With the view of securing the attention of such young people, "a style rather more refined than that of the former tract has been attempted." So far as this subject is really concerned, a different style of address might have been used with the utmost propriety, since the minds of teachers ought to be superior to those of their pupils. The character of Fitzallan, the young the amiable, the pious, and zealous Catechist, is certainly one that all must

There is only one fault which we observed in this beautiful little story: and that is where the author, in en-admire and love; and we are mistaken forcing the necessity and propriety of cleanliness, uses the following language; "Can there be any inward purity where there is so much outward filthiness? Do they remember that God hath said, 'Be ye holy, for I am holy,' who continually forget, that by the same word and Spirit, he hath also commanded us, to have our bodies washed as with pure water?" This quotation is faulty in three respects. First, the passage of Scripture here introduced has no reference to the duty of cleanliness; but, as is allowed by the very best authorities, refers to the ordinance of Christian Baptism. Secondly, it is here represented as a command; whereas the

if the readers of this fragment would not have preferred knowing a little more of this youth, if it had been at the expense of the story of the sailor boys. It may partly arise from the high pleasure which the simplicity of the former little work afforded us, and partly from our utter dislike of the set phrase of novels, that we felt, as we proceeded, so much of it introduced into the Catechist. It certainly is no ornament to any thing connected with the religion of Jesus Christ; and we are well satisfied that the writer of this little volume has no need to call in its assistance. We would fain hope that the inaccu racies which we observe in this and the

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