MAY 12, 1838.

Lord Jesus Christ, in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, before we can take of the things which belong unto Him, and shew them to others!

II. But Christians are also bound to "bear the burdens" of their friends, by bearing with their failings and their infirmities; and this leads me to speak, in the next place, of the permanency of Christian friendship. When friendships are formed only on the principles of worldly morality, they are always liable to be destroyed by those wayward dispositions, and by those various passions and infirmities, which perpetually endanger and embitter the intercourse between man and man. But what is the language of Scripture on the subject of intercourse between the disciples of Jesus Christ ? "Brethren, if a man be overtaken with a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." "We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." | And is it not in this blessed spirit, that the Christian learns to bear with all the faults and infirmities of his friend, and thus, in another sense, to "fulfil the law of Christ," by “ comforting the feeble-minded, supporting the weak, and being patient toward all men?" But if you look to the man whose friendship is regulated only by the maxims of worldly morality, you will find that such friendship is continually interrupted, and often terminated altogether, by those very frailties and infirmities in another to which he himself is subject, and which should, in truth, call forth his sympathy rather than his resentment, And even when the man of the world talks of forgiveness, his language generally is, that “ he will forgive, though he can never forget, the injuries which he has received." Strange, indeed, it is, that such language should ever be used among the professed disciples of Him who has taught us to call upon our heavenly Father, day by day, beseeching him to " forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." And yet, what would become of us if, upon | our return to our Father's house, our sins were not forgotten as well as forgiven by him? The language of David is," O remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness' sake, O Lord." And thus says Jehovah, by the mouth of his prophet Jeremiah: "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." And, accordingly, when friendship has the Gospel of Christ for its basis, each will learn to bear with the infirmities of the other, "restoring" one another" in the spirit of meekness," and

each praying for the other, that a sense of their common weakness may lead them nearer and nearer to Him who is the strength of all that need, and the helper of all that flee to him for succour, and who has promised all true penitent sinners that he will "subdue their iniquities, and cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

There yet remains one reflection which I would offer in conclusion, viz., that while the friendship which subsists between the children of this world is too often exclusive in its operation, and sometimes altogether unmindful of the wants and the claims of others, the friendship which is cultivated among those whose sentiments are in unison, and whose influence coincides with the Gospel of Jesus, will ever be exercised in entire consistency with the dictates of universal charity. We know that, even among the immediate followers of our Lord, there was one disciple emphatically entitled "the disciple whom Jesus loved ;" and we have seen, in the course of these observations, that, among the disciples of Jesus in every age, some more than ordinary congeniality of taste and disposition may be allowed to form a basis of preference, | which will at length ripen into friendship. But, while the Christian is thankful for all the endearments of such a relation as this; while he is thankful for that close union, that permanent conjunction of interests, and that intense reciprocation of feeling, which friendship imparts; while he rejoices in having a kindred spirit with whom he may lessen his cares by sympathy, and multiply his joys by participation,-still he remembers that, as the disciple of Jesus Christ, he is bound, according to his measure, to love as he loved, and

to

"fulfil the law of Christ," by bearing the burdens of all within the sphere of his influence. For the Christian looks upon all around him as encompassed with the same infirmities, as exposed to the same wide wasting tempest, and as needing the guidance of the same polar-star to conduct them to the haven of rest. He is prepared, therefore, on all occasions to deny himself, so that he may "please his neighbour for his good to edification." And, considering how St. Paul “was made all things to all men, so that he might by all means win some," the Christian enters into the wants, the infirmities, the sorrows, and the afflictions of those around him, that he may administer to some his sympathy, to others his counsel or just rebuke, and to all the tenderest offices of Christian love; remembering always, that while he must never cease to hate every species and every degree of sin, he must, at the same time, never cease to love and compassionate the person of the sinner.

THE INQUISITION.—No. IX.

Auto-da-Fe.

THE usual ceremonies observed at an auto-da-fé were described in a former paper. The following account of one of these inhuman transactions will give a correct notion of the duplicity and cruelty exercised on such occasions. That here referred to occurred at Madrid in 1682:

begun about twelve at noon, and did not end till nine in the evening; being protracted by a proclamation of the sentences of the several criminals, which were all rehearsed aloud, one after another. Then followed the burning of the twenty-one men and women; whose intrepidity in suffering that horrid death was truly astonishing: some threw themselves into the flames, others thrust in their hands and feet with dauntless fortitude, and all of them yielded to their fate with so much resolution, that many of the amazed spectators acknowledged themselves sorry that such heroic souls were not enlightened by the Gospel. The king's near situation to the criminals rendered their dying groans very audible to him; he could not, however, be absent from this dreadful scene, as it is esteemed a religious one; and as his oath obliges him to give a sanction by his presence to all the acts of the tribunal.

I must close this series of papers, describing the enormities of the Holy Inquisition; but I cannot do so without again reminding the reader, that deep and

The officers of the Inquisition, preceded by trumpets, kettledrums, and their banner, marched, on the 30th of May, in cavalcade, to the palace of the great square; where they declared, by proclamation, that on the 30th of June the sentences of the prisoners would be put into execution. There had not been a spectacle of this kind at Madrid for several years before; consequently the ceremony was anticipated with interest and delight. On the 30th of June an immense multitude assembled, as if dressed for a royal wedding: in the great square was raised a high scaffold; and thither, from seven in the morning till nine at night,heartfelt should be his gratitude to the almighty came criminals of both sexes; all the Inquisitions in the kingdom sending their prisoners to Madrid. Of these prisoners, twenty men and women, and one renegado Mohammedan, were ordered to be burned; fifty Jews and Jewesses, having never been before imprisoned, and repenting of their crimes, were sentenced to a long imprisonment, and to wear a yellow scapulary; and ten more, indicted for bigamy, witchcraft, and other crimes, were sentenced to be whipped, and then sent to the gallies: these last wore large pasteboard caps, with inscriptions upon them, having halters about their necks, and torches in their hands. The whole court of Spain was present on the occasion. The grand inquisitor's chair was placed in a sort of tribunal, far above that of the king. The nobles here acted the part of the sheriff's officers in England, leading such criminals as were to be burned, and holding them when fast bound with thick cords; the rest of the criminals were conducted by the familiars of the Inquisition. The unhappy victims were situated near the place where the king stood, their scaffold touching his balcony; several friars, appointed for the purpose, argued with great vehemence to convince the wretched creatures of the truth of the Christian religion. Amongst those who were to suffer was a young Jewess of exquisite beauty, and but seventeen years of age, who, being on the same side where the queen was seated, addressed her, in hopes of obtaining her pardon, in these pathetic words: "Great queen! will not your royal presence be of some service to me in my miserable condition? Have regard to my youth, and, oh! consider, that I am about to die for professing a religion imbibed from my earliest infancy!" Her majesty seemed greatly to pity her distress, but turned away her eyes, as she did not dare to speak a word in a heretic's behalf. Now mass began, in the midst of which the priest came from the altar placed near the scaffold, and seated himself in a chair prepared for that purpose. The chief inquisitor then descended from the amphitheatre, dressed in his cope, and having a mitre on his head. After bowing to the altar, he advanced towards the king's balcony, and went up to it, attended by some of his officers, carrying a cross and the gospels, with a book containing the oath by which the kings of Spain oblige themselves to protect the catholic faith, to extirpate heretics, and support, with all their power, the prosecutions and decrees of the Inquisition.

On the inquisitor's approach, and presenting this book to the king, his majesty rose up, bare-headed, and swore to maintain the oath, which was read to him by one of his counsellors; after which his majesty continued standing till the inquisitor returned to his place; when a secretary of the holy office mounted a sort of pulpit, and administered the like oath to the counsellors, and the whole assembly. The mass was

Disposer of all events, that his lot has been cast in
a Protestant land. The power of the Inquisition,
indeed, has suffered no small diminution. In coun-
tries where it once exercised the most tyrannical sway,
it has been overthrown, and attempts again made to
establish it have ultimately failed; still, it cannot be
doubted but that plans are laid for its restoration,
even with a greater degree of authority than it for-
merly possessed. This may appear impossible: the
progress of science, the increase of learning, the more
unlimited extent of education, it is supposed, will
effectually prevent its again exercising dominion over
the persons and consciences of men. But who can be
ignorant of the deep working of the popish system?
Who, that is acquainted with the history of past ages,
does not mark the fearful influence which the priest-
hood has exercised over the deluded votaries of an
idolatrous faith. Even in our own land, popery is
certainly raising its front. Whether its adherents are
increasing or no, unquestionably it now lurks not in
secret places, but erects its mass-houses, and performs
its ceremonies, in the light of day. Are Protestants
sufficiently alive to this? it is to be feared they are
not. The popery of the present day, it is contended,
is not the popery of the dark ages; we are a people
too enlightened ever to embrace its dogmas,-to join
its mummeries, or bow our necks to its yoke. Yet, is it
not now looked on with a complacency unknown a
century ago? Are not its abettors flattered, and
caressed, and aided by many of the descendants of
those who dissented from the Church of England
because they thought they could discover in her cere-
monies some vestige of Rome, as well as by those who
are of no religious persuasion whatever? What may
be the result of this is known to God alone; our help
must be in his blessed name. Let every true Pro-
testant, however, have this for his watchword,-" No
compromise with Rome." May the pure doctrines of
tinctly promulgated, among us.
the Reformation be more fully known, and more dis-
In their defence

many a martyr shed his blood; and in their defence,
be it our resolution "earnestly to contend for the
faith once delivered to the saints;" the faith which
can alone guide in life, support in death, and open
to the believer the brightness of that land which
Emanuel purchased with his blood, and which he is
exalted to bestow on all who seek salvation through
the merits of his cross.

T.

DUTY OF ATTACHMENT TO AN APOSTOLIC

CHURCH.*

THERE is a regular ministry appointed and authorised by Jesus Christ; and there is a duty owing to that • From Sermon by Rev. Edward Craig, M.A.

ministry by those who believe. This, in the present | have pledged their matrimonial vows, either to other,

day, is one of the most important points to which our attention should be directed; for attempts have been often made, from various motives, to intrude upon that ministry, or to set up another-attempts which, from the fear of failing in charity, we have not hitherto sufficiently resisted; but to which, henceforth, we must not give place, no, not for an hour.

The primitive Church, as founded by Jesus Christ, was a moderate and unostentatious, yet real and effective episcopacy; a system in which the great body of the clergy were ordained and governed under the faithful superintendence of bishops or prelates, with power to transmit their orders and authority to other faithful men through all ages, to the end; and they and their successors may be traced, as a matter of history, down to the present line. Doubtless the greater part of the Church did for a time fall away to Romish error; but did that invalidate the system originally established, or nullify the orders of the Christian Church in the appointed line? Shall the unbelief or superstition of any number of men make the faithful promise of God of none effect? The error of Aaron's sons did not vitiate the Aaronic priesthood; and the lives of our worst kings have never shaken the right of their lineal descendants to the throne: the system is permanent; the errors are individual and transitory, and may be thrown off: and, in fact, the Church did at length, both in this country and in others, throw off those errors. The same apostolic Church which had fallen into error was purified, by reformation, from the evils which had been gradually and insidiously brought in. The truth to which she returned was sealed by the blood of her noble army of martyrs; and from the hour of her reformation, with sound creeds, articles, and liturgy, hallowed by the sufferings of her confessors, she has ever made a faithful and resolute stand― protestant against Romish error on the one hand, and an unscriptural latitudinarianism on the other. This we know, and we will not shrink from declaring it, as we are in duty bound: our Church is the Church of the living God; it contains his order and his truth; and the Spirit of glory and of God has rested on her to bless her. She may have her petty blemishes-what human institutions have not? She may have her defective and disreputable ministers-out of 15,000, it But after would be strange, indeed, if there were not. all the scrutiny arising out of the combined enmity of differing men, the spots found upon her garments, when compared with her substantial worth, are but as spots on the sun, visible only, in the broad blaze of her merits, by the magnifying power of prejudice and envy.

What would men have? Here is an open Church, rendered venerable by its antiquity, and precious by its faithfulness and truth; here is an educated ministry, liberal and kind, and ready for all pastoral duty; here are forms of worship unrivalled in evangelical devotion; here is a pure and scriptural worship of the once crucified and now glorified Emanuel, not to be found elsewhere in the world; here are offices, simple, scriptural, and holy, and applied by the Church to all the wants of her members. To this baptismal font your forefathers brought their children, and, by the aid of a duly constituted ministry, have dedicated them to God. Within the church's precincts they

|

not by a civil compact, but by a sacred Christian service. To the table of the Lord they have gathered to commemorate "the love of their only Master and Saviour, Jesus Christ, dying for them," and to renew their vows of love, gratitude, and obedience to God, and of kindness to their fellow-creatures; and here also, generation after gencration, when the cares of life have been brought to a close, when the weary temples have throbbed for the last time upon the pillow, the mortal remains have been consigned with decent and solemn rites to the green sod around us, to await that day of summons when they shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and rise again. Yes, my brethren, ages have rolled past, storms and shakings have come, but this apostolic and reformed branch of the Church remains hitherto uninjured, rises as a giant refreshed with wine from every onset she encountersquickened and strengthened for nobler struggles, even by the ungenerous and unbrotherly enmity of Protestant Dissenters; and able, we trust, in the panoply of her substantial principles, to repel the united assault of popish intrigue, infidel enmity, and the meaner envy of the political separatist. We stand on ancient ground-on venerable ground-on scriptural groundon the ground of Divine authority-and on ground that we have resolutely earned and faithfully defended; and we say openly, "Give yourselves to us by the will of God." To whom else would you go? To whom else would you trust yourselves? Will you go back to the Romish mummery of the dark ages? or will you go to the self-constituted churches of yesterday; to those whose religion, in so far as it differs from our is only a religion of petty objections? I trust that you will go to neither; but that in the day of trial you will stand steadily and affectionately by your authorised teachers, by that succession of clergy which have been in these islands little less than eighteen hundred years; and that you will endeavour to obtain for yourselves, through their guidance, those religious advantages, both for time and for eternity, which others may promise you in a superior manner elsewhere, but which superiority, if you wandered at their bidding, you might seek amongst them in vain.

own,

Biography.

ST. AMBROSE, BISHOP OF MILAN.

THE Sovereignty of God is often and wonderfully seen, in his adopting, for the execution of his will, of instruments naturally little fit or prepared for the office in which he uses them. Sometimes out of the mouth of babes and sucklings he ordains his praise; sometimes he has made the wrath of wicked men to praise him; sometimes he has taken from the sheepfolds a meet ruler for his people; and sometimes transferred men from the court, the camp. the busy walks of secular life, to become the wise overseers and nursing-fathers of his Church. It is thus when mighty events result from apparently inadequate causes, when weighty matters, directed by naturally incompetent hands, come yet to a favourable end,-it is thus that, while the world attributes it to chance, the Christian discerns the overruling power of Him who is God alone, turning according to his pleasure the hearts of all; and he acknowledges with adoring wonder, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

See Paulinus' "Life of Ambrose," &c.