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ginning to be put in active operation, under the direction of managers, not at all wanting in skill, or zeal, or freedom from moral impediment, you may expect you ought not to expect otherwise than to be assailed by all the artifice and seduction (force is at present out of the question, except as intimidation may be reckoned such) which Rome knows so well how to employ, and in which success has given her skill and confidence. You must be prepared for all sorts of appeal to the senses-smart and decorated edifices, elegant architecture, a flowery altar-piece, pompous and imposing services, theatrical music, twilight solemnity, and a priest who will undertake to do every thing, or at least will stick in his pretensions at nothing, who can create the Creator, pardon sins, and by an incantation at the final hour, give a ticket of admission into heaven. Then there are flatteries and blandishments of all sorts and sizes; and for those whose situation may expose them particularly to that temptation, bribery, either in the direct form of money, (as in France, at the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the converts had their prices,*) or in the indirect one of custom, employment, clothes, food, schooling, introduction to places of service, where conversion, if not a condition, may be a recommendation, and other perquisites. In pursuance of the proselyting scheme by these adventurers, be not surprised, if your houses themselves are beset with an importunity

and artifice which are irresistible-if the priest, or his instruments, male or female, steal into your parlour or kitchen, introduce insidious tracts, tamper with your servants, and kidnap your children. The sick; pathetic inquiries about them; offers of assistance; proposals of a nostrum or charm, holy water, a blessed trinket; form an excellent convenience for introduction both of the factor and his wares. These good people will indeed, in all important respects, be found accurate followers of certain of old, who devoured widows' houses, and for a pretence made long prayers; and who compassed sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he was made, made him tenfold more the child of hell than themselves.† I hinted at intimidation, which at present is, and must be sparingly used: but it is judged advisable sometimes; and where there is a prospect of its succeeding, is not unfrequently conveyed in the general intimation-You had better be converted now, as you may soon be obliged to be so. Another and a more private form of intimidation is adopted, when that of fondling and caressing will not do, in the case of servants or

dependent relations. It is easy to employ such a course of cruel, persevering, and constantly annoying persecution in this way, that it is hard to conceive, except by the peculiar supply of Divine grace, how the helpless sufferer can fail of being at last overcome, and of yielding, at least, a hypocritical assent.§ I fear to embark

"the

*Paul Pelisson, a Protestant of ability, and an apostate to Popery, was selected to manage this department. He made the Bishops send a minute account of the disposal of the fund entrusted to them. The average price of converts was six livres (5s.) a head; to a numerous family thirty-two (26s.) had been paid. This was described as holy dew which was to be husbanded that it might extend so much the farther." SMEDLEY'S Hist. of the Reformed Religion in France, iii. 244-246. BEROIST, in his Histoire de l'Edit de Nantes, writes that Pelisson, suspecting, or pretending to suspect, that some who claimed the remuneration as converts had always been good Catholics, required a certificate from the applicants signed by their Huguenot pastor, which some, he adds, were stupid and unprincipled enough to apply for. It is believed that Pelisson at his death returned to his original faith he could find no other rest for his soul, if he was allowed, after a hypocritical residence in a foul superstition, to find it then.

Matt. xxiii. 14, 15.

There is something hazardous in this argument, but I have been told it has been used in West Bromwich.

§ This, I have been informed, was the conduct of two ladies, sisters, in the north of England, towards a niece, dependent upon them for home, as well as every thing else,

upon the interminable sea of the falsehoods with which Romanists endeavour to advance their peculiarity. Falsehood indeed can only be supported by falsehood, or rather attempted so to be; for falsehood must be represented and received as truth, in order to subserve even the temporary purpose of making the main falsehood plausible: and that is not only generally attempted, but frequently effected. Few, and the least suspecting the least, can believe a straightforward, full-mouthed, assertion, even from a person not intimately known, to be a falsehood, perhaps a flat one, and one, of which from circumstances the speaker must be conscious. Prudent Papists will, it is true, be careful not to use this more intrepid method, where it is not necessary, and so drain a credit which is essential to the very success of their impositions : but sometimes the risk must be run. There is a great deal of falsehood uttered by soliciting Romanists in the misrepresentations which they give of the peculiar doctrine, the history, the individuals, of their own communion; but their falsifying efforts when conversion is their object, are principally employed in calumniating the cause of the Reformation, and the principles, acts, and character of the reformers. The sweets and imagined gains of defamation on this subject are irresistible to a true son of Rome. It deserves likewise to be particularly remarked, that as no communion ever exulted with so much parade at the acquisition of a convert, especially from Protestantism, so is there none, according to the testimony of a prophet of their own, which has so brilliantly distinguished itself by many downright lies, and mere calumnies often, against all those who leave their Church.'"*-Pp. 23-27.

We could have extended our extracts to a greater length, but we prefer to recommend our readers to

purchase and study Mr. Mendham's tract for themselves. It is short; it is seasonable and cheap; it is, moreover, full of important facts; and we do fervently hope that it will receive, what it deserves, an extensive circulation.

The Cambridge Petition examined; or Reasons against admitting the Dissenters to graduate in the Universities, with Remarks on Clerical Subscription, and the necessity of a Church Establishment. London : Rivingtons. 1834. Pp. 48.

A SLEDGE-HAMMER in the hand of a giant, would not more effectually destroy a barrier of glass, than does this pamphlet the transparent sophistries of the Cambridge petitioners. We recommend it to the "heads" at Oxford, who, if they really be about to do, what report ascribes to them, deserve to be put into Esop's Fables with the fox and the mask. What health can be in bodies with brainless heads? We hope better things of Cambridge. Her Golgotha, we trust, has no room for numskulls.

The Nature and Design of the New Poor Laws explained, in an Address to the Labouring Classes. By a NORFOLK CLERGYMAN. Norwich: Webster. London: Seeleys. 1834. 12mo. Pp. 68.

THIS is a well designed and judicious publication. The quiet good sense of the reverend author has gone far towards obviating the objections which we had entertained against certain clauses of the new Act for the amendment of the Poor Laws. His remarks are evidently the result of much and close observation of the condition and habits of the poor; and his practical suggestions to them, if duly regarded, cannot fail to improve their present condition and future prospects.

and who was threatened to be turned out of doors, unless she complied. Whether her poverty or her will consented may be a doubtful point; and it is well known, that good converters never trust such converts. The Inquisition does them the mercy to strangle instead of burning them.

Peter Walsh, of St. Francis' order, Professor of Divinity, Four Letters, p. 69. He speaks particularly with relation to Dr. Andrew Sall, a most respectable, as well as calumniated, deserter of the Roman Church, for that of England.

1. The Faithful Minister pure from the Blood of all Men: a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of St. Martin, Leicester, at the Triennial Visitation of the Right Rev. John Lord Bishop of Lincoln, on Wednesday, July 9, 1834; and published at the request of his Lordship and the Clergy. By the Rev. JOHN STURGES LIEVRE, M.A. Rector of Little Ashby. London: Seeleys. 1834. Pp. 30.

2. The Character and Ministry of the Church of England: a Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Falmouth, on Sunday, April 27th, 1834. By Rev. W. W. HARVEY, B.A. of Queen's College, Cambridge, Joint Curate of Falmouth. Published at the request of the Congregation. Falmouth: Lake. London: Rivingtons. 1834. Pp. 32. 3. Subversion of the Church of England not the desire of Good Men: a Sermon, preached in Little St. John's Church, Chester, on June, 1st. 1834. By WILLIAM CLARKE, B.D. London: Seeleys. 1834. Pp. 23.

ALL good in their way. Mr. Lievre has some unscriptural applications of the doctrine of regeneration, but he is earnest, clear, faithful, and impressive. There is a rude vigour about Mr. Clarke's sermon which, though we could not recommend it as a model of pulpit style, is yet not without its charm. It speaks out" in a manner which a high authority, in these times, would scarcely disapprove. Mr. Harvey is an able and well appointed champion of our Church.

The Existence of other Worlds, peopled with living and intelligent Beings, deduced from the Nature of the Universe. To which is added, Modern Discoveries and Times contrasted with the State of Knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians. By ALEXANDER COPLAND, Esq. Advocate. London: Rivingtons. Edinburgh: Whyte. 1834. Pp. 210.

THIS book contains the sum and substance of all that has been, or can be said, on the very captivating and

sublime speculation of which it treats. Mr. Copland has made out his case as clearly as his materials and arguments allow and we have a persuasion, that his conclusions, though not establishing as a fact what no mortal can know, are, nevertheless, entitled to the praise of consistency with the known attributes of Providence. It may be a mere notion after all that the stars are peopled; but whilst science cannot deny it, religion tends to strengthen it. Mr. Copland has shown great ingenuity in adapting his quotations to the service of his argument. We fully agree with him respecting the opinion of some astronomers, who assert, that man, as he is, could not exist in Mars or Jupiter. Those persons overlook the idea, that God could adapt the inhabitants of those worlds to their atmosphere or habitation, as easily as he has suited fish for the sea, or birds for the air. When we would limit almighty power, we must be, to say the least of it, devoid of understanding; and it is a limitation of Omnipotence, to assume what all analogy disproves. The poem called "The Mummy Awaked," and "The Mummy's Reply," appended to this treatise, are ingenious, but rather out of place.

Attachment to the Church of Christ, and a diligent application to its Ordinances and Institutions, the best means of safety in "perilous times." A Charge, delivered to the Clergy of the diocese of Aberdeen, synodically assembled in St. Andrew's Chapel, Aberdeen. By the Right Rev. WILLIAM SKINner, D.D. late of Wadham College, Oxford, their Bishop. Aberdeen: Brown. London: Rivingtons. Pp. 25.

ANOTHER" word in season." The testimony of the Episcopal Church in Scotland to the value of ordinances and institutions, is, perhaps, the more useful, because the less likely to be swayed by any temporal considerations. Dr. Skinner is an able man; and his Charge is worthy of perusal by the lovers of episcopacy south, as well as north, of the Tweed.

A SERMON

FOR CHRISTMAS DAY.

ISAIAH ii. 17.

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

of

THERE needeth much of man's "loftiness to be bowed down," much of his "haughtiness to be made low," before he can be made "spiritually to discern," experimentally to feel, and practically to appreciate, the import of these words. He must "bow down the loftiness his own human wisdom, and meekly acknowledge, with the apostle, that "though he had the gift of prophecy, and understood all mysteries and all knowledge," he is in the sight of God but "a child in understanding," and "knoweth not any thing as yet as he ought to know." He must "make low the haughtiness" of his imagined power, superiority, and pre-eminence, over his fellow-creatures, and remember, that, though as compared with some of them, he may seem powerful and high in rank, and "increased with goods," and "honoured in his generation," he is, in reality, but a steward of God's possessions, and "has nothing which he did not receive." He must " bow down," above all, the loftiness of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," and, humbly confessing that "no flesh can glory in the Lord's presence;" no flesh "do a good thing," or "be sufficient of itself to think any thing as of itself;" no flesh purchase for itself heaven, or save itself from hell; "bring every thought of self-righteousness and vain glory into captivity to the obedience of Christ." How many are there, however, who periodically celebrate the day of Christ's nativity,—the day above all others, when "the haughtiness of man was especially made low, and the Lord alone especially exalted,"--without any feelings of this kind! How many are there, it must even be admitted, who directly reverse the prophetic anticipation in the text, and make this great day of the Lord" the day of "the doing of a great sacrifice to Baal," and, without remembering the source and the reason of that joy in which they indulge, "joy before God," as we read in one of the lessons for the day," according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil." When we remember, however, as remember we all must, in the hour of sober reflection, that far other, in reality, are the legitimate occupations, reflections, and rejoicings of the day of Christ's nativity; and that to do that for us which, with all our imagined wisdom and excellence, we could not do for ourselves-to save us from the effects of our own folly; to "destroy the works of the devil;" to "purify unto himself a peculiar people;" and to "bring in everlasting righteousness"—our Saviour was on the day of the Nativity manifested; our carnal merriment will be at once moderated, our vociferous mirth quieted, and all our joy spiritualized: "The loftiness of men will be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men will be made low: and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day."

66

1. The Faithful Minister pure from the Blood of all Men: a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of St. Martin, Leicester, at the Triennial Visitation of the Right Rev. John Lord Bishop of Lincoln, on Wednesday, July 9, 1834; and published at the request of his Lordship and the Clergy. By the Rev. JOHN STURGES LIEVRE, M.A. Rector of Little Ashby. London: Seeleys. 1834. Pp. 30.

2. The Character and Ministry of the Church of England: a Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Falmouth, on Sunday, April 27th, 1834. By Rev. W. W. HARVEY, B.A. of Queen's College, Cambridge, Joint Curate of Falmouth. Published at the request_of_the_Congregation. Falmouth: Lake. London: Rivingtons. 1834. Pp. 32. 3. Subversion of the Church of England not the desire of Good Men: a Sermon, preached in Little St. John's Church, Chester, on June, 1st. 1834. By WILLIAM CLARKE, B.D. London: Seeleys. 1834. Pp. 23.

ALL good in their way. Mr. Lievre has some unscriptural applications of the doctrine of regeneration, but he is earnest, clear, faithful, and impressive. There is a rude vigour about Mr. Clarke's sermon which, though we could not recommend it as a model of pulpit style, is yet not without its charm. It speaks out" in a manner which a high authority, in these times, would scarcely disapprove. Mr. Harvey is an able and well appointed champion of our Church.

The Existence of other Worlds, peopled with living and intelligent Beings, deduced from the Nature of the Universe. To which is added, Modern Discoveries and Times contrasted with the State of Knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians. By ALEXANDER COPLAND, Esq. Advocate. London: Rivingtons. Edinburgh: Whyte. 1834. Pp. 210.

THIS book contains the sum and substance of all that has been, or can be said, on the very captivating and

sublime speculation of which it treats. Mr. Copland has made out his case as clearly as his materials and arguments allow and we have a persuasion, that his conclusions, though not establishing as a fact what no mortal can know, are, nevertheless, entitled to the praise of consistency with the known attributes of Providence. It may be a mere notion after all that the stars are peopled; but whilst science cannot deny it, religion tends to strengthen it. Mr. Copland has shown great ingenuity in adapting his quotations to the service of his argument. We fully agree with him respecting the opinion of some astronomers, who assert, that man, as he is, could not exist in Mars or Jupiter. Those persons overlook the idea, that God could adapt the inhabitants of those worlds to their atmosphere or habitation, as easily as he has suited fish for the sea, or birds for the air. When we would limit almighty power, we must be, to say the least of it, devoid of understanding; and it is a limitation of Omnipotence, to assume what all analogy disproves. The poem called "The Mummy Awaked," and "The Mummy's Reply," appended to this treatise, are ingenious, but rather out of place.

Attachment to the Church of Christ, and a diligent application to its Ordinances and Institutions, the best means of safety in "perilous times." A Charge, delivered to the Clergy of the diocese of Aberdeen, synodically assembled in St. Andrew's Chapel, Aberdeen. By the Right Rev. WILLIAM SKINner, D.D. late of Wadham College, Oxford, their Bishop. Aberdeen: Brown. London: Rivingtons. Pp. 25.

ANOTHER" word in season." The testimony of the Episcopal Church in Scotland to the value of ordinances and institutions, is, perhaps, the more useful, because the less likely to be swayed by any temporal considerations. Dr. Skinner is an able man; and his Charge is worthy of perusal by the lovers of episcopacy south, as well as north, of the Tweed.

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