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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

This blasphemous and most ridiculous fraud was, it is said, played off upon the people in every possible shape; while the infamous fabricator and vender wallowed in every species of luxury, debauchery, and wickedness. An abuse so flagrant could not but rouse the honest indignation of every thinking person; accordingly, when a knowledge of these practices came to the ear of Martin Luther, all the greatness of his soul was called into action, and he inveighed not, at first, against indulgences themselves, but against that torrent of corruption which Tetzel's abuse of them was bringing into Christendom. It has been asserted by Catholic writers, and also by some Protestants,* that the motives which influenced this intrepid reformer to oppose the sale of Indulgences, had their foundation in envy, the commission not having been granted to the monks of his order; but Dr. Maclaine has amply refuted this unworthy charge, in a very able note to his translation of Mosheim.

VII. But it is not to be supposed, that an institution of so long standing, ingrafted on so many prejudices and interests, and supported by

* If Mr. Hume may be allowed to rank in this honourable community: see his History of England, vol. iv. p. p. 35.

such an extraordinary weight of power and influence, could be overturned by any of the aforenamed causes, unless those causes had been called into action by some bold and intrepid spirit; some daring soul, impatient of the crown of martyrdom, and indifferent to every consideration that contributed not to advance the glory of his character and the immortality of his memory. Such a man the Reformation found in Martin Luther. Inspired by a zeal which could consume the most obdurate prejudice, and a courage that could brave the most potent authority, he carried every thing before him that retarded his designs. He knew when to advance, and when to make good a safe retreat; when to trust the energies of his own mind, and when to profit by the advice of others. In our sketch of the History of the Reformation, it will be seen with what persevering boldness he laid siege to the most ancient rules of discipline, and the most solemn rites of devotion and piety to that place then, we shall defer any further account of Luther's zeal and energies in the cause of reform. But as this event gave rise to much palpable error and gross misrepresentation, respecting many branches of discipline, and particularly concerning monastic establishments, I will, previously to an account of the Reformation, give the reader a rapid view of the character and elevation of the monks, and of the general influence these

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societies had on the manners and customs of the people that surrounded them.

SECTION VI.

General View of the Nature, Character, and Decline of Monastic Institutions.

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EVERY religious profession, as well as the peculiar opinions and speculations of eminent men on subjects of morality and religion, imprints a certain characteristic and peculiarly distinctive mark on its votaries and followers. The private and public conduct, morals, and institutions, of Catholics, are strongly affected by the principles of the religion they profess. Men of experience and observation, who have resided in Catholic countries, will easily recognize some of the following peculiarities, as forming the most prominent features in the com position of that extensive body.

What principally characterizes Catholic countries, is the superior magnificence of their temples, the awful dignity of divine service, the splendour of the sacred utensils, and the august ceremonies whereby the most solemn art of christian worship, by the modern Romans and Italians termed culto, is celebrated. These

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people have inherited from the ancient Romans, their illustrious progenitors, this laudable magnificence, in every thing that regards divine service. Sallust asserts their ancestors to have been remarkable for their donations, magnificence, and splendour, in the worship of the Deity: in suppliciis Deorum magnifici. The same commendable practice has been propagated from the Roman metropolis to the rest of the Christian and Catholic world; and to the same principle we may ascribe the great encouragement held out in that Church to the fine arts, particularly architecture, sculpture, painting, and music; as also the cultivation of the sciences and learned languages, especi, ally the Latin, the use and knowledge of which is of absolute necessity to the ministers of that religion, both because the public liturgy is performed in that language, and because it is the most general vehicle of all theological information. Numerous and respectable Doctors, in all ages have in that language displayed their talents and erudition, in the defence and service of the church, in expounding her doctrines, and asserting her authority. The introduction of monastic institutions and establishments, devoted to the service of God, and for the purposes of humanity and public utility in the var rious charitable offices of religious and literary instruction, both at home and in barbarous and infidel countries, is also peculiar to the Catholic

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Church. A great proportion of the monks dedicate their attention to the relief and support of the infirm and indigent, in hospitals and charitable houses, solely erected by their pious zeal and benevolent exertions. These people, the more effectually to accomplish their engagements, and perpetuate and secure to succeeding generations such spiritual and temporal advantages, bind themselves down by solemn vows of celibacy, obedience to their regular superiors, and abjuration of all private or separate property: hence their irrevocable and perpetual obligation to perform the duties of their station, and religious vocation. Much good has been effected by the persevering endeavours of those exemplary and laborious men. After the convulsion of the civilized world, occasioned by the universal dominion of the Roman emperors, the consequent abuse of despotism and arbitrary power, the monks rendered the most essential services to the cause of humanity, religion, and science, by forming themselves into societies or associations, which enabled them, by mutually administering to each other's wants, and leading a single life, entirely devoted to the service of the community, to keep alive the seeds of learning and religion; whilst the generality of mankind, in consequence of the lawless and unsettled state of the world, were immersed in ignorance, barbarity, vice, and their concomitant evils.

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