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vows are real vows." He next enters on a long course of argument, of which it would be difficult to exhibit an analysis within moderate compass. This, like his other works, seems to have been composed in great haste, and the collateral illustrations are so numerous, that to form an adequate idea of them, it is necessary to travel through the whole work. He lays down, clearly and explicitly, that in Scripture there is neither precept nor example for monastic vows. Certain passages brought forward by the abettors of monastic establishments, he subjects to a scrutiny and pronounces to have no application to their argument. He enters also on an examination of the reasons alleged in support of celibacy, and does not hesitate to affirm that his opponents have completely failed in making good their case. The monastic life he represents as a tissue of errors, falsehoods, ignorance, folly, deceit, and confusion. The nature of the vow is inconsistent, he maintains, with the true faith, and hostile to Christian liberty.

"WHO MAKETH THEE TO DIFFER FROM ANOTHER?"

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Now, let me speak to you, my friends and brethren, and let me ask you this question-and let me ask it of my own soul, "Who maketh thee to differ from another? Let me ask my own soul, who maketh me to differ? Why am I standing here, with this Bible in my hand-to preach the Gospel of Jesus-to proclaim God's eternal. Word? Why am I not, having been instructed in the dark mystery of Papal superstition from my childhood-why am I not taken and put under a process of deep and deadly training-why am I not drilled in that "mystery of iniquity," for if ever the devil invented a system to corrupt and degrade the human heart below the ordinary level of its natural depravity, the system of training Roman Catholic priests is that system-why am I not drilled, I say, in this? Why am I not carrying out that infamous book -that code of awful iniquity, by

which they have been trained to direct the consciences of the poor people in this country? and why are you not slaves at my feet, coming to me for pardon for your sins? Why am I not bowing before an idol, pretending to transmute a bit of bread into "the whole body, blood, soul, and Divinity of Christ ?"-and why are you not bowing down in idolatry to worship it? Who maketh us to differ? Is it our own wisdom? our own excellence, virtue, choice? No! God's gracious mercy: God's sovereign compassion; God's tender love, in that he raised up men-faithful men

apostolic bishops, holy ministers, glorious confessors, noble martyrs, that loved not their lives unto the death-that he raised them up, to testify in the face of danger, difficulty, imprisonment, the stake, the sword, against this cursed system of iniquity, and by them established the Gospel of Jesus in this land, for the salvation of its inhabitants. That was the reason-that is the reason why you are there, and I am here: because God, in his mercy, hath rescued our forefathers from Popery. -From Gunpowder Treason, a Sermon by the Rev. R. J. M'Ghee.

THANKFULNESS.

Extract from an Essay of the Rev.
James Hamilton.

EMBODY your gratitude in offerings of thankfulness. These are the only oblations for which room is left in our new economy. Sin offerings and trespass offerings have passed away. There is no place for them now. But free-will offerings and thank-offerings remain. The Gospel has left ample scope for these. Its joyful dispensation is essentially eucharistical; its glad tidings should awaken glad feelings, and these glad feelings spontaneously express themselves in sacrifices of thankfulness. It is in this way that the Great Author of the Gospel has stamped it with self-diffusive tendency-inspiring with a joy unspeakable those who receive it in simplicity and love; and then, through their overflowing hearts and open hands transmitting it over widening

circuits till a regenerate world has felt the leaven of its heavenly life.* The genius of the Gospel is liberality. Itself the most amazing instance of the Divine munificence, its advent into a human soul is marked by an instantaneous expansion of its feelings and affections. When it comes in its fulness and tells in its power, the churl becomes bountiful, the miser turns out a philanthropist, and the sluggard issues forth a sleepless evangelist. And so invariably does this activity indicate the energy within so sure a dynamometer of spiritual vitality is the amount of what a man can do or give for Jesus' sake-that, in order to ascertain how freely any one has received, or how much any one has been loved, you have only to ascertain how freely he can give, or how long he can labour, without fainting. The love which does not lead to labour will soon die out; and the thankfulness which does not embody itself in sacrifices is already changing to ingratitude.

REASONS WHY ROMAN CATHO-
LICS SHOULD NOT PARTAKE
OF THE GOVERNMENT OR PAR-
LIAMENTARY GRANT FOR EDU-
CATION.

BECAUSE various doctrines, laws, and
practices of the Church of Rome are

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£21 0 0

* In the contributions to the funds of the Missionary Society, we find frequent entries like the following:An Anonymous thank-offering to God for the mercies of 1841 Anonymous Token of Gratitude, for twenty-three anniversaries of a weddingday Commemoration of a Friend's birth-day

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3. That she declares the liberty of the press can never sufficiently be execrated and detested."-Pope Gregory XVI., Encyclical Letter of 15th August, 1832.

4. That she denounces liberty of conscience" as a most pestilential error."-From the same letter.

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5. That she appeals to the Virgin Mary as our greatest hope, yea, the the same letter. See also letter of entire ground of our hope."-From the present Pope Pius IX.

6. That she denounces all Bible Societies. The present" benevolent” Pope Pius the Ninth's Encyclical Letter of the 9th November, 1846.

7. That with respect to oaths, she teaches, that the "Superior of all the orders of the monks (who resides at Rome) can validly, even without a cause, make void the oaths of all his 50 0 0 subjects."-Bailly's Moral Theology, a class-book of Maynooth.

23 0 0

40

0

15 0 0

10 0 0

Family thank-offering
Family at Grimsby, in me-
mory of a deceased and
affectionate parent..
Thank-offering from persons
embarking in business..
Thank-offering on New-
Year's-Day, 1840
10 0 0
When the author published a sermon
on this subject, by far the most gratify-
ing criticism which met his eye, was an
acknowledgment of 50%., which some
one, after perusing it, had presented to
the London Missionary Society.

Matthew xiii. 33.

8. That "those are not to be called oaths, but rather perjuries, which are taken contrary to ecclesiastical utility and the institutions of the Fathers."Sixteenth Canon of the Third Lateran Council, taken from Antoine, a standard work of Maynooth College.

9. That a bishop can take an oath, and then he can grant a dispensation to himself.-Dens, vol. ii., page 347.

10. That "in every promissory oath, however absolutely made, certain

conditions are understood." Of these conditions, which are tacitly reserved in the swearer's mind, one is this, "Salvo jure et authoritate superioris," that is, saving the right and authority of my superior, "when an oath is considered unlawful, and cannot be kept, which cannot be kept saving the honour of the apostolic see. So that no oath is to be kept by a Roman Catholic in which the honour of the apostolic see is not preserved. Reiffenstuel, a standard work of Maynooth (lib. ii. Dec., tit. 24, de Jurejurando).

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11. That as to "whether faith is to be kept with heretics.". The question is asked and answered in Reiffenstuel, in his Decretals, tit. 7, de Hæreticis. Quest. "Are vassals, and servants, and others, freed from any private obligation due to a heretic, and from keeping faith with him?" Answer."Yes, all are so by the clear disposal of the law."

12. That the doctrines of the Church of Rome are embodied in 136 canons, every one of which ends with a curse against every person who refuses to receive them.-Council of Trent.

13. That all Roman Catholics are, by the Eleventh Article of the Creed of Pope Pius IV., bound to maintain those curses; and even ❝condemn, reject, and anathematize all things contrary" to the sacred canons and general councils, and particularly the holy Council of Trent.

14. That the Twelfth Article of the same Creed (which is the oath of every beneficed priest) declares, that, "this true Catholic faith, without which no one can be saved, which I at present freely profess, and truly hold, I promise, vow, and swear most constantly to retain and confess the same, entire and immaculate, to the last. (God being my helper.) And I will take care, as far as in me lies, that the same shall be held, taught, and preached by those subject to me, or by those the charge of whom shall devolve on me, in my office. So help me God, and these holy Gospels of God."

15. That even since the passing of the erroneously termed "Catholic Emancipation Bill," it appears that

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16. That one of those laws, the Bulla Cone Domini, excommunicates the Sovereign of these realms, and all her Protestant subjects, as accursed heretics. This bull of universal curse, it is believed, is still publicly read in Rome every Maundy Thursday, and is the same bull with which Luther was excommunicated and cursed by Pope Leo X., on Thursday, 28th March, 1521.

17. And lastly, Because Queen Victoria could not ascend the throne without first subscribing, "in the presence of God," the solemn declaration against transubstantiation, which declares the Church of Rome to be "superstitious and idolatrous."

So that, instead of granting the public money for the propagation of a religion sanctioning such crimes as these, the people should forthwith demand of the Legislature a complete investigation of the whole of her Antichristian system, which has from time to time enacted against Protestants of all nations the severest laws,-and is now the scourge and oppressor of what might be the fairest portion of the British empire.

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To the Editor of the Protestant Magazine.

SIR,-The "Times" of October 4th informs us that the Archbishop of Capua had arrived at Rome, and demanded of his Holiness, in the name of his Government, an apostolical letter, inviting the population of the two Sicilies to obey their Sovereign. The holy Father replied, he was ready to comply with the request, on condition that the Neapolitan Govern ment should grant an unconditional amnesty, and frankly enter the career of reform.

Is this an example for England to follow, to intreat his Holiness to send an apostolical letter to Ireland, to invite them to obey their Sovereign,

and in reply be told, that he will do it on condition, the noxious Establishment, the source of religious bigotry, is done away.

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If the successor of Peter, (who said positively and unconditionally, "Fear God, and honour the King,") may make conditions ere he says, Honour the King in Sicily, why may he not in England ?

The " Times" has told us, the Pope's voice would be respectfully listened to by millions of British subjects. May we not learn, from the case now cited, that the Pope will attach conditions to his grant of assistance to the English Government in managing its subjects?

Should we not be warned in time?
Your obedient servant,

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A PROTESTANT.

MISCELLANEOUS. ENGLISHMEN REBUKED BY NEW ZEALANDERS.-One essential benefit resulting from missionary operations in distant lands, is the blessed effect which is often produced upon the minds of professing Christians in those countries. Often has it been the case, that those who remained wholly unaffected by the exhibition of Christian principle at home, have been deeply struck by it abroad. An instance of this occurred a few years ago in New Zealand. The officers of a King's ship on that station had invited some of the neighbouring chiefs to dine on board their vessel. Having sat down to dinner, the officers were not a little surprised to observe their guests, who are not generally considered bad trenchermen, declining to partake of any of their provisions. Fearing that they suspected that something was wrong, that the food was poisoned, or some want of courtesy towards them had been exhibited, the officers became quite uncomfortable. At length, however, the matter was explained. The eldest chief present arose from his seat, and in a reverent and dignified manner, which was participated in by his brother chiefs, offered up a suitable prayer to Almighty God, for a blessing upon the food set before them. This had been the omission which had so disconcerted all parties.

The officer who related this circumstance, declared that he had never been so shocked in his life, as when these lately savage New Zealanders thus silently rebuked the ungodliness of a company of professedly Christian Englishmen.-Churchman's Monthly Penny Magazine, page 325, vol. i.

CABINET.

But

PROSPERITY, in a great city, to men who are running a race after it, is a powerful engine in the hand of Satan. How did he endeavour to tempt even Christ with a sight of worldly splendour; and can we wonder at his success on men? Consider in how seducing a form destruction may approach. We see and fear destruction in the form of pestilence, famine, and sword; men guard carefully.. their houses from fire or thieves. what signifies the form of the weapon which destroys us? Does the love of ease make you neglect the remedy which you must take, or perish ?then regard it as a deadly snare. Learn to view the world and its prosperity in the glass of God's Word. If f you grow wise in Divine truth, you will see in the history of every day, that misery lies in turning away from the word of God; you are never safe a moment, but as you are looking to your compass. Satan has snares for believers. Especially let them fear, who are pleasing themselves in their prosperity: let them remember that they embrace their worst enemy. Whenever any one would think of ensuring peace and safety, let him remember, that nothing can be a basis for these but true religion.-Cecil.

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THE above is the title of a little pamphlet, recently put forth, on the subject of Rome's encroachments, and the way in which Protestants are allured, whether from motives of curiosity or interest, to sanction by their presence the mummeries of Popery.

The tract is written in a spirit of Christian love and affectionate solicitude for the souls of Romanists, no less than Protestants.

The writer observes, at the commencement :

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"The faith for which we are exhorted to contend being a spiritual thing, the evidence of things not seen,' the weapons of a Christian's warfare should also be spiritual. With no other arms than those which the Scriptures supply, would we, therefore, combat spiritual error; and in the following remarks the uncor» rupted Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit,' has alone been employed in the effort now made, in dependence on the strength of Him who gave it, to open the blind eyes of some of our brethren in the Church of Rome, who offer to God a service in which he takes no delight; and in warning the simpleminded Protestant, whom the dazzling ceremonies of that Church might mislead-that the former may deliver themselves out of the snare of the devil, and the other be made acquainted with his devices."

Having combated by scriptural authority many of the errors of the Church of Rome, and the plausible sophistries of Bishop Gillis, who preached the sermon on the occasion of opening the Romish chapel at Cheadle; and remarked on the boasts of Romanists in their prospects of success owing to the apathy of Protestants, the writer observes :

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Deeply may we be humbled at these sad proofs of our slothfulness in our Master's cause. Dr. Gillis perceives the strong delusion' that is coming upon the people of England to believe' THE LIE,' which to him appears to be the truth. But Protestants see, in the progress of Popery, the fulfilment of the prophecy to those that receive not the love of the truth that they may be

saved' and the scourge in the hand of an avenging God, preparing, in the shape of the Romish superstition, for the chastisement of unfaithful England to those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. Her other sins, too, cry aloud for vengeance. The daily papers teem with reports of her manifold and dreadful crimes, and the land, especially Ireland, is filled with violence, as in the days of Noah. God has borne long with her offences, but now the wickedness seems full, and the harvest of the earth ripe. (Joel iii. 13-Rev. xiv. 15.) The signs of the times must arrest the attention of the most heedless.

"Among the Protestants present at the opening of the chapel, we are told, were some clergymen of the Established Church: to their shame be it spoken. They may say they only went to see the show; but did they not put themselves in the way of hearing and receiving false doctrine, although daily praying not to be led into temptation? As faith cometh by hearing,' so also does error; and thence, doubtless, our Lord's caution 'Take heed what ye hear.' (Mark iv. 24.)

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"But Roman Catholics cling with a tenacity to outward things scarcely to be believed. What are we to think, however, of those ' in whom,' on this occasion, the ceremonies of the day excited a deep interest and admiration, and a lively impression of the power of the Roman Catholic religion?' THE POWER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGION!' what does this mean? If it have any meaning it is this-that the religion of Rome exactly suits the carnal heartcarnal in its ordinances, carnal in its worship, carnal in everything, even in abstaining from flesh on days forbidden! Hence the effect of the fairy scene and gorgeous display, resembling

an

Arabian Night's Entertainment, upon the congenial spirit of those carnally-minded Protestants who were present, and their being worked up into a belief that their excited feelings were indications of devotion to God, although on retiring from the exhibition, they must have found they were not better men than when they entered the building, and might have

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