famous conncil of Trent, are the chief authorities we have employed to sketch the outline of this dangerous system; and better, we think, need not, nor could have been employed.

ers in the Son of God-the great mass of true and pious Christians throughout the world, however widely situated or variously denominated. God forbid that we should condemn all Roman Catholics to perdition! It must be admitted, however, that there We are happy to enumerate among the are Roman Catholic divines, both in Eng- members of the true Catholic Church such land and France, who do not go the full men as Pascal, Fenelon, and many others; length of the council of Trent, or of the and if Roman Catholics cannot extend the Popes themselves, in either ancient or mo- like charity to such Protestants as bishops dern times: they rub down some of the as- Hall and Leighton, or Drs. Watts and Dodperities of the system-they cover some of dridge, it can only prove that they them its deformities, and to its deadly counte-selves are miserably deficient in candour nance they give a tinge of rouge, as the co- and Christian charity." p. 3, 4. lour of life and health; that is, they make The plan of the work is to place on it appear as amiable and inviting as they one page 66 'Popish Errors," on the opcan, to those whom they wish to bring back posite side "Scripture Contrast." within the pale of their own church.

Now, to unmask this system, is to remove the ingenious glosses, and elegaut embellishments with which, from the days of Bossuet to those of Chateaubriand, its modern advocates have endeavoured to disguise this "carcase of dead piety," and to expose it in its "true form and colour."

But what is Protestantism, or the religion of Protestants ?* The grand principles of Protestantism are, First, that no doctrine is to be received as an article of faith, which is not founded on the Holy Scriptures; and Secondly, that, as every man must answer for himself at the bar of God, and no other for him, so every man capable ought to read the Scriptures for himself, with much seriousness and humble prayer for divine instruction, that he may understand those parts at least which are necessary to salvation; and not have to rely wholly upon the ministers of any religion, who are always liable to be deceived, and sometimes under temptations to deceive. "The Bible, (says our immortal Chillingworth) and the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants; and whatever other authorities may enjoin, "if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah viii. 20.

"I. Of the Pope and Church of Rome.II. Of the Scriptares.-III. Of unwritten Traditions.-IV. Of the Sacrifice of the Mass.-V. Of Transubstantiation and receiving in one kind only.-VI. Of Merits and Satisfactions.-VII. Of Purgatory, and Prayers for the Dead.-VIII. Of Prayers in an unknown tongue.-IX. Of Pardons and Indulgences.-X. Of worshipping saints, angels, and relics.-XI. Of adoring images. XII. Of Priests' Marriages."

We have then

"Fees of the Pope's Chancery-Popish Miracles-Pretended Relics-Outline of Popish Persecutions-Character and Conduct of some eminent Popes-Protestant Reformers and Martyrs-Texts alleged by Popish writers in defence of the Church of Rome, briefly explained."

We have only room to add the advertisement of the worthy Editor, who says

"More than 36,000 having been sold of the former editions, may sufficiently indicate the public judgment. The opinion of many, "The chief argument of which the advo- that it is eminently adapted for usefulness cates of popery avail themselves is, that the in Ireland, as well as England, has occaCatholic religion, as they call their dogmas, sioned this edition; but the Editor wishes is the most safe, because even Protestants it to be clearly understood, that it is not believe in the holy Catholic church. But against the persons, but the errors of Papists as the word Catholic simply means uni- that this Tract is aimed. He abhors perseversal,' it is easy to perceive that this is a cution in every form, and in any hands; mere subterfuge. The one truet Catholic and wishes only, by rational and scriptural church comprises the whole body of believ-means, to reclaim sinners from the error of their ways.

The term Protestant was first used in 1529, in application to certain German Princes, &c. who protested against the Popish decrees of the Emperor Charles V.

+ True Christian unity is a unity of spirit, faith, and evangelical obedience, not a mere unity of government and opinion. See Ephes, iv. 3.13.

"Should any benevolent societies or individuals wish for a considerable number of these tracts for gratuitous distribution, they may be accommodated on easy terms, by applying to the author or the printer."

We are of opinion this tract should be circulated as an antidote to the poison of Dr. Baines's Sermon.

The Cottage Bible and Family Expositor; dissenters agree, are ably stated and containing the authorized Translation defended; particularly "the proper of the Old and New Testaments, with deity and atonement of our Saviour, Practical Reflections, and short Expla- and the paramount importance and nenatory Notes, calculated to elucidate difficult and obscure Passages. Dedicated, by permission, to the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Salisbury. By THOMAS WILLIAMS. Simpkin and

Marshall.

We live in the age of Bibles; which is also, unhappily, the age of blasphemy. Every well-meant endeavour, therefore, to elucidate what is obscure in the sacred writings, should be hailed with pleasure.

ness.

Why this should be called the Cottage Bible, we cannot imagine; unless it be on account of its conciseness and cheapIt will, no doubt, be found in the libraries of our most learned ministers, in our schools of the highest rank, and in our academies for theological students. Colleges and halls will entertain it with high respect, nor is it unworthy of being introduced into the mansions of our nobles, and the palaces of our princes.

Mr. Williams is an old servant of the public. His age and experience, his well-known evangelical principles, his extensive acquaintance with theological literature, and the religious world in all its denominations, his popular and easy style of writing-qualified him above many for a work of this nature.

And he has now happily completed his laborious task, with the highest credit to himself, and satisfaction to the subscribers. He handsomely acknowledges "the urbanity and kindness of his publishers, under afflictive circumstances, and which have made an impression upon his mind never to be obliterated."

The work is very neatly printed, and embellished and enriched with several useful maps and tables. We earnestly hope that the author and the publishers will meet with that measure of encouragement from the religious public, to which they are entitled by the merit and utility of their labours.

The great doctrines of Christianity, in which all evangelical churchmen and

cessity of the Holy Spirit's influences.” Nor is our author less attentive to the practical uses of those doctrines.

But Mr. Williams declines "entering into those minor points which, unhappily, divide the Christian world into sects and parties." This chasm, which his defective plan required, we think is much to be regretted. The honest, unbiassed opinion of a sensible man, on any subject, is always worthy of respectful attention. We should have been glad to see his judgment on the constitution, laws, officers, and ordinances of the New Testament church, though they might not be in exact accordance with our own, nor with those of the learned bishop to whom the work is inscribed. As it is, the cottager has the rituals of the Old Testament church,

which are obsolete, expounded minutely; but the rituals of the New Testament church, which are to be in force to the end of the world, and require personal and practical observance, are skipped over rather awkwardly. (See on Matt. xxviii. 18-20; 1 Tim. iii.

throughout.) We regret this the more,

because we recollect that Mr. Williams
has compiled "A Dictionary of all Re-
ligions, Religious Denominations," &c.
His attention, therefore, has been, of
course, strongly fixed on those “minor
points" to which he has referred, and
his own mind, we should think, must be
made up on those articles. We shall
be happy to see a second edition, with
all such defects supplied. It is precisely
on those points that multitudes of reli-
gious people, besides cottagers, have
need of the assistance of an able and
Confounded and
experienced friend.
perplexed by the multiplicity of jarring
sects, among whom the plainest texts
are perverted, they (like the Ethiopian)
are ever asking, "How can I, except
some man should guide me?"

LITERARY RECORD.

New Publications.

1. Interesting Narratives from the Sacred Volume illustrated and improved; shewing the Excellence of Divine Revelation and the Practical Nature of true Religion. By Joseph Belcher. Vol. II. 12mo. Wightman and Cramp. This volume consists of twenty-seven short Essays, upon very instructive scriptural subjects. No attempts are made by the worthy author to introduce novel sentiments or extraordinary methods of illustration; but he has contented himself with stating, in a plain and condensed style, the doctrines and precepts of divine truth. The book is well adapted for family reading, and we hope the present, as well as the former volume, will obtain an extensive circulation.

ed is well suited to exercise the capacities of children, and to impress the subject upon their memories. The information which is supplied by references to ecclesiastical history will both amuse and lead the intelligent youth to read other works illustrative of Scripture history. The book also is cheap. It is a valuable addition to the three former parts, entitled "Exercises on the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John.”

5. Anti-Slavery Monthly Reporter for October and for November, 1827. These Reports cannot fail to be interesting to all who are concerned for the abolition of slavery. The last of these tracts contains an account of the slave Grace, and the long and elaborate judgment of Lord Stowell in the High Court of Admiralty.

6. The Infant Scholar's Magazine. Vol. I. 2. The Principles of Dissent from Church Simpkin and Marshall. This is the first Establishments, with a comparative View of little book of the kind we have seen, and the Modes of Worship of Churchmen and we can assure our readers it is an admirable Orthodox Dissenters. By David Ives, Mi-one, full of piety, good sense, and good mister of the Gospel at Gold Hill, Bucks. taste, and made very engaging to children Price 6d. R. Baynes. A very sensible, of the youngest class by its numerous emwell-written Tract, which may give much bellishments. useful information to both Churchmen and Dissenters. We wish it the widest possible

circulation.

3. The Young Servant's Friendly Instructor, &c. By Esther Copley (late Hewlett), Author of Cottage Comforts," &c. Price 1s. Simpkin and Marshall. This little book, from the pen of a lady who has deserved so well of the Christian public, will no doubt be extensively read. Heads of families will do well to make a present of it to their domestics. We, who cannot go often into "the women's world," as Mr. Cecil used to call it, have been highly amused with the ample and minute directory it contains for "the servant of all work, the cook, the housemaid, the nursemaid, the lady's maid, the laundress, the sempstress, the dairymaid, and the housekeeper." The introductory chapters are particularly worthy of the pious and intelligent writer, who is anxious to lead young females into the knowledge of Christ.

4. The Child's Scripture Examiner and Assistant, Part IV.; or Questions on the Acts of the Apostles, with Practical and Explanatory Observations, suited to the Capacities of Children. By J. G. Fuller. With a Map of Asia Minor, &c. Price 1s. 6d. Mr. Fuller has been well employed in compiling this very instructive manual. The catechetical mode of examination adopt

7. Tekel; or the Righteous Sentence: a Discourse in two parts. By G. Pritchard. 8. Communion with the Dead; also a Brother's Farewell, by T. R. T. Price 1s.

9. Adaptations of Scripture to Family Devotion. 18mo. Whittaker. This work is intended for the use of members of the Established Church. The selections of Scripture are from the Common Prayer Book. It is not probable any of our readers will find it a suitable help for their family devotions, as we presume they are not in the habit of using composed forms of prayer for that purpose.

In the Press.

To be published by subscription, in the course of the present year, in one volume, Svo. price 9s. Eclectic Theology; or a Conciliatory View of Divine Revelation. By the late Rev. Samuel Greatheed, F.S.A. With some account of his eventful and interesting Life, by H. W. Gardiner.

To be published early in February, in one volume, 8vo. a Practical and Pathological Inquiry into the Sources and Effects of Derangement of the Digestive Organs; embracing some affections of the Mind, as well as diseases of the Body. By Wm. Cooke, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Secretary to the Hunterian Society, Editor of Morgagni, &c.

74

OBITUARY.

SARAH JEFFERIES. her heart was gradually opened to reDIED, at Bromley, near Bow, on Mon-ceive the truth; and I can testify that day, Oct. 29, 1827, in the 31st year of as far as she knew it, and understood her age, Sarah Jefferies. When a child, it, she was zealous to obey it. In all she was instructed for a little time by a the interviews I had with her during pious woman who kept a day-school in her long affliction, she always appeared Bromley, whose name was Ruth Howe. very desirous of glorifying Christ, by a About fourteen years ago, she heard patient acquiescence in his will." a sermon delivered at Old Ford, by Mrs. Freeman, also, in whose service Dr. Newman, from the question, “Will she lived about a year and half, writes ye also be his disciples?" which made a thus :-"I think it must be about ten beneficial and lasting impression on her years ago she lived in our family. She mind, and led to her connexion with the was of a very amiable disposition, and Baptist church there. She was bap-her conciliating manners had always a tized with Abigail Buckle, Ruth Moor- tendency to promote peace. I have hen, Mary Monday, and Mary Merritt, seen her in circumstances of excruciaton Thursday, Jan. 2, 1817; and was ing pain, yet she was always disposed received on the following Lord's day, to speak of mercy; and would, when Jan. 5, into fellowship with that church, gasping for breath, tell of the goodness of which she continued to be a very of God in giving that consolation which honourable member till her death. supported her. She appeared to have a complete acquiescence in the will of God, and would say, if the Lord had not seen it needful for her to pass through such deep affliction, he would not have called her to it. At the same time she enjoyed the consoling hope, that it was working in her a meetness for those holy enjoyments of which angels and the spirits of the just participate. She appeared to have very humiliating thoughts of herself, and wondered that one so unworthy should be so highly favoured. Christ was her only refuge, and she seemed to have a confidence that he would at last present her faultless before his Father's throne."

While a servant, she was eminently careful to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Mr. Nunn, in whose family she lived several years, in a letter to the writer of this article, says "I believe she came to live with us at the age of fifteen, at which time she could scarcely read a word, and was exceedingly ignorant of divine things; but there were always about her that downright integrity, and that regard for truth, which were much to be admired. She was greatly endeared to us by her kindness and attachment to our children, and by her sympathy with us in all our afflictions. She lived with us several years, and, of course, attended your ministry the whole of the time. She was very anxious to be able to read the Scriptures, and Mrs. Nunn rendered what assistance she could in the attainment of that object. But I think she was much. indebted in that particular, as well as for a knowledge of divine things, to her friend Mrs. Oakley, to whom she was much attached, and whose company she sought at every opportunity. Like Lydia of old,

Soon after her marriage, she appeared to be afflicted with that distressing disease, the dropsy; and during the last four years she endured the opera. tion of tapping, ten times repeated in vain! Her bodily pains were very great, but her exemplary patience and serene submission to the will of God, awakened the compassion and the admiration of many in all parts of the neighbourhood. Her life appeared but as a spark in the

ocean, and we often thought it must be when a large number of friends and speedily quenched; but it was by a lin-neighbours attended. gering death she was destined to glorify Dr. Newman, her pastor, preached a God. Her acquaintance with the Scrip- funeral sermon on Lord's day afternoon, tures had become both accurate and Nov. 4, from John xxi. 19. "This spake extensive, and by the application of he, signifying by what death he should "exceeding great and precious pro- glorify God."

mises," her faith, and hope, and love, (though there were occasionally some passing clouds) were sustained and nourished.

Let the young reader remember what our amiable Christian poet, Cowper, says

Youth oftimes, healthful and at ease,
Anticipates a day it never sees.

For her bodily sufferings, she had a rich compensation in the comforts which The length of affliction is the strength the Holy Spirit imparted: particularly, of it; but the grace of Christ is allthere was one remarkable instance, sufficient. Some Christians die sudabout ten days before her death, when denly, and have no occasion to say, broad awake, and not delirious, and in the midst of agonizing pains, she exclaimed, in words which she had heard her pastor quote on some occasion "Lord, stop thy hand, or give me strength to bear the joy!"

"Why tarry the wheels of his chariot?" Scarcely have they heard the sound of the wheels, before the chariot comes up to the door, and they are gone.

Whether our death be natural or violent, sudden or lingering, early or late, easy or painful-let it be our chief concern to follow Christ; that dying, as well as living, we may glorify God.

At length, wearied and worn down, and completely exhausted, she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. She was buried in the ground attached to the meetinghouse in Old Ford, on Friday, Nov. 2, Bow, Dec. 4, 1827.

W. N.

GLEANINGS.

RELIGIOUS DISABILITIES.

The following historical facts relative to The Corporation and Test Acts, may not be uninteresting to our readers at a time when that subject is likely to claim a considerable share of the public attention.

In consequence of this recemmendation, his secretary, Mr. Hobart, the late Earl of Buckinghamshire, brought a bill into the Irish House of Commons, in which, among many other concessions to the Roman Catholics, it was enacted, &c. "That it should be lawful for them to hold all military offices "The Corporation Act never existed in under his Majesty, his heirs and successors, Ireland. The Test Act was not introduced in the kingdom of Ireland, without taking or there till 1703; and after the lapse of 77 subscribing the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, years, viz. in the year 1780; the Irish Pro- or abjuration, and without taking the sacratestant Dissenters were relieved from its ment of the Lord's Supper, according to the penalties, but the Act still continued in force rites and ceremonies of the Church of Engagainst the Catholics till the year 1793. In land;" with the exception of the oflices of January of that year, the present Earl of “ Master and Lieutenant General of his MaWestmorland, then Lord Lieutenant of Ire-jesty's Ordnance, Commander-in-Chief of land, made a speech from the Throne to the his Majesty's Forces, and Generals on the Irish Parliament, in which he used the fol- Staff." lowing expressions: His Majesty trusts In moving for leave to bring in that bill, that the situation of his Majesty's Catholic Mr. Secretary Hobart stated to the Irish subjects will engage your serious attention, House of Commons, "that it was in the and in the consideration of this subject, he contemplation of the Government of Engrelies on the wisdom and liberality of his land, to admit Roman Catholics to bear comParliament." mission in the army or navy; and that in due