pertinacity.' But is not every Protes-
tant in this predicament? The fact of his
Protestantism stamps him at once as a
heretic. These nice distinctions are never
thought of at Rome. The "holy apos-
tolic church" does not wait to inquire
whether there is "contumacy" or not.
The publication or profession of opinions
adverse to her decrees, is sufficient to
call down her vengeance. More than
six hundred years ago she denounced all
heretics in solemn council,+ and doomed
them to extermination. She has never
altered. All her sons declare their adhe-
rence to the decrees of the general coun-
cils, among which that just mentioned is
one, and uniformly regard as heretics all
who bear the Protestant name. Her
"Index Expurgatorius" expressly con-
demns as
"heretics of the first class" all
our best writers. Her fires would con-
sume them still, if she dared to light the
flames again. To affirm that the de-
nouncement of destruction to heretics is
only "a species of admonition, which,
even if he wished it," the Papist "could
not, consistently with his religion, carry
into effect," is to fly in the face of all
authority, and utter deliberate falsehood.
At best it is a miserable subterfuge, in-
tended to hide the naked, hideous fact.
Meanwhile, since they cannot just now
burn us, they are content with adjudging
us to perdition. The little child is in-
structed to believe that we wretched Pro-
testants have nothing but misery before
us. We are infallibly destined to "hell
for all eternity."§ And then, when we
charge them with a persecuting spirit,
they turn round and exclaim, "Oh, but
we only refer to the contumacious. And
how can we determine who the heretic
is?" Out upon such hypocrisy!

16. Speaking of the "extension of printing," a writer asks: "Was not its utility utterly neutralized, or rather, was it not rendered pernicious, by the censorship of the press, which existed by statute or prerogative from the time of Henry VIII. till after the revolution, and was exercised with a strictness and severity quite in character with the principles of the Established Church?" It is not our present business to pass judgment on the policy of an age which was just emerging from

* Catechism of the Council of Trent, translated

by the Rev. J. Donovan, p. 91.

†The General Council of Lateran, A. D. 1215.
Dublin Review, ut sup. p. 507.
Abstract of the Douay Catechism, p. 71.
Dublin Review, No. 18, p. 406.

the midnight darkness of Popery. The spirit of the old system remained long after its forms had been abolished. Popish habits retained their hold upon men who had abjured Popish doctrines; nor is this surprising, since the love of power is congenial to our depraved hearts, and its wanton exercise has peculiarly distinguished ecclesiastical affairs. But to the question before us. The incorrectness, to say the least, of the statement just quoted, is easily shown.

(1.) During the period under notice, that is, from A.D. 1526, when Tyndall's translation of the New Testament was published, to A.D. 1688, the era of the revolution, the following English authors flourished, and their works were freely circulated, notwithstanding the "censorship of the press," to the great advantage of the community:-Cranmer, Latimer, Hooper, Ridley, Jewell, Foxe, Leland, Ascham, sir Philip Sydney, Hooker, Shakspeare, Spenser, Camden, Gataker, Harvey, lord Bacon, Chillingworth, Lightfoot, Mede, Usher, Jeremy Taylor, Ainsworth, bishop Hall, Cave, Walton, Prideaux, Milton, sir Thomas Browne, Bunyan, Owen, Baxter, Howe, Stillingfleet, bishop Beveridge, Charnock, Flavel, Pool, Locke, Algernon Sydney, Wilkins, Barrow, South, Tillotson, Ray, Selden, Boyle, and many others. These works still exist, and speak for themselves.

(2.) During the same period, the Index of Prohibited Books was repeatedly published at Rome. The edition issued by command of Pope Innocent xI., in 1681, is now before the writer. It contains the names of the following authors, the perusal of whose works, in whole or in part, is expressly forbidden to all members of the Romish church :-Lord Bacon, Bale, Beza, Walton, Robert Stephens, Turretin, Bucer, Buchanan, Bullinger, Buxtorf, Calvin, Cartwright, Castalio, Chemnitz, Coverdale, Copernicus, Casaubon, Cranmer, Daille, Erasmus, Grindal, Perkins, Guicciardini, Grotius, Farel, Tyn- dall, Whitaker, Heidegger, Savonarola, Hospinian, Hottinger, Huss, De Thou, Usher, bishop Hall, Tremellius, Polydore Virgil, Bradford, Brentius, John Foxe, Hooper, Jewell, Knox, Ecolampadius, Sleidan, Wiclif, Scapula, Scaliger, Justus Melchior Adam, Meno Simon, De MourJonas, Latimer, Luther, Melancthon, nay, Sarpi, Jerome of Prague, sir Thomas Browne, Claude, Sanderson, Henry Stephens, Zuingle, Vossius. And it prohibits

the perusal of all versions of the Holy | policy. The parties immediately conScriptures made by alleged heretics, cerned did not venture to put it forth. and of all notes and commentaries on the At the Hampton Court Conference, in Scriptures written by them; of all their 1603, when Dr. Reynolds applied for the catechisms and confessions of faith; and suppression or restraint of unlawful and of all books, by whomsoever written, whe- seditious books, reasons were given for ther Papists or Protestants, teaching the permitting their circulation; and, among motion of the earth round the sun. others, the lord treasurer remarked that the books had this use, "namely, that now by the testimony of those priests themselves, her late majesty and the state were cleared of the imputation of putting Papists to death for conscience only, seeing in those books they themselves confess that they were executed for treason."*

The reader will now be enabled to decide which is most "pernicious:" the censorship of the press, during the exist

ence of which the writers first mentioned conferred benefits so great and manifest upon their country; or the Romish Index, in whose pages they and very many more are proscribed, and whose fatal restrictions continue to deprive the members of the papal community of the advantages they might derive from an acquaintance with such valuable productions. They suffer themselves to be frightened by the bugbear of imagined heresy. It is hard to say whether such submission to priestly rule deserves pity or contempt.

the

17. Romish writers persist in affirming that the Papists executed in queen Elizabeth's reign suffered solely for their religion, and that therefore those executions were so many acts of persecution for conscience' sake.* A more flagrant perversion of historical truth cannot be imagined. It is a fact, which no impartial person thinks of denying, that in those unhappy times Popery and treason were fast linked together. All ecclesiastics, from the man who occupied the papal throne, to the lowest ranks of the priesthood, were sworn foes to Elizabeth. Her deposition and murder were objects of their earnest desire and constant endeavour, being commanded by a papal bull, recognised by every Romanist as an authority not to be questioned. The Seminary priests in particular, and the Jesuits, vied with each other in malice, and exerted all their influence to stir up the laity to deeds of treason and blood. The statutes by which their crimes were punished were severe, it is confessed, but necessary. Every one of them might have been entitled, "An act for the protection of the queen's person, and the preservation of her life."+

This disclaimer of treason is modern

Dr. Lingard's History, viii. 290, 295, etc. "To be at that time a Catholic, and to think Elizabeth an usurper, and Mary the rightful queen, and to desire to have a Catholic sovereign on the throne of England, were inseparable circumstances. There was not perhaps one member of the Romish church in Europe who had other sentiments. Their pope and hierarchy in all its branches held and

The reformation from Popery is one of those events which cannot fail to be contemplated by the Christian with deep interest and fervent gratitude. God did then evidently interpose on behalf of the long-oppressed church of Christ. The appearance of gifted men, eminently qualified for the great work, in different parts of Europe, and at the same time, together with the success which attended their labours, notwithstanding the dreadful persecutions to which they were exposed, strikingly displayed the power and goodness of that great Being who is "wonderful in counsel and excellent in working." Long had he heard the cries of the "souls under the altar," pleading for the cause of truth. At length he arose in his might and in his mercy, to vindicate the honour of his word, and restore his worship to its first purity. The results far exceeded the hopes of the pious, while unutterable dismay seized the armies of the aliens."

It

It is of great importance to distinguish between the religious and the political aspects of the Reformation. In its origin and progress, so far as regarded itself, it was wholly a religious movement. was a great conflict between truth and error, between carnality and spiritualmindedness-a glorious revival of religion. If some of the royal and noble personages by whom it was befriended deemed it right and necessary to take up arms in defence of the cause, and to give it the support of worldly policy, so that

taught unvaryingly such opinions. That it would be meritorious to depose Elizabeth, and that it was meritorious to conspire and to exert themselves to do so, became a regular inference from these opinions in the Romish church, and was zealously inculcated by its priesthood and agents on all their adherents; nor did such tuition fall at that time on averted ears."-Sharon Turner's "Modern History of England," iv. 342.

Sharon Turner, ut sup. i. Preface, xii.

Protestantism and Popery became the rallying points for hostile parties; that result, and any political consequences, are not to be regarded as an effect of the religious principles of the Reformation, which, like those of the New Testament, are principles of peace and holiness. Assuredly, Papists have no right to criminate the Reformation on this account, since they have never scrupled to employ violent measures for the accomplishment of the purposes of Rome, and have even inculcated the use of fire and sword for the suppression of what they call heresy, as a solemn and meritorious duty.

the Christians of those times. Like them, we must "live by the faith of the Son of God," Gal. ii. 20; we must "worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh," Phil. iii. 3; as risen with our victorious Lord, we must "seek those things which are above," Col. iii. 1. In order to all this, there must be diligent study of the Scriptures, careful comparison of their diversified yet harmonious statements, and earnest prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that we may not only "read," but "mark, learn, and inwardly digest" the words of the Lord, and exThe truths for which the Reformers perience their blessed effects. These are contended demand our most zealous sup- privileges to be enjoyed by all believers, port. Those holy men pleaded for Christ; without distinction, as well as duties to for the honour of his finished work, which be performed by them. No system can Popery had thrown into the shade; and be scriptural which interferes with the for his supremacy in the church, which enjoyment of the privilege, or discourages had been for ages practically denied. the discharge of the duty. Popery does Among the "forgotten truths" which both. It robs the Christian of his freethey brought to light, the doctrine of dom, and Christ of his glory. Englishjustification by faith held the first place, men are mercifully delivered from the and was ever associated in their minds mental and corporeal tyranny and bondwith scriptural views of the necessity and age of Popery. May we be also prefruits of the Holy Spirit's influence. They served from all views and practices which taught the people, that without engaged- have a popish tendency! "To the law ness of heart in the service of God, all and to the testimony.' "Believe not outward acts of worship are unacceptable every spirit, but try the spirits whether and profitless. They denounced the ma- they are of God," Isa. viii. 20; 1 John nifold inventions of superstition, as op- iv. 1.-The Reformation in Europe, pubposed to the simplicity of the New Testa-lished by the Religious Tract Society. ment ritual, and tending to divert the mind from the contemplation of truth, and to delude men into a belief of their worthiness in the sight of God. They affirmed the entire sufficiency of Scripture, as the rule of faith and practice, boldly asserting the right of private judgment, unshackled by deference to fathers or councils. They directed their keenest shafts against the idolatry of the popish system, exposing in strains of irresistible argument, or powerful satire, the folly and impiety of saint-worship, and the vanity of the confidence placed in saintly intercession. They taught men to present their prayers and praises to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, in full assurance of obtaining the blessings implored.

Truth is not local or temporary. Apostolic principles cannot become obsolete. The way in which we ought to "walk and please God," is the same as was prescribed to the first churches. Our souls must be sustained in duty or in trial, by the truths and promises which comforted

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATION.

the earth."-Jer. xvii. 13.

"They that depart from me shall be written in

PETER DELLA VALLE observed a method of writing short-lived memorandums in India, which he thus describes: "I beheld children writing their lessons with their fingers on the ground, the pavement being for that purpose strewed all over with very fine sand. When the pavement was full, they put the writing out, and, if need were, strewed new sand from a little heap they had before them, wherewith to write farther." One would be tempted to think, says Mr. Harmer, (vol. ii. p. 168, note,) the prophet Jeremiah had this way of writing in view, when he says of them that depart from God, they "shall be written in the earth." Certainly it means, in general, soon to be blotted out and forgotten, as is apparent from Ps. lxix. 28; Ezek. xiii. 9.

Margate.

|

amounting to rather more than thirtyfive grains in the 1000 grains of seawater. The specific gravity, at 60° Fahrenheit, (pure water being 1.000,) was 1.027. The quantity of saline ingredients contained in sea-water is, however, found to vary in different localities. Thus, according to Lenz, who accompanied Kotzebue in his voyage round the world, the Atlantic Ocean is salter than the Southern Ocean. In the Atlantic Ocean, again, the western portion has been found to be more salt than the eastern; whilst no variation in the saltness of the water has been observed in any part of the Pacific Ocean. It appears, however, a general rule, that in high northern and southern latitudes, the quantity of saline ingredients is less than in warmer latitudes; probably owing to the greater amount of evaporation in the latter localities. A series of interesting experiments were made on this subject by the late Dr. Marcet, who procured for this purpose above seventy specimens of sea-water from different parts of the world, some of which were raised from great depths. From these observations, Dr. Marcet came to the conclusion, that the sea is not salter at greater depths than near the surface; but that it generally contains more saline

ties similar to those occurring on the surface of the dry land. Its mean or average depth is supposed not to exceed the mean height of the continents and islands above its level. Generally speaking, the greatest depths appear to occur in the broad sea, and the more shallow parts in channels and straits, or near islands. The mean depth of the sea round the coasts of England has been supposed not to exceed 120 feet; and on those of Scotland to be about 360 feet; whilst on the western coasts of Ireland it is considered to be about 2,000 feet. In the North Atlantic Ocean, Mr. Scoresby sounded to the depth of 7200 feet, without the lead touching the ground; and in a recent expedition sent out by the French government, soundings were made in the Austral or Southern Ocean, at the distance of about 300 miles from Cape Horn, when, although 2500 fathoms of line were let down, the lead did not reach the bottom. The temperature of the deep sea appears generally to follow the mean temperature of the climate in which it is situated, but it is much less variable than that of the superincumbent air; and the latter is much less subject to variations, than air over the surface of land. Thus, in equatorial regions, the difference in the temperature of the air near the sur-matter where the water is deepest and face of the sea, by day and night, does not appear to exceed three or four degrees; whilst on land it amounts to nine or ten degrees. And though the diurnal range of temperature near the surface of the ocean is rather greater in temperate climates, it is by no means equal to that on land. Thus in the parallel of Paris, the range of the thermometer, in the air over the ocean's surface, amounts only to five or six degrees, whilst at Paris it often amounts to thirty or forty degrees. In warm climates, the temperature of the deep sea diminishes with the depth below the surface.

The waters of the ocean are, as is well known, not pure, but hold in solution a variety of saline matter, amongst which by far the most abundant is chloride of sodium, or common salt, which in general constitutes above two thirds of the whole saline ingredients. Thus, according to a recent analysis made by Dr. Schweitzer, 1,000 grains of sea water taken from the British Channel, near Brighton, contained twenty-seven grains of chloride of .: sodium, and not much more than eight grains of other saline matter; the whole anhydrous (or not-watery) ingredients

most remote from land, probably owing to its not being subject to the influx of fresh water carried down into it by the rivers which enter the ocean.

The saline contents of the ocean are of very great importance in the economy of nature. The purer water is, the more rapidly does it pass off in vapour; and it may be questioned whether, if the ocean were composed of fresh water, the mass of waters could be maintained in its present condition, owing to the greater rapidity with which the process of evaporation would be carried on. And thus, as has been well observed by Dr. Prout, "there is reason to believe that the saline matter contained in the ocean contributes in no small degree to the stability of the water; and that an ocean of fresh water would undergo changes which would probably render it incompatible with animal life. The waters of such an ocean might even be decomposed, so as seriously to interfere with the other arrangements of

nature."

We have seen that the saline matter contained in sea water affects its specific gravity: this also is not without its utility both in the economy of nature, and also