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nesses and failings of our common nature.

"From these considerations we may perceive the folly and impiety of those who make the blessed Virgin an object of religious veneration, conferring upon her the appellations of 'queen and empress of heaven, queen of the world, queen of angels and men, the mother of mercy, the fountain of grace and salvation, the only hope of sinners, the health of the weak, the comforter of the afflicted;' investing her with the attri butes of holiness, omniscience, omnipresence, majesty, and unlimited power, praying to God for her sake, for her merits, and through ber intercession ; and thus bestowing upon her the office assigned of right to her incarnate Son, 'the one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus;' imploring her to shew herself to be a mother, and to exert her influence over that Son,' if not to command him' in their behalf, nay, even praying to herself as to a Deity, flying to her patronage, committing to her all their hope, and all their comfort, and supplicating her to loose the bands of the guilty, to enlighten the eyes of the blind, to free them from all sin, and to drive away from them all evils; entreating her to help their frailty and weakness, and assist them day by day in all their calamities, temptations, and dangers; and to her blessed trust, committing their soul and body night by night, and for ever, and especially in the hour of death recommending to her merciful charity all their hope and consolation, all their distress and misery. their life, and the end of it;' and praying that she would grant them to escape eternal damnation, and cause the glory of paradise to rest upon them.'* By whatever specious name it may seem good with those who practise such things to denominate their practices, it is plain, how utterly they are at variance with the blessed Virgin's actions and character, as described to us in holy writ; and what a charge of folly and impiety they bring upon those who treat her with such veneration. On the contrary, we perceive the wisdom and piety of our own scriptural church in dismissing from her services all such deviation from the purity of Christian faith and Christian worship, whilst she honours the memory of the Virgin Mary as that of one whom He that is mighty hath peculiarly magnified,

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* All these passages are taken from accredited Romanist's books of devotion.

and whom all generations shall call blessed."

Daughter of David, maiden meek,
Pledge of thy faith, we hear thee speak
The mild submissive word:
Behold me ready to fulfil
The great Creator's holy will.

The handmaid of the Lord.

Espoused of Joseph, Virgin chaste,
Thine infant on thy bosom plac'd,

Thy Son and Saviour bless'd: With care devout we see thee mark, Each wondrous act, each saying dark, And store them in thy breast.

We see thee stand, the sufferer near,
Mother of Jesus, parent dear!

With love more strong than death; With speechless lip and tearless eye, We see thee catch, his parting cry,

And snatch his fleeting breath.

Affection, faith, and piety
O may we still behold in thee;
Be such thy proper claim;
Blest among women, is thy lot,
But higher meed we yield thee not,

Nor more than woman name.

Nor solemn " Hail" to thee we pay,
Nor prayer to thee for mercy pray,

Nor hymn of glory raise;
Nor thine we deem is God's high throne,
Nor thine the birth-right of thy Son,
The Mediator's praise.

Mother of Jesus! Parent dear!
If aught of earthly thou canst hear,

If aught of human see,
What pangs thy humble heart would wring,
To know thy Saviour, Lord, and King,
Dishonour'd thus for thee!

Lectures on the Distinguishing Doctrines of the Church of Rome, delivered before nu merous Congregations, chiefly comprised of Roman Catholics. By the Rev. T. W. Dixon, &c. &c. 12mo, pp. 324. Dublin, 1828,

This is not only an important controversial publication, from its intrinsic merits, but also as being from the pen of an interesting individual. If the old and vulgar proverb, "set a thief to catch a thief," be true, there is no one so fit to open up the hidden paths of Popery, and to let us into her penetralia, as one who had come forth from her "sanctu ary," which Mr. Dixon has done.

The

Therefore it is, that in this work we see exposures made, and superstitions developed, which a person who had not known the Church of Rome experimentally, could not have ventured on. work contains every popular argument against the Church of Rome. It also evinces a considerable acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, and with the Evangelical doctrines of the Church which he has adopted. It is written in a stile adapted to all capacities; and if, on some occasions, it may be considered a

little too forcible in exposing the errors and practices of Romanism, we should bear in mind the hard measure which bas been dealt to him.

Farewell to Time; or Last Views of Life,
and Prospects of Immortality. By the
Author of "The Morning and Evening
Sacrifice." 12mo. Edinburgh: 1828.

Is there any one who has ever entered the chamber of the sick and the dying, in order to speak of the things which belong to the peace of the immortal soul, who has not felt that every aid was wanting to enable him to speak the words of truth and consolation to the parting spirit.

Sure we are, no discreet visitant of the sick will reject what may assist in giving such views of the character of God, and of the accountability of man, as may enable the poor departing soul to anchor its hopes on the Rock of Ages. Therefore it is that we recommend this work, coming from a pious and prudent member of the Church of Scotland, as a valuable help at the bedside of the sick Christian. The excellent author states that his object is "to be directly useful to the afflicted, by the instruction and comfort which the work may afford to them; in the second place, to assist the young members of the clerical profession, in their endeavours to qualify themselves for so truly important and interesting a task; and, above all, to produce a book which may enable Christians of all ranks, in their visits to the death beds of the sick, and during those hours of patient watching which are so often demanded of those to whom sufferers are dear, to sooth and enlighten their minds, by offering unto them some of the invaluable riches of that exhaustless treasure which is contained in the blessed volume of divine truth." And therefore, as the author in another place informs us, he has couched a great part of the devotional effusions used in his work in the language of Scripture; we join with him in his prayer, "that his labours, under Divine grace, may be the occasion of much good to the souls that are weary and fainting in their travail,”

The History of the Lutheran Reformation. By the Rev. William Ewing, &c. &c. 8vo, pp. 346. Derry, 1827.

It is to be regretted that Mr. Ewing's work should have come forth pretty nearly at the same timewith Scott's Continuation of Milner; and we fear that, in competition with such a rival, its success may not be as extensive as it deserves. As Irishmen, however, we are proud to see

such a work as this coming from the pen of a countryman, and printed as it is in the good Protestant city of Derry. We can assure our readers, who desire a compendious history of the most important transaction of modern times, that they will do well to possess themselves of this work, which is written in a very agreeable style-which evinces, especially in the notes, considerable research-and which affords some very curious information.

Old Christianity against Papal Novelties. Fifth Edition, enlarged and improved; including a Review of Dr. Millner's "End of Controversy." By Gideon Ouseley.12mo, pp. 446. Dublin, 1827.

We are glad to have an opportunity of calling the notice of our readers to this valuable manual of controversy-perhaps no book amongst Irish Protestants in the controversial line, has got into more circulation, and has been of more service. The Author is a veteran polemic, he was fighting the battle orally and with his pen, when others were yet supine; and if long experience, long study, and much success, are valuable ingredients in a man who sits down to write against Romanism, Mr. Ouseley has a fair claim to even more extensive patronage than he has hitherto received. We wish the book, which is very cheap, considering the abundant matter which it contains, were on the book-shelf of every Protestant householder.

An Historical View of the Church of England, exhibiting her original Principles, subsequent Corruption, and Reformation from the Errors of Popery; with a Continuation of her History down to the present time. By D. Falloon. Pts. 1 & 2. Dublin: W. Curry, Jun, and Co. 1828.

A popular and not very voluminous history of religion in England, from the earliest period of the introduction of Christianity, we deem a valuable addition to the literature of the day. Mr. Falloon, in our opinion, has executed his task faithfully, has evinced much industry in research, and much prudence in selection. We think he has most satisfactorily proved that the early Christianity as introduced and believed in the British Isles, was altogether distinct from Popery. He has, moreover, developed the slow and gradual march of Roman usurpation; and altogether, as far as he has hitherto gone in his two Numbers, we think bim a safe and an entertaining Christian historian. We have no hesitation in recommending his work, and anxiously anticipate that public patronage will enable him to proceed.

Veritas Vincit, or Incidents of Real Life. 12mo. pp. iv. 248. Dublin, Carson & Knox,

1827.

This little work proves the Author to possess considerable talent, and decidedly pious feelings. The story of this little tale is interesting, though not very original, and the characters though not new are natural, and well supported. The evidently good intention of the fair Author would

realities. For this cause, we believe the excellent Author of this volume is deeply interested, and in this great work, we conceive him to be no useless agent. We can recommend his volume safely and with pleasure, as calculated to edify those who do not relish poetry, and to gratify those who do.

insure from us an immunity of criticism, Sketches, Scenes, and Narratives, chiefly of a religious tendency, by an Officer of the even if her unpretending volume were Line. 12mo. Dublin, Leckie, pp. 300. less respectable than it is, but we are convinced, that with a little practice in composition, for she is obviously no veteran in letters, she will attain to considerable eminence.

Hymns and other Poems, by the Rev. P. E. Butler, one of the Chaplains to the Moly neux Asylum. 12mo. Dublin, Keene and Son, 1828.

The amiable and respectable Author of this small volume, has exhibited a very considerable share of poetry employed in the most excellent of causes. We know no means of cultivating pious and devotional feelings more effectually among the young, than by putting into their hands works in which their imagination is interested on the side of religion, and disciplined, trained, and sobered by her great

This collection of Sketches places in an amiable point of view, the religious feelings of the Author, and exhibits his capacity equally of observation and description. Many of the incidents are well and powerfully written, and the train of feeling suggested by them is natural and well expressed. The views of the Author on the subject of religion are just and evangelical, and while we rejoice that our Army and Navy can exhibit many living preachers of the Gospel, we are heartily glad to find some of them like our Author, not merely made happy by these views in their own persons, but desirous of bearing testimony of their truth to others, and benefitting their fellow-creatures.

FOREIGN RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

FRANCE.

Number of the Romish Clergy-In the list there are 5 Cardinals, and 20 Prelates, promoted to the Peerage, 4 who are members of the King's Privy Council, 14 Archbishops, 66 Bishops, 468 Vicars-General, 684 titular Canons, 1,788 honorary Canons, and 36,649 parish and priests, in activity. The total number of priests of the Gallican Church amounts to 52,457, or (according to the population of France exclusive of Protestants) is in the proportion of one pastor to every 550 souls. The number of pupils attending the different episcopal seminaries, as candidates for Orders, amounts to 44,244. Of nuns we find an estimate of 19,340 distributed under different denominations, over 3,024 establishments. The whole sum allotted for the support of the ecclesiastical establishment in the national accounts does not amount to

34,000,000 of franks,or about 1,300,0001. and probably the additional allowance made them by the councils-general of departments would not raise the income of the church to 2,000,0001. sterling a year.

Bible Society. A hawker of the village of Esqueheries, situated in the northern part of the department of the Aisne (formerly the province of Picardy) a Protestant, and the collector of a Biblical association, carried about Bibles and New Testaments to distribute them amongst his co-religionists scattered about in those districts. He was arrested, and brought successively for this act before the tribunals of Vervins and Laon, who both acquitted him of any breach of the law regulating the bookselling trade. The public prosecutor having appealed to the Court Royale of Amiens, that supreme tribunal confirmed

the sentence given in favour of the hawker. The three advocates who defended this poor man before the three Courts, are all of them Roman Catholics, and acquitted themselves of their noble task with a zeal which a Protestant would have been afraid to display. The advocate of Vervins, M. Loubry Piette, whose name deserves honourable mention, evinced an extraordinary ardour. He not only was the means of gaining his cause at Vervins, and by his advice contributed to procure his acquittal at Laon, but, fearing that it might not be sufficiently defended at Amiens, he proceeded to that city, during the most inclement season of the year, and, at the risk of his life, travelling more than thirty miles on foot in the snow (from not being able to find a carriage, on account of the elections,) not wishing to allow such an opportunity to escape of defending the cause of the freedom of worship, in the centre of Jesuitism; for one of the principal establishments of that order is that of St. Acheul, near Amiens.

ITALY.

Church of St. Catherine of Siena.We have received from a friend the following account of the Church of S. Catherine at Siena, which we have no doubt will be interesting to our readers: "Over the door which fronts the Church is the following inscription;

XPI. KERINE. DOMVS.

"Over the door which heads the chamber where she lived and slept:

VERGINES. ENIM. SVNT. "Over the stone which served her for a pillow:

ECCE. IN. QVO. GIACEBAT. LOCO. SPONSA. CATHARINE. CHRISTI. EN. CERVICAL IPSVM.

"In the same chamber, which is 12 feet long by 6 broad, is a tablet bearing an Italian inscription, which we translate:

"In this house the saint was born of James di Benincasa, dyer, and Mona Lapa, his wife, in the year 1327 of our salvation, and according to the testimony of Fra Thomas della Fote, her confessor and kinsman, she was born on the day of the annunciation of Mary.

"In this house, being about five years old, she began to repeat an Ave Maria for each step of the stairs which she ascended on her knees, and was frequently carried up these stairs by angels. In this chamber, being six years old, she took the vow of virginity.

"In this chamber, a dove was freVOL. VI.

quently observed by her father, perched on her head while she prayed. In this retired chamber, she cut off her hair, that she might not be forced to marry.

In this chamber, she had a vision of the Patriarchs, the institutors of the religious orders, and while each of them invited her to assume his habit, she approached St. Dominic, aud dedicated herself to him.

"In this chamber, she lay on the bare table, and performed her most secret exercises of penance.

"In this chamber, she contended with devils, by whom she was cruelly beaten and bruised, even to the last day of her life.

"In this chamber, descended regularly to visit her, to instruct her, and to comfort her, Jesus Christ the Son of God, the most holy virgin St. Mary, St. John the Evangelist, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Paul, St. Dominick, St. Thomas Aquinas, and other saints.

In this chamber, she was taught to read by Jesus Christ and by St. John the Evangelist, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Paul, St. Dominick, St. Thomas Aquinas, and other saints.

"In this chamber she was espoused by Jesus Christ on the first day of the Carnival in presence of the most blessed virgin Mary, King David playing on his barp, St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul, and St. Dominick.

"In this chamber, Christ commanded her to go forth into public to preach and labour for the salvation of souls, and of the most Catholic Church.

"From the windows of this chamber, she distributed bread to the poor, daily, and in this house she frequently multiplied the wine in the vases from whence she drew it, to give as alms to the poor.

"In this house she frequently employed herself in the meanest offices of the kitchen, where at times she remained entranced on the fire, without any injury to ber dress, and where she was frequently thrown into the fire by devils with such force that she broke the charcoal with her bead.

"In this chamber, Christ appeared to her, shewing her the cross of silver which she had taken from her chaplet the foregoing day, in order to give it to a poor mendicant, who was Christ himself, and assured her that it should be shewn to the world on the day of judgment.

"In this chamber, to reward her for having given a tunic to Christ in the form of a poor man, He himself presented to her an invincible garment which

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he drew from his side; by means of which she never more felt the effects of heat or cold.

"In this chamber, by Christ himself, St. Mary Magdalen was assigned to her as a mother.

"Into this chamber, St. Paul often descended to instruct her; and once having listened to the confession of the saint, he reproved her for some trifling wandering of mind, on account of which the saint felt much abashed, and exclaimed, how great will be the confusion of sinners in the day of judgment before all the world, if so much shame is experienced in presence of an individual.

"In this chamber, being overwhelmed with a delirium of love, and longing for the sight of her divine spouse, two most beautiful angels appeared to her, to comfort her, but turning from them she dismissed them saying, I do not wish for you, I wish for him who created you.

"In this chamber, Christ presenting to her a crown of gold and one of thorns, she chose the crown of thorns.

"In this chamber. her heart was taken by Christ, and after some days restored to her in the Church of St. Dominick, and by him the scar was healed, but it always remained visible.

"In this chamber. on the 18th of August, wishing to receive a pledge from Christ that all her disciples and friends should receive everlasting life, Christ himself by way of earnest gave her a hand with a nail of the passion.

"In this chamber, on the anniversary of the conversion of St. Paul, she remained in a trance three days.

"In this chamber, her heart burst from excess of divine love, and she remained dead, at which time she was bewailed by her relations and friends for many hours, her soul having indeed passed to another life, where she enjoyed and beheld the eternity of blessed spirits, and beheld the state of the damned, after which she was again restored to live to the service of God, and to that of the most holy church.

"In this house, Lapa her mother, dying impenitent, the saint prevailed on her divine spouse to raise her mother, from the dead to new life, and new penitence, so much so, that the aforesaid survived her daughter many years.James Benincasa her father having died was delivered by her from purgatory.

"After all these labours, the saint having been called to Rome by Urban VI. finished her days there for the sake of the most holy church, A. D. 1380, April aged 29, thirty-three years."

HUNGARY.

Formulary for the Renunciation of Protestantism. - The following document, which we translate from a German periodical*-(so far as we know, it has not been published in any of the English journals)-is the confession of faith subscribed by converts from Protestantism to Popery in Hungary: its authenticity is placed beyond all doubt by a curious work entitled- Zur Geschicte des Ungarischen, Fluck formulars. Ein Nachtrag zu der unkunlichen Geschicte der sogenannten Professio fidei Tridentina; Von G. Ch. Fr. Monike, Consistorial und Schulbrath in der Königl. Preuss. Regierung zu Stralsund, Pastor zu S. Jacobi. Mit. einem anhange, deu öffentlichen Uebertritt der Königin Christine von Schweden betreffend. Griefswald, 1823. +

"1. We believe and confess that we have been brought from heretical ways and faith to the true and saving faith of Roman Catholics, by the singular care of our high spiritual and temporal magistracy, solely and wholly in consequence of the active diligence and help of Messieurs the Jesuit Fathers, and that we do of our own free will, and without any compulsion embrace the same, and we desire both with our mouths and tongues to make this known publicly to the whole world.

"2. We confess that the Pope of Rome is the Head of the Church, and incapable of error.

"3. We confess and believe, that the Pope of Rome is the Vicegerent of Christ, and has full power according to his pleasure, to forgive and retain the sins of men, to cast into hell, and to excommunicate.

"4. We confess, that all that the Pope has lately established, whether from the Scriptures or not, also whatsoever be bas enjoined, is true, godly and saving; and that every man ought to hold it in higher veneration than the law of the living God.

5. We confess, that the most holy Pope ought to be honoured with good

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