authorised was approving the corruptions, therefore the oath was inconsistent and not to be taken, bence Anti-burghers. The kirk of Scotland, both parties say, still perseveres in a course of defection from her professed principles, and therefore the secession continues, and is increasing to the present day. See an Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Secession, by the late Rev. John Brown, of Haddington. The Seceders are strict Presbyterians, having their respective Associate Synods, and are to be found not only in Scotland, but also in Ireland and in the United States of America. Both classes have had amongst them ministers of considerable learning and piety.

There is also a species of Dissenters from the church of Scotland called Relief, whose only difference from the Kirk is, the choosing of their own pastors. They arose in 1752, and are respectable as to numbers and ability. See a Compendious View of the Religious System maintained by the Synod of Relief, by P. Hutchinson, and also Historical Sketches of the Relief Church, &c. by J. Smith. The Relief are Calvinists as well as Presbyterians, but liberal in their views, admitting to their communion pious Christians of every denomination. They revere the anion of faith and charity.

THE REFORMATION in Seotland, like that in England and Germany, struggled with a long series of opposition, and was at length gloriously triumphant. Dr. Thomas M'Cree (a Scotch Seceder of Edinburgh), in his able and interesting Life of John Knox, recently published in two volumes, has illustrated the character of this eminent Reformer, and thrown much light on the rise and progress of the Reformation in Scotland. "KNOX (says Dr. M.), bore a striking resemblance to Luther in personal intrepidity and in popular eloquence. He approached nearest to Calvin in his religious sentiments, in the severity of his manners, and in a certain impressive air of melancholy which pervaded his character. And he resembled Zuinglius in his ardent attachment to the principles of civil liberty and in combining his exertions for the reformation of the church with uniform endeavours to improve the political state of the people. Not that I would place our Reformer on a level with this illustrious triumvirate. There is a splendour which surrounds the great German Reformer partly arising from the intrinsic heroism of his character, and partly reflected from the interesting situation in which his long and doubtful struggle with the court of Rome placed him in the eyes of Europe, which removes him at a distance from all who started in the same glorious career. The Genevan Reformer surpassed Knox in the extent of his theological learning and in the un

rivalled solidity and clearness of his judgment. And the Reformer of Switzerland, though inferior to bim in masculine elocution and in daring courage, excelled him in self-command, in prudence, and in that species of eloquence which steals into the heart, which persuades without imitating, and governs without assuming the tone of authority. But, though he attained not to "the first three," I know not among all the eminent men who appeared at that period any name which is so well entitled to be placed next to theirs as that of KNOX, whether we consider the talents with which he was endowed, or the important services which he performed."

Having given this valuable extract illustrative of the character of this eminent Scotch Reformer, I shall add, that Dr. Gilbert Stewart closes his History of the Reformation in North Britain with the following animated reflections:

"From the order and the laws of our nature, it perpetually happens that advantages are mixed with misfortune. The conflicts which led to a purer religion, while they excite under one aspect the liveliest transports of joy, create in another a mournful sentiment of sympathy and compassion. Amidst the felicities which were obtained, and the trophies which were won, we deplore the melancholy ravages of the passions, and weep over the ruins of ancient magnificence. But while the contentions and the ferments of men, even in the road to improvement and ex

cellence, are ever destined to be polluted with mischief and blood, a tribute of the highest panegyric and praise is yet justly to be paid to the actors in the reformation. They gave way to the movements of a liberal and a resolute spirit. They taught the rulers of nations that the obedience of the subject is the child of justice, and that men must be governed by their opinions and their reason. This magnanimity is illustrated by great and conspicuous exploits, which at the same time that they awaken admiration, are an example to support and animate virtue in the hour of trial and peril. The existence of civil liberty was deeply connected with the doctrines for which they contended and fought. While they treated with scorn an abject and cruel superstition, and lifted and -sublimed the dignity of man, by calling his attention to a simpler and wiser theology, they were strenuous to give a permanent security to the political constitution of their state. The happiest and the best interests of society were the objects for which they buckled on their armour, and to wish and to act for their duration and stability, are perhaps the most important employments of patriotism and public affection. The Reformation may suffer fluctuation in its forms, but, for the good and the prosperity of mankind, it is to be hoped that it is never to yield and to submit to the errors and the superstitions it overwhelmed."

It must not be forgotten that both classes of the

Seceders and the Relief body, including about three. hundred ministers, are strict Presbyterians, notwith standing their secession, or dissent from the Scotch Establishment. Having passed four years of the carly part of my life in Scotland, the reader will allow me to bear not only my humble testimony to the learning, the benevolence, and piety of its ministers, which I have already done, but also to the serious disposition and decent demeanour of the. various classes of their religious community.

ENGLISH PRESBYTERIANS.

BUT the appellation Presbyterian is in England appropriated to a large denomination of Dissenters, who have no attachment to the Scotch mode of church government, any more than to Episcopacy amongst us, and therefore to this body of Christians the term Presbyterian in its original sense is improperly applied. This misapplication has occasioned many wrong notions, and should therefore be rectified. English Presbyterians, as they are called, adopt nearly the same mode of church government with the Independents, which is the next sect to be mentioned. Their chief difference from the Independents is, that they are less attached to Calvinism,