No. III.-See page 37.

It was the design of the writer, under this head, to enter, somewhat more fully than he has done in the Discourses, into the evidence, that, in point of doctrine and spirit, Popery is the same in the nineteenth as in the sixteenth century. In consequence of the preceding part of this small volume having exceeded the limits he intended, he can only find room for one or two brief notices on the subject.-It is, obvi ously, not the private and unauthorised productions of any member of the Roman Church, that can be quoted with fairness as an exhibition of her principles. The writings to which we appeal in this matter must have the authority of the Church.

The Rev. Peter Gandolphy, referred to in page 22 of this volume, went to Rome, in 1815, with a work in 4 volumes, which he designed to publish as an exhibition of the principles of the Catholic Church. His book was read by the highest "authorities" at Rome-sanctioned by them in terms of the most unqualified approbation and declared to be "worthy of being cased in cedar and gold." In short, it is a book of decisive authority, as to the present character of the Catholic faith; for it appears under the highest official sanction of the Catholic Church. In this work we find such statements as the following regarding the Papal principles :

OF GENERAL COUNCILS. "Every Catholic regards their decision upon any controverted article of faith" as the voice of God; and, mindful of the warning of the divine Saviour he that despiseth you, despiseth me'-as far as his religion is concerned, in humility submits to be directed by them."-Again, 66 a Catholic finds not more difficulty in assenting to any truth she (that is, the Church, through her General Councils) proposes to him as an article of faith,

than he would in admitting the oral testimony of God himself!!"-This is implicit submission with a vengeance, and, moreover, dreadful indignity against God, and his holy Word!

The following is the mandate of one of those Councils whose decision "" every Catholic regards as the voice of God:"-" If any be found, by the competent ecclesiastical judge, only marked, or suspected of heresy-unless, according to the ground of the suspicion, or the quality of the person, they can show their innocence, to the satisfaction of the judge, and can canonically clear themselves, or if they refuse obstinately to clear themselves by oath-they are to be con demned as heretics." A practical exemplification of the import of this decree was given, soon after its enaction, by the same Council-in the perfidious condemnation and martyrdom of John Huss and Jerome of Prague.

OF HERESY." The crime of heresy is a contumacious opposition to the authority of the Church in some points of doctrine."_ "If we may be permitted to judge of the enormity of a crime from its consequences, there is none before heaven of a blacker die than heresy."-" Until the Refor mation, the Church of England was a limb of the true vine, and, abiding in it, brought forth much fruit. She shot her branches into every corner of these islands, and every cluster gave delight to the husbandman, because he saw that it was his own vine, the vine that he had planted: but having been once severed by the destructive hand of schism, with a hateful eye he now views the sickly sprouts which issue from its fallen, crushed, and broken branches. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, so this shall wither, and they shall gather it up, and cast it into the fire, and it shall burn."

FORCIBLE SUPPRESSION OF HERESY." Writershave noticed the great diminution of heresies, since the tem poral authority of the Popes became more settled and extended. The fact is, that heresy is usually the burst of some turbulent mind, that CAN ONLY BE CONTROLLED BY FORCE; and, therefore, when the civil authority acts not with the spiritual, it is often difficult to prevent or to suppress the evil;-the dogmatizer of heresy might be at liberty to pass from one diocese to another, scattering his poisonous cockle in every direction."-" Italy, Spain, and Portugal, are the only countries where THE INQUISITION is found, in which countries there are none but Catholics. Now, when we consider the great advantage of one religion to a state; when we reflect on the broils, wars, and disturbances, occasioned by a community divided into sects,-we cannot be surprised, that the governments of these countries should endeavour to protect what they know to be so beneficial. And if other countries refuse to follow their example, it is only because they are not so fortunately circumstanced in this regard !". So the "infernal tribunal" is still approved at Rome, and the suppression of heresy by force, when circumstances per- › mit, is still an article of the Papal creed.

OF INDULGENCES.-"All the good works of the just have a double value in the sight of God-one of merit, the other of satisfaction; that is, one giving a title to recompense hereafter, the other constituting an equivalent for the temporal punishment of sin.-As the satisfaction arising out of the good works of the Saints far exceeds their temporal debt, to the justice of God, it becomes a balance in favour of the

Such minds, for example, as Waldo, Wickliffe, Luther, Calvin, Knox, &c.

Church, which, through the infinite mercies of Jesus Christ, she is warranted to apply to the exigencies of her other children. This treasure, derived from the virtues of the Saints, through the superabundant merits of Jesus Christ, forms an inexhaustible stock of satisfaction, which the Church and the Chief Pastor are empowered to apply to the general advantage of the faithful."

THE CATHOLIC PROFESSION OF FAITH.-This docu. ment commonly termed the Creed of Pope Pius IV. consists of twenty-five articles, to which every Roman Catholic vows allegiance. It recognises the whole doctrines of Popery, as they were laid down and explained by the Councils of the Church. Its two concluding articles are in these words—“I likewise undoubtedly receive and promise all things delivered, defined, and declared by the sacred Canons and General Councils, and particularly by the holy Council of Trent; and I condemn, reject, and anathematize, all things contrary thereto, and all heresies which the Church has condemned, rejected, and anathematized. I do at this time freely profess, and sincerely hold this true Catholic faith, without which no one can be saved. And I promise most constantly to retain, and confess the same entire and inviolate, with God's assistance, to the end of my life."

Such is Popery in the nineteenth century ;-unchanged in her doctrines-unsoftened in her spirit! The saine inveterate hostility does she breathe against Protestants, as in the times of the Reformation. Against them she still shuts the gates of Heaven; and were it in her power, with the terrors of the sword, the inquisition, and the stake, would she again an deavour to gather them within her pale!