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A very useful abridgment of the earlier æcumenical and provincial councils, with many excellent critical remarks.

We may here observe that no official account of the entire proceedings of the Council of Trent, which is regarded by Roman Catholics of the present day as instar omnium, has hitherto appeared. There are many editions of the Canons and Decrees,-the best are those of Philip Chifflet, Antwerp, 1640, and John Gallemart, Cologne, 1712. The Acts of the Council have hitherto been carefully locked up, nor is it probable that the Court of Rome will ever allow them to be published. The following works, however, will throw a good deal of light upon the general proceedings of this inspired synod, and the artifices employed in it by the Pope and his legates in order to carry matters their own way.

Sarpi's (commonly called Father Paul) History of the Council of Trent. London, 1619. fol.

A standard work.-The English translation by Brent is but indifferently executed. There is an excellent French version by Father Le Courayer, with a valuable commentary.

Pallavicini, History of the Council of Trent, Rome, 1656. 2 vols. fol.. Written in opposition to that of Father Paul, and professedly in vindication of the Council. It was, however, shrewdly observed by a learned Roman Catholic that its tendency was in reality much more injurious than that of the work it opposed, for it only served to shew how little could be said in the Council's defence.

Vargas's Letters and Memoirs.

Originally written in Spanish, but first published in English by Geddes, afterwards in French by Michael Le Vassor,

Instructions et Missives des Rois Tres Chretiens. Paris, 1654.

A most important collection of dispatches from the King of France's Ambassadors and agents at the Council of Trent.

Aymon, Lettres, Anecdotes et Memoires Historiques du Nonce Visconti. Amsterdam, 1719.

Villanueva's Literary Memoirs.

Lately published, in Spanish. It contains many papers illustrating the private history of the Council of Trent. An interesting abstract of them is given in Mr. Blanco White's Practical and Internal Evidence. 2d Edition.

Richerius, Historia Conciliorum Generalium, Cologne. 1683.

Contains a copious account of the Council of Trent, and many severe animadversions upon its proceedings, such as one would hardly expect from a Roman Catholic and a doctor of the Sorbonne.

WORKS ON ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici. 12 vols. fol. Rom. 1588-98. A work of immense labour, but abounding in errors, partly wilful, and partly occasioned by the author's ignorance of Greek and Hebrew. These have been diligently pointed out by various authors, both Catholic and Protestant, the chief of whom are Isaac Casaubon, Samuel Basnage de Flottemanville, and Antonio Pagi. The animadversions of the last-mentioned author are inserted in the Lucca edition of Baronius and add considerably to its value.

Dupin, Bibliotheque des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques. 19 vols. 4to. A learned, elaborate, and useful work.

Fleury's Ecclesiastical History.

Written with great candour and piety.

There are several ecclesiastical histories by British Roman Catholics, viz.-Cressy's Church History of Brittany-Alford's Annals, &c., but they generally display little talent and less fidelity. The only one which deserves to be called classical, is Lingard's Antiquities of the Anglo Saxon Church. 2 vols. 8vo. 1806. It is acute, learned, and elegant, but by no means impartial.

LITURGICAL WORKS.

Breviarium Romanum, Jussu Pii V, &c. recognitum.

Sometimes in one volume, but more generally in four parts, adapted to the different portions of the year.

Missale Romanum. 1 vol.

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In conjunction with these, the English Priests are allowed to use a Supplement to the Breviary and Missal," containing offices for the English Saints. It was drawn up, if we mistake not, by Dr. Lingard. Rituale Romanum. 1 vol.

The Book of Offices of the Romish Parochial Clergy.

Officium Beatæ Mariæ Virginis. 1 vol.

Pontificale Romanum, 1 vol.—

Contains the ceremonies used at Papal and Episcopal consecrations, coronations of Sovereigns, processions, &c. &c.

The above works ought to be diligently consulted by all who wish to know the real doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome. The Martyrologies and Lives of the Saints are very numerous. Baronius's Martyrologium Romanum is the most publicly accredited work, but it contains many errors and perversions of the truth. Those who wish to investigate the subject critically should consult the Acta Sanctorum of the Bollandists, and Tillemont's Ecclesiastical Memoirs.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

IRELAND.

The following facts, which we have compiled under separate heads from the published correspondence of the Reformation Society, will give our readers an interesting view of the present state of things in Ireland: and we hope that this is but a specimen of the valuable information with which the public will be favoured through the medium of that important institution.

NUMBER OF CONVERTS.

It appears that the total number of converts in the town and country of Cavan, from Oct. 8th, 1826,

to the 20th of May last, inclusive, was 721 in the other cities and counties of Ireland from 1st Jan. to 20th May, 1827, the number was 762, making a grand total of 1483 converts within little more than seven months. It must also be remembered that this calculation "is altogether exclusive of the many hundreds throughout the kingdom, who are known in their neighbourhoods to have conformed to the Protestant Religion, without a public recantation of the errors of Popery." The number of conversions since May last is not given in the Society's list, nor does it appear that authentic returns

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have yet been received. We are glad, however, to have it in our power to present this first summary to our readers: and we hope shortly to be able to furnish them with a more complete view of the progress of the Reformation. We subjoin a few extracts illustrative of

THE PROGRESS OF RELIGIOUS
INQUIRY.

"In there is an intense desire to hear the principles of the Reformation explained. In consequence of overflowing congregations, we lately enlarged

chapel by erecting galleries: but all will not accommodate the multitudes who are anxious to come. On some occasions I have found it necessary to deliver the same controversial sermon a second time in the same place to a new congregation; and actually to make the unusual request that my own people would remain at home, and thus accommodate strangers. On every occasion when popery is exposed, many, very many, are obliged to return home: were we able to enlarge our chapel, I know not what the amount of our congregation would be. Oh! that some of our wealthy English Christians could see perhaps hundreds returning from the only place, in a town of nearly 16,000 inhabitants, where there is a regular controversy with the man of sin," and I think they would cheerfully comply with that demand of Jehovah's word, 'Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.'"

Another correspondent writes"There is a deep spirit of enquiry on religious subjects, amongst the Roman Catholics of my parish, manifested in reading the Scriptures, controversial tracts, and whatever other books may tend to throw light on the point of doctrine controverted between them and members of the Reformed Church; and on this subject the discussion between Messrs. Pope and Maguire has excited much interest, numbers of them (perhaps from 30 to 60) assembling evening

after evening to hear it read, and bringing an advocate for their opinions to defend the cause of Mr. Maguire against that of Mr Pope, as supported by a zealous advocate of Protestantism.

"It is worthy of remark that, on the last evening of their assembling in this manner, a considerable number of the Roman Catholic party retired from the crowd; and so dissatisfied did they acknowledge themselves with the arguments, or rather assertions, of Mr. Maguire, as stated and supported by their chairman, that they determined on sending one of their party to , the Roman Catholic bookseller, to ascertain whether the copy of the discussion which had been subscribed by Messrs. Pope and Maguire was one on which they could depend for authenticity; when the following conversation ensued: 'Pray, Mr. (pointing to the pamphlet) is this an authentic copy of the discussion between, &c. &c.?' 'Yes.' 'How then does it happen that on Mr. Maguire's side there is so much contradiction and inconsistency-Pope against Pope, Council against Council? Surely my good friend, you would not expose or acknowledge this before Protestants.' The deputy related this and other particulars to the person who had espoused Mr. Pope's side of the discussion; and the result is, that the copy of the discussion has been acknowledged as authentic, Mr. Maguire's statements contradictory, and the popish champion dismissed with hisses from the controversial arena."

A third thus expresses himself: "A most determined spirit of enquiry has been excited here, and it manifests itself in many ways. The Roman Catholics apply for and read the Scriptures; indeed, within the last few days I sold an octavo Bible to one of them, and he declared with tears of joy that "all the priests in Ireland should not take it from him, or prevent him from reading it." They also read tracts on the points

of difference; they seem disposed to converse with their Protestant neighbours on the work of Reformation now going on, and to discuss the doctrines on which they differ; and they in many instances, attend controversial preachers. Of this last fact I can give a remarkable instance. I went on three different occasions to church, for the purpose of preaching on controversy on each occasion the priest prohibited his flock from attending the "preaching," as he called it, and nevertheless numbers came.

"The disposition to resist the authority of the priests is decidedly greater it is partly manifested in the points before alluded to, and partly in some parents sending their children to school in spite of all that the priests can do. The causes of the difference appear to me to be the progress of common sense and Scripture, the two most deadly foes that Romanism ever had. In fact, the people are beginning to find that the Protestant clergy are not the ignorant and intolerant monsters that they have been represented to be; and they have found that the priests have a self-interest in keeping them ignorant. They will no longer submit to be flogged; and I think that every violent act of the priest sends me some more Roman Catholic hearers for my controversial sermons. One evening I had upwards of forty, and I have been told that he (the priest) had been denouncing me and my hearers that very day."

The following fact is too interesting to be omitted:

It is unquestionable, that a great spirit of enquiry pervades the Roman Catholics, which is manifested by their holding arguments with Protestants, and by reading Tracts and other publications. But the place where I have seen this feeling most strongly manifested is in the jail of, where the priests did all in their power to keep the prisoners in ignorance. But they have now been obliged to give them several copies of the Douay

Testament; and previous to the last assizes, I have often had upwards of thirty at a time, most attentively listening to me reading and expounding a chapter in the New Testament. This displays at once a spirit of enquiry, and a greater resistance to the authority of the priests."

Under this head we shall give

one more extract.

There appears to be a strong spirit of enquiry among the Roman Catholics, especially the lower classes in this parish: many of them attend my lectures notwithstanding the threats and denunciations of their clergy. I generally lecture, when they are present, from the Douay Bible; and they are particularly struck with those passages from it which bear against their own religion, as they were led to believe that such passages were only contained in the authorized version. Many of them have come several miles to see whether the second commandment as given in our Protestant version is contained in the Douay Bible; and, on finding it there, have expressed their astonishment. Most of the lower orders are in complete ignorance of such a commandment being in existence, as it is not contained in the catechisms now in general use among the Roman Catholics in this country."

"The mode of instruction 1 have found most effectual in enlightening the Roman Catholics, is holding lectures on the Scriptures, and particularly those passages which bear on the controverted points of doctrine, in the houses of some Protestants, to which the Roman Catholics resort; also, from inviting them to my own house in the evenings, when they have an opportunity of reading their own version of the Scriptures. And I do believe there is not another Roman Catholic edition of the Scriptures in the English version in this parish except it is in the hands of the priest, nor do I believe that he has one."

OBSTACLES TO THE PROGRESS OF

THE REFORMATION.

The following are specimens, and we regret that we cannot quote more largely on this important subject.

"In reference to the general cause of Reformation in Ireland, I shall candidly give you my own views. At present there are not so many public recantations as formerly; but you may rest assured that the leaven is operating, and the work therefore advancing; and dimmer far than the 'twilight of creation' must be the intellectual vision of the man who cannot discover that the Irish mind is advancing, with rapid strides, toward an emancipation from the uncommanded austerities and the degrading superstitions of Popery.

If asked why, in my opinion, the Reformation is not apparently proceeding as usual, I would say, that the late discussion has hitherto combined with other causes to produce this effect. The priests had an apparatus formed, by which a chant of "Io triumphe" was conveyed to every cabin in the land; and this for a time, in my opinion, retarded the Reformation: but now the discussion is beginning to operate, men are beginning to reflect, the priests see the danger, and I am informed that they have actually prohibited its perusal!! Still, however, it is read; and when the apostle of Ireland Iras published his cheap edition with notes, I am far mistaken, if the whole will not be honoured

with a place on the valuable list -“prohibitorum librorum.”

"The greatest obstacle, in my opinion, to the progress of the Reformation in this country arises, independent of the opposition given by the priests to the circulation of the sacred Scriptures, from the bad example of some nominal Protestants, and also from the interference of some of the lower orders of Roman Catholics, who have just sufficient education to pervert the Scriptures by their bad comments. To these the priests pay a marked attention at all times, particularly in the presence of the congregation, of which they are very proud. Those persons would sooner risk their everlasting salvation than be lessened in the esteem of their clergy."

"The opposition to the scriptural education of the Roman Catholics is unabating; and this morning I received a memorial from a respectable and intelligent Roman Catholic schoolmaster, stating that he was publicly denounced from the altar, by the priest of his parish, on Sunday last; and that the people were prohibited, under the threat of severe penalties, to send their children to be instructed by him; and that his only offence was his perseverance in giving scripture instruction to his pupils. Another Roman Catholic schoolmaster was similarly treated by the same priest, on the same day, for a similar offence: the former person has submitted the matter to me, and requested my advice."

ERRATUM.

P. 220, line 29. After "the Church of Rome," instead of a full stop, which divides the sentence improperly, there ought to have been only a comma.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c.

Communications have been received this month from "D," "A. B," "Hope. D," "Anglicanus," and "a Member of the Church of Rome."

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