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VII.—CRUELTY, POLICY, AND SOPHISTRY OF ROME. THOSE famous ministers of Christ, Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, Zuinglius, Bucer, and the rest of them, who justly are titled Reformers of Religion, did say more against Popery than any of the Papists have yet been able to give a solid answer to; and indeed it was by wise and uninterested men judged, above a hundred years ago, a desperate cause, being so much against both scripture and right reason. The Church of Rome, therefore, that it might uphold and defend itself, hath had recourse unto cruelty, policy, sophistry.

As for their cruelty, what place almost is there that rings not of it? The Massacre at Paris, the Irish Rebellion, the Gunpowder Treason, those flames in which so many were burned in the persecution under Queen Mary; do plainly show that the Roman beast is the most cruel one that ever was, and is extremely eager to tear in pieces all that refuse to worship him. Those many thousands of men, women, and children, who have been most barbarously butchered by bloody Papists in France, in Ireland, in Bohemia, in Piedmont, in England; may inform all, what arguments they use to promote their religion, when once they have any power in their hands; and what kind of dealing is to be expected where Popery shall prevail; unless there be a subjecting of bodies, estate, reason, sense, faith, and conscience also, unto their tyranny and usurpation.

And lest these instances of cruelty which I have mentioned should be extenuated, as making nothing against Popery, because several of that religion have condemned them; it will not be amiss to add, that Thuanus, an historian of their own, gives this information; that the Pope when he heard of the massacre, from his Legate at Paris, read the letter in the consistory of Cardinals, and solemnly gave thanks to Almighty God for so great a blessing conferred upon the Roman see and the Christian world. It was also decreed that a jubilee should be published; the causes whereof were to return thanks to God for destroying in France the enemies of the truth and of the Church, &c. Soon after, the Pope sent Cardinal Ursin in his name to congratulate the King of France, who in his journey through the cities highly commended the faith of those citizens who had an hand in the massacre, and distributed his holiness's blessing among them. And at Paris, being to persuade the reception of the Council of Trent, endeavoured it with this argument, that the memory of the late action to be magnified in all ages, as conducing to the glory of God, and the dignity of the Holy Roman Church, might be, as it were, sealed by the approbation of the Holy Synod.

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If this massacre be thus justified, commended, magnified, where there was also so much treachery (for the Protestants were invited to a marriage between the houses of Valois and Bourbon: and then in the dead of the night many thousands of them, without distinction of age or sex, were butchered, so that the channels ran down with blood into the river); sure we may conclude, that the most horrid murders will be defended, as long as that which they call the Catholic Religion is thereby promoted. I grant indeed, there are some good-natured Papists which say, they dislike such bloody doings, whatever may be pretended for their justification: but it is

The number of persons slain in this Massacre at Paris and other places amounted to 30,000.

more than probable, that these very gentlemen, supposing the Pope had full power to wield both swords, if they should dare to talk against his cruelty, would presently be called, and feel the stroke of his swords as heretics.

Policy is another prop of Popery. By policy I do not mean that prudence in managing of state-affairs, which is joined with integrity, justice, honesty; but that craftiness and subtility where no regard is had either to truth or conscience; but anything is done though never so much against the rules of righteousness, that carnal ends may be brought about. The Pope having arrogated such power to himself, that he can absolve subjects from their oaths of allegiance, can take off the obligations of covenants and promises, and give dispensations to transgress the laws of God; hereby a door is opened to all unrighteousness, and Papists may be allowed to dissemble, to lie, to be perjured, as long as it is for the Catholic cause. The writings of Machiavel have been studied more thoroughly by many of the Romanists, than the Scriptures of the Apostles and Prophets. And those who have conversed with the Jesuits, and understand the mystery of Jesuitism, find them such exact Achitophels, that they will counsel to anything, though never so ungodly, if it tend to the upholding of their faction.

Lastly, for their sophistry: In this respect their schoolmen, who have endeavoured to argue for Popery, are famous, but when what they say is duly weighed, it appears to be but sophistry, and no more.

In the main points of controversy between the Church of Rome and us, their arguments are answered in these ensuing sermons; the truth also is confirmed by Scripture and reason, and then an improvement made in order unto practice. This mixture of polemical and practical divinity together, it is hoped will be very useful.

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The ministers who preached these Lectures, endeavoured to accommodate themselves to the capacity even of ordinary hearers for the common people, considering the industry of Roman emissaries, are in great danger of being seduced; and this book, through the blessing of God, may be an antidote. I could have wished that the Sermons had been delivered to me altogether, that they might have been printed in better order, and sorted together according to the subject matter of them. But if the reader please to consult the table at the beginning, he may read them in order, if he be so minded.

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To conclude since England was formerly such a tributary to the see of Rome, and such vast sums of money were carried yearly from hence thither; we are not to doubt but the Pope looks upon us with grief that he has lost us, and with an earnest desire to regain us. His instruments are more than ordinarily busy to this end, insomuch that both King and Parliament have taken public notice of it. This Lecture, therefore, against Popery, is very seasonable; and if (which I earnestly beg) this labour be made successful to reduce any of them who have been seduced, or to arm and defend the people against one of the greatest visible enemies that Christ has in the world; I shall exceedingly rejoice that my Pulpit was so much honoured by my fathers and brethren when they preached in it, and that ever such a project against Popery came into my mind.

NATHANIEL VINCENT.

Preface to Morning Exercise against Popery, 1675.

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VIII.-PROTESTANT CHILDREN IN ROMISH SCHOOLS.

FRIEND has sent us the following communication, which we lay before our readers. It is evidently the production of one who well understands the subject upon which he addresses his people, and who thoroughly comprehends both the danger that threatens them, and the fearful evils that are to be apprehended. Beyond any question, the Church of Rome is making the most determined, yet cunning and ensnaring endeavours, to obtain footholds in Protestant communities. At this hour she is, by every act and practice, hoping to gain England, and already have her emissaries boasted of the triumph she will yet have in these United States.

Who can doubt that she largely expects to accomplish this through the young ? If she can get the children, she will here soon reach many of the parents, and certainly have the favourable regards, if not the actual possession, of these young persons themselves when they grow up. Her pretence that nothing is done to influence the minds of those sent to her schools and institutions is false. A boy sent by his parents to one of these schools had nothing, as we have learned from his own lips, said to him or required of him by the teachers on religious matters, but systematic efforts were made to show the excellency and beauty of the Romish worship, its music, its paintings, and its so-called saints. Systematically were statements plausibly made insinuating or charging that all Protestant histories and narratives were unreliable, or were false, on any thing bearing upon the Church of Rome. And at different times he was made to hear from the other scholars, or in the instructions that were given to them, that all Protestants would be lost, and that only members of the Roman Catholic Church could be saved. Let this course be pursued for a length of time with any young person, male or female, and who can doubt the result will be certain and fatal?

But we ask earnest attention to the article we here insert. It is specially gratifying to see it coming from a Protestant Episcopal minister, and to find him so truly honoring the Protestant name. Would that all professing Protestants in this country were really so, and that standing firmly and fully up to their position, they would neither be entangled with the Romish system themselves, nor in any way allow their sons or daughters for a moment to approach it, or be exposed to it, lest they be beguiled, and ensnared, and ruined!

We quote from the Episcopal Register of November 16th as follows:

Address delivered by the Rev. John Bolton, to the Episcopalians of West Chester, on the occasion of the establishment of a Roman Catholic Nunnery, and opening of a girls' school connected with it, in their midst :

"It would seem to be no business of ours that a Roman Catholic school had been opened in our midst, were it not that the ladies in charge of it solicit 'our patronage;' thereby inviting us to consider its merits as a place for the education of our daughters.

"Doing so, honestly and charitably, the first thought is: How commendable the object-a purpose to educate youth-to promote the diffusion of knowledge!

"Yet inasmuch as this is so different from the general policy of Ro

manism, where it is most at home, especially at Rome, we are surprised. Everywhere else the Church of Rome is opposed to the enlightenment of the people, particularly where they are most ignorant and so most need instruction; we are surprised, we say, that here, where there is least need, the people being so well informed, they propose to be the Schoolmaster!

"But more commendable :-The feature of the extreme liberality proposed, viz., no interference with the religion of the pupils, only to give a liberal education! Here again we cannot but be surprised, as we find these very people the bitter opponents of our public school system, because it proceeds on this plan; clamoring loudly for the school fund that they may train every child they can get hold of as a Roman Catholic.

"Yet still more admirable:-The offer to do this for you so cheaply-cheaper than any one else can afford to do it at about half price, so that nothing can possibly be made by it! Why, this goes beyond the second table of the Law-actually loving you better

than themselves.

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"Now here we have remarkable things proposed: "1st. That these Romanists will educate Americans while they will keep the Italians in ignorance.

"2d. That they will refuse to avail themselves of the opportunity to influence those, whom they profess to believe so uninfluenced, as Protestants must be eternally lost.

"3d. They will do this for those they believe to be their enemies for half price. Surely it is very difficult to conceive that if they are quite conscientious in this belief, they can be perfectly honest in its practice. If so, only one explanation seems possible. That they are so in love with American institutions that they will spare no pains to support and perpetuate them.

"The wise man says, 'In vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird' at least, that the old birds are too wise to place the young ones in the trap. I fancy nobody doubts the object of all this; that it is done in the interest of the Roman Catholic Church.

"These kind ladies, The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart'-sealed to the Church by vows, married to it as a wife to her husband-are devotedly labouring for it and not for you, when they educate your children; and their influence is dangerous just in the proportion that their convictions are sincere, their honesty being the real measure of danger to those they teach. And while speaking thus, I feel free to express my respect and admiration for the noble self-sacrifice of such devoted women. I only wish they were Protestants: that the Church, at least my Church, had such a band of teachers-such is the distinction I would draw between them and their system.

"So much, then, for the positions of these Nuns as educators of your children. Now as to that of yourselves, as you claim to be the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. You know what the word Protesttant means a solemn religious protest in the sight of God and managainst what? Why, this Church of Rome. You are familiar with the history of the Papacy, so corrupt in life and practice, so erroneous in theory and in fact; also with that of the Monasteries and Nunneries, so scandalous that the world rose up to protest against it and them.—

You have only to read the Articles to see the part our Church took in this movement, and I am one of her ordained ministers.

"But it is said, 'has not the Church of Rome changed?' Yes, indeed, but alas! the change has been rather for the worse than the better.— Doubtless, under the pressure of public opinion, the scandals of the Church have been abated; the gross immoralities of Nunneries and Monasteries have been corrected; a Boniface in the papal chair is now impossible; but the truth is that this change is of the world, rather than the Romish Church. It never was so ultra as to-day; now is the time for the promulgation of the immaculate conception of the Virgin-of the doctrine of the infallibility of the Pope. These are the distinctive teachings of Romanism to-day, and so the education it gives here must be the fruit of these seeds; the religion of the past must be so colored, and history thus tortured in their hands.

"The worship of the Virgin in the place of Christ. The claim of Rome to universal dominion. The authority of the Pope to dictate everywhere -and necessarily so, for if the Pope be Christ's Vicar, well may he be infallible. Then, we as Protestants are stiff-necked heretics, and it becomes our duty to change.

"If the Virgin, the patron of Rome, be divine, then Protestants who protest against her worship are worse than infidels.

"But God in history is uttering his voice, depriving the Church of Rome of her influence and honor, her power and wealth; delivering the world from her tutelage to the care of Protestantism; calling us to teach; honoring us with the place of Schoolmaster, which it would be a shame for us to abdicate in favor of Rome now-here. Rather let us maintain our Protestantism. It is nothing to be ashamed of; its record is a glorious one-the child of the Reformation, the mother of science, the patron of the press, the inventor of the steam-engine, the discoverer of the electric telegraph, the originator of the Sabbath-schools, the publisher of the Bible, the champion of civil and religious liberty-its history has been of the world's advancement, its future the hope of man's redemption.

"And the record of Romanism is one that itself must blush to own. Stained with the blood of Martyrs, the founder of the Inquisition; the ally of tyrrany; the mother of superstition. Its fullest life the dark ages. Its voice to-day a protest against the world's advance. Its aim to blind the Its hope again to enslave Americans. Its offer to educate our sons and daughters."-Chrisiian World.

nations.

THE fall of Rome, in the temporal power of the " Man of Sin," and the fulfilment of prophecy within the last few years have done much to shake the confidence of the followers of Antichrist, and to say that verily there is a God who judgeth the earth. But still the old serpent is not dead; as of old he is alive, and plotting to regain his strength and ascendancy by false quotations and interpretations of Scripture, and by "fire and sword."

Lest we should be accused of misrepresentation, we quote their own words from their organ and handbook, The Crusader.

In the thirteenth number of that periodical it is broadly stated :