and Baronius; but Bishop, as he is more correctly denominated by the cotemporary writers, Socrates and Evagrius.

In pursuance of his designs, Constantius summoned a council to meet at Arles, where the bishops unable to resist the imperial mode of persuasion-signed an Arian profession of faith. There was, however, one noble exception, that of Paul, Bishop of Triers, who preferred banishment (the alternative offered) and a clear conscience. To confirm this decision, the Emperor issued his mandate for a more numerous assemblage of prelates to meet at Milan, that his favourite dogmas might have the infallible approbation of a general council. But modes of persuasion were here used, little in consonance with that religion of peace and good will which they professed to advocate: and this erroneous opinion went forth into the world, as the decision of men, impiously supposed to be under the influence of the unerring Spirit of God; though there were a few exceptions to the general defection, namely, Dionysius, Bishop of Milan, Eusebius of Verceilles, and Lucifer of Calaris.

Liberius stood forward at first boldly for the truth, and wrote an impressive epistle to his banished brethren, praising their constancy, and declaring his own readiness to undergo any sufferings sooner than deny his Saviour. The Emperor, irritated at the obstinacy of the Bishop, commanded him to be brought prisoner to Constantinople; and, after upbraiding him for daring to hold opinions differing from that of his despotic sovereign, condemned him to exile; which, we are told, Liberius entered on cheerfully, professing his willingness to suffer shame for Christ's sake.* But, alas! his constancy (or

"Libere eut d'abord une fermété très-édifiante: il parla courageusement à l'Empereur, il ne se laissa fléchir ni par les prieres ni par les menaces de ce Prince. JAN. 1827.

infallibility) was not proof against so severe a trial: for, being persuaded by Demophilus,† the Bishop of the city to which he had been banished, he signed an Arian formulary of faith, known as the second creed of Sirmium; and wrote a letter to the eastern prelates, who advocated that form of faith, approving of it, and acquiescing in their condemnatory sentence on Athanasius; at the same time beseeching them to intercede with the Emperor in his behalf. Being in consequence restored to his see, he changed his opinion, and professed that truth which we would hope was dearest to his heart.

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In looking upon Liberius as a weak, frail, and erring mortal, sorely tempted and beset, banished from home, friends, and country, we should pause, ere we pass a severe sentence upon him; remembering that, were we equally tempted, our faith might have failed like his but when we view him as an infallible pontiff, we are obliged to look upon his conduct in another light; and (while we would commiserate the frailty of the man) to adduce it as a proof of the unfounded nature of those claims, which rest on the supposition of an unerring succession. For in this case, we have palpable error; not merely a difference upon minor points, but upon that doctrine which we may well designate as the pillar and

On l'exila; il partit sans paroître ébranlé pour Berée qui etoit le lieu de son exil: il y soufrit deux ans avec une patience digne de loüange: mais enfin la jalousie de voir Felix l'un de ses Diacres et des ses confidens, élevé sur son siege, le precipita dans l'abîme. Il se resolut a signer la confession de Sirmach. Il écrivit bassement à l'Empereur pour le prier de le retablir dans son evêché. Après avoir abjuré la foi et flatté l'Empereur, il flatta encore plus lâchement les evêques Ariens, ministres de l'erreur et de la persecution."

"Demophile etoit un Arien passionné, et un chef execrable de perfidie, comme parle le concile d'Aquilée." Basnage, Histoire de l'Eglise, (fol. a Rotterdam, 1699,) tome i. p. 366.

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the ground of truth; the key stone of the arch that supports the true Church of Christ.

The historians and strenuous advocates of papal infallibility, Baronius* and Bellarmine,† appear very desirous of softening down as much as possible this uncompromising circumstance, conscious, doubtless, that if admitted to the full extent, it would completely invalidate the pretension of freedom from doctrinal error in the successors of St. Peter: but the attempt is vain. St. Hilary, Bishop of Poictiers, speaks of this papal lapse, of which he was eye-witness, very plainly and openly; not being very anxious,

* Baronius, Amales Ecclesiastici, tom. iii. ad ann. 352.

† Bellarmine, Disput Theologicæ, tom. i. p. 981. who, finding the subject too difficult even for his jesuitical skill, sums up his arguments by remarking, "Sed quamvis hæc ita se habeant, non tamen Liberius, aut hæresim docuit aut hereticus fuit---sed solum peccavit actu externo!”

Opera, fol. Parisiis, 1693. De Synodis, page 1158. Ex opere Historico Fragmentum, iv. v. and vi. pp. 1134-5, 6, 7.

“MY BELOVED IS MINE,

SUCH is the language of the redeemed saint, with regard to the Saviour of his soul. How amazing is the love of Christ ! How freely is it bestowed! How valuable are its blessings! How applicable to man. kind! How costly was its sacrifice! How glorious its author! How unworthy its recipient! The love between the saint and the Redeemer

is reciprocal, for My beloved is mine and I am his," is the language of each. How happy, how enlivening, is such a state! Christian, if thou art Christ's, then mayest thou be calm and tranquil amidst a sea of troubles, assured that all is for thy good; for "whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours;" and mark the consummation of the

* St. Hierom, Chron. ad ann.

+ Dupin's New Ecclesiastical History, vol. ii. p. 63. Vide also St. Athanasius, Ep. ad Eremitas. Du Plesis Mornay's Mystery of Iniquity, fol. 1612, p. 39.

"Du Plesis was an extraordinary character: though the heir of rank, dignity, and opulence, he cultivated literature with taste and success; and in an age when religious opinions were guided by interest and altered by political connexions, he remained a protestant, firm and unshaken in his principles, virtuous in his conduct, and respected even by his enemies. He published many very valuable works: his Mystery of Iniquity, or History of the Popes, appeared in 1609. He was appointed counsellor of state by Henry IV.; but when he saw him inclined to catholic tenets, he withdrew from court." Lempriere's Biographical Dictionary.

AND I AM HIS.”—CAnt. ii. 16.

whole. "And ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure, to give you the kingdom." Whatever may be your trials, trust you in the Lord, and view each as reminding you that God is love;" whatever your afflictions, cast "all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Be diligent, however, in the use of appointed means, and pray for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, to sanctify and bless them. Thus dwelling in the exercise of Christian faith, hope, meekness, and charity, resting your expectations on the promise of God's word, will you at the last exclaim with feeling and delight, I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine."

A CHRISTIAN Friend.

I AM this day forty years old; surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life: O that may indeed dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I

I would look back on the years which are past, and thankfully acknowledge the mercies of each succeeding period. I was born of pious parents; my mother was indeed a handmaid of the Lord, watching over me with the tenderest care; teaching me to lisp a Saviour's name; early carrying me to his house of prayer; storing my infant mind with psalms, hymns, and por. tions of holy writ, and allowing no day to pass from the time of my earliest recollections, without the perusal of two or three or four chapters of the word of God. How much do I owe to her holy diligence! What cause of humiliation have I at my little profiting! And yet early were there goings forth of my soul after God; acts of penitence and seasons of prayer. Amidst exceeding lightness of heart and buoyancy of spirit, notwithstanding great attachment to play and many sins of the tongue, I can yet recollect deep sorrow for some particular transgressions, fervent petitions for mercy, and occasionally deep impressions under the word of God long before I had completed my tenth year. I am persuaded that in those early days, the Holy Spirit was graciously striving with my spirit, that he might lead me to himself. Lord forgive my rebelling against and vexing him by a light, a careless, a sinful course of behaviour.

In due time I was placed at school, and soon found among my companions, some who laughed at many things which I had been accustomed to regard with reverence, and habituated to perform. Alas I too soon yielded to temptations; instead of kneeling down to pray, I slipped

But

into bed and there on my pillow hurried over a silent form. even this was not long attended to. The laugh and the jest soon broke in upon the silent moment, and the habit of prayer was lost. One restraint gradually gave way after another, and the corrupt influence of sinful companions removed from me all remaining appearances of seriousness. I walked in the counsel of the ungodly; I stood in the way of sinners; I sat in the seat of the scornful. Some dangerous

books were introduced into the School, and some of the profane expressions and polluting allusions still occur to disturb my mind and harrass my devotions, now that I trust God has long since pardoned my sin, and brought me to choose him as my portion. The companions of my youth where are they? The boy who secretly introduced the corrupting narrative has long since gone to his last account. I am spared still. O what shall I render.

Adored be the grace which mercifully restrained me from breaking out into the paths of sin. I look back on some particular providential dispensations, most vexatious to me at the time, and now gratefully record them amongst my distinguishing mercies. Had my inclination been followed and my wishes and plans succeeded, how lamentable in all human probability would have been the consequence! I would remember all the way which the Lord my God has led me in this wilderness, to show me what was in my heart, to humble me and prove me, and I trust to do me good at my latter end.

After, however, he had brought me into the wilderness, how comfortably did God speak to me! Oh, there was a breaking down of my proud spirit, and a subduing of my stubborn will: but what mercy ac

companied the dispensation! I was made to feel myself a sinner; but at the same instant was enabled to contemplate the Saviour. The word of Christ had been so richly implanted in my soul, and the gospel of Christ had been so faithfully and incessantly communicated; that I knew at once where to flee for safety, where to look for comfort. I was thus mercifully exempted from those horrific depths of distress with which others have been exercised and if my joys have been less exulting, and my consolations less lively than those of my fellow Christians; my course has been smoother, and my peace more abiding. I trace this, under the dispensations of a covenant God, to the benefit of early religious instruction, and the inestimable privilege of being placed in very tender years under plain, faithful, heart-searching sermons. Oh, what Ishall I render!

My course through life has hitherto been smooth and easy.—I have had my trials: but my greatest trials have been from my own corrupt and evil heart. What I should have been, if God had not early met with me and graciously restrained me by the bonds both of providence and of grace, I know not: but when I see a poor wretch going along the streets, I often feel as that pious martyr felt, who, on seeing a drunken man, exclaimed, There goes, but for the grace of God, John Bradford.' The grace of God kept me from that licentiousness and intemperance by which such multitudes have been destroyed: but, when I consider the power which spiritual enemies have often exercised over me, I tremble at the thought of what might have been the result, had I been exposed to the more violent assaults of those fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Oh, what a mercy is restraining grace!

And yet how little have I done for God. I feel at times a deep

sense of his power, his grace, and mercy. The tears start to my eyes and my whole soul seems filled with the impression of my obligations, with devotion to his service. But I fail in action. My impressions are evanescent; my plans and purposes seem to wither. I console myself with the thought-it was well that it was in thy heart: but yet, while life is passing fast away, I would endeavour to do somewhat for him who has done so much for me.

And now what can I do ?-Lord, help me in the power of thy grace to do somewhat for the honour of thy name, and to live closer unto thee.

I would be more regular and diligent in the study of thy holy word: O let me experience more delight in meditating on its sacred pages, and derive more instruction and consolation from its precepts and its promises. If the Psalmist's eyes prevented the night watches, that he might meditate on thy word; and if the Saviour arose a great while before day, that he might commune with his Father; surely I might and ought to rise in time to read God's holy word without interruption, and to pray for renewed grace from my heavenly Father, before the claims of my family or my business compel me to abridge, or postpone my devotions.

I would be more regular and more devout in family worship. I find great difficulties in securing a punctual attendance of my children and my servants: if I speak as I feel, an unseemly irritation is produced; if I let the matter pass quietly, irregularities increase; and those irregularities depress my spirit and damp my devotion. I feel I must be firm-Lord, help me to be calm help me to honour thee in my household, by exacting that attendance which is for thy glory, and by exacting it in that way which may prove that thy fear is before mine eyes.

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I would be more constant and more attentive with my family at the house of God. I am indeed personally seldom absent; but my seat is not always so full as it ought to be. My partner sometimes inquires, What can such children as ours learn? and I am too apt to yield. Yet at their age I learnt a great deal. I have distinct impressions still from sermons heard at eight or nine years old: and who can tell but God may be as merciful to my children as he has been to me? Duty, however, is mine, and success is God's. I must reason affectionately with my partner, and, if necessary, take a more decided part. Much of the evil of the present day appears to me to have arisen from the want of that habit, so early acquired by our forefathers, a habit of regular and al most invariable attendance on the same faithful ministrations.

I would devote more of my substance to God, to be used for his glory and the benefit of his people. I feel that I have been verily guilty in this respect,-I have withheld more than is meet, and it has tended to poverty. I felt last year the pressure of the times, and I withdrew my subscription from one, and diminished it to two other charities. I remember Mr. Newton says somewhere, If you give less than you ought, God may quarter an apothecary upon you. I did not like the expression; for I thought it savoured of lightness, and countenanced the idea of sickness being a special judgment from God: but it has come to my mind with some force, since I find my doctor's bill for the last year has exceeded that of many former years by at least thrice if not five times the amount of all I have taken from charity. I feel my conduct has been somewhat like theirs whom Haggai and Malachi* reproved; and I would henceforth determine in God's strength,

* Hag. i. 6. Mal. i. 6-8. iii. 8.

that the last thing which I reduce shall be my charities. I will save, if need be, in my table, my apparel, my furniture, my journies for health or pleasure; but I will never withdraw my subscriptions from the poor of Christ's flock, the great and good societies of the present day, the minister by whom I am taught in the Word, or, in short, any charitable purpose, until I discover that the money I am about to give is not my own in the usual accepta, tion of the term, but the lawful property of my creditors,

I would live more as a dying man, who knows not what shall be on the morrow. My fathers, where are they? The companions of my youth and of my childhood, where are they? The associates even of riper years, where are they to be found? I went back to the place where some twenty years ago I resided. I asked after one whom I knew he is dead. After another

he is worse than dead, he has lost his fortune, his character, his principles, his all.-After another

Lord I

I saw him.-I saw the care-worn countenance; the wrinkled brow; the grey hairs here and there upon him. Is this, thought I, the sprightly, joyous, cheerful, hearty companion-what a change? I came home depressed-but where. fore? Must it not be so? Are we better than our fathers? would lay the lesson to heart.—I would read in the countenances of others the repetition of that sentence which hangs over my head, dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. O help me to live to thee whilst I live on earth; to do real good to my partner, my children, my servants, my friends, and neighbours, and then let me die to thee, and be for ever with thee in thy glory. Take me as thy servant, and may I be in body and soul and spirit, wholly thine, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

JABEZ