the Pagan and Papal Religions, and the worship of the true God, as revealed in the Religion of the Holy Scriptures. It is easy to understand upon what principle the Idolatry and Superstitions of Paganism were at first adopted, and are still continued, by the Church of Rome; they present something tangible and visible for the external senses to rest upon, in the place of that spiritual Religion which the Bible, in all its parts, supposes as essential to salvation. Christianity, in its pure and primitive structure, had no charms for those Pagans who had been accustomed to an imposing exterior of forms and ceremonies, which, while they amused their minds, and pacified their consciences, required no particular sacrifices, and left them in undisturbed possession of their former pleasures. The Church of Rome, aware of this fact, entered accordingly into a compromise with the old Idolatry. Her object was secular dominion, and while this might be attained, she regarded the illumination and conversion of the world but as secondary objects, or rather as things more likely to obstruct her schemes of wordly policy than to advance then. No writer has better established this fact than the celebrated GALE, who, after proving, with extensive erudition, how Paganism and Popery symbolized in a variety of particulars, observes, "The carnal professors of Christianity, who were most numerous, were not content to part with their Pagan rites; wherefore to compromise the matter, they turned their Pagan rites into Christian solemnities, and so christened their Dæmon festivals under the name of some Christian Martyr and Saint; and that which made this design more plausible, was this-some groundless hopes, by such symbolizing with the Pagans, to gain them over to embrace the Christian Religion, which vain attempt was so far blasted by God, as that it proved but a door to let in Antichrist and all his Idol worship into the Church of Rome." Human nature being the same in every age, there is no doubt that the Idolatries and Superstitions of the Romish Church have, from the earliest period of her history, had the force of retaining within her visible pale a vast majority in succession, who, if they had not been nominal Chris

tians, would have been professed Infidels, but who found is the round of External and Pharisaical observances which Popery prescribes, a sedative for their fears, and a substitute for their piety. The Reformed Churches of the Continent and of this country have protested with vigour and effect against a system which, while it is eminently calculated to amuse the multitude by a specious exterior, is no less adapted to hold them in spiritual bondage by blinding their minds, and sensualizing their hearts-by giving them the shadow of Religion, instead of its substance and by setting up a variety of Idols in the place of the one, true, and living God of the Scriptures.

The perilous nature of the Romish religion to its members is great indeed, since the very foundation of her whole system is laid in the virtual rejection of the two first commands in the Decalogue. That multitudes who live and die in the communion of the Church of Rome, do yet escape the contagion of their own creed, and are preserved by the special grace of GOD, sincere and exemplary Christians, is most readily admitted; but it is no less true, that the whole machinery of the system erected by that Church is opposed to the Scriptures of truth, and only designed to exalt the authority of a Secular Priesthood, and to keep the Laity in ignorance and error, Whatever, Sir, of charity and liberality towards Roman Catholics may be contended for in your speeches, I here challenge you to deny that the Church of Rome has engrafted on the native stock of Christianity the most awful depravation of doctrine, and has overspread the world at large with a proportionate corruption in practice.

The doctrine of PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, for example, is too monstrous for endurance, when we observe the errors which the POPES have committed, and the vices in which they have indulged; while that of PAPAL SUPREMACY is too gross,. either for wise Statesmen, or true Patriots to admit with safety to their country. The SPIRITUAL POWER exercised by the Romish Clergy (each of whom is the Pope of his own district), is equally at variance with good sense and sound reasoning.

The doctrine of PURGATORY accords no better with the constant declaration of Scripture, that the present is a state of probation, and the future of retribution. The doctrine of Papal or Priestly ABSOLUTION, is only an usurpation by man, of a power which belongs to his Creator; while that of Papal or Priestly INDULGENCES affords sanction and toleration for every species of crime. The terrors of EXCOMMUNICATION and ANATHEMA are the mere engines of temporal power, assumed for secular purposes alone. The doctrine of TRANSUBSTANTIATION is an invention, by which a mystery was introduced into the simplest institution, in order to enforce the nccessity, and exalt the authority of a standing Priesthood. AURICULAR CONFESSION, in enabling the Ministers of religion to penetrate into the secrets of families and individuals, tends above every other expedient, to consolidate their power, and to multiply their resources. The DENIAL of the BIBLE to the COMMON PEOPLE is an evident mark of the departure of that Church from the truths which it revealed, and the best proof of the weakness of a system which resorts to such a meaThe attempts of that Church to mix HUMAN TRADITION with Divine Revelation, are utterly unjustifiable. By thus putting their own gloss and comment upon the Scripture, they virtually invalidate the sanctions, and evade the force, of the word of God himself. The PROFANATION OF THE SABBATH is a characteristic of Popery, wherever that religion prevails; and the VIOLATION OF THE MARRIAGE Vow is almost identified with the same system. We see a Religion of forms, processions, ceremonies, and externals, usurping the place of that Faith, which produces the fruits of Holiness, without which, the Religion of every man is vain. PRAYERS AND INVOCATIONS OFFERED TO SAINTS, many of whom have been canonized by the Romish Church, after lives of open and notorious sin, are as repugnant to reason as they are contrary to Revelation. The immoral and profligate LIVES of the CATHOLIC CLERGY, as a body, chiefly arising out of their selfimposed celibacy, are a grievous scandal, which is thus described by PINKERTON. "The conscience is seared by the

sure.

practice of absolution; and the mind becomes reconciled to the strangest of all phenomena-theoretic piety, and practical vice united in bonds almost indissoluble." Such are the

men to whom power is now to be given in England and Ireland, and who are to be paid from English Taxation.

I wish then to ask, with such facts as these before your eyes, what you and your Religious friends can promise yourselves, or the cause of Truth, by the support of the Roman Catholic claims? why are you not rather found on the side of the Ark of GOD, in times when your ancient foes are unusually vigilant and active?" If BAAL be GOD, follow him; but if the Lord be GOD, then follow him."-My next will have reference to the ancient policy of Protestant England.

I am, dear Sir, your faithful Servant,

AMICUS PROTESTANS.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER V.

The Roman Catholic Question is no longer one of a merely speculative nature, nor are the interests which it involves of a secondary or subordinate character. The state of suspense and jeopardy in which the Protestant Church of England has now for some time been periodically placed by Romish Politicians, and Latitudinarian Professors, cannot, in all human probability, continue long, `The claims of the Roman Catholics, if not peremptorily resisted by those who bear the name of Protestants, will eventually be carried by those who bear something more than the name of their own faith, and who are heartily in earnest in advancing its interests, and acquiring for it the power which it has lost. When a certain illustrious Statesman complains, in every succeeding Session, that Parliament is troubled by the constant recurrence of a question, of which it would be very desirable to hear no more, and then statedly ranges himself on the side of the Roman Catholics, is it possible that he should really feel any

surprise that Parliament continues to be so assailed, when he and his friends are virtually inviting this periodical discussion, by declining to protest at once against these concessions? and would there not be somewhat more of consistency in the Government making a stand, and rallying round a Protestant Constitution upon Protestant principles, as Sir THOMAS LETHBRIDGE, and Mr. BUTTERWORTH have publicly advised in the House of Commons?

It is easy to see that if certain eminent characters are determined only to regard this question as one of mere human policy, without permitting the paramount consideration of Religion; I mean the radical and fundamental difference between the two Creeds—to form a part of their calculations, or to influence their conclusions, so long are they leaving out of the debate one of the most important features which can properly belong to it. So long as this great question is merely to be argued upon principles of expediency, it is no matter of surprise that certain sagacious Statesmen of our times are taken in their own craftiness, and that they are unable, under their own mode of treating the subject, to deal with arguments which are at least as plausible, if not as valid, as their own. They should take higher ground, and resolve to stand by the Constitution, which will then stand by them.

"Dent operam Consules ne quid detrimenti capiet Respublica.”

CICERO.

If they would consent to reason about the religious abominations, and political evils, of the Church of Rome, as did Queen ELIZABETH, and King WILLIAM, Lord BURLEIGH, and Lord BACON, Sir WILLIAM TEMPLE, and Lord CLARENDON, Sir Matthew Hale, and Bishop Burnet, and (though last not least), as Dr. WATTS, and Dr. DODDRIDGE did, their difficulties would vanish at once; they would then stand firmly on the rock which the providence of GOD, and the wisdom of their ancestors, have placed under their feet; nor would all the sophistry of crafty and designing men avail to move them