bias the minds of our readers in the exercise of their judgment upon political affairs, we pray that they may be enabled to keep one thing prominently in view, in their choice, as instruments, of members of Parliament; and that is, THE RAPID INCREASE AND UNALTERABLE NATURE OF POPERY! Our readers already are well aware of our opinion upon this subject, that the time is well nigh arrived when Popery and Infidelity will join hand in hand to undermine the very foundation of the church of the living God; but against which, blessed be his name, even the gates of hell shall never-no, never prevail! We live in troublous times, in a painful day! Our commerce, our poor, our professedly religious controversies, remind us of bygone ages, when a Noah, an Esther, and an Elijah lived! May a spirit of grace and supplication be poured out upon such in the present God-dishonouring day! May he raise up, or endue with wisdom and open the mouths of those whom he has raised up, men who will dare to be singular, and who will fearlessly stand in the gap between the living and the dead.-ED.

DEAR SIR,

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

As you are desirous of seeing this horned monster exposed, in order to set at liberty such as are ensnared within its truly horrid embrace, purely with a view of convincing such that they are wrapped in error, I beg respectfully to lay before you this sheet printed for gratuitous circulation in Norwich.

I have written to the highly esteemed author of it for the express purpose of obtaining leave to make extracts therefrom, and print them (if admissible) in the GOSPEL MAGAZINE. I feel proud to acknowledge the reception (this evening) of an encouraging and polite letter from the Rev. W. Ker, our Protestant champion in these quarters, giving me full liberty to make what use I pleased with it or others of his papers; assuring me of his being ready, at any time, to assist me with such information as I may deem desirable. To use his own words, "My only object in writing them was, if possible, to excite a spirit of inquiry among our dear and unhappy Roman Catholic fellow-sinners. I shall be well pleased if they be thought worthy of a more extended circulation."

By prefixing the above to either the whole, or parts of this masterly address, you will oblige, Yours very truly,

Cossey.

MODERATUS.

In addition (says Mr. Ker) to what has been already advanced as to the Confessional (which surely ought to awaken your suspicion, that where so much dark concealment is necessary, all cannot be right), the first doctrine of your Church which I shall adduce for this purpose, is TRANSUBSTANTIATION. That doctrine is thus defined in the canons of the Council of Trent, to all, and every one of the decrees of which, every Roman Catholic Priest swears unlimited obedience, inas. much as he subscribes the creed commonly called the Creed of Pope Pius IV., the concluding sentences of which are as follows (I quote from the edition of the Trent Catechism, published at Lyons A. D. 1676.):

"This_true Catholic faith, out of which no one can be saved, which at this present I do freely profess and truly hold, I will (God being my helper) most constantly retain and profess, whole and inviolate, to the latest breath of my life, and so far as in me lies, will take care that it be held, taught, and preached by all under my care or authority. This I the same N. promise, vow, and swear; so may God be my helper, and this his holy Gospel."

Now the last article of the creed to which every Priest thus so solemnly swears is as follows::

"I likewise undoubtedly receive and profess all other 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."

Having thus shown that every Roman Catholic Priest who subscribes the above-mentioned creed, not only promises but swears, that he receives and will always retain to his last breath, all things defined and declared by the Council of Trent, I proceed to quote the Canons of that Council relating to the Eucharist, Sess. xii. Can. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Canon 1, "Whoever shall deny, that in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist there are, truly, really, and substantially contained the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with his soul and divinity, and consequently Christ entire; but shall affirm that he is present therein only in a sign or figure, or by his power: LET HIM BE ACCURSED."

2. "Whoever shall affirm that in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist there remains the substance of bread and wine, together with the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and shall deny that wonderful and peculiar— (wonderful indeed! truly wonderful!!)-conversion of the whole substance of the bread into his body and of the whole substance of the wine into his blood, the SPECIES only of bread and wine remaining, which conversion the Catholic Church most fitly terms transubstantiation: LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

3. "Whoever shall deny that Christ entire is contained in the venerable sacrament of the Eucharist, under EACH species and under every part of each species, when they are separated: LET HIM BE ACCURSED."

4. "Whoever shall affirm the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are not present in the admirable Eucharist, AS SOON AS THE CONSECRATION is performed, but only as it is used and received, and neither before nor after; and that the true body of our Lord does not remain in the hosts, or consecrated morsels, which are reserved or left after communion: LET HIM BE ACCURsed."

Lest any should fail of understanding what is meant by the body of Christ, the Trent Catechism is even more explicit ; for it says (p. 193, of the Edition before referred to),

"Now truly in this place it ought to be explained by the pastors, that not only the true body of Christ, and every thing which belongs to the true nature of a body, such as BONES and SINEWS; but that the whole Christ is contained in this sacrament."

Still, to make the definition complete, I must quote a few sentences from the Missal, Antwerp Edition, A. D. 1594, in the chapter "De defectibus."

"If the consecrated host should disappear, being taken away by an accident (as by the wind, or a miracle, or a MOUSE, or by any other animal), and cannot be found, then let another be consecrated, and let that animal, if it can be taken, be killed and burnt, and its ashes be cast into a sacred place or under the altar."

"If through negligence any of the blood of Christ should have fallen, if indeed upon the earth, or upon the table, let it be LICKED UP with the TONGUE, and the place itself be scraped sufficiently, and the scraping burnt, but let the ashes be laid up in the sacrarium."

"If the Priest should vomit the Eucharist, if the species appear whole, let them be REVERENTLY TAKEN UNLESS HIS STOMACH TURN; in that case, let the consecrated species be cautiously separated, and let them be laid up in some sacred place. But if the species do not appear, let the VOMIT be burnt, and the ashes cast into a sacred place."

Reader! the preceding is a specimen of the mummery of Popery; for refusing to conform to which thousands have been cruelly massacred, and to which thousands more would be added, were the Catholics once endowed with power to carry out the spirit of their absurd and tyrannical religion, falsely so called.-ED.

220

TO OUR READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

OUR present Number contains a letter from our friend and brother, ALFRED HEWLETT likewise one from MODERATUS. We feel that they are entitled to a place in our pages. But we have now one word to say, by way of caution to our readers. Without much watchfulness, this work will be involved in controversy; it generally commences by little and little, and frequently in a most unexpected way. Our readers know full well, that this we are deeply anxious to avoid ; for an argumentative controversial work, we have said again and again, we are by no means adapted. Our desire is instrumentally to lead on, and strengthen, and comfort the souls of the Lord's people, as he sees fit to lead us. Our readers know our motto-blessed be God, it is a scriptural one-“A diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit." Upon this principle we recognise as brethren men who differ in opinion-we again make use of the term, though we are censured for it-upon non-essentials. We hope, therefore, by the good hand of our God upon us, to keep straight on our course; swerving neither to the right hand nor to the left: dealing out a portion to seven and also to eight, as the Lord the eternal Spirit is pleased to deal out to We hope never to be beforehand with him; not to venture to speak until he tells us what to say; that thus whatever we may be led to advance, we may be enabled to support by what we have tasted, and handled, and filt. The good Lord be with our readers, and unite them together as the heart of one man. So prays their willing servant,

us.

THE EDITOR.

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD JESUS,

An earnest desire for usefulness, and a fear lest you or any other person should misunderstand my last paper, induce me to trouble your readers with a few lines on the subject. I think, my dear brother, we are agreed on this point, the Lord's people are divided in Scripture into "little children, young men, and fathers;" "the blade, the ear, the full corn in the car:" now to find fault with these comparisons would be to charge the Holy Ghost with folly, yet their real use is often perverted when we attach to them the idea that a certain period of time is necessary to change a "little child" into a "father;" and that when such period has passed over their heads, they must be advanced to manhood or old age. This is not the case; I know several persons who have long been considered Christians, who, to use their own expressions, are in "a doubtful case," and cannot declare any confidence in Christ; and, what is worse, cannot bear to hear others express their undoubting confidence in him as their all-sufficient Saviour. I know others who have been but a very few years brought out of darkness into light, who are "rejoicing in the Lord," and who, even in their darkest moments, dare not dishonour their God by doubting his faithfulness, or Christ's all-sufficiency. Let us then dismiss all idea concerning a longer or shorter period of time; apply ourselves to the question, what is the means in God's hand, or what has he appointed to be the means, of promoting this advance in the divine life?

It appears that you think preaching according to our feelings, is a likely way to benefit others; for you say, "he writes as he ought to do, in accordance with his own feelings and experience. We do the same; but while Alfred Hewlett is favoured to sit as a guest at the banqueting house (Song, ii. 4), or to serve up the bounties which the King of grace has provided, our station is the exterior, to make way for the guests." Now, dear friend and brother, there is this difference between our views; I do not speak or write what I am at the time feeling, but I speak and write what the word of God declares of and concerning the blessed Jesus; that I may feel and enjoy, and that others may feel and enjoy what, perhaps, at the very time I feel my lack of. Thus, perhaps, while lamenting my own barrenness, or deadness, or coldness, I would use my pen, not to describe this state or that temptation, but to proclaim and declare the faithfulness of my Jesus; that he is my life, that he is the sun to warm my drooping soul: and thus how many times my heart has been set at liberty I cannot tell you, and I know that this is the way I am to take, and this is what the Holy Ghost has honoured, does honour, and will honour. You think that my piece in last month's Number contains a gentle reproof. I know you do not take it unkindly, nor think I meant it so; I do not indeed forget what your aim and design is, but I seem to feel within myself when I compare it with God's word, that the means are not adequate to the end. St. Paul's chief aim is, to exalt Jesus, to proclaim his all-sufficiency and our completeness in him; and necessity is laid upon me, I must follow in his steps, for he followed Christ. I am distressed beyond measure at the sickly state of many of the Lord's family in the present day; the first cross that lies in their way causes them to doubt whether they are the Lord's people or not; then they are taught to consider these doubts the best criterion of their faith. But can they think so? Do they think so? No; and thus they go on through years of mental suffering, for which I think many Gospel ministers are in some degree to blame. Others become careless and worldly-minded, neglect prayer and other means of grace; despise the faithful practical exhibition of God's truth, and exhibit a captious, carping, critical head-knowledge accuracy of God's word, with a display of old Adam's tempers, and justify this from the doctrine of God's decrees. Now I would say to all preachers and writers of the Gospel (and I believe that all who are called to preach Christ have been brought first to know in whom they have believed)-such I would exhort speak of Christ, glance at everything else, in the world, the flesh, and the devil; but let him be your subject, your object; your message is of him, and he is the only useful subject you can bring before your hearers or your readers. And to you especially, my dear brother, would I commend the consideration of what Scripture declares concerning him; if you look forward to the future, let it be through Christ, if backward, look through Christ, and not one of all your sins can be seen; inward, look through Christ, and no guilt or pollution can be discovered; if you look upward to the throne, looking through him, you shall discover nothing but mercy and love; eyes sparkling with tenderness, and a countenance all smiles. Excuse these few lines; may God bless you in your work. Believe me, your faithful and affectionate brother,

ALFRED HEWLETT.

P. S. When I began writing this evening, my mind seemed altogether carnal; but, as usual, the Lord has, while I have been musing, raised me up and made me "ride on my high places."

Astley, June 12, 1841.

MY DEAR SIR,'

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

From a private epistle or two which I have previously sent you, it will evidently appear that we differ as to the importance of detailing each other's experiences, and laying them before the public. I have before suggested, that they too often savour of that legality which, in men of low sentiment, we oppose. I mean, it is made a prerequisite; or, in the better words of Mr. Hewlett, it is made a "high hill," on which men of supposed greater attainments perch themselves, and look down on the pitiable, whom they in their charity entertain doubts about.

My present object is, not to commence a controversy either with you or such of my brethren as stand side by side with you in this particular, but to you and to them I would say, Brethren, have you been tempted? so have I. Have you been in the deep? so have I. Have you been beaten with Fatherly stripes? so have I. Have you been in prison? so have I. Have you been in perils among false brethren? so have I. &c. &c. Indeed, sir, you would not find us behind yourselves in these things also. I respectfully drop these hints, to prevent any thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think on this account, but to think soberly, and not cast an invidious look at us in the meaner rank, as they arrogantly suppose, by telling you in their letters "that we are not in the secret." (See June correspondence.)

Yes, dear sir, I too have been tried, and know how to "weep with them that weep.' I anxiously wish to hasten among the first of your correspondents to the Editor, whose keen trials lay at my heart. I am glad you related the mournful circumstance for your own sake; I am not indifferent to your sighing, but have been to my closet in secret for you: it is there that I can unbosom my own complaints in the ears of a kind Father, through a kind Intercessor. I know it is easier to advise, or propose comfort in sorrowful seasons, than to adopt it, or receive the comfort intended. I will, therefore, instead of doing this in a lengthened way, just drop a sweet word, and oh ! my brother, may the Lord the Spirit as sweetly apply it-viz. Jesus touched with a feeling of our infirmities. But I think I know the more immediate source of your sorrowyou are looking at the amiability and moral excellence of the dear departed. Well then try, try, and take comfort from the consideration, that the Lord permitted you to fold in your bosom an object so highly beloved by himself. Yours, my dear Sir, in Him,

MODERATUS.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

My dear Brother and Companion in Tribulation,

Since I addressed to you my letter of the 4th of last month, it has pleased our God that we should become personally acquainted. From the GOSPEL MAGAZINE of this month, I learn that that heavy affliction has come upon you, which, when I was in London, you were anticipating in painful anxiety, as in the ordering of the Lord's providence respecting you, whereby you are plunged under the waves of inexpressible mental anguish. It has brought upon you such a weight of affliction, that you are sensible you can do nothing with it yourself. God, and God only, can work by means, so calculated to crush us as a moth before him; unless he is himself therein directing and controlling, to his own appointed ends of loving-kindness and mercy. You are compelled to own this is of God. He leads you in it, to look to him, to call upon him; to cast all your care upon him, believing