"the sentiment of the pope and here lies the "difference. The only consistent view of this church, is that of a political establishment, em"ploying, indeed, religious terms and denominations, but only as the pretext and colour of an inordinate pursuit of secular and temporal objects. Read its history as that of a christian church; you stumble at every step, and every period "shocks you with the grossest incongruities: read "the same history as one of the kingdoms of this world; all is natural and easy, and the various proceedings and events are just what you are prepared to expect. The papal supremacy was "conceded by an earthly monarch; all its interests have varied with the fluctuations of human "affairs; and when the princes of this world shall "withdraw their support, it will fall, and great "will be the fall thereof.' The bishops of Rome "have ever pursued, under the guise of religion, "some earthly advantage; and thus Pope Leo the "Tenth exclaimed most appropriately, O, how "profitable has this fable of Jesus been unto us!” 1 The first object of these subtle politicians, was to provide a revenue, ample and permanent. Kings and nations were accordingly laid under tribute, and to the utmost extent of papal influence, the treasures of Christendom flowed into "the exchequer of Rome. On every hand, art, fraud, and intimidation, were equally and successfully employed, in transferring the wealth of "the world to the coffers of the church. "This was effected partly by regular eccle"siastical taxes, but principally by selling every 66 thing the church of Rome had to bestow, and by perpetually inventing new articles of bargain and sale. Hence the multiplying of sacraments; "hence the sale of pardons, indulgences, benefices, dignities, and of prayers for the living and the "dead. Every thing was prostituted; and under "the pretence of being the 66 "wife,' this church became the bride, the Lamb's mother of harlots. "In the same spirit, the death-beds of the rich were besieged, that they might bequeath their property to the clergy; and the consciences of opulent criminals were appeased, in return for "liberal donations to ecclesiastical funds. Thus an amount of riches almost incredible accrued "to the papal treasury."-Pp. 94-96. The fourth Lecture is occupied by giving a rapid sketch of the most interesting events in the past history of the Romish community. We have seldom, if ever, seen so large a body of facts exhibited with perfect perspicuity within so small a compass: the author's complete mastery of the subject appears from the ease with which he has condensed an immense mass of historical matter, without the least indication of disorder or confusion. The last of these Lectures presents an animated and instructive view of the prospects which are opening on the christian church, and the probable issue of the causes and events which are in present operation. The notice we have taken of this publication will, we trust, induce our readers to avail themselves of the instruction and the pleasure which an attentive perusal cannot fail to bestow. It is distinguished for precision and comprehension of thought, energy of diction, and the most enlarged and enlightened principles of civil and religious freedom; nor should we find it easy to name a publication, which contains, within the same compass, so much information on the subject which it professes to treat. A little redundance of ornament, and excess in the employment of figurative language, are excrescences very pardonable in a young writer, and which more mature years and experience may be safely left to correct. On the whole, we cannot dismiss the work before us, without sincerely congratulating the author on that happy combination of philosophical discrimination with christian piety, which it throughout displays.... ! |