But it is asserted that the confession of crimes by individuals to the priest is a sacred trust, not to be challenged on any consideration. If such be the case, if there be any warrant of Scripture for believing this to be the case, let the passage be cited. But Scripture is not inconsistent with itself, and we read in Scripture that the Almighty denounces his severest displeasure, not only against the dishonest man and the thief, but also against that man who consents by his silence to the crime of the thief. (Psalm 1. 18.) How much more, then, against the perpetrator and abettor of murder! But we have had numerous instances in Ireland, of the priest's denouncing men from the altar, for reasons best known to themselves, and have seen that murder has quickly followed such denunciation. "Shall I not be avenged on such a nation as this? saith the Lord."

In short, were it not for the confessional (of which it has been justly said, that it is too exquisite a piece of wickedness for the devil not to have been the author of it), the shocking crimes which disgrace Ireland (over a great part of which nominally Christian land are found deeds which leave the acts of the savages of the Polynesian Isles in the distance), we may confidently say, a happy change would speedily take place; for I verily believe that the natives, just as they are taught, are susceptible of good or ill, and are withal a generous race.

But now comes the momentous and most difficult question, how is the plague to be stayed? how is this most disgraceful and treacherous state of society to be purified and reformed? It may be (and it is, no doubt) difficult to eradicate, by any measures, crime thus, as it were, naturalized nearly from time immemorial in the country; but I think such heavy blows and great discouragement might be dealt against the perpetrators as, in progress of time, to produce the desired effect. And, first, I would propose that an Act of Parliament be passed, making it a transportable offence for any priest or others, under any pretence, to conceal the knowledge, in any, of the intention to commit crime, on account of which the law awards a capital or transportable punishment against the offender. In short, let the punishment annexed to misprision of treason be extended in favour of the subject, and not be confined to the sovereign. In the sight of God, murder is alike heinous on whomsoever committed. Second, let every priest be obliged to keep a list of those of his congregation who confess to him, with a minute of their confessions; and, on the conviction of a murderer, let the priest be obliged to produce his minutes. It is well known that a Papist in Ireland will not commit murder unless he is assured of having the priest's sanction, and at least absolution after the offence. This Mr. Ryder has undeniably made manifest, and indeed it was notorious before. Third, after the culprit has proclaimed his innocence on the scaffold, let there be no retiring with the priest for the purpose of being absolved from his last lie. Fourth, in the event of murder following a denunciation from the altar, let the priest who had denounced his fellow mortal be on conviction transported for life.

In suggesting these, the only remedial measures which offer at present, I do so in the confidence that good would result, and that if some such laws be not now enacted, others much more stringent will ere long be demanded in the progress of events; unless, indeed, the

Romanists succeed in getting their iron heels on the necks of Protestants, which may God in his infinite mercy forbid! I have no more doubt that a struggle for our lives and liberties is at hand, than I have of its having already taken place in Spain, in France, in Belgium, in Germany, in Poland, in Austria, in the Tyrol, in Italy, in Ireland, and in other countries out of Europe; with what success let the page of history and the present state of these countries declare. If we in this favoured land, with all these examples before us, are still blind to the plots of Papists, and the continual undermining by them of our Protestant faith, the time must arrive when the increasing numbers of our deadly foes will induce them to take up the knife.* Then, indeed, but late, it will be manifest that as a nation we have been deceived, and fallen under a judicial blindness. But let the traitors, and guilty compromisers with traitors, tremble.

The harmony which subsists in nations on the continent of Europe, between the Protestant and Romanist portions of the community, as in Prussia and in Austria, suggests to some the idea that the same harmony should be found in Ireland; and they, therefore, hope that by sacrificing all to Popery, there must result peace and harmony. But the ample page of history proves such ideas to be but vain imaginations. We need only take into account the great elementary difference which exists between the despotic power exercised in these nations and the freedom conferred by equal laws in Great Britain. Well does the Popish priest know that if, in those countries, he endeavours to incite the subject to rebellion against the monarch, or to stimulate the ignorant to plot against the state, or against an individual, he would instantly, and even on mere suspicion, find himself in limbo, at the dictum of a Metternich or Hardenberg, in one of the dungeons of Olmutz, or Spielberg, where he would have abundance of time allowed him to repent him of his pranks. Well do these right reverends, reverends, and the laity, their abettors, with the Pope at their head, know when and where, and to what extent, they may go, in plotting and in undermining the laws and safety of any realm, which stands in their way in the acquirement of universal domination over the bodies and souls of men. At present they find they cannot do better than share power and pelf with the despot, and so they play his game, which is their own in part. Let me conclude by entreating the attention of statesmen to the serious consideration of this momentous subject, and that in all its bearings; assuming it as a first principle that success is dependent on the blessing of God, and that that blessing can be expected upon such measures only as are undertaken in conformity with his will; and also remembering that the supporting and countenancing of any system of idolatry must necessarily be a high provocation in his sight. As to the great body of this nation -at present the first of nations under heaven (but deserving that name only from having been the defender of the true faith)—I still feel assured that they love the religion for which their ancestors fought and bled, and are still ready to follow their example in the defence of civil and religious liberty. PACIFICATOR.

In Italy, eighty Protestants were, one by one, taken out of a house, laid down, and had their throats cut, just like slaughtered sheep.-See M'Crie's History.

RAMSGATE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.*

66
FROM THE KENTISH OBSERVER."

WE gave in our last a brief account of the proceedings on the formation of this Society. We now redeem our promise of supplying an outline of Mr. Lord's excellent address on the occasion, and which circumstances prevented our publishing last week.

Mr. Lord commenced by observing that it must be a matter of wonder to some, that in this, the third century from the blessed Reformation, there should be any need of such societies as that for which he then appeared. It might have been thought that the whole country, both in Church and State, would have been one vast and united Protestant Association. But there was a tendency in the mind of man to depart from Divine truth, and to be forgetful of blessings, whether nationally or individually enjoyed; and time, instead of strengthening the feeling of gratitude, too often effaced all remembrance of the services received. Such was one of the infirmities of human nature. It might, too, have been thought by some, that the intelligence and enlightenment of the nineteenth century would have dissipated the dark superstitions, as many contended it had changed the anti-social character, of Popery. But intellect alone would not qualify men rightly to know and worship God. Nor did possession of the truth guarantee its continuance. History, ancient and modern, sacred and profane, concurred in giving illustrations of these truths. We there read of enlightened nations, as they are termed, given up to idolatry -of empires formed to be overthrown-of churches planted and destroyed. What guarantee had we that the same should not take place in our own land? If we, as a nation, abandoned the truth, we must expect, both in Church and State, to share the fate of those empires and churches to which he had referred. At this moment he believed we had just reasons to apprehend dangers from Rome. The activity of Popery, compared with our own supineness-not to say betrayal of the truth-all combined, as exemplified amongst themselves,† to help on the cause of Popery. Good, however, might yet again be educed from evil, and the example of Roman Catholics serve as a stimulus to our Protestant fellow-countrymen. He entertained no hostile feelings towards Roman Catholics, but he believed the tem dangerous to themselves and the country. The Protestantism for which he contended was not of a party nature. It was not to elevate one or to depress another of the political parties, but to defend and promote the cause of true liberty and true religion, both at home and throughout the globe. He could not, therefore, consent to see Protestantism treated as a merely political question; it was strictly a religious one. It was to maintain a religion vindicated by the glorious Reformation, and purged from those incrustations of error, with which the Church of Rome had caricatured her. Our religion was not then made, but reformed. We build, as the primitive Christians did, upon the Holy Scriptures, their guide before councils had been convened,

* See Intelligence, post, p. 464.

sys

Two of the Curates at Ramsgate had recently apostatized from our Reformed Church to the Church of Rome.-ED. P. M.

or tradition had corrupted Christianity. In the language of Chillingworth, “The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the religion of Protestants." The subject of his present lecture, he observed, was the “Encroachments of Popery and the Duties of Protestants.” That Popery had made vast inroads upon our Constitution, he need hardly stay to prove that her encroachments, in a variety of ways, were unprecedented, no one acquainted with the case could doubt. The concessions commenced in the reign of King George the Third, when the army, the navy, and the bar were thrown open to them-when the elective franchise was given to Roman Catholics, and Maynooth College legalized, not endowed, for the education of their priesthood. Protestantism had greatly degenerated before this, and other concessions naturally followed. The right of voting given to Roman Catholics, was discovered to bestow the right of returning Roman Catholics as members of the House of Commons. The same feeling which led to the one, seemed to require the other. Admitted to a great variety of privileges, from which their ancestors had been excluded, they very naturally longed for and demanded more. Their appetite for political power and influence increased with that it fed on. Though it was contended that the concessions made would satisfy, that was never found to be the case. Each was made the stepping-stone to another, till, in the reign of King George the Fourth, the full power of sitting in Parliament was given to the Roman Catholics. This, which was to have been the final and healing measure for the wrongs of Ireland—a panacea for all her grievances-which was to have conciliated the regard of Roman Catholics for ever, and to have hushed the strife of contending parties, has been followed by results of a very different nature. It was said, the power thus given will never be great, never available for injurious purposes. Vain delusion! Their number, though only about forty, yet (so equally were what were then termed the two great parties in the State balanced) gave them a ruling power. That forty, by voting or withholding their votes, could secure the passing of a bad measure, and accomplish the rejection of a good one. So that it practically became a question, not so much, what does Sir R. Peel or what does Lord John Russell wish and intend, but, what will the Romish members do? What are the measures to secure their support, or to avert their opposition? And scarcely has a session passed from that time to the present, which has not witnessed fresh aggressions made by the Roman Catholics upon us, and fresh favours conferred upon them. They appear thus to have been made an essential element in the system of government, and will be till the electors of this empire return thoroughly sound Protestant representatives to the House of Commons. Such, in some small degree, is the power and influence Roman Catholics have acquired. To what purposes do they turn it? To the demolition of our Protestant constitution, and the unchristianizing of our nation. Already have they, though the words and meaning of their oath were to the contrary, annihilated several of the bishoprics in Ireland-swept away one-fourth of the incomes of the Irish clergy, obtained possession of the corporations in Ireland, and secured an annual grant of 30,000l. to Maynooth College. Thus they will proceed, if permitted, to the destruction of our own Church and Constitution, and the building up

But shall we

The

their own upon the ruins. permit it? Will the Christian people of this empire suffer it? They need not. power is in their hands to effect the contrary. In our happy country, laws are not made at the will of a tyrant. The consent of the Commons, as well as the Queen and the Lords, is essential. You help to make that House; every one having and exercising the elective franchise is, in a greater or less degree, responsible for the laws that are made. Exercise, then, this responsible duty, as you should use every other talent, for the glory of him who gave it, and to whom each one is accountable. Our Reformers handed down to us a purified faith, and a glorious constitution, but we have neglected to maintain the privileges which were ours. The lecturer then proceeded to read extracts from various catechisms and Romish works, which he had with him, and produced to the meeting. From these he pointed out the superstitious and antiscriptural teaching of the Church of Romeits idolatry, its penances, the worship of the Virgin Mary, the manner in which the second commandment is excluded from many of its catechisms, while the tenth is divided into two to make up the number. Instead of faith in Christ, by whom alone sinful man is saved, and can have access to a Throne of Grace, she inculcates penances and pilgrimages-institutes invocation of saints, and reverences, if not worships, relics of departed men. He then demonstrated the effect of admitting traditions, as superior to, or as joint rule of faith with, the Scriptures, remarking how the Jews had been severely censured by our Saviour, for having corrupted the Word of God by their traditions, teaching for doctrines, the commandments of men. The reading of Holy Scripture was permitted to the laity, in the language of the original, or the authorized Latin translation. Admirable concessions these to the poor working men, and poor women of our country! who, when they know Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, may read the Scriptures! One Pope, Sixtus the Fifth, had put forward a translation as the authorized and infallibly accurate version, pronouncing anathema and condemnation on all who should call it in question. In spite of this, however, another pope, Pope Clement VIII., afterwards put forth another translation, with many emendations. This gave rise to a book by Dr. James, which he called Bellum Papale, sive concordia discors, i. e., the Papal War, or discordant concord; an edition of which, in Latin, has been recently published by the Rev. J. E. Cox, and may be had of the Protestant Association. But the Church of Rome, under certain regulations, allows them to read them in the vulgar tongue; but then she binds them to accept the meaning which she may please to decide shall be affixed to it. The Creed of Pope Pius IV. was as follows:-"I also admit the Holy Scriptures, according to that sense which our Holy Mother, the Church, has held and does hold, to which it belongs to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the Scriptures: nor will I ever take and interpret them otherwise than according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers." Now, what is the practical effect of this? Where is to be found the sense which our Holy Mother, the Church (meaning thereby, the Church of Rome), has held, and does hold? Where is to be found the unanimous interpretation of the Fathers? It is not to be found. Rome does not possess it; Rome cannot produce it; it never existed. VOL. VIII.-October, 1846. G G New Series, No. 10.