Frederic, having arrived in Palestine, learnt that Jerusalem had been retaken by the famous Saladin, Sultan of Egypt. This, however, did not prevent his performing many gallant actions in that country, where he continued till his death, which took place in the year 1190.

THIRTEENTH CENTURY.

THIS century was distinguished by the founding of the inquisition, a tribunal erected by the popes, for the examination and punishment of heretics.

In 1215, Pope Innocent III. held at Rome a council, in which, by order of that pontiff, transubstantiation was ranked among the articles of the church of Rome's faith. This was called the Council of Lateran. This council consisted of 412 bishops, 800 abbots and priors, and ambassadors from almost every court in Christendom. At this time, auricular confession was introduced into the Romish church. The power of the pope was increased at this period, immense donations being given him.

FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

In this century the dominion of the Roman church appeared rapidly to decline, owing to the contentions between the pope and the king of France.

The popes now laboured only to increase their authority, and corrupt the pure doctrines of religion. Boniface VIII., a detestable character, established the jubilee in the year 1300.

Under false pretences he excommunicated Philip the Fair; but that prince sent troops into Italy and took him prisoner at Arrania, from whence he was sent to Rome, where he died of rage and despair. At this time Wickliffe, the great English reformer, opposing the errors of the church of Rome, was brought be

fore the bishop in St. Paul's, and finally silenced. His followers were distinguished by the name of Lollards. He died in 1385, at Lutterworth, and owing to the hatred which was entertained by the Romish church against him and his doctrines, his remains many years after his death were dug up, burnt to ashes, and thrown into the river.

FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

THE ignorance and ambition of the ecclesiastics, at this period, created a general disorder. There were no less than three popes, who mutually excommunicated each other, and who, supported by princes of their respective parties, stirred up dreadful dissensions and troubles in all the states of Europe.

The emperor Sigismond, with the consent of the other princes of the empire, assembled a council at Constance, when the two surviving popes, Benedict XII. and John XXIII. were deposed, and Cardinal Odo Colonne, who took the name of Martin V., elected in their room.

It was at this council, that John Huss and Jerome of Prague, his disciple, were condemned to be burnt for having written and preached against the flagrant abuses of the Roman church. Sigismond had granted them safe conduct to Constance, where, contrary to all public faith, they were put to a cruel death. Their death was, however, avenged by John Ziska, a man of noble family, and in high repute for his wisdom and courage. This person declared war against Sigismond, and in several engagements defeated his armies.

This century was distinguished by the discovery of the new world, by Columbus, and also by the noble art of printing, which was invented in 1440.

Learning was now cultivated with incredible ardour, and the family of the Medici was raised up to patronize science; and towards the end of this century, Erasmus arose, whose good sense, taste, and industry, were un

commonly serviceable to the reformation. By his labours, monastic superstition received a wound, which has never been healed; and learned men were furnished with critical skill and ingenuity, of which they failed not to avail themselves in the instruction of mankind to a degree beyond what Erasmus himself had ever conceived.

Thus, under the care of Divine Providence, materials were collected for the diffusion of that light, which appeared in the next century.

About the year 1487, Innocent VIII. invested Albert, archdeacon of Cremona, with power to persecute the Waldenses in the south of France, and in the vallies of Piedmont. This persecution was marked with the most savage barbarity, and continued till the reformation, by Luther.

Constantinople, during the reign of Constantine VIII., was taken by Mahomet II., emperor of the Turks, in 1453. In 1491, the Spaniards took Grenada from the Mahometans, being the only city that they then possessed in Spain.

SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

THIS century is distinguished for the great Reformation under the instrumentality of Martin Luther. The reformed religion, although greatly opposed by the pope and his adherents, was received in Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Prussia, and, to some extent, even in France.

In England, the papal power was overthrown in consequence of difficulties occurring between the reigning monarch, Henry VIII. and the pope, which finally resulted in a separation of England from the Romish church.

In 1546, the same year that terminated the life of Luther, the famous council of Trent was convened, and began to publish its decrees in favour of the doctrines and discipline of the church of Rome.

In 1517, the reformation was begun by Luther in Germany. In 1540, the order of Jesuits was established, and Ignatius Loyola appointed first general of the order. In 1560, the reformation was completed in Scotland by John Knox, and the papal authority abolished. In 1572, the massacre of St. Bartholomews took place, the object of which was the destruction of all protestants in France; and in 1598 the edict of Nantes was issued, tolerating the protestant religion in France. Towards the conclusion of the reign of Henry VIII. parliament had passed an act, commonly known by the name of the bloody statute,' consisting of six articles, designed to favour the cause of popery. By these articles it was enacted, that in the sacrament, the bread and wine are changed to the body and blood of Christ; that communion in both kinds is not essential to the common people; and that priests may not marry; with other sentiments of a similar character.

In consequence of these articles, many were persecuted and compelled to flee the country; but at the accession of Edward to the English throne, this statute was repealed.

During this prince's reign, the Liturgy, or Church Service Book of England was composed. About this time also, articles of religion to the number of fortytwo, were agreed upon by the bishops and clergy, to which subscription was required, by all who held ecclesiastical offices. These articles were the basis of the celebrated thirty-nine articles of the church of England, which form at present the code of faith and discipline in that church.

Edward died in 1553, and at his death gave the crown to Lady Jane Grey; but the same year the princess Mary, a bigoted papist, claimed the throne as her right, and succeeded in taking possession of it, August,

1553.

Mary now united herself in marriage with Philip, of Spain, and in 1554 Cardinal Pole arrived from Rome, with authority from the pope to receive the submission of the king and queen, which was offered on their

knees. When this was done, the cardinal pronounced the kingdom absolved from all censures, and once more returned to the bosom of the Catholic church.

Soon after this reconciliation was effected, an act was passed in parliament for the burning of heretics, and in less than two years above four hundred were publicly executed. Among the distinguished men who suffered were Rogers, Saunders, Hooper, Taylor, Ridley, Latimer, and Cranmer.

At a meeting of parliament in January, 1559, a majority were found in favour of the reformation, at which time several acts were passed in favour of the protestant

cause.

In this century, the sect called Puritans were formed, being dissenters from the church of England.

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

In the year 1602, the puritans separated from the established church, and organized themselves into two churches; the history of one, after a short time, is lost. Of the other, Mr. John Robinson was elected pastor, and in 1608, owing to the persecution they received in England, they removed to Holland, and on the 6th of September, 1620, a portion of this church, under the charge of Elder Brewer, set sail for America, and landed at Plymouth, New England, the 22d of December.

In 1605, a scheme was formed by the Roman Catholics, the object of which was to cut off at one blow the king, lords, and commons, at a meeting of parliament. This was called the gunpowder plot. Happily, the design was discovered in time to prevent its execution. In 1613, a translation of the Bible into the English tongue was made, being the same which is now in use.

In 1685, the famous edict of Nantes was revoked by Lewis XIV. In 1646, Mr. Eliot, a distinguished minister of New England, applied himself to the improvement of the Indians in that quarter, and met with great success. He laboured till his death in 1690.