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POPERY AND PUSEYISM SIMILAR.

testing some of its dogmas by the statements of the New Testament, thus endeavour to show its hostility to the simple truths and spiritual worship of venerated protestantism. Thus in a collateral point of view, by showing some of the leading and dangerous errors of the Tractarian system, (which, like the simoon of the east, desolates wherever it goes,) we shall further illustrate the necessity that exists, to "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." Observe, then,

FIRST. PUSEYISM AND POPERY DISPARAGE INSPIRATION, AND EXALT TRADITION.

There are ministers, and laymen, who still wearing the name of protestants, deny the fundamental protestant doctrine-of the sufficiency and entire authority of the Holy Scriptures, as the only rule of faith, worship, and practice. In opposition to this protestant axiom, the Council of Trent maintains, "that there is not expressly contained in scripture all necessary doctrine, concerning faith and manners." Cardinal Bellarmine also testifies "that Romish doctors assert, that the entire necessary doctrine, whether of faith or manners, is not contained in scripture, and that therefore, besides the written word of God, an unwritten word is required-that is, divine apostolical tradition." Dr. Wiseman also (the present Roman Catholic Bishop), in

THEY EXALT TRADITION.

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his recently published Lectures, speaking of the test of doctrine amongst catholics, says, “they allow of no authority but the word of God, written and unwritten." These are Romish testimonies. What says Mr. Froude? Hear him:-"Your trumpery principle about scripture being the sole rule of faith in fundamentals." What says Mr. Newman of Oxford? These are his words:" Surely the sacred volume was never intended, and was not adapted, to teach us our creed, however certain it is, that we can prove our creed from it, when it has once been taught us." Hear next the language of the Oxford Tracts. "No men actually do-few men living in society could-form from the word of God only, their religious and moral system." All these witnesses, then, disparage and impugn the sole authority and sufficiency of Inspiration. The golden sentence of the immortal Chillingworth has come to be coolly looked upon by many, and to be regarded with jealousy, if not wholly disowned, by the arrogant claimants and apologists of apostolical powers. Let us now hear Chillingworth. He was brought up as a protestant, but left her communion, and seceded to the Church of Rome. Having reason, however, to believe that the Roman Catholic Church was an apostate church, he came over again to the Church of

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CHILLINGWORTH'S DECLARATION.

England, and died in her communion. The remarks now about to be adduced relative to the religion of protestants, and relative also to Romanism, were written to a popish priest, after his secession from the Church of Rome. He says, "By the religion of protestants, I do not understand the doctrine of Luther, or Calvin, or Melancthon, nor the confession of Augsburg, or Geneva, nor the catechism of Heidelberg, nor the articles of the Church of England, nor the harmony of protestant confessions; but that wherein they all agree, and to which they all subscribe with a greater harmony, as a PERFECT RULE of faith and action, that is, the Bible; THE BIBLE, I say, THE BIBLE ONLY, IS THE RELIGION OF PROTESTANTS. Whatever else they believe besides, and the plain, irrefragable, indubitable consequences of it, they may well hold as a matter of opinion; but as a matter of faith, and religion, they can neither on their own grounds believe it themselves, nor require others to believe it, without most high and schismatic presumption."

But the papists, and the Puseyites, both differ from the sentiments which have just been quoted. Not a few of either party have thrown out (not indirect, unintelligible hints, or specious inuendos, but) broad and bold assertions, that the Scriptures alone are not able to make men wise

MR. FABER'S VIEWS.

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unto salvation. They object to the Bible being regarded as its own expositor. They look with jealous suspicion on the noble efforts made tc give to all, in their own tongue, without note o comment, the "book of all books the best," the volume of the Sacred Scriptures. Creeds, rubrics, and homilies are accordingly being extolled to the skies, and are to be appealed to now. Hence Mr. Faber (no mean authority) has said, "Scripture and antiquity are the two pillars, upon which all rationally established faith must ultimately repose." But we ask, Is the pillar of antiquity sound, uninjured, without fracture? We read not any where in our bibles that "antiquity" is the pillar and ground of truth; and history tells us far otherwise, that it is a broken reed at best, and oft a spear, on which faith bleeds, and hope expires. Where, then, is the Church catholics' tradition to be found, and is its interpretation in all ages the same, and uniformly consonant with bible truth? On these questions, let Chillingworth again speak out. He says, 66 I, for my part, after a long and, as I verily believe and hope, impartial search after the true way of eternal happiness, do profess plainly, that I cannot find any rest for the sole of my feet, but upon this rock only, THE BIBLE. I see plainly with my own eyes, that there are Popes against Popes, and Councils

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TESTIMONIES OF CHILLINGWORTH.

against Councils, some Fathers against Fathers, and the same Fathers against themselves; a consent of Fathers of one age, against a consent of Fathers of another age. Traditional interpretations of scripture are pretended, but there are few, or none, to be found. In one word, there is no sufficient certainty, but of scripture only, for any considering man to build upon. Propose me any thing out of this book, and require me, whether I believe it or not, and, seem it ever so incomprehensible to human. reason, I will subscribe it with hand and heart, as knowing that no demonstration can be stronger than this-GOD HATH SAID So, therefore it is true." Hear another still more ancient authority. St. Chrysostom asserts, that "the only way of arriving at the knowledge of genuine christianity, is to search-not antiquated Fathers, but the Scriptures, the Bible

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It is stated of Archbishop Usher, that it took him nearly nineteen years to get through "The Fathers!" though he read a portion every day, no matter what other business demanded his attention. Is there one of a thousand of those who so greatly extol the Fathers, who have read a tythe portion of their ponderous volumes? The Rev. John Burnet, in his recent five Lectures, [price ls.] says, You are to take Chrysostom, and Jerome, and Irenæus, and Basil, and all the saints in fact, and all the Fathers, from the first to the twelfth century (for they

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