ercise episcopal authority over any British see. Thus, Dr. Poynter, the Vicar Apostolic of the London district, is the Bishop of Halia; Dr. Collingridge, Vicar Apostolic of the western district, is the Bishop of Thespia; Dr. Smith, the Vicar Apostolic of the northern district, is the Bishop of Balina; and the new Vicar Apostolic of the midland district, whose name, we believe, is Dr. Walsh, is Bishop of Cambysopolis. Every Vicar Apostolic has his Coadjutor, who is also a titular bishop; and several other prelates reside in England, to whom no special offices appear to be assigned. "Though the English Romanists number among them many persons of exalted rank and of extensive possessions, the leaders of their church complain bitterly of the difficulty of maintaining their religious institutions, providing for their clergy, and erecting their chapels. It appears that in the beginning of the French Revolution, a considerable sum which belonged to the mission in this country, but which had been deposited in the French funds, with a view to its security, was confiscated in common with all other British property in France. The privation of these funds,' says Bishop Poynter, has been severely felt by all the missions in England, and most particularly by the mission in the London district. We are still deprived of them; and the consequent want of clergy is daily increasing, while the congregations are growing more numerous; and even if the whole of the property belonging to this district should be recovered on the most favourable terms, it must fall greatly short of supplying the actual necessities of this mission.' "The stations appear to be supported now, partly by the contributions of each to its pastor, and partly by the mission fund connected with the district in which it is placed. Of the manner in which the cause is pleaded, some idea may be formed from an address on behalf of the London Mission Fund, dated Sept. 1, 1826, signed by the Vicar Apostolic, which begins thus: This institution was established November 13th, 1815, with the approbation of R. R., the Vicar Apostolic of the district, for the purpose of providing funds for the education of pastors for the mission, and also to assist in the erection of chapels, or any work that might promote the interests of religion. It provides against the danger of leaving the flock without pastors, a circumstance that has already often occurred; and secures to the present and rising generation all the invaluable blessings of religion in life, and the comforts of the minister of Christ in the hour of death. Each person becoming a member enjoys the benefit of having the holy sacrifice offered up for him the first Sunday in every month, at Virginiastreet chapel; and he also participates in the benefit of four masses that are celebrated every week in the Bishop's College, for its members and benefactors. Such are the advantages, and such are the objects that are aimed at by this institution: objects that should induce every Catholic who is sincerely attached to the faith of his ancestors, to seize with gladness this opportunity of propitiating the favour of the Almighty, and laying up for himself immortal treasures in heaven." representation given in the Laity's Di an annual Roman Catholic publication, pressed with such heavy debts as ren condition of their immediate supporte little embarrassing. Inducements pec the Romish church are presented to th tion of the wealthy, yet all seems to vailing. Thus we read, in one case, '1 B. Barber engages to offer up the masso Sundays every year for the benefactor chapel, and likewise four masses in for all who lie in the burying-ground b to it' in another case, The benefact a share in the prayers offered up for t ring the sacrifice of the mass:' and in Annually, on the 5th of November, high mass is offered up for the repos souls of all those whose remains are in the vaults or in the burial ground the Sunday within the octave of the tion of the B. V. Mary, for the benef the chapel.' Yet somehow-whether noble earls and viscounts have no conf the efficacy of the Rev. B. Barber's or whether it be that they think that t paid for masses enough already for all purposes or whether it be that they set all right by availing themselves o leged vault-how it is we know not. is, that though these statements have lished year after year, yet the chape in debt still! "As the Laity's Directory for the tains a catalogue of the missions, int with observations and appeals, we ha voured to ascertain the number of o each county, which are regularly sup clergymen. In some cases a little un remains, but we believe that the foll is nearly correct; and it appears, the a few stations are vacant, yet, as s two or more ministers, the number lains' is, on the whole, rather larger number of recorded chapels. Bedfordshire Berkshire Bucks Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cornwall Cumberland Derbyshire Devonshire Dorsetshire Durham Essex Gloucestershire Herefordshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Middlesex Monmouthshire Norfolk Nottinghamshire Northamptonshire Northumberland "This catalogue does not include the whole number of Roman Catholic clergymen resident in this country: some are incidentally mentioned in different parts of the Laity's Directory, whose names do not occur in the list of chaplains. against proselytism which it is so fashionable now to raise, but which can only arise from sceptical indifference to truth and to eternal interests. We must value zeal wherever we find it. But while we witness it, we are called upon to emulate, and to show that our better principles are not unproductive. The diffusion of scriptural knowledge is the most suitable resistance which we can make to the progress of popery. It is the 'sword of the spirit which will slay the man of sin.' We will conclude, therefore, by borrowing a sentence or two from a contemporary journal, and saying, 'Popery can increase only through Protestant neglect. It is the after-growth of ignorance and formality; a moral contagion which becomes endemic, solely through a negligent husbandry producing a vitiated atmosphere.-The state of Ireland proves that the increase of papists is the crime, and shame, and punishment of Protestant secularity and indolence.'' From the Christian Observer. ON THE PROPHECIES OF SCRIPTURE I BEG leave to offer, for the consideration of your readers, the following remarks on the prophecies of Scripture relating to the Mohammedans, as a sort of supplement to a paper on the same subject in the Christian Observer for December, 1802, signed JUVENIS. The events which have recently taken place in reference to Turkey, give new interest to the prophecies relating to the Mohammedan religion; and I cannot but hope that an attentive examination of them will lead to instruction and edification. "Whether the Roman Catholic religion is, or is not, making progress in this country, is a question very frequently agitated, but one which it is very difficult to decide. There is reason to think, that in London the number of professed Catholics has increased materially. The register of baptisms in their ten principal chapels in the metropolis, exhibits a regular progression during the last five years; in 1822, the number was 2376; the next year 2686; then 2992; then 3225; and in 1826, 3499.Now if we calculate thirty persons to a birth, which is generally reckoned a tolerably fair estimate, we shall rate the whole Catholic population connected with those ten chapels at 71,280 in 1822, and in 1826 at 104,970. The representation given by the Roman Catholics themselves is, that the increase is very considerable. But it appears that the increase in the number of chapels of late years has been but small, and the writer cannot divest himself of the idea, that it is rather from accessions from Ireland, than from conversions in England, that the increase arises. It appears to be greatest in that part of the country which is most exposed to visits from our western neigh-stress must be laid upon his declaration. It bours. There is no instance,' we are told, in which the rapid increase of those professing the Catholic religion can produce greater surprise and satisfaction, than in the town of Liverpool. From accurate calculation, there are now more than 33,000 Catholics resident therein. The total number of inhabitants, according to the last census, is 141,487. Total number of births, according to the bill of mortality, 1821, 4390. Total of Catholic children born in the same period, 1100.' "That the Roman Catholics are displaying unprecedented activity in the circulation of tracts and books, and in strenuous endeavours It is a singular circumstance, that Mohammed himself said that the prevalence of his doctrines should continue for twelve centuries. As Mohammed was not an inspired prophet, no however so happens, that if we deduct twelve centuries from the year 1826, we recur to the year of our Lord 626. Bishop Newton, commenting on Rev. ix. 1-12, observes concerning that very year (626) as follows:-"As the natural locusts are bred in pits and holes of the earth, so these mystical locusts are truly infernal, and proceed with the smoke from the bottomless pit." "It is also a remarkable coincidence," continues the Bishop, "that at this time the sun and the air were literally darkened. For we learn from an eminent Arabian historian, that in the seventeenth year of Heraclius half the body of the sun was eclipsed; and 244 Prophecies of Scripture relative to the Mohammedans. 685. Abdimelech began the conqu sopotamia and Armenia. 710. The Saracens conquered Spa a circumstance not less remarkable than the one mentioned by Bishop Newton. He says, "Vapor, ut ex camino ignis, visus est ebullire inter Theram et Therasiam insulas ex profundo maris, per aliquot dies; quo paulatim incrassato et dilatato, igniti æstûs incendio, totus fumus igneus monstrabatur. Porro cras-commission is to hurt only those men situdine terrena substantiæ petrinos pumices grandes, et cumulos quosdam transmisit, per totam Minorem Asiam," &c. This event happened precisely at the time when Mohammed began to preach, and Pope Boniface the IVth dedicated the Pantheon to the images of the saints and martyrs, as may be seen in Hospinian: so that the event and coincidence confirm, that the Mohammedan apostasy, like the empire of ancient Persia, was permitted to prevail for the special purpose of punishing those who worshipped the works of their own hands, and demons, and idols of gold and silver and brass and stone and wood, as expressly declared in Rev. ix, 20, 21. In respect to the star which falls from Heaven, Mr. Brightman, an old commentator, who published on the Revelation in 1618, is of opinion that by it is signified both the Mohammedan and Papal arch-apostates: the latte especially, in the character of the usurper of the key of Hades: to which opinion I most cordially assent, though I do not undertake the defence of it; but only of Bishop Newton's application of the fifth and sixth trumpets to the Mohammedans. The time allotted to the first wo, which is the effect of the fifth trumpet, is five months. I am not aware that before Lord Napier, the inventor of Logarithms, discovered that a day prophetically signifies a year, any person suspected that it did so. He published in 1588, and his calculation of the times of Popery terminated in 1697 or 1700 (Floyer's Appendix to the Sibylline Oracles, p. 327; and Napier on Rev. xiv. 20). Five months, according to this account, amount to 150 years; but as this period is twice mentioned, some have supposed that the entire number is 300 years. But what is most important is, to notice that all admit that the period of time allotted to the sixth trumpet and its effects is declared to be finished, in the words "The second wo is past," long before the ruin of the Saracen empire. Sir John Floyer gives us the following chronological series of events in that empire. A. D. 622. Mohammed was the first commander of the Saracens. He fled from Mecca in 622, when his Hegira begins. 637. Omar conquered Syria, Persia, Palestine, and Egypt. 638. Jerusalem was taken, after two years' siege; and it was then agreed that the Christians should not wear turbans, nor part their hair, as they did; but should wear girdles, and shave the fore part of their head. 639. All Syria conquered by the Saracens. 641. Antioch destroyed, Damascus taken, Phenicia invaded, and Égypt subdued. 648. Osman conquered Barbary. prus. not the seal of God in their forehead "The event" (says Sir I. New prove the Apocalypse; and this pro proved and understood, will open phets; and all together will make true religion, and establish it. The Life of Cain. will understand the old prophets, must begin with this; but the time is not yet come for understanding them perfectly, because the main revolution predicted in them is not yet accomplished. In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets; and then, the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever. Apoc. x. 7; xi. 15. "There is already so much of the prophecy fulfilled, that as many as will take pains in this study may see sufficient instances of God's providence; but then, the signal revolutions, predicted by all the holy prophets, will at once both turn men's eyes upon considering the predictions, and plainly interpret them. Till then we must content ourselves with interpreting what hath been already fulfilled. Amongst the interpreters of the last age there is scarce one of note who hath not made some discovery worth knowing; and thence I seem to gather that God is about opening these mysteries. The success of others put me upon considering it; and if I have done any thing which may be useful to following writers, I have my design." -(Sir I. Newton on Daniel and the Apocalypse, p. 252.) Whiston is the most exact commentator on the ninth chapter of the Apocalypse, which is our immediate subject; and he says: "The reader must give me leave to say somewhat about that grand rule of interpretation, which is of so great importance to the understanding of the Apocalypse; and the neglect whereof look upon to have been the general occasion of almost all the errors of expositors, one way or other. I mean, that the order of all the visions is to be wholly taken from intrinsic characters in the book itself, and not at all to be conformed to any particular hypotheses or explanations; and that from such an order, first established, all the certainty and evidence of future applications is to be derived; and without such order so established, all expositions must be precarious and uncertain, and only depend on the fancy of every commentator. This was the great Mr. Mede's settled and constant judgment in this matter; and his attempt, being built on this method, had such vast and unexpected success, that the body of the Protestant churches have generally declared themselves satisfied in the greatest part of his foundations, and of his superstructure. The learned Dr. H. More and Monsieur Jurieu generally follow Mr. Mede, and so are certainly some of our best commentators on this book."-(Whiston's Essay on the Revelation, p. 107.) My third testimony is that of Bishop Warburton. "How extravagant soever," says the Bishop, "some Protestant interpreters have been, when they gave a loose to th tiona 24 various churches who broke loose from his en chantments, agreed in supporting the vindica tion of their liberty on this common principle formation begun and carried on: on this the that the Pope, or Church of Rome, was the great separation from the Church of Rome was very Antichrist foretold. On this was the Re tion for opinion would acquit those of schism whom the Church of Rome had driven from conceived and perfected: for, though persecu is Antichrist, they had not only a right, but lay under the obligation of a command, to come her communion; yet, on the principle that she out of the spiritual Babylon. On this principle (the common ground, as we say, of the Reformation), the several Protestant churches, how different soever in their various models, foundation."-(Bishop Warburton's Works, vol. were all erected, though, in course of time, some of the less stable have slipped beside their Antichrist, and that the ninth chapter of the v. p. 448.) Apocalypse predicts the pest of MohammedanAll these writers agree, that the Papacy is ism. all sensible inquirers; and in the use of this method, Jurieu has in a few pages shown the A notioribus ad minus nota is the method of agreements of Protestants and Romanists respecting the meaning of the prophecies relating Romanists in diverging at this point, and comto Antichrist; discovered the point where their pletely refuted them: and most cordially do I two systems diverge; shown the error of the subscribe to the closing remark of his admirament of the Prophecies:-"We know of no ble work, the Continuation of the AccomplishChristian church in the West, except the phetically described in the New Testament. Church of Rome, that doth not discern the paThe most famous lights of the Church of Engpacy to be the anti-Christianism that is proUsher, Mr. Mede, and Dr. Bedle, and an hunland have taught us almost every thing that we know concerning that subject. Bishop dred such as they, will easily carry the day above a thousand late writers, if there be so many." tered over the pages of the Bible: all of them that ever existed. Such was Adam, when he came pure from the hands of his Creator. II. The parents of Cain were married in Paradise. Adam, although made in the image of God, could not be happy in his solitary state; even Paradise was not sufficient to make him so. He had no friend, no companion, no associate; and the Lord said, It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make an help meet for him. And the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and the Lord opened his side, from which he took a rib, and of this rib he made a woman, whom he brought to the man, and she became his wife. Observe, she was not taken from his head, to teach her that she was not to have dominion; nor from his feet, to teach him not to trample on her; but from his side, that she might be the partner of his joys, that he might press her to his bosom, and love her as himself. This was paradisaical matrimony; and wherever true religion reigns, the primeval state is nearly restored. This was the original institution of marriage, and says more for the dignity, honour, and happiness, of the married state, than men or angels could advance on the subject. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Every violation of the marriage contract is in opposition to the will of God; all breaches, separations, and divorces, are contrary to the original design of the Creator. Christ taught this doctrine : hence the Pharisees inquired, "Why, then, did Moses command to give her a writing of divorcement, and put her away?" Jesus answered, "For the hardness of your heart Moses gave you this commandment, but from the beginning it was not so;" and I confess that there is something in these transactions so unchristian, and so abhorrent to every virtuous feeling, that I could not marry a person who had been divorced. III. Cain was born a sinner. His parents were spotless characters, when they first drew the breath of life, and God gave them a Paradise suited to their pure and peaceful nature. This heaven upon earth they might have retained, but they quickly lost it; for Satan, envying their felicity, tempted Eve to break the divine command, and he fatally succeeded; then she became a tempter of her husband, and he also fell. Hence came death, and all our wo. Immediately on the entrance of sin, happiness departed; and the once peaceful breast of Adam was seized with tormenting fear. Unable to endure the stings of a guilty conscience, he tried to hide himself from the presence of God among the trees of the garden: but the Lord, with a voice more terrible than can be conceived, arrested the fugitive; and in a mixture of displeasure and mercy drew him from his concealment, and denounced a curse upon him, and also upon his wife; but not before he had given a promise, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head. In this part of the divine procedure, there appears a degree of mercy, which we can 16 Gadbad Eve would have found it insupportab have sunk into despair. There is one part of the curse passed serpent, which ought to be particularly "I will put enmity between thee and man"—that is, a reciprocal, unalteral eternal hatred. She shall hate thee, ways, and thy service, and thy work: no mortal ever did who was not a par the divine nature-who was not born Spirit; and I consider that this makes vation of Eve certain. As soon as the sentence was passed, cution followed, and they were driven abode of innocence, to return to it n The Lord drove them out, and placed bim and a flaming sword, to guard the the tree of life; plainly intimating t could not approach God, as he had d viously to his being a transgressor; now a new and living way was opened. the medium of the promised seed. S after their expulsion from Paradise, gat a son in his own likeness-a sinf of sinful parents-and they called h Cain. IV. It is supposed, that at the birth his mother thought she had brought Messiah. There are two things which led to position: First, the name which they -Cain signifies "Possessions;" Seco exclamation of Eve-"I have gotte from the Lord;" literally, I have gott the Lord. If these were the hopes of parent, the sequel shows how greatl disappointed. When a dear little babe ed into the world, its parents can no joice; yet they ought to rejoice with t and lift up their hearts to God, for creating Spirit to sanctify their off's they become like Cain, or Absalom, V. Cain is the first person noticed shipper of Jehovah. In process of time he brought an the fruits of the ground, and his bro brought a firstling of the flock. Th mention of sacrifices prior to this, there can be no doubt that these tw ing youths were early initiated into t service. They had long worn garm of the skins of the animals offered in and judging from our own solicitud municate religious knowledge to our we cannot, for a moment, think that Eve would neglect to inform their s sinner could be saved. With the Adam in innocence we are unacquai this most ancient mode of worship, by sinners, is at once solemn and s Whoever offers sacrifice, does, in knowledge the three following t That he has offended God; 2. Tha mal which he offers is innocent; 3 hopes to obtain the expiation of through the sufferings and death of cent victim. This is the real meanin fice; and although the Pagans have fused ideas on the subject, yet t of this nature to it. |