Roman Catholics may tell us, that the religion of the reformation is only about three hundred years old; but this assertion, like their doctrine, is without foundation, and consequently must fall; for the reformed church is sanctioned by the approbation of heaven, and supported by the authority of God's own word. And however her

members may be divided into different denominations of professing christians; yet, so long as they attend to the essential truths of christianity, though they may differ in minor points, they are all of one fold, under one Shepherd. And without respect to sect or party, all those who serve God and work righteousness, are accepted of him, and shall be acknowledged at the resurrection of the just.

Now, from this statement already given, we see as little of Peter in the papal power and succession, as we do of Christ in their doctrine; for although they acknowledge both by profession, they deny them in practice, and this cannot be gainsaid, for the description already given of them is recorded in the annals of authentic history, which are open to the world, and bear ample testimony to the facts here asserted.

But notwithstanding the blessed effects of the reformation in different parts of the world, yet great and numerous are the existing evils caused by the Romish Church, which has introduced into the world an almost endless train of errors, that have overspread the earth, and extended their baneful influence amongst a great part of the human family. These errors seem to be interwoven

with the texture of their being, and it is almost as possible to remove mountains by a wish, as to remove these errors out of prejudiced and superstitious minds, without the interposition of God. For so long as the scriptures are kept from the laity, who are denied the right of private judgment in their perusal, the great barrier to truth will be unshaken, and all other efforts to promote amendment will be comparatively ineffectual. The pious missionary may exclaim with the prophet,"Who hath believed our report?" The judicious statesman may reach the last extent of human thought, to know what can be done to conciliate murmuring subjects and dispose them cheerfully to submit to the laws of their sovereign; but in vain do they labour to effect their laudable design, in a genuine and permanent manner, until the cruel mandate against the circulation of the scriptures be first removed, and the layman be allowed to read for himself the will of heaven concerning him in that blessed book, which has God for its author, truth for its matter, and salvation for its end. This would be a greater blessing to the nations, than all the free privileges which might otherwise be conferred, and would be more conducive to the safety and interest of both church and state, than all the combined fury of fulminant hostilities. For if the tree be first made good, its fruit will be good.

But some may be ready to accuse the writer of these lines with more presumption than knowledge in these remarks; but whoever they may be, he begs leave to differ from them in this matter, as

the course of a long experience has given him an advantage above many, of touching on the root of the matter, and sounding the mystery to the very bottom; having possessed motives and feelings in unison with those of many, which nothing but prejudice could sanction, and scripture remove. And

although it is very unpleasant to flesh and blood to record such matters, yet when the glory of God and the good of mankind demand it, every degree of reproach in doing so must be cheerfully submitted to.

Nothing political has been intended to be the subject of discussion in these pages. The above remarks will therefore be excused, and considered as meaning no ill to any, but merely to shew the necessity and utility of the general knowledge of the holy scriptures, the want of which we cannot but deeply deplore; for who can tell the sorrow and calamity, devastation and death, caused by unwarranted admonitions by the Romish clergy to their people, who withhold the genuine instruction, and administer death to precious, immortal souls. Many of these poor deluded creatures are more to be pitied than blamed for whatever they may do improperly; for, in the mystery of iniquity, they are kept in the dark; and in justice it may be said of some of them, that from a secret impulse to do good, their conduct in many cases excels their doctrine, and their zeal in the attendance of religious worship and ordinances would put many to the blush, and shews how capable of divine instruction they are, which yet, alas! is withheld from them. How shall she who calls herself the

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mother and mistress of all churches, appear guiltless before God in judgment, with her hands dyed with the blood of her children? "For the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her false doctrine;" (Rev. xvii, 2. ;) and although she may sit as a queen, and promise herself no sorrow, yet heaven declares that, in one day shall her judgment come, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her: "For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Rev. xviii, 5, 7, 8.

But what shall be done to diffuse the sanative balsam of gospel tidings through the dark places of the earth, to stay the malignant plague of popish error, and cure the deadly wounds it has made? And who can think me too earnest in this important matter, when some who are dear to me are in danger of being swept away by its baneful ravages! Nay, on such a theme 'tis impious to be calm. The law of God is made void by the Romish clergy, who reject it in order to keep their own tradition, and "Teach for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. xv, 9. They have at different times assembled in councils, and forged a system contrary to reason, scripture, and the feelings of humanity, and issued it forth into the world under the appellation of Christian Doctrine, supported and signed by the false seal of pretended infallibility; and imposed it upon a great number of the human race, as the only safe way to heaven, and pronounced all the rest who don't receive it as heretics. And so much is this system the friend of darkness in its liberality, that

any thing may escape its censure easier than vital religion or experimental godliness. For when swearing, sabbath-breaking, drinking, dancing, and singing songs, are indulged in, those who practise them are considered jovial fellows, having good hearts, and not doing much harm, as they are within the pale of the true church, where indulgences and absolution can be so easily obtained. But let any of them be led to see his ruined condition, by the influence of God's word and Spirit saying unto him,"If ye live after the flesh ye shall die; and except ye repent and be converted ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." If he be thus led to seek and find pardon, and the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him, the greatest alarm will be then excited that he is about to apostatize from the true faith, and must be either persecuted as a heretic, or embrace his former errors.

Is this christianity? or is it according to the dictates of their own catechism, which asks-Who is a christian? and then answers by saying, "He who having been baptized, makes profession of believing in Jesus Christ, and of living according to his example and doctrine." But it is not according to the example of Christ to persecute any person for holding any doctrine, much less for holding that of Christ himself. Therefore they are condemned not only by the declaration of our Lord, but by their own also. So all those who persecute others for choosing a creed differing from theirs, as a safer way to heaven, prove themselves to be enemies to Christ, to his example and doc