he should die and rest in peace. Accordingly he obeyed the voice, was shorn a Monk, and abándoned Britain to its unhappy fate; which soon after became a colony of Saxons, who, in process of time, divided the Island into seven kingdoms, and formed the Saxon Heptarchy. Such was the effect of Cadwalladar's superstition.

Christianity, which had hitherto been exercised in all its native purity, was severely checked by these invaders; who were making rapid strides to enslave the country in its ancient Paganism. And thus was the happiness of a people destroyed, and the welfare of their soul and body involved, through the weakness of one infatuated devotee.

How different was the religion of our illustrious Monarch George III. He was a Christian in every sense of the word; feeling the most awful reverence for the holy ceremonies of the Church and Divine Institutions. It was never, perhaps, more strongly manifested than during the preparations for the installation that took place in 1805.

"A Nobleman, high in favor," it is reported, "having asked in an apparently negligent manner, whether the new Knights would not be obliged to take the Sacrament previous to the installation? The King instantly marked his feelings by a change of countenance; and, with some severity, said-No! That a religious institution is not to be mixed with our profane ceremonies. Even at the time of my coronation I was very

unwilling to take the Sacrament; but, when I was assured it was indispensable, and that I must receive it; before I even approached the Communion Table, I took off the bauble from my head. The Sacrament, my Lord, is not to be profaned by our Gothic institutions !"

And His Majesty's reply to the first Lord of the Treasury, when pressed to consent to bringing in the proposed Bill respecting the Roman Catholic Question, in the year 1807, is sufficient to testify how religiously he felt the obligation of an oath.

"My Lord," said he, "I am one of those who respect an oath. I have firmness sufficient to quit my throne and retire to a cottage, or place my neck on a block or a scaffold, if my people require it; but I have not resolution to break that oath which I took in the most solemn manner at my coronation."

NUMBER XXXVI.

ON ENTHUSIASM.

Let not this weak unknowing hand
Presume thy bolts to throw;
Or deal damnation round the land,
On each I judge thy foe.

THE precision and perspicuity with which the important and necessary articles of Christian faith are drawn up in the Apostles' Creed, render them sufficiently comprehensive to meet the capacity of all classes of Christian disciples. Yet what numbers, who do not fix their attention on these, plunge themselves into a wide expanse of intricacies, and become bewildered in their wanderings ; so that they can neither withdraw themselves, nor proceed, without being lost in the endless maze of romantic windings.

The duties of religion, too, are so clearly pointed out in the Gospel, that no one need perplex himself, or go further than that, either for the regulation of his conduct, or the formation of his religious opinions. But the weakness of human nature is such, that a due medium is rarely attended to. One goes beyond the obligations required of him;

another, with indifference, most shamefully neglects them. A punctual performance of our private devotions-a regular attendance on public worship-and a strict attention to holy institutionsare duties not only consistent with our professions, but absolutely required of us. Notwithstanding, these, according to the Gospel, should give way to the exercise of charitable and active duties of life. But, alas! how grievously mistaken are some of the frenzied enthusiasts of the present day; who, in their zeal for religion, totally neglect the relative duties, and traverse the country to expound the Scriptures and convert sinners ; to the utter ruin of their own families-to the annoyance of the community-and to the great injury of true religion. How is it possible that men bred to common pursuits, and accustomed only to the ordinary occupations of life; without study, and sometimes, without common sense, should be able to explain to others what they do not understand themselves? "Because," say they, "like the Apostles of old, we are inspired. Were they not all poor illiterate men? some fishermen, one a tent maker, another a tax-gatherer?" Hold! says the Biographer, nor suppose for a moment, they were illiterate on that account. For it was the wise custom of the Jews, however respectable and affluent in circumstances, to bring up their children to some trade; that in case of need, they might be able to maintain themselves by the profession or trade in which they were instructed.

St. Paul, therefore, being taught the art of tent making, was no reproach to him, nor impediment to his sublimer studies. Those who are versed in the history of the Apostles, are well aware that St. Paul studied under Gamaliel, an eminent Doctor of the Law; under whose tuition he made such progress, that he far excelled the rest of his fellow students, as we read in Galatians: whence it appears that he was a person of more than ordinary parts and diligence. Neither was St. Matthew an illiterate or needy man. A publican or gatherer of the taxes and tributes, was an office, in those days, of credit and reputation, usually conferred upon Roman Knights. Fl. Sabinus, the Emperor Vaspasian's father, was publican of the Asian Provinces. But the Roman tax-gatherers generally farmed out the business to some of the natives, who best understood the affairs of their own country. St. Matthew, we are informed, was one of these farmers or collectors of the customs; who had very powerful engagements to the world, was in plentiful circumstances, and was in a fair way of increasing his wealth, when he was called by Christ to the Apostleship. Notwithstanding, he left every thing, and gave up all his fair prospects, without hesitation. And though it may appear singular that he should immediately relinquish all, and follow a stranger, still his understanding is not to be called in question. "For," says his Biographer, "it was hardly probable that soft-headed persons would be put into an employ