sharply censured, not only by the adverse party, but by those on their own side. As in the case of Victor, Bishop of Rome, A. D. 196, who excommunicated the Eastern Churches, on account of some difference in the observation of Easter, and was condemned by either party as rash, heady, and turbulent.

And again in the instance of Stephen, Bishop of Rome, A.D. 258, who was condemned as a breaker and disturber of the Churches'

peace; because, contrary to the mild precepts of the Gospel, he would impose upon others the belief of a disputable point. So that the forcing a belief in lesser matters, was never allowed by the primitive Bishops, but was deemed unreasonable and tyrannical; for though there are many Churches, says Ireneus, there is but one faith. Thus by degrees, however, abuses crept into the Church of Rome; the ignorant were deluded by superstition, and not having the Scriptures for their guide, were, as St. Paul expresses it, "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine."

Now Austin, bringing with him all the errors of the Romish Church, and enforcing them upon ours, met with a formidable resistance from the native Christians, who were attached to their national Church, which was established by disciples, who had seen and conversed with the Divine Founder of our holy religion; but this bigoted Prelate determined to bring them under subjec

tion to the Papal See; and accordingly, waded through scenes of human blood to effect his purpose.

With respect to the term Protestant, although it was a name first given in Germany to denote all those who followed the doctrines of Luther and Calvin, it is now become a general denomination for every member of the reformed Church. And, notwithstanding it was not in common use before the great reformation, in the reign of Henry VIII. still it is a well-known fact, that the learned divine Wickliffe, and others in Germany as well, in the reign of Edward III. protested against the errors into which the Church of Rome had fallen, and he, and John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, were condemned as heretics, at a general council held at Constance, A. D. 1414-15. Consequently they and all their followers were decidedly Protestants.

NUMBER XLII.

ON CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

If I am right, Thy grace impart,
Still in the right to stay;
If I am wrong, O teach my heart
To find that better way.

THOUGH we may be assiduous in endeavouring to defend the doctrines of the Church in all their native purity, still should charity, soft emblem of Christianity, influence our conduct, and teach us to lose sight of all animosities. We ought not to condemn too severely, though we may disapprove. The soundest critic, and the most virtuous partisan, should treat with lenity the frailty of mistaken principles. Erroneous opinions may proceed from the age or country in which we happen to be born; they may be palliated by circumstance, but cannot be justified by imitation. Superstitious prejudices, imbibed as duties, should call forth our compassion, rather than our ire; for they overpower the most exalted mind, absorb

the senses, and seem to paralyse the reason.

Let

us then censure with mildness, and forbear to imitate ceremonies, and adopt opinions, that are neither sanctioned by Scripture nor instituted by Divine authority.

Primitive Christians mutually advised and assisted each other for the maintenance of the great precepts of the Gospel, however they might differ in trivial matters or ceremonies of no importance, “Let us follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify one another," saith St. Paul.

Alas! what little attention was paid to this friendly exhortation of the Apostle's. The meekness, love, and charity which he so strongly recommends, was soon turned into pride, rancóur, and contention. Instead of walking up to the same altar hand in hand, many, through a mistaken zeal, though branches of the same vine, cut themselves off from the main body, and were deservedly censured, as violators of the Church's concord, contrary to that love and charity for which the primitive Christians were so eminently distinguished; so much so, indeed, that the heathens, we are informed, observed it with astonishment, and cried out with admiration," Behold how they love one another!" AND

In charity, we are required to bear with each other's infirmities; though, in duty, we are bound to take as much pains to spread the truths of the gospel, to maintain the purity of the Apostolic

Church, and to repel unscriptural tenets, as others do to pervert the great principles of Christianity, and to sow the seeds of discord among their brethren, to the utter disgrace of religion.

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"There are many unruly and vain talkers,” saith St. Paul, and deceivers, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not. Wherefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him.".

"But foolish and unlearned questions" saith this Apostle to Timothy, "avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."

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Continue, then, in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall keep to themselves; teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth"?o snel guilt moi How quickly, after the conclusion of the Apos

It should be recollected that Timothy was instructed from his infancy in all the truths of the Gospel, by his Grandmother, a very pious woman, who had made the SCRIPTURES her study.