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Juvenile Department.

HISTORICAL ESSAYS.

No. XV.

On the Corruption of Christianity in
Britain, during the Reign of Ed

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ward I. A. D. 1972-1307.

A GREATER contrast of talent and character can scarcely be found than that presented in the lives and reigns of Henry III. and his son Edward I. The weakness of the former encouraged clerical avarice and oppression; the energy of the latter had happily the contrary effect; and one cannot but be sur: prised at the tranquillity of this reign, as it respects contests with the Court of Rome, succeeding, as it immediately did, the encroachments and abominations which disgraced the father's reign.

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of their profession, that, as it respects this world, neglect, contempt, and even persecution, will be their lot, in proportion as they follow the example of its divine Author. It is influential on all its disciples, whatever may be their temporal distinctions. It opens the hearts of the rich, and gives confidence to the poor. It humbles the pride of the powerful, and dignifies the lowliest of its believers. It fills the heart of the peasant with contentment, and clothes even the royal disciple with humility. In fact, as it completely changes the bias of the will, and the object of the affections, presenting to the mind a rule of obedience, the very transcript of the divine perfections,—it countenances no vice, and acknowledges its followers only so far as they become confirmed to its boly regulations. It has no worldly How forcible a proof of the anti- end to answer, but aspires alone to christian nature of Popery is dedu-prepare its friends for heaven. cible from these glaring facts! Genuine Christianity appears the same in every age, and under all the varying circumstances of human life. Instead of bending to the peculiarities and foibles of the human character, it never fails to correct them, wherever it is sincerely received; and, instead of stooping to effect its glorious designs by the low policy of interested mortals, it adopts a line of conduct the most simple and ingenuous; distinctly stating, and by its uniform practice proving, that the kingdom which it aims to pro-reign; but the severity of their senmote is not of this world, being enthroned in the regenerate heart; but is spiritual in its nature, and will be eternal in its duration. It therefore seeks no secular establishment; offers no splendid offices-no lucrative employments. It puts the sin-ed the kingdom, to the number of cerity of its converts to the test, as fifteen thousand. A scanty pittance suring them at the commencement was allowed them, to defray their VOL. XII. 3 c.

It is not, therefore, too much to say, that this was a very antichristian age; and that the superstition which it professed, was any thing rather than Christianity. It is very remarkable that, in proportion as the system adopted diverges from the genuine religion we have already described, its professors are unwilling to tolerate differences of opinion and practice. The persecution of the Jews, therefore, on pretence of punishing them for adulteration of the coin, very early disgraced this

tence leaves no doubt that that was but a part of their crime. Two hundred and eighty of their number were executed; and subsequently the property of the remainder was confiscated, and themselves banish

taken. The Pope's interference in the disputes with Scotland, which country Edward was determined to subdue, was alike unsuccessful, and his claim to be considered liege lord of that country utterly disre

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Edward," says a celebrated historian, seems to have been the first Christian prince that passed a statute of mortmain, and prevented by law the clergy from making new acquisitions of lands,

they were for ever prohibited from alienating." In short, various were the abuses which he corrected, and various were the clerical encroach

Yet this high-spirited prince would even court papal interference, when it suited his purpose. Having been compelled to agree to the observance of the Great Charter, and that of Forests, while on the Continent, to secure domestic tranquillity in his absence, he obtained absolution from his engagements from the Pope, of whose assistance he availed himself as opportunity offered; and, subsequently, with the King of France, was induced to appeal to his Holiness, as an arbitrator of their differences. He also continued to pay the tribute to which King John had so basely subjected the kingdom, now less offensively designated a census, and even acquiesced in the levying of first fruits; a new scheme of the mighty pontiff, invented during this reign for filling his coffers.

travelling expenses; but of this the inhabitants of the Cinque Ports despoiled them, as they were leaving the country. What an incontrovertible proof of the veracity of scriptural prophecy does the general treatment of this once highly favour-garded. ed people afford; yet how inexcusable is the irreligious conduct of professed Christians towards them! May the youthful reader cultivate a benevolent, rather than a hostile, disposition towards this distinguish-which, by the ecclesiastical canons, ed people; and may the efforts made for their conversion to Christianity be attended with the blessing of its Author! It has been remarked, that super-ments which he at once abolished. stition is peculiarly the vice of weak minds. A glance at the elements of the mind and character of Edward prepares us to expect, that his efforts would rather tend to the recovery of liberty, than to new concessions to the tyranny of Rome. Excepting his love of crusades, which might, perhaps, be traced to his passion for military glory, he seems to have been but little under the influence of popish enthusiasm. Accordingly, his triumphs over the waning power of his Holiness were repeated. Edward being a warlike prince, was frequently engaged in expensive contests with his neighbours. On this account it became desirable that the burden of taxation should be as far as possible equalized. The clergy, therefore, who had long gloried in their assumed privileges and pre-eminence, were progressively Nothing can be more evident than taxed; nor was the King to be that the excellent principles, emalarmed by their remonstrances, phatically called Christian, which nor even by the bull of Boniface we attempted to describe at the VIII. a man of lofty spirit. They commencement of this essay, neihad obtained this bull, and proceed- ther influenced princes nor priests ed to publish its anathemas. Ed- in this dark and degenerate age: ward, on the other hand, pursued a nor indeed will their benevolent series of punishments, till he placed effects be ever realized, whatever these refractory subjects out of the may be the degree of general knowprotection of the laws. The dis-ledge diffused, while the tyranny of spirited clergy, in every direction insulted, robbed, and abused, at length yielded, and made a composition with the King; but, to preserve appearances, and, if possible, avoid the charge of violating their master's injunctions, they deposited their tribute in a certain church, from which their sovereign had it

so infernal a system as Popery can hold in subjection the human mind. May the youthful reader feel truly thankful for the distinguished privileges Protestantism has since happily introduced!

H. S. A.

Obituary.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF YORK.

"WHITEHALL, August 7, 1820.-Yesterday morning, "about nine o'clock, departed this life, at Oatlands, after a painful illness, her Royal Highness Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherine, Consort of his Royal Highness Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, to the great grief of his Majesty and all the Royal Family."-London Gazette.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York was eldest daughter of the late King of Prussia, by his first consort, Elizabeth Ulrica Christiana, of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttle. She was born May 7, 1767, and was married to the Duke of York in September, 1791. Her Royal Highness, partly from the state of her health, and in part, it is said, from other causes, lived in much retirement during her latter years. She was of an amiable and kind disposition. Her charities, though unostentatious, were extensive and judicious. She was regarded with gratitude by the poor of her neighbourhood, and was beloved and esteemed by all whom she honoured with her acquaintance.

MARTHA GOODLIFFE,
Aged 40.

DIED, July 20, 1819, Martha, the wife of John Goodliffe, who is a member of the Baptist Church at Keysoe, in Bedfordshire, but who resides at Pertenhall. She was reconciled to her husband's removal to the latter place, by hearing that the Lord had a people there, and that he was with them, Zech. viii. 23. A deep sense of her own unworthiness, for some time kept her back from joining any church; but after a time, the impressions she had first received under the ministry of that dear man of God, Mr. Brown, were increased under the word at Pertenball. sermon on John xiii. 17, If know these things, happy are ye if ye do them," decided her to follow her conscience, and to join the company of the faithful, by partaking of the Lord's-supper, and also by uniting herself to a society, most of whose members are in communion with the Established Church. She was remarkable for simplicity and

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sincerity of character; and although not able to say much, she could say she did love Christ, and his people. She was to all appearance recovering fast, after a lying-in; but was taken worse on the 19th, and died at six not neglected the concerns of her the next morning. Happily she had soul till then. She had no opportunity of leaving a dying testimony; but what is better, she left a testimony in her life and conduct to her being born from above. Her death was improved on Sabbath evening, discourse on Psalm lviii. 11; in July 25, at Pertenhall Church, in a which the character of the righteous, the nature of the reward, and the ground on which it will be bestowed,

were discussed before a numerous A and sympathizing audience. ye

J. G.

MRS. SARAH HODDY.

DIED, at Clare, October 7, 1819, Mrs. Sarah Hoddy, aged 30. She was called by grace in very early

life, and dated her first impressions from a sermon by Mr. G. Hall, late of Ipswich. Removing to Bury, she was baptized by Mr. Cole, and joined the church in that place. Early in the spring preceding her death, there were alarming symptoms of consumption. She was confined to her bed above three months. She was greatly supported in the former part of her affliction, but afterward was much cast down, and her hope seemed to fail. She was afraid she should die in darkness, and be deceived at last; yet there seemed to be a hope, which she could not entirely give up. She complained much of evil thoughts, and that she did not find Christ precious, as she once did. She mourned because she had not lived more to the glory of God; but her prospects seemed to grow brighter as her death approached.

September 28, after mentioning the passage she had chosen for the funeral sermon, and the minister she had fixed upon to preach it, (Mr. Cowell,) she expressed a wish that he should exhort professors of religion to pray more, to read the word of God, and to beware of the snares and vanities of this world; to guard against pride in dress, and the following of the fashions of the giddy multitude, her own mind having been wounded by these things.

Oct. 3. "I am afraid I shall go off in the dark: I want patience and support: I want a sight of heaven: I want to feel Jesus precious, as I have felt him in past seasons.' At another time, "I hope I felt him precious this afternoon. Take care of the children: I cannot talk." Oct. 4. "I long to get rid of evil thoughts. I was comfortable yesterday, though so ill."

Oct. 5. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin: these words were a comfort to me yesterday." Again, "I blaspheme the name of the Lord? No, my dear, it is Satan's temptation. When will my breath depart? O, my Father, come. What agony I feel!"

Oct. 6. She appeared to have a clearer view of interest in the Saviour; but her sufferings were still great.

Oct 7, the day of her death, she was very much composed. She said, "Do you not think I have been very much supported in my affliction? I hope Christ is precious to me. I have been thinking of the goodness of the Lord. My sufferings are not too long; nor are they so great as his. Since I professed to believe, I have often prayed that if I were not right, the Lord would set me right. I think I can say, I know in whom I have believed." She requested her friends to sing,

"Grace 'tis a charming sound," &c.

She said, "O that I could help them! their voice is sweet." About two hours after, to our great surprise, she began, to sing something about eternity.

Q. Do you feel happy?

A. Yes, but I want to be happier.
Q. Is Christ precious?

A. I think I have seen him on the cross, but I shall see him more lovely yet.

To a friend; "My affliction has been greater than you can conceive: but the Lord has done all things well. I have worldly thoughts; is not that a discouragement; but I don't desire them. Do you think I am deceived? If the Lord had meant to destroy me, he would not have shown me these things." Being asked, if she had lost the fear of death, she replied, "In a great mea sure. Why should I fear death? there is one above."-Speaking of her five dear children, she desired her husband to pay attention to their religious instructi on, adding, "I should be glad to have them all come to me. When struggling with death, she said, "This is trying to the flesh, but nothing to what my dear Lord suffered."

Mr. Cowell delivered an impres sive discourse from the words chosen by the deceased, "Be still, and know that I am God." Much of Mrs. H.'s distress ought to be attribute d to a weak nervous frame. It was not religion which caused it ; for tha at length, brought her comfort. There is great encouragement to continue in prayer. Many earnest p、yers were offered up to God, ti 1 o ur eyes failed with looking upward

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His parents were members of the church at Bourton-on-the-Water, under the care of the venerable Benjamin Beddome. He was born at Stow, Gloucestershire, June 12, 1746. He was baptized in 1762, and joined the Baptist Church at Upton. He was called to the ministry in 1774, and was ordained in 1776 over the church at Grittleton, six miles from Chippenham, Wilts, by his tutor, (Mr. Caleb Evans,) Mr. Tommas, and Mr. Benjamin Francis. He continued with this church till his death, which took place August

12, 1819. He was a very pious and laborious minister. "On being asked, (says Mr. Martin, who furnished us with the article from which the above is extracted,) a few days before his dissolution, the state of his mind, his answer was, that though his flesh and heart should fail him, God was the strength of his heart, and would be his portion for ever."

REV. THOMAS JONES.

DIED, June 16, 1820, in the sixtyfourth year of his age, the Rev. Thomas Jones, of Denbigh, who preached one of the Missionary Sermons in London, in the year 1817. He was a faithful preacher in the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist connexion for about forty-two years. He enjoyed his usual health till within three weeks of his death.

Review.

now more generally admitted than it was in the days of Johnson; and of the possibility itself, we cannot but consider the present volume as a demonstration.

Sacred Lyrics: By James Edmeston. 59 Pp. 12mo. Holdsworth. Ar the present day, books of all descriptions are multiplying fast upon our hands; innumerable attempts are made at every species of writing; of a cultivated mind, have added the With persons who, to the graces but it cannot escape observation, that modern attempts at excellence, charms of fervent piety, it has long in various departments of literature, been a source of regret, that the are much more unsuccessful than greater number of volumes most those of "older time." In the sub-pleasing to the taste and imaginalime excursions of the Epic Muse tion, have often been tinctured with we have nothing which is likely to sentiments unfriendly to Christian rival the fame of Paradise Lost. piety, and have been marked by an There is, however, one species of avoidance of all sacred topics. The poetic composition, in which little frequent introduction of sacred topenetration is requisite to discover pics, does unquestionably require the sacrifice of being acceptable improvements; and in which we confidently expect the praise of ex- among many readers of poetry; cellence will soon be compelled. which has no doubt operated as a We refer to Poetry which enters check to a rising genius in this diinto sentiments and feelings decid-rection, and determined to other edly religious. The possibility of pursuits those who write with a dewriting Sacred Poetry is, we believe,sire to please more than to profit.

VOL. XII.

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