pieces through the earth and air and water. In man there is more wretchedness than in all the other animals put together. He loves life, and yet he knows that he must die. If he enjoys a transient good, he suffers various evils, and is at last devoured by worms. This knowledge is his fatal prerogative: other animals have it not. He spends the transient moments of his existence in diffusing the miseries which he suffers; in cutting the throats of his fellow creatures for pay; in cheating and being cheated; in robbing and being robbed; in serving, that he might command; and in repenting of all he does. The bulk of mankind are nothing more than a crowd of wretches equally criminal and unfortunate: and the globe contains rather carcasses than men. I tremble at the review of this dreadful picture to find that it contains a complaint against Providence itself; and I WISH I HAD NEVER BEEN BORN."

Now let us hear the language of the excellent Hallyburton, who died as he lived, full of confidence in God. "I shall shortly get a very different sight of God from what I have ever had, and shall be made meet to praise him for ever and ever. Oh! the thoughts of an Incarnate Deity are sweet and ravishing. Oh! how I wonder at myself that I do not love Him more, and that

I do not admire Him more. What a wonder that I enjoy such composure under all my bodily pains, and in the view of death itself. What a mercy that, having the use of my reason, I can declare his goodness to my soul. I long for His salvation; I bless His name; I have found Him, and die rejoicing in Him. O blessed be God that I WAS BORN! O that I was where He is. I have a father and mother, and ten brothers and sisters in Heaven, and I shall be the eleventh. Oh! there is a telling in this Providence, and I shall be telling it for ever! If there be such a glory in His conduct towards me now, what will it be to see the Lamb in the midst of the throne! Blessed be God that EVER I WAS BORN."

As the comparison between an Infidel and a Christian at the prospect of death speaks more eloquently than volumes of arguments in favour of Christianity; so also does the contrast between the Protestant and the Papist in the prospect of death. One looks to the immediate possession of happiness, and has "a desire to depart and to be with Christ; " while the poor Papist has his mind filled with the distressing thoughts of purgatorial horrors, imagining that death will plunge him into the fierce flames of that dismal place, only a little more tolerable than Hell itself.

Tindal, Coverdale, and Frith, at Antwerp; where he continued for more than a year, as chaplain to the English merchants at that place. Sir Thomas More, however, sought him out; he was sent over to London, and repeatedly examined before Archbishop Warham and others; after some time he was removed to Oxford, where forty-five articles were exhibited against him, to which he was required to give answers in writing, without being allowed the use of any books. The sum of the doctrines Lambert considered to be truth, he stated in the two following propositions: "The first from Acts iv., Christ is the head corner-stone of our faith, whereupon it should be set and grounded, neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no name under heaven given among men whereby we may be saved. This is one of the propositions wherein is engrossed or comprehended what I have said, which St. Paul thus otherwise explicates, 1 Cor. i., Christ is made of God our righteousness, our pureness, our satisfaction, and our redemption. And in another place there is no other foundation, that any man may put, except that which is already put, that is Christ Jesus.

"The other proposition is written by the prophet Isaiah and recited of our Saviour in the gospel of Matthew, in these wordsMen do worship me in vain, teaching human doctrines, and precepts or laws. Of this Paul writes very largely in divers places, very nigh every where; amongst other, Col. ii., where he warns the Colossians to take heed that no man spoil them, to steal them away by philosophy or vain deception, according to the constitutions of men and ordinances of this world."

On the all-important point of justification he thus wrote-"It is the usage of scripture to say faith only doth justify, and works salvation, before a man do any other good works." He added, "True faith is of such virtue and nature, that when opportunity cometh, it cannot but plenteously work deeds of charity, which are a testimony and witness-bearer of man's true faith. This declares Augustine upon St. John, where he expounds the text, If ye love me, keep my commandments.' Where a little after he speaks thus-Good works make not a just or righteous man, but a man once justified, doeth good works." "

On the day appointed for this holy martyr to suffer, he was brought out of prison, at eight o'clock in the morning, to Lord Cromwell's house, and taken into his chamber, when Cromwell asked his forgiveness for what he had done. Being informed that

the hour of his death was at hand, Lambert was greatly comforted with the prospect of departing to be with Christ, which he said was far better to him than remaining in this troublesome world. Then going out of the chamber into the hall, he saluted the gentlemen who came to attend his execution, and sat down to breakfast with them without any sadness or fear. When breakfast was ended, he was taken to Smithfield, where he was very cruelly treated. For after his legs were consumed and burnt up to the stumps, the wretched tormentors withdrew the fire, leaving but very little under him. Then two men, that stood on each side of him, thrust their halberts into his body, and raised him up as high as the chain would permit; when Lambert, lifting up such hands as he had, his finger ends flaming with fire, cried unto the people in these words, "NONE BUT CHRIST, NONE BUT CHRIST;" and being let down again from their halberts, he fell into the fire, and then ended his mortal life.

Lambert was thus cruelly burned because he refused to believe the doctrine of transubstantiation; we may say, on that ground only, as no other accusation appears to have been alleged against him at his public trial, if it may be so called.

The Roman Catholics complain that transubstantiation has been made a test of belief in their religion. But without in the least entering into discussion whether it supplies a proper test or not, it may be observed, that they were the first to introduce it for that purpose. It was made the test of heresy in the case of the Lollards, and those who suffered in the days of Queen Mary; and it still continues a prominent doctrine of Popery at the present day; a shibboleth by which heretics are discerned.

ANECDOTES.

66

EDWARD VI. (at a time when Sir John Cheek, one of his tutors, was sick) asking, one morning, "How his tutor did?" was answered, that "He was supposed to be near death; and had been absolutely given over by his physicians." No," replied the king, "he will not die, this time; for I have been wrestling for him, to-day, with God, in prayer, and I have had an answer of peace: I know he will recover.' And the event corresponded.

Some of Mr. Thomas Jones's last words (who was chaplain of St. Saviour's, Southwark) were, "A sinner saved, a sinner saved!" Similar will be the everlasting song of the saints, in heaven itself.

CABINET.

Independent of the corruptions of my own heart and nature, and the unwearied malice of Satan, (says a minister of Jesus Christ) what with the weakness of friends, and the wickedness of enemies, I find myself to be, as it were, ground between the upper and nether mill-stones; but God in Christ is my refuge, who has never yet failed or forsaken me, and, according to His most sure word of promise, never, no never will, but will guide me by His counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. "Bless the Lord, O my soul." "O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard; which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.”

"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING."—1 Thess. v. 17.

THE City of London Tradesmen's Protestant Association intend publishing on the 1st of March, No. 1 of "The Child's Book of the Martyrs of England," uniform with "The Teacher's Offering." It will be completed in twelve monthly numbers, one penny each, embellished with numerous woodcuts. It is to be lamented, that while so many juvenile books on the wars and warriors of England are continually publishing, there are few or none entirely devoted to the history of those bright examples-those worthies, who in our own dear land resisted unto blood, striving against sin, and who, in their earnest contention for the faith once the faggot, and the stake, to a denial of the delivered to the Saints, preferred the rack, Lord that bought them. It is hoped that the present work will in some measure meet this deficiency. The assistance of Sabbath School Teachers is especially invited to aid in giving it an extended circulation among their children.

The following information, &c. is copied from a work called "The Great Apostacy," written in answer to "Cobbett's History of the Reformation."

The population of the Globe is considered to be about 800,000,000. Out of this number I find after a very careful calculation, the Christian population of the Globe to be 219,522,000, and in the following proportion, namely,

Christian population of the Globe, 219,522,000 And in these days when Papists boast of their unity and numbers, they will find by taking the Greek and Protestant Churches that they are (thank God) in the minority by nearly 25,000,000; and by the grace of God may we be given to see, that "while Satan's empire decreases the Lord's kingdom will increase."

It is intended to hold the first half yearly Meeting of the City and Finsbury Protestant Conference, on Monday, the 27th of FebruThe speakers will be exclusively

ary.

Members of the Conference. The Members of the various Associations are earnestly invited to attend, and bring as many Protestant friends with them as they can.

Popish Blasphemy!" Over one of the Popish Altars at Worms, there is the picture of a windmill, and the Virgin is throwing Christ into the hopper. He comes out at the eye of the mill-all in wafers-which certain priests take up to give to the people. This (says the Bishop) is so gross an emblem, that one would think it too gross even for Laplanders; but a man that can swallow Transubstantiation will digest this likewise." —(Bp. Burnet's Letters, p. 288.)

City. The second Annual Meeting of the City of London Operative Association was held in the George Hall, Aldermanbury, on Wednesday evening, Jan. 25th, G. Philip Smith, Esq. in the chair. The report read was gratifying and very encouraging; after which the following addressed the meeting: Rev. J. R. Barber, Mr. Sibley, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Lord, and Mr. Binden.

Anecdote.-When Whitfield preached before the seamen at New York, he had the following bold apostrophe in his sermon :"Well, my boys, we have a clear sky, and are making fine headway over a smooth sea, before a light breeze, and we shall soon lose sight of land. But what means this sudden lowering of the heavens, and that dark cloud arising from beneath the western horizon? Hark! don't you hear the distant thunder? Don't you see those flashes of lightning? There is a storm gathering! Every man to his duty! How the waves dash against the ship! The air is dark! The tempest rages! Our masts are gone! The ship is on her beam-ends! What next?" It is said that the unsuspecting tars, reminded of former perils of the deep, as if struck by the power of magic, arose, with united voices and minds, and exclaimed, "Take to the long-boat!" Whitfield then proceeded to urge them most strongly to flee from the wrath to come, by taking to the ark of refuge for sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Salford Operative Protestant Association. The Annual Meeting of this Association was held in Christ Church School on the

Published under

THE PROTESTANT

At F. BAISLER'S

124, Oxford-street;

10th of January. The Rev. H. Stowell, the President, in the chair. A favourable report was read by the Secretary, after which, addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. J. Moorby, the Rev. J. Paul, the Rev. A. Archer, Mr. Price, and Mr. Goulden.Although the night was one of unusual storm and severity, the audience was numerous and respectable. Much interest was excited by the addresses, particularly that of the Rev. Chairman, who delivered one of his most eloquent and impressive appeals.

Tea Meeting.-The Finsbury and Shoreditch and Hackney Operative Associations held a Tea meeting on Tuesday Evening, December 27th. After tea, Mr. James Callow was called to the chair, and appropriate addresses were delivered by Mr. A. V. Allen, Mr. E. Dalton, Mr. Sibley, Mr. T. A. Smith, and Mr. Binden. It was a numerous and influential meeting, and the proceedings were more than usually characterized by that Christian moderation of tone, and firmness of Christian principle, which ought to be apparent in all operations undertaken for the glory of God and the good

of souls.

NOTICES.

Marylebone Meeting, 3rd week in February, in the Fitzroy School-rooms, Graftonstreet, Fitzroy-square.

Mr. J. H. Jefferson will form two new singing classes for Protestant Operatives and others, (D.v.) in the Colonnade Sunday School-rooms, Colonnade, Russell Square, on Friday the 10th of February.

The first class, for those unacquainted with the rudiments of music, will meet at 8 and close at 9 o'clock.

The second class, for those acquainted with the first principles of music, will meet at 9 and close at 10 o'clock, for singing in parts, and to practice congregational singing.

The tickets of admission for the first lesson in either class may be had gratis, and tickets for the entire course of 16 lessons, price 2s., of Mr. Moulton, 1, London Street, Fitzroy Square, or on Monday Evening, at the Mutual Instruction Class of the Marylebone Protestant Association held in the above School Rooms.

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co.

W. DAVY,]

[Gilbert-street.

CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO FRIENDS ON THE DOCTRINES

AND CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH OF ROME.

(Continued from p. 12.)

Mr. A.-I will give you a specimen of one of those legends, which were given to the people instead of those Epistles left by the Apostles to build them up in the pure faith and practice of the Christian religion. Dominic the Inquisitor, whose persecution of the Christians I have related, was afterwards canonized by the Church of Rome, and placed upon her calendar of saints!!In Calabria in Italy, (the place of his birth,) it is affirmed that his portrait was brought down from heaven by the Virgin Mary in person, accompanied by Mary Magdalene and St. Catherine! Does not this remind us of the great Diana of the Ephesians-the image that came down from Jupiter? (Acts XXXV.) Was there more priestcraft in the one instance than in the other? Before this glorious portrait, they say, many have been restored to life, and hundreds of the sick and lame have been healed. These facts have been attested by a public notary, cardinals, and prelates of the Order of St. Dominic; and on the anniversary of the festival of this saint, they have counted above a hundred thousand pilgrims, who have

VOL. IV.

come to pay their devotions, and make their offerings to this picture!!

Mr. B.-All these inventions assisted admirably no doubt to support the pretensions of the Church of Rome to the power of working miracles by her saints and relics, and by these means to secure the rich offerings made by the credulous at her shrines.

Mr. A.-Yes, and they held the ignorant and timid in awe of her spiritual power; in aid of which, the doctrine of confession was made subservient, by enabling her to impose such penances as would enrich her churches and monasteries.

Mr. B.-And we are taught (or rather her dupes are, for I trust I see my way out of such a church) that all these offerings bring glory to God instead of to the church.

Mr. 4.-They bring no true glory either to God or the Church, as we shall see as we proceed. After an impartial examination of the system she has formed, and on comparing it with those inspired writings of the Apostles, which have been preserved by God as the test of truth, (as He preserved the Books of the Old Testament pure, to confute the traditions of the Talmud and other fabulous works,) it may be safely asserted, that when the Church of Rome was at the height of her ambition-when the splendour of her ceremonies fascinated the senses, and the pomp of her cardinals and rulers surpassed