"That it is as lawful to christen a child in a tub of water at home, or in a ditch by the way, as in a font-stone in the Church.

"That it is neither necessary nor serviceable, to have churches or chapels for divine service."

[This Protestant notion, we presume, was instilled into the populace, to make them bear with less regret the loss and destruction of so many noble churches and elegant chapels, that were barbarously sacrificed to revenge und avarice, in this and the next reign.]

"That rich ornaments in churches are rather displeasing, than acceptable to God."

[This Protestant Principle was reduced to practice in King Edward's reign, with a vengeance, when the Duke of Somerset, at the head of the Zuinglian faction, left not so much as a single church unplundered, or an altar unrifled, in all the dominions of Great-Britain.]

"That it is as lawful at all times to confess to a layman, as to a Priest.

"That Auricular Confession, Absolution, and Penance, are neither necessary nor beneficial.

"That Bishops, Ordinaries, and other Ecclesiastical Judges, have no authority to pronounce sentence of excommunication, or other censures.

"That there is no distinction of sin after this sort, sin to be venial, and sin to be mortal.

"That Our Lady was no better than another woman.

"That holy days ordained and instituted by the Church, are not to be observed and kept in reverence, inasmuch as all days and times be alike; and a man may go to plow and cart on those solemn festivals, as well as at any other time.

"That it is no sin or offence to eat flesh in Lent, and other fasting days commanded by the Church.

"That it is as lawful to eat flesh on Good-Friday, as upon Easter-Day.

"That it is sufficient and enough, to believe, though a man do no good works at all.

"That Prayers, Fasting, and Alms, are of no significaney to dispose God to forgiveness.

"That no human constitutions or laws do bind any Christian man, but such as be in the New Testament; and that a man may break them without any offence at all." Fuller's Chur, Hist. Book V. p. 208, et deinceps.

And such is the precious Ore of the Protestant Religion! Upon which the canting Mr. Fuller subjoins the following remarkable elogy.

"Most of these tenets are true in themselves, grounded on God's Word, and, at this day, professed by Protestants."

But, in my humble opinion, there is nothing more untrue, than Mr. Fuller's strange notion of these, or any one of these tenets, being true in themselves! Nothing more untrue, than his absurd supposition of their being grounded on God's Word! And if it be true, what he positively asserts, that they are, at this day, professed by Protestants, such Protestants, it may well be imagined, have more reason to be ashamed, than to boast of their profession.

No. VIII.

A short Abridgment of King Henry's Articles of Religion. They are remarkably prefaced, and introduced with

"The King's Declaration."

HENRY VIII. by the Grace of God, &c. &c. Among other cures appertaining to this our princely office,.. We have always esteemed and thought,..that it most chiefly belongs unto our said charge, diligently to foresee and cause,..that unity and concord in opinions..may increase and go forward.For the which cause, we being of late, to our great regret, credibly advertised, of such diversities in opinions as have grown and sprungen in this our realm, ...have not only in our own person, at many times, taken great pain, study, labours, and travels, but have also caused our Bishops, and other the most discreet and learned of our Clergy, to be assembled in our convocation of the same.

Which their determination, debatement, and agreement, forasmuch as we think to have proceeded of a good, right, and true judgment, and to be agreeable to the laws and ordinances of God,.. We have caused the same to be published, willing, requiring, and commanding you to accept, repute, and take them accordingly.

"The Sacrament of Penance.

"We will that all our Bishoppes and Preachers shall in

struct and teach our people committed by Us unto their Spiritual Charge, that they ought and must most constantly believe, that that Sacrament was institute of Christ in the New Testament, as a thing so necessary for man's salvation, that no man which after his baptisme is fallen againe, and hath committed deadly sinne, can without the same be salved, or atteyne everlasting life, &c.

"Auricular Confession and Absolution.

"We will that all Bishopps and Preachers shall instruct and teach our people committed by Us unto their Spiritual Charge, that in no wise they do contempe this Auricular Confession, which is made unto the Ministers of the Church, but that they ought to repute the same as a very expedient and necessary meane, whereby they may require and ask this Absolution at the Prieste's hands, at such time as they shall find their conscience grieved with mortal sinnes, and have occasion so to do, to th' intent they may thereby attayne comfort and consolation of their consciences.

"Item, that they ought and must give no less faith and credance to the same words of Absolution so pronounced by the Ministers of the Church, than they would give unto the very same words and voice of God himself, if he should speak unto us out of heaven, according to the saying of Christ : 'Quorum remiseritis peccata, &c. Qui vos audit, me audit, &c. [Whose sins you shall forgive, &c. He that hears you, hears me, &c.]'

"The Real Presence.

"We will that all Bishopps and Preachers instruct and teach our people committed by Us unto their Spiritual Charge, that they ought, and must constantly believe, that under the Form and Figure of Bread and Wine, which wee there presently see and perceave by our outward senses, is verily, substantially, and really conteyned and comprehended, the very same Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which was born of the Virgin Mary, and suffered upon the Cross for our Redemption, &c.

"Of Images.

"We will that all Bishopps and Preachers shall instruct and teach our people committed by Us to their Spiritual Charge, how they ought and may use them; and first, there may be attributed unto them, that they be repre

senters of vertue and good example; and that they also be, by occasion, the kindlers and stirrers of men's minds, and make men to remember and lament their synnes and offences; and especially the images of Christ and our Lady; and that therefore it is meet they should stand in the churches, &c.

"Invocation of Saints.

"We will that all Bishopps and Preachers shall instruct and teach our people committed by Us unto their Spiritual Charge, that it is very laudable to pray to Saints in Heaven everlastingly liveing, whose charity is ever permanent, to be Intercessors, and to pray for us and with us to Almighty God, after this manner: All holy Angels and Saints in Heaven, pray for us and with us unto the Father, that for his deare Son Jesus Christ's sake, wee may have grace of him and remission of our synnes, with an earnest purpose; not wanting ghostly strength to observe and keep his holy commandments; and never decline from the same againe unto our lives end.' And in this manner wee may pray unto our Blessed Lady, to Saint John Baptist, to all and every of the Apostles, or any other Saint particularly, as our Devotion doth move us, &c.

"Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead.

"For as much as due order of charity requireth, and the Book of Maccabees, and divers ancient Doctors plainly shew, that it is a very good and charitable deed, to pray for souls departed; for as much also as such usage hath continued in the Church so many years, even from the beginning, Wee will that all Bishopps and Preachers shall instruct and teach our people committed by Us unto their Spiritual charge, that no man ought to be grieved with the continuance of the same and that it standeth with the very due order of Charity, a Christian man to pray for souls departed, and to commit them in our prayers to God's mercy and also to cause other to pray for them in Masses and Exequies, and to give Alms to other to pray for them; whereby they may the sooner obteyne the mercy of God and the fruition of his glory, &c."-Collier's Eccl. Hist. Vol. II. Book II. p. 122, et deinceps.

And such were the Articles which the King commanded his Bishops, his Preachers, and his People to receive, embrace, and constantly to believe. Not upon the account of their being, or that they were declared to be consonant to the Catholic doctrine, and the practice of former ages; but

because he thought them to be agreeable to the laws and ordinances of God. Presumptuous thought! as if a single layman (and he too no great Apostle, no eminent Theologist !). could be supposed or imagined to be a more completely qua lified judge in doctrinal matters and moral duties, than all. the learned divines of his kingdom, and all the Fathers and General Councils put together! People may suppose what they please; but in the case now before us, we have a more flagrant proof of King Henry's presumption, than his learning; which how considerable soever it may be represented in fulsome panegyricks, it had always the misfortune to be an equal match for his vanity.

No. IX.

Mercantius, in his Hort. Past. p. 299, presents us with the following Distich.

Millia dena unus Templorum sustulit Annus !
Quàm timeo in Pænas vix satis unus erit !

"In the short circle of a year, 'tis said,
Ten thousand Temples in the dust were laid!
To expiate a Crime of such a size,

A thousand years, I fear, will scarce suffice."

No. X.

Extract of Cardinal Pole's Bull of Dispensation, as far as it relates to the new Bishopricks, Hospitals, &c. erected by King Henry the Eighth.

AUTHORITATE Apostolicâ, per Literas Sanctissimi Domini Lostri D. Julii Papæ III. nobis concessâ, et qua fungimur in hac parte, Tenore Præsentiùm, dispensamus, quod omneset singula Cathedralium Ecclesiarum Erectiones, Hospita lium et Scholarum Fundationes, tempore præteriti Schismatis, licet de facto nulliter attentatæ, in eo Statu, in quo nunc sunt, perpetuò firmæ et stabiles permaneant; illisque Apostolice Firmitatis robur adjicimus: ita ut non eâ Authoritate quâ prius, sed eâ quam eis tribuimus, factæ ab omni-bus censeantur.-Bul. Disp. Card. Poli.