ART. IV. A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocefe of Rochefter, at the Ordinary Visitation of Thomas, Lord Bishop of Rochefer. 4to. 28 pp. Payne. 1807.

THIS is an excellent compofition, and the latter part of it in particular delivers our own opinions on a great and important queftion, with fo much force and precifion, that were the occafion to require it, we would gladly make the proteftation of our own fentiments in the fame form and fubftance.

The charge is divided into two parts; the firft may be termed the Ecclefiaftical Bufinefs of the Vifitation, the fecond difcuffes the momentous question of the Privileges claimed by the Roman Catholics, who are impatient to advance from a state of toleration to a state of power. With respect to the bufinefs of the vifitation, the diocefan forcibly exhorts his clergy to demonftrate a compliance with the 70th canon, in making regular annual returns of copies of the parish regifters to the regiftry of the diocefe. The importance of accuracy in this particular is fufficiently obvious. The regular tranfmiffion of property from one perfon or from one generation to another, fince the heraldic vifitations and the inquifitiones poft mortem have been difcontinued, cannot be fecure without it. To prevent fraud or mistake, the bishop enjoins the minister to keep thefe volumes in his own hands. The clergy are next admonished to prevent, as far as poffible, a fpecies of clandeftine marriage very frequent in the metropolis, or in large parishes in the country, but easily detected and prevented in thofe which are fmaller. This is where parties are married by the publication of banns in parifhes where they do not actually refide. In every case of this kind, the clergyman is liable both to cenfure and to penalty. The next topic introduced is the fubject of education, and the duty of teaching children in their refpective parishes our excellent Church Catechifm. The bishop's fentiments on this fubject are thus energetically expreffed:

"I fhall introduce another topic by obferving, that the care of forming the docile minds of the rifing generation is not among the laft of thofe, which call for the exertion of the parish priest. To ftate the reafons for this would be fuperfluous. What I have to observe upon it, is, that as the wifdom of the framers of our liturgy is no where more confpicuous than in the admirable epitome of chriftian doctrine, which they have left to us in the Church Catechifm, fo is it the peculiar bufinefs of the clergy to fee that all within their refpective parishes who are capable of learning

and comprehending it, fhould be invited, diligently, inftantly, and preffingly invited, to perfect themselves in it. This is highly expedient on two accounts, the one, that children from the moment that they are capable of conceiving or understanding any thing, may be inftructed in the one thing needful, what they are to do that they may be faved; the other, that by early, and therefore deep-rooted inftructions in the true doctrines of the gofpel, they may have fome fecurity against being carried away by infidel or fanatical delufions. Infidelity, as being generally founded in fpeculation, for which they have no leifure, is not apt to disturb the humble minds of the common people, but rather fixes its ftation, where the vanities and pride of life, and the deceitfulness of riches come in aid of its pretenfions; but they are peculiarly expofed to be led afide by the extravagant, and, to the ignorant, the enticing infinuations of enthufiafin. I am firmly perfuaded, that the contents of the Catechifm, however fhort, if carefully taught, and imprinted on the underftanding in its full fenfe and meaning, which may be done by many excellent expofitions of it, of almost equal brevity, will be a fure prefervative against this danger. What is really intended by the doctrinal articles of our church in the abftrufe points (particularly that of election), - which by fome are maintained to be the exclufive tenets of the gofpel, is here fo reasonably and fo perfpicuoufly laid down, that none, who are not willing to be deceived, can fall into error concerning them." P. 13.

We now come to the moft interefting fubject of the catholic claims, and here we fhould be glad to transcribe the whole. The Bp. of R. begins with ftating, that this queftion may not only be difcuffed with propriety, but that we are all of as well qualified to form a juft opinion concerning it. It is the duty of clergymen, both as minifters of the gofpel, and as members of this our church, not only to have a general knowledge of the chriftian faith, but a familiar acquaintance with our ecclefiaftical polity. So indeed have our clergymen been accomplished in both thefe particulars, that no injurious errors have been started which have not been effectually confuted, no attempts made against our ecclefiaftical conftitution which have not been effectually refifted. In addition to fuch qualifications on the part of our miniftry, our church has been peculiarly diftinguifhed by its fpirit of toleration; fuffering ever that freedom of opinion to be exercifed which keeps within thofe limits, which the peace of fociety demands. The moment that the neceffity ceafed for the penal laws, which heretofore restrained the Roman catholics, it is conceded that they had a juit claim to their relaxation, but it is prefumed that they have, in another part of the United Kingdom, been admitted to fuch rights and

privileges

privileges as advance to the extreme bounds of toleration, and as ought to have fatisfied every wifh. But this is far from being the cafe, vigilance, therefore, in eftimating their claims, becomes a neceffary duty. From the period of the Reformation, the fpiritual authority of the crown has become a fundamental principle of the conftitution. The king is fworn to maintain it, and the people are bound to support him. It is recognised in the bill of rights and the act of fettlement. The obligation of the clergy on this head is still more especial and particular. They acknowledge the principle in the 37th article, and by the firft canon are enjoined openly to defend it. Such being the rights of the crown, involving the fecurity of the fubject, we may thus address those who claim the fame power and privileges, with ourfelves.

"We tender them to you on the fame terms and conditions by which we ourselves hold them; if you wish to enjoy the full be nefits of the conftitution, you must conform to the fundamental principles of it, for you have no right or title, in a proteftant government, to be put into a better state than the protestant fubject. With the free exercife of your religion we do not interfere; while we lament your errors, with the pious and christian hope that God may difpofe your hearts to the amendment of them, we refpect your confciences.

A direct refufal of compliance with fuch terms, which are thofe prefcribed by the ftate, on grounds of right which are ac knowledged and acted upon in other cafes, and therefore will not be difputed in this, would feem to cut the matter short, and to leave both parties in their prefent condition. But as reafons are affigned for fuch refufal, it will be proper to confider them, as well because we are bound in candour fo to do, as that a review of them will lead directly to a decifion on the fubject." P. 19.

What are these reasons for refufal? They are bound as by an article of faith in fpiritual matters to another power: yet they avow respect to the fecurity of our church, and reverence thofe doctrines against which the oath of allegiance is prescribed. But, obferves the bishop, how can we accede to this plea. Who fhall diftinguifh between civil and religious obedience, who fhall detach things fpiritual from things temporal? A divided and partial fervice is morally impoffible.

"If we apply this axiom, for fuch in truth it is, to the entire allegiance, which by the laws of this country is due to the fove. reign from his fubjects, and reflect on the other hand, to what fuperior these persons referve a portion of theirs, of what charac, ter he is, what pretenfions he affumes, what authority he once ex,

ercifed

ercifed in this nation, and ftill exercifes in others, we have a plain and obvious conclufion before us." P. 21.

What the right reverend author fays further on this fubject muft not be weakened by our abridgment.

"When they offer to us the fulleft pledges of their forbearance to our church, and of their renunciation of the horrible doctrines which have debased their own, we doubt not their fincerity, nor are we inclined to refort to our annals, for the proof of fimilar affurances having heretofore been fpeciously given, and fcandaloufly violated. We do not however hesitate to declare, that we feel it impoffible to accept fuch pledges from them, becaufe they are Roman catholics. As Roman catholics, if they are ho neft ones and true to their church, and far be it from us to injure them by a contrary fuppofition, they are not entitled to make the offer; as Roman catholics they have it not in their power, whatever their inclination may be, to abide by it. As Roman catholics, they are the fubjects of a power which exacts, rigorously exacts, implicit and univerfal obedience; whofe rule is not confined to outward actions, or exerted only in external difcpline, but includes even the heart and confcience, the very spirit and foul of man within its controul. The authority of the church is the primary and imperious principle to which they must bend, to which every action and word and thought must be abfolutely fubjected. While they acknowledge and fubmit to this, no proteftations of individuals, whether laity or clergy, no declarations, even of public bodies and univerfities, however formal and explicit, are of any avail. They have no force, no authority, no fanction. Let the potent mandate iffue for the recall of them, and they are recalled; ready, patient, unrefifting obedience muft follow.

"Little am I inclined, while fpeaking of this mighty authotity, to look back into the hiftory of the Church of Christ, and to retrace the fufferings which during a long fucceffion of ages it experienced all over Europe, and not leaft in this kingdom, from the intolerant exercife of it. Rather let us acknowledge that to thefe fcenes of perfecution and cruelty a better temper has fucceeded, that chriftian people are no longer injured and infulted, the rights of princes invaded, or the allegiance of their fubjects inhibited by the pretcafions of the Roman pontiff. But while we wish to caft a veil over what is paft, and to place the prefent ftate of things in the fairest point of view, let us not fuffer our minds to be withdrawn from the reflection, that though thefe pretenfions are no longer openly afferted, and appear to lie dormant, yet that not one jot or one tittle of them has ever been annulled, or the great principle on which they are founded in the very leaft degree difclaimed. The tremendous decrees of the fourth council of Lateran, thofe of Tholoufe, Lyons and Conftance, are indeed sonfigned to an apparent oblivion among the muniments of the

Vatican,

Vatican, but they ftill exift, uncontroverted and unrepealed; they exift, inclufi in tabulis, tanquam enfis in vaginâ reconditus," and may be again drawn forth and called into action, to the great injury of the chriftian world." P. 21.

The bifhop proceeds with great energy to draw the attention of his hearers to the Hierarchy, which has of late fo advanced itself in another part of the united kingdom, and to the power which it there exercifes. The deduction is, that it exhibits no recommendation for admiffion into the power of the ftate, nor any collateral fecurity for a proteftant church and conftitution.

Another circumftance is mentioned, which indeed muft have impreffed every member of the proteftant church, and this is the "bolder tone which has been affumed for fome time paft by the clergy, and others of the Roman church, in many of their publications."

From a defence of their claims, they have proceeded to calumniate us, to repeat exploded flanders, to retort the charge of perfecution. The bifhop might have added, and impudently to deny the moft fure and certain facts of the English annals. This we ourfelves have seen in a recent pub lication, and fhall in due time notice.

The addrefs concludes with the folemn avowal that in the writer's opinion, the relative fituation of our church and the church of Rome, as far as the one is open to danger from the pretenfions of the other, is precifely the fame as when the Prince and Princefs of Orange refufed their affent to the repeal of thofe laws which is now aimed at. Every fpecies of violence, diforder, and uncharitablenefs, is difclaimed, and the wifh is expreffed, that under every difference of religious opinion, all may unite in efforts to preferve bro therly love, peace, good order, and regularity, all join in endeavours to promote the public fecurity at this momentous crifis.

The careful analyfis of this charge, and above all, the high character of the author for every accomplishment which can improve or embellifh life, reader all commendation from us fuperfluous. We cannot however forbear to urge its attentive perufal to every member of that church, the claims and authority of which it is equally our pride and duty vindicate and fupport.

ART.