make quite as much against schism as against heresy, and maintain the position that error is not the less dangerous because it is opposed to another dangerous error. Nay, when the one is universally acknowledged to be wrong, the other is more dangerous from the fact of its diametrical opposition. The volumes before us contain tracts by Cranmer, Jewell, Nowell, Andrews, Bancroft, Laud, Charles I., Sanderson, Cosin, and Sparrow; tracts on the Prayer-book and on the Authority and Commission of the Church. We are to have three more volumes: the second on the Doctrines taught, the third on the Discipline recommended, and the fourth on the Practice enjoined by the Anglican Fathers; and there is thrown out a hint, which we hope may be fulfilled, that a fifth volume may be forthcoming, containing a few of the most remarkable among the shorter works of the "Anglican Fathers previous to the period of the Reformation." We can only add, we trust that the series may prosper.

Guy Fawkes, or the Gunpowder Treason: A. D. 1605. With a Development of the Principles of the Conspirators, and an Appendix on the Authorship of the Anonymous Letter. By the Rev. T. Lathbury, M.A. Second Edition, revised and enlarged. 12mo. London Parker. 1840.

HAD that fell conspiracy, commonly called "Gunpowder Treason," succeeded, pure religion would have been eclipsed again in our father-land, and our Protestant dynasty have given way to a vassalage to Papal Rome. But it was otherwise ordained in the merciful dispensations of a wise and ever-watchful Providence. "God held his peace," says the excellent Bishop Andrews, "and kept silence; sat still and let it go on, till it came near, even to the very period, to the day of the lot; so near, that we may truly say, with King David, 'As the Lord liveth, there was but a step between death and me.' We were upon the point of going to the hill; all was prepared; the train, the match, the fire, wood and all, and we ready to be the sacrifice, and even then and there God provided for our safety; even in that very place, where we should have been the burntoffering, from heaven he stayed the blow. It was the Lord's doing." Upon the return of the great body of the English nation, after a noiseless and bloodless struggle, to the principles of the pure faith, --such as had been planted in England by Apostolic hands, and had never been contaminated until after the introduction of Romish novelties by St. Augustine in the sixth century,-it is natural enough to suppose that the people of England, and especially the sovereigns of England, would be objects of peculiar jealousy and hatred to the disappointed and baffled hierarchy of Rome. We find, accordingly, that as soon as Queen Elizabeth became quietly seated on the throne of England, there was a rapid succession of conspiracies against her crown and life, instigated by Papal bulls, and advanced by Jesuits in various disguises-as if upon the destruction of a "nursing-mother" of the Church, the children her subjects, would be more easily seduced back again into the impurity of religious belief which they

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had forsaken. "We have found by experience, (says Archbishop Tillotson) that ever since the Reformation they have continually been pecking at the foundation of our peace and religion; when, God knows, we have been so far from thirsting after their blood, that we did not so much as desire their disquiet, but in order to our own necessary safety, and indeed to theirs :"-a remark fully confirmed by Sir Edward Coke, at the trial of the gunpowder conspirators: "Since the Jesuits set foot in this land, there never passed four years without a most pestilent and pernicious treason, tending to the subversion of the whole state."

A few of these attempts we shall detail. In 1583, one Somerville attempted to take the Queen's life. The plot was happily discovered, and its author only escaped a public execution by strangling himself in prison. In 1585, an individual named Parry came over from the continent with a fixed determination to murder the Queen. To this act-horrible to relate-he was instigated by the Pope, who sent him his benediction, with a plenary indulgence for his sins. Having been discovered and condemned, he produced on his trial the Pope's letter, which had been penned by one of the cardinals. In 1586, the life of the Queen was attempted by one Babbington. The plot was discovered, and he and several of his accomplices were executed. In 1587, a similar plot was devised by an Englishman of the name of Moody, supported and encouraged in his diabolical design both by the Pope and the King of Spain.

Here, then, in four years were as many conspiracies against the life of the Queen of England detected and frustrated. Repeatedly baffled in these secret plots, the emissaries of Rome, in 1588, planned the memorable expedition, known as the Spanish Armada, in order that by an overwhelming, and as they impiously vaunted it, an invincible force, the power of England might be crushed at once, and the nation brought back again under the domination of Rome. That there was more than a political object, begotten by the jealousy and disappointment of Philip of Spain, to serve in this enterprise, the voice of history abundantly proves; as for example, the proscription of Queen Elizabeth as a heretic, the promise of the kingdom in fee to King Philip by the Pope, the conjunction of a hundred Monks and Jesuits with the officers of the expedition, and the appointment of Cardinal Allen as superintendent of ecclesiastical How this formidable conspiracy affairs throughout England. against the liberties, civil and religious, of England was defeated, is too familiar to the readers of our country's history to need recapitulation.

But it will "In 1603, (observes the Rev. T. Lathbury, the author of the interesting little work at the head of this article,) the Queen died in peace. appear that from the year 1570 to 1600, Queen Elizabeth and the Protestant religion were constantly exposed to the machinations of the active partisans of the Roman see, who were encouraged by the Pope himself. Every pontiff There was a settled purpose at Rome, and indeed pursued the same course. throughout the whole Romish confederacy, to dethrone Elizabeth, and overturn the Anglican Church; nor is it a libel on the Church of Rome to say, that in all these proceedings, she acted on recognized principles-principles which had received the solemn sanction of her councils. To root out heresy by any

means within their reach, was deemed, or at all events was asserted, to be a sacred duty incumbent on all the members of the Church of Rome.”

"On the accession of James, (continues the same well-informed writer) there was a calm but it was deceptive: it was only the calm before the storm; and to the eye of the careful observer, it indicated any thing but prosperity and tranquillity. It was evident to most men of reflection, that the storm was gathering nay, there were indications of its approach, though no one knew how or where it would burst forth. The rolling of the thunder was, as it were, heard in the distance, though whether it would approach nearer or pass away altogether, was a question which no one could determine."

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Experience had proved the utter hopelessness of any project of invasion against a united and gallant people, upon whose struggles for the truth, above all, Providence so manifestly smiled; and the Popish enemies of England accordingly plotted in the conclave plans of destruction which they could never accomplish openly in the field. King James was not to be deposed, any more than his predecessor, Elizabeth, by foreign armaments: and stratagem, it mattered not how impious or how cruel, must be resorted to for his overthrow. Instigated by Papal bulls, and encouraged by Spanish emissaries, thirteen individuals,-Robert Catesby, a person of distinction, at their head, and Guy Fawkes, one of their most daring and reckless agents,-concerted the monstrous project of blowing up the Parliament House with gunpowder, on the opening of the Session in 1605, when the King, and Peers, and most of the leading Protestant gentlemen of England would be present; while arrangements were fully planned for completing the work of destruction by fire and sword in other parts of the kingdom,-to strike, and if possible, to annihilate, while the nation would be in a panic from the overwhelming effect of this successful treason.

We need not enter into the details of its progress and overthrow. Suffice it to say, in the words of the spirited writer last quoted, "such a combination could not have been defeated by human means, especially as the plot was carried on with the utmost secrecy: but the watchful eye of Divine Providence was fixed on the country, and the designs of its enemies were mercifully frustrated." There were not a few circumstances to daunt the conspirators in the progress of this fearful enterprise, if the fell spirit of bigotry were not insensible of ordinary checks; and not the least of these were the repeated prorogations of Parliament from month to month-a circumstance which sometimes startled them, as if indicating on the part of the court a knowledge of their proceedings, and a design to suspend all active interposition till the moment of its maturity. "As if Divine Providence (says the historian Fuller), had given warning to these traitors in the mean time seriously to consider what they went about, and seasonably to desist from so damnable a design, as suspicious at last it would be ruined, which so long had been retarded. But no taking off their wheels will stop those chariots from drowning, which God hath decreed shall be swallowed in the Red Sea."

It was a circumstance which marked, in a peculiar degree, the hand of Divine Providence, in this whole transaction, that as soon as the celebrated letter to Lord Monteagle, warning him mysteriously of the approaching danger, was laid before the king, he immediately

gave it as his opinion, that the expressions, "this Parliament would receive a terrible blow, and yet shall not see who hurts them," referred to a plot of destruction by gunpowder. Many were incredulous and disposed to treat the matter lightly; but the expressed sentiments of the king, which were concurred in by others of the council, led, after some discussion, to an examination; and in a cellar beneath the Parliament house, and directly under the throne, were found thirty-six barrels of gunpowder, and Guy Fawkes himself in readiness to fire the train !

This catastrophe was thus mercifully averted; but what must be our opinion of the gloomy creed which, upon pretence of bringing glory to God, not only sanctioned, but encouraged and rewarded such appalling conspiracies against every thing merciful in humanity and gentle in the Gospel? It was decided by one of the Popes, Urban II., that it was neither treason nor murder to kill those who were excommunicated by the Church. We cannot wonder, then, that in obedience to such a doctrine, solemnly promulgated by the highest authority in the Romish Church, there should have been found thirteen individuals engaged in a conspiracy so ruthless and appalling as the Gunpowder Plot. This is a melancholy contemplation; but it is more melancholy still to feel that no change has taken place in these avowed principles of the Church of Rome. "Popery (says Bishop Burnet), cannot change its nature: and cruelty and breach of faith to heretics, are as necessary parts of that religion, as transubstantiation and the Pope's supremacy."

The thunder of another approaching contest, with the giantess of the Seven Hills, is not indistinctly heard, and Protestant Christendom seems universally to be alive to the dangers of the coming struggle. It becomes us therefore to watch, and in distrust of human strength to unite prayers with our watching. And while we cling with unwavering constancy to our Protestant principles, based as they are upon the Rock of Ages, let us endeavour to secure the continued favour and protection of our God, by shewing that we appreciate our privileges, and that we do them honour by the consistency of a blameless and pious life.

Ecclesiastical Report.

Ir is with feelings of the deepest gratitude to Almighty God, that we lay before our readers our monthly Report. Most encouraging is it in its character, and calculated to show how continually is the Church advancing in the affections of the people. We begin as usual with new Churches consecrated.—Bossington, Ipping, Derry Hill, Salisbury. Preparations for building twenty-four other Churches have been made, and in our next we hope to report a favourable progress.

Her Majesty has just subscribed 251. in aid of the funds for building National and Sunday Schools at Upton-cum-Chalvey, about three miles from Windsor; and her Majesty the Queen-Dowager a donation of 101.

Her Majesty the Queen-Dowager has given 257. towards the erection of Christ church, Derby.

Her Majesty, Queen Adelaide, has been pleased to forward a donation of 251. to the Rev. W. Quekett, towards the completion of the Infant and Sunday Schools in the parish of St. George-in-the-East.

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury has given the liberal donation of 50l. towards defraying the expenses of restoring Barfreston church; as has also Mr. J. Plumptre, M.P.; the Earl of Guildford, Viscount Dungannon, M.P.; Viscount Strangford, Lord Kenyon, the Right Hon. Sir H. Hardinge, M.P.; the Right Hon. J. Greville, and Sir B. W. Bridges, Bart., have likewise subscribed liberal amounts in furtherance of that desirable purpose.

Brighton.-The Lord Bishop of the diocese held his first confirmation at St. Peter's church. No less than 698 persons received the sacred rite. Bakewell, Derbyshire.-The Duke of Rutland has given the princely sum of 1,000l. towards the funds for restoring the venerable church at Bakewell. The other subscribers are the Duke of Devonshire, for 5007.; Mr. Williams Evans, M. P., 100l.; and the Rev. H. Dudley Ryder, 1007. The church is well known to all tourists in that county, and has long been the admiration of antiquaries. It is the oldest sacred structure in the county.

Leicester.-On Monday, November 9th, a meeting of the Central Committee of the Church-Building Society of the county and town of Leicester was held at the county rooms in Hotel-street, the Venerable the Archdeacon of Leicester in the chair. A printed statement and report of the operations of the Society from its commencement on the 5th of October, 1838, to the period of the general annual meeting in June last, were produced, and a grant of 1007. made in aid of the taking down and rebuilding of the chapel of Countesthorpe. A grant of a similar amount was also voted towards the erection of a chapel at Sewstern, in the parish of Buckminster.

Dorsetshire. In consequence of the dilapidated state of Wareham church, Dorset, it is about to be closed. The expense of rebuilding it is estimated at 2,2007. The parishioners have, almost without an exception, contributed liberally; the Salisbury Church-Building Society also has supplied 3501.; there is still a deficiency of 900l. The Earl of Eldon has given 307. and the Bishop of Salisbury 201. The Duchess of Gordon has contributed 201., and Lord Ashley and the Hon. and Rev. J. Harris have subscribed for the same purpose.

We mention these things merely as a specimen of what is being done all over the land scarcely a large town but it has its Church-Building Association.

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We are able now to give a brief account of the Church Discipline Bill: the 6th, 9th, 12th, and 14th chapters are the most important; we therefore extract them ::

"VI. The Bishop may pronounce sentence, by consent, without further proceedings.-And be it enacted, That in all cases where proceedings shall have been commenced under this Act, against any clerk, it shall be lawful for the bishop of any diocese within which such clerk may hold any preferment, with the consent of such clerk and of the party complaining, if any, first obtained in writing, to pronounce, without any further proceedings, such sentence as the said bishop shall think fit, not exceeding the sentence which might be pronounced in due course of law; and all such sentences shall be good and effectual in law as if pronounced after a hearing according to the provisions of this Act, and may be enforced by the like means.'