Reverend Gentleman, of course, contends that his Prelates have a power to restrict the use of the Scriptures, according to the 4th rule of the Index Expurgatorius, and he likewise does not forget to add, "From the old Church we receive the Bible, and with it the genuine sense, or interpretation of the Bible," p. ix. This, he calls an infallible tribunal.” Dr. Geddes shrewdly tells his Vicar Apostolic, "If the Catholic Church of all times and places be confunded with the Roman See, or even with any particular Council of any time and place; and if it be hereby positively enjoined me to give no other meaning Lo any text of Scripture than I find in the Decretals of Popes, or in the acts of Councils, even such as are called generul, I cannot subscribe to the Decree, for the two following reasons: First, because Popes and Councils contradict one another in the application and explanation of many Scripture texts, even such as are supposed to regard faith and morality Secondly, because Popes and Councils have not unfrequently given meanings to texts of Scripture which, in my conception, are evidently ab surd." The Rev. Doctor then cites a singular instance or two of such ridiculous and puerile explanations, P. 22, ibid. One of these examples relates to Image Worship; and ano ther to the Right of deposing Kings, and absolving Subjects from their allegiance. He then observes, that if we were to ransack the sixteen folio volumes of Labbé's Councils, and all the Decretals of the Popes, 66 we should not be able to make out a tolerably consistent Commentary on any one book of the whole Scripture." Of what use, therefore, is Mr. But ler's orthodox notion, that the Pas tors of his Church have an unques tionable right to guide their flocks in explaining the Bible, and that every Roman Catholic must receive the Scripture with their interpretation? Does not an orthodox Romanist always argue in a circulus vitiosus 2 If you ask him, Why he regards the interpretation of his Pastors as an infallible guide to the truth? he will answer, because the userring Scripture plainly says so. And if you inquire, how he knows that their's is the true sense of the Holy Scripture? be will reply, because the Church Hence it cannot err in its decisions. is, that the bulk of Roman Catholics in the British Empire consider the abusive Notes attached to the Rheims Tes tament, and Doway Bible, not less infallibly true than the text itself; and they are as fully persuaded of the correctness of their English translation, as with the authentic Latin version of Jerome, from which it was render ed! The decision of their Pastors, in fact, is generally considered as paramount to all other human authority; and there are but few persons among the Laity, who can distinguish he tween the determination of a Council, and the declared sentiments of their own Bishop or Vicar Apostolic. When an Ecclesiastic, in the character of a spiritual Director, tells a Layman that the text of our Protestant Bible is entirely corrupt, but that the Doway version is pure; this opinion will pro bably have as much weight as the Decree of a Synod, provided he adds, that the Church of Rome has condemned every religious production of Hereticks, and that the man's absolu tion depends on his rejecting this Protestant book. Such, Sie, is the present degrading state of Catholicism even in this country!! Bishop Milner has recently informed us, that the Tridentine Fathers make no distinction between Bibles in the Vulgar tongue, with Notes and without; tor, says he, "it is evidently impossible to add any notes whatever to the sacred text, which will make it a safe and proper elementary hookof instruction:" see p. 180 of the Orthodox Journal for Oct. 1813 1f illiterate men have in all ages mis taken the Orthodox and Catholic sense of the Bible with Annotations, so have the more learned and conceited among the Laity. We see, then, that the addition of Notes, according to Dr. Miner, is useless; "the expedient is evidently inadequate to its intended purpose." Let me inquire, in con clusion, of what importance it isetas Mr. Butler's cause, that he can go into a French bookseller's shop in Stonor Park (or in London), and purchase six versions of the New Tes tament? Are they without Notes & he cannot understand the base text, unless his Church explain it for hime and, if they have Notes, he is still in danger of not putting the safe and proper meaning on the text, except he he take the Decrees and Canons of the Church in his hand at the same time. But, among his "x French Catholic versions of the New Testament," we find one Manual of Divinity, and an ordinary Church Missal! Are not these formularies as good as Notes? Is not the Book of Common Prayer, in Dr. Marsh's opinion, a safeguard and preventive of misinterpretation? This is certainly a Catholic opinion, maintained by Bishop Poynter and the Rev. Peter Gandolphy, as well as by Dr. Herbert Marsh. It seems very strange, therefore, that the Manual of Thomas à Kempis, and a selection from the Romish Prayers or Breviary, done up with the New Testament, should never have been considered by your acute Correspondent in the same light as Annotations!! I will now say a few words on the Four Versions which have sometimes been re-printed and published in French, without adjuncts of any kind; and these are, the translation by Amelotte, that by the Gentlemen of Port Royal, another by Bouhours, and one by Maitre de Saci. As Mr. Butler has called our attention to this subject again, in his Second Letter, I shall not here be very diffuse: and of Amelotte's New Testament, little need be said; ; except that it was sent abroad with the determined view of prevent ing the use of the Mons translation. The Gentlemen of Port Royal, who produced the Mons version, were calumniated and persecuted for their pains; the Jesuits and Oratorians attacked that new French Testament the Archbishop of Paris, and half a dozen other Prelates of France, forbade it in their respective dioceses; three successive Popes thundered against the book, and put it into the Roman Index Expurgatorius; the celebrated Antony A.nauld defended this translation, by several excellent pieces, and the Sacred College at Rome have therefore placed his defence in the Index. As to the version of Bouhours, it was one of those which (like Amelotte's) appeared in opposition to the Gentle men of Port Royal: but with respect to Maître de Saci, his Testament shared nearly the same fate as that of Mons; and the translator was confined two years and a half in the Bastile for his reputed Jansenism. Now, let me ask Mr. Butler, if he did not know, or ought not to have known, all these circumstances? And, with what countenance can he bring forward, to a Protestant publick, such suspicious evidence in support of his cause? I reserve my farther observatious on this particular topick, as a reply to what that Gentleman has advanced in his Second Leiter; and in the interim, shall leave his "confident" feelings of ultimate success and triumph, wholly undisturbed! Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, IT W. B. L. Oxford, Oct. 11. T was not till lately that I had an opportunity of noticing the many strictures in your Magazine on the Acts of Parliament respecting the Clergy. Among them, it gave me very great pleasure to see the admirable remarks of the British Critic on the Stipendiary Curates' Bill, transferred, in an abbreviated and more familiar form, to your popular pages. The irresistible reasoning on the points your Correspondent has selected, inust convince every unprejudiced person of the total failure of the object intended by the Bill, and the many prejudicial consequences likely to follow from it. The grand mistake, and which is so ably exposed in the critique, seems to lie in the supposition, that the Curates form a distinct order, continuing in that capacity through the whole course of their lives. Whereas, how few Clergymen comparatively are there, who do not rise above this interior rank! The situa tion of a Curateis, properly considered, a probationary one-and how much better is it he should begin his sacred functions under the guidance and advice of an older and more discreet Minister, till he has thrown off a little of his College volatility, and attained to those habits and experience that fit him for the serious avocations of a Parochial Incumbent! This prefer ment, either by his abilities, his connexions, or his good behaviour, he probably will in time obtain; and then,, in the decline of life, he will have the return of assistance on the same liberal terms, on which he gave it in his youth. But for his assistance of Curate, even before the late measures of Government, the stipend for the last thirty years was far from mean or inadequate. Either through the proper interference of the Bishop, or the natural liberality attached to a culti vated be made from the revenue of the See. vated mind, the salaries were generally proportioned to the labour of the That an idea prevailed of augmentCurate and the value of the living ing the poorer Vicarages and Curacies combined. I began my own career in this way, will be recollected by -with a Curacy of 501. per annum; and those who refer to what was done at though I have had the good fortune the close of the reign of Charles 1st, to succeed to a living, I sensibly feel by Bishop Morton and Dr. Goodman. the remarks of the Writer of the Re-It was about this time too, that Colview, that I was then a richer and leges began to improve their poorer more independent man than with my preferments, by granting beneficiaf present Rectory. I lived, too, on the leases of the Great Tithes-and the most friendly terms with my Rector; spirit that has ever since prevailed in whereas I do not know any thing those learned Bodies, of improving better contrived to set the Incumbent and endowing their Livings to the and Curate at variance than the Bill uttermost, reflects the highest credit under discussion. Undoubtedly, how- on their good sense and liberality. ever, from the smallness of Livings Had the same generosity actuated the themselves, instances occur on which Bishops, and the Lay Impropriators, to ground the appellation Poor so as to induce them to give back a Curate! And, in cases of this kind, portion of the Corn-Tithes taken from it has always struck me, that one pro- the Churches, we should not hear so per source of augmentation has been much of poor Vicarages, and ill-paid altogether overlooked: I mean, the Donatives and Curacies. revenues of the Bishopricks. I think, in the present ample endowment of most of the Sees, and considering also that many of these endowments arise from the Great Tithes formerly be longing to the Parochial Clergy, it would not be too much to expect that to the Curates of the smaller Vicarages, the Bishops should contribute to a certain extent of the stipend. In the unequal distribution of Church property as at present constituted, and seeing what a great alteration in that property the present Bill is likely to effect, I think an augmentation of the poorer Livings, as well as of the Curacies, might be made, without disparagement of the rank or dignity of the higher ecclesiastical orders. The effect of the greater Episcopal Revenues, when such fall into mercenary hands, has, in some late instances, been too conspicuous: and is it consistent with an enlightened Government, that while it is crying up one branch of its spiritual persons as poor and oppressed, it should overlook the wealthier endowments of another, whose situations have allowed them, if report says true, to accumulate and leave behind them most ample fortunes? I think, that at every ordination, when the Bishop inquires into the Salaries allowed to the appointments of the Candidates, if it should appear, that, from the poverty of the Living, or other cause, the Incumbent is only able to allow an inadequate payment, an addition should The inadequate effect of this Stipendiary Curates' Bill is admirably exposed in the remarks of your Correspondent, and the able statement of the Reviewer. The Bill, as is there so forcibly pointed out, can only operate to taking away the plurality of smaller Livings, and leaving the greater untouched; and will, of course, throw the duty of the more populous parishes into the hands of the young and inexperienced. The consequent advantages to the Sectaries must be obvious! It is impossible, also, to forget the unmerited censures that were cast upon the body of the Clergy during the discussion of this Bill in Parliament. The remarks of a Law Lord were unfriendly to the Clerical order, and were admirably repelled by his Grace of Canterbury. Nor will the noble Framer of the Bill, now, I think, take any great credit to himself for having forced it upon the House. His Lordship could not but perceive the unpopularity of the measure, when he was suffered to walk so silently out of the Theatre at Oxford, amidst the general burst of applause with which every other public character was greteed at the late Royal visit to the University. From the general clamour that has been raised against Incumbents of Livings both in and out of Parliament during the agitation of all these measures, one would fancy that the Clergymen of the Establishment are the most unmanageable unmanageable and rebellious subjects in his Majesty's dominions:- that nothing but annual Acts of Parliament, and the most rigorous trammels of Law, will keep them in order. Let them, however, persevere in their duty, both through evil report and good report-and the high and dignified compliments paid to their order, and to the Seat of Learning that sent them forth, by our gracious Regent, on that proud day in Radcliffe's noble dome, must make them honourable amends for the jealous, methodistic spirit that elsewhere prevails. Theirs is the cause of real learning and sound religion, against ignorance and enthusiasm and, so long as the improved discipline and generous emulation are kept up in this, and, we believe, the Sister-University-we trust we may bid defiance to all the illiberal attacks of sectarian envy and malevolence. Yours, &c. liorate the condition of the Incum bents of those Livings. As the Crown can easily make the proposed, or a greater augmentation of the Livings above-mentioned, I hope the business will soon be accomplished. A measure of that kind would tend to the honour of His Majesty's Government, and the good of the Established Church. Yours, &c. A CONSTANT READER. D. N. S your Correspondent "M." a Leamington Spa, Oct. 10. Mr. URBAN, HAD lately occasion to look out for an 66 agreeable Companion in Post Chaise" on pursuit of health at A 129, informs your Readers, that this place, so deservedly recommend the subject of Queen Anne's Bounty is likely to receive the attention of Parliament in the course of next Session, I beg leave to offer some observations respecting the Augmentation of Small Livings in the Patronage of the Crown. Though those Livings have strong and peculiar claims to the consideration of Government, and the attention of Parliament, yet I believe not even one of them has been augmented by Queen Anne's Bounty in conjunction with the Patron's Benefaction; and Consequently they have, in fact, been less improved than many Benefices in private patronage, which have been augmented by the Bounty, assisted by the benefactions (of money, lands, or tithes), of the respective Patrons. This defect in our Establishment might, however, be remedied, if, out of the landed Estates of the Crown, fifty acres were granted to each Crown Living, the clear annual income of which does not exceed 1501. and the Incumbent of which does not hold any other living. Or, if the Crown would only grant 10001. (to be invesied in a purchase at the expence of the Corporation of Queen Anne's Bounty) to each Grown Living of the description above-mentioned, it would ameGENT. MAG. October, 1814. ed for that purpose by authorities most respectable, as well as perfectly independent of any present or future interest as to its local celebrity or success. I was drawn into a Bookseller's shop by a Frontispiece in the window, and a Title-page, announcing "North Wales delineated," by a "Reverend" Itinerant " A. M. Fellow of the Linnean Society, and late of Peterhouse, Cambridge," "Illustrated with Plates," a fifteen shillings octavo. My first stage served to shew me the truth of the old adage "Fronti nulla Fides," as I was obliged to refer to the Waterfall in limine for a "Companion" to the Bridge, p. 299, to account for the pretence of plurality of Plates. My short journey enabled me only to peruse about one-third of the book; but I was so far disgusted with his account of the Caernarvonshire Jumpers, of which sect I recollect to have read a description from a Review in (I believe) your department of Criticism on the first edition, or on the Cambrian Directory, that the remainder of the volume has continued near a month with its pages uncut. As he "was induced more than once to attend the Chapel," he might have given us, from memory, "the Hymn, having but one verse, re peated 338 Increase of Methodism.-Established Clergy. [Oct. peated over and over for half an hour, or an hour." It might have been a good counterpart with the specimen in the Poetical Bath Guide: but, as he "confesses that his intellects became greatly confused whenever he was among them at these times, and that the heat and the motions almost stupified his senses," his recollection perhaps would have been imperfect; and I presume he was amongst the "less enthusiastic, who moved off soon after the Hymn was begun; among whom, every time he attended, he observed the Preacher to make one, leaving his congregation to jump by themselves." When he comes, however, again to his senses, and cool, after so far" (more than two pages)" describing this singular sect of Enthusiasts," he adds, "I may be allowed a few observations on the general increase of Methodism, and on what appear to me the modes of conduct to be adopted in order to check the torrent that seems bearing forwards to overwhelm us in its vortex, and that appears to strike deeply at the root of Government both in Church and State." This Reverend Alarmist then adds, that "in too many instances the Established Clergy must thank themselves for the influx of Methodism into their respective parishes;" that, "buoyed up with the idea that the Church is under the immediate protection of the State, they look on, as idle spectators;" that it is "want of inclination and industry, on which the Clergy split." "The non-residence of the Clergy, and the paltry Stipends of the Curates, equally aid the cause of Methodism." His general invectives against the Clergy I would not farther transcribe; but I cannot let pass his assertion, that he "could mention an instance of a Clergyman in one of the Midland Counties, serving four Cures, and teaching a School, and all this for little more than 1007. a year;" adding, that "this person has to maintain a wife and children." Whether this made a part of his former Edition or not, I do not know; but if, since the late Acts of Parliament, he expects us to give him credit, I, for one, will say, that my “nulla Fides” extends beyond his Title-page.--Had his knowledge of the "Midland Counties" led him to be acquainted with this spot, he would not, if he "attended" the Church,even "once" have had occasion to complain, that " the duty, from the indivisibility of theperson, was hurried over with a carelessness that ill becomes the ambassador of God." Hav ing myself more than once or twice attended it, I have witnessed the utmost propriety of manner, as well as matter, and the uniform excellence, with which the undivided service is performed by the officiating Minister. Indeed, the constant, punctual, and early attendance of a congregation, consisting of inhabitants, as well as visitors, is the surest test, in support of the assertion. I give the owners and occupiers of the place full credit for having, not long since, been at the expence of a new set of pews, and of galleries on the North and East sides (the light requisite not admitting one on the South); and for their ready willingness to accommodate strangers, however crowding themselves to the extreme, in every part both of the Church and of the Chancel. Until some plan is formed for the enlargement of the Church, which the excessive improvement of the price of land would amply compensate, I would suggest what "I could mention" as having taken place in one of "the Midland Counties"; where, with the sanction of a faculty from the Bishop's Court, a gallery, in addition to three others, has been erected within the Arch of the Chancel, under permission of the Rector, and reserved for occupation at his discretion. The recent judicious addition of a Sermon at the Evening service, sufficiently precludes all pretext for attention to that spirit of dissent, which is certainly never inactive," but in this, as in other places, open to admit overflowings from real or rather pretended necessity, or attendants from curiosity, and love of variety, in addition to those who, from family habits, and even possibly conscientious objections to set forms of Prayer, join with every sect, with a proviso that the service be not that of the Church of England; and even that,in the instance to which I have alluded, is not an objection, provided that the preaching, in respect to which prayer is held in comparative contempt, is adapted to the itching ears of those who think with one (an inspired one, who could say it justly) that he "had more under standing than their Teachers. " It cannot be unreasonable to hint at temporary or future additions to the place |