Page images
PDF
EPUB

Juvenile Department,

[blocks in formation]

THE mere narration of the insofence and ambition of Thomas à Becket rouses the indignation of the impartial reader, and, as he proeeeds through his history, he feels himself prepared to welcome any means that may rid the country of so great a curse. While he would not attempt to justify this feeling, he ceases to wonder that Henry, so much more interested, and in an age far less enlightened, unguardedly gave vent to his feelings in the language of complaint, or that four persons so readily hastened to remove the cause of his sorrow; for it evidently required a self-control, that the unassisted human mind, depraved as it is, is unwilling to command, to endure such base ingratitude and wanton arrogance.

It serves greatly to illustrate the force of that superstition in which the inhabitants of this country were then miserably sunk; that this proud prelate could, amid such monstrous proceedings, preserve, and even increase, his popularity, although so able, and, compared with sovereigns of the age, so excellent a prince occupied the throne -a popularity, the effects of which outlived the object of its regard, and when it could no longer gratify its fallen victim, was transferred to his very tomb.

To make the best use of Becket's untimely end was the only policy Rome could now adopt. An archbishop, of such remarkable zeal and supposed sanctity, slaughtered before the altar, in the very exercise of his devotions, was a most extraordinary and unjustifiable event,

which could scarcely be better improved than by enrolling his name among the most distinguished saints and martyrs. Martyrdom has ever been considered the greatest mark of heroism and proof of sincerity, and therefore has not failed to excite the attention and rouse the passions of mankind; and their imaginary elevation to the saintly rank, next to the deification of the ancients, produced the most powerful effects, not only in exciting and preserving emulation among those who aspired to distinction, but in securing the abject attention of their devotees; for, in their estimation, it was not merely an honour that was thus conferred, but real influence and importance in the heavenly state; hence, gifts were continually presented, and prayers offered, to the distinguished saints of their calendar, to secure their mediation and intercession with an offended God, which greatly tended to enrich the clerical order, who took care to employ these pious gifts to their own advantage.

As we become acquainted with the history of popery, how evident it is, that it has been a progressive system of error, originating in want of attachment to the holy scriptures, and consequent departure from their simple directions; and, therefore, how such considerations should endear to the inquiring youth Divine revelation, and lead him to a diligent perusal of its contents, with an earnest invocation of the enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit, and a humble dependance on his essential aid: then will he learn to distinguish between the exemplary sufferings of the Christian martyr, and the natural consequences of a life of insatiable ambition; then will he readily contrast the character of the humble saint, who, though he may be an apostle, counts himself less than the least of all saints, and

the chief of sinners, with that of the individual, whose pride feasts on the rebellious greetings of a mob and the servile offices of a king.

two years after his death, a jubilee was appointed for the celebration of his excellencies, and his remains removed to a most superb depository, enriched with presents from all parts of Europe; and it was estimated, that a 100,000 deluded pilgrims toiled to Canterbury in one year, to pay their devotions at his tomb, and secure his good offices in their behalf in heaven.

About this period, (A. D. 1171,) the first sufferings for heresy are said to have been witnessed in this country. Several persons, under the direction of one Gerard, came over from Germany to propagate their opinions; and although but one poor female embraced their senti ments, the clergy took the alarm, and through their influence, they were burned on their foreheads and whipped through the streets. They manifested no reluctance to suffer for their tenets, but sang as they passed along, "Blessed are ye when men shall hate you," &c. Their tormentors, not content with this cruelty, drove them from society, and thus friendless and destitute of food or proper clothing, the miserable objects did not long survive. Their peculiar sentiments are but imperfectly known.

Whatever Henry might have blamably uttered in the moment of passion, it was evidently that which his judgment did not afterwards approve, while his promptitude in dispatching a messenger to prevent the execution of the murderers' threats, showed that he did not seek such a deliverance; his conduct, also, on the report of the tragical event proved how sensible he was of the outrage, and how he dreaded its conséquences. He withdrew from all intercourse with his attendants, and refused sustenance for three days, till the courtiers, lest he should expire in so obstinate a solitude, ventured to interrupt his retirement, and use every art and argument for the preservation of his health, the restoration of his cheerfulness, and the elusion of those consequences that were dreaded from the powerful resentment of Rome. Messengers were speedily dispatched thither to endeavour to convince the pope of Henry's innocence, and to assuage his anger, who were to proceed with all possible haste, for Easter was approaching, and the Thursday before its Happily for Henry his ability and approach, was the time when his address procured a much more holiness, in defiance of the heavenly speedy termination to the dreadful precepts of that gospel, of which affair of Becket's destruction than he professed himself the supreme could have been expected; and ambassador, published his maledic-having, therefore, some respite from tions against his enemies. This embassy succeeded, for instead of Henry's being individually cursed, and his kingdom placed under an interdict, the anathemas were uttered generally on all that were concerned in the murder, which rendered them very harmless. Two cardinals were afterwards appointed to investigate the matter, and they were to proceed to Normandy for the purpose.

While these formal proceedings were transpiring, the clergy were indefatigable in extolling the merits and extraordinary sufferings of the lamented prelate, the virtues of whose reliques were declared to effect the most singular miracles. He was canonized by pope Alexander

civil anxieties, his ambition prompted him to think seriously of invading Ireland, the conquest of which he had long meditated. But to find any thing like an equitable or plausible pretext for so doing, was not so easy. However, as the popes of late had maintained that the disposal of kingdoms belonged to them, the best plea that the king could. devise was to sanction this power, and endeavour to avail himself of it in the form of a recommendation. This he obtained in 1156, while Adrian presided at Rome, the only Englishman who ever filled the papal chair. As Henry had, at this early period of his reign, scarcely manifested his hostility to ecclesiastical tyranny, he was comply

mented in Adrian's bull as a prince | following Christmas, and serve three that had ever manifested solicitude years against the infidels, if the for the enlargement of the church pope desired it; that he would not on earth, and for the increase of the enforce the observance of those cussaints in heaven: his projected in- toms which were derogatory to the vasion was, therefore, ascribed to clerical privileges that he had introthe same pious designs, and he was duced; nor would he obstruct apexhorted to invade the country in peals to Rome in ecclesiastical matorder to extirpate the wickedness ters, but merely require security of its inhabitants, and cause them from such of the clergy as left the to pay annually, from every house, kingdom for that purpose, that they a penny to the holy see. But how would attempt nothing against his little this prince was influenced by rights. The king, in return, resuch motives appeared from his tar-ceived absolution from the legates, diness in accomplishing his purpose; for it was not till 1172, after an invitation from an Irish chief, who was a sufferer in a civil commotion, that he gave leave to some of his subjects to commence the hostile visit, following himself at a convepient season.

He was, however, soon obliged to return, for the two legates appointed to investigate the murder of Becket, had arrived in Normandy, and, tired of waiting for the king, they threatened serious consequences if he did not at once repair to them. On his arrival, they proposed to him the most extravagant terms, as a sort of atonement, to which he indignantly objected, and, knowing that time had now weakened the impressions of horror which at first occupied the minds of his subjects, he talked of proceeding again to Ireland, in defiance of their menaces. As policy was equally the motive of these delegates, finding that so long delay had rendered | the spiritual weapons less formidable, they soon lowered their demands, and Henry, according to the conditions at length agreed on, swore before the reliques of the saints, that far from wishing the death of the celebrated prelate, he was greatly grieved at receiving the intelligence of it, but, as the ebullitions of passion might have been the occasion of it, he would pardon all Becket's exiled adherents, allow their return, and restore to them their livings; he would reinstate the see of Canterbury in its former privileges; he would pay the templars for the maintenance of 200 knights for a year in the holy land; that he would himself take the cross on the

and the confirmation of Adrian's bull authorizing and recommending the invasion of Ireland.

[ocr errors]

Henry having thus extricated himself from a situation so delicate and perilous, was regarded as one of the greatest monarchs of his day; but, as if to remind him and those who beheld his greatness, of the unwelcome truth, that man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward," he had now to experience trials of a different, but not of a less painful nature. A parent has a much stronger claim to the gratitude of his children than they are often willing to admit, and as this prince had proved himself a fond | and indulgent father, he seemed to have stronger claims to their dutiful returns; instead of which, he had not only to feel "how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child," but to see his sons rebelling against him. Young Henry, at the instigation of his father-in-law, the king of France, demanded the dutchy of Normandy, while Geoffrey and Richard, by the advice of their mother, claimed present possession of the territories appointed them at their father's death. The afflicted father, contrary to his real interest, that he might adopt the most lenient measures, applied to the pope to interpose his autho rity, and reduce to obedience his undutiful children, and their cruel advisers, who, pleased with so meritorious a cause of interference, issued his bulls accordingly; but the king had the mortification to witness the gross hypocrisy of the priests, who were quite indifferent to enforcing punishments where their own interest was so little con

cerned; and he was obliged, after | man guilty of murder was merely

all, to have recourse to arms. His enemies, considering his continental dominions most vulnerable, commenced their hostilities on the frontiers of Normandy, but, repairing to the points of attack, he soon dispersed his foes. In the mean time, the turbulent barons, tired of his strict discipline, promoted disorder at home; to which the king of Scotland contributed by making inroads in the north with 20,000 men. Henry, therefore, found his presence necessary in England, and that he might avail himself of every circumstance that could contribute to his success, he determined to turn their superstition to account, by gratifying it. After landing at Southampton, he repaired immediately to Becket's shrine. He dismounted on coming within sight of Canterbury church, and proceeded to it barefoot, he prostrated himself before the tomb, which he continued to watch for a day and night; nor did this degradation suffice, he actually unclothed himself and presented his naked shoulders to the discipline of a chapter of monks, who successively inflicted stripes with a scourge which he had previously given to each of them. The following day he received absolution, which, as it had been before granted, one should have expected it would have been needless to repeat, especially as they deemed the sovereign pontiff infallible. Intelligence was speedily received that the invading Scots were completely defeated, which, as it was said to have happened on the day of his absolution, could not be regarded otherwise than as a most conspicuous sign of the favour the king had procured with the saint and with heaven: nor was he at all displeased with the compliment, but often seemed to pride himself in the supposed friendship of the deceased.

Most strange and inconsistent were the laws that now regulated the conduct of the clergy and the laity towards each other, such indeed as would be disgraceful to any state that professed the least regard to christianity. A clergy

degraded; and the murderer of a priest, only incurred excommunication and censure, and for so monstrous a crime he could atone by penance: hence, notwithstanding all the anathemas of the pope, and the humiliation of the king, the actual murderers of Becket remained unmolested; and it was not till they found themselves shunned by their neighbours as excommunicated persons, that they thought of a visit to Rome to submit themselves to the pope and to perform the penance he might impose on them: having observed these ceremonies, they returned to their country, and enjoyed the good-will of all who sur rounded them.

The commotions of Henry's reign, arising from the undutiful behaviour of his children and the jealousy and envy of foreign princes, were the causes of the infelicity of his latter years, prevented him from entering warmly into a crusade, to which he was much inclined, and indeed accelerated his death; for the continued rebellious conduct of Richard, after the death of young Henry, so greatly affected the king, that it threw him into a fever of which he died, on the 6th of July, 1189.

The review of ecclesiastical ty ranny, the worst, because the most awful kind of tyranny, should lead us to dwell thankfully on our distinguished privileges, and to exert our warmest zeal for the instruction of those benighted countries, that still groan under the yoke of papal superstition, which, however controlled by power, or modified by circumstances, is the same yoke still, and especially should it lead us to employ our every talent for the improvement of that neglected country Ireland, which has such strong claims to our regards, Is it true that our forefathers introduced this enslaving superstition there, and has its baneful effects continued to delude our brethren, its inhabitants, until now? Justice then demands that we now do our utmost to give them those advantages that we have long possessed, Happily, societies formed for this glorious purpose now invite even youthful co-operation. H. S. A.

Obituary.

REV. JAMES WILLIAMS.

It was his felicity to meet with a partner in life, exemplary for piety and affection, who still lives to mourn his loss, together with six children, which providence had left him out of a family of ten, who testify of him, that he possessed, in an eminent degree, the heart of an amiable and affectionate husband, father, and friend. We may here notice, that the Rev. W. Bradley, whose obituary appeared in the Magazine for March last, was baptized by him, and he also officiated at his ordination at Coleford.

Horsely,inGloucestershire, preached to the people. It pleased the Lord of the harvest to bless his labours On the 22d of January, 1818, died at home, and also in many dark the Rev. James Williams, for nearly corners in the surrounding country, twenty years pastor of the Baptist where he endeavoured to introduce Church at Kingstanley, in Glouces- the "gospel of the kingdom," nametershire. He was born in the yearly, the Lays, on the banks of Wye, 1759, at Moulton, in Glamorgan- Goodridge, Walford, Wilton, Bayley, shire. He was brought up by his the steel works, and numerous other parents in the fear of God; and their places. instructions, in connection with the means of grace, with which he was blessed from his infancy, terminated under the divine influence of the Holy Spirit, in his real conversion | to God. In the 18th year of his age, he gave himself, like the primitive believers, to the Lord, and to his church, by a public profession, and was baptized by the Rev. David Jones, of Pontypool, in the river Lay, near Perstone-bridge. Feeling his mind powerfully inclining him to the ministry of the word, he evidently wished to consecrate himself to the work of the Lord, and with this view, with previous deliberation, and the advice of a number of his religious friends, whose opinion he consulted, he preached his first sermon at Lantridid, to a pretty numerous congregation of poor people, from Matt. xxiv. 14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a testimony unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

In 1781 he was received into the Academy at Bristol, where he pursued his academical studies with avidity and exemplary steadiness, under the late Dr. Evans and J. Newton, till May 1785, at which time he removed to Ross, in Herefordshire, and having accepted the unanimous call of the church at Ryford, he was ordained on the 14th of September, in the same year. The Rev. Dr. Evans gave the charge, and his most intimate friend, the Rev. Benjamin Francis, late of

He continued at Ryford till the close of 1800, when he removed to Kingstanley; and although it was a great trial to him to leave his friends at Ryford, yet he had no wish nearer his heart than the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and there fore counted all things but dross that he might follow the leadings of his Divine hand. It was his regular custom for some time previous to the removal of his family, to walk from Ross to Stanley, a distance of twenty-three miles, on the Saturday, and return on the Monday.

The church at Kingstanley consisted of only four members when Mr. W. took the charge thereof, since which period about one hundred have been added.

Although he laboured under great difficulties here, still the hand of the Lord was with him, and he received strength equal to his day. He laboured much in the surrounding villages, preaching alternately on

« EelmineJätka »