وو this be Christianity," they argue, "if these silly superstitions, these ridiculous legends, this idolworship and priestcraft, this hostility to knowledge and freedom, this desolating principle of persecution, belong to a system which arrogates to itself a heavenly origin, we will indignantly reject its claims, and rather wander in the uncertainties of scepticism, than submit ourselves to a yoke which a child might spurn to wear. Such a system carries with it its own refutation, and only deserves to be consigned to everlasting contempt.' Thousands and tens of thousands have reasoned thus: and in such countries as France, Italy, and Spain, particularly the latter, infidelity, concealed or avowed, is diffused to an astonishing extent, and numbers among its adherents a large proportion of the clergy themselves. They have confounded Christianity with popery, and the tyrannical policy of their church prevents them from rectifying the mistake. By demanding implicit faith, without examination or inquiry, and vigilantly guarding all the avenues to Divine truth, it has driven them into unbelief, as their sole resource. They must either cease to think, or cease to believe; who can be surprised that they choose the latter alternative? Is the reader a member of that church whose doctrines have been described in these pages? Suffer the entreaties of a friend. Break the fetters of your thraldom. Dare to think for yourself. Fear not priest, prelate, or pope; their anathemas cannot harm you. God gives you his blessed word; let no man take it out of your hands, or interfere with the inalienable right of conscience. Holy Scripture is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,” 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. Dread not to read and examine that sacred volume, but thankfully receive the gift of Heaven. Thence learn Christianity. Determine to receive nothing as religion, which does not bear on its front the attestation of Divine authority; and for every such attestation require indubitable proof from the word of God. Compare your system with the New Testament; reject whatever you do not find in that holy book; and be not deceived by a church which tells you that she has power to interpret, invent, and ordain, but gives you no better evidence than her own assertion, and forbids doubt or scrutiny. Above all, pray for Divine instruction and grace. Inquiry into religious truth is the most important of all inquiries. Opposing systems cannot both be right; neither ought it to be regarded as a matter of indifference whether we serve God according to his revealed will, or not. Be open to conviction; search with impartiality; seek wisdom from above. Every one of us shall give account of himself to God," Rom. xiv. 12. APPENDIX. No. I. LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL COUNCILS. Or one thousand five hundred and eighty-three synods, or councils, noticed by ecclesiastical historians, beginning with the synod of Pergamos, A.D. 152, and ending with the council of Trent, the following may be considered the most important. Nineteen have been considered as entitled to the appellation of "General Councils :". A.D. 197. Rome. Respecting the celebration of Easter. 251. Rome. Against Novatian. 255. Carthage. The rebaptizing of heretics ordered. 256. Rome. The decision at Carthage opposed. 324. NICE. The first general council. Arianism condemned, and the Nicene creed framed. There were many other councils and countercouncils in this century, on the same subject, and varying decisions were pronounced, as either party obtained the majority. 381. CONSTANTINOPLE. The second general council. The distinct personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit declared, in opposition to the Macedonians. A.D. 431. EPHESUS. The third general council. The Nestorians and Pelagians condemned. 451. CHALCEDON. The fourth general council. Eutychianism condemned. 501. Rome. To determine whether Symmachus or Laurentius, who were both chosen to the bishopric of Rome, should be acknowledged. Symmachus succeeded, it is said, through the influence of Theodoric, king of the Goths, and an Arian. 553. CONSTANTINOPLE. The fifth general council. Some errors of Origen condemned. 680. CONSTANTINOPLE. The sixth general council. The Monothelites condemned. 691. Constantinople. Called "in Trullo," from the name of the palace where it was held, and " Quinisextum," because considered supplementary to the fifth and sixth general councils. 754. Constantinople. Against the worship of images. 769. Rome. A decree passed that images should be honoured, and the council of Constantinople anathematized. 787. NICE. The seventh general council. Imageworship established. 794. Frankfort. Under the auspices of the emperor Charlemagne. demned. Image-worship con 842. Constantinople. Image-worship authorized. 869. CONSTANTINOPLE. The eighth general council. Photius, patriarch of Constantinople, deposed. The preceding general councils confirmed. 896. Rome. Pope Stephen vi. procured the body A.D. of pope Formosus to be disinterred and mutilated, and those to be deposed who had been ordained by him. 898. Rome. Under pope Theodore. The proceedings of the last council annulled. 963. Rome. Pope John XII. deposed, and Leo VIII. appointed. 964. Rome. Leo VIII. deposed, and John XII. restored. 964. Rome. Leo VIII. restored, and Benedict v. deposed. 1046. Sutri. Gregory vi. deposed, and Clement II. elected. 1076. Henry IV., emperor of Germany, excommunicated, and his subjects absolved from their allegiance. 1079. Utrecht. The partisans of Henry iv. excommunicate pope Gregory VII. 1080. Rome. Henry iv. excommunicated again. 1085. Rome. The excommunication of Henry IV. declared null. 1123. ROME. In the Lateran palace. The ninth general council. On investitures. Plenary indulgence granted to all who should join the crusade to the Holy Land. 1139. ROME. The tenth general council, and second of Lateran. On discipline. 1179. ROME. The eleventh general council, and third of Lateran. The Waldenses anathematized. 1215. ROME. The twelfth general council, and fourth of Lateran. Its third canon de nounces all heretics, and decrees their extirpation. |