a chief part of whose religious worship consists in violent exercise and contortions of the body'. III. Those who teach more than the Truth. Under this head are included all who teach besides the Scriptures, something else as of equal authority with what is contained in them. The chief of these are, 1. ROMANISTS, or PAPISTS, (so called because they are the followers of the Pope or Bishop of Rome,) who teach that the images of God and of the Saints ought to be worshipped; that the Virgin Mary and other Saints ought to be prayed to; that in the LORD's Supper, after consecration, the bread is no longer bread, the wine no longer wine; that all churches owe obedience to the Pope of Rome, &c. &c. They have at different times attempted to confirm these doctrines by pretended miracles. 2. NEW JERUSALEMITES, or SWEDENBORGIANS, so called from their leader, who pretended to have received a new revelation. 3. SOUTHCOTIANS: the followers of Johanna Southcote, who pretended to be a prophetess. 4. IRVINGITES; so called from one of their chief leaders, who pretend to have received a new Revelation, and a new order of Apostles, which, like the Papists, they attempt to confirm by pretended gifts of unknown tongues, prophecy, and miracles; like all under this head, a mixture of delusion and imposture. Churchman, whosoever thou art, that readest the list of follies and errors in the 2d and 3d classes, into which the pride of man's heart and the wiles of Satan have beguiled so many of those who 1 The Moravians are purposely omitted: for they cannot well be said to be opposed to the Church. They lay claim also to an Apostolic or Episcopa! Ministry, though it is believed that they are unable to substantiate the suc cession. 2 See "Churchman's Manual," pp. 15-19. call upon the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST', first give to GOD your hearty thanks for having preserved you a member of the "One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church," which teaches the way of GOD in truth", "neither handling the word of God de-. ceitfully," like the second class, nor following cunningly-devised fables, like the third, but, by manifestation of the truth, commending itself to every man's conscience in the sight of GOD. Next pray to Him for yourself, that you may have grace to walk worthy of your high calling and privilege; in repentance, faith, and holiness, and in close communion with the Church, especially by a frequent participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice and Sacrament of the LORD's Supper, which is at once the highest and most essential act of Christian worship, and the surest token of Church membership. Next pray to God, for mercy upon all, both those who have gone beyond or fallen short of the Truth, and those who have altogether rejected it; that He may be pleased so to turn their hearts, and fetch them home to His flock, that they may be saved together with His true servants, and be made one fold under one Shepherd. One word more. From each of these three Classes, which have been here considered, the Church of England has undergone persecution. 1st. In the 4th and 6th centuries, from those who reject the Truth, when they who denied that JESUS is the CHRIST, the Son of the living GoD, expelled and murdered those who believed in Him, and called upon His Name. 2nd. In the 16th century, from those who teach more than the Truth, when the Papists or Romanists burned alive those who rejected their corrupt additions to the Catholic faith. 3rd. In the 17th century, from those who teach less than the Truth, when the Protestant Dissenters expelled and barbarously treated the Clergy, shut up the Churches, and forbade the use of the English Liturgy. But on each occasion, though it pleased GOD for a while to try the faith and constancy of his servants by sufferings, He failed not finally to deliver his people, and to protect and strengthen His Church. 1 1 Cor. i. 2. 3 2 Pet. i. 16. 2 Matt. xxii. 16. 4 2 Cor. iv. 2. At the present time, these three Classes of opponents have united their forces; and unbeliever, Papist, and Protestant Dissenter, obeying Satan's bidding, are endeavouring to do that ⚫together, which they have failed to do singly, namely, to overthrow and destroy our branch of the Catholic and Apostolic Church. And it is not improbable that God, for our correction and improvement, or for the glory of His name, may again put the faith and constancy of His servants to the proof, by permitting them to suffer afflictions for His name's sake. But as He is "the same yesterday and to-day and for ever 1," His power undiminished, His truth unchanged, we may rest assured, that if we will be true to Him, He will be true to us; and will protect the Church of His Son, which is "built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST Himself being the Chief Corner-stone"," and concerning which Church, that SoN has said, that" the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it"." Fear not, therefore, neither be faint-hearted; has not GoD commanded you? Be strong, and of good courage! These Tracts are continued in Numbers, and sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, or 7s. for 50 copies. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE. 1840. GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London. The following Works, all in single volumes, or pamphlets, and recently published, will be found more or less to uphold or elucidate the general doctrines inculcated in these Tracts : Bp. Taylor on Repentance, by Hale.-Rivingtons. Bp. Taylor's Golden Grove.-Parker, Oxford. Vincentii Lirinensis Commonitorium, with translation.— Parker, Oxford. " Pusey on Cathedrals and Clerical Education.-Roake and Varty. Hook's University Sermons.-Talboys, Oxford. Pusey on Baptism (published separately).-Rivingtons. Newman's Sermons, 4 vols.—Rivingtons. Newman on Romanism, &c.-Rivingtons. The Christian Year.-Parker, Oxford. Perceval on the Roman Schism.-Leslie. Bp. Andrews' Devotions. Latin and Greek.-Pickering. Hook's Family Prayers.-Rivingtons. Herbert's Poems and Country Pastor. Evans's Scripture Biography.-Rivingtons. Le Bas' Life of Archbishop Laud.-Rivingtons. Jones (of Nayland) on the Church. Bp. Bethell on Baptismal Regeneration.-Rivingtons. Bp. Beveridge's Sermons on the Ministry and Ordinances.-Parker, Oxford. Bp. Jolly on the Eucharist. Fulford's Sermons on the Ministry, &c.—Rivingtons. A Catechism on the Church.-Parker, Oxford. Russell's Judgment of the Anglican Church.-Baily. Larger Works which may be profitably studied. Bishop Bull's Sermons.-Parker, Oxford. Wall on Infant Baptism.-Do. Pearson on the Creed.-Do. Leslie's Works.- Do. Bingham's Works.-Straker, London. Palmer on the Liturgy.-University Press. Palmer on the Church.-Rivingtons. Hooker, ed. Keble.-Do. TRACTS FOR THE TIMES. BISHOP WILSON'S FORM OF EXCOMMUNICATION. It is well known that Bishop Wilson, who presided over the Church in the Isle of Man, from 1698 to 1755, was stirred up by Him who made him overseer, to revive the Primitive Discipline, and was remarkably blest in his undertaking. The principle of this discipline is, that no man who sinned openly, whether in creed or practice, should be allowed to remain in free and full communion with the Church; but should be censured, put to penance, suspended, or excommunicated, as the case might require. The following is the form he proposed to use, in inflicting the extreme punishment of excommunication. My Brethren, and all good Christians here met together. We are met upon a very unusual and mournful occasion. We have hitherto (blessed be GoD) preserved, in some good measure, the ancient discipline of the Church; and notorious sinners have been prevailed upon to take shame to themselves in a public confession of their offences; and to desire the prayers of the Church for the grace that is necessary for a true con version. I am sorry to tell you, that there is a person now under the censures of the Church, who utterly refuseth to submit to this wholesome discipline; being more concerned for the shame that attends his censures, than he is for his salvation. We have laid before you his crimes; and the Christian methods which have been made use of to bring him to a sense of his guilt and danger, and to oblige him to make what satisfaction he can for the scandal he hath given. You will see how very long we have waited in hopes of bringing him to submit to the discipline of the Church; until at last our discipline begins to be slighted, as too weak for such offenders. VOL. I. A |