Church is the object of their perpetual envy and hostility. They inculcate it as the duty of religious men (in what part of the Gospel, in what words or deeds of Jesus and his Apostles is to be found such religion?) never to rest, till they destroy that Church; that noblest monument, and bulwark of the Reformation, which alone presents to this kingdom a model of either unity, order, fixed doctrine, apostolical commission, primitive pattern, or even of more than modern existence. All the sects, all the heresies, all the blasphemies, all the religious bubbles, which dissenterism every year raises, and sees extinguished, or split afresh, all are regarded with complacency by the Baptists; there is, in their opinion, no one object, worthy the pious hatred and envy of the Baptist-but the venerable Church of England, the champion of the Scriptures, the cradle of our most glorious privileges, and of our pre-eminence in civil and religious dignity. The destruction of this the Baptist's religion teaches him, to be the duty of "an assembly of religious men"!

The unblushing assurance, or profound ignorance of these people in describing that Church as an apostate Church, we shall have to deal with under our third head. Enough for the present.

(To be continued.)

THE BAPTISTS.

SPECIMEN OF RELIGIOUS BURLESQUE.

The good sense, and sober piety, which distinguished the reformers of our branch of Christ's holy Church, presented the strongest barrier against the return of papal corruptions. It was therefore a well known artifice of the popish agents to assume the garb of sectarian teachers; both that divisions might be increased, and that the absurdities of the sects might be more spread and displayed, and the discredit

of their extravagancies be fixed upon the reformation itself. For this purpose the distribution of anabaptist tracts, as abounding in folly and impiety, was a chosen device. We will not say, that they are again in the present day among the Baptists, playing the same crafty game. But, if they are not, the Baptists themselves are doing their best to play that game for them. The subjoined extract from the John Bull newspaper will shew that, if proofs were wanting of the impieties and buffooneries to which self-constituted apostles may give birth, and by which religion itself may be exposed to the ridicule of the scoffer, the Baptist treasury of such profaneness and absurdity is by no means exhausted in the present day.

"We learn from the Northampton Herald that a Baptist jubilee has been held in that town-for what purpose is not definitively explained, but we are told in aid of the "Jubilee Fund." The affair seems to have lasted some days, as we read that beds were provided for visitors by tickets-as they label coats and bonnets at the theatres, we suppose-and that the "creature comforts," as Mr. JAY terms marriage, were further cared for by supplies of tea and refreshments gratuitously to Ministers also by tickets. However, in what way these people may amuse or busy themselves, is perfectly indifferent to us, so long as they avoid any gross offence to God or man.

But we are not called upon to overlook such offences; and what else are we to denominate the fact that there was sold at the bazaar held on this jubilee occasion by the Baptists, a note assimilating in size and print, to a Bank note, the promissory obligation of which runs as follows:

No. 1.

HOLY
BIBLE.

A good Title to

Heaven is worth

more than
£10,000.

John x. 28.

OLD BANK OF HEAVEN.

I promise to give you ETERNAL LIFE, and none shall pluck you out of my hand.*

We will not trust ourselves to make any remark on the above, further than to ask-Is this, then, the boasted nineteenth century?"

DISSENT AND SIMONY

(Continued from page 157.)

For gain has wonderful effects
T'improve the Factory of Sects;
The rule of faith in all professions,
And great Diana of the Ephesians;
Whence turning of Religion 's made
The means to turn and wind a trade:
And though some change it for the worse,
They put themselves into a course;
And draw in store of customers,

To thrive the better in commerce :

For all Religions flock together,

Like tame and wild fowl of a feather.

Hudibras.

We promised our readers some specimens of the regular business-like way, in which Dissent trades in Simony and by which sects (Churches as they are called) and Ministers, may be manufactured at pleasure for money. The trade appears, by the facetious poet of the early age of cant, to have been old; but never was it more impudently carried on than now. We suspect however that the speculation is not quite so productive as it was, for the people are beginning to examine the quality of the wares. Facts and common sense coming into that Market will be as unwelcome, as a police officer among the thimblerig tables at a fair. Here are some facts, let Common Sense estimate and apply them.

"Freehold Chapel to be Let or Sold, in an improving neighbourhood; likewise a House consisting of nine rooms, large garden, with every convenience, three miles from town. Inquire of W. X., 34, Little Newport-street, Newport-market; may be Let together or separate. No letters received, unless post-paid." (July, 1824.)

66

Any quantity of a large piece of Ground, pleasantly situated in an improving and centrical part of Stoke Newington, being particularly adapted for a Chapel or Meeting-House, to let on a building lease of 89 years. The neighbourhood being already respectable and populous, will be much increased from the new

buildings which are rapidly covering and surrounding the spot, the most desirable part of which may be selected for the purpose alluded to. Apply to Mr. Young, surveyor, 7, Hart-street, Cripplegate." (Feb. 1823.)

Here reader, you see these dissenters, who are so open mouthed about the rapacity of the Church, and so jocular about the enjoyment, which their imaginary Simonist will find in the profits of his purchase, are allured by the profits on capital to be made by the Minister purchasing in an "improving neighbourhood" buildings increasing, &c., &c. And there is this difference, that the dissenting minister is invited to make the profitable purchase-the Church Clergyman is forbidden.

"A small Chapel that will seat 150 persons, to Let, for twice on the Sabbath, and one week-day evening. Rent 81. per annum. N. B. The Sabbath afternoon is occupied by a small Church of moderate Calvinistic Independents, but at present without a pastor. Apply, if by letter, post paid, to Mr. Palmer, Academy, Lower Chapman-street, St. George's East."-(Dec. 1828.)

"A Chapel.-To be Sold, a Chapel, and piece of Ground adjoining, both freehold, situated in the centre of Reading, Berks. The premises cost 13007., now offered for 6007. The chapel has three galleries, and is pewed throughout, and will seat near 500. Dimensions: chapel, 36 feet by 40; ground, 63 by 44; vestry, 14 feet square. There is a mortgage of 4007. on the premises which might remain, if required. There is a small congregation much attached to the place, who raised last year upwards of 607.; and where a lively zealous Evangelical Minister to purchase it, he would soon double that sum, as the town is populous and fast increasing. Application to F. Millard, Market-place, Reading, Berks. If by letter, post-paid."-(April, 1823.)

Here again the conventicle is recommended as being "without a pastor," and then the temptation is held out to the "lively zealous Evangelical Minister," that he will soon "double the sum." The life and zeal springing from the heart (of his breeches pocket) will not be wanting. But here the Dissenting Minister, who may buy when the conventicle is vacant, and to "double the sum,” is in convulsions of holy horror at the Simony of the Church, which allows an advowson to be purchased

by a Clergyman, who may not do so while the Church is vacant, and may never live to present himself. What says "Common Sense" to this? They will tell usin Yorkshire-"One man may steal a horse, but another may not look over the hedge."

"Between the selling an advowson or presentation, (observes Maitland) and the sale of a Meetinghouse, there is this material difference, besides those of which I have already spoken,—namely, that the Church must still remain what it was, and can only be used for those purposes for which it was built, endowed, and consecrated. It is impossible for a lay speculator to withdraw from a neighbourhood those means of grace to which the inhabitants have been accustomed, by converting the place of worship to any secular purpose. The seller cannot advertise in such terms as these:

"" 'Chapel.-To be Let or Sold, terms moderate, a well built, neat Chapel, with ground for enlargement. No Galleries. Will seat near 230 persons. Situation, Stockwell, Surrey. Immediate possession. May be converted into anything else. Apply, if by letter, post-paid, to Mr. Knott, Chichester-place, Wandsworthroad, Surrey."—(May, 1830.)

"Hertford-street Chapel, Coventry.-To be sold by Auction, by Joseph Johnson, at the Craven Arms Hotel, Coventry, on Wednesday, the 15th day of April, 1829, at six o'clock in the evening, subject to such conditions as will be then produced, all that newly-erected, substantially-built Freehold Chapel, situate in Hertford-street, elegantly fitted up with pews, galleries, and sittings for 800 persons, having a chancel, vestry; sacristy, with a room over coal vault, and other accomodations, with gas for evening service. The proceeds, on a moderate calculation, will amount to at least 2001. per annum, making this property most desirable for the investment of capital. The premises, being central, are also eligibly situated for a library, or any other public building, and may be converted thereto at a small expense. For further particulars, apply to Mr. James Buckler, or Mr. Thomas Latham, builders; Mr. James Townsend, ribbon manufacturer; or Messrs. T. B. Troughton and Lea, solicitors; or the Auctioneer; all of Coventry."-(April, 1829.)

"There is one circumstance connected with these sales which seems peculiarly revolting; and which