eyes make them see the contrary. It is not here a question of Papists, or of Babylon, or of the Antichrist-great words these, which, pronounced with the hardy tone inspired by heresy, may have an imposing effect in Europe, but which signify nothing here: they must attack a thousand Christian Nations: they must renounce antiquity: they must condemn Antioch, and abandon the Apostles. This step it is difficult to take: and, therefore, these Gentlemen avoid, as much as possible, entering with us upon a dispute where they would have the worst; and, more wise than in France, they observe, on all contested points and on all the rites of religion, a profound and respectful silence, well persuaded that they would not have on their side the suffrage of the Greek Church.

This conformity of sentiments between the Greek and Latin Churches sometimes makes upon right hearts a salutary impression. I was particularly acquainted, some years since, with a Minister of the Dutch Nation: he was a man of much talent: I often conversed with him, as he spoke Latin easily: he was about to set sail; but, before his departure, said to me in confidence, that he was going to Italy, there to weigh well an important affair, concerning which, what he had seen with his eyes had led him to make serious reflections which had changed him.

Persons of the pretended Reformed Religion would not dare here to dogmatize: at least they would not do it with impunity. Some time since, an English Minister, zealous for his sect, went to great expenses in printing a Catechism according to his fashion. He aimed at infusing into the spirit and heart of all the Christians the poison with which he was filled. But they trampled it under foot: they tore it, and burnt it, without the Missionaries being obliged to interfere in the least degree".

* The learned Orientalist Pococke, who, from the year 1630 to 1636, was Chaplain to the English at Aleppo, subsequently published in England, (besides many other valuable pieces,) the Work "de Veritate Fidei Christiana" of Grotius, with whom he was personally acquainted; and, likewise, a Selection from the Liturgy of the Church of England-both in Arabic. The Treatise of Grotius has been reprinted by the Church Missionary Society, and

copies

The Christians of all the Nations of the East do not know what it is to doubt of the reality of the body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist; and they have so great an attachment to their Fasts and their Lents, that they would die, rather than fail in them. They have also received from Antioch, their neighbour and their Mistress in the Faith, the custom of praying for the dead. The Invocation of the Saints, and in particular of Saint George, is, to them, so dear and so precious, that they would rather suffer themselves to be hacked to pieces, than renounce it.

It is impossible to add any thing to the profound veneration, which even the Turks have for Mary. They call her the Mother of the Great Prophet, Jesus t; and, in this quality, they reverence her to such a degree, as to impale those Jews who dare blaspheme against her. What a strange contrast! Men, born in the bosom of Christendom, refuse to Mary honours, which are rendered to her by the most implacable enemies of the Christian Name!

Further, the respect of Mahomedans is not limited to the Mother of our God: the Sepulchre of the Messiah is one of the objects of their pilgrimages of devotion. They regard those who have visited the Sepulchres of the two Prophets as men of extraordinary piety: and to this double pilgrimage, are attached certain marks of distinction. "Such an one is a Saint," they would say: "he has been at Jerusalem and Mecca."

One of our merchants, who has resided a long time at the Holy City, and has seen, various times, these Turkish Pilgrims, related to me that they go upon their knees, that they

copies have been circulated in the Levant. Of the Liturgy there is a Copy in the Library of the Society: it was printed A.D. 1674. It contains the Forms of Confession and Absolution, with several other prayers, and the Litany. The Author is ignorant what steps were taken for the circulation of this book, or what accounts may exist of its reception in the countries where Arabic is spoken. It seems, however, by no means improbable that the above-cited passage has reference to this pious and laudable effort of Pococke, to make the Christians of the East acquainted with the Church of England.

+ But they would not call her "OsóToxos, Deipara, Mother-ofGod:" here, therefore, this impassioned encomiast of the Turks has stretched the bow too far.

upon

crawl upon the ground from the gate to the Holy Sepulchre; but, before entering there, they take off the bandage of their turban: this is with them a mark of ignominy, when done compulsion; and a mark of respect, when done voluntarilythat then they prostrate themselves; that they make profound obeisance, and strike their head upon the pavement. "This spectacie," he added, "has always edified me, and has sometimes touched me even to tears." The Grand Signior himself, among all the pompous and magnificent titles which he assumes in the orders which emanate from the throne, prides himself in adopting that of Protector and Preserver of the Holy City of Jerusalem. It is a consolation, not a little moving, for poor enslaved Christians to see their proud Masters do so much honour to the God whom they adore.

(Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses, Vol. II. pp. 167–172.) It would be an easy task, were it requisite, to refute the various misrepresentations contained in the preceding extract. The supposed merit of the rigid abstinences, so much extolled, might well be contrasted with the moderate views of the ApostleOne believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak, eateth herbs. He, that eateth, eateth to the Lord; for he giveth God thanks: he, that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (Rom. xiv. 2, 6.) The preference which this Jesuit gives to the Turk above the Protestant, might find its parallel, though in a higher degree, in those words, Not this man, but Barabbas: for he has more than half offered the right-hand of fellowship to the Mahomedans, who would rob Jesus Christ of his Divinity; while he, at the same time, calumniates those in England and in Holland, who honour, not less than the Romanists, Christ as the Son of God, and reject only their excessive worship, practically amounting to adoration, of the Blessed Virgin.

Scarcely, even, will a correct disciple of

Rome be brought to admire the juxta-position, which he has so smartly effected, of Jerusalem and Mecca! But it may suffice briefly to remark, on one main point, that, at the bottom of all these delusive representations, there is a mystery of iniquity, which still works in the Levant. The enemies to the entrance of the pure light of the Gospel will adopt the same tactics as formerly: any. friend, rather than the friend of the Bible, will be the object of their choice; the Turkish Civil Power is even now courted, with a view to obstructing the labours of that glorious Society, which has embodied in its fundamental law the best part of the spirit of Protestantism. Upon this topic, however, as belonging to the affairs of the present day, it will be proper to treat more largely in another part of this Volume.

Mahomedans.

SONNITES.

THE Sonnites are that division of the Mahomedan World, which asserts the legitimacy of the first three Caliphs-Abu-Beker, Omar, and Othman. It is not designed to enter here into the various opinions of this Body. In addition to the Korân, they admit a multitude of traditions and interpretations; while the rival Sect, the Shiites, though they admit some traditions, yet hold them more loosely, and are almost considered by the Sonnites as unbelievers. The Sonnites regard the Grand Signior of Constantinople as their Civil Head and Protector; and the Turks and Arabs of Syria are, generally, of this Sect. Persia is the patron of the opposite party: yet these, also, as will appear under the next head, are found in Syria.

METAWALIES.

THIS is the title by which many Mahomedans in Syria are distinguished, as being the followers of Ali, the fourth Caliph, the cousin and son-in-law of Mahomet; maintaining his right to be the immediate successor of his father-in-law. In this they resemble the Persians, and are in opposition to the Turks. The following extract will give the reader