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nounce a martyrdom."-What may they be? The Bishop of Marseilles ordered "the holy body" to be exhibited in the church of St. Charles; and on the morning of the 12th of November celebrated mass on an altar fitted up before "the holy body." The church was crowded on the occasion, and multitudes received communion from the hands of the bishop. Of this saint, the legends accepted in the Romish church tell us, that he, together with St. Severinus and St. Felician, suffered martyrdom at Vienne, in Gaul, in the reign of the Emperor M. Aurelius; but even this scanty information is very uncertain. The new breviary of Vienne says, that their bodies, being discovered by the revelation of the saints themselves, were solemnly interred in the church of St. Romanus, by Bishop Pascasius, about the middle of the 4th century, and transported "au monastère de Romans," on the Isere, A.D. 830, by Bishop Bernard (see Tillemot, ii. 321). How, then, did the body come to the catacombs at Rome? His Holiness the Pope does not, however, expect that the faithful at Lyons will be disposed to criticise his statements very accurately. Lent.-The Quadragesimal Penitence, real or supposed, of Lent, as enjoined by "the established religion," has this year been disturbed, both in France and England. In France, the Archbishop of Paris, most vehemently protested against a series of public masquerades, advertised for one of the great theatres during "the holy season." The government at first declined to interfere, as the masquerades were peculiarly popular; but when the cardinal archbishop threatened to leave Paris, the king, who is anxious to be on good terms with the clergy, commanded the theatre to be closed. Whatever may be the merit of the archbishop's interference on this occasion, the Parisians seem to feel that if his eminence exercised his functions free from all suspicion of secular motives, he would enjoy a higher moral position as a governor of the church, than that which he now possesses. His Eminence, who is now a thorough Carlist, refuses to baptise the young Count of Paris, grandson to the king, unless His Majesty will create him (the archbishop), Duke and Peer of France. Here is a bargain for the baptismal advantages, truly characteristic of a union between Church and State! The King declines the terms; the archbishop refuses to baptise the child; so that, if the offices of his Eminence are indispensable, it would seem that the young prince must, of necessity, grow up an anti-pædobaptist.

In England, the question of Lent has been agitated in Parliament. Mr. Thomas Duncombe, member for Finsbury, brought it forward, by proposing a motion against the restriction of theatrical amusements, within the city of Westminster, on Wednes

days and Fridays during Lent. This proposition the Government opposed, but the motion was carried by a majority only of 20. The debate produced some not very edifying proofs of the solemn deception of this season, as observed by persons of high example.

It was shewn that on Wednesday evening, there had been a jovial dinner party at the Free Masons' Tavern, for the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, at which some high estates of the realm, and great functionaries of government, sang some songs not of the most dignified order. The grand dinners at the Royal Palace, with the pomp and the music thereof, were also noticed, and also a splendid dinner given on Friday, by the Bishop of Limerick at the Deanery of St. Paul's. Lord Teignmouth, amidst roars of laughter, defended the bishop by urging. that he was "fulfilling a mandate," which enjoined him "to be given to hospitality"!

The newspapers have subsequently published a list of fifty clergymen, who, on Wednesday Evening were at the princely festivities at Goodwood Park, in the celebration of the majority of the Earl of March, eldest son of the Duke of Richmond. It is needless to remark, that these fifty priests enjoyed themselves exceedingly, by dancing and merry-making, entirely oblivious of the mortifications of the season.

The Christians of the first era knew nothing of Lent, theatres, or dancing.

Superstitions at Oxford. The following curious label appears on a perfume recently introduced into Oxford. We have not yet heard which member of the Puseyite School has had the honour of introducing this preparation from Rome. It may be considered more innocent than many of their other recent importations. "Frankincense, for the fumigating of apartments, prepared in exact accordance with the celebrated incense used at St. Peter's, Rome. Sold by her Majesty's Perfumers, Spiers and Son, Oxford. This frankincense is intended to be used in an incense burner."-Record Newspaper.

Mediation of Saints.-The Romish Church commenced on the 25th January, a period of forty days to be devoted to prayers, in order to obtain of God, through the mediation of the holy Virgin, the exaltation of the holy church and the conversion of sinners, Protestants, particularly in England, and of unbelievers. The archbishop particularly recommended the faithful to invoke Saint Denis, Saint Vincent de Paule, and Sainte Genevieve. "But there was no voice, nor any that regarded," 1 Kings xviii.

Martyrs in Madagascar.-We hear that persecution continues to rage against the devoted little band of Christians in this country. The Queen has been exasperated by the escape of some Christians to the

Mauritius, and seventeen Christian converts in consequence received the crown of martyrdom. They were executed in a most cruel manner, being either scalded to death or smothered-yet thrice happy they!

Sufferings of Dissenters in Holland.Much persecution attends the little flocks of christians in this country. The laws require that not more than twenty persons should be assembled at their meetings. One pastor has been fined 200fr. and another 50fr. for preaching and administering the sacraments. M. Scholte was, some time since, interrupted, while preaching at Leyden, by a detachment of military, whilst the populace assailed with stones the people, whom the soldiers forced to retire. The assembly was again dispersed the following week.

At length, however, the king has consented that he should be allowed to use as a place of worship an old Catholic chapel on condition

of his not accepting any salary, and that the poor of his flock should not become chargeable to the state. This seems like the harbinger of brighter days, as to external quiet.

Dissenters in Wirtemberg -A small church of Protestant Dissenters was formed some months ago at Stuttgard. The members have had much persecution to suffer, and some of them have lost their situations, &c.; but at last they were all summoned before the chief magistrate of the city, and examined in the presence of a minister of the Established Church, who had much to accuse them of. The magistrate declared, at the end of the examination, that he could find no evil in them; that he had already spoken with the king of Wirtemberg on the subject; that he had been directed to afford them protection; and that he wished them much success.-Christian Advocate.

The following version will be found sufficient to express the general meaning of the original.

My failing heart grows cold in death,

VERSES COMPOSED BY MUSCULUS ON THE APPROACH OF DEATH. WOLFGANG MUSCULUS was a celebrated Divine amongst the Reformers of Germany. In 1534 he preached with such effect against the Popish religion, at Augsburg, that the magistrates expelled the Popish priests, and introduced the Reform worship. When the Emperor, Charles V., restored the Papal religion at Augsburg, he fled to Berne, in Switzerland, where he was chosen Professor of Divinity. He died there in the year 1563.

Nil superest vitæ, frigus præcordia captat,
Sed tu, Christe, mihi, vita perennis ades.

Quid trepidas, anima, ad sedes abitura quietis

En tibi ductor adest Angelus ille tuus.

Linque domum hanc miseram, nunc in sua fata ruentem

Quam tibi fida Dei dextera restituet.

Peccasti? scio; sed Christus credentibus in se

Peccata expurget sanguine cuncta suo.

Horribilis mors est; fateor, sed proxima vita est

Ad quam te Christi gratia certa vocat.

Præsto est de Satanâ, peccato, et morte triumphans

Christus ad hunc igitur læta alacrisque vola.

Life's feeble current ebbs apace,
Soon the last effort of my breath

Will terminate my mortal race,
But Christ stands near to give to me
A life of immortality.

Peace, timid soul! thy fears subdue,
Prepare to escape, to mount, to fly !
In faith behold in open view

Thy guardian Angel drawing nigh,
Sent from the mansions of the blest
To take thee to the realms of rest.
Leave, gladly leave this crumbling clay,
Whose hour of ruin is at hand,
And sweetly breathe thyself away;

For by thy faithful God's command,
Thou, as a chosen heir and son,
A house eternal shalt put on.
But thou hast sinned! I know it well,
And of thy sin, and shame, and guilt,
A fearful record I could tell;

But Christ his precious blood has spilt,
To cleanse to all eternity,
Believing sinners foul as thee.

But death is dreadful: be it so!

The grave, the coffin, and the spade,
And all the pomp of funeral-woe,

May make a mortal heart afraid,

But now, through grace, the grave shall be,
A door of endless life to thee.

He is at hand who master'd sin,

Who bruised the ancient serpent's head, Who did a glorious victory win

O'er death, and rob him of the dead— To Christ, my soul, then joyful fly, Exulting in thy liberty.

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THE INQUIRER.

MAY, 1839.

What saith the Scripture?-Rom. iv. 3.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.

CHAPTER II.

THE Bridegroom was now withdrawn from the church; the two great witnesses of blood and water had testified that the Son of God could atone for sin, and wash away its pollution; the third witness, the Holy Spirit, had yet to come, to single out by a visible change of character, the elect family of God; to seal the truths of their risen Lord in their hearts; to magnify his office and government; to reveal unto them the abundance of peace in the free forgiveness of their sins, and the imputation of his righteousness; to enlarge the understanding of his disciples for all spiritual mysteries; and to impart to many of them power superior to the ordinary operations of nature: proving that a divine favour attended the flock of Jesus Christ. Frequently had the Lord intimated that the Holy Spirit should be the seal of His Church : he had promised that it should be given in answer to earnest prayer: "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him" (Luke xi. 13); and that those who would come to him, should receive of the plentitude of the Spirit, which is likened to the flow of a perennial fountain (John vii. 39). This, in an eminent manner, he called "The gift of God;" he said to the woman of Samaria, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who I am, thou wouldest have asked of me, and I would have given thee living water:" in short, the conclusion to be gathered from the whole tenor of his doctrine, was the necessity of the great gift of the Paraclete to select, build up, sanctify and perfect the church upon earth, when he, the Redeemer, should be on his mediatorial throne in heaven. He told them it was expedient he should go away, because, if he went not away, the Comforter would not come unto them; but when he should come, who was pre-eminently "The Spirit of Truth," he would guide them into all truth, by exalting their absent Lord, and shewing them of all things that appertained to his person, kingdom, and glory.

The last words which our Lord uttered before his resurrection, were, again to repeat the promise, "Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.-But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth" (Luke xxiv. 49; Acts i. 8)..

In obedience to the commands of the Lord, they did not separate each

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to his ordinary avocations, as it seems they had done after the crucifixion (John xxi. 1-3), but they kept together in Jerusalem, waiting till the promise should be verified, of some gift of power and knowledge from God. In the mean-time, the eleven Apostles, with the women,* probably those who had come with Jesus from Galilee, and the mother and brothers of Jesus, continued in prayer and supplication for divine assistance and direction. Their place of meeting was an upper room, and in one of their meetings, where about one hundred and twenty disciples were congregated, Peter proposed to supply the vacant place of the dead apostate Judas, by appointing one of the disciples to make up the original number of twelve complete. The disciple to be appointed, was to be one of those who had been a witness of our Lord's ministry, from his baptism to his ascension. This proposal was acceded to; and all present united in appointing Barsabas and Matthias: after which, they appealed to the Lord in prayer, beseeching him to manifest which of these two men he would choose: then they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, who, from that time forth, was numbered with the eleven.

It would seem at first sight unimportant, to keep up the exact number of Twelve Apostles; and indeed we cannot now, perhaps, ascertain the full reason of their attention to this point; but thus much seems to have been the mind of the Lord, that he who was the great Prophet, “like unto Moses," should lead forth the church out of the power of darkness, under the guidance of twelve spiritual princes of his chosen congregation, as Moses led forth Israel out of Egypt, under the banners of the twelve tribes. The Church of Christ is, in very many particulars, the anti-type of the church marching towards Canaan in the wilderness; and marks and tokens have been left us, to shew that the Gospel answers to the Law, and that the Law, by types and shadows, was preparing for the Gospel. There can be little doubt, that this was one reason at least, why our Lord chose twelve disciples to be peculiarly near his person; for to these twelve he distinctly said, that "when the Son of man should sit on the throne of his glory, they also should sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt. xix); this, therefore, is a point of much more than curious coincidence, to those whose interests are indeed in the spiritual family of Abraham, and who believe that, by faith, they are of that house of Israel which in Jehovah is justified and doth glory, and which is going to that heavenly Canaan where they shall for ever be priests and kings, congregated round the throne of their God and their Father.

On the Jewish feast of Pentecost-not more than ten days at the latest after our Lord's ascension, when "they were all with one accord, in one place, there came suddenly a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting; and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire; and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance." The power of Almighty God, by a miraculous process, instantaneously imparted to each of them the faculty of talking in many foreign languages: they immediately felt and recognised the power; and must without delay have declared,

With the women—ovv yvvaiži-Calvin translates it, "cum uxoribus," with the wives; and this appears a more correct rendering of the Greek.

and proved that they possessed it; for a multitude of strangers, then sojourning in Jerusalem, soon flocked together to hear with their own ears what this marvel might be.

cost.

It is, however, a point that has been discussed, whether the miraculous gift of tongues was imparted to the apostles alone on the day of PenteWe incline to the opinion that others were present. "They were all with one accord, in one place," certainly seems to include, in a general expression, the body of believers mentioned immediately before; and if the Apostles had, on the morning of the great miracle, been apart from the Church, we should have expected that the narrative would have marked the fact, and instead of using the word "All," would have said, "The twelve." If others were present, some women were probably of the number; and, perhaps, Peter alludes to this in his speech to the people, "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy...and on my servants, and on my hand-maidens will I pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy." This prediction of the prophet Joel, Peter says, was then fulfilled; and though it is possible, he might have asserted this by a prolepsis—by anticipation-yet the more obvious interpretation is, to suppose that he was referring to some of the Sisters of the Church, who, at that time, together with the men, had received the gifts, and were able to prophesy, and to speak with tongues.

The Roman Catholic writers contend, that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was certainly with the Apostles, and probably she was; her name is mentioned with the other women, in the preceding meeting of the Church, and it is not unlikely, that she is to be included in the "All” of the number in this place; but it is to be observed, that her name appears not again in scripture, after the meeting for the choice of an Apostle.

The effusion of the Holy Spirit took place on the day of Pentecost, or, the fiftieth day after the 16th of Nisan (March), which was reckoned to be the first day of the harvest in Judæa; and fifty days afterwards, the corn was supposed to be fully gathered in. On Pentecost, then, they had a solemn festival of thanksgiving for their participation in the harvest, when they waved two loaves before the Lord (Lev. xxiii. 15), as they had waved a sheaf of corn on the beginning of the harvest, fifty days before (Lev. xxiii. 11). This, also, was the day when the Law was delivered on Mount Sinai; when Jehovah came down in dreadful majesty, with thunder, and lightnings, and thick clouds, and rolling smoke, and the voice of the trumpet sounding long, and waxing louder and louder-when all Israel trembled before their God, and said, in consternation, to Moses, "Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.' It is, therefore, obvious to conjecture, that the day of Pentecost, which, though it was the feast of the gathered harvest, was also the anniversary (though not the festival) of the delivery of the Law, was selected by the Head of the Church, as the day for the manifestation of the covenant of grace. It certainly was the great commencing day of grace to the church, when the Lord in the new covenant, "put his laws into his people's mind, and wrote them in their hearts;" for when the Law was given on Sinai, the fear of God was of

The hour when Peter was speaking to the assembled strangers, "the third hour of the day" (Acts ii. 15), i. e. not later than nine o'clock, A.M., shews that this miraculous exhibition of the Holy Ghost, must have been early in the morning.

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