characteristics of the gracious Redeemer's disciples, every one of them may constantly exemplify that they are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world!"

NATHANAEL CHRISTIAN.

CHURCH COURTS UNMASKED.

INTRODUCTORY.

ALMOST immediately after Martin Luther published his original propositions against "Papal Indulgences," Frederick, the Elector of Saxony, demanded the opinion of Erasmus concerning that reformer's opposition to Tetzel. The wily worldling replied-" In Luther are two great faults. He plagues the bellies of the Monks, and he troubles the pope's crown, in which matters no man should interfere." Three hundred years have since elapsed; and notwithstanding all our boasted advancement, the witty truth of that temporizing assailant of the antichristian supremacy, is not less oracular and applicable than when it was first announced.

In one short paragraph, John Newton has condensed the substance of all the historical annals relating to the Christian church: "A declension from the simplicity and purity of worship, principles, and morals, was visible very early in the church. The progress of it was rapid, especially from the time of Constantine. Then persecution ceased, and a tide of wealth and worldly honors flowed in upon those who, by their profession, were bound to be patterns of humility and self-denial to others. From that period till the Reformation, ecclesiastical history

affords us little more than a detail of pride, intrigue, oppression, and cruelty, under the pretext of religion, which had not been known among the heathen. The nations which were relieved from the chains and darkness of popery at the Reformation, did not long preserve much more than the name and a form to distinguish them. In most countries, the state became the idol of the church, and the church the creature of the state."

Such was the character of the churchcraft. Thomas Scott thus portrays the craftsmen. "The most enormous wickedness has commonly been committed under the forms of law and justice, and varnished over by a semblance of piety. Ringleaders in the most aggravated oppression have often perplexed themselves in devising how to regulate their conduct by statute and custom, and with the appearance of impartiality." Mark, xiv. "In every age ungodly priests have been ringleaders in the diabolical work of persecution; and would put the Lord's servants to death, if they had it in their power, and could not otherwise silence them." Jer. xi. "Assemblies of ecclesiastical rulers have always been more corrupt, unrighteous, and cruel, than any other body of men. They boasted of their unanimity, whereas it was a wicked conspiracy against the cause of God, and the interests of his religion. The Christian cannot reasonably expect so much tenderness and compassion, when suffering for the truth, as a thief and murderer when punished for his crimes." Matt. xxvi.

To which may appropriately be subjoined his welltimed admonition-" Beware of a splendid, a lucrative, or

a fashionable religion. Avoid the mystery of iniquity, and study diligently the great mystery of godliness, that we may learn humility, simplicity, self-denial, and gratitude in the stable at Bethlehem, in the carpenter's shop at Nazareth, by the side of the well at Sychar, in the garden of Gethsemane, and the mount Golgotha. The more we resemble Christ, the less shall we be liable to be deceived by antichrist." Rev. xvii.

In this republic, the state is not the idol of the church, nor is the church the creature of the state; but that antichristian combination now is superceded by another pernicious mixture equally unscriptural. Using the term "world" as it is understood in the Holy Bible, in many painful aspects, the world is the idol of the church, and the church is the creature of the world! That unholy coalition is not developed in similar exterior lordliness and magnificence, with which it was gorgeously decorated by Constantine and his successors; nor in pagan, impious gewgaws and idolatry under a Christian name, as in "the seat of the Beast, and the ten kingdoms" of modern Babylon. The present approximating devotedness of the church to the world is more deleterious and fraught with alarm; because it is artfully concealed, and the process of amalgamation is so gradual and mysterious, that without the Amen's eye-salve, it cannot be discerned.

It is essential, therefore, to unmask "that spirit of antichrist" which lurks in those protestant ecclesiastical assemblies, where the spurious progeny of "the Beast and the Mother of Harlots" propagate their "form of godliness." This discussion adverts not to popery, except as that

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"working of Satan" is virtually transferred into the reformed churches, and copied by Protestant Church Courts; because they all avowedly discard every thing which distinctively appertains to the Roman priesthood. Many disciples, doubtless through ignorance, sincerely believe, that" ecclesiastical courts," clerical titles, pulpits "arrayed in purple and scarlet color," pontifical "stalls and thrones," heathenish paintings and figures, drapery invented by the priests of Baal, and "goodly Babylonish garments" from accursed Jericho; all combined with splendid edifices of marble and mahogany, and cushions, and carpets, and curtains, are complete transcripts of apostolic times. That in such buildings the first heralds of the cross preached Christ crucified. That in similar dresses, "Rabbi" Stephen, and "Saint" Peter, and "Doctor” Paul, and the "Right Reverend Bishop" John proclaimed the gospel to the disobedient, and gainsaying, and stiffnecked multitudes. That the "upper room in which the hundred and twenty met, waiting for the promise of the Father;" and Mary's house "where many were gathered together, praying" for the deliverance of Peter "out of the hands of Herod, and all the expectation of the Jews;" and the " upper chamber" in which Paul "continued his speech to the disciples until midnight," were exact counterparts of the gaudy temples built through vain glory "that they may be seen of men." And that modern "Church Courts, and Ecclesiastical Judicatures," are congregated bodies precisely assimilated to that assemblage of the apostles and elders who met under the direction of the Holy Ghost to announce "what the Spirit saith unto the