Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

convinced that a majority of the persons present on those occasions were upright. They had no conception of the secret machinery which was at work around them. Although they had resolved on which side they would vote; yet they were willing, as they thought, to change their opinion, if in answer to prayer Providence supernaturally urged them so to decide. Supposing that peace was preferable to further contention, without investigating the ulterior consequences, and relying upon fallacious interpretations of the Lord's injunctions, and upon improper applications of the divine promises, they doubtless felt sincerely thankful to God, that the altercation was terminated, by an actual decision upon the affair. They even seriously, although ignorantly, believed that the Church Court to which they belonged, really was one of those assemblages of Christian apostles to whom the gracious Redeemer declared Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' They had lost, for the time being, the remembrance of that 'death-blow to all ecclesiastical infallibility and haughtiness, that Peter and his brethren, whom our Lord addressed, neither had, nor could have, any official successors.

[ocr errors]

Some years have passed away, since that D. D., who used to ridicule his "papistical diploma," thus unfolded the arcana of ecclesiastical judicatories. Often have I been forced fully to assent to the truth of his characteristic and melancholy exposure of the obliquities which he had encountered, during his attendance among those litigating sons of peace and sons of thunder."

66

Some of the corruptions to which that looker-on referred, are now masked; and some of the deficiencies in the management are now supplied by the party caucuses, under different names, that the Rabbis hold before the grand discordant sessions are convened. The counterpart, in several instances, has been so exact, that were it not certain, so few "doctors" know any thing of the Council of Trent; one might suppose that some of the craftsmen had been studying Fra Paolo Sarpi's history of that infamous "Church Court and Ecclesiastical Judicature;" that from the spirit, example, and acts of that "brotherhood," their predecessors, they might become initiated in the most prompt and efficient method to make right wrong, and falsehood truth-or as old Latimer pronounced, of some of his priestly contemporaries-"they mingle and mangle, until they mingle-mangle all together."

I was visiting at a friend's house in the state of NewYork, some years ago, and during my stay, a small "Church Court" was held in the vicinity. On the morning of the meeting, after I arrived at the meeting house to hear the sermon, one of the ministers remarked to me "If you keep a good look out, I think you will see some genuine priestcraft to-day; for old C. one of the chief Rabbis, is as full of notions as he can hold.” My friend however was mistaken; for the matter which he expected would have been discussed, was previously compromised.

"FABLES AND ENDLESS GENEALOGIES."

Three words are now adopted in common parlance upon the subject of the gospel ministry, which unfold the spirit of antichrist." Although multitudes use them without any definite meaning, and the mischievous effects of them may elude the discernment of the inconsiderate and weaker brethren, yet as ordinarily understood and practically illustrated, they comprehend the quintessence of churchcraft.

Those three words are "LICENSE, ORDAIN, INSTAL.” From the surviving influence of popery, the appointments connected with the ministry of the New Testament have been completely "turned upside down." By that " cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive," and which attached an indelible character to the Romish priesthood, a series of "orders" was contrived through which the candidate must pass, from the menial and contemptible employ of sprinkling the popish brine, and ringing the masshouse "bell to fright away the devil," by successive exaltation, until he is decorated in a "goodly Babylonish garment," like pagan sacrificers, adorned with lawn and the mitre; and finally crowned with the pontifical tiara in "purple and scarlet color," branded with "names of blasphemy."

Then by making the ceremonial mummery essential to every vassal's salvation, and inseparable from the priestly office, and depending upon the officiator's jesuitical "intention," it was decided, that no one but an adept who

D*

had crept through all the "orders" should sing mass, or could "exorcise" their master, "the devil."

Most marvellous !-Protestant churches have partly adopted a similar antichristian course. To certain mysterious forms, as they are generally contemplated, a preacher of the gospel must submit, before he is permitted, or as it is commonly supposed, ere he is authorized to administer baptism. On the contrary, the Apostle Paul adjudged the office of baptism as far inferior to the duty of preaching; for he said, 1 Cor. i. 17, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel,”—and the twelve apostles unanimously announced to "the multitude of the disciples"-it is not right that "we should leave the word of God and serve tables." But as it is now imposingly termed, we license them to preach; ordain them to baptize; and instal them as "lords over God's heritage." After which, comes a recent invention by the finished craftsmen of our own times, pompously entitled, "the inaugural discourse; but what that emanation of worldly wisdom is, I cannot discover by the Scripture of truth."

"License."-The word license, as used in its ecclesiastical appropriation, implies the power to grant, or to withhold permission to officiate as a minister of the New Testament. According to the gospel, that authority belongs only to a society of believers. Under any possible aspect and modification, an "Ecclesiastical Judicature," by whatever name that body is known, is not a Christian church. For example, a faithful, qualified brother ist unanimously invited to take the pastoral charge; but a

Church Court declare, that he shall not be the minister of that society who call for his official services. They have no more evangelical right thus to interpose their veto against the solicitation of the church, than the Jewish Sanhedrim were justified in commanding Peter and John "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." Those ancient "enemies of the cross of Christ," and their modern counterparts, are about equally audacious and criminal.

"Ordain.”—What is priestly ordination? There is some consistency in the popish account of that mysterious rite. The "frogs of the false prophet" croak and say, that it is the act by which capacity for the fulfilment of his Babylonian work is conveyed by the prelate to his inferior ecclesiastic. Whether that declaration is gospel truth or impious falsehood, the doctors who disagree may decide if they choose, but the two distant ends can be united.

Protestant Episcopalians, and their copyists, the Episcopal Methodists, both declare that their "ordering, and ordaining, and consecrating" are the means of conveying the Holy Ghost. Consequently, according to their own definition of a sacrament, there is not only "an outward and visible sign," but also "the inward and spiritual grace given." When a prelate lays his hands upon a priest, he says, "Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a priest." When one of their bishops is ordained, he is thus addressed-"Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a bishop." Whether the man who speaks or he who hears those authoritative

« AnteriorContinuar »