of physical energies to control, and they care nothing for the powerless individual mind. Hence, the treacherous proceedings of those pestiferous Romish conventions now are either totally disregarded, or openly approved.

Having therefore seen that protestant "Church Courts" were honored, and without a murmur obeyed, the pope's representative justly concluded that the ancient Babylonian council would not be objected to by those who obsequiously submitted to the puny offspring of Queen Rome! Thus he has fastened upon the papal Issachars in the United States, a burden that nothing will relieve but the scorchings of the same fire which will utterly consume "the Beast and the False Prophet." As their " canons, and decretals, and bulls" must unavoidably be tyrannical and antichristian, they are not included in this examination.

EPISCOPALIANS.

Episcopal Conventions also constitute no part of our investigation. The prelatical institution is necessarily aristocratical; and the principle itself of ministerial imparity admits the exercise of improper ecclesiastical authority, both legislative and judicial. Nevertheless, American Episcopal Conventions, however great may be the edifying inconsistency, are less chargeable with "lordship over God's heritage," and with the infringement of the rights and "liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free," and with attempts again to entangle their

E

congregations "in the yoke of bondage," than other similar representative bodies. Notwithstanding, they have multiplied impassable barriers to all enlarged Christian fellowship.

I never listen to an Episcopalian brother reciting—“ I believe the communion of saints," and "I believe one catholic and apostolic church," but I am amazed! I look at his pulpit, and I perceive no minister can enter there, except he is of his own denomination, and dressed in certain popish habiliments, and I am startled. I instantly pass over time and space, and say to myself,that must be most discordant communion, and comical catholicity and apostolicity," which would not permit Jesus of Nazareth, if again incarnate, to proclaim his own most " gracious words,"-nor Peter and John to "speak to the people all the words of life,"-nor Paul to preach, "Be ye reconciled to God." in a professedly evangelical house of prayer."

66

I never hear an Episcopalian minister enounce from his liturgy" From all uncharitableness and schism, good Lord deliver us ! O Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, grant us grace to follow thy blessed saints, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee!"-I never think of those petitions as uttered according to the rubric, but I am bewildered. What a stupendous contrast between the language of devotion, and their insurmountable partition-wall, which excludes, as schismatics, not only "the holy apostles, and the messengers of the churches, who

one

are the glory of Christ," but also shuts out from the " communion and fellowship" the very "elect and blessed saints," whom they pray for grace to follow, in their "virtuous and godly living," unto the kingdom of heaven!

All that contradiction may be very luminous to the initiated, but to my apprehension it is just as irreconcilable with the gospel and common sense, as the absurdities of transubstantiation, and the chicanery of Church Courts. When also, it is recollected, that the true cause of that incongruity is the portion of popery which the Anglican hierarchy originally retained with their priesthood and ritual, it might profitably be investigated, why it is that American Episcopal Conventions have hitherto exemplified so little of the natural tendency of the prelatical canons and government.

The ensuing illustrations, are not selected as proofs that any of the parties designated expressly intend to occupy the station of the "Man of Sin," or to engage in his "all deceivableness of unrighteousness." But they testify that all ecclesiastical assemblies are prone to depart "from the living God," and are easily "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

CONGREGATIONALISTS.

All Congregational Consociations, Conferences, Cohventions, Councils, and Associations, peremptorily deny that they possess any power over the churches.

To

them no official act is delegated, which interferes with the right of Christians. The examination of candidates for the ministry on behalf of the brethren, the public recognition of pastors of churches, and meetings to consult and devise measures for the extension of the kingdom of Christ, are legitimate acts of ministers of the New Testament. Notwithstanding, a disposition has recently been manifested by some of the New England preachers, to interfere with the privileges of individual members, to control the rights and independence of the churches, and to interdict that free discussion which is the corner stone and palladium of religious and civil liberty.

In this connection, the Latin memento is of ineffable importance: "Obsta principiis"-stop the beginnings. The General Associations of Massachusetts and Connecticut have latterly "put out the cloven foot." They have expressed opinions adverse to the unrestricted enjoyment of our boasted immunities, and have virtually enacted, that ministers and churches shall proscribe all those itinerating "fanatics," who expound scriptural prophecies respecting the Roman pontiff and his apostasy, and who apply the eighth commandment to "stealers of men."

Churchcraft always begins with sly insinuations, by which unreflecting persons may be induced to believe, that the thing denounced is too bad to be tolerated, and of course, that its adherents " should be put out of the synagogue." That is done only as a humble and modest declaration of opinion. If the scheme is not opposed, it next assumes the mild tone of recommendation from those who "watch for souls." As the unsuspicious followers

of the Lamb anticipate no mischief, the mandate next is issued, as emanating from the authority which Christ has. committed to his ministers; and implicit and prompt obedience with "due subordination and present submission" to the "decretals" is required.

A conscientious protestant who refuses to couch down to the burden, cannot now be transferred to the " 'dungeon of despair," or to the ecclesiastical bonfire; but other inquisitorial tortures equally agonizing are applied. The craftsmen malign his character, injure his business, and in every form harass and persecute, and do "much evil" to the stedfast disciple; whom, if possible, they make a "gazing stock, both by reproaches and afflictions." All which has recently been exhibited, even around the "cradle of American liberty."

Those general associations, however, have encountered an opposition which the projectors of those schemes probably did not anticipate. They have discovered to their deep mortification, that the land of the Pilgrims is not the soil to which they can transplant that hell-born exotic, ecclesiastical despotism; with which to crush the " great hearts," and the "valiants for the truth," who devoutly exult in the triumphant achievements of their ancestors. It infallibly demonstrates that their claim is a mischievous nuisance, when our inestimable birthright, transmitted to their descendants by the glorified Christian puritans, is assailed and attempted to be grasped under the bewitching garb of a "pastoral letter!"

E*