prophecies which testified of Christ. How ingenuous and independent this behaviour, and how infallibly sure of ultimate success! Brethren, "take heed how you hear,"-search and see for yourselves. 4. The high distinction here pronounced upon them. "These were more noble,”—of a better, a more generous disposition. But whence this distinguishing epithet,-alluding to the political consequence of the city, as already hinted; or denoting persons more learned1 and better bred; or, rather, of a moral and religious character entirely? "Nobler" they doubtless were in their practice, and a "noble" independence of mind they evinced, in not submitting to receive even the doctrines of apostles without enquiry and evidence. "Nobler" still was the public display of their common faith, though a people composed of Jews, and Greeks, and Christians; national prejudices were forgotten, and sectarian feeling absorbed, in their combined effort for the one glorious, undivided cause. With what interest, then, must we contemplate the establishment and exhibition of Christianity at Berea? My friends, Catholic and Protestant, how measures our religion with their's? Is it thus founded, and believed, and practised by us, individually and ecclesiastically? Does the one party protest" against every other species or semblance of Christianity; and is that of the other "universal" in its character, as the name honourably imports? I beseech you all to guard against a common delusion. "Take heed how you hear," &c. Luke xi. 35. Now we proceed to Secondly, Appropriate its meaning to present instruction. "nobler' Did these Bereans become Christians and believers of a kind, by such conduct? then, "what saith the Scripture" to us as individuals and as professing Christians? Is it not by examples and facts like these, that the holy writings commend themselves to our notice, and positively command our universal examination? "Seek ye out of the book of the law, and read,"-" Blessed is he that readeth,' are declared and applauded by all Christian societies, acting consistently with their profession, and in a manner conducive to the success of their cause. Some Catholics and Protestants there are who differ in their opinions on Holy Scripture,-as to its sacred originals-its canonical text-its ver 1 The Jews called their learned men 1772, sons of nobles; it may be, Luke's Buryeveσtegoi, ver. 11, translates that.-Lightfoot. Harmony of New Test. vol. i. p. 295. ? And yet that diversity is not greater between the two parties themselves, than between some members of the same party. If the Protestant views are to be ascertained, to which of the sects, endowed or unendowed, must the application be made? Where is the party that could legitimately and satisfactorily represent the whole ? Let the following remarks of a Catholic be observed, on reading the hacular versions, its private and ecclesiastical interpretation, and other matters. There never has yet, indeed, been a uniformity of belief among the adherents of either party; but biblical critics, free from the domination of sectarian feeling, know how to appreciate the sentiments and services of both parties. Our public libraries,-our general histories, our stores of Scripture exposition and universal literature, declare unprejudiced facts, if, regarding such things, "in malice" we could "be children, and in understanding men." But, a truce to hostilities: The day-spring from on high hath visited us, &c. Luke i. 78, 79. O my brethren, with a world before us, immersed in moral darkness and wretchedness, can we be contending and dividing our strength, and suffering myriads to "perish for lack of knowledge"? Christians, "the field" of your benevolent operation" is the world," and nothing short of your catholic, combined endeavours, can accomplish the task you have to perform, and hasten the universal triumphs of your Saviour and Lord. Consider, then, specially 1. The main attractive themes of Divine revelation. "To us," my friends of all parties, without difference, " is the word of salvation sent,"-" sent" to us it is, as sinners, and to save us from sin. We are all alike involved in the consequences and crimes of an apostate parent, and are therefore in absolute need of "the common salvation." This catholic truth demands to be known by every one, Scriptures:-" The Scriptures can never be understood, unless we make them the subject of deliberate enquiry, and of frequent and serious reflection; and, not understood, they cannot become what they ought to be, the object of our admiration, love, and reverence, the rule of every detail of our actions, and the governing principle of our whole life. Many, from whose education and profession another behaviour might be expected, neglect to be conversant with them, with equal folly and ingratitude: many read them in a hasty and superficial manner: many, again, read them only by scraps and parcels, and consequently can only view them in a narrow pedantic light. Instead of this, we should converse with them often; we should pierce into their soul and spirit; we should contemplate them on all sides, in all their parts, and in the whole; and accustom ourselves to judge and decide on matters by their light, as we do of outward objects by the sun-beams."-Phillips' Study of Sacred Literature, p. 27. 1 What a majority of Catholic writers may be found in any well stocked theological library! and undoubtedly are we indebted to them for some of the best illustrations of Scripture, as well as for the Scriptures themselves. The basis and body of all our Bible Dictionaries, it is well known, is the.celebrated Calmet; and what a skeleton would our famous Poole's Synopsis be, if stripped of all its catholic contributions! With the invaluable labours, therefore, of Ximenes, Fenelon, Bossuet, Lamy, Fleury, &c. let us "render to all their due." Did the Catholics only believe and perform all that is contained in their Bible, they would not fall far short of the Protestants. It is also written in the Catholic Bible," All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."-" Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." more in a "Letter from a Roman Catholic Clergyman in Swabia, to the Rev. C. F. Steinkopff," included in a tract, No. 98, of the Religious Tract Society of See John iii. 16. 1 Tim. i. 15. Did the blessed apostles, at Thessalonica and Berea, reason with them, &c. ch. xvii. 2, 3; and are not these the doctrines with which we have mainly to do? 1 Cor. ii. 2. Acts x. 43. 1 Pet. iv. 1, 2. Col. iii. 1. With him" suffer" by self-denial and holy obedience; and "rise" with him in heavenly-mindedness, and holy zeal and love. O let us all value and read our Bibles more, for reasons and realities like these! 2. The happy privileges of universal Christians. Bereans like, we are all, in these times, blessed with the Scriptures and ministers of Jesus Christ. Catholics and Protestants now, “in every nation,” can "read in their own tongue the wonderful works of God.” Matt. xiii. 16. But, my friends, the mere possession will not avail, John xiii. 17; nor can any thing ever be substituted for practical obedience and enjoyment. How awful the reproof of Jesus to the Pharisees,-"Yes search the Scriptures, for in them, &c. and, Ye will not come," &c. John v. 39, 40. Attend to it, and beware of similar results in your condition. Take heed, &c. Heb. iii. 12. O let us secure the influence and enjoyment, as well as the knowledge of these things! 3. The divinely appointed means of common salvation. How were they saved at Berea, but through the faith of the gospel? Heb. xi. 6. Mark xvi. 16. see Rom. x. 17; and comes it not also by reading, as well as "hearing" the word? Be concerned to examine and decide for yourselves. each of you, or "do 66 Repent" London. By the way, I have just learned that this tract is now expunged from the series; and I need not be surprised, since the present managers of that Institution are so much in love with the "Times of Queen Mary," that they seem determined to protest against the liberality of our age, and wish the revival and perpetuation of those good old “times,” so honourable, happy, and worthy to be remembered! 1 Any reader who wishes information relative to the pre-eminent services of Catholics in the work of biblical translations, may obtain much satisfaction in vol. iv. of Mr. Butler's Philological and Biographical Works, pp. 191–218. 2 “The rendering of are indicatively rather than imperatively, increases the force of the verse which immediately follows, and clearly illustrates the connexion. It suggests also a very important idea, that the leading design of the Scriptures may be practically counteracted, and yet their scope and authority be all the while acknowledged."-Eclectic Review, March, 1812, p. 265. Lightfoot, vol. i. p. 684. 3 "You search." It is not a command for all to read the Scriptures; but a reproach to the Pharisees, that, reading the Scriptures as they did, and thinking to find everlasting life in them, they would not receive Him to whom all those Scriptures gave testimony, and through whom alone they could have that true life."— Note to Cath. Test. p. 239. 4 The Vulgate reads, "word of Christ;" which is also sanctioned by other versions, enumerated by Griesbach, vol. ii. p. 195. penance," Matt. iii. 2; "suffer pain" in your minds, and mortify 4. The sacred bond of general Christian connection. They "believed" at Berea, and therefore were they agreed-Greeks and Jews, professors of the same faith,-faith in the doctrines and blessings of the same salvation. Now, let it be distinctly understood, that faith and unbelief are the only marks of characteristic discrimination acknowledged and approved in Scripture, Mark xvi. 16. Col. iii. 1015. How important to the constitution of the Christian character-to the Christian's reputation, safety, and comfort! Fellow Christians, mistake not; either the genuine fruits of your Christianity, or the grounds of your Christian attachment and esteem (Gal. v. 6, and vi. 15,) should be well remembered. Your party names, as Protestants or Catholics, can neither be a good reason for your friendship towards each other, nor any grounds for your satisfaction and salvation; delusion and damnation are the common fate of both parties in awful numbers! 5. The honourable badge of religious discrimination. be "More noble were these;" and, O that their nobleness may ours! "Noble" it is, in truth, to "receive the word with all eagerness," and "nobler " still to" search the Scriptures daily;" but most "noble" of all," for brethren to dwell together in unity." How often has Christendom been disgraced and desolated by scenes of civil discord! 1 Cor. iii. 4, and i. 13. And are these feuds and fooleries never to cease? and will the policy of the Christian world never teach them the necessity of catholic combination? How much "more noble " to still the waves, and allay the storms of angry disputation, by cultivating the principles of a common brotherhood, than by indulging in a selfish, 1 What is there really objectionable in this expression, when verbally and dispassionately examined? Let little minds contend about the mere dress of sentiment; but "we have not so learned Christ." The Catholic version has this note appended to Matt. iii. 2 :-" Do penance. Which word, according to the use of the ScripPenitentiam agite, μετανοείτε. tures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and such-like penitential exercises." s 2 egotistical arrogance, at the expence of social kindness! Time is hurrying us onward to eternity; death and the grave will level all these human distinctions; and nothing, save genuine catholic Christianity, can then be approved. Remember, finally— "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass! The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word, which by the gospel is preached unto you." [No. IV. INFALLIBILITY, in our next.] Miscellanea. CHARACTER OF BOSSUET. To the Editor of the Scripture Magazine. MR. EDITOR-In the last number of your Scripture Magazine, I observe an article headed "Importance of the Scriptures for the Young," in which favourable mention is made of a certain Bishop, "the glory of the Church of France, who knew the whole contents of the sacred volume by heart." As I am fearful that your youthful readers will be entrapped by "Catholic Discourses" and candid appeals, into an approval of that which is any thing but catholic, I send you a short extract, as a set-off against the flourishes of C. Butler, Esq. and as an illustration of the catholic exhortation, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good." "James Benigne Bossuet, first bishop of Condom, and last bishop of Meaux, was one of the most formidable adversaries of his time. He was a man of fine natural abilities, his address was insinuating, though his pretended eloquence was vile bombast, he had the souplesse of a courtier, along with as much learning and reading as usually fall to a popish prelate; he was in the highest reputation and power-privy counsellor-bishop of a diocese-tutor to the Dauphin-almoner to the Queen. He was master of all sorts of dissimulation, duplicity, and treachery, he had a heart cased with inhumanity, and a front covered with brass. Archbishop Wake in England, Claude in France, and |