several penal laws were in force against the Roman Catholics; but most of them were repealed in the course of the present reign. It was an opposition to the repeal of these laws that occasioned the disgraceful riots, which broke out during the month of June, 1780, and threatened the destruction of the metropolis!

It is remarkable that the Papists have had amongst them a Pope, who used to be denominated a Protestant Pope. His name was Ganganelli, and he is known to the world under the title of Clement the 14th. His liberality appeared in his actions, and it was his common saying, "We too often lay aside charity to maintain faith, without reflecting, that if it is not allowed to tolerate men, it is forbidden to hate and persecute those who have unfortunately embraced heresy." He died in 1775, not without suspicion of being poisoned. Such a character must be pronounced an honour to the Romish church, and it is to be hoped that there are many individuals of this description to be found in her communion. As to his Letters, which for the liberality of their sentiments and the elegance of their diction have been much admired, many entertain doubts of their authenticity. Archbishop Fenelon also was distinguished for his benevolence and piety.

Here the account of Popery should have

ended, had not the doctrine of Indulgences deserved explanation. The history and form of these indulgences are thus given us by that emiment historian Dr. Robertson, in his History of Charles the Fifth. "According to the doctrine of the Romish church, all the good works of the saints, over and above those which were necessary towards their own justification, are deposited together, with the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, in one inexhaustible treasury. The keys of this were committed to St. Peter, and to his successors the Popes, who may open it at pleaşure, and by transferring a portion of this superabundant merit to any particular person for a sum of money, may convey to him either the pardon of his own sins, or a release for any one in whom he is interested, from the pains of purgatory; which indulgences were first invented in the eleventh century, by Urban the Second, as a recompence for those who went in person upon the meritorious enterprize (commonly called the Crusades) of conquering the Holy Land. They were afterwards granted to those who hired a soldier for that purpose; and in process of time were bestowed on such as gave money for accomplishing any pious work enjoined by the Pope. Julius the Second had bestowed indulgences on all who contributed towards building the church of St. Peter at Rome; and as Leo the Tenth

was carrying on that magnificent and extensive fabric, his grant was founded on the same pretence."

The following is the form of these indulgences: "May our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon thee, and absolve thee by the merits of his most holy passion! And I, by the authority, of his blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of the most holy Pope, granted and committed to me in these parts, do absolve thee, first from all ecclesiastieal censures, in whatever manner they have been incurred, and then from all thy sins, transgressions, and excesses, how enormous soever they be, even from such as are reserved for the cog. nizance of the holy see, and, as far as the keys of the holy church extend, I remit to thee all punishment which thou dost deserve in purgatory on their account; and I restore thee to the holy sacraments of the church, to the unity of the faithful, and to that innocence and purity which thou didst possess at baptism; so that when thou dost die the gates of punishment shall be shut, and the gates of the paradise of delight shall be opened; and if thou shalt not die at present, this grace shall remain in full force when thou art at the point of death! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

This was the form of absolution used by Tetzel, a Dominican friar, who in the sixteenth

century, was appointed to sell these indulgences in Germany, which eventually brought about the Reformation.

We must not omit the mention of a tract on Popery, entitled "A Modest Apology for the Roman Catholics of Great Britian, addressed to all moderate Protestants, particularly to the Members of both Houses of Parliament." This piece came from the pen of the late Dr. Geddes, who has been already mentioned, and is written with learning and ingenuity. It is, indeed, a singular performance, and worthy attention. We shall just add, that the reader may form some idea of the present state of Popery, from a recent pamphlet published by Milner, the historian, of Winchester, and a Catholic priest; it is an account of a miracle wrought on a poor maidservant of Wolverhampton, at the well of St. Winfrid, Holywell, Flintshire, June 28, 1805! Those persons who read that pamphlet, want no comment on the nature and complexion of Popery.

GREEK, OR RUSSIAN CHURCH.

THE Greek, or Russian Church, which now spreads itself over the eastern part of Europe, is ancient, and bears a resemblance to the Church of Rome. Denying, however, the infallibility and supremacy of the Pope, they are in, com

munion with the Patriarch of Constantinople. Amongst other articles of belief, they are distinguished for these three: 1. The rejection of images in the worship of the Deity. 2. The doctrine of consubstantiation, or the union of the body of Christ with the sacramental element. 3. The administration of baptism, by immersing the whole body in water.

The Russian, or Greek church equals the Latin or Romish church in the number of cere monies and superstitious customs; some of which are thus described in Chantreau's Travels into Russia" At the beginning of the year, the king's day is a singular festival, which the Russians call the benediction of waters. On the Neva, then frozen, there is raised for the ceremony a kind of temple, of an octagonal figure; on the top of which is a St. John the Baptist, and the inside is decorated with pictures, representing the baptism of Jesus, his transfiguration, and some other parts of his life. There your attention is drawn to an enormous Holy Ghost, appearing to descend from heaven; a decoration common to all the Greek churches, which introduces the Holy Ghost every where! In the middle of the sanctuary is a square place, where the broken ice leaves a communication with the waters running below, and the rest is ornamented with rich tapestry. Around this temple there is erected