passionate judgment by which it is distinguished, recom mend it to serious attention: and although the editors mean not to pledge themselves for the strict propriety of every phrase or expression which may occur, yet they are persuaded that the general argument will be found solid and incontrovertible, and well-adapted to answer the purpose for which it is revived,- that of clearing an important article of our Church from a great deal of misrepresentation and abuse."

While we take occasion to return our thanks to the conductors of the CHURCHMAN'S REMEMBRANCER for. having rescued from oblivion so many excellent performances; we trust they will excuse us for pointing out to them Bishop Bull's incomparable sermon on the Fall of Man, as highly deserving their attention. A repub lication of it we cannot but think would be highly useful at this time.

The Reality of the Powder Plot vindicated from some recent Misrepresentations. A Sermon preached before the University of Oxford, at St. Mary's, on Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 1805. By RALPH CHURTON, M. A. Archdeacon of St. David's, Rector of Middleton-Cheney, and late Fellow of Brasen-nose College, 4to. pp. 29.

THAT

HAT Popery is always the same, is a maxim not more frequently asserted than proved. We constantly observe the same spirit of intrigue, the same sophistry and cunning in its apologists at all times, and under all circumstances; while the dangerous principles, which, in former days, produced the most diabolical actions, remain without the least public renunciation. But though no additional evidence is wanted to prove the indelibility of the bestial mark, it certainly could not be imagined that the most hardy veteran of the school of Bellarmine would contrive to fly in the face of all historical truth, by denying the reality of the Gunpowder Plot. Yet such has been the case. Dr. Milner, in writing the History of Winchester, has endeavoured to

clear

clear his Church from this foul stain, and to make the whole an invention of Secretary Cecil's. On this Mr. Churton fairly took occasion in his sermon before the University of Oxford, the last fifth of November, to enter into a minute discussion of the question; and we shall not hesitate to say, that he has most clearly overthrown the Catholic Bishop's positions, and proved him to be as deficient in literary verity, as in liberality of sentiment.

In this excellent discourse, which ought to be read by every inhabitant of these realms, the learned author considers," first, the authenticity of the common account; next, some of the providential circumstances, which were visible in the discovery and discomfiture of this audacious enterprize; and lastly, he offers a reflection or two, which such a view of the matter suggests."

One of the narratives of this conspiracy was published by authority within a few weeks after the event, and the facts contained therein were admitted by the traitors themselves, who suffered death for their crime. Against this authority, Dr. Milner opposes what he terms, that of many reputable Protestants:" but after so pompous an assertion, he adduces two names only, neither of whom, even if they were deserving of any particular credit, confirms the point by his evidence, since both Osborn (in his Memoirs of James the First) and Bevil Higgons (in his Short View of the English History,) merely notice what they had heard reported.

A reference is indeed made to a third writer, but the Dr. only mentions him by the curious enigmatical abbreviation of " Pol. Gram." "Of this book," says Mr. Churton, "I have not been so fortunate as to meet with one who knows what work is thereby intended."

We will not presume to say that our conjecture is right, but, as critics are not infallible any more than Churches or Popes, we may be forgiven should we err. Wẹ guess then, for we have not the book at hand, that the riddle may mean "The Political Grammar, or Instructions for rising at Court," printed at the beginning of the last century, but without a name. It is, as the title imports, a satyrical performance, and til now, we believe, was never thought of as a book of historical reference. Yet on such miserable authorities does the Catholic historian endeavour to impeach the character of an illus trious statesman, by fostering upon him the odious charge of inventing this conspiracy; for the infamous purpose of persecution.

But

But to this let Mr. Churton speak:

"The accuser of Cecil, compelled to allow the reality of the treason, is unwilling to own the traitors: they were a set of desperadoes, poor outcast youths of no consequence*. Desperadoes they were certainly; but it was religion, as they conceived of it, and what they stile without remorse," the best cause," that instigated them on in the desperate attempt; their scruples, where they had any, being quieted by the superior of the Jesuits, a personage of note and authority with those of his communion. Of the rest, that are named, there was but one, or at most two only, that were below the rank of gentlemen. They engaged to spend some thousands, no mean sum in those days, in promoting their schemes. Some of them had been employed as agents and ambassadors for the English Catholics at the court of Spain, in the Netherlands, and at Rome; and had their machinations succeeded, there can be no doubt they would have been caressed and applauded at home and abroad, as some of them are actually enrolled in the list of martyrs on account of their sufferings for this very treason.§"

"On the whole, then, it must be confessed, that this nefarious conspiracy, the atrocity of which makes us, for the sake of human nature, wish to disbelieve it, stands op a broader and firmer foundation of public notoriety, and indubitable truth, than almost any other fact in our annals; and if we allow, as perhaps we may, that Cecil had some knowlege of treasonable practices going on, and suffered them to ripen, that the guilt might be evident, and the proofs irresistible; yet if we go further, and make him an agent and plotter in the business, we must not only give him, what some perhaps would not hesitate to bestow, the malignity of Satan, but we must also invest him with a por tion of his power; he must have been invisible in himself and his emissaries, while he tempted men to sin, or the treachery would implicitly have been disclosed. Sooner or later, when the plot was blasted, if not before, some one would have told who

"Desperate. wretches," Hist. Winch. p. 392, "rash youths comparatively of small consequence-looked upon as apostates and outcasts." Lett. p. 171.

↑ «2001, which I kept in my hands for the good of the best cause.” Sir E. Digby, Gunpowder Treason, p. 174. He had before said, "No other cause drew ine to hazard my fortune and life, but zeal to God's religion," p. 169. "The cause which I love more than life.” p. 171. "It is true indeed," said Garnet, "that I prayed for the good success of that great action." Ib. P. 117.

t

Gunp. Treason, (p. 31.-33, 51) "The wretch himself in hands. doth confess, That there was no cause moving him or them, but merely and only Religion." p. 6, 38.

Bp. Barlow's Pref. to Gunp. Treason, p. 14. Vol. XI. Churchm. Mag. for July 1806

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was

was the chief mover; and they would not uniformly and exclusively have shared the honour of the invention among themselves."

To this argument, though it be sufficiently close and convincing, we may be permitted to add, what was there in the known character of the secretary to render it even probable that he could be the author of so hazardous a conspiracy? He has never been accused of the want of wisdom: but the fabrication of such a plot as this, which could be productive of no real benefit, and the developement of which must have covered him with ruin and infamy, would inevitably send his name down to posterity as the greatest fool and villain that ever lived.

Cecil was all his life an object of deadly hatred to the Papists, particularly to the Jesuits, who not only endeavoured to ruin him in the King's favour, but plotted several times to murder him. (See his article in the Biog. Brit.) Now, it is utterly impossible he could have been the mover or instigator of this business, without the same being known to some of his enemies, who would have gloried in the discovery, by way of avenging the memory of their "martyred friends."

But it is enough here to close his lordship's defence with his own dignified answer to some atrocious calum nies: "I have learned to despise the malicious stinge of evill tongues, which hate me for my Religion and my Countrye." We are under the necessity of omitting some excellent observations upon the interference of Providence, in thus" disappointing presumptuous wickedness, and rescuing the nation from the jaws of death." But the practical and pertinent improvement of this interesting subject to ourselves at this momentous crisis, it would be wrong to pass over.

"When we review the events," says Mr. C. " which we this day commemorate, what can we learn from them, but a lesson of unfeigned thankfulness to God, and of caution and seif-defence with regard to ourselves; which is not the less necessary, if, as some say, an attempt lately made and gloriously resisted, is shortly to be renewed; and we are to be called upon to admit into our senate and councils those who were heretofore members of them, but were excluded on account of their pernicious tenets and rebellious practices ?

"Before we consent to commit our welfare to them who have so often sought our ruin, it were well to be assured that their principles are changed; of which at present there is no proof,

пог

nor is the fact likely. They glory in the immutability and infallibity of their faith. Their unaltered formularies shew their belief, and the page of history supplies the comment."

To the sermon are appended some historical notes, in which Dr. Milner's falsities are glaringly made manifest.

Mr. Churton concludes the whole in these words, "I have certainly not read the whole of the History of Winchester, nor of the Letters to a Prebendary; but as far as my examination has gone (and it has not been confined solely to the subject of the Powder Plot) I do aver, that, notwithstanding the specious show of notes and quotations, there is scarcely a single fact advanced by Dr. Milner, that is not unfairly stated, unsupported or untrue."

If ever there was a time when such publications were peculiarly necessary; this is that time; for some Protestant nations abroad, are now placed under Popish domination; and in our own country, Popery it elf is not only treated as harmless and indifferent, but in the highest circles it receives, if not direct communion, at least coun tenance and patronage.

A Letter respectfully addressed to the Most Reverend and Right Reverend the Archbishops und Bishops of the Church of England, on Mr. Joseph Lancaster's Plan for the Education of the Lower Order in the Community. 8vo. pp. 58.

HE author of the present address considers the subject in the same point of view as Mrs. Trimmer in her pamphlet on this subject, which was reviewed by us in the ninth volume, page 461, but in our judgment he has depicted the danger of the experiment in a -more forcible manner. In common with Mrs. Trimmer and many other worthy persons, he allows much ingenuity to the plan, and admits that many parts of it might be adopted with propriety and success. As a whole, however, it is a speculation which augurs unfavourably to religion in general, and the Church of England in particular.

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Disclaiming