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REGISTER OF EVENTS. Tue Roman Catholic Relief Bill passed the House of Commons on Monday, March 30th, by a majority of 320 to 142. It was read the first time in the House of Lords on the following day; the second time on Saturday, April 4, when the votes were 217 to 112, being a majority of 105 in favour of the second reading; it was finally carried in the morning of Saturday, April 11, by a majority of a 104, the votes being 213 to 109; and, finally, together with the Bill for disfranchising the forty-shilling Freeholders, received the Royal Assent on Monday, April 13th. It has thus become the law of the land.

Now, then, say many, it is our duty to submit !-And this is unquestionably true,—but how are we to submit? Are we to regard the Law of the Land as the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereib nou? Are we so to submit as to forget the lessons of experience; to overlook the dangers to which we are exposed; to lose sight of the manner in which these portentous measures have been carried ; to be unmindful of the duties which the new and unexpected circumstances in which we are placed obviously require? By no means. We are called to renewed watchfulness, to redoubled diligence,-to fresh exertions. We must endeavour to derive wisdoin from past experience, and strain every nerve, that we may preserve for our posterity, that civil and religious liberty which we have inherited from our ancestors.

We shrink indeed at present from entering at large on the painful events of the last few weeks. We mourn over the dishonour and the degradation of many distinguished characters. That our princes, and nobles, and sepators, should grant almost by acclamation, the entire concession of those very claims which a few months ago they would not even consider, is a melancholy illustration of the vanity of man: “ Cease ye from man, whose breath is in bis nostrils, for wherein is he to be accounted of." We lament that so many of our prelates have countenanced the admission of Papists to legislative power; the special pleading by which one at least endeavoured to vindicate the "Romanists generally from the charge of idolatry; and the ignorance which has induced some to insinuate that Dissenters and Methodists are more formidable enemies to the Church of England than Papists themselves. But, above all, we mourn the flippant and contemptuous language which some good men and distinguished ministers have ventured to use concerning those who still feel that the concession of privileges to Papists is a giving countenance to the abominations of the man of sin.

Amidst the faithless, however, some are faithful found. The Archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Armagh; the Bishops of London, Durham, Salisbury, Peterborough, Lincoln, Bath and Wells, &c. firmly and decidedly opposed concession, and perhaps never were there more able speeches delivered than those of the three Archbishops. The Earl of Eldon, Lord Tenterden, and many other eminent and distinguished Noblemen remained firm to the last. But all in vain. The measure is carried.

What then is our present duty ? The answer is plain. Seriously, diligently, impartially, examine the true characters of Popery and Protestantism. Zealously exert yourselves for the promotion of pure and scriptural Christianity, Labour to enter more deeply into the experience of true religion yourselves, and contribute more liberally to those Societies and Individuals who are striving to communicate it to others. Above all pray for mercy to this our guilty land; for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to render the word preached effectual ; and for a deep and permanent revival of religion among all ranks and orders of men.

Notices and Acknowledgments. Received, A CHURCHMAN.-W. R.-Murpos J. E. J.-H. R.- A-a. We cannot insert Obituaries without knowing by whom they are supplied.

We regret that so many persons, desirous of Advertising on our Cover, direct their Advertisements to the Editor instead of the Publisher. This mistake occasions frequent and unavoidable disappointments.

The Prayer for the • Present Crisis,' from our esteemed Friend was quite too late.

CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN,

AND

Church of England Magazine.

JUNE 1829.

MEMOIRS OF ENGLISH DIVINES.

HERBERT.

[Concluded from Page 261.] ABOUT three months after his mar- tioned his scruples at accepting the riage, he was presented to the benefice. His Lordship reported living of Bemerton near Salisbury. the case to Dr. Laud, Bishop of Dr. Curle, the late incumbent, London, the same evening, who being advanced to the episcopal next morning invited him to a bench, the nomination of his suc- conference, and so thoroughly concessor lapsed as usual to the crown; vinced him of the duty of accepting but Philip, the new Earl of Pem, it, that, ordering a suitable habit broke, possessing the hereditary from Salisbury, he waited on right of presentation, requested the Dr. Davenant, the diocesan, on King to bestow it on his relative, the following day, and received George Herbert; and, as his Ma- institution. jesty readily acquiesced, he lost no Being shut into the church, and time in forwarding the presentation, left there alone to toll the bell, on As this advancement was unsoli- his induction, he remained so much cited, so its communication was a longer than was necessary, that source of anxious thought. He Mr. Woodnot looked in at a winregarded the charge of souls as dow, and saw him prostrate before a deep and awful responsibility, the altar, being then engaged, as questioning his own fitness, and he afterwards told his friend, in spending a month in consideration setting some rules to himself for on the subject, with prayer and the future management of his fasting, during which he enter life, and entering into a solemn tained an idea of refusing his covenant for their performance. acceptance, and declining applica- 'I now look back (he said) upon tion for admission to priest's orders. my aspiring thoughts, and think

His kind and tried friend, Mr. myself more happy than if I had Woodnot, now paid him a visit at attained what I so ambitiously Baynton, where he was staying thirsted for; and I can now behold with his wife's relations. A short the Court with an impartial eye, time after this worthy man's arrival, and see plainly that it is made up Mr. Herbert accompanied him to of fraud, and titles, and flattery, Wilton House, Lord Pembroke's and many other such empty, imaresidence, at which, as well as at ginary, painted pleasures; pleasures the neighbouring city of Salisbury, that are so empty, as not to satisfy the King with his court were when they are enjoyed. But in passing some days. He presented God, and his service, is a fulness his thanks to the Earl, but men- of all joy and pleasure, and no JUNE 1829

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satiety. And I will now use all my To whicb she replied, that it was endeavours to bring my relations no vexing news to her, and that and dependants to a love of and be should see her observe it with a reliance on Him, who never fails cheerful willingness.' those that trust Him. But above He lost no tiine in commencing all, I will be sure to live well, be the repair of the church, which had cause the virtuous life of a clergy been inuch neglected by his preman is the most powerful eloquence decessor, who resided at a distance. to persuade all that see it to re. Bemerton as well as Quidhampton verence and love, and at least to are two chapelries annexed to the desire to live like him. And this parish of Fugglestone, about a mile I will do, because I know we live east of Wilton; but Herbert was in an age that hath more need of designated Rector of the former, good examples than precepts. And from his usual residence in the I beseech that God, who hath glebe-house of that parish. This was honoured me so much, as to call built by him, and remains very much me to serve Him at His altar, that in the same state, being recently as by His special grace He hath inhabited by Archdeacon Coxe, well put into my heart these good known for his literary works. desires and resolutions ; so He will, He was now ordained priest, and by His assisting grace, give ine for the better regulation of his conghostly strength to bring the same duct as such, drew up some rules to good effect. And I beseech which were printed after his de. Him, that my humble and chari cease, and formed a popular little table life may so win upon others, volume, under these titles: The as to bring glory to my Jesus, Parson's knowledge; The Parson whom I have this day taken to be on Sundays; The Parson praying; my Master and Governor ; and I preaching ; comforting the sick; am so proud of His service, that I &c. &c. This small manual may will always observe and obey, and appear trite and homely to modern do His will; and always call Him fastidiousness, yet its perusal will Jesus my Master; and I will afford salutary hints to those who always contemp my birth, or any are desirous of instruction. title or dignity that can be con- He preached his first sermon ferred upon me, when I shall from Proverbs iv. 23. “Keep thine compare them with my title of heart with all diligence.” In this adbeing a priest, and serving at the dress he gave his parishioners some altar of Jesus my Master.

holy directions for the discharge Having changed his sword and of a good conscience both to God silk suit into a canonical dress, and man, and concluded by informhe returned with his friend to ing them, “That should not be his Baynton, and after the first saluta constant way of preaching: for tion, said to Mrs. Herbert, · You since Almighty God does not intend are now a minister's wife, and to lead men to heaven by hard must now so far forget your fa- questions, he would not therefore ther's house, as not to claim a pre. fill their heads with unnecessary cedence of any of your parishioners; notions ; but that for their sakes, for you are to know that a priest's his language and his expressions wife can challenge no precedence should be more plain and practical or place, but that which she pur- in his future sermons. He then chases by her obliging humility; humbly requested them, to be conand I am sure places so purchased stant in the afternoon's service, and do best become them. And let me catechising. tell you, that I am so good a herald, His future texts were taken from as to assure you that this is truth.' the gospel for the day, explaining

the reasons which guided the which by the mouth of the prophets, church in the selection, and showing he promised to our forefathers; and with ingenuity and profit the con- . this he hath done uccording to his nexion between the collects, epistles, holy covenant made with them. and gospels. He discoursed on the And he made them to understand, composition of the Liturgy, proving that we live to see and enjoy the it to be a reasonable and therefore benefit of it in his Birth, in his Life, acceptable service unto God. He bis Passion, his Resurrection, and noticed that we begin by confessing Ascension into heaven, where He ourselves miserable sinners, because now sits sensible of all temptations till we make such confession, we and infirmities; and where He is are not fit recipients of mercy ; but at this present time making interhaving in the prayer of our Lord cession for us to bis and our Father, begged pardon for those sins which and therefore they ought daily to we have confessed, and hoping, express their public gratulations, that as the priest hath declared our and say with Zacharias, Blessed be absolution, so by our public con. the Lord God of Israel, that hath fession and real repentance we have thus visited, and thus redeemed his obtained that pardon, we can more people.' consistently beg of the Lord to open . The consistency and propriety our lips, that our mouths may shew of other parts of the church service forth bis praise, and can more were explained in a similar manner fitly raise our ascription of praise to by this devout pastor. He more. the Holy Trinity. He passed on over pointed out in a happy and to point out the advantages of using edifying mode of illustration the the Psalms; and as for the hymns, progress of the ecclesiastical year, appointed to be daily repeated after and with much zeal and feeling the lessons, he observed that after instructed them in the character they had heard the scriptures of of that holiness which becometh God read by his ministers, such the house of God. praise was a reasonable duty and His example had a remarkable lively sacrifice.

effect upon his parish and neighHe made them to understand bourhood. His family, consisting (says Walton) how happy they be, of his wife, and three nieces, the that are freed from the incum. daughters of a deceased sister, brances of that law which our attended worship twice a day in the forefathers groaned under; namely, church, which was exactly opposite from the legal sacrifices, and from his house. Most of his parishioners, the many ceremonies of the Les and many gentlemen in the vicinity, vitical law; freed from the circum- constantly made part of his concision, and from the strict obser gregation. And some of the peavance of the Jewish Sabbath, and santry would even leave their the like. And he made them know, ploughs in the field for a while, to that having received so many and join him in prayer, and receive his so great blessings, by being born blessing. since the days of our Saviour, it His chief recreation was music, must be an acceptable sacrifice to in which he had considerable taste, Almighty God, for them to ack- setting and singing to his lute or nowledge those blessings daily, and viol many hymns and anthems. stand up and worship, and say as He used to go twice a week to the Zacharias did, Blessed be the Lord cathedral, and would often remark God of Israel, for he hath in our on his return, under the influence days visited and redeemed his peo. of those pleasing sensations which ple; and he hath in our days re- the sacred melody had excited, membered, and showed that mercy, "That the time spent in prayer and cathedral music elevated his soul, the dignified clergy especially, which and was his heaven upon earth,' preach temperance, would avoid but before his return, he would surfeiting, and take all occasions usually sing and play his part at an to express a visible humility and appointed private music-meeting; charity in their lives ; for this would and to justify that practice, he would force a love and imitation, and an observe, · Religion does not banish unfeigned reverence from all that mirth, but only moderates and sets know them to be such. This would rules to it.'

be a cure for the wickedness and In one of his walks to Salisbury, growing atheism of our age. And he overtook a gentleman, to whom my dear brother, till this be done after some conversation he said, by us, and done in earnest, let no • Sir, I take the liberty to ask some man expect a reformation in the account of your faith ; and the manners of the laity; for it is not rather, because though you are not learning, but this, this only that of my parish, yet I receive tythe must do it; and till then, the fault from you by the hand of your must lie at our doors.' tenant; and I am the bolder to do Seeing a poor man one day, on it, because I know there be some his way to Salisbury, whose horse sermon-hearers who are like those had fallen under his load, he immefishes that always live in salt-water, diately took off his coat, and helped and yet are always fresh. He him first to take the burden off the doubtless explained his meaning in enfeebled animal, and then to place the course of their conference, and it on him more conveniently. He expatiated on the too common but then gave him some money to fatal error of those who are content refresh both himself and his horse, with outward religious observances, telling him significantly, that if he without the renewal of the heart. loved himself he should be merciful His address, joined by the faithful to his beast.' This little incident, ness and kindness with which he so illustrative of tbe simplicity of gave this person directions for the his character, and his active benefuture regulation of his life, made volence, would probably have never such an impression on him, that he been known, bad he not been comused to seek opportunities in his pelled to explain to bis musical walks to meet the good minister friends on his arrival the reason of of Bemerton, with the view of ob- his soiled appearance, which had taining further instruction.

excited the more wonder, as he was In another walk he met a neigh- remarkable for his neatness. One bouring clergyman, to whom after of the party, who could not enter mutual condolement for the wicked into his principles and feelings, ness of the times, and disregard of observing, that he thought he had the priesthood, he observed, “One disparaged himself by so dirty an cure for these distempers would be, employment;' He replied, the for the clergy themselves to keep thought of what I have done will the Ember-weeks strictly, and beg prove music to me at midnight; of their parishioners to join with the omission of it would have upthem in fasting and prayers for a braided me, and made discord in more religious clergy. Another my conscience, whensoever J should cure will be, for them to restore the pass by the place; for if I am great and neglected duty of cate bound to pray for all that are in chising, on which the salvation of distress, I am sure I am bound, so many of the poor and ignorant lay- far as it is in my power, to practise people does depend; but principally, what I pray for. And though I do that the clergy themselves would be not wish for the like occasion every sure to live unblameably, and that day, yet let me tell you, I would

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