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pillage of ecclesiastical plunder, in despite of the infantile imbecility, the unprincipled policy, and the hollow attempts of the Executive Government of the country-but, most assuredly, they who have stooped from their high estate, to be the abettors of villany, and of murder, will keenly feel the effects of the deadly

I., to satiate his ambition likewise, was readily persuaded to dispel their scruples in the work of usurpation, and Absolve them from their most sacred promises and oaths. The unfortunate Childeric became the victim of policy, treachery, and perjury; was degraded, shaved, and confined in the hapless solitude of a Monastery, and of exile; to drag through a wearisome existence, the remainder of his melancholy days. And we have here before our eyes, such a despicable farce, as was acted full one thousand years afterwards, under circumstances as parallel, as they were barbarous and impious; when Buonaparte, the despotic usurper of modern times, dragged Pope Pius VII., from the proud pinnacle of his Infallibility; and made his Holiness, gladly bow the knee to the Baal of Usurpation, Apostacy, and Blasphemy in Nôtre-Dame, at the coronation of himself and his wife. In the same manner, Pepin received the Crown of usurpation, from the hands of Pope Stephen III. (A. D. 753.); the Franks were absolved from their ancient oath; and a thundering anathema was pronounced against them and their posterity, if they should dare to renew the same freedom of choice, or to elect a king, except in the holy and meritorious race of the Carlovingian princes. (See Spanheim, De fictâ translatione Imperii in Carolum M. per Leonem III. tom. Oper. p. 557. Eginhard, in Vitâ Caroli Magni, c. i. p. 9, &c. c. iii. p. 24. In these two very learned and interesting works,-written in most elegant Latin; the former, one of the most profound and elegant scholars of the seventeenth century, -the latter, the Secretary of Charlemagne ;-will be found a most interesting account of all the various incidents, which mainly contributed to introduce the Carlovingian race, to the Government of the Franks; with an impartial discussion of the conduct of the Popes, in their intrigues to facilitate the usurpation of Pepin, and establish his successor in the Empire of the West.) In the investigation of this remarkable Era, and still more remarkable event,-in which, the sacred legitimacy of a lawful Monarch was cancelled, the allegiance of his subjects dissolved, the sanctity of oaths impiously violated, and the usurpation of an ambitious Adventurer, received the approving sanction, and inviting co-operation of three Popes-Zachary, Stephen, and Leo, with the useful assistance of the Sainted Boniface, the apostle of Germany, the archbishop of Mentz, the primate of Germany and Belgium, the partaker of the wealth, munificence, and un-platonic, un-monastic regards of the handsome Aglae! (Ruinart, p. 283-291);-it will be found that some of the ultra-partizans of Infallibility and Supremacy, endeavour to soften the conduct of these abettors of Rebellion and Perjury, into the more acceptable language of only Papal appro

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Malaria of popular plunder, and the unshackled licentiousness of an equalizing, levelling mob;-who, when they have once tasted the food of sacrilegious prey, will quickly, with their greedy and gaping Chiefs, become more fierce and ravenous ;—and soon will they rush on, with a headlong impetuosity, and

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bation, advice, and recommendation; among whom are to be found the names of Launoy, Caron, Du Pin. But the powerful testimonies of Eginhard-the Secretary of Charlemagne, with those of Regino, Aimon, Marian, Sigebert, Otho, Æmilius, Gianonne, Bruys, Labbé, Mezeray, and many other celebrated writers, incontrovertibly, establish the fact, that, Italy was severed, by Papal intrigues and treason, from Eastern sovereignty;—and that, by the direct agency, and mandatory authority, of the Roman Pontiffs,-the dethronization of Childeric was hallowed, and the usurpation of Pepin authorized. Among the celebrated writers, of the latter class, I cannot pass over, the ingenuous remarks of the distinguished Condillac, a Roman author of great celebrity, who was Abbè of Mureaux, a member of the French Academy, and the Preceptor of Don Ferdinand, Duke of Parma; for whose use, he wrote the well-known work, Cours d'Etude pour l'instruction du Prince de Parme." In the eighth vol. of that work, Condillac says, "Pepin was an usurper: and Zachary, in place of consulting merely the justice of the case, consulted, in truth, his own interests. Father Daniel, would wish to exculpate the Pope; and St. Boniface; on whom devolved, as is pretended, this negociation."-The Abbé Condillac then states the arguments, used by Daniel to justify St. Boniface, which are terminated in the following pointed terms. St. Boniface, "imagined by all these reasons, that the good of the church would be promoted, and likewise that of the state; and so would redound to the greatest glory of God." On this Mon. Condillac energetically remarks." The greatest glory of God; in injustice! he is much deceived. He ought not to have been afraid about religion: for, he knew well that neither the Emperors, nor the Saracens, nor the idolaters, were able to destroy it. It is true, that the temporal interests of the Popes were in danger, this is what so affected them (c'est aussi ce qui les touchoit); and we shall presently see how they confounded that vile interest with the sacred interests of Religion. It appears to me that Father Daniel had done much better, not to have exerted himself, to justify Boniface." After all this, the reflecting Christian observer, cannot but be struck, and instructed, with this practical exemplification, so curiously furnished to us, by the page of history, of the truth of the Royal Psalmist's warning, that, they who would not have God to rule over them, are given up unto their own hearts' lusts." (Ps. lxxxi. 12.) For, we find, that as soon, as this infamous maxim, gained ground, and was universally adopted, in the church, in the fourth century," that it was an act of virtue to deceive and lie, when by that means the interests of the church might be promoted"

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infuriate rancour, to sweep away all the foundations of property ;-nor, will they cease, until, they savagely triumph, and exultingly howl, over the ruins of irrecoverable anarchy, and universal desolation. And, then, will they, who, from the history of ages, and from a review of the passions of human nature, ought

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(Mosheim's Eccles. Hist. Cent. iv. Part ii. chap. iii. §. 16.);—then, were the floodgates at once effectually and permanently drawn open, to every species, every degree of fraud, injustice, treachery, intrigues, and cruelty. "This erroneous maxim (says Mosheim, ibid.) was now (i. e. the fourth century) of a long standing; it had been adopted for some ages past, and had produced an incredible number of ridiculous fables, fictitious prodigies, and pious frauds, to the unspeakable detriment of that glorious cause in which they were employed." This principle so disgusting, so injurious to morality, so subversive of the best interests of society, and so sinful, being once theoretically received, and practically acted upon, quickly accelerated the impious march of vice and crime. It was the exercise of such a maxim, which induced even Pope Gregory I.; who because of his just indignation, at the hateful usurpations of John of Constantinople, had, nearly commanded our veneration,-who, because of the brilliant eulogium made on his character, by the transcendent genius of Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, that, in the midst of the calamities of Italy, and while Rome was afflicted with a dreadful pestilence, St. Gregory the Great was promoted, notwithstanding his reluctance, to St. Peter's chair. Assuaged the plague by his prayers!; instructed the Emperors, and at the same time caused due obedience to be paid unto them; comforted Africa; confirmed in Spain the Visigoths, who were converted from Arianism, and Recarede the Catholic, who had just returned into the bosom of the church; Converted England;! reformed the discipline in France, whose kings, ever orthodox, he exalts above all the kings of the earth; bends the Lombards; saved Rome and Italy, which the Emperors were unable to assist; checked the growing pride of the Patriarchs of Constantinople!; enlightened the whole church by his doctrine; governed the East and West with equal vigour and humility, and gave to the world a perfect model of ecclesiastical government!!!"-(Discours sur l'Hist. Univ. par Bossuet, Prem. Part. l'epoq. xi.)—might deservedly claim the admiration almost of the very enemies of the Roman Church;—and lastly, who, because, he has been blessed with a very conspicuous mark of Saintship in the Roman Calendar, on the twelfth of March; and in the Missal,-ordinarily used, by all Roman Catholics,—on the Feast dedicated to his honour, because, we read, in the COLLECT appointed for the Service of the Day," O God who hast rewarded the soul of blessed Gregory, thy Servant, with eternal bliss; mercifully grant that we, &c. may find relief by his intercession;" and in the Communion," this is the prudent and faithful servant, whom the Lord placed over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due

to have known better things; find, a wofully practical commentary, on two positions, which the most illustrious of political writers, and the most philosophic of inquirers, into the constitution of government and society;-has laid down in the accustomed brevity, of his oracular and almost infallible dogmas, that,-"the

season!;" and in the Post Communion,- "O God who didst equal blessed Gregory, thy Bp. to the rest of thy Saints in merit: mercifully grant that, &c. we may also follow his example !"-might justly claim the highest respect of all Christians, as a Primitive and faithful Apostolic Pastor, of the Church of God:-yes! notwithstanding all these brilliant encomiums, and these pious ejaculations, put into the mouths of Rome's infatuated vassals, by their unerring Oracle: it was, I say, the horrid exercise of the infamous Maxim, referred to by Mosheim, which made the Sainted Gregory, pollute his Holiness, and prostitute his Infallibility to another Usurper-Phocas,—the most execrable monster that ever united the fiendish projects of sedition and murder, in order to accomplish the fell designs of usurpation, tyranny, and ambition!!! The universal voice, as it is well, and generally known,-of all historians, ancient and modern, Roman or Protestant,—unites in branding this infernal miscreant, with the contumely, that is so justly due, to the horrors of his murderous usurpation; and the black catalogue of opprobrious epithets has been quite exhausted to characterize the unnatural Monster. Phocas was an obscure centurion in the army of Mauritius, the Emperor of the East; whose character, was insolence and boldness in the stratagems of sedition, but cowardice and treachery in the face of danger. The infamous usurper seized the occasion of a growing insubordination, and mutiny in the army of his Sovereign; and amidst the expulsion and slaughter of the faithful adherents of Mauritius, put himself at the head of the insurrectionary troops. And without, almost any delay, Phocas, waded through the blood of the Emperor and his family to the Imperial throne. The unfortunate Prince, with his wife and nine children, made their escape, in a small bark, to an adjoining church. But Phocas, impelled by the unrelenting spirit of insatiate fury, dispatched the ministers of death: they cruelly dragged the emperor from his sanctuary; aud the five young and innocent sons of the wretched monarch, were successively murdered before the eyes of their agonizing parent. At every stroke, which the commissioned assassins, gave his offspring, the sorrowing parent, found strength to exclaim, Thou art just, O Lord! and thy judgments are righteous." We are informed, that, the youngest child's nurse endeavoured to substitute her own infant, in the place of the Emperor's. But Mauritius, in his rigid attachment to truth and justice, discovered and prevented the design, and delivered the royal infant to the executioner. This noble action extorted tears from the eyes of all the other spectators, but made no impression on the ruthless tyrant. The tragic scene was finally terminated by the execution of the Emperor

body of the Nobility ought to be hereditary. In the first place it is so in its own nature; and in the next there must be a CONSIDERABLE INTEREST to preserve its PRIVILEGES ; PRIVILEGES that in themselves are OBNOXIOUS TO POPULAR ENVY, and of course in a FREE STATE are ALWAYS IN DANGER:-and, secondly,

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himself. (A. D. 602.) And the bodies of the father, and his five sons were cast into the sea, whilst their heads were exposed in the Imperial city to the insults of the inhuman murderers. The assassination of the Emperor's brother, and the chief Patricians followed. The Emperor's widow, by the command of the assassin and usurper, was, in a short time after, tortured like the vilest malefactor: and thus, the Empress Constantina, with three innocent daughters, were massacred on the same ground, which had been stained with the blood of her husband and five sons. (See Godeau's "Histoire de l'Eglise," vol. 5, p. 43. Bruy's Histoire des Papes," vol. i. p. 400, &c. edited at the Hague in 1732. Corneille, the Shakspeare of France, has made the various incidents in the murder of Mauritius, the subject of one of his most elaborate tragedics, called, "Heraclius" (Corneille de Voltaire, tom. v. p. 300.) It may, now, be well inquired into; in what manner, this diabolical outrage, was received by Gregory,-who as we have just seen, distinguished himself as-the bold opponent of the Antichristian claims of his fellow-Bishop ;-the eulogized Apostolic Pastor of the Church;—the blessed Saint of the Missal;—and so meritorious an Intercessor for the devotions of the faithful:—who are instructed, to pass by, the only “ One Mediator between God and men," (I.Tim. ii. 5.); in order, to conciliate his Saintship's services; and so may have the complacent satisfaction of obeying those, who, make "the commandment of God of none effect by their traditions" (Matt. xv. 6.); who, teach for doctrines the commandments of men (Id. 9.); and, who, think not with even their favourite and patron Apostle, that, they "ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts. v. 29.) It cannot but be highly interesting, to know, how far, the Sainted Gregory, mourned over the sad catastrophe of the violated rights, the merciless havoc, which the assassin's ruthless dagger, made among the innocent members of the Imperial family, of the murdered Mauritius. We are the more concerned to make the inquiry; for, at this very period, the revenues, the sovereignty, the civil and ecclesiastical dominion of Italy, were in the hands of the Eastern Emperors; and Rome itself, now, during the continuance of the Exarchate of Ravenna, paid, as a tributary province, with its unaspiring Bishop, their constant obeisance, to their Imperial Lord; and contented to be ranked, but of the second dignity, among the numberless Metropolitan cities, attached to the Byzantine Court; with humility and thankfulness, continually, applied there, during the space of two hundred years, for succour and advice. For, it was not at this period, nor, indeed until the expiration of nearly two centuries afterwards, (A. D. 755.); that, the Popes of Rome, treasonably, treacherously,

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