Art. IX. Popery in 1824. A Circular Letter of Pope Leo the Twelfth, to the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church: and the Bull of Jubilee for the Year 1825. Translated from the Original Latin, with an Introduction and Notes. 8vo. pp. 32. London. 1825.

WE feel the pride of office stirring within us, we feel how great is our elevation as Reviewers, in being called upon to pass our critical judgement on the first production of a new Pope. But this feeling, while we write, has given way to another sentiment,-that of heart-felt, grateful elation at the prerogative which we share with all our fellow-Protestants, of "trying the spirits, whether they be of God." "By their fruits ye shall know them." Here, in this happy country, we can make as free with a Pope's Bull as with a Bishop's Charge; we can discuss either without fear of the Star Chamber or the Inquisition; and we are too apt to think of Popery as a thing that is past, only because it is locally distant. But here is the identical Giant Pope, the brother of Giant Pagan, that we read of in the Pilgrim's Progress when we were boys, come to life again, a real incarnation in the body of Pope Leo the Twelfth the most holy Lord, our Lord Leo'-the "man of Sin" with all his names of blasphemy burned into his fore head. Here is Popery, the same monstrous compound of licentiousness, tyranny, and blasphemy, that it was when Luther set up the standard of the Lord against it in the sixteenth century. A man whose gallantries at Rome were matter of public scandal a few years ago, and whose immoralities were far from blushing and secret in other places, now being invested with the three hats and the title of Holiness, begins his career of iniquity with trying to raise money in the name of the Lord, by proclaiming a plenary indulgence, remission, and pardon of sin to all who shall go on pilgrimage to the Seven Hills, on conditions hereafter specified. What an admirable comment does this precious document supply, on the language which has been held, session after session, in a certain great house, respecting the enlightened spirit of the age, the altered character of Popery, the bigotry and the nursery fears of Protestants! Those sage advocates of the Irish Catholics, who could find no better ground to rest their claims upon, than the poetical fiction, that Popery had become liberalised-what will they say now? Were not the subject too grave for banter or jest, we could feel almost amused at the new tone which this Circular and Bull may be expected to give to certain discussions. And what will Mr. Wix now say to a reconciliation between Mother Rome and her run-away daughter?

Although we hope that every one of our readers will put himself in possession of this nefarious document, we cannot refrain from inserting in our pages, a few paragraphs from the "Bull of Jubilee."

Leo, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of GOD, to all the faithful in CHRIST who shall inspect these presents, health and apostolical blessing!

The LORD, in the exercise of his compassion, has at length granted to our Lowliness, to announce to you with gladness the near approach of that which may now be felicitously celebrated according to the usages and institutions [majorum] of the ancients, but which, through the dreadful asperity of the times, was omitted at the commencement of this century,-an omission which we deeply lamented. That most auspicious year is near, a year to be most religiously venerated, in which there will be a concourse from the whole world, to this our fair and holy city, and the See of the blessed PETER; and in which, all the faithful, being excited to [officia] the duties of piety, have all the most ample succours of reconciliation and grace proposed to them, for the salvation of their souls. For in this which we properly call an acceptable time and [a day] of salvation,' we rejoice in the grand opportunity afforded to us, after the deplorable series of ills over which we have groaned, to strive to restore all things in CHRIST, by the salutary [saving] expiation of all christian people. We have therefore decreed, according to the authority which is divinely committed to us, to open as widely as possible, that heavenly treasury, which being purchased by the merits, passions, and virtues of our LORD CHRIST, of his Virgin Mother, and of all saints, the Author of human salvation has entrusted the distribution of it to us..

year,

Advancing therefore by our wishes these numerous and great advantages to souls, and having in confidence of mind asked in prayer of GOD, the Giver of all good, by the bowels of his mercy, that which is required by a regard to the appointed time, and which is pointed out by the pious institutions of the Roman Pontiffs our predecessors, treading also in the footsteps, with the consent of our brethren, the Cardinals of the Holy Romish Church, by the authority of the omnipotent GOD, and of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, as well as by our own,-for the glory of GoD himself, for the exaltation of the Catholic Church, and for the sanctification of all Christian people, we proclaim and publish the Universal and Great Jubilee to commence in this Holy City, from the first vespers of the next eve of the Nativity of our most Holy SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, and to continue through the whole of the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five. During this year of Jubilee, we mercifully in the LORD grant and impart the most plenary and complete indulgence, remission, and pardon of all their sins, to all the faithful in CHRIST, of both sexes, who are truly penitent, and have confessed, and who have likewise refreshed themselves with the Holy Communion,-provided, (if Romans, or inhabitants of the city,) they shall

have devoutly visited these churches of the city, that of the blessed Peter and Paul, of St. John Lateran, and that of St. Mary Major, at least once a day, for thirty days, whether successive or [interpolatos] interrupted, natural, or even ecclesiastical, to be computed from the first vespers of one day, to the complete evening twilight of the succeeding day; but if they be foreigners, or in any respect strangers, they must have visited these churches, at least fifteen days, as already described;-provided also, that they shall have poured forth pious prayers to GOD for the exaltation of the Holy Church, the extirpation of heresies, the concord of Catholic Princes, and the salvation and tranquillity [christiani populi] of Christendom.

'We make this announcement to you, our sons, from our paternal affection, that those of you who are weary and heavy laden,' may fly to the place where you know for a certainty that you will receive rest and be refreshed. For [neque fas est] it is criminal to be idle and negligent in applying for saving riches, out of those eternal treasures of divine grace, which are opened by our most holy and indulgent mother, the Church, when such an intense desire is manifested to procure earthly riches, which the moth corrupts, and the rust destroys. But since, even from ancient times, it has been a prevalent custom for immense and perpetual concourses of men of all ranks, from every part of the wide world, (although their route was long and dangerous,) to visit this principal [domicilium] seat and abode of the Fine Arts, upon which they look almost as on a prodigy, glittering and effulgent in the magnificence of its edifices, the majesty of its situation, and the beauty of its monuments; it would therefore be shameful and most contrary to a desire of eternal blessedness, tỏ urge, as pretences for declining a journey to Rome, the difficulties on the road, the accidents of fortune, or other causes of this description. There is, my beloved children, there is that, which will most abundantly compensate every species of inconvenience; nay, if by chance, any sufferings occur, they will not be worthy to be [compared with] the weight of future glory,' that, by the blessing of GOD, 'will be wrought out for you' by those aids which are prepared for the benefit of souls. For you shall reap from this journey a most ample harvest of penitence, out of which you may offer to GOD the castigation of your bodies, through the long continuance of your [molestorum actuum] painful acts of mortification, may in holiness perform the conditions prescribed by the laws of the indulgences, and may add this new advantage to the determination which you have formed and constantly hold, of punishing and repelling your crimes.

Come up, therefore, with your loins girt, to this holy Jerusalem, to this priestly and royal city, which has become the capital of the world by its being the See of the blessed Peter, and is conspicuously seen to exercise a wider presidency by its divine religion, than by its earthly dominion. This is indeed the city,' said ST. CHARLES, when exhorting his people to undertake a journey to Rome during the sacred year, this is the city, whose soil, walls, altars, churches,

the sepulchres of its martyrs, and whatever objects present themselves to the sight, suggest something sacred to the mind, as those persons experience and feel, who, after due preparation, visit those sacred recesses.' Reflect how greatly a walk round those ancient places, which, through the majesty of religion, wonderfully recommend themselves, may contribute to excite faith and charity in the minds of spectators. There, many thousands of martyrs are presented to their view, whose blood has consecrated the very ground; they enter their churches, behold their [titulos] epitaphs, and [venerari] do reverence to their relics. Besides, as ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM has said, Since the heavens are as resplendent when the sun emits his rays, as the city of the Romans which contains those two lights, Peter and Paul, who transmit their rays through the whole earth: what person [auserit] will have the audacity to approach [the places where those Apostles made their] confessions, to prostrate himself before their tombs, and to kiss their fetters, which are far more precious than gold or jewels, unless [he be impelled] by a feeling of the most intense devotion? And who can refrain from tears either while beholding the cradle of CHRIST, and recollecting at the same time the cries of the infant JESUS in the manger; or while adoring the sacred instrument of our LORD's passion, and then meditating on the REDEEMER of the world hanging on the cross?'

Since, by the singular liberality of Divine Providence, these august monuments of religion are united together in this city alone, they are in reality, certain, most sweet, and pleasant pledges of that affection, by which the LORD loveth the gates of Zion above all the tabernacles of Jacob;' and they most affectionately invite all of you, my beloved children, to lay aside all delay, and to ascend that mountain in which GOD has been pleased to dwell.'

The main purpose of the Circular will be seen from the following extract.

It is no secret to you, venerable Brethren, that a certain society, vulgarly called THE BIBLE SOCIETY,' [audacter vagari,] is audaciously dispreading itself through the whole world. After despising the traditions of the Holy Fathers, and in opposition to the wellknown decree of the Council of Trent, (Session the Fourth, on the publication and use of the Sacred Books,) this Society has collected all its forces, and directs every means to one object,—to the translation, or rather to the perversion of THE BIBLE into the vernacular languages of all nations! From this fact there is strong ground of fear, lest, as in some instances already known, so likewise in the rest, through a perverse interpretation, there be framed out of the Gospel of CHRIST, a Gospel of man, or, what is worse, a Gospel of the Devil.

Behold, venerable Brethren, what is the tendency of this Society, which, in order to the fulfilment of its impious wishes, leaves nothing

unattempted. For it congratulates itself, not only on printing and publishing its various translations [of the Scriptures], but likewise on its visiting all cities, and dispersing its editions among the populace in them: beside this, that it may entice the minds of the simple, it is sometimes careful to sell [the copies], and at other times it delights, with an insidious liberality, to distribute them gratuitously.'

pp. 17-19.

These paragraphs require no comment. It will be a happy circumstance if this publication should lead any of the Protestant enemies of the Bible Society to see whose work they have been doing. Surely, they will blush at their fellow-servant, if they are not ashamed of their livery.

Art. X. A Short Extract of the Life of General Mina. Published by Himself. 8vo. pp. 108. Price 5s. London, 1825.

THIS

HIS is a sort of memorial, in Spanish and English, of General Mina's patriotic services in the Peninsula. We rejoice that he lives to tell the tale. His feats and his escapes read more like romance than history, and remind us of the exploits of the Cid, more than of any thing in modern days. He belongs to the age of Froissart,-but, indeed, so does almost every thing in Spain; or he may be considered as the Pelayo of the nineteenth century. While Mina lives, the struggle for independence cannot be terminated; and the wretched Ferdinand may yet be made to tremble on his throne. Were Xavier but alive, the uncle and the nephew would in themselves be a host. But he perished in Mexico, the victim of his chivalrous but ill-planned attempt to break the yoke of Spain in the New World. He seems to have wanted the prudence and sagacity of his uncle; and his suffering himself to be surprised, was an error-to him a fatal one. In every other respect, his manly, humane, heroic character, rendered him worthier of a better fate.

The profits of the present publication are avowedly dedicated to patriotic purposes. This will sufficiently apologize for the somewhat costly style in which this brief statement makes its appearance. We purposely refrain from giving any extract, that we may not defeat the object we have in view in noticing the publication.