cate. By the ancient canon law, bishops not their friends and relatives warn them, as they valued their hopes of preferment, or provision for their families, not to interfere to obtain additional privileges to our fellow-christians, and would they not cite with great effect the example and the fate of Mr. Jones? When the extraordinary power of the higher orders of the Church over their inferiors was under discussion, he had pointed out some consequences like the present. If these extraordinary powers were not necessary, they ought to be abolished or regulated; and if, unfortunately, they could not be dispensed with, their exercise should be watched, and their abuse prevented. (Hear, hear.) After a few more observations, which were listened to with great attention, and frequently cheered, the noble Lord concluded by moving the reading of the petition, adding that, after it was read and received, he would move that it be referred to a Committee to inquire into the case of the petitioner, and the expediency of requiring the counter-signature of the diocesan to the necessary testimonial of character, preparatory to institution, The petition was then read. It set forth the facts stated in the first part of the noble mover's speech, and concluded by praying for such relief as the House could grant. FOREIGN. FRANCE. Ar present the advocates of the old regime seem to triumph in this eventful country. The liberty of the press is restricted, and what remains is held on sufferance, and is exercised with a sword over the head of the writer. The following is the conclusion of a letter just received from Paris: "The Protestant Annals' have ceased till better times. One cannot be liberal and tolerant by permission and privilege." HANOVER. The Hanoverian journals contain the following statement:-"We hear that, in the present Session of the Assembly of States, it will be proposed to abolish tithes, or at least to substitute for them a tax of another kind. The advantages arising from this measure could not fail to have a great influence on the agricultural prosperity of our kingdom; for it is, in fact, almost wholly an agricultural country, the manufactures being in comparison insignificant; and as there is a great extent of heath and waste land, which no one has yet ventured to cultivate, because of the great expense which such an enterprise would require, (the tithes and land-tax must be added,) the abolition of these imposts will much facilitate undertakings of this nature, and the Diet will merit the gratitude of the country if they carry this plan into execution." AMERICA. U. S. Law against Duelling.-A Bill has passed its third reading in the Legislature of ALABAMA, to take effect from the 1st day of March, which subjects the party engaged in a duel to three months' imprisonment, and a fine of 2000 dollars, one half to go to the Public Treasury, the other to the Informer. The offender to give security for his good behaviour for two years, and to be disqualified from holding any office in the State, and for being a member of either House of the General Assembly. The Bill requires every officer of the State to take an oath that he has not since the passing of this Act violated its provisions, and that he will not during his continuance therein. A late fatal Duel.-The details of the duel between Commodore Barron and Commodore Decatur are given at great length in the American papers. They fought at eight paces: both were wounded. A most extraordinary proceeding took place in the House of Representatives. Mr. Randolph proposed that the House should adjourn, to give the members an opportunity to attend the funeral of Commodore Decatur, and that they should wear crape round the left arm till the end of the Session. This motion was opposed by Mr. Taylor, of New York, who said he would resist it, as Commodore Decatur had died in the act of setting the laws of God and his country at defiance. The notice was withdrawn. CORRESPONDENCE. Communications have been received from Messrs. Stephen Freeman; J. W. Fairbridge; Dr. J. Jones; T. Davis; and Mrs. Hubbard; B. G.; W. A.; An Occasional Reader; A Berean (Halstead); Quid Verum; A Traveller; A Christian; Medius; W. P. H.; W. J.; M. N. We have also received a letter from Ceylon, from Mr. Daniel Harwood, Paymaster Sergeant of the 45th Regiment, who was introduced to our readers Vol. X. 413, and who contributed several papers to The Christian Reformer, announcing his return to Trinitarianism. It shall be inserted in the next Number. A Correspondent has favoured us with a letter from Mr. John Pye, of Sheffield, written in 1772, on the then application for the Repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts. The addition of the Signature of Mr. Luckcock to the account of the Birmingham Sunday School, p. 296, was the act of the Editor. We shall be glad to receive the papers offered by Mr. Bloor, and request him to furnish them as early in the ensuing month as is convenient. ERRATUM. Page 297, col. 2, line 14 from the bottom, for phænomena read phænomena. THE Monthly Repository. No. CLXXV.] SIR, JULY, 1820. Ferdinand the Seventh's Sermon. IN the course of a correspondence Vol. XV.] "Malos malè perdet, et vineam suam locabit aliis agricolis."-Matt. cap. xxi. Luc. cap. xx. "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen."-Matt. xxi. 41. SIRE,-God permits not men to penetrate his judgments, nor to comprehend the sentences consequent upon them. Of his own accord he lays them open when he sees proper, justifies his cause, leaves sinners without excuse, and decides irrevocably upon the fate they have merited by their good or bad conduct. A Sermon, preached before the King of Spain, in the Royal Chapel, upon the third Friday in Lent, 24th February, 1815, by the Reverend Father, Friar Josef de Salvador, a bare-footed Carmelite, Ex-Lecturer on Theology, Historian of his Order, Synodic Examinator of the Archbishopric of Toledo and Bishopric of Cordova, Examinator of the Court Inquisition, Theological Consultor on the most pure Conception of the Holiest Virgin Mary, Apostolic Missionary, and Preacher to the King. * Barcelona, 16th June, 1819. "Surely," said a bare-footed Carmelite VOL. XV. The Christian orator is only a servant (or instrument) by whom God communicates his word to your Majesty and the people, making you to know the chastisement which he has decreed against the unjust man, against the wicked administrators and husbandmen of that mysterious vineyard which at this day occupies the evangelic field,-of that vineyard which the Saviour himself planted, at the expense of a thousand fatigues, which he watered with his most precious blood, which he enriched with the holy Sacraments, rendered fruitful by his doctrine, and placed under the protection of Holiest Mary, that admirable tower of David, from whence a thou 3D friar, "our King heareth not the truth, being surrounded by flatterers. If he knew the evil he is guilty of, certainly he would amend. I am appointed to preach before him in the Royal Chapel; I shall avail myself of the opportunity. The Monarch for once shall hear the truth." The following Sermon was the result of this resolution. It was printed by permission of the King, which many were surprised at. Some allege he did it because he despised it; others, because he stands in such awe of the church. Be that as it may, the Sermon has passed through many editions in Madrid, and two in Barcelona, where the copy from whence this translation was executed was printed. It is known throughout Spain by the name of King Ferdinand the Seventh's Sermou.-Translator. sand shields hang forth for our protection, of that vineyard, which we 'shall for once suppose to be the Spanish kingdom, that chosen heritage which the Father of families has so wonderfully placed under your care, by means of so many prodigies, (as you know,) and of which the fruits should correspond to his paternal love. The sentence which is pronounced is against the wicked husbandmen, not against the righteous-it is fearful to the bad, but consoling to the goodit confounds the careless labourer, but in your Majesty it ought solely to produce the effect of an exquisite Christian vigilance, which is necessary for the better discharge of your duties. Jesus Christ our Lord, who adopted it, and the church which promulgates it to us, expect this good from it. "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen." From this sentence there is no appeal; the Lord has said it, and it shall be fulfilled. The husbandman who neglects the culture of his land, or the king who governs not his kingdom with equity, alike subject themselves to be despoiled of them. Terrible anathema! such that even the Jews who heard it uttered, (saith the Evangelist,) cried out, "God forbid." But, in respect to ourselves, can such evil befal us? No; trusting in the rectitude of your Majesty, I hope it cannot; yet it is needful to fear it, lest the evil should befal us. From not doing this, Belshazzar lost his kingdom, his life and his soul, although a holy Daniel at his side had timeously predicted the ruin of his throne. Saul lost the sceptre, his life, and his soul, for his mal-administration, notwithstanding the prayers and mediation of so great a prophet as Samuel. Rehoboam saw his kingdom fall in pieces, and pass into other hands, in punishment of his caprice, and because he despised the counsel of the ancients. Ahab experienced even a more unfortunate lot for his perverse conduct, though the great prophet Elias had so often forewarned him. The Romans lost the Spanish dominions, the Goths saw them pass "But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him."-2 Chron. x. 8. under the Moorish yoke; and in our days the whole of Europe But whither am I wandering?— Your Majesty is an eye-witness-is he who has most nearly felt this testimony of the certain truth, this evidence of the infallibility of the sentence which Jesus Christ, "through the Evangelist," this day lays before us. Your remembrance of it, and meditations upon it, ensure your own felicity and the happiness of the whole nation. The Father of all sees that it is impossible for you personally to assist in all the parts of this great vineyard-sees the indispensable necessity you lie under to avail yourself of the aid of labourers in its culture; but if you seek, O King! to secure your own and our happiness, if you seek to shun the fulfilment of this dreadful denunciation,-you must watch without ceasing, and apply it to the husbandmen to whom you entrust the cultivation; when they do not fulfil their obligations, "destroy the wicked men." To persuade you, Sire, to adopt this vigilance will form the subject of my discourse. Nothing can be more worthy of your care. To explain it with the utility I desire to your great soul, and to the whole nation, I stand in need of the Divine assistance-Ave Maria. "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen." FIRST. What life, what efficacy is in the word of God! The Apostle Paul hath well explained this, where he says, "The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."* This ineffable quality, "which may be considered as existing in every word which the Almighty addresses to his creatures," particularly applies to the terrible sentence which he this day pronounces against the wicked husbandmen of the vineyard: "He will miserably destroy those wicked men." No one can meditate on this denunciation attentively, without experiencing the most salutary effects. It is sufficient to reform the Heb. iv. 12. most careless husbandman, administrator or king. If you respect not my words, attend, O King, to those of the exalted Saint Theresa of Jesus, glory of Spain, and delight of the heavenly Jerusalem. This enlightened virgin was tenderly interested for, and warmly attached to, the throne of St. Ferdinand, which you worthily occupy. She had also a particular regard for your immortal ancestor, the just, the prudent Philip the Second, and having compassion on him, because surrounded by flatterers, he had no one near him to tell him the truth, though, considering the cireumstances in which he was then placed, it was necessary he should be warned of it, the Saint herself resolved to admonish him, because she loved him. Her heart was nigh to fail her, but encouraging herself, she said, "It is better that my heart should suffer, than that my king and his kingdom should be lost." She could not ascend into this cathedral to preach before him, for although she was a doctor of theology, being a woman excluded her, but as ambassadress of the King of kings, she addressed unto Philip a let ter, which, being read, comprehended in two lines, that which I feel it a duty incumbent upon me to inculcate in this Sermon, viz. "Remember, Sire, that Saul was a chosen and an anointed king." Having perused this paper, that great prince was (saith the history) somewhat astonished, but on reflec tion, he soon became sensible that God spake to him through the medium of this celestial heroine. He bethought himself of that carelessness which had led him into peril, he became watchful and zealous for the happiness of his kingdom, and grew so perfect himself, that not long thereafter, the Virgin Estifania, of the apostles, "the daughter of the saint," beheld him come forth triumphantly from the tribunal of God, favoured by the most holy Virgin, to whom he had rendered so many services. 1,0 King, possess not that fervour of soul which inspired Saint Theresa of Jesus, but I yield to none in my desire for your happiness, and the welfare of your kingdom; in which, as is known to you," I am deeply interested; because I love you, I do not flatter you, but speak the truth unto you. I repeat with my holy mother, "Remember, immortal Ferdinand, that Saul was a king, that he was chosen by God, and anointed by his prophet; but in the end he was forsaken by the Lord, lost his life, his soul, and his kingdom, because he did not fulfil his obligations." This sentence of the Saint's is, as it were, an abridgment of the words of the evangelist, by which we are this day told that the Father of families will punish the wicked husbandmen, and bestow the vineyard upon others, who will cultivate it with advantage. "He shall come and destroy those husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others." At present, may I not expect from your guiltless heart equal, or even greater fruits, than those words of Saint Theresa produced in that of your heroic ancestor Philip the Second? Surely I cannot doubt it. Already, methinks, I see you vigilantly driving from your side those who do not love you, those who will not tell the truth unto you. Already, methinks, I be hold you cleansing the public offices from that filth which (if I may be allowed the expression) hath so iniqui tously been introduced into them, ini these latter times of trouble and con fusion. Already, methinks, I perceive you visiting the labourers in the vine yard, examining their labours, and striving that it may bring forth its fruit in due season. If this you do not, know, O King, that this you ought to do, to render yourself and your king. dom happy. For example, there are in the vineyard of Spain labourers (or ministers) of state. Those ought to be men with clean hands, pure inten tions, and of upright conduct: men who would not allow themselves to be biassed by self-interest, by friends, relations or connexions, or by those who are destitute of merit, in managing the national property, or in the distribution of situations (or employments). But is this the case? Alas! Sire, I go forth from considering this great obligation, and I find the people see, sigh, and weep, that directly the contrary takes place. I find that scarcely is any one entered upon an elevated employment, when he raises up his whole house, family and friends, "and this in the face of all the nation," forgetful that among those regarding him are |