ITS PUBLIC NATIONAL PROFESSION.
BY A PROTESTANT.
M.Dc.LXXxrr.
VOL. XIV.
34
PEEFATOKY NOTE.
Whether we regard tlie deep sagacity pervading tliis treatise; the calm and nervous dignity of its reasonings ; tlie statesman-like view it gives of the condition and prospects of tlie Protestant caiise ; or the noble strain Avith which it concludes, of confidence in God and the ultimate triumph of his cause, amid all the fears and forebodings which the author had been led to entertain, — ^we are inclined to ascribe to it a pre-eminent value among the smaller pi'oductions of Dr Owen. It is vei-y far from being of merely ephemeral interest. It was rcijrinted in 1822, when the claims of the Roman Catholics to be admitted into Parliament were under discussion. To this edition there was prefixed a letter, addressed to Mr Wilberforce, by Bishop Burgess ; and from the following extract it will be seen in what estimation that accomplished prelate held this brief treatise : " The extensive know- ledge, the powerful intellect, the ardent jjiety of Dr Owen, are too well known to you to require eulogium or recommendation. The little tract which I have reprinted, and which I am desirous of submitting to your perusal, is distinguished by all his talents, and is cal- culated to excite feelings superior toanyconsideratiousof partial and temporary policy."
I. The first part of the tract is occupied with an account of the Protestant religion, — generally, in its origin and principles ; and then more particularly, as it is opposed to Popery. He specifies the four essential elements in Protestantism, from which the Re- formation took its rise and character : — 1 . Some gi*eat apostasy had been foretold in Scripture; 2. The Church of Rome embodied this predicted apostasy; 3. All true Christians were bound to separate from this antichristian church ; and, 4. It was their duty not merely to separate from it, but to maintain a public protest against its errors and abominations. II. Then follows an account of the way in which Protestantism had arisen ; of the costly sacrifices made in order that it might be established, its martyrs exceeding in number those who had fixllen under the I'agan persecutions; and, lastly, of the happy effects which had ensued from the Reformation, not mei-ely to Protestant nations, but even in countries where though Popery still reigned, it was held in check by the contiguity of Protestant light and freedom, and the possibility that now existed of turning against it "the balance of power.", III. The political weakness of Protes- tantism, from its manifold divisions, is exhibited, and the imi^oi'tance is urged of estab- lishing a great Protestant interest throughout Europe. IV. Then follows a discussion of the probable way in which the Papacy may regain predominance; — either by defection, or force, or reconciliation. The author dwells chiefly on the danger to be apprehended from the last source, inasmuch as some learned men now conceded a patriarchal jmmacy to the Bishop of Rome ; novel opinions had been widely spread, which, so far as they set aside the doctrines of grace, narrowed the dififereuce between Popery and Protestantism ; it was now denied that the Pope was Antichrist ; atheism prevailed ; vital religion was at a low ebb ; the clergy, losing confidence in the spiritual power of tnith, sought to retain their influence over the people by recourse to superstitious expedients and appli- ances, such as Romanism sanctions ; and, lastly, forgetfulness of the persecuting sjiirit of Popery induced many to bethink themselves of an " ecclesiastical coalescency with the Church of Rome." V. The folly and wickedness of such a movement are exposed. The tract closes by stating the grounds of hope amid prevailing discouragements, and the time means for the preservation of Protestantism, — in prayer, imion, and repentance.
The works of Owen are commonly more exhaustive than suggestive ; but the follow- ing tract is an exception to the truth of the remark, and no analysis can do justice to the range of thought embraced in it. His views as to the danger of reconciliation being attempted with Rome may be thought extravagant, but accord with an appre- hension entertained by many British Protestants at tlie time, and which there was much to justify in the notorious leanings of the Court. See "Neal's History," vol. iv. 458, 463. Louis Du Moulin, professor of History at Oxford, published in 1 680 " A Short and Tj-ue Account of the Several Advances the Church of England hath made towards Rome ; or, a model of the grounds upon which the Papists for,tliese hundred years have built their hopes and expectations that England would ere long return to Popery." While no authors have done more efiective service in the controversy with Rome than Tillotson, Tenison, Stillingfleet, and other divines of the English Chui-ch, the necessity which they felt to engage in a vigorous exposure of the errors of Popery, as well as the spirit and scope of their treatises in many instances, indicate that they too wrote under feelings of alarm lest, through the Romanizing policy of the Court, the Anglican Estab- lishment should revert to the Papacy. — Ed.
THE STATE AKD FATE
THE PEOTESTANT EELIGIOE
The world is at this day filled with discourses about, the protestaut religion and the profession of it; and that not without cause. The public opposition that is made unto it, the designs that are managed with policy and power for its utter extirpation, and the confidence of many that they will take effect, must needs fill the minds of them whose principal interest and concerns lie in it with many thoughts about the event. Never was there a greater cause brought on the stage for a trial ; — a cause wherein the glory of God is concerned above any thing at this day in the world ; a cause wherein the most eminent prevailing powers of the earth are visibly engaged as unto its ruin, and whereunto all the diabolical arts of men are employed ; a cause wherein those who embrace that religion do judge that not only their lives, but the eternal welfare of them and their posterity, is inevitably concerned. This cannot but fill the minds of all men with various conjectures about the issue of these things, according as their interest works in them by hopes and fears. Some of them, therefore, do endeavour, by their counsels and other ways, for the preservation and continuance of this protestant religion amongst our- selves, according as they have an accession unto public affairs; and some, whose lot is cast into a private capacity, do engage faith and prayer unto the same purpose. The enemies of it, in the meantime, are powerful, active, and restless; many amongst us being uncertain in their minds, as not resolved where to fix their interest; and a greater multitude, like Gallio, care for none of these things. This being a matter, therefore, wherein all men, who have any sense of religion, are so deeply concerned, it may not be unseasonable briefly to inquire. What is this protestant religion which is so contended about? Avhat is its present state in the world? what its strength and weakness, as unto its public profession? and what is like to be the