"There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets, and shall 'shew great signs and wonders; insomuch, that if it were "possible they shall deceive the very elect. Behold I have told "you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, behold he "is in the desert; go not forth: Behold he is in the secret "chamber, believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of "the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the com"ing of the Son of Man be.”* Like gracious premonitions pervade the corresponding passages in St. Mark's and St. Luke's Gospels.

The striking predictions of St. Paul, in 1 Tim. iv., 1-5, and 2 Thes. ii., 3-12, are so well known to all who are acquainted with the scriptural grounds of our protest against the Church of Rome, that it may seem to such a reiteration of trueisms to dwell on them. A few words, however, on the latter, may not be out of place for those who are restrained by the 4th Rule of the Index of Trent, from direct reference to the unadulterated Word.

Is not the infatuation which leads to the promulgation of lying wonders diametrically opposed to the plain language of Holy Writ, and therefore convicted by simple comparison with the Word of Truth, a suitable judgment on, as well as a natural result from the prohibition of the study of the Sacred Word. The following is going the rounds of the public prints, and has been purchased by me from a hawker in the Streets of Youghal.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA.

"The Univers of the 12th February, instant, contains the following remarkable statement. We deem it our duty to inform our readers that we have ourselves for some days been prepared, through our own letters from Rome, for the announcement:

"During the last fortnight, accounts the most delightful to the Christian world, have been prevalent in Paris. From letters written by persons of the highest character, which we have had under our own inspection, we learn that authentic accounts have been received in the capital of Christianity from the Catholic Missionaries in China, announcing that the Chinese Emperor will, for the future, permit Missionaries free entrance, and the right of travelling without obstacle, through his dominions; not content with this concession, the Emperor himself has solicited that new and more numerous Missionaries should be sent out. It is certain that the Propaganda has already appointed forty religious, amongst whom are many Jesuits whose names are announced, to the mission. The departure of these Missionaries for China will be immediate.

"These accounts from China attest facts of another description, and which, to Christians, will explain those we have above announced. The silence we have preserved during the last fortnight will be a guarantee to our readers that if we speak out to-day, it is on testimony the most weighty and worthy of belief. A letter, which we received yesterday from Rome,

The passage is as follows:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall "not come except there come a falling away first, and that man "of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and "exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is wor"shipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, "shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, "when I was with you, I told you these things? and now ye "know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who 'now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And "then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the 'brightness of his coming. Even him, whose coming is after "the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying "wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in 'them that perish; because they received not the love of the "truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall "send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, "but had a pleasure in unrighteousness."

Now whatever difference in interpretation of details, and in the application of this prophecy to its final and ultimate completion in future events may be suggested; all must agree in some leading features.

That an apostacy (orraria) is foretold; under an arrogant

contains the following: Authentic letters from the Chinese Missionaries, confirm the astounding miracle of the apparition of our Lord, in the presence of a vast number of the faithful and unbelievers.'

"The Univers states it has received other details, but contents itself with quoting some observations from the Gazette du Simplon of the 8th of February. Our letters confirm its details.

"Intelligence of undoubted authority has arrived from the apostolic vicariate of China, stating that a great multitude of Christians and Pagans belonging to that nation saw in the air, the heaven being serene and clear, the image of Christ Jesus crucified.'"

A simple comparison with our Lord's caution above is sufficient to stamp the character of the false Christ and false prophet, in confirmation of whose arrogant claim to universal dominion, such statements are put forth; and may serve also as a sample of the degree of credence that is due to the miracles of St. Francis Xavier, and such like, in remote regions."

head, opposing God; exalting himself above the objects of civil* and religious homage;† (Bara) assuming his position, not as an external adversary, but within the Temple of God; claiming Divine titles, and prerogatives, and attributes, and admitting Divine honours. That the principle leading to this apostacy was at work even in the Apostle's day; but its manifestation was prevented by an antagonist power, which prudence forbade him more plainly to name, but which they fully understood from his previous instructions. That this developement would be Satan's handy work; accompanied by "all POWER," real, spiritual, infernal influence, "SIGNS," plausible, well got up prodigies, difficult of detection, and "LYING WONDERS," suited to deceive and impose on the credulous, superstitious, and ignorant. And that all these should effectuate their influence with such as "received not the love of the Truth."

The application of this to the Church of Rome, and her Vice-God, is clear enough to warn all simple-minded Bibleloving Christians, however it may be controverted and mystified. But this point admits of no question, that MIRACLES ARE MARKS OF THE APOSTACY, whatever that be. This is as plain as that the words are written on the page of Scripture, and can be denied by no one that is gifted with eyesight. What infatuation then, to appeal to these things as marks of the true Church, which the Spirit of God has predicted as special characteristics of THE APOSTACY and coming of the MAN OF SIN.

On this point, the Revelation made to the beloved disciple in the Apocalypse is no less explicit, than the caution given by his brother Paul.

In Revelations xiii., we have emblematically exhibited a wild beast, with certain peculiar characters; which again we find in chap. xvi. to designate a beast the bearer of a woman, who is

• Psalm lxxxi., 1-6, compared with John x., 34.

The Canonization of Saints by the Pope, constitutes them objects of worship, "an article of faith from which no Christian can be dispensed."Letter to A. Phillipps, Esq., page 100.

"All the names which are given in the Scriptures to Christ, whence it appears that he is superior to the Church, all these same names are given to the Pope."- Bellarmine on the Authority of Councils, Book II., chap. 17, Ingolstadd, 1590.

§ See the account of the adoration of the Pope, given in "The Apostacy," by the Rev. Mortimer O'Sullivan, D.D., the whole of which convincing work is well worthy of an attentive perusal. Also Fleury's Eccles. His., tom XV., book 3, Nismes, 1779.

expressly declared symbolically to be "THAT GREAT CITY WHICH REIGNETH (present tense) OVER The kings of the Earth.

And again, we have another beast thus described, (xiii. 11— 14) "I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And

"

he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and "causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth 'great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaIven on the earth in the sight of men. And deceiveth them "that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which "he had power to do in the sight of the beast," (v T Onpiov), &c. &c.

The temporal kingdoms into which the Roman empire has been divided, are plainly enough represented by "the beast (with seven heads and ten horns," and having "upon his horns," or divided sovereignty, "ten crowns." The connexion, sympathy, and mutual support afforded by the ecclesiastical authority of Rome, upheld by the two-fold agency of Regular and Secular Clergy, is no less indicated by the second beast, that had two horns like a lamb, and spake as a dragon." The exercise of temporal authority by the Pope; the sanction given by the Spiritual Head of the Church to foreign dominion, only when it suits the purpose of the Ecclesiatical Potentate; the resuscitation of Imperial power in the Pontifical authority, all meet the terms of the prophecy very accurately. But the point of MIRACLES, is that with which we have to do.

He deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means "of those Miracles which he had power to do in the sight of "the beast." Is it not strange that Romish Miracles are almost without exception confined to Romish Countries and Romish witnesses. When attempted in Protestant lands and in the presence of Protestant observers, they miserably fail, and wither into blasphemous frauds; although we can discover little difference, except in the result, from the successful efforts which bind the faith of the votaries of Rome to her peculiar doctrines.

But least a doubt should arise as to the character of that power which is thus described, as a two-horned miracle working beast, let us turn to the prophetical description of his end.Rev. xix. 20.—"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which "he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast,

"and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast "alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," Here there can be no doubt of the identity of the miracle working power symbolized in these two passages. As a horned beast, speaking like a dragon, exhibits the character of Rome, in her most palmy days, when none could resist her sway, or dared to gainsay her decrees, though it were "to pluck up, destroy, scatter, ruin, plant, and build :"* so the designation of false Prophet, marks the means to which she will resort, previous to the period of her final and awful catastrophe. It signifies deceptive teaching, false doctrine, assumed divine authority, an appeal to divine and miraculous sanction; all,-all of which is lamentably manifested in the working of Rome, and Rome's Teachers, and Ministers, and Satellites in the present day.

My Lord, is the position in which Scripture places that system of teaching, which in the latter day of the Christian Church, rashly appeals to Miracles in proof of her claims, flattering for her that assumes to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches? Are the prospects of such cheering and consolatory. If not, let heedful, prayerful, obedient attention be given to that MOST IMPORTANT instruction of God's word bound up with the prediction of her fearful end. Rev. xviii. 4.—" I heard another voice from heaven saying, COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE THAT YE BE NOT PARTAKERS OF HER SINS, AND THAT YE RECEIVE NOT OF HER PLAGUES."

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Oh my Lord, to you, to the public, to the reader of these pages, I would say a word, in faithfulness and love. There is such a thing as truth; there is such a thing as Divine teaching, by which it may be known. To the source of both are we directed by the Saviour himself. 'Sanctify them through thy 'truth; THY WORD is truth."—John xvii. 17. And if it be said, I want an interpreter, of that word, a teacher, an infallible guide: that too is provided; fully, freely promised. Luke xi. 9. I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek and 'ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; “and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall "ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a "stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good

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* Bull of Pope Pius V. against Queen Elizabeth.