The Express.
London, England, 1850-11-23 00:00:00

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ON

TIER ROMISIL AGGRESSION.

TO THE ARCHDEACONS AND CLERGY OF TEE
DIOCESE OF CANTERBURY.
LAMBETH, Nov. 21,1850.
lam much gratified by receiving the address of
the Archdeacons and Clergy of my diocese of Canter-
bury, " protesting against the act of aggression upon
our church recently committed by the Papal see."
I was well aware that the clergy of my dimes
were animated by the same sentiments which have
been so geeerally expressed by the Church of Eng-
land
couoerning this extraordinary measure, and -,I
have waited for your address, considering that it
would afford the most suitable opportunity of declass-
ing my own sentiments upon the occasion.
You justly observe that the appointment of bishops
to take spiritual charge of the several counties of
England and Wales is in direct opposition to the mu-
tates of a country which affirm that no foreign pre-
late or potentate bath, or ought to have, any jurisaic-
tion or authority within this realm, in which the
Queen's Majesty, ander God, is the sole supreme
governor. " When a foreign potentate assigns par-
ticular districts of the realm to be ruled over by his
episcopal delegates and nominees," he certainly as-
sumes to himself a pre-eminence and power which is
opposed to the spirit and purport of our law.
We therefore have just reason to declare oar indig-
nation at the present invasion of our rights, and the
assumption on which it is avowedly grounded, that
our protestant communion is unsound, and even he-
rciosl. But whilst we are indignant, we need not be
surprised. Every religion, whether false or true, must
be in a certain sense aggressive if it is sincere; and
it is the known characteristic of the Roman catholic
religion to be not merely aggressive, but encroaching,
and to rest satisfied with nothing short of absolute
domination. We shall therefore act wisely if we
look around us and inquire whether any peculiar
circumstances amongst ourselves may have caused
the present time to appear to the court of Rome a
favourable opportunity for the movement of which
we complain.
Ten years have elapsed since I thought it necessary
to warn the clergy of another diocese against the
danger of adopting principles which, when carried
out, tend naturally to those Romish errors, against
which our forefathers protested, and which were re-
nounced by the Anglican church.
The result has proved that this judgment was not
harsh or the warning premature; on the contrary,
certain of our clergy, professing to follow up thole
principles, have proceeded onward from one Romish
tenet and one Itomish practice to another, till in some
congregations all that is distinctive in protestant
doctrine or protestant worship has disappeared.
Other circumstances might be mentioned, such, for
instance, as the titles and precedence allowed to the
Roman Catholic dignitaries in Ireland and our colo-
nies, which have afforded some colour to the belief
that a change had come over the spirit of our land,
and that an set of Romish aggression might be ven-
tured without risk ot serious notice or national oppo-
ation.
Happily the event has proved that the errors were
on the surface, and confined to few • the heart of the
nation adheres to the Word of God, and rejects the
traditions of men.
Our first duty, therefore, in the present crisis is to
retrace our steps wherever they have tended. towards
Runtish doctrine or Romish superstition ; and, whilst
we appeal to the legislature to protect our church
from foreign invasion, to be especially careful that we
are not betrayed by enemies within.
Bat another duty is incumbent on us, of still greater
urgency. The corruptions of the Romish church are
very congenial to the human mind, and especially to
the uneducated, unawakened mind. Amongst the
population of our crowded towns and our remote
lames too many, unhappily, are little able to test
the truth of any religion which is proposed to them
by its only sure standard, the Bible. These may easily
become • prey to teachers so subtle, se skilful, so
insinuating as Romish emissaries are known to be.
There is likewise a constant immigration from Ireland
of men who have imbibed superstition from their
cradle, and by companionship, or alliances among
their fellow-workmen, are too likely to aid the exer-
tions of priests and Jesuiste, of nuns and sisters of
amity. It becomes doubly necessary for the clergy
to guard their people against this danger by every
maths through which scriptural knowledge may be &f-
-ramed amongst them ; acquaintance with the Scriptures
is the sure defence against Rome; the laity must lend
their aid and supply the theme of adding to the
=umber of clergy, together with a provision for house-
hold visitors and Scripture readers, without which it
is impossible to make head against the ignorance and
apathy of an untaught multitude. If the recent
assault upon our church should thus become the means
of extending scriptural instruction, the measure which
was designed for our injury may, under a gracious
Providence, result is an eventual good. The enemy
has shown that he considers we have a weak point.
1 It is oar badman to strengthen that point, and guard
it from attack; and not to allow the ignorance of any
part of our population to betray them into the hands
of Rase.
The clergy. who have addressed me, may depend
upon my using whatever influence belongs to the
high offioe and station to which I have been called,
to maintain her Majesty's "royal prerogative and
title, and to assert the rightful claims of the church
of England." And I have full confidence that they,
on their part, will never be wanting in their endea-
vours to render harmless any attempt which may be
made to weaken or subvert the protestant faith of
which they are the appointed ns J. B. OANTUAR.

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