such as they can place confidence in. His defects, whether of judgment, principles, or abilities, which, in a private station, could have concerned none but himself, become open to the censure of those, who feel that the body to which they belong may be disgraced or injured by them. We claim the liberty of doing this, and no more than this, with respect to Dr. H. and we do not think, that he has any right in consequence of it to throw himself on the protection of the public as a persecuted individual. With respect to the manner in which we have done it, I will only say, that I came up under some degree of apprehension, lest in the warmth of the moment my friends might have been betrayed into harsh expressions, and breaches of the strict rule of meekness and charity and I was struck with the fact, and I cannot but attribute it to the especial grace of God controlling their hearts, that there was nothing of the kind whatever to object to; that, on the contrary, there had been throughout, in the many conferences held, and the many writings published, a remarkable freedom from all theological acerbity; no rash attribution of bad motives, no unkind stories raked up, no perversion of words or misrepresentation of facts; every care taken to screen Dr. H.'s personal character from the least imputation; and due credit given him for perfect sincerity of purpose, so as to B make it evident throughout, that our attack was directed not against the man, but against his errors". To conclude, I hope I have satisfactorily shewn, that in what we have been obliged to do in this unfortunate business, there has been nothing unkind, unjust, or unnecessary; that so a I subjoin an extract from Martin Luther's Table Talk, which will shew that Dr. H. may consider himself fortunate that he has to deal with Oxonians of the nineteenth century, and not with a German Reformer of the sixteenth. 66 "Anno 1543, Nov. 8. Gaspar Schwenkfield sent one of his books to Luther, whereupon Luther brake out with fervent zeal and said, Schwenkfield is a silly creature, qui non habet ingenium, nec spiritum, sed est attonitus," as all seducers are. He knoweth not what he babbleth... A little child goeth plainly to work, and saith, I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost &c. but this idiot, this fantastical gentleman, hath filched certain words out of my book, therewith the fellow will trim himself: he mingleth my phrases with his own, and sets it forth as if it were all my meaning. He will teach me what Christ is, and how I shall worship Him: I have, God be praised, better learnt it than he; let him trouble me no more." Then spake Dr. Roper to Luther, and said, "Oh sir, that is somewhat too harsh:" Luther answered him, "Such fellows teach me to be harsh; we must talk so with the Devil. Let Schwenkfield, by public writing, revoke that heresy about the Sacrament, and bring me testimony from Dr. Hessey, and Dr. Moibane, otherwise, said Luther, I will not believe him, though he sware unto me." far from our conduct having been a departure from Christian principles, it was a sense of duty alone which compelled us to overlook our own private feelings, and brave the opinion of the world around us. Most solemnly do I reply to the charge," Art thou he that troubleth Israel ?” "I have not troubled Israel, but those, who have forsaken the Lord, and have followed Baalim.” How the matter will end, I cannot conjecture. One thing is quite clear, that Dr. H. never can recover the confidence of the University, at least not sufficiently so as to be qualified for his present office. Is there a single clergyman or gentleman in the country, who would choose to send his son to a clergyman of Dr. H.'s opinions, to prepare him for Orders? and if so, can Dr. H. be a fit person to preside over the religious education of near half the clergy of England? How Dr. H., holding the opinions he does, can continue in the Church, I cannot conceive: speaking as he does of her Creeds, her Articles, and her Sacraments, and yet continuing in her communion and eating of her bread. But will he, can he, after what has passed, continue in his Professorship? will he, safe under the shelter of the law, go on despising the united voices of the University and Clergy at large, as an idle clamour; and our deep convictions of his unfitness, as an empty prejudice ? Can he bear to think, that while union is so desirable at the present moment, he should be the principal ingredient of discord? that while the friends of pure religion are preparing to resist the unhallowed inroads of philosophy and neology, which threaten them on every side, the enemies of our faith should be looking to him as their friend in the citadel, who is to open the gates to them? that while every day our students in Divinity are increasing in attachment to the real religion of our Church, as set forth in her confessions of faith, he should be foremost in leading them to undervalue those sacred bulwarks, and to set up their own private judgment in preference to the universal consent of the Church, and the wisdom of antiquity? Oh how infinitely should I prefer the obscurest poverty, to wealth, and fame, and the applause of the multitude so dearly purchased! While writing these lines, I have received notice that the question will shortly be brought forward again. God willing, I shall be at my post, and I trust that all who can, will be there likewise. Meanwhile, I commit the matter to Him, to whom, in times of difficulty and danger, we may always confidently look for light, for strength, and for protection. May these be granted us on the present occasion! If in any point we have departed from the strict rule of humility and |