Perhaps they were too sagacious to resist him: Ghent tried it once we have seen with what success. But from whatever reason, no violent opposition to the Inquisitorial power occurred during his reign. But, the very name of the Spanish Inquisition, which it was Philip's darling aim to introduce among them, filled the people with rage and terror. A wiser prince than Philip would have seen the coming storm, and averted it by a timely concession. Even Charles had abandoned the effort to introduce the Spanish Inquisition, when he found that the dread of its introduction into Antwerp bade fair to ruin that flourishing city. But Philip's zeal for the Romish religion was too fervid to be restrained by any considerations for the temporal welfare of his people. He would rather have seen the country a desert, than polluted by Protestantism. To one, whose mind had been so warped by superstition as his had been, the Spanish Inquisition seemed a holy Institution for saving men's souls. In reality it was a disgrace to the Christian religion and to humanity. It had been originally instituted to convert the Moors. The rise of so many Protestant sects, and the hideous disorders which stained the early career of some of them, furnished it with an apology for its existence and a wide field for its exertions. It is no exaggeration to term it the most dreadful engine of Superstition that has ever afflicted the world.

Is it surprising, that the Netherlanders were unwilling to see this Institution forced upon them? They had already an Inquisitorial police, but it was very different from the Spanish Inquisition. Yet it must be admitted, that the one which they had was not too lenient. The instructions which the Inquisitors had received from the Emperor were ample enough.

"They were empowered," Mr. Motley says, "to inquire, proceed against and chastise all heretics, all persons suspected of heresy, and their protectors. Accompanied by a notary, they were to collect written information concerning every person in the provinces, 'infected or vehemently suspected.' They were authorized to summon all subjects of his majesty, whatever their rank, quality, or station, and to compel them to give evidence, or to communicate suspicions. They were to punish all, who pertinaciously refused such depositions, with death. The Emperor commanded his Presidents, Judges, Sheriffs, and all other Judicial and Executive officers, to render 'all assistance to the Inquisitors and their familiars in their holy

and pious inquisition, whenever required so to do;' on pain of being punished as encouragers of heresy, that is to say, with death. Whenever the inquisitors should be satisfied as to the heresy of any individual, they were to order his arrest and detention by the Judge of the place, or by others arbitrarily to be selected by them. The Judges, or persons thus chosen, were enjoined to fulfill the order, on pain of being punished as protectors of heresy; that is to say, with death, by sword or fire. If the prisoner were an Ecclesiastic, the inquisitors were to deal summarily with the case, 'without noise or form in the process, selecting an imperial counsellor to render the sentence of absolution or condemnation.' If the prisoner were a lay person, the inquisitor was to order his punishment, according to the edicts, by the Council of the province. In case of lay persons suspected but not convicted of heresy, the inquisitor was to proceed to their chastisement, with the advice of a counsellor or some other expert.'"

Such was the power of the Netherlandish Inquisition. But, terrible as it was, that of Spain was more terrible still. It must be remarked, however, that the former had not been universally established throughout the provinces. "It had never been introduced into Luxemburg or Gröningen. In Gelderland, it had been prohibited by the treaty through which that province had been annexed to the Emperor's dominions, and it had been uniformly and successfully resisted in Brabant." But Philip, not satisfied with this Inquisition, was determined to establish that of Spain in all the provinces. The agitation of the people became threatening. A riot, which occurred at the attempted execution of two Protestant ministers of Valenciennes, shewed the coming storm. The people assaulted the executioners at the stake; the guards with difficulty conveyed the two prisoners back to prison; the people, following up their success, stormed the prison and rescued the ministers. The government took a bloody revenge: troops were ordered to Valenciennes, and vast numbers of the inhabitants executed by fire and sword.

These barbarities, which were attributed to the evil counsels of Granvella, excited the popular fury against him to the highest pitch. His insolence had also inspired the nobles with the deadliest hatred towards him. Orange artfully availed himself of circumstances to exhibit to the nation the hatred with which the nobles regarded the Cardinal. Philip had demanded of the provinces a force of cavalry to assist in exterminating the Huguenots of France,-a demand, which increas

ed the general ferment. Orange invited the Knights of the Golden Fleece to meet at his house, where, in addition to the general subject of the popular discontent, it was gravely inquired, "how it could be rendered practicable to discuss political matters, in future ;"-a question which pointed directly at the arbitrary conduct of Granvella in the Council, and occasioned a furious storm of invective against him. The Estates rejected Philip's application, and the Regent decided to send to Madrid some person of influence, who should lay before the king the exact condition of the provinces. For this purpose the Lord of Montigny was selected. He was the brother of Horn, and friendly to the party of Orange. Philip, previously instructed by Granvella, received the envoy with kindness; but, beyond exculpating Granvella from all participation in the late obnoxious acts, the king gave but little satisfaction to Montigny, who, on his return, laid before the Council the slender results of his mission,-a report, which only excited indignation against the king. At this juncture, Orange, Horn, and Egmont, addressed the king by letter, informing him that the presence of Granvella was perilous to the royal power. Philip replied by complaining that no specifications had been made against the Cardinal, but invited one of them to come to Madrid and communicate with him, on the subject, by word of mouth. The same gentlemen sent a second letter to the king, and a remonstrance to the Regent, declaring that the measures of the government were so fatal to the interests of the country, that they could no longer take any part in the actions of the Council, and should abstain, in future, from attending it. The contents of this remonstrance were communicated to the king. The king consulted the Duke of Alva, who advised him to dissemble with the writers until he had them in his power, and then-" take off their heads!" Granvella, who was no stranger to the hostility of the nobles towards him, did not cease to accuse his enemies secretly to the king. But, the storm of execration against him was now so dreadful, that even he desired to quit the country. He was incessantly and mercilessly lampooned. The position which he had attained was coarsely contrasted with the lowness of his birth,-an accident which he

had certainly well redeemed. The nobles were enraged at the splendid state which he maintained. "The customs of Germany, the simple habiliments in which the retainers of the greatest houses were arrayed in that country, were contrasted with the tinsel and glitter in which the prelate pranked himself." The nobles, bent on exposing the Cardinal to the derision of the populace, arrayed themselves in a quaint garb of studied coarseness. Egmont was the first who adopted it—a measure for which he afterwards paid dear. "Doublet and hose of the coarsest grey, and long hanging sleeves, without gold or silver lace, and having but a single ornament, comprised the whole costume. An emblem which seemed to represent a monk's cowl, or a fool's cap and bells, was embroidered upon each sleeve. The device pointed at the Cardinal, as did, by contrast, the affected coarseness of the dress." The Cardinal, thus beset on all sides, was glad to leave the country.

(TO BE CONCLUDED.)

ART. V.-RECENT INQUIRIES IN THEOLOGY EXAMINED.

RECENT INQUIRIES IN THEOLOGY. Second American, from the second London Edition. Edited, with an Introduction, by Rev. FREDERICK H. HEDGE, D. D. Boston: 1861.

THIS is indeed "a very significant volume," as the Introduction states, and also a very remarkable production, as we shall attempt to show.

It comprises seven Essays, by seven distinguished scholars, theological and scientific, who, as we are notified, "have written without concert or comparison."

Several of these Essayists are public instructors at Oxford and other great seminaries of learning: most of them hold very prominent and responsible positions,-all, with one exception, are in Holy Orders in the Church of England; and all of them, without exception, are freethinkers, varying in degree from mitigated Rationalism to the rankest Infidelity.

Notwithstanding the special notice by the authors, that they "are responsible for their respective articles only," and have written in entire independence of each other, "without concert or comparison," and the assurance given by the editor, that these writers are "unconnected, save by the fellowship of a liberal faith," these Essays manifest a surprising unity of design and execution. The same mode and even vein of thought, the same cardinal principles pervade them all, and but for the dif ferences of style and degrees of intensity, one would suppose them all to be the productions of one mind.

While each author chooses his own ground and mode of attack, the forces of all are marshalled with consummate skill, as if by a preconcerted plan against a common enemy. This common enemy is our English Bible, considered as the revealed Will of God and the inspired source of man's faith and practice.

One author, with apparent friendliness, enters a plea in behalf of the Sacred Scriptures as a valuable but subordinate