NOT HOLDING THE HEAD.

A CORRESPONDENT who has read the papers which appeared in our Magazine for April and May, on the subject of 1. the Church of Rome not holding the Head, and 2. not retaining the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, suggests, that the first branch of the argument in proof of the Church of Rome not holding the Head would be considerably strengthened and brought home, if, in addition to the evidence there adduced it were further stated thatnotwithstanding the apostate Church of Rome professes to hold the doctrine of a Trinity of persons in one essence, (in doing which she satisfies and cajoles so many Protestants who deplore the curse of Arianism, Socinianism &c.,) she only does this nominally, but not really-effectually renouncing, and practically overthrowing the deity of THE FATHER, by gross idolatry, or the worship of many gods; the deity of THE SON, by recognizing in angels and saints a host of other Saviours and mediators, and by setting up a factitious atonement in the antiscriptural doctrine of the bloodless sacrifice of the mass, as totally distinct from that of the great atonement once offered; and finally, the deity of THE HOLY SPIRIT as "the Lord and giver of life," by denying or neutralizing the saving principle of faith in the promises of the two real sacraments, and by the addition of five false ones, as altogether so many

opera operata, which independently of his gracious and energetic influence, are made to confer the grace which he alone can impart by those of his own appointment, and which even they were only meant to convey when accompanied by his blessing. Thus, in fact, undeifying the triune Jehovah, and desecrating his truth by fabricating, as necessary to salvation, a modified infidelity under the mask, and in the place of that Christianity by which the divine Father, from all eternity, covenanted to give his only begotten Son to become incarnate, and to die for sinners, -by which the divine Son covenanted to give his own life in the fulness of time as a ransom for sinners, -and by which, the divine Spirit covenanted to secure and seal these glorious privileges to "all the elect people of God;" and that in absolute and entire independence of all men and means, (sacerdotal or otherwise) except as the mere instruments and conductors of these original and gracious purposes of free love and unmerited mercy to the ruined and undone, to be by them individually received and believed.

There needs no better or other proof that this false church neither receives nor inculcates the cardinal doctrine of the blessed Trinity, nor any other of the fundamental doctrines of scripture to any saving effect, than the remarkable fact that, to this hour, she authoritatively withholds the volume of Revela tion from the people, as tacitly acknowledging that her own teaching, by tradition and otherwise, is a totally distinct thing from the teaching of Almighty God-that they are clean contrary the one to the other, and that they never did and never can subsist together.

ON CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD IN THE CHRISTIAN'S ATTIRE.

MADAM,

I AM induced from several reasons to offer the following remarks to your consideration, if deserving a place in your useful Magazine, on a custom but too prevalent among those who profess, and of whom we have reason to believe, that they are the children of God, and who in that character are expressly commanded, "Be not conformed to this world." Much has appeared in your valuable pages on this head, but I do not remember having seen any pointed allusion to that branch of conformity which shews itself in the dress of Christians. And here I must be plainly understood: I speak not of those who have a name to live while they are dead, and, contenting themselves with a round of formal services, pass the rest of their time in serving "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life." These we can pity and pray for; may God awake them from their awful, soul-destroying delusion!

But I desire now (if God the Spirit send his convincing power) to find the way to the consciences and hearts of those of whom we are constrained to hope that they form part of that "little flock" to whom it is the Father's good pleasure to give "the kingdom;" who may not be wanting in the "work of faith and labour of love,” but who err from the scrip

ture standard by an inconsistency of dress, and, to say the least of this, it has "an appearance of evil.” I have seen such as these ornamented with flowers, feathers, ear-drops, and many of those appendages which lead us to enquire, ‘Can such be the consistent apparel of one dedicated to the Lord, body, soul and spirit?' If the body be truly presented to the God of the Bible, then its adorning must be according to the rules of that word-" Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel." 1 Peter iii. 3.

66 In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." 1 Tim. ii. 9. We desire not to court singularity for the sake of pleasing any peculiar notions; but we do desire that Christian ladies should remember, that to be like their Lord, they must be singular; they cannot please the world without displeasing God and bringing deadness into their own souls; therefore let them dare to be singular.

I desire not to check the love of flowers, I can unite with the much esteemed Editor of the Christian Lady's Magazine, in admiring and feasting on these beauties of nature, for they point to their Maker: he has pronounced his works very good, and did they not wither and die, we should lose in their tints and fragrance, the impress of the curse. I love to gaze on these relics of Eden, and to gaze, till my soul and my heart ascend from "Creation, to Creation's God," and till they remind me of the unfading beauties of God's heavenly Paradise, of his Celestial garden! But when I see an imitation of these

beautiful objects transplanted to adorn the countenances of Christian women; I not only feel it to be an abuse of these gifts of God, but also a departure from "the simplicity that is in Christ," and an unscriptural conformity to the fashions and customs of "a world that lieth in wickedness." The more simple the attire, the more consistent will it be with “the meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God, of great price."

There may be peculiar situations of difficulty in this matter; a child of God may be alone in a circle of worldliness; she may not like to offend her parents or friends by differing from them in these things; but let her ever remember there is grace for the day; God will give strength, if sought earnestly; and she, who is thus placed must not yield to a worldly appearance as she would not yield to a worldly spirit; though I am much mistaken if the one is not a sign of the other. Let her dismantle herself of those things we have mentioned, and abide the consequences which will doubtless ensue, the ridicule, the scorn, the unkindness of the world, and perhaps of her dearest friends; taking at the same time for her encouragement and support the words of David "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths."

Should this fall into the hands of any to whom these remarks may apply, I would entreat them to give them a serious and prayerful consideration : may the Lord bless it to their souls! May all his people now with one consent come out and be separate from the world, that they may be ready with their lamps