Mr. Maurice wrote an admirable letter to the Times of
this day week, explaining his reasons for not signing the new test imposed by Dr. Rimy and the Recordites on the English Clergy. He declines to recognize the right of any irresponsible and self-elected Committee to frame a new test for the Church. He does not think the test honest, for it means more than it says ; " if a man does not accept it, he is told that he denies the inspiration of the Scriptures." If he does sign it, " he is told that he has committed himself to a condemnation of the decision of the Privy Council." Thirdly, being adjured to sign it "-for the love of God," he cannot but look at the gloss which that adjuration received in the pro- ceedings of the recent Oxford Convocation from the same party. It means, says Mr. Maurice, " Young clergymen, poor curates, poor incumbents, sign, or we will turn the whole force of religious public opinion against you. Sign, or we will starve you! Look at the Greek Professor You see we can take that vengeance on those whom we do not like. You see that we are willing to take it, and that no considerations of faithful and devoted services will hinder us.' This is what is called signing for the love of God.' I accept Dr. Pusey's own statement, tremendous as it is. I say that the God whom we are adjured to love under these penalties is not the God of whom I have read in 'the Canonical Scriptures,' not the God who declares that He abhors robbery for burnt- offering." Nothing can be added to that statement of the objections.
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