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^^mmA^T^m

THE CONVERSION

TO THE FAITH

OF THE

Catfjoltc/

APOSTOLIC & ROMAN CHURCH,

' •■ ■-""».« ->' ...-.>

AmiMt REJUTATMijW OJ TUB C^KAENT OJWSCTIONS

TO MANY ARTICLES OF CATHOLIC

FAITH AND DISCIJPLINE.

ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM.-ifjpA. m i.

MONTREAL :

.JPRINTXD BY NAHUM MOWERt

•'»'■ .*.

'1 , ^ '

»J»

McMASTER UNIVERSITY UBRAHU

TO THE BIGHT REVEREND

BISHOP OF BOSTON.

My dear Lord 4Nd Frijind,

I TAKE the liberty to inscribe my Pamphlet to
your Lordship. — To you it owes its existence ; for
to you (under God, J I owe my Conversion,

It would, perhaps, have a better claim to notice,
had Providence permitted me to prolong my pupil-
age and mature my Catholicity under such Gama-
liels as yourself; and the late beloved and ever la-
mented Doctor Matignon.

I PRAY God, that delaying your reward for the
good of mankind, he will protract the life of so di-
ligent a labourer in his Vineyard^that you may
long remain to instruct by your precept, and edify
by your example^;— in short, that the lapse of many
years may still fnd you a blessing to your Diocese
and an ornament to the American Republic / *

I am

My dear Lord and Friend,

Your affectionate grateful Servant,

THE AUTHOR,

JBoucherville, L, C,\
Michaelmas, X 8g 1 . j

FIRST,

WHjENEVER a Citizen finds it a duty to
change his Rehgion, he owes it in deferei.ce to
public curiosity, so generally excited, to jmpait
the motives which prompt his secession from iiis
native communion.

I HASTEN to acquit myself of this obligation-^
and I trust that my readers will recognizL- in
the following recital of my conversion to iho
Catholic Faith, every tiait of artless sincerity, dil-
igent research and cautious deliberation, which a
nrieasure connected with Salvation should so impe-
riously require.

I WAS born in Salem, Massachusetts, on the
20th of January, I77I, and was baptized by the
Reverend Mr. Gilchrist, the Rector of St. Peter's
Church. My family on both sides were Episco-
palians, and my maternal grandfather, the Rever-
end Aaron Cleveland, had been Rector of Halifax
in Nova-Scotia.

The war of the American Revolution coming
on, the Clergy of this persuasion, being generally
Royalists, emigrated, and the Churches were clo.
sed. During this interval, our family attended
Congregational worship in the meeting-house of
the late Reverend Doctor Barnard,

I WAS introduced to an acquaintance with the
English Alphabet by Dame Chapman, a School-
mistress of the vicinity ; and as soon as X had
learned to read, the Catechism of the Westmin-
ster Divines was put into my hands. This is a
compendium of the Calvinistic doctrines then gen-
erally held in New-England : and this I repeated
periodically to our Pastor in the Meeting-house,
with other children of the Society. The peace of
1783 re-opened the Episcopal Churches ; and we
had for our new Incumbent, the late lieverend
Nathaniel Fisher, a very able Preacher, as is suffi-
ciently evinced by the posthumous volume of his
Sermons.

After attending a few preparatory Schools, in
January 1782, 1 was admitted into Phillips* Acad-
emy at Andover. This Institution was then in
high reputation, and under the care and tuition of
the Reverend EUphalet Pearson, a learned schol-
ar, and a rigid disciplinarian,— JCind and indul-
gent to the industrious Student ; to delinquents
his look pf displeasure was petrifaction,

Although Religion mingled with many of our
academical exercises, hitherto I had experienced
no very serious impressiops of this nature. While
at Andover I met with Bunj/an*s Fiigrim*s PrQ^
gress. This was well calculated to inflan^e a youth-
ful imagination like mine. Hervey's Meditations
^Iso fell in my way, and charmed me with their
glitter of style and pious enthusiasm.

I SOON afterward met with a work which has
never since been out of my reach— Young* s Night
Thoughts— io the reading of which I was recom-
mended by the advice and example of my mater-
nal grandmother, with whom " the Poet of the
Tombs" was a favourite and daily companion.
The perusal of this admirable volume impressed

with the
a School.
as X had
iVestmin-
This is a
:hen gen-
repeated
ig- house,
peace of
and we
leverend
IS is sufH-
ne of his

:hools, in
>s* Acad-
then in
iuition of
ed schol-
id indul-
linquents

ly of our
lerienced
. While
n*s PrQ'
! a youth-
editations
fiih their

hich has
^'s Night
5 recpm-
ly mater-
it of the
npanion.
npresse^

me deeply. It presented m6 with new and exalt-
ed views of the providence of God and the desti-
nation of Man. It diffused a soft and tender mel-
ancholy over my mind, and I aspired to Immor-
tality.

In July I78G, having passed the usual exaraina-
tions in the Classics, I was adm'tted into Harvard
University, the first literary Institution, in age and
renown, upon the American Continent. The
Presidency was then filled by the Reverend Jo-
seph Willard. Among my fellow-students at col-
lege was the celebrated John Quincy Adams, then
a senior-sophistic: and was, at that immature
age, a finished Scholar, Philosopher and Politician.
That distinguished orator in Congress, Josiah
Quincy, was my class-mate.

This was the aera of Daniel Shay's famous in-
surrection. The sound of the drum and fife in-
spired me with a thirst for military glory. Too
young, however, to enroll myself for war, I was
merely an impatient spectator of toils and dangers
which I could not share. My reading was conso-
nant with this ardor of mind, and letting the dust
gather upon books of every other description, Vol-
taire's History of Charles XII., whose exploits
engrossed every faculty of my soul, was ever wak-
m^, in my hand ; and sleeping, under my pillow.
Addison's Cato had already turned my head to
Stoicism. — I resolved to pass unmoved through all
the varyingscenesof life— undated by prosperity,
and undepressed by adversity.

My Mother falling sick and dying, I was with,
drawn from the University, before I had comple-
ted the year of my Freshmanship. I returned to
Salem, and after a few months solitary application
to miscellaneous studies, in April, 1788, 1 began

the study of Physic, under the late Doctor Joshua
Fhiiiuar, u Practitioner of high reputation.

I NOW became a hard student. 1 lose eailv,
retired late, and addicssed myself to the elenicn-
taiy stihlies of the various branches of this profes-
sion, with indefatigable industry. A morbid sen-
sibility of heart, however, gave me an aversion to
the operations of Surgery. Of course, in this de-
partment, J made less proficiency.

1 WAS branded b} nature with a wild romanti-
city of character, and ready for any enterprize to
which the warmth and caprice of my temperament
might impel me. 1 was seized with a gust for
Travel ; and having finished my medical studies,
I embarked in December, 1790, for South-Caro-
lina. I arrived at Charleston on the first of Jan-
uary, 1791.

This was a scene of sufficient danger for the
immaturity of nineteen years* A warm climate
invites to luxury, and affluence furnishes the means.
Aware of the perils which surrounded me, I de-
tcriTuneU to be upon my guard. 1 kept much at
he mv ; and when unoccupied by the calls of my
p.K'fession, devoted my time to reading. Poetical
Coin|K)siiion, for which 1 had much taste, and was
Altered to luivc some talent, occasionally amused
nie. 1 also cultivated Music with much zeal and
some success.

I RE-OPENED Young, and he fortified my love of
abstraction and retirement. Blair's Sermons 1 al-
so read wiih profit and delight. My companions
were tew— and from my industrious seclusion from
the jgay world, 1 hoped to escape the snares which
had caught so many unwary youth. Alas ! I was
mistaken. Gradually enlarging my sphere of So-
ciety, I began to lose sight of those solid maxims
of piety and prudence which I had brought froxn

New-E- ,'land. No longer had I relish for serious
lecture aud private prayer j and iu a short time
neglected public worship.

About this time the new Theatre was built in
Charleston, and opened under West and Bignall.
The dramatic mania spread far and wide. I
breathed the air of contagion, and found my way
to tlie stage. One essay cured me of my folly,
and I renounced at once and forever the sock and
buskin.

I RCMovED in July, 1793, to Savannah, in Geor-
gia, where, in February, 1794, 1 embarked for the
West4ndies.— 1 arrived at St. Martinis, and soon
afterward fixed myself in the Virgin Islands.

In this part of the world I met nothing calcu-
lated to renew the pious impressions of my early
years ; but much to make me forget them alto-
gether. There was a Methodist Mission in Tor-
tola, but seldom any other public worship. The
poor Africans were among the few who appeared
to have any sense of Religion.

Hitherto, although far from living up to the
standard of the Gospel, I had never been taught to
doubt the truth of Divine Revelation. It was now
my misfortune to add infidelity to my other follies,
and to have the whole fabric of my religious be-
lief overturned by a single blow. This was achiev-
ed by Thomas Paine's Age of Reason, I read
this book with undivided attention j and subscri-
bing to every position, I became a convert to De^
ism. The Religion of Nature, in my estimation,
afforded sufficient sanctions for every purpose of
moral government ; and I considered all supernat-
ural Revelation superfluous, devised by priestcraft,
and addressed to the fears of men.

The war with France was now raging in gll •
parts of the globe, and every American heart psi.

pitated ii) devotion to the French Republic. Ea-
ger to add my suffrage to that of my countrymeii,
1 sailed from St. Thomas for St. Domingo. Af-
ter a short residence at Port de Paix, where my
sole employment was composing and sinsing re-
pubhca?^ songs, I solicited and obtained 'from
Genera! Lavaux, a commission appointing me
Qfficier de Santi en Second on board of the Ran-
ger Coi'vette, in which in the month of Floreal
of the Sd year 1 sailed for France.

OxV my arrival at Brest, in Prairiai, I was assign-
ed employment successively in the Marine Hos-
pital of that Port, and in that of Pontanezen. In-
ternal dissensions had now in some degree subsi-
ded, and France began to breathe. Kobespierre
and the Mountain party harJ perished, and the axe
of the guiilotin was left to rust.

In the autumn of 1795, I was invited to Paris,
to join the commercial house o^ Dallarde, Swan
& Co. I took place m the Diligence for Rennis
the 24th Fractidor of the ;:Jd year. The Vendee
country was still the tlieatre of war and bloodshed.
We traversed it with an escort, through a thou-
sand dangers and escapes, and arrived the 10th
Vendemiaire of the 4th )'ear, at the French Cap>
ital. *^

I HAD hardly began to recreate myself with the
novelties of this superb metropolis, when the lapse
of a few days exhibited one for which I was not
prepared. This was the sanguinary scene of the
13th Vendemiaire, an jEra which will be recorded
by the faithful historian, as equally tragical and,
disgraceful to the French nation. X^r on this ca-
lamitous day was fought that memorable battle
between the militia of the Sections of Paris, and
tMv, ^,,atMj wi tijc x>aiii;ijui v^uiivennon. liere
IBoiiaparte (who was entrusted with the defence

blic. £a-
Lintrymeii,
ngo. Af-
vhere my
nging re-
led from
nting me
the Ran-
•f Floreal

as asslgn-
ine Hos-
zen. In-
ree subsi-
bespierre
d the axe

to Paris,
le. Swan
r Rennis
! Vendee
oodshed.
I a thou-
the 10th
ich Cap-

with the
he lapse
was not
3 of the
c corded
cal and,
this ca-
J battle
ris, and
Here
defence

«f' the f!onvention) made his coup d*essai as a com-
mander, and was instrumental in the destruction
of more than eight thousand of his fellow men.

James Monroe, now President of the United
States, was at this time the American Ambassador
in France. Thomas Paine lived at his house. —
I soon became acquainted with him : and meet-
ing with the second part of his ^ge of Jieason,
was fortified in my disbelief of divine Kevelation,

I WAS still however, in some degree, under tlie
influence of virtuous habit, which had been early
fashioned by religious credence, though now ef-
faced from my mind. I was anxious to sustain a
good name by being in my narrow sphere a doeV
of good. I gave alms liberally out of my small
meanSf and innumerable w^ere'the services which
I rendered to the poor English prisoners. These
sentiments resembled that precious "leaven hid
in three measures of meal," Matthew xiii. 33.

In 1796, I was sent to the United States with
dispatches. I em.barked at Havre de Grace, the
24th Germinal of the 4th year, and arrived at
New A'ork the 10th Prairial. I went on to Phila-
delphia and delivered my dispatches. Citizen
Adet was then the French Minister. I re- visited
my relatives in Massachusetts, with whom having
passed the Summer, and deafened them with my
Jacobinical clamor. I returned in the Autumn to
France. I embarked at Salem the lOth Thumi-
dor, 4th year, and arrived at Bordeaux the 2d
Vendemiaire, 5th year. Desirous of seeing to
greater advantage the South of France during the
vintage, I proceeded to Paris on foot — descending
the Garonne to Blaye, Koyan, thro* Rochfort,
Rochelle, Nioit, Poictiers, Tours, &c.-— a journey
of between four a,nd five hundred miles. 1 arrived
the 8th Brumaire,

B 2

■.^r-f.'-^i'i'sy^r''

TiiROPmLANTHRorY now began to prevail in
France, and temples for the exercise of this spe-

nIL 't^Tl ""'^''^^P ^^'■^ ^P^ned in various
places. Had the views and sentiments of its pro-
jectors quadrated with the import of the word, thev
rl ^;f^%^een justly entitled to the gratitude of
Defsm '* '"^^^ ""^ ""^"^^'fied system of

I WISHED to make the campaign of the 5th

in?l' ^ . ^-'^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^ ^PP^^'^^ t« government
ior leave to jom the Army of Italy under Bona^

parte : but was too Jate for an appointment.

In March, 1797, I was commissioned to go to
^ngland, in order to recover the amount of tome
spoliations of American property upon the hieh
seas. Un my arrival in London, finding the re-
covery hopeless, I accepted an Assistancy in an
Acadenjy at Kennington, a village of the vicinity.
While here. I attended divine service regularly

Tpaf nf fl.''"f'*'? f^'^'^ 9"^^^^ ^^ Lambeth, the
seat of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury. Prayers
were also read morning and evening in the School
itoom In these exercises I assisted, and occa-
sionally preached a Sermon. All this, however, I
considered merely as a matter of routine, which
fideir^ ^"^ to awaHen me from the torpor of In-

HmI^k^ ^^^- ^^^^' ^^^"^ ^* Manchester, I was
drawn by curiosity to visit Fairfield, a village of
the Umtas Fratrum, or Moraviari Brethren, I
Mas delighted wi h the beautiful simplicity of their
worship, and felt a revival of pious emotions in my
iieart. I his prompted me to enter into corres-
pondence with the Reverend John Swertner, one
of heir ministers, in order to learn the peculiar
doctrines and discipline of this Sect, and with a
>iew to admittance into their Society, lie obli.

¥.

-.-. ...W ww B a ..u i . ' M-.U. o^ -,^.,^^.^.,^^

prevail in
; this spe-
in various
of its pro-
*'ord, they
atitude of
system of

f the 5th
vernment
ler Bona-
jnt.

to go to
t of some

the high
ig the re-
icy in an

vicinity*
regularly
beth, the

Prayers
e School
nd occa-
•wever, I
-, which
)r of In-

^ed me with a candid exposition of their tenets
but I aid not find them satisfj

?r, I was
illage of
hren. I

of their
ns in my

corres-
^er, one
pecuh'ar
i with a
Lie ODii-

ed the desiijn no Airth

er.

^actory, and I pursu-

o-~ — "-" ' ,-*

The Moravians address their prayers exclusive-
ly to Christ. This appeared to me a sort of im-
piety to tlie Father, and was a virtual denial of
his existence. I conceived it, moreover, contrary
to the express precept and example of our Saviour
himself, who commanded us when we pray, to say
" Our Father, &c." Their notions of Faith also
seemed to my apprehension, wild and incoherent.
IJjey do not indeed reject good works : but their
practice is certainly more favourable to them than
their doctrme. Many points too, of .lie Moravi-
an discipline, had in my mind an air of extrava-
gance. Their marriages I thought ill-assorted,
and the decision of every question by the Lot in
alrotestant Church, which declares that miia-
cles have ceased, seemed to the last degree, ab-
surd and inconsistent.

Having returned to London, I ^ot acquainted
with some members of the Society of Universa lists,
tounded by my countryman, the Keverend Elhan.
an Winchester, and addressed myself to the Rev-
erena Mr. Vidler for a sketch of their doctrines.
My much honored Father had indulged this be-
liet, and entertained that peculiarity of it profes-
sed by the Reverend John Murray, of Boston.
But I soon suspected that this ground was unten-
able by any who adhered to the plain text of Scrip-
ture, and was solely supported by some detached
passages, obscure and equivocal. I dropped the
Universahsts. There had now been for several
years m London a Society under the name of the
New Jerusalem, I heard such astonishing ac
counts of their doctrines, that mv rurincitT, ,...
strongly excited to learn them in detail. For iQ

■^ „

I !!

purpose I addressed myself to the Reverend Jo-
seph Proud, their High Priest, who lent me sever-
al tracts, written by their founder, Baron Sweden-
borg. I was struck with the intrepidity of his un-
dertakirtg. Conjecture and hypothesis are out of
the question. All is pronounced to be fact. On
the bold assumption of immediate correspondence
with the Deity, this hardy Dogmatist had erected
a system of doctrines, unequalled for ingenuity of
contrivance. 1 went through much of this volum-
nious writer, and was for a while charmed with
the subtility of his deductions ; but finding the
whole scheme rest solely on the personal respon-
sibility of one who wrought no miracle in sup-
port of his pretensions, I took leave of him as an
entertaining madman, and classed his tale with
those of the Arabian Nights.

My next tour was among the Quakers* Their
modesty and simplicity had impressed me when a
hpy, and I loved the people without knowing their
doctrines. To learn them satisfactorily, I applied
to some of the most intelligent of the Society, and
attended their Meetings. Jf I was at first pleas-
ed with their plain and artless deportment, I was
soon dissatisfied with the nudity of their worship.
i examined with the eye of reason and with the
Scripture before me, their principal doctrine of ^
Divine Light within, which was to lead us into all
truth. This was avowedly not the light of con-
science, and I knew no other. I had no doubt
indeed that conscience v»ras susceptible of, and re-
ceived at times, illumination from above : but it
still appeared to me incontrovertible that, clear or
cloudy, enlightened from heaven, or obscured by
the powers of darkness^ Conscience was our sole
interior^-^guide. Their definition of this favourite

«,- , ..J v.'v/...\.vi ».vr liivi «.» vliiJtiliVi-iVil iTAbli(^Ub a tiiilCi-

■f

verend Jo^
; me sever-
n JSweden-
of his un-
are out of
fact. On
spondence
id erected
genuity of
his volum-
rmed with
tiding the
lal respon-
le jn sup-
him as an
tale with

:s. Their
le when a
wing their
I applied
ciety, and
irst pleas-
ant, I was
• worship,
with the
trine of a
js into all
t of con-
no doubt
f, and re-
3 : but it
;, clear or
5cured by
I our sole
favourite

b U> UlllCi-'

ence, and much too subtle for edification. I gradf.
ually withdrew from their coirespondence.

Still anxious and not disheartened in my pur-
suit, I began to attend the worship of a Society
of Unitaridns, then under the pastoral care of the
Reverend D. Disney, their Liturgy was model-
led after that of the Church of England—and their
doctrines appeared to me the simplest and most ra-
tional 1 had met with. The recognition of one
Supreme God, the Father of all— and of whom
all other beings, however elevated in the order of
nature or of grace, are but the creatures, had in my
estimation an air of grandeur, which engaged all
my attention. But as if I were doomed to be the
victim of a fastidious taste, and endlessly to roam
in quest of what I should never find, 1 soon dis-
covered in the simplest form of Christianity, the
most palpable inconsistencies. The Socinians pre-
tend that Reason is our sole guide, and the only
touchstone by which all doctrines, divine or hu-
man, shotld be tried,— and that whatever cannot
abide this test, should be rejected as false. In obe-
dience to this rule,^ they deny the virginity of
Blessed Mary, and the incarnation and Divinity
of Christ, But in disobedience to the same rule
they admit all the miracles of the Old and Ne#^
Testaments. I left them unsatisfied.

In justice to myself; and to the honest zeal with^
which I engaged in these tiresome expeditions ii
quest of truth, I must observe that I never ente/
ed into connexion with any of these Societies. \
postponed my adhesion to 'the momentof ultimate
conviction.

About this time I fell sick of a lingering fever
and passed several months in sufierinff aiid con'
T'j" ,"'^* iyuiiijj; my illness, i met wr!n Dod-
dridge s Rise and Progress oflieligion in Hie Soul,

vi*'

It3

! !i'

I ■ I ■ : !

il I

lliii

This work IS of a high Calvinistical cast, and is
^vritten with much pathos. 1 trembled at his pic
ture ot the impenitent sinner, and resolved that if
by divine mercy I should be restored to health, I
would solemnly dedicate myself to God.

My ardor now began to abate. 1 saw on every
side, hosts of Sects which claimed Divine Truth
as exclusively their own, while the Bible served
tnem a 1 as a vast armoury, whence they supplied
themselves with weapozis, and waged an intermin-
able war against each other. In short I met with
nothing but disappointment, and began to despair
ot hnding what 1 sought, in any Christian com-
munion.

.u ^i!^}^.^^ observed, that into my calculations
the tathohc Faith had never entered. 1 had in-
deed heard the Reverend John Thayer of Boston
preach once or twi' ^ in Salem when I was youncr.
I admired his eloquence, but was indifferent to lus
theme. I had occasionally too, while in London
frequented the Sardinian Ambassador's Chapel'
m Lincoln'sJnn-Fields; but 1 was attracted by
the music, and not by the Doctrine. I had imbi
bed in early life most of the Protestant prejudices
against Catholics, and never conceived that there
was any truth in their Church, but what they en-
joyed m common with all other Churches. In
other respects, I viewed it as a sink of idolatry
and corruption.

"1 NOW thought of taking leave of Christianity
altogether, and embracing Mahometanism, I was
acquainted with the leading tenets of the Koran,
and With a view to further' instruction, I wrote to
the Turkish Ambassador. I was answered by hi»
first Dratjoman, but so unmeaningly, that J was
ashameR>f my project, and abandoned it X^ie

at his pic-
ved that if

health, I

•

V on every
ine Truth
jle served
r supplied
intermin-
met with
to despair
tian com-

Iculations

1 had in-
3f Boston
is young.
3nt to his
London,

Chapel,
acted by
lad imbi
rejudices
lat there
they en-
hes. In
idolatry

istianity
I was
Koran,
wrote to
1 by his
It J was

»
gulrdian of Israel, who never slumbers nor sleeps,
preserved me from this wicked temptation.

Having at length wandered till I was iairly be-
wildered among the ignes fatus of contending
^ects, I resolved to loojc no farther, but retire
once more to the strong hold of Deism j and rest-
ing satisfied with the existence and perfections of
the Supreme Being and with my moral obliga-
tlonsi together with what hope of a future state
might be derived from analogy, desist from any
larther pursuit. ^

On March 4th, l-J^gg. I was married in the
Uuirch of St. Dunstan's, Ste{>ney, to Miss Kings-
ley, of the Parish of St. George, in the East Mid-
dlesex; Snortly afterward I received an appoint-
ment upon the Hospital Staff of the Army, and
was sent to Yarmouth, to assist in the Hospital
hlled with sick and wounded Russians, after the
disastrous campaign of that year in Holland.

Notwithstanding my melancholy eclipse of
mmd with regard to the great truths of Christiani-
ty, books of devotion still continued to occupy my
leisure hours. Having met with Law's Serious
Call to a devout and Holy Life, I read it with great
care and delight. I followed his method of pray-
er for a considerable time—and the' I afterward
discontinued .this practice, his book still shares
many of my reading hours.

I LEFT Yarmouth in July, 1800, and served sue
cessively at York Hospital, in Chelsea, and at
Blatchington Barracks in Sus^, with the 95th
Kinle Corps.

Early in 1801, I was ordered on service to the
^^st Indies. I sailed in the Packet from Fal-
mouth, March 7, and arrived April 11th at Bar-
badpes. During the passage, I lost a little Rov
my tirst born. I lamented his death with the

il.i'

acutest sorrow, and creation wore a gloom aronnrf
nie. Besides, it was my misery to « mourn like
those without hope." A future state was to me
proMemati^al, and upon this melancholy occasion.
^ 1 wanted the benign influence of this belief to
clieer my despondency. I determined to re-con-
sider the evidence of divine Ueveiation. and eVen
to anricipate mj; final conviction, by -performing
wnthout J'aith the works of Faith.'' I according?
ly gave myjfelf up to religious readityg and prayer
earnestly mvoking the God of light and truth to
direct my way, and guide me to that haven of
tranquillity, of which my mind had been in lono-
and atixious searclr. - "

|uoM Barbadoes I sailed to Martinico ; thence
to 5t. Lucia, where I was charged with a Hospi-
tal of Invalids, by the late Sir George Provost
then a Brigadier General. ^ ^^rovost,

On ^my recal to Martinico, I met (for the first
time, tho' not a rare book) with Thomas A. Kem-
pis s Follmmg of Christ I was so pleasingly ed-
ified by this little volume, and so much impressed
with the holy delights of a religious life, that, in
order to have a nefarer survey of them, I introdu-
ced myselt to the Fathers of the Convent in St
Fierre, by whom I was received with courtesy'
and If t.-ned to with kindness. - ■

Aftkr the restoration of Martinico to the
French at the peacfe of 1802, 1 proceeded on med-
ical duty to St. Christopher's. There was a mis-
sion ot the Moravian Brethren in this Island. Up-
on tne strength of my former acquaintance with I
some ot their Society in England, J cultivated the
friendship of the Ministers who conducted this
mission. I lived next door to their Chapel, and '
enjoyed much of their company. This circum-

>m arbnnrf
lourn like
vas to me
' occasion,

belief to
to re-coti-
and eVen
plforming
ccording-
d prayer,

truth to

haven of

I in long

; thence
a Hospi-
Provost,

the first
A. Kem-
ngly ed-
npressed
that, in
introdii-
tit in St.
oiirtesy,

to the
on med-

s a mi's-

;ircum.

stance contributed to keep my religion* principles
alive. J,

Some of the worts of Doctor Priestley having
fallen into nay hands, I examined his evidences di
the truth of Revealed Religion with great atten-
tion. They threw much ligh't upon the subjeqi,
and dissipated many of my doubts.

During my long sickness in London, I had con-
templated, as already related, dedicating np^y self
•to God by a formal act. Several obstacies had
hitherto conspired to retard the execution of th^s
design, but, I now resolved to delay it no Ipnger.
I, accordingly drew up a Fomtt and having with
jtnuch care brought it to tlie perfection I wisl^ed, J.
t>orrawed the use qf the Moravian Chapel for th.e
occasion, and on the 1st of Janizary 1803, | ^n^
tered it with a lighted candle before day, and hav-
ing read my solemn Covenant, I signed ^nd: sx?aJ-
ed it.

I HAD not been long in ^ this Island, befojQ I
projected and contributed t;o found a QhariUiible
JnSkitution for the relief of ppor and destitute chil-
dren. The history of this Est,ab|Ushm€nt has been
given to the public. The Comnfiittee of Superin-
tendence were solicitous that I should take charge
of it-—ai)d having persuaded n\^ to resign my ap-
pointment upon the Hospital Staff, 1 yielded to
their inclinations. I governed this Institution for
two years, and wa-s, I believe, under Di\'ine Pro-
vidence, the hun>ble means of rescuing many a
poor child from vice and misery, and bestowing
jon him the benefits of a virtuous education.

While in the e^^ercise of this charge, I met
with the Sermons of Massillop, which I read with
uncommon interest, J found in this inimitable
Preacher^ an unction which penetrated to the
mu% ^rom the moral of this eloquent Prelate,

C 2

Ill

\'rM

Mji'

£0

Pofk^i- ■ ^. . ^ """ resolution to continiiP mir

.. £'"„s »"'" rr ''""'"-•■''■•J "»

Lf^t ^°"^^""S on madness. I hardly nraved

Her behalf R f .t" i""" ^"''^ "^ "'« ^""'heon
comrriHTr lu ^"® ^"'"^^ "•"<:'' had been
sufflc ent to cool my enthusiasm. I contrasted

the Gatho ,V P •..'°"l*'""y °f '^^ Professors of
■ e^k^ndtJ-^A '"''^ -cheerfully submitted to
All iMa u '" ?«v°"on to their Religion _
t^l^A "^^ ■'^y""'' '''« •■each of hypocrifv a^
excued a powerful re-action in n.y ,^f„d ' ' ""'

inth/° f^^y P^';? ""y q"0'a of the general tax

"^s ' r,tTT°^ "''""'' ?''"™'"g fit^ of sic".
tl«7r . V,^^ ? **' '" '"eh a state of debility
Tn. > r^ '''''■§^'^ *° relinqnish my charge of he

Smate "f '"^ T^ "^ '"«' ''^^'th in ,^J „at ve
climate. E arrived at Boston in May. I Ll now
Iiappily the means of hr.n,,i„„ .u„ T...f "^" ."."f

'' which he
he was so
either that
was not of
that M as-
ms of the
ion of the
itinue my
^e should

ilated me
lent, wag
evolution,
was that
in it with
K prayed
bh'c- and
Pantheon
irs shew-
ad been
lore than
>ntrasted
5ic cour-
essors of
litted to
igion.—r
isy, and

eral tax
V^est In-
of sick-
lebility,
J of the
^ native
ad now
I whicli

had long agitated my mind, to a decision. There
was in this town a Catholic Church, and Catholic
Priests to hear and answer my enquiries. I imme-
diately addressed myself to the Reverend Mr.
Cheverus, then the assistant Minister, but since
raised by his wonderful merit to the Episcopacy,
with the title of Bishop qf Boston, He received
me with great kindness, and introduced me to his
Colleague, the late Reverend Doctor Matignon.
I found m Mr. Ciieverus a man of uncommon zeal
and uncommon talents. He had acquired a critic-
al knowledge of the English language, and preach-
ed to the delight and edification ot all who heard
him. In Doctor Matignon I discovered a man of
equal zeal and extraordinary piety, mingled with
the most captivating suavity of manners. They
^ lived in habits of friendship with the principal in-
habitants of Boston— and the various Protestant
Ministers of the neighbourhood were delight ' to
assist at the consecration of their new and beauti-
ful Church.

Among other works, Mr. Cheverus put into my
hands a httle book of which I had been long in
quest— Bossuet's Ka^osition of the doctrine (if the
Catholic Church in matters oj Controversy. This
celebrated writer, the famous historian Gibbon aa-
serts to have achieved his conversion, and he adds
by way of consolation, that he *^ surely fell by a
noble hand." 1 read this tract with much inter-
est, and found it luminous, candid and convin-
cing. To this succeeded many other pieces of a
similar description. •

I REMOVED to Salem, and continued my.corres.
pondence with Mr. Cheverus, at intervals, for four
years. I had read and reflected enough to aban,
dun all hope of finding satisfaction in anv Protes=
tant communion : but still my scruples with re-

pifuid to the Catholic Faith were not resolved. 1

had detjernuncU to take nothing upon trust and

during our controversy, every article of CathoHc
doctrine passed the ordeal of a critical exanv
ination. I hai) not much dilliculty with regard to
the Sacrifice of'tfie Mans, and the Real Vrescnce (jf
Christ in the Eucharist — although I did not much
inMx the terra TransubstantiaUon. i had more
with regard to the existence of Purgatory ^ whi h
appeared to be of Pagan origin. The w vship aj-
80 oi Maryi and the Saints, as well as \\\v. vei era-
tion of Relics and Images struck mc< :-■ both irra-
tional and unscriptural. ;^ ,,..^ ,

It is worthy of remark that one of the greatest
difltculties which I had to overcome was not of
Protestant growth. 'J^his was the doctrine- of the
Trinity. I saw no tenet in any system of religion
apparently more repugnant to reason xmd scrips
ture than this. 1 had applied to the best com-
mentators for relief, but they had all left the sub-
ject m my mind darkened with new obscurities.
This will ever be the case when men undertake to
measure Divinity by a scale of humanity, and to
sound depths unfathomable by the human under^
standing.

On the other hand, there were anti.cathohc
tenets, whose belief I cherished with fond pertina-
x'ity. The principal of these was the doctrine,
which, however varied u^ ''.^'^rent appellations, is
essentially the same-?-! ic^an the Faic of Seneca
with the ancient Stoics—the Predestination of
President Edwards with the Calvinists— and the
Philosophical Necessity of Doctor Priestley with
the Socinians. I took leave of this dogma with
reluctance — and even since my conversion have
laboured, by pressing St. Austin into the service,

to iMpnrnnrijf^ f-hla latrorifo fonaf «T.'fU r^„*^U>»i:^:4..

~:s^-iv±:s g jUfi4 !_ ' j» '' M «

jsolved. i
trust — and
)f Catholic
ical cxani-
1 regard to
l^resence of
1 not mucli

had more
orj/f which
^'cvship aj-
hn vei^era-

.both irra-

- ■■y .»■'
le greatest
vas not of
ineof the
>f religion
iiid scrip-
:>est com-
t the sub-
bscuritiea^
lertake to
}% and to
ui uQderi>

i,-cathohe
I pertina^
doctrine,
latioiis, is
f Seneca
nation of
-and the
:ley with
^ma witli
ion have
5 service.

I NEED not recapitulate the arguments whicf^
drculated between me and my Itatned correspon-
dent, in this most momentous of nil discussions^
because th«^ substance of them will be incorpora-
ted with the following pages. Suffice it to observe^
that after an obstinate contest I began to gi\'e
way ; and in a short time afterward announced
mv suiTender, and proposed to enter rlirectly into
ffcliowship with the CathoHc Church. This, how-
ever, was a more serious measure than I had ima-
gined. My correspondent desired 1 would take
more time, — and urged the necessity of some im-
portant preparatory steps. During this delay, new
scruples tormented me, which I Irankly imparted
to Mr. Cheverus, who answered them in the most
affectionate terms, which marked neither chagrin
nor disappointment.

The controversy, however, was soon to close.
I had exhausted every source of argument in my
power against the doctrines of the Catholic Church,
and I now saw that I could not, with any consis-
tency, reject them, if I professed myself a Chris-
tain. There still remained to me, nevertheless,
one resource — that of Dtism, and a steady d(?niai
of supernatural Revelation. But again to remove
from the pale of every visible Church, was a mel-
ancholy alternatrve, and I wished to avoid it. At
every step in this all-important enquiry, more and
more light was shed upon my path ; and at length '
I perceived, that to resist any longer, were wilful
and unpardonable obstinacy. I accordingly ap-
prised my correspondent of my final conversion to '
the Catholic Faith. After some preliminary in-
structions, followed by a general confession at the
feet of Mr. Cheverus, I made my first communion
ijni the Church of the Holy Cross in Boston, at the
Festival of i^ntecost, May i^lst, 1801). In this

mtcresting ceremony I was accompanied by mf
\Vife. and Elizabeth King, a late pupil of the In-

wlsUmiils "" ^ ^''^^ ^'''"^^^' '''^^' ™^ ^'''"' ^^^'
Soo>^ afterward I was invited to settle in tower
Canada. Nothing could be more seasonable and
to my taste, than this overture. Accordingly hav-
ing made the necessary arrangements, I took leave
ot my friends, and departing with my family, ar-
lived on the iSth of June at Montreal.

J BiiouGHT and exhibited on my arrival, the fol-
lowing ve.y flattering testimonial, which Mr. Che-
verus had given me with his Valedictory Bles-

Sing.

Omnibus, &c. &c.
Ego infrd Scriptus in Nov^-Anglii Missionarius
Apostohcus testor dilectum Stephanum Cleveland
Ulyth, arta Medicum, inter Protestantes riatum et
educatum, divina juvante gratia, fidem Catholicam
sumina pictate amplexum fuisse. Die Pentecostis
Ultima, Pane vita3 primu vice refectus est. In
ftciei professione et sacramentorum paiticipatione
Socias habuit dilectam ipsius conjugem necnon et
pupillam ipsius tutelas commissam quae ipsius exem-
phs et documentis ad Sanctum Kcclesiam Caiholi-
cam suaviter et fortiter attracts sunt. Ilium abe-
untem sincero prosequi desiderio et ut charissimum
in Christo fratrem ut virum pictate et zelo religio-
nis msignem. Ecclesiarum Pastoribus et Omnibus
iibique Catholics fidei prolessoribus commenda-
tum velim.

Datam Bostonii in Nova-Aughi quarto Calen-
das Junii 1809.

Joannes Cheverus;, Sacerdos,
_ Idem testo/,

Francisci/s a. Matignon, Vic, Gen,

ied hy my
of the In-
e from the

J in Lower
enable and
lingly hav-
took leave
family, ar-

al, the fol-

Mr. Che-

tory Bles-

ssionanus
Cleveland
natum et
atholicam
sntecostis

est. In
cipatione
lecnon et
ius exem-

Caxholi-
lum abe-
rissimum
o religio-
Omnibus
nmenda-

) Calen-

erdos.

I COULD not offer an English version of this doc-
ument, without incurring the imputation of van-
ity.

In November of the same year, I established
myself in the practice of Physic at fioucher-
ville, a pleasant Village on the St Lawrence,
nine miles below Montreal. I was confirmed by
M. Plessis, Bishop of Quebec, August 30th, 1810,
and superadded to my own the holy name of Saint
Francis of Salis. I conclude this little biograph-
ical sketch by observing, that in obedience to the
injunction jf this eminent Saint to enter into the
Confraternity of the place where we live, I sought
and obtained admission into the Congregation of
the Blessed Virgin, at their Festival of August
$^5tli, 1814.

The present Tract, of which I invite the peru-
sal, has already passed through one edition. It
was favourably received and extensively circula-
ted. This honor has tempted me to renew my
labours ; with what success (as the matter is dif-
ferently methodized,) the event can alone deter-
mine.

In palliation of ite faulty, and in deprecation of
criticism, it will, I trust, be sufficient to state,
that my Pamphlet was composed amid the calls of
an importunate profession, in the languor of dis-
ease, and under the pressure of mijifbrtune :— cir-
cumstances which would, in the humane minds of
my readers atone, I am persuaded, for grievances
«f uglier hue, and of greater magnitude.

STEPHANUS SOLYMIENSIS.
Nov-Anglorum.

-'1

tit li

SECOND,

«m.

111

IGNORANCE, although very properly con-
trasted with Truth and Knowledge, is not howev-
er their worst enemy. There is a greater, and that
is Prejudice.

There is, it may be safely presumed, no quali-
ty of the human Mind, native or acquired, more
base in its origin — more rapid in its growth— more
active in its operations — more tragical in its ef-
fects — in short, more dissocial and cruel in its char-
acter, than Prejudice. As it is of the most ma-
lignant, so it is also of the most singular cast.—
Other vices and follies are limited in their nature,
and require proper recipients. Some assault the
rich ; others, the poor : — Some, the high ; others,
the low : — Some, the young ; others, the old :—
Some, the male sex ; others, the female. But Pre-
judice has no choice either of place or company^
It finds access every where. — It penetrates the in*
most recesses of the mind. — It bursts every bar-
rier. — It surmounts every obstacle. — It is equally

and country— in an Indian.
D2

iiUUiU,

111 iuWU

Wigwam, and in the Palace of an Emperor -All

prietv Ztrr't '' "'1^'°''' wUh m'l^^Tpl"
Pnety, that it has been called by an eminent no

been mn,? I ■" ^ ',""■".''• *'"'' ^^"""^^er reason, has

and Ifit I ^^.^ P"^*""' J" '-■'""" the number

Tiers whi h ;" "r*"'" • "'^ ""^ """•"'' °f ■"'""-
tiers wuch have been invented to blacken l.Pr

e^nce, would be a task beyond mv strenirth. So
lo-K Lave they been in circi.latio.,_propacated

with :a t'Z"""' ■"''""'■^'' """ •"-'-

witn such tenacious constaucv, that few even
among the most liberal and cam! d of our Protes

SeS:n'ron%r^ '"'' ''"T •'°'- -K-cIou.: prt
possessions on this score. On everv othpr cnKiLf

Cran ,'^iTr"'"'»8 >-°" "hlJ ate ta
haish and intolerant. Gross as are the i ntrutiK

tZdTtifj'^'r""''"^' "'°' ''etectedtd S
ed Need r rf T'' ""^y "^« >""' believ.

sand who hear the calumnies, there is scarrelv «.,«
who learns their refutali, n aIaV, sC'>r«-Iy one
«n«<! f,<,. „• 1 'y"'"'""- Ana it by sonic who

Sir ..T""'f,' «^<="!"^<"•. Catholic evidence
i-liould be casually and slightly inspected Pren

.«a that w th such fertility of mischief; that where
substance is wantipg. it can thrive iipon ou X

festait Rri '"'^^"'ne more to render onr Pro-
than a I 1^, !'i"'" ^''"°''? *? ^^""'•'''■c testimony.
"Names /aid ?r'"A "^ "'" ^"^'^^^^^ ""i'^J

ed. n^, „".' *!5"."°1"= Clunjch been condemn.
, -.—.. v^-^,a.ictnuence and without a hearing.

iror — All
Hich pro-
linent po.

ason, has
perseci^
3 number
of slan-
:ken her
\\y influ'
gth. So
opagated
lintairied
w, even
' Protest
ious pre^
subject,
(, blind,
jntrutha
and ex-
belie v-
a tlioii-
x^Iy one
mo who
vidence
Preju-
istort^^.

t where

sounds,

lest of-

'rucr/Lv,

n Pro-

iraony,

united.

orJd.'*

denin-

?ar

jng.

Her eneniieii tmvc furnished brtth text and com.
meht^ry-^ahdh.r Creed and Discipline have^in

slnhaJ']?. I' rt "'t^^^°"^^ ^^^''^ a metamorpho"
s^s, that Catholics no longer recognize their own

Religion. In fine, the pencil of Malice has t7a^
ced not a Portrait, but a Caricature.

iHis cucumstaiice nevertheless, stranffe as it
may seem, by that wbnderful Pro;idence^ wh^h
in the language of the Poet of the Seasons. '

**From seminj^ ml, still cUuciqg ^ooaf,"

has aided th6 best interests of Catholicity, and oc-
casioned many Conversions. For sincere enauT
m>s strapping the Catholic Church of this uTly
mask, are so struck with her native dign tv and
beau y^and the astonishing contrast between the

iieacfiery of which they have h therto been the
victuns, they fly to this'arK of truth and safety
and are happy to live and die in her Communion
Keconciled myself to the Religion ofourcZ*
mn Ancestors, /may be pardoneTrl ^sh the
same happiness to others. Vith these sen^ J,ents
andas a propei- sequel to th6 history of my Sr

trln^A^'TV/^^ ^'^'' ^" ^^^^^e o?tlie Dot
tunes to which I am a Convert, against the nonn
lar cavils, which the zealots of thf a^fare a^s^S '

pThiri'T r' "^'^' '^ ''^ se^crnratd

pe^rhap3 to the destruction, of our weaker breth-

torv\n!f ''''"''"^ ""^ ?" P^f^^^^' the most satisfac.

CafhohV nrT''^ ^'7 ^^ '^' ^«^t""^s of the
catholic Church, may be found in the Profe- Jnn

tirt^'^^T^ ''''^ '''' Decrees of t&^^^^
^JT^J:'^'^^ ^^^ commonly called the "

The Council of Trent was assembled from all

parts of Christendom, soon after that famous re-
volt from the Church, generally called the Ag^or-
mation, an event which deluged Europe with so
many calamities, and which she has still so much
reason to lament. It was one of the most numer-
ou,, as well as one of the most virtuous, wise and
learned Assen^blies ever convened in the Chris-
- tian world : and its object was the condemnation
of the recent Heresies of Luther and Calvin.

"I S. C. B., with a firm Faith, believe and pro-
fess all and every one of those things which are
contained in that Creed, which the Holy Roman
Church maketh use of: To Wit . '

I BELIEVE in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things
visible and invisible — And in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of
the Father before all ages— God of God, Light of
Light, True God of True God: begotten not
made ; consubstantial to the Father, by whom all
things were made : who for us Men, and for our
Salvation, came down from Heaven, and was in-
carnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
and was made Man. Was crucified also for us
under Pontius Pilate : he suffered and was buri-
ed : and the third day he rose again, according to
the Scriptures ; he ascended into Heaven ; sits
at the right hand of the Father, and is to come
again with glory to judge both the living and the
dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end.— .
Anp in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of
Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
who begotten with the Father and the Son is ado-
red and glorified, who spake by the Prophets..—

And I believe On6 Holy Catholic and Apos-
tolic Church : I confess one Baptism for the re-

Kesurrec*

famous re-
1 the b^i^T'
rope with so
ttill so much
nost nuDier-
us, wise and
1 the Chiis-
iidemnation
Calvin.
Jve and pro-

which are
[oly Roman

Almighty,
' all things
Lord Jesus
and born of
•d, Light of
Jgotten not
y whom all
and for our
and was in-
rgin Mary,

also for us
d was buri-
:cording to
aven ; sits

is to come
ng and the

no end.—
d Giver of
id the Son,
5on is ado-
phets.-^
and Apos-
for the re-

Hesurrec*

tion of the Dead, and the life of the world to
come. —

I MOST steadfastly admit and embrace all Apos-
tolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and all oth-
er Observances and Constitutions of the same
Church.—

I ALSO admit the Holy Scriptures, according to
the Sense which our Holy Mother the Church,
has held and does hold, to which it belongs to
judge of the true sense and interpretation of the
Scriptures : neither will I ever take and interpret
them otherwise than according to the unanimous
sense of the Fathers. —

I ALSO profess that there are truly and properly
Seven Sacraments of the New Law instituted by
^esus Christ, and necessary for the Salvation of
Mankind : though not all for every one : to wit.
Baptism, Confirmation, The Eucharist, Penance,
Extreme Unction, Orders, and Matrimony: and
that they coafer Grace : and that of these, Bap-
tism, Confirmation and Orders cannot be reitera-
ted without Sacrilege. —

I ALSO receive and admit the received and ap-
proved Ceremonies of the Catholic Church, em-
ployed in the solemn administration of the afore-
said Sacraments.—

I EMBRACE and receive all and every one of the
things which have been defined and declared in
the Holy Council of Trent, concerning Original
Sin, and Satisfaction.-^

I PROFESS likewise that in the Mass there is of-
fered to Uod, a true, proper and propitiatory Sac-
rifice for the living and the dead. —

And that in the Most Holy Sacrament of the
Eucharist, there is truly, really and substantially
the Body and JBlood, together with the Soul and
divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ : and that there

'hi "

S ""°. the Body and the ^^fne into the
?«SSi::£^ the,Cath.«o Church, cX

amlthTM^"^",'^'' '.'•'' ther^f^'S Purgatory:

.h„ i ff ^ ^"1''* ""^*«"' detained- are helned W
the suffrage of the faithful.— ^ ^

,f,„ V '° ^^ honored and invocated : and that
Ihey offer prayers to Gqd for us, and that the/J
ft^.c8 are to be held in venemtion.- ' ' ' -

rf Sn^""'^ T/' *.'"" *'** ^""K^^ of Christ-,
othir s^^ ^' °5 *^°''' ever Virgin- and also of
o^herSa.n^, ought to be had and retained : an^

I ALSO aiSrm that the Power of Tmliiraeii^I
was left by Christ to the Church ; and^K dj
.thenl ,s most beneficial to Christian peopr-

1 ACKNowLEDCE the HoIy, CathoKc, Apostolic
rfalfrZ ?"'"'' for the^Mother a d mS
to fh. r! ''' /"u ^ P'T'^e true obedience
t^ Pnn^i °/.>°^ !^°'"^' Successor to St, .Pe.
Chrisi!!! ^ ^^'^^^ ""'' Vic^rpf Jesus

nthli^'ff'^"^ ^undoubtedly receive and, profers all
thP S, '!?! ' '''''^"■'•*' '^^^"ed and declared by
the Sacred Canons and General Councils, and Oar
Ucularly by the Holy Cou.xil of Trent 1- ^
thil? condemn, reject and anathematise all
thmgs eonttary thereto : and all Heresies which
matiid ''*' *=<""*'''"°ed. rejected and anathe.

* iwfs ■tvi JUff

do at this time freely profess and sio.

■- n i r ii n ii m I i ,, i

tance of thc^
le into the
'hurch c»lls

iind alone,
and a true

Purgatory :
: lieljfied by

getter With
: and that
that tli^Jr

>f Christ-^
ind also of
md : arid
> be giye^

dulgehces
the use of
)Ie.—
Apostph'c
Mistress
jbedience
' St. J?ei
Qi Jmis

>rofe?s all
:lared by
,apd pal-
latise all
es which
anathe«

and sin**

cereiy hold the true Catholic Faith, without which
no one can be saved : and I promise most con-
stant y to retain and confess the same entire and
inviolable, with God's assistance, to the end of my

This and this only is the Catholic Faith. And
he >yho subscribes to its belief, and who leads a
hie in conformity to its dictates, is a Catholic
Christian and an heir of Salvation.

isjow let any dispassionate enquirer review thi«

Creec^with calmness and candor— with a spirit of

ove and meekness-and then ask himselt' what

there is m it to stagger his confidence and preclude

his assent ? And would he believe, if sober histow

Zf'v T """"'^ *'''/'^*' *^^^ ^" opposition to
this Faith, ancient and Apostolical as it is, should

^ave engendered insurrections, wars and slaughter ;
and that in order to overcome it, and to substitute
the ravings and chimaeras of ambitious madmen,
.he Daemon of Schism and Heresy should have
with blood r ' ^"^ crimsoned whole lands

In the first place this Profession of Faith con-
tains all ike essential and necessary Articles of the
Christian Rehgzon, This our adversaries admit.
And should It be doubted for an instant, the hon-
est enquirer has only to examine the confessions
ot the various Protestant Communions, and he will
Unci that their Fundamental Articles are in exact
consent with the Nicene Creed, which makes the
first part of the Cathohc Profession of Faith. In-
Mm '^ ^^^" adopted in most Churches 'ver^

^ But to put this matter beyond all dispute, let
mm peruse a document which we quote from the
uukeof Brunswick's «*Fiffev Rpasnns » «n^ «>:.;«ij
t'ontams the Decision of the Faculty of Helrostadt,

(a famous Lutheran University in Germany) and
he will be surprised with an illustrious testimony
of the purity of Catholic Doctrine. ^

It appears* that the opinion of the Faculty of
Divinity in this University was asked on the fol-
lowing Question— «*Whether a Protestant Prin-
cesa, destined to marry a Catholic Prince, may
with a safe conscience embrace the Catlwlic Ke-
ligion.**

The Faculty begin their answer hy saying that
• the Question propounded cannot solidly be sol-
ved, without deciding first, whether or no the
Catholics are in Fundamental Errors, and such as
are opposite to Salvation?" "Our answer (say
they) is without hesitation in the Affirmative— i?/-
cause the Catholics are at the bottom of the same
Religion with w^/and have the necessary faith to
know God, in order to Salvation. For the foun-
dation of Religion and a Christian life is the be-
lief of God the Father, our Creator, of God the
Son, the Messiah ; who had been promised, and
has delivered us from Sin, Death, the Devil and
Hell : and of the Holy Ghost, who enlightens us.
We mpst also admit the ten Commandments of
God, which teach us our duty to God and to our
Neighbor : the Lord's Prayer, which instructs ns
how to pray : the practice of the Sacraments of
iJaptism and the Lord's Supper, according to
Christ's Institution and Command. Moreover,
we must acknowledge the power of the Keys'
and believe with therm that God has given in the
Church to the Apostles and their Successors in
Apostolical functions, the authority of declarine:
to penitents, that their ISins are forgiven ; and to
denounce to the impenitent, God's hatred against
them, and what iude-ments Hp nrpnnrf^c f/^r *K^rv.
and so eitl^er to remit or retain 6'/n*— and therefore

^miiny) and
testimony

«
Faculty of
m the fol-
tant Prin-
rince, may
Ulwlic lie-
saying that
dly be sol-
or no the
nd such as
iswer (say
itive — Be-
f the same
ry faith io
the foun-
ts the be*
God the
lised, and
)evil and
jhtens us.
iments of
nd to our
structs us
iments of
•rdin^ to
loreover,
he Keys^
en in the
essors in
ieclaring
r and to
i against

/AT" *Kt»rv»

therefore

tt'tf somelimes repair to the Confession chair to re-
0eive Absolution of our Sins"

They proceed in a similar strain, and in one place
they say " Neither can it be denied, that the Roman
Church is a true Church, wherein the ministry of
God's word, and the use of the Sacraments sub-
sist, for if it were no more, or had not been a true
Church, all its members would be in a state of
damnation, and irrecoverably lost, which none
amongst us would dare to advance. Nay, Malanc-
thpn himself has maintained, that the Roman
Church did not cease being a true Church, because
the word of God was sufficiently taught in the di-
vers parts of the Catechism, which contains the
ten Commandments, the Creed, and tfie Lord's
Prayer, and in the service of Baptism, and the
Epistles and Gospels that are read on Sundays."
They finally decide the Question in this manner —
«* Having demonstrated that the foundation of
Religion subsists in the Roman Catholic Church,
so that one may be orthoddK and live and die well,
and obtain Salvation in it — it is easy to decide the
question propounded. The most serene Princess
may in consideration of her marriage, embrace the
Catholic Religion."

Can any thing be more satisfactory than all
this ?

It is matter for curious speculation, with what
anxiety the authors of this Document, by the man-
ner in which they speak of the power of the Keys —
Apostolical SuiCessfon-^Covfession — Remission of
Sins, S^c, labor to approximate their own Confes-
sion of Faith to the Catholic — aware that the Ar-
ticles wTiich the Reformers had rejected, were as*
well warranted by Scripture as those which they
retained. •

" When a man ('savs the crpflt. "Rnssnpt^ fivps-.

E 2

fori model of doS ?i„^,°"'i'-''""^ ""'' ""''
about to „,ake a crp'r/tion'^r^o; ^J,^ T^^ST

he always says something wh.ch he wm M L.'^"""'
and afterwarih Aiic ,»,♦ ® «""*-» ne would not say,

discussion of the sZr^ 1.^.^ '"T^l "^ *" »
this Profession of I'alth T "''"='' co-^Pose

-alysis and ^sS of' S" ttThir"'

urged aStrhlXter^rSVt^^^^^^^
tendom, before th^ moi- c ^'^^^" <^r all Chris-

.e«w.« siKrtt"^L'd''o;7v'^r^^^^

jonty of the Christian worid. Happy Vt T

believe, we will bestow Jfl ^'fi'^" do not
wluch they Jbelieve '''"^' "P°° «"«

cious boon' KlilZ-^« -'^ ^« P-

This most subiinie and benevolent of all pur-
poses was to be accomplished by His Assumption
of our nature — by His Precepts, Example, Mira-
cles, I'assion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension and
perpetual Intercession.

The channel through which His Graces were to
be communicated to us, was a Church ; which, by
commemorating His Sacrifice on the Cross, and
applying His Sacraments to human exigency, was
predestined to secure Salvation to all true Peni-
tents who should be found in her bosom.

Now, it is obviously and most imperiously the
duty of every Soul living, to be associated to this
Church, wherever it he. But this is impossible,
unless it be known. Therefore, all Tradition, oral
and Scriptural, has assigned certain marks and fea-
tures to identify and distinguish it, which are aa
prominent and palpable as the King's head upon
the national coin.

She is One. She is Holy, She is Catholic ox
Universal She is Apostolical,

Among the thousand Sects, heteroclite and het-
erogeneous, engendered by the Reformation, cai^
one be named which possesses these traits of the
true Church of Christ ?— -Certainly not. Many
boast them. But few possess any of these fea-
tures, and not a single one can challenge them
collectively.

The more accurately we survey the various
Protestant Communions at large throughout Eu-
rope and America, the -result will be the more un^
propitious to these lofty pretensions. They all re-
pose with tranquil recumbence upon merely ficti-
tious titles to legitimacy.

^^viNG thus evidently shewn where the true
Church of Christ is not, we will shortly exhibit
Wiiere she w.

The first Article of controversy, relates to Jms
toheal and Ecclesiastical Traditions. ^

iHE Catholic Cl^urch has been accused of im-
posing articles of faith and ruler of practice m
known to Christ and his Apostles, aKrwar."
lanted by either Reason or Scripture.

In answer to this objection, we may observe
that if our Protestant Brethren are opposed to Tra'
dition as suck they must take leave of Keli^rion
aItogether-.for all Religion is Traditional The
Patriarchal, Jewiali and Christian Covenants were
Revelations to those to whom they were immedi-
ately addressed, but are only traditional to their
postenty. *

Great stress has been laid upon the difference
between the Bible which our Protestant Brethren
call (and that truly) the Word of God, and other
Traditions, of which slie is the Guardian and
Irustee.

J^iiERE is however, no essential difference be-
tween them The whole is tradition and the whol^
IS the Word of God— and these Traditions, wheth!
er written or unwritten, are equally entitled to our
homage and obedience.

The Traditions of the Catholic Church com-
prehend the Bible— the works of 'the ancient Fath-
ers-the ancient Liturgies-the ancient monu-
ments—the universal practice of the Church— the
condemnation of ancient Heresies— the acts of
Councils— and the customs of Rome.

When Christ established his Church, as the eter-
nal depository of his Religion, not a line of the
New Testament was yet in writing : nor during
his residence on earth, did he write a syllable him-
seJl. All his instructions were colloquial. It
pleased indeed the Holy Spirit, after the events
much preceded, accomnaniprl nnri f,^^l/.«r«J u:..

***^^^^m^

, 3^

l)ivine Mission, to inspire the chosen Apostles to
record them, in order to aid the infant interests of
Christianity, by publishing to the world the most
remarkable traits in the history and character of
this divine Religion. But though these writings
embrace the essentials, they were never intended
to record the subordinate points of faith and prac-
tice. Still less were they designed to be their own
interpreters^ or to leave the awful truths which are
the subject of them to private interpretation

That umvritten Tradition is competent to the
preservation and application of every Precept,
moral and ceremonial, of revealed Religion, is suf-
ficiently evident from the circumstance that from
the Creation of the world to the sera of Moses, a
period of two thousand five hundred years, there
was no Scripture at <7//,— yet there was no com-
plaint, nor even apprehension, that the rule of
faith was imperfect or obscure.

It is remarkable hdw our Protestant Brethren
are obliged, in spite of their professions, to do jus-
tice to the Traditions of tlie Church and forget
their Bible, when these are in question. Why do
they observe the Jirst day of the week, for pur-
poses of worship, instead of the se^veiith, instituted
by Jehovah himself, on Mount Sinai, and pro-
claimed m thunder and in flame ? Why do they

l^l^'""'^ ^'K'^'''^ ' "^'^y *^° ^^^^y baptize by effusion!^
V\ hy do they not practice pediiuvium or foot^wasi
mg, so emphatically commanded by our Saviour ?
Ihe truth is, and it is a splendid triumph for Cath-
olicity, that all these observances, the adoption of
some and the rejection of others, are derived from
tlie Catholic Church and are a homage to her Tra-
ditions.— See Deut. xxxii. 7. Ps. wiii. a fi r, ^

L^""'' o''-?' ^ ^^''''' "■• 1^-"^'- 6. 2 TimVi;
X3.-1U 2.-111. 14. .

The iiext article relates to the Holy Scriptures.
Its tenor is more than sufficient to shield Catholics
from holding them in cheap estimation. It is true
indeed that with filial obedience, the Children of
the Universal Church submit to her judgment and
her's alone, the true sense and interpretation of
these divine Oracles. Suspending farther eluci-
dation however of this matter for the present, we
will refer it to the moment when we shall examine
the Protestant Rule of Faith.

The next Article relates to the Sacraments,
Which are seven in number. 1 Baptism. Q. Con-
frmalion. 3 The Eucharist. 4 Penance. 5
EaUreme Unction. 6 Orders. 7 Matrimony.

1. ^^i'r/^'ii/.— Against the matter and form of
this Sacrament, ol. Protestant Brethren urge a va-
nety of objections. The Quakers declare that
Baptism of water is not of divine institution. The
Anabaptists, that the baptismof Infants is without
Scriptural authority. The Socinians and others,
that It is no Sacrament, and is not necessary to
Salvation. "^

On the contrary, we alledge that Catholic Bap-
tism has all the three conditions of a true Sacra-
ment. — 1. It is an outward visible sign— 2. It has
the power of imparting Grace— 3. It is of divine
ordination. We say that Baptism is of water.—
See Acts viii. 36. 38.-X. 47- 48. We assert that
the Baptism of Infants is an Evangelical ordin-
ance. See Luke xviii. KJ. John iii. 5. We af-
firm that it is necessary to Salvation, and for proof
refer to the last named text.

2. Confirmation. — This ceremony our Protes-
tant Brethren insist is no Sacrament, and is of
modern invention.

On the contrary, we declare that it possesses, in
common with Baptism, tlie three essential requi-

Sites of a true Sacrament, and as such has been
adnainistered from the age of the Apostles, aa ap.
pears most evidently in the pages of Tertullian and
the Fathers. See Acts viii. 15, 1 7.-xix. 6. 2 Con
i.21. 22. Heb. vi. 2.

3. Tn^ Holy Evchahist, — This Sacrament i«
feo intimately connected with the Sacrifice of the
Mass, that we will discuss them presently together.

4. Penance,-^*' This (says the excellent Bish-
op Cballoner) is a Sacrament, by which the Faiths
ful that have fallen into sins, confessing the same
with a true repentance and a sincere purpose of
making satisfaction, are absolved from their Sins
by the Minister of God." Three things are re-
quired on the part of the Sinner, in order to ob-
tain Forgiveness and Absolution— viz : Contri*
tion. Confession and Satisfaction.

This Sacrament is declared by our Protestant

Jirethren to be an imposition on the vorld that

it has no foundation in either Reason or Scripture,
but is the invention of a lat^ date, in ord^r, as
Thomas Paine says of national Churches, « to ter^
rify and enslave Mankind, and to monopolize pow-
er and proiit." i- i—

Qn the contrary, we are of opinion that those
who declaim in this manner, forget their own na-
ture, and the world in which they live.

The state of Man is a state ef ruin. He emer-
ges into existence defiled with native and heredi-
tary Sin, and under sentence of eternal death :
from which nothing can redeem him but the bloo4
of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, and its ap-
pbcation through the medium of the Sacraments
Which he has established in his Church. Of these,
Penance is one of the most important. « Except
ye do Penance (says he) ye shall all likewise uer,
Jsh." Those who cavii" at this doctiine of *the

Catholic Church, do not sufficiently reflect npon
their condition. Some wonder that a benevolent
Deity should impose sufferings upon his poor crea-
tures for involuntary transgressions. Others in-
sist that Clirist has sufficiently satisfied for Sin.
To the first class of objectors we urge that Man
is not now, what he once wa. He is fallen from
u state ^of Innocence into one of Guilt. Guilt en-
tails misery. Reason and the whole ceconomv of
God's moral government teach us with sufficient
certainty, that Sin and suffering in this life are in-
timately connected, and that the one follows the
other, as its penalty and its corrective. We are
not only Delinquents in a Prison j but we are Pa-
tients in a Hospitah As well may a sick man
murmur that a different diet is prescribed for him,
from one for another in sound health, as for mor-
tals to complain of the regimen which infinite wis-
dom and goodness have ordained for the cure of
our spiritual maladies, and to ensure our restora-
tion to primsfeval felicity. Ho\^ natural then it is,
to co-operate with this kind intention of Provi-
dence, and impose upon ourselves voluntary pain,
whenever the ordinary effects of our frailty and
wickedness appear insufficient for pardon and re-
formation !

It is not the broad but the narrow path which
leads to Heaven. As Christ our Saviour bore his
Cross, we must also bear our's. He tells us ex-
pressly that unless we suffer, we cannot hope to
reign with him. Consequently, not only all the
unforeseen afflictions and calamities of life are to
be cheerfully endured, but we must occasionally
seek them. Not only pains, involuntary and ac-
cidental — but voluntary and elective, must be suf-
fered. It is onlv throup-h trials and *r»^»"la*>f>n«
that the diade:m of the Saint is won.

jflect npOH
benevolent
i poor crea-
Others in-
id for Sin.

that Man
alien from

Guilt en-
conomy of
[i sufficient
life are in-
bllows the
. We are
we are Pa-
sick man
d for him,
iS for mor-
ifinite wis-
lie cure of
ir restora-
then it is,
of Provi-
tary pain,
railty and
)n and re-

ath which
r bore his
is us ex-
hope to
ly all the
life are to
:asionally
r and ac-
St be suf.

ihiilatinnia

To the second class of objectors we will reply
anon.

Confession, which is a requisite and a condi-
tion of Penance, is, independently of its Divinity,
one of the most admirable institutions that was
ever conceivecj for the good of man. In every
age, in every land, and among every description
of people, the Church has had and still has, the
happiness to see thousands of Sinners appeal to
the sublime consolations of this duty, and not ap-
peal in vain. Absolution is never accorded the
Penitent, unless he fulfil the conditions requi-
red by the Institution. From this important du-
ty no Christian is exempted, It is equally obliga-
tory on the Clergy »s the Laity — and to see a
Priest of the highest rank, and Archbishop or a
Cardinal, approach the Tribunal of Penance and
humbly kneel at the feet of his Confessor, andsofl
tened by Contrition, divulge in his ear every Sin,
fault and inadvertency, and receive forgiveness at
his hands, is one of the most beautiful and edify-
ing spectacles which the Catholic Church affords.
If neither the Divinity of this hqly Institution,
nor the injunctions of the Church, nor the verdict
of the pious and penitent of all ages be satisfacto-
ry to the incredulous Protestant, let him listen to
the opinion of a Philosopher, who disbelieved Re-
velation. ^

" Confession (says Voltaire in his Dictionary)
is highly beneficial— a strong curb to vice and of
very early institution. It was anciently practised
at the celebration of all the Mysteries of the
Churph ^ ;^nd we have imitated and sanctified so
devout an observance. It avails greatly, turning
resentment and hatred into forgiveness and friend-
ship. By it the petty rogues are induced to re-
store what they have stolen j"— and in his Age of

Lewis the XV. I,e declares "tWfession is the
greatest of all restraints to human wickedness.*'

" O 6WEET balm of the wounded spirit ! (apos-
troplnzes the eldauent Pr. Milner.) *0 sovereign
restorative of the 8pul»9 life and yigor ! best known
to those who taithfully use thee and not unattested
by those who neglect and blaspheme thee !"

The b»>-^ pf llngland. Dr. Johnsop, says in a
ponvers* ,th his f'riepd Boswell upon Confes-

?r?"'o" ^ ' ^^^ ^^^"^ ^^^ ^'^a^ Js a good thing.
Ihe Scripture says * Confess your faults one to an-
otherj^and the Priests confess as well as the Lai-
ty. 1 heii It mtist be considered, that their Abso-
lution IS only upon repentance, and often upon
penance also. You (the Protestants) think your
ems may be forgiven without penance, upon re-
pentanpe alone." See Numb, v. (j. 7. Mat.iii.6.
Actsxix. 18. James V. 16. ,

Absolution has been pronounced "aleayeto
co^imit Sm." This calumny would have been
spared, if its inventors had duly weighed the con-
ditions on which pardon is granted to the cbnfes-
Buig J^mner. Confession alone is by no means a
sufhcient title to forgiveness. To this must be
ih "^^r^"^"^^°"' *»fl Satisfaction (if possible^ for

Thus sanctioned by Reason, as a power in the
liighest degree conducive to pufity of manners,
and consolatory to the poor fallen Sinner, so also
IS It supported by Scripture, as a power promised
and given to thef astors of the Church, See Matt.
XVI. lO.-xviii. 18. John XX. j. 23.

5. ^XTujsME UKCTioN.'^1i:his h'ds al| {he quali-
ties of a true Sacrament, and notwithstanding tfte
otyections of our Protestant Brethren, is of divine
.authoruy, and of Apostolical u^age. >e James

0. Ilvir OK/yrii».— This wdinance >may be dis-
patched in as rev, words as the preceding. It has
equally all the featurels dt'-a true Sacrament, and is
e^jually hfippoited by Scripture. See Luke xxii. 19.
John XX. n, Acts-vi. O.-xiii. 8.-xiv. 4. 1 Tim.
iv. B. 2 Tim. i.e.

7' MytTHmoNY,'— tittle detafl is necessary to
shew that this Iiistlitution is likewise of Divine
origin, and is a true Sacramerit. 'See 'Gen. ii. 24.
Matt. 3(ix. 6. Mark x. 11. m, Luke xvi. 18.
J«»n- vii. ^. 3. 1 Cor. vii. 10. 11. '89. JEph. v.
SS. IThess. iv. 3. 4. 5. ^

Such are the Sacramento of theCathdlic Chwch,
Divine m their institution and salutary in their ef-
fect. To abuse "their application or to abridge
their nirdber, is enuafly to profane -their charac-
\pr and to endanger Salvation.

•ii ^^^aJ^^^^ Article relates to the ^Ceremonies of
the Cdthohc Church, whidh we will nptice amonfe
oiir miscellaneous matter.

The succeeding Article, rdatJng to Ori^/W/
Sin ;indJu^tiJicdtm, has been among our Protes-
tant^Brethren tfie subject of much complaint awd
misrepresentation.

TiiE Catholic Church is accused of deprecia-
^ing the vdlue of the Sacrifice of our Blessed
Saviour Jesus Christ on the Gross, and of over,
rating dnd sdbstituting the merit of good works,
'^low it is impossible that any expressions should
be thbre cleur and pdinted*^more satisfactory in
themselves, and in morp, perfect consent with Rea-
son arid Scripture, than f hose used by ^heCoundl
ot Trertt upon this subject.
^ We believe (say they) that our Sins Are freely
forgiven us by the Divine mercyfbr Jesus Christ^
sake. '-— Sess. 6. ch fl. Th^v nHH «« w^ «^^«:j

to tfe justitied ^rii/w, because none of those acts

which precede Justification, whether they bo o^
faith or good works can merit his Grace** As to
the merit of good works, the Council of Trent de-
clares that " Eternal life ought to be proposed to
the Children of God, both as a Grace which h
mercifully promised to them by the mediation of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and as a recompence which
h faithfully rendered to their good works and mer-
its, by virtue of this promise." Again, " Although
we say that Holy Writ esteems good works so
much, Jhat Jesus Christ himself promises that a
glass of cold water given to the poor shall not
want its reward, and that the Apostle testifies how
a moment of light pain endured in this world,
shall produce an eternal weight of glory — neverthe-
less, God forbid that a Christian should trust and
glory in himself and not in the Lord, whose boun-
ty is so great to all men, that he will have those
gifts which he bestows upon them to be their mer-
its" Onpe more, " We who can do nothing of
purselyes, can do all things with Him who strength-
lens us, in such sort that njan has nothing of which
be may glory, nor for which he may confide in
himself; but all his confidence and glory is in Je-
sus Christ, in whom we live-fr-iq whoip we merit —
in whom we satisfy — bringing forth fruits worthy
of penance, which draw their virtue from Him,
ai)d by Him are offered lo his Father and apcept-
led of by his Father through Him." — So th^t, jt
,^ppears clearly from these decisions of the Coun-
cil of Trent, *' That our Sins are pardoned us out
of pure mercy for the sake of Jesus Christ — that
we are indebted for that Justice which is in us by
the Holy Ghost to a liberality gratis bestowed ujp-
on us-r-and that all the good works we do are bu^
$0 many gifts of his Grace."

Add to all this the Praver which the Catholic B

they bo o^
:e.*' As to
:>f Trent de-
proposed to
ze which h
nediation of
pence which
ks and mer-
" Although
3d works so
nises that a
r shall not
;estifies how
this world,
— neverthe-
d trust and
jrhose boun-
have those
e their mer-
nothing of
10 strength-
ig of which
confide In
irv is in Je-
we merit —
Ljits worthy
fropn Him,
,nd apcept-
-So th^t, jt
the Coun-
ted us out
hrist — that
is in us by
stowed up-
do are hh

p PafhhTih

49'

Church uses in her daily Sacrifice. — *« Vouchsafe^
O God, to grant to us Sinners, thy Servants, who
hope in the multitude of thy mercies, some part
and Society with the blessed Apostles and Mar-
tyrs — into whose number we beseech Thee to be
pleased to receive us, not looking upon our Mer-
its, but graciously pardoning us in the name q/Je^
sus Christ our Lord"

What more satisfactory explanation would the
I most obstinate disputant demand ?

The Church's doctrine on these points is abun*
dantly supported by Scripture. See Gen. iv. 7.-
xxii. 16. 17. 18. Ps. xvii. 11. 23. 24.-xviii. 8. 11.
Matt. v. 11. 12.-X. 42.-xvi. 27. 1 Cor. iii. 8.
2 Tim. iv. 8.

The following article relates to the Sacrijice of
the Holy Mass — in the language of the inspired
St. Frartcis of Sales— «« The most Holy, Sacred
and Sovereign Sacrifice of the Mass, the centre of
Christian Religion, the Heart of Devotion, thc^
Soul of Piety, and an unspeakable Mystery : which
comprehends in it the bottomless depth of God's
Charity— and by which God, uniting Himself re-
ally to us, liberally communicates his Grace and
Favors," This sublime definition and eulogy would
be alone sufficient, it might be imagined, to silence
every cavil and gain every heart. But Prejudice
can convert nourishment into poison.

This Article likewise declares the Beal Presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacra,
ment of the Eucharist^ — which involves a Doctrine
that has afforded matter for more acrimony of cen-
sure and even levity of ridicule, than perhaps anj
other tenet of the Catholic Church.

She teaches, that the Eucharist is the true body
and blood of Christ, under the appearance of
Bread and Wine. These elements undergo the

most important and nairacqloqfi revolution tiiat Ai^
mighty Pomer can eflect. Thiu wonderfia change,
the sole perqiiisitfe and charact^mtic of the truQ
Church and Ministry, is produced by tlie wfficia-
ting Priest, and tliis we call Transubstantiation.

Jt has been urged against this doctrine, that it
is not ortiy a miracle greater than all others, but
is of a very different nature^-^for \«hefeas the oth-
er Miracles recorded in Holy Writ were addressed
to the eyes and ears of men ; here on the contra-
ry, the senses are worse than useless ^ fof their
testimony directly contradicts tlie Miracle^

In answer to this objection, let it be observed,
that \ve are not to dictate to our Divine Master,
in what manner to operate flis Miracles. We
haye no need of any remote arguments to prove,
however, that we have faculties of higlier authori-
ty than our ^senses ; and that many tri^ths in di-
rect contradiction to their testimony are supported
by the most invincible evidence. * For example,
the eye sees, as plainly as solar effulgence can ena-
ble it, that the Sun rises in the east, ascends to
the zenith, declines and sets in the west. Now
who does not know that this apprehension is a mis-
take ? Do men in general discover this by any
astronomical researches of their own ? No, They
trust to those of others, and prefer their authority
to that of their own senses. " Blessed are those
who have not seen (^sys our Lord and Saviour)
and yet have believed."

The doctrine of the Real Presence has ever been
thought so essential to Christianity, that among all
the Svhismatic CL arches which have separated
from Catholic unity, there is not one to he found
before the aera of the Reformation, which caUed
in question the presence of Christ in the Eucha-

Hniu nniir'K crLoira.* 4-k^^ir ^U-^«-» t-^ At£C — •-.
w^vr, M4vt--£^ =;v---.-wi Liicv »-fiyap *U \XllKii Ip

4- \r\£\^^

other points from Ih^ Catholic Church and from
each ofhor, they all itnited in this belief. The
perpetual consent ol tae Greek aiui 'all the Orien*
tal Churches, in this Article, has been demonstra-
ted and is acknowledged on all sides. And it is
not a little remarkable, that even the Church of
England, declares in her public Catechism, that
*• llie body and blood of Christ are verily and in^
deed taken and received by the faithful in the
Lord's Supper."

As Keason is by no means hostile to this doc-
trine, so Scripture supports it with the whole
weight of its authority. Sec Matt. xxvi. 26.—
Mark xiv. 22. 24. Luke xxii. l{). John vi. 51.
ryZ. X Cor. x. lO.-xi. 24. 25. 27- 29. These
texts are clear and decisive, and leave no room for
cavil pr objection to any who believe the Gospel.

If It be asked, why the Catholic Church ihter-
p^ts these passages in the literal . sense, let the
gj%at rBpssuet reply in 'her behalf. " There is no
more;Teason to ask us why we fix ourselves to the
literal sense, than there is to ask a traveller why
lie follows the high road. It is their part, who
have recourse to the ^gurative sense, and who
take bye paths, to give a reason for what they do/'
Tne Holy Mass is the unbloody Sacrifice of the

• 1)ody and blood of Christ. As vet inactive, though

pesent in the Euctiaristic Sacrament, He is in tlie

Holy .M^sfi offered up tohis Eternal Father, as a

propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of tlie whole

^vvorjfd.

'^Tiiis introduces one of the heaviest ebargeg
^v/hich has ever been invented against the Catholic
'Church— that oi^ Idolatrij. It is rourrdly asserted
.that Catholics are the grossest Idolators, and wor-
ship brpad and wine as God ! ' ^^*^^-

What is Idolatry ? A Catholic child, who hai

• ' -.■ ,. Q

made his Hrst communion would ansWer<^" Idotu^
try is rendering to the Creature the homage and
worship due alone to the Creator." If this defi-
nition be correct, it will require neither much ad-
dress, nor many words to clear Catholics from tliis
reproach.

It is not then the elements of bread and wine
which are worshipped in the most Holy Eucha-
rist — nor even these elements consecrated for re*
ligious purposes — but it is these elements, humble
as they are, converted, changed and Transubstan-
tiated into the body and blood, the real and true
body and blood of Christ,

Now it is hoped, that among our Protestant
Brethren, tiiere is no one who would have the im-
piety to assert that this worship ought not to be
rendered, provided this doctrine be true, and Jesus
Christ be really present on the Altar. Now would
this worsliip be Idolatrous, were even the doctrine
Jalse, It is the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer
whom Catholics adore. If they imagine Him io
a place where He is not, and by»mistake worship
Him in that place, surely as no indignity is inten-
ded, no Sin is committed.

** There is no Idolatry in the Mass, (says Dr*
Johnson to his friend Boswell.) They believe
God to be there, and they worship Him.^

It has been objected to the Sacrifice of the
Mass, that it pretends to be a renewed oblation
and propitiation of our Lord — thereby annulling
or diminishing the Sacrifice which He once offer-
Cil for our sins upon the Cross,

In answer to this objection, we say it is meant
to do neithei.-. The Sacrifice of the Mass is not
a new payment of the price of bur salvation, but

IS mPI'plv a rnmntPvnn'r/iti'nfi Skanrifipa or\r\Urirk/v ^t\

Sinners the merits of i^Ihrist's Passion and Death.

Nevertheless, although His blood is only shed mya.
tjcaljy, and his death only intervenes by representa-
tion,(to borrow the expressions of the great Bossuet)
yet it is a real .Sacrifice inasmuch as Jesus Christ
is really present in tne Eucharist, and is offered up
to His Eternal F?ither. In fine, " This Sacrifice is
instituted (says the Council of Trent) only to re-
present that which was once accomplished upon
the Cross ; to perpetuate the memory of it to the
end of the world ; and to apply to us the saving
virtue of it for the remission of those sini which
we commit every day."

It has been insisted that although Sacramental
Communion be as ancient as our Religion, yet the
Mass bears little or no resemblance to the primi*'
tive*rite; but is, on the contrary, new in name
and character. Now it appears from the most au-
thentic and ri^mote records, that this Sacrifice ever
bore the same name and exhibited the same shape
that it does at the present day, St, Ambrose
writes in the 4<th century-*-** I continued the office
'^I began to say Mass" L. i, Ep. 14. St. Leo
in the 5th writes**^** When the multitude is so
great that the Church cannot hold them all, let
there be no difficulty made to offer the Sacrifice
more than once. For some part of the people
must of necessity be deprived of their devotions,
if following the custom of saying Mass but once,
none can offer up the Sacrifice but they who come
early in the mprning."

Such is this wonderful ^nd propitiating Sacri-
ficp-r-the n^ysterious chain which connects Earth
with Heaven : repentant Man with his reconciled
Maker. «* Let a Person (says the eloquent Cha-
teaubriand) worthily appr6a(:h the Holy Sacrament
only once a month, and he must necessarily be*
Come one of the most virtuous on earth,*'

Haviog ^aid thus mucR respecting the ftolv
JWass as a doclrhie, we wih hazard a single r^hiark
on It as a cerefnom, vt*;*''

As a religious jiite m:M^i:m^iE

ot Worship, It is ni point of grandeur, be^ltv, ele-
^^. a»?d pathos, one of the qiost iriterestife anil'
affecting spectacles, ever exhibited—and iiolhin^
but Us fimuehc^ enfeebles oiir admiration^ ^

It IS said there are things in the Masg which
g^^ye offence--.^ut to whom ^ Let the faculty of
Divinity in the Protestant University of ttehnstadt
answer. ,« Tq those only who are ighoraiit what
these ceremomfes signify j for there is none olf them,
but has a ^pod represention. As for tlie rest, tfe
Mass is a figure and represeptatioiri , of tlie most;
bitter Fusion and De^th of Jesu^ Christ/'' ' .

This ■Sacrifice is suffjci^ritly warraiit'ed by Smb:
ture. It was prefigured Gen. xiv, l8-«pfeaictea'
rs.cix.^. JTatt i. 10.11^ancl tesVituted by
Chmt Tiimseir, I.ute xxii, ){), 20. , See also 1' Coiv
X. 16, 18, \% 20. 21. Heb. xiii. 16. ' \ .

The Article following relates to the inte^% of
"*?^?<=^*'i«^e>\t unt^ler either kind alphe. ' '

THfs has been the occasion ot^triuch ofeloqut
a»d aspersion. It i? thought to begreal presunip:
ti^oll in the Oatholic i*riesthood, to rec^eive tffe
Cornmumon in both kinds themselves and to dtmv
the Cup to the liiit^. / : -^^.^ t -^

As this regulation appears impossibfe to be as-
cribed to any sinister motive, Ave nee^ not' iro /ar
to learn tfie reason of it. f.

The quirch has tau|fht iom tihe earliest ages
that tlie Sacrament is eniire, whether administered
in owe kind oi' ia both. One reason, out of rnany,
why theXup is withheld fi^om the tatty, is, le^st
the blood ot Christ, in the sliape of wine, slin/ilrl

^2 1

be spilled, ^tJ great profanation and confusion en-
!fe6 in large Congregation«,^>»''^*^ ■ -'^ »

0*E fciird alone, as su^eieht for its intt^mioii as
a Sacrarttent, is justififed by the doctrine and prac-
tice of the Apoistle!); ^'^';v4^^'^ -t^^* '■

In th^jir private Gtiaracter, thfe Clergy them-
selves *n^v^r receive the Eucharist but in one kind.
If they receivb it in* both ki^ids at the Altar, they
do it as dfl^biating' in thd person of Christ, whoot-
fers his body and Wood ik the Mass as a Sacrifice
for the siijs of Mankind. ' . '

DtiV'JdWKSON observes on this subject-^" Catho-
lies may think that m what is merely ritual, devi-
ations from the primitive mode may be admitted
on the ground of convenience : and I think that
they are ^s well warranted to make this alteration,
as we (the Protestants) are to substitute .sjprmM^/^
in the roojn of tHe ancient Baptism." •

We might add that this privation is no article
of Catholic Faith, but one merely of DimpUne ;
which tnay be abrogated by the Authority wiiich
ordaiwed it. >. i i

Communion in one kind as sufficient to salvation*
is satisfactorily certified by Scripture— See Luke

xxiv. 30, 31. John vi. 51. Acts ii. 42, 46

Rom. vi. 9. I. Cor. x. I7.

The next article relates to Ptirgaiorj^ arid. Prafy'.
ersfor the Dead, all which have been pronowncetl
unscriptural and absurd.

^ They are neither— and the real doctrine of the
Catholic Church on this subject is of a nature to
silence and satisfy the most scrupulous.

She teaches us that the Saints and some few
others who have passed lives of singular piety and
virtue on earth, are at their death immediately re-

CGIVPfl infn rrl/Arv S\Ua inf/»»»*Ma ..« ..1.-.^ .-K^*. 4.I ^'

__- — ,„ ^.,,.^, f -,,-_, itiisj^iinrj tan iSJov, J-iiat iircic

are others, and but too rtany, whose guilt is so

64,

great that in quitting their mortal bodies they are
cast into Hell. Finally she declares that there s^x^.
great numbers, who, not deserving of eternal pun*
ishment for their sins, nor yet so immaculate a$
to go immediately to Heaven, are placed by Di^
vine Justice in a middle state ; where their person-
al sufferings,^ united with the Prayers of the Faithr.
fu I on earth, may finally avail to procure thera
Pardon and Salvation, Upon this important and
consolatory belief is founded tli^ Catholic s^nd pi-
ous custom of praying for the Dead. A mtiltir
plicity of passages might be eited from the Greek
and Latin J athers, to proye the antiquity of this
salutary practice, Tertullian who wrote soon af-
ter the death of our Saviour, speaks tf it oflen»
and it is recognised as an Apostolical Tradition
in the most ancient Liturgies of all the Christian
Churclies before the Reformation-j-^as the Roman,
Greek, Syrian, Armenian, Nestorian, Egyptian,
Ethiopian, Indian, &c. &c.

** Purgatory (says Dr. Johnson) is a very
harmless doctrine. They (the Catholics) are of
opinion that the generality of mankind are neither
so obstinately wicked as to deserve everlasting
punishment, nor so good as to merit being admit-
ted into the Society of Blessed Spirits ; and there-
fore that God js graciously pleased to allow of a
middi0 state, where they may be purified by cer*
tain degrees of suffering. There is nothing un-
reasonable in this."— rHe adds, " If it be onpe es.
tablished that there are souls in Purgatory, it is as
proper to pray for them, as for our bjrethven of
mankind who are yet in this life.*' Jn fact, this
tenet is so consonant with Reason as well as Scrip-
ture, that a vast number of intelligent Protestants
have avowed their belief in it. One of high rep-
utation observes in his Lectures : *^ With regard

5s they are
t there £^re.
ernal pun*-
laculate as
5d by Dif
eir person-
the Fftithr.
:ure them
Drtant an4
liq £^nd pi-

A mtiltir
the Greek
lity of this
:e soon af-
f it often.
Tradition

Christian
e Roman^
Egyptian,

s a very
cs) are of
re neither
verlasting"
ng admit,
md there-
Ilovr of a
I by cer-
hing uh-
; onpe es.
y, it is as
ethren of
fact, this
as Scrip-
•otestants
high rep-
h regard

to the doctrine Of Purgatory though it may not be
founded either in lledson or Scripture, it is nofc
unnatural. — Who can bear the thought of dwell-
ing in everlasting torments? Yet who can say
that God, everlastingly just, may not inflict them ?
The mind of man seeks for some resource. It
finds one ow/^— in conceiving that some temporory
punishment after death may purify the soul from
its moral pollution, and make it at last acceptable
even to a Deity infinitely pure." As the Doc-
trine of Pufgatory and Prayers for the Dead is
sanctioned by good sense and remote antiquity, so
it has also the support of Scripture. These pray-
ers made and still make part of the Ritual of the
Jewish Synagogue- — see ir. Mace. xii. 4S, &c.--
See also Malt. v. 25, 26, xii. S2, 36. i. Cor. iii.
13, 14. 15. J. Pet. iii. 18, 19, 20. Apoc. xxi.
27.

The next article relates to the Invocation of the
Saints — to which may be added that of the Bles-
sed Virgin Mary and of the Angels,

In this exercise, Catholics are accused of ren-
dering these glorified Persons divine worship, and
of being thereby guilty of Idolatry.

LEt it be then repeated for the millionth time^
that Catholics do not worship them, at least in the
Protestant acceptation. They do indeed address
them in certain forms and with much solemnity :
but it is only to beseech them to add their Play-
ers to ours, and to intercede for us at the throne
of the Most High.—Catholics recognize no pow-
er in them to help us by their own immediate act.
They can assist us only by joining their supplica-
tions to ours. If our'Proiestant Brethren should
still insist that God has no need of their vicarious
Prayers, but is ever ready to hearken to the Peti-
t?ions of the humblest of his creatures, and that

ilieir intercession is superfluous, as our Jlrorti Je-*
4SUS Christ is our sole Intercessor with the Father ^
we can retort the objection^ and mk tlie.iu wliv
they soh'cit the prayers of ^ack other.? j^' the
Pjayers of' the JBlessed Virgin and of tl^e ^ngeis
land Siiints .cannot avail us» we may be very sure
that nothing can be expected from those of our
poor, sinful ^eliow creatures.

But that their Pra}|fiis can and do avail us, we
have the-express testimony of Scripture — ^See Luke
xvi. 9. I. Cor. xii. 8. and Apoc. v. 8. We have a
communion with them — Heb. xii. 22, 23. They
have power over nations — Apoc. ii. 26, 2.7-v. ,1 0.
They knovf what passes among us^ — ^Lul^e xv. 10-
j. Cor. xiii. 12. i. John iii. 2. They are with
Christ in Heaven before the Resurrection ~ii. Coi:.
y. 1, 6, 7, 8. Phil. i. 23, 24. Appc. iv. 4-vi. 9r-
vii. 9, 14,15. &c.-xiv. 2, 3, 4.-xix. 1, 4, 5, 6.-xx. 4.
The Prayers of God's Servants have greatinfluence
with Him— Ex. xxxii. 11, 14. i. I&ngs vii. 8^ 9,
10. Jobxlii, 7,8. Rom. xv. 30. %h. vi. 18,

19. I. Tiles. V. 25. Heb. xiii. 13. James v. 16.
The dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ap*

pears from Luke i. 28, 42, 43, 48.

Th£ Invocation of Angels appears from Gen.
xlviii. 15, 16. Osa. xii. 4. Apoc. i. 4. They
have been honored by the Servants of God—Jos.
V. 14, 15. They have a charge over us— Ex. xxiii.

20, 21. Ps. xcii. 12, &c. Matt, xviii. 10. Heb.
i. 14. They pray for us^— rZach. i. 1,2. They of-
fer up our Prayers — Apoc. yiii. 4. , ,*

The next Article relates to the use of Images^
and declr ^s that honor and veneration are due to
ilnem. , - . •

l^EW tenets of the Catholic Church liave excited

.,i.,„

auti

i1-

cuniroversy , laan uiij^^t
shalt not make to thyself any graven Iiipage,*' sav

the divine Commandment — and it never ceases to
be quoted to cover Catholics with confusion.

Now, that the strict Protpstapt S|^nse is not that
of the Law of Moses, must be evident, on exam-
ination, to the most comn\pn apprehension ; unles?
we acknowledge that the Scriptui'e is inconsistent,
with itself. For Images were not only permitted
in the Jewish worship, but were absolutely cowi-
inanded by God himself — as appears from Ex.
XXV. 18, &c. Numb. xxi. 8. 9* They were plac-
ed on each side of the mercy seat in the Sanctuary
—Ex. xxxvii. 7. And in the Temple of Solo-
mon— ii. Chron. iii. 10. By Divine Command—
t. Chron. xxviii. 18, If), lielative honor to the
Images of Chrigt and his Saints authorised, Heb*
xi. 21. See also ii. Kings vi. \% 15, 14, 15, l6*
II. Chron. v. % &c. Ps. xcviii. 5. P\\\\. ii. 10.

*'* Our intention is tiot (says the admirable Bos-
suet) so much to honor tlie Image, as to honpr
the Apostle or Martyr in presence of the Image.
** The honor we render to Images (says the Coun-
cil of Trent) has such ^ reference to those tliey
represent, that by means of those Images which
we kiss, and before which we kneel, we adore J^-
sus Christ, and honor the Saints, vvhose types they
are." This Council forbids us expressly "to be-
lieve any divinity in them, for which they ought
to be reverenced ; to demand any favor of them
or put any trust in them.*' To all this it may be
added, that the use of Images is no duty of posi-
tive obligation. The Council of Trent merely
says the practice is good and beneficial. If it be
asked how this practice is good and beneficial, we
answer, that it is most admirably calculated to an-
imate and enliven the pious affections. In every
Catholic familv are seen the Crucifix^ and nictures
of ihe Blessed Virgin and of the Saints. We

w L

-<■«-■

kneel in prayer before the Image of our cruciffed
Saviour, that our minds, impressed with the awful
ideas of his Passion and Death, may be extited to
fellow the precepts and example of the great Cap-
tain of our Salvation, and learn that ** we have Re-
demption through his blood.**

Hence may be inferred the utility of Images,
and the honor and respect which are paid to them
by all the members of the Catholic Church.

With regard to Relics, besides the motives to
their retention and respect in common with Ima-
ges ; there are particular reasons which urge the
Catholic Church to enjoin the veneration of RelicwS,
1. They have been the victims and living temples
of God. 2. They are pre-ordained to a happy
Resurrection. B, They have been and are daily
the Instruments of the power of God, for the work-
ing of innumerable miracles. 4. They serve to
encourage the Faithful to an imitation of their
virtues.

"Nothing is more evident (says the learned
Bishop Challoner,) from all kinds of monuments
of antiquity, than that the veneration of the Relics
of the Saints, is one of the most ancient things of
Christianity ; as may be seen in the writings of
the Holy Fathers, particularly St. Basil, St. Greg-
ory Nyssen, St. Gregory Nazianzen, St. Cyril,
St. John Chrysostom, St. Ambrose, St. Jerome,
St. Austin and Theodoret." See 2 Kings xiii. 21.
Matt. ix. 20. 21. Acts xix. 11. 12.

It is here incumbent upon me to observe, once
for all, that on this, as well as on every other point
in the controversy, I quote only the real doctrine of
the Catholic Church. It is to be regretted that in
practice many have departed from her precepts ;
and as some have fallen short of her injunctions,
so others have carried them to excess. Among

other indiscretions, the use of Images and Relics
may sometimes have been perverted to purposes
of improper devotion, But tlie best things are h-
able to abuse, Of this truth, the Bible itself is a
melancholy example.

The next Article relates to Indulgences, which
are intimately connected with Penance, and in
like manner have been sadly misunderstood and
thoughtlessly censured.

«• By an Indulgence (says Bishop Ghalloner) we
mean no more than the releasing of true Penitents
from the debt of temporal punishment, which re-
mained due to their sins, after the sins themselves,
as to the guilt and eternal punishment, had been
already remitted by the Sacrament of Penance, by
a perfect contrition."

"The power to grant Indulgences (says the
Council of Trent) has been given to the Church
by Jesus Christ, and the use of them is beneficial
to Salvation." But the Council adds that " This
power ought to be retained, yet nevertheless used
with a moderation, lest Ecclesiastical discipline
should be weakened by an over-great facility."

«» When therefore (says the great Bossuet) the
Church imposes upon Sinners painful and labori-
ous works, and they undergo them with humility,
this is called Satisfaction ; and when, regarding
the fervor of Penitents, or some other good works
which she has prescribed them, she relaxes some
part of that pain which is due to them, this is cal-
led Indulgence"

That a debt of temporal punishment may re-
main after the guilt of it is removed, we may learn
from the royal Psalmist. It appears from the
Book of Samuel, that though Nathan assures Da-
vid that the Lord had put away his Sin, yet He
Ar^nr^.tnryaA orcctincf Wivn maTiv tpmnnral afnictlonSt

frJ^l^^HT'^^ ^'■'^"^'"^ Indulgences i^ eviaoiifc
ii^rn Matt/ XVI 18. iy.<a„d the use of this pow.
er from S Cor. li, 6. 7. 9. 10. p w

The next Article relates to the identity of the
Church, aiid IS the most important ol' all, because
It IS the foundationv as well as the guarantee of
overy other Article of the Catholic he\iet\ U she
be a false Church, it matters little what doctrines
• She teaches; for where there is no Authority,
there can be no Obedience. But if; on the con!
traiy, fU momehtous question !) she be the true,
and o«/^ «rwe Church, of Christ, her voice fs con-
sequently the voice of God. " He tliat hath ears
to hear, let him hear.*'

.1 J"^ ^ftholic, Apostolic and Roman Church

ifT r ^^f'^, ^^'''''^'' ^"d c^a^'^s it exclusively.
It therefore^behoves All who seek Salvation, to
examine with all possible care and industry these
liigh pretensibnsr. ; Compared with the importance
ot this duty, all other avocations ai^ triflincr, and
tneir objects vain. ^

^ The titles by which the triie Church of Christ
IS to^be re^bgntxed, have already been noticed.—
itiJoWontylr^mainstotest by these criteria the

^She is O/ze— She is Holj/.^She is Univers, l^
ohe IS Apostolical

She is'Ow^.—Her Members agree in ow(? Faith-
are all m owe Communion—and are all imdev one
-wead. A Catholic of Rome subscribes the ?iame
Creed as a Catholic of Pekin. A Catholic of Vi-
•enna partakes the same Sacraments as a Catholic
ot Aleppo A Catholic of Paris acknowledges the
same Clnef as a-Catholic of Baltimore. She is the
same Society in the present century as she was in

the very first, fiver onCf anfl imdiangeable iti
FaitU and Doctrine.

She is /:^o/y.— Her doctrines are derived from
Christ and his Apostles. Her Sacraments have
no tendency but to purify tlie lives of men. The
holiness of her Saints has l)een the admiration of
tlie world.

She is Unix)crsttl — This fact needs no special
proof, as it has never bfeen ^bntest?ed. Adorned
with this feattne, the Church assumes the title of
Catholic : which is tacitly at least, acknowledged
legitimate by Separatists of every' denomination,
ll^r Missionaries have carried the Cross of Christy
to every part of the habitable globe '; and have
prddaimed the glad tidings of the*C jspel from the
Equator to the Poles— ^among tlio Snows of Sibe-
ria and the burning Sands of Abbyssmia.

She is ^^^^Mcflf/.— That this Church is the
most ancient of all Churches, wHl not be quesi^
tioned by ainy who have coififidence in History.
The succession of the Bishops of Rome may be
traced, step by stej), without the smallest inter-
ruption, from the present Pope to St. '*eter^
that zealous Apostle whom our Lt)rd commission-
ed to be the Chief of \ih infant Church, in the
ever memorable words recorded by St. Matthew
xvi. 18.

Many and oft have been ber struggle* with the
powers of darkness in tb' shape of Schisms and
Heresies, which have disturbed her tranquillity.
But she has risen from the combat with victory in
her hand. Of these, eveiy age has been nnhap-
Jpily fruitful. Latterly, the secession of half Eu-
rope from her communion menaced her downfall —
which the events of the French Revolution were
supposed to leave no longer doUbtful. What con-
iident predictions were hazarded of ber utter des-

tiHiction ! What declamatory threats of a speedy
extinction of the ** Man of Sin !" Finally, when
the French toofw Rome and imprisoned the Vicar
of Jesus Clirist, Epitaphs were written for depar-
ted Popery. But depression was not Ruin. God
has tried his Church witl> Adversity, and is now
raising her to new splendor. We have seeti Greek
and Protestant unite tp re-instate the fallen Pon-
tiff in his sovereignty, and to decorate with anoth-
er wreath of glory the Chair of St. Peter.

She is Apostolical, in the Scripturality, Unifor-
mity and Invariability pf her Doctrines. Precise-
ly those which she teaches at the present day are
co-eval with Christianity itself. As a proof, a
triumphant proof of this, allusion is made to them
in the writings of the earliest Fathers of the
Chureh — those holy Men, for whom our Protes-
tant Brethren profess to feel (and I believe sin-
cerely) the highest veneration :— -nor has any in-
vestigation been able satisfactorily to fix a later
date to a single Article of Cr^tholic Faith, Infi-
nite are the attempts which have been made in
nocturnal researches amopg the musty and man-
gled records of the middle ages, to controvert this
position, but in vain. Much of the clamor wjiich
has been excited against the Catholic Church on
this subject has arisen from an egregious mistake.
Articles of F^'th have been confounded with those
o^ Discipline, Over the latter, the Church has
the most absolute control ; over the former, none
at all. Her Discipline has varied in different ages ;
but h r Faith is immutable.

Among the liberal of our Protestant Brethren,

the Fathers of the Church have always obtained

credit and esteem. Let us hear their report on

this important subject.

. 5r. IftEiNCEUs, who lived in the second century,

of 9. speedy
nally, when
I the Vicar

for depar-
luin. God
and is now
seen Greek
fallen Pon-
with anoth-
er.

ity, Unifor-
}, Precise-
»nt day are

a proof, a
ide to iherr\
lers of the
our Protes-
believe sin-
has any in-
) fix a later
'aith. Ipfi-
n made in
y and nian-
itrovert this
imur wjiich

Church on
js mistake.
I with those
I!hurch has
>rmer, none
ferent ages :

t Brethren,
ys obtained
ir report on

id century,

says ** The Founders of the Church delivered thd
Episcopacy and government of the Church to
Linus : who was succeeded by Anacletus, Cle*
nient, Evaristus*' — enumerating the others in suc-
cession down to the Chief who then ruled the
Church, and concluding with these words, " This
is a most full demonstration that the same lively
Faith, taught by the Apostles, is still even unto
this day, preserved in the Church and duly deliv-
ered." Tertullian, one of the earliest of the
Fathers, speaks thus, " Wliat I believe, I received
from tlie present Church, and the present from
the primitive : the primitive fiom the Apostles :
the Apostles from Christ." St. Cyprian, who liv-
ed in the third century, says " We know Corneli-
us the Bishop of Rome to have been elected by
Almighty God, and Christ our Lord, the Bishop
of the most holy Catholic Church : neither are we
ignorant, that there ought to be one God, one
Christ our Lord, one Holy Ghost, and one Bishop
in the Catholic Church." Lanctantius, who lived
in the fourth century, says " It is she alone, which,
as the ancient Fathers write, retains the true wor-
ship. She is the fountain of truth and the tem-
ple of God, into which whosoever shall not enter,
or out of which which whosoever shall depart, can
have no hope of everlasting life and Salvation."

In fact we should never cease if we continued
these quotations. The Unity and Indivisibility of
the Church, of which the Bishop of Rome is the
sovereign Pontiff, are their favorite and endless
topics.

We may also be permitted to adduce as one of
the most signal and decisive test of the true
Church, that she has the gifl of Miracles, Here
the Catholic Church shines with transcendent lus-
tre. Not a sect which has had the misfortune to

secede from her communion, has ever nretendea
to this distinction. It follows irresistibly, thivt if
the Catholic Churcii has ever, in the most solitary
instance, been the instrument of a single Miracle,
the triumph is all her own. -

To controvert this stubborn pretension of the
Catholic Church, her adversaries boldly aver, that
Miracles once necessary, are no longer so, and
have therefore ceased. In what book or record,
or by what sentence and authority Miracles arc
declared to have ceased. Catholics have yet to
learn. If this assumption find any support in Ho-
ly Writ, let the specific texts be cited.

This appeal, however, to Scripture in a question
of Miracles, is altogetiier idle and superfluous.
A Miracle, so far from meeting any extriiisic evi-
dence to support it, is inteuded by its nature to
give evidence and support to other truths. The
doctrines of Scripture itself are founded upon Mir-
acles : and had not the Miracles been performed,
the- doctrines which they were destined to sanc-
tion, had never been proclaimed nor believed.

No hypothesis, however ingenious, can be ra^
tionally opposed to a matter of fact. Has then a
Miracle ever been performed in the Catholic
Church ? Let faithful history answer, whose re-
fcords are full of the most exact details of miracu-
lous power exercised iji this Church, that the most
sceptical enquirer can desire. To cite merely a
catalogue of preservations and cures, together with
other immediate interpositions of Divine agency,
wrought through the instrumentality of living and
departed Saints of this Church, would fill yol-

umes. j./Yi 1

From this immense mass of matter, it is difficult
to select any particular examples for citation, when
the whole 'seems so equally adapted to the pur-

iretendeu
ly, tljivt if
St Rolitarj'
I Jtdiracie,

on of the
aver, that
If so, and
dT record,
racles arc
;e yet to
>rt in Ho-

1 question
perfluous.
riiisic evi-
nature to
;hs. The
jpon Mir-
erforraed,
d to sanc-
ieved.
2an be ra^
[as then a

Catholic
whose re-
jf miracu-
t the most

merely a
ether with

2 agency,
living and
1 fill yol-

is difficult

ion, when

the pur-

t)09e. It is sufficient on this occasion to observe
that the Miracles of St. Austin, the Missionary to
whom Eng'and owes her Conversion from the dark-
ness of Paganism to the light of the Gospel — and
those of St. Francis Xavier, the Apostle of the In-
dies, have been acknowledged by the most judi-
cious and impartial Protestant Writers.

Let it be understood however, that this power
is not one which the Church can exercise at her
option. It is only imparted occasionally, and ne-
ver but for some signal purpose.

The preceding Positions established, no argu-
ment is necessary to prove that the Catholic Church
is infallible. Her infallibiHty is a direct and in-
disputable deduction from the Premises.

After recording the vei-dict of Reason, calio,
collected and dispassionate, in favor of the C$tho-
lic Church— let us see with what splended suffrage
Scripture ratifies this decision.

The Church of Christ is everlasting, Ps. xlviii.
8.-lxxi. <5. y.-lxxxviii. 3. 4. 29. tJG. 37.-cxxxi. 13.
14. Is. ix. 7.-liv. 9. lO.-lix. 20. 21.-lx. 15. 18.-
Ixii. 6. Jer. xxxi. 35. SO.-xxxiv. 17. Ezec.
xxxviii. 24. 26. Dan. ii. 44. Matt. xvi. 18.-
xxviii. 10. John xiv. 16. I7.— The Church is the
Kingdom of Christ, Dan. ii. 44. Luke i. 33. —
The City of the Great King, Ps. xlvii. 2. His
rest and his habitation forever, Ps. cxxxi. 13. 14.
The House of the living God, 1 Tim. iii. 15. The
fold of which Christ is the Shepherd, John x. 16.
The body of which Christ is the head, Eph. v. 23-
Cok i. 18. The spouse of which He is the Bride-
groom, Eph. V. 31. 32. Ever subject to Him and
ever faithful to Him-24. Ever loved and cher-
ished by Him, 25. 29. And joined to him by an
Indissoluble union, 31. 32. The Church is the
piiiar and ground of the truth, X Tim. iii. 35. —

God's Cdvenant mih her is an everlasting /!oV6-
nant of Peace, Ezec. xxxvii. 6^. Confirmed by a
solemn oath, never to be altered, like that made to
Noah, Is. liv. 9. A covenant like that of the day
and night to stand to all generations, Jer. xxxiii.
20. 21. God shall be her everlasting light, Is. Ix.
18. 19. Whosoever shall gather together against
her shall fall ; and the nation that will not serve
her shall perish. Is. Ix. 12. 15. 17. The Church
is al'rvays one, Cant. vi. 9. 10. John x. 16. Eph.
iv. 4. 5. Always visible. Is. ii. 2. 3. Mic. iv. 1. 2.
Matt. V. 14. Spread far and near, and teaching
many nations, Ps. ii. 8,-xxi. 27. Is. xlix. G.-Hv.
1. 2. 3. Dan. ii. 35. U. Mai. i. 1 1.

The last Article relates to the Sacred Canons of
the Church, and her General Councils, All these
are identified with the Church herself; and as she
is infallible in matters of Faith, so whatever eman-
ates from her Councils, must necessarily bear the
impression of her Infallibility.

Such are the principles upon which the Catho-
lic Church urges her claim to the proud pre-em-
inence of being that true Ckurch, predicted by the
Prophets of Israel, and in due time founded by
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and against
which *' the Gates of Hell shall never prevail."

Now, let me ask whether these tests be not sa-
tisfactoiy and decisive ? And whether there be
another Religious Society in the whole world,
which in support of the same pretensions can ad-
duce the same proofs, or any other of equal validi-
ty ? No surely. Can we then doubt for a mo«
ment that she is the true Churchy the Church with-
out spot or wrinkle, the pillar and ground of truth,
the cliaste virgin and beloved spouse of Jesus

rhn*st :

** A ZEAL without Knowledge" has constantly

ing /!oV6-
med by a
t made to
)f the day
er. xxxiii.
;ht, Is. Ix.
er against
not serve
le Church
l(j. Eph.
c. iv. 1 . 2.
teaching
ix. G.-liv,

Canons of
All these
md as she
^er eman-
r bear 'the

he Catho-
I pre-em*
led by the
jnded by
d against
-evail."
be not sa-

there be
le world,
IS can ad-
ual validi-
for a mo«
irch with-
I of truth,

of Jesus

constantly

nourished a mortal antipathy to the Pope ox Bish-
op of Rome, who has long been an eye sore to our
Protestant Brethren, who think he is worshipped
as a God !

The Papacy is indeed an office of great trust
and dignity. And the same Divine Authority
which created, his elevation in the person of St.
Peter, still maintains him in his rank, as a regular
Descendant from the Prince of the Apostles, in
the line of Ecclesiastical succession. Why our
Lord and Saviour required such a Chief for the
government of his Church, and why he chose that
he should be invested with so much external gran-
deur, we are not to enquire, but refer it to His
Almighty and Sovei^ign Will. This eminent per^
sonage has been very much calumniated, and bulky
tomes have been written to perpetuate the real or
supposed vices and intrigues of the Popes. But
true History tells another tale ; and we may safe-
ly challenge all Nations to exhibit a succession of
Sovereigns more pious, virtuous, wise and learned,
than those who now for eighteen Centuries have
filled the See of Rome.

So much for the Catholic Profession of Faith..^^
We now proceed to notice sonie miscellaneous ob-
jections, which relate not to matters of Faith, but
merely to those o^ DiccipUne.

The Sign of' the Cross, so universal among Cath*
olics, is censured as superstitious. But a thou-
sand testimonies prove it to be as ancient as Chris-
tianity. ** At every step, (says Turtullian) at eve*
ry coming in and going out, when we put on onr
clothes or shoes, when we wash, when we sit dowa
to table, when we light a candle, when we go to
bed — whatsoever conversation employs us, we im-
print on our foreheads the Sign of the Cross,

The Catholic Church has been accused of a

•»

splendor and magnificence in her general a^con,
omy and public worship, inconsistent with the
simphcity of the Gospel. "God (it is said) is a
^mt, and they who worship Him, must worship
Him m spirit and in truth." ,

It is not sufficiently considered that God was
not less a Spirit in ancient times than He is now.
And yet He not only approved, but instituted for
His chosen people a form of worship, the most
splendid and magnificent that the world had ever
seen. That the worship of the Apostles and pri^
mitive Christians was simple and unadorned, is
freely granted. But this (as Soame Jenyns acute-
Jy remarks, in answer to the same objection res,
pectmg the service of the Church of England)
was perhaps rather their misfortune than their
cboace. During the first Persecutions they had no
pubhc worship at all Their ceremonies were per-
formed, and the bread of life was broken to them
in private^m the dark recesses of caves and grot,
toes; and wherever else they could escape the in,
spection and interference of the civil power.
_ " The malignant influence of Calvinism Csaya
Dr. Johnson) has blasted ceremony and decency
together." .,, ■ *^

It is objected as an unedifying practice that the
public service of the Church is performed in LaU
tn; a language unknown to the people at laiL^e.
even in Catholic countries.

This objection is easily answered. A Umver.
sal Church requires a Universal Language. It re-
quires also a language fixed and permanent in its
construction, not varying and fluctuating, and em-
barrassed with different idioms and Provincialities.
1 he Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is daily pffered in ev-

!JIP^f!^_^^/^^^^"^^" ^T*^' Missions expose Ec.
c*e«astiv3 to frequent and remote changes of plac^.

Were tb« public Service of the Church performedi
in the vernacular language of each nation, a for?
eign Missionary would be a stranger in every coun,
try but his own, ^nd would be unequal to the du,
ty imposed on him. But thp Mass and Vespers
being in Latins an ancient and stable language, »
Priest of the Catholic Church is at home in every
quarter of the globe. In the infancy of Christi-
4nity, the language of the Church and of the Peor
pie was tlie same. Jlome was, as it still is, the
seat of the chief Bishop ; and Latin was the Ian*
guage of Rome, This tongue was vitiated by the
incorporation of barbarous dialects introduced into
Italy by invasion and conquest. So that it is not
Uie Church which has adopted a foreign language,
but^^he People, The Church continued, preserve
ed and consecrated the Ancient vernacular tongue.
Besides, those who assist at the S?icrifice qf the
Mass, have nothing to do with what is called the
Ordinary of the Mass, which is entirely said by
the o^ciating Priest. This is not a pMbiic Litur*
gy. Every one of the congregation respects his
own private prayers; which adds much to th^
beauty and solemnity of the Catholic worship.

This objection, whatever it be worth, is not exr
elusive. The Greeks, Armenians, and Oriental
Churches in general, celebrate their divine service
in a language not familiar to the commonv.people,

A CoNVENTiAL LiFE — has been taxed as nour-
ishing superstition — hostile to the best interest of
Society— rand destructive of population.

In answer to these allegations, in the first place,
let us never forget, that in a question of Salva^
tion, no human interests should come in competir
tion with this most important of all concerns.-r-
" Unum est necessarium" savs our Lord and Sa,
viour— "One thing is needful."— And he is but a

tepid Christian who can suffer this great dutv to be
arrested by any considerations of minor moment*
In the next place, we urge that it is a state of
life as ancient as Christianity^ and is sanctioned
by the counsels and practice of the pious of every
age. Let us hear the report of Eusebius, who
lived at the time of the first General Council.

"There have been instituted in the Church of
Christ (says he) two ways or manners of living. —
The one raised above the ordinary state of nature,
and common ways of living : reiects wedlock, pos-
sessions and worldly goods, and being wholly se-
parated and removed from the ordinary conversa-
tion of common life, is appropriated and devoted
solely to the worship and service of God, through
an exceeding degree of heavenly love. They who
are of this order of people, seem dead to the life
of this world ; and having their bodies only upon
earth, are in their minds and contemplations dwel-
ling in heaven. From whence, like many heavenly
inhabitants, they look down upon human life, ma-
king intercessions and oblations to Almighty God
for the whole race of mankind. And this is not
with the blood of beasts, or the fat and smoke and
burning of bodies ; but with the highest exercises
oftrue piety, with cleansed and purified hearts,
and with a whole form of life strictly devoted to
virtue. These are their sacrifices, which they are
continually offering unto God, implore his mercy
and favor for themselves and their fellow creatures.-
Christianity receives this as the most perfect man^
ner of life." — The other is a secular life.

The Religious Orders take three vows — the
first, of Poverty'y the second, of Chastity ; the
third, of Obedience — all which find sufficient sanc-
tion in Scnpture : See Matt. xix. 12^ 21. &c.

That Monastic JfciStablishments atlect the popu-

:lutv to be

momenU
a state of
auctioned
3 of every
>ius, who
jncil.
:hurch of
living. —
af nature,
lock, pos-
vholly se-
conversa-
devoted
, through
fhey who
o the ]if«
»nly upon
ons dwel-
heavenly
life, ma-
^hty God
his is not
noke and
exercises
i hearts,
3voted to
they are
lis mercy
:reatures*-
ect man-r

)ws— the
tity ; the
?nt sanc-
&c.
he popu-

latioii of a country has been denied and disproved
by many Protestant writer^^particularly by Da*
vid Hume,

The Celibacy or single life of the Regular and
Secular Clergy of the Catholic Church, our Pro*
testant Brethren hold to be obnoxious to equal
censure.

In answer to this we observe, that the duties
imposed on the Catholic Clergy are far more mul-
tifarious and weighty, than on any other order of
men perhaps in the world. If they be faithful to
their vocation, their whole time is absorbed in the
discharge of these obligations. Mass must be said
every morning — the sick must be visited — the
Sacraments must be adminiatered-^the Dead must
be interred — Confession; a never-ending duty,
levies a heavy tax of occupation. Add to all this,
that they are bound to recite their Breviary at the
Canonical hours, occurring seven times a day,^^
They are exposed also to be sent as Missionaries
to the ends of the earth. Let the candid judge,
whether married men be competent to the dis-
charge of these various and momentous duties.
" " He that hath a Wife or Children (says Lord
Bacon) hath given hostages to fortune ; for they
are impediments to great enterprizes" — and else-
where — " A single life doth well with Churchmen;
for Charity will hardly water the ground, when it
must fill a pool."

Thus sanctioned by Reason, Religious Celibacy
has also the support of Scripture. Continency
proved possible, Matt. xix. 11. 1^. The vow
binding, Deut. xxiii. 21. The breach of the vow
damnable, 1 Tim. v. 12. The practice commend-
ed, 1. Cor, vii. 7. 8. 27. 37. 38. 40. For reasons
which oarticularlv affect the Clprorv. f\9. R^. R^

The Catholic Church is tajted with uncharita^

hkness in her opinions, and with cfuel^ in hef
conduct? d^ouncing as Heretics, All who. are
not oif her communion — and consigning them if in
her power, to tortures and death I It is true in*
deed that Catholics believe, and that upon Divine
Authority, that out 6J the Church there is no mlm*
Horn

Bt)t what is it, to be out of the Churcb—that
Cnly ark of salvation ? They who are not imme-
diately in her communhrti are not therefore, by a
necessary consequence^ out tyf ike CJmrch. Hear
the great St. Austin of Hippo—" They that de*
fend their sentence (though false and perverse)
With no stubborn stomach or obstinate heart ; es-
pecially if it be such as themsetvea broached not,
but received of their deceived parents 3 and do
seek the tluth warily and carefully s beiiig ready
to be reformed if they find it : Such are not to be
reputed Heretics J*

- « Not every one (says the Annotators to the
Rheims Testament) that erreth in Religion is a
Hereik, But he only that after the Church's de*
termination, wilfully and stubbornly standeth in
his fklsc opinion, not yielding to decrees of Coun-
cils, or the Chief Pastor of the Catholic Church/*
AoREEABLY to this doctrinc The Church excepts
from this denunciation, all Children who have re-
ceived Christian Baptism-^which alone, obviating
the effects of Original Sin, qualifies them with a
title to inherit the promises. She excepts also, all
who are in a state of invincible ignorance* — " Be-
cause (says the learned BellJu-min) wlierever there
is ifwincike ignorance^ united with a sincerity and
love of troth*— in mrtve of the dispositbiis of their
hearts, the Persons so circumstanced belong^to the
true church" Tki^ai two classes comprehend a
j^ooigious numOci' 01 Souis, who thuugh in a jslate

i^ in lief
who are
.hendifid
is true in*
m Divine
no mlva*

•cb— that
ot imme-^
bre, by a
h. Hear
^ that de*
perverse)
eart ; es-
jhed not,
; and do
tig ready
not to be

s to thei
gion is a
rch'iS de*
ndeth in
of Goun-
>hurch/*
I excepts
have re-
Aviating'
tk with a
also, all
r— "Be-
^ei* there
rity and

I of their
igtothe
Bhend a

II a £late

f*rj"

•f exterior, separation from the visible Church, ata
nevertheless, inwardly united to her by charity.

Fob. purposes inscrutable to tiie human intellect^,
God has seen fit to keep in a condition of uncath*
olicity, many pious and virtuous aawefl as learned
Persons of various^ Sects, /their prejudices are
those of birth and education, and not of the heart*

The pretended persecuting spirit of the Cathou
he Churdi is exhibited«n vast relief in the muddy
details of Fox and other zealots : but it is difllcult
to substantiate their charges by any documents of
authentic History.

^ On the contrary, we assert that the Catholic
ehurcb is of a^ tolerant character. " During the
space of eight hundred years (says W. E. Andrews^
the sagacious Editor of the Londoti Orthodox
Journal,) in which the Catholic Church reigned
uncontrolled; and her Winisters were invested
with tlie plenitude of power^ not a drop of blood
was shed in support of her spiritual rights, nor a;
temporal law passed to punish those who dogma*
tised her doctrines."

A^TER all Ihesef deductiotl* hov^ev^r, that the
Representatives of the Catholic Church have in
many instances abused the power con^ded to them,
is nevertheless acknowledged and lamented.-^
" Wherever there ai^e men (says Seneca) there are
f^lts.*'.-— The Church, though divinely commis-
sioned, is a /<Mwia« aW^/^— and human Societies
are necessarily imperfect, because Man is imper-
fect. The Protestant Sects, with no commission
whatever, have almost all persecuted in their turn*
Rousseau, a Protestant^ declares that " f he Refer,
mation was intolerant from its cradle, and its au*
tbors universally persecutors." It is acfaiowledg.
ed l^ another Protestant writer, that in the sinde

iM«««M^, liMO A%iCi^|aiCK>,

burnt down no less than nine htmdred towns and
villages,, and murdered three hundred and seventy-
eight Priests and Religiovis persons, in the course
otone rebellion. The total number of Churches
in France which they burnt, was computed to be
no less than twenty thousand. The history of the
Reformation in England, though less sanguinary
than on the Continent, has caused many a Con-
version to the Catholic Faith.

But it is high time that all these complaints and
reflections were hushed forever. The wrong was
reciprocal. We are none of us answerable for tlie
misdeeds of our ance^.ors. God is love. '1 he
Religion of Christ is a Religion of love. Instead
then of bri^ndishing the lirebrands of religious con-
tention, and reproaching each other for the crimes
of our forefathers — crimes the offspring of a bar-
barous age— -and which in this we all equally la-
ment ; let us learn to love one another — to live
by faith and not by sight— and to pray and labor
for our mutual Salvation.

" Non est Religionid ReKgionem cogere." ,

Another slander imputes great corruption of
manners to Catholics, aud boldly asserts that they
substitute devotion for morality-^thinking that a
few pater-nosters and ave-marias mumbled over,
are sufficient to atone for the most enormous of-
fences ; and that Catholic Priests are loose and
yinprfncipled. In answer to this charge, we boldly
insist, that if there be any thing in which the Ca-
tholic church is pre-eminent, it is in the rigid mO'
rality of her doctrine. What she preaches, she
fails not to practise. Her Clergy are in general
pious, just, and temperate; and her Laity are as
virtuous at least, it is presumed, as the membeiie
#1 other communioiis*

owns and
id seventy-
the course
Churches
ted to be
)ry of the
ariguinary
ny a Con-

laints and
vrong was
lie for tlie
ve. The
Instead
i^ious con-
he crimes
of a bar-
]ualiy la-
'— to live
md labor

uption of
that they
ng that a
)led over,
rmous of^
loose and
we boldlj
h the Ca-
rigid mO'
ches, she
n general
ity are as
membeiw

It is true that a few of the Catholic Clergy*
(and 9tiU more Laymen) do not live up to their
profession. Some Ecclesiastics are proud, others
anjbitious— sQoie dissipated, others covetous, and
caring (as Massillon expresses it) more for thQ
Jleece than tlie Jhck, This is raatjter for regret,
but not for surprise. Did not our bjessed Lord
complain that one of his chosen twelve pisciple^
was a DeviU If in the very infapcy of the,
Church, under the immediate inspection of our
Saviour himself, and anjong his own apostles, there
could lurk treason and murdev j wh^t wonder is i^
that in so considerable a body ^s the Catholic Cler«
^y, there should occur, sorpe examples of lamenta^
ble defection ? But for oar consolation, if there
be here and there a Judas in the C^hojic Church,
90 there are Peters and Pauls— men iliu^tripMS for
piety and virtue, whose every thought f^nrf deed
are a splendid commentary on that ^09pe} whiclv
they are 9ent to proclaim. Look at the inniime?
rable band of Martyrs who have bled for the
Faith ! Look at the numerous Miasionaries, whp
traversing sea and land, have penetrated to the
deepest caverns of savage retreat, to announce the
glad tidings of a crupified Saviour ! Look at the
various Cpnvents all over Christendom ; which,
however calunjniated, exhibit the most sublime
virtues, and where the severity of the evangelical
law is pure and unmitigated ! There, thousands
of holy men consecrate thpir diys and nights to
Pevotion • There, thousand^ of faithful Virgins,
with their lamps trimmed and burning, employ
every hour of their life in offering pr^^^'crs of in-
tercession for a wicked world !

Finally, the Clergy and Dignitaries of the Ca*
tholic Church have been traduced as foes to civil li^
fceitp^i as well as to light and knowledge-^particilff

iwmiiM

7tf

hdy Awpteyedtn keeping the cmrimon people i« ig.
noratice, and in witWiolding fjem them the BM»
fit Salvation.

> WfiRE t^iese tfeniendoa* charges founded in
tiuih, -they would lon^r ago have awihilated th^
w^teosiofls, if not the vef y existence, of the €a.
itmic 0)urch.— But they are false.

All ^^he Rtpiblics m Europe havu been reared
*nd fostered i« the bosom of^the Catholic Churdh.
Magm Umia, the Wlwat k of Brkish fr^dora,
J^as the enterprise of ^atbolics. The House of
Commons, that sole democratic branch of t4^i€ Con-
Sntuti^, had the same origin. In the language
0* an Insh orator— "It ^as in tbe bosom of tbe
Catholic Church that our free Constitution feeeiv-
?d Its l^uth. Catholics rooked its cradle. Catho-
lics watched its infancy, cherished its ehiiahood,
and matured its youth.** Literary works witbout
number have been written by authors o* ilxis com-
munion, i« support of the rights and liberties of
inankina. Among others, we may instance the il-
lustrious Sir Thomas More, who wiote the lHo-
m, or the scheme of a perfect Commooweakh s
ki whidh (says David Williams, a Deist) ** are
inorereal p inciples, real truths, md real facts,
than m all the systems of government, the codes
,TJ,* ^"^ *^^ commentaries on laws in tlm whole
V t'^ This great man was so zealous a Catho.
•Ac, that be was put to death by Henry the eighth ;
becauge he would not renounce his allegiance to
the Soyer ign Fontiff, and recognize the suprema-
cyorthissanguinarj Tyrant in the Church.

Protestant writers of the lii^est reputation,
have been zealous to eulogize the Catholics, as
iovera of Freedom. None h|iv^ executed this in-
tention ^nore successfully than that wOhder of our
M^» And r»rt<4«» rvf TitolA¥>iJ tu,i,,v.,^„ ...u,. j__l

?opIe m ig.
I the Biblft

>unddl if\
wiated th€
)f theCa-

eeii re»red
e Churdh.
\ freedom.
House of
r the Con-
I knguagQ
lom ot' th«
(Ml feeeiv-
. Catho-
*hHdhood,
:« without
41^8 "Com-
^berties of
lee the li-
the Uio-
mweshh :
-Jst) ** are
eal facts,
the eodes
the whole
a Catho-
e eighth ;
giance to
sii|)rejna-
ch.

•piitatioti,
holies, as
d this in-
ier of ouf

Gaehdicity gplenAjJ jMsMoe, and that in « strain of
eloquence, unparaiieied perhaps in «ny ianguaf?e.

4yOo« at the Missions of Paiaguay. The Cath-
die -Church had prcgected the converf?ion of the
Aborigines o^* tbi^ extensive region to the Ohf is-
tiai- Faith. A few Jesuit^ undertook tik cciga»ti«
and ha»ardous enterprise. With a Cruahx in
their hand and a chaplet ^t their girdle, they ^^ac-
€d danger and death amid tlie pathless wilds of
Soubh America. They chewed the leaf of ll)«
forest for food, and slaked tlieir thirst with tlve
ram from heaven. Their lodging was among the
branches of trees— and tlieif si lumbers were hourly
interrupted by the roaring of lions, tygers and
panthers, and the hissing of serpants. Nothing,
however coi|ld appal these brov^ and indefatigable
men. yhe hostility of the Savages made up the
measure of their sutferings. But their zeal, pa-
tience, and trust in God, triumphed over every
obstacle j and conciliating tl>e barbarians l>y de-
grees, they founded a Colony—anil such a colony
^s the world never yet saw. We say nothing of
tt as a rdigious^ but merely as a political establish*
flient, though in either yiew it excites equal won-
der and ments equal praiset. The republir of Ha-
te was no longer a dri im. In 'Paraguay /asre-
dlized a society the ha| inest, and a legislation the
most perfect, that Hfstory had yet presented t«^
human admiration. Let those who stigmatize tl^e
Catholic Church in general, and tlie Jesuits in par-
tic'ar, as enemies to civil libtrty and the rights o£
man, read the Relation of' the Missi. ns of Para-
|^ttay,'and thank ^God for the preservaaon of the
one and the restoration of ihi^ other {

It is equally false that the Catholic Clergy are
^nemies to light and knowledge. They wlio love
f© cowtittst the learning of the iHieieirt i*ag^ns witih

7»

that of modern Christians, will do well <o remem-
ber, that not a single line of any Greek or Roman
writer would have reached our times and inspec-
tion, had it not been for the care and vigilance qf
the Catholic Clergy. During and after the rava-
ges of the Goths, Vandals and northern barbari-
ans in the South of Europe, who laid all waste ;
Literature found an asylum in the Convents of
the Catholic Church — and if she has since come
forth with her treasures to delight and edify ihe
world, let those who afforded her so signal a pro-
tection, have their meed of praise.

Yet this is but a small part of the claim of Ca-
tholics. The revival of letters was the work of
Leo tenth— .not merely a Cathqlic, but a Papal
power— and Voltaire boasts that the Catholic
reign of Louis the fourteenth made a fourth sera
in literature ; and was more fertile in illustrious
men, than the other three— viz : those of Pericles,
Augustus, and Lqq tenth, though, so rppoyynied,
put together.

In every branch of sacred and prpfane learning
—in every art and in every science ; Catholics
have so greatly distinguished themselves, as tp
bear off the palm from every other society in the
universe. David Hume acknowledges that the
Catholics are the. most learned of all the Christian
denominations-r-and Lord Hutchinson, in a speech
in Parliament, says that " Catholicity has been the
belief of the most ej^tensive and enlightened na-
tions ; and of the most illustrious characters that
ever did honor to the name of man." Her two
Religious Orders of Jesuits and Benedictines alone
have done more for Letters, than all the learned
moen of the Reform united.

Scarcely a department of excellence can be
named which does not find a Catholic at the head

remein«
)r Roman
d inspec-
;ilance qf
the rava-

barbari*
ill waste ;
nvents of
nee come
edify the
lal a pro*

m of Ca-
) work of
t a Papal

Catholic
»urth aera
Uustrious

Pericles,
jpowned,

learning
Catholics
Js, as tp
ty in the
that the
[Christian
a speech
been the
ned na-
ters that
Her two
les alone

1 learned

can be
the head

df it. In such a galdxv of light and splendor, to
particularize any single star were a sort of pre-
sumption. Theology is udorned with the names
of all the Fathers of the Church from Tertullian
down to St. Thomas Aquinas and Bossuet. In
Philosophy, Descartes has divided the applause of
mankind with Newton. Mallebranche associates
with Locke in anatomizing the human intellect*
Tasso, Ariosto, Petrarch, Corneille, Dryden, Ka-
cine and Pope, have rivalled Homer and Virgil in
Song. Bourdalour and Massillon are names for
eloquence itself. In Music, Catholicity has pro*
duced Corelli, Geminiani and Arne. In Painting,
Raffaelle, Rubens, Michael Angello, Le Brun and
Poussin.

A Catholic first traversed the Atlantic ocean,
and the Indian seas. A Catholic first scaled the
heavens in an air balloon. In fine, most of the
inventionsi either of use or ornament, which have
appeared in modern time, owe their existence to
the knowledge and enginuity of Catholics. Yet
Catholics are denounced as enemies to human im-
provement l-^Risum Teneatis amki ?

As the Regular and Secular Clergy of the Ca-
tholic Church have been illustrious for Learning
themselves, so have they generally been industrious
in diffusing useful knowledge among the people.

Almost all the Universities, Colleges and
Schools in Europe, that are not of recent institu-
tion, were founded by the zeal and charity of Ca-
tholics. These establishments are much more
numerous in Catholic than in Protestant countries
— and infinitely superior in their government and
regulation.

That the Catholic Church withholds the Scrip,
tures from the common people, is likewise false

and oaliimniniifi T^iio incr>it«Arl "XT^l,,,^^ k^^ i i<.

"Ml

ho€i> translated into all tl>€ knguages of the known
wwKK where tlie Catholic Faith ia professed. It
» true unU k was necessary^ tlm in the disuibu-
tioil of copies, mnong many where a spirit of cavil
iwAl contention was remly Ixy obli(jii€ interpretation
fo wros« the sense to their own tlestructioni the
Pastors of the Church, midcr so wei^^hty .. respon-
sihilily, harve shewn some reserve. Who can won-
der at t\m prndence, after what we have seen take
plade antong our Protestant Brethren, in whose
connnunion* an opposite line of conduct has muU
tipled opinions and divisions without end ?

itwiNu ihus anticipated and (we trust) obvia*
ted all current, and alnioj^t all possible, objections
to Catholic Faith and Discipline, we may conft*
dent[y affirm that this task is, nevertheless, alto-
gether gratuitous and snuerogatory. For if it bo
oiearly established, that the Csitholic Church is tlye
true Church of Christ J all discussions respecting
her tenets, is SuperHuous. Because if she be the
tru<5 Church, she is infallible, if infaUible, she
can impose ik) t^rtides oi^ cretlence, false or even
doiibtiul. The interenco is irresistible.

Let us never ceuse to insist, that the Catholic
Clmrcb unites every feature and qualification,
which Reason and Religion teach us to expect in
the true Church of Christ. Ofie in shape and
form— //o/y in cb.aracter — Cnmraal in extent^ —
MKl-Aposioikai in Faith and Doctrine, and in thtif
succession of her Pastors.

In all these traits (we repeat it) the Protestiknt
societies are evitiently {leficient. If then tiie Ca-
tholic Church be not the true Church of Christ,
tliere is and qan be ^ofie. Consequently,, they
who deny her authority, must take refuge iu De-
ism, and reject all Revcrtied Religion,

lie known
med. It
' distiibu-
t o( cavil
pretatiuii
;?tion, the
♦* rcspon-
cati won*
iecn take
in wiiose
has mul*
?

;t) obvia-i
bjectioiwf
ay conii*
ess, a}to-
1' if it bo
ck is the
jspecting.
le be the
ibU}, she
t or even

Catholic
iHcationi
xp€Gl in
Ape and
?xtent^ —
d in thd

otesti^nt
tiie Ca^
f Christ,
^y, they
Q ill De-

f tlieic

opinions, vet our Protestant Brethren insist, that
they have a standard of truth, and a rule of faith
to winch they appeal ou all occasions, and by

Ts the Sibl!"'"'''' '" ^' ^"'"'"'^ ^'""^^'^ This
of IWulb^'^' Chillingworth) is the Religion

On the contrary, Catholics maintain that the Bi.
ble. however inspired, is insufficient as a rule of
laiUi, and a giude to salvation.

Lkst this sentiment should be misunderstood, it
may be proper to state, that no people on the face
) the earth, entertam a more profound veneratioa
or the Ho y Scriptures, than the Clergy and Lai-
tyof the Catholic Church. The solemnity and
genuflexions which are exacted in reading them
at Mass, are edifymg to all strangers whS occa-
sionally assist at this Sacriflce. One side of the
High Altar is called the Gospel side, and the oth-
o{ hat o the Ep^slie Nor are they less respect,
ed by Catholics individually. They are read with
great devotion ; and by many upon their knees.

1 HE Bible (says ChiUmgworth) is the tteligion
ot Protestants." . & ^ *

What is the Bible ? The Bible it will be an-
swered, is the History of the most remarkable
Dispensations of God to Man. It records a series
ot the most astonishing events, analogous to no-
thing w iich we, of the present age. have ever seen
or heard— events in constant contradiction to th«
usual routine of things, and in perpetual violaUon
ot the common laws of nature.

irM '^'''i" \^'^ ^"'^ ^^^"^^^ ^ha^ evidence does th«
Bible aliord in proof of the amazing and miracu-
lous trfinsactions which it relates ?— None wiiattv-
er. No book can authenticate itself —It mtst
then be believed nnnn pTtPWini t^kof. •...««., a„j

what is this ? — Tradition, So true is it that every
thing in Religion is traditional.

In the next place, through what channel ? Did
the first Reformers witness the events narrated in
Holy Writ, or even see them recorded ? — Certain-
Jy not. From whom did they receive the Bible ?-
From the Catholic Church. Consequently then
she is the regular channel of Tradition, is the sole
legitimate depository of the Scriptures, and can
alone prove their authenticity — and explain their
meaning.

The Founders of Protestantism rejected the
unwritten Traditions of the Cliurch, on the pre-
text that they were fabricated and false. If the
Catholic Church could with impunity have exe-
cuted such imposition as these on the Christian
world, could she not likewise have invented the
Bible itself?

Should our Protestant Brethren object that the
Old Testament has been also transmitted through
the channel of the Synagogue ; we might reply,
that not a Christian in existence believes it upon
this testimony. And had the Catholic Church
rejected the Jewish Records as she did the Jewish
Worship, not a Protestant at this day would have
received them.

With regard to the New Testament, should
our Protestant Brethren cite the Greek and Eas-
tern churches — and alledge that it has been e-
qually transmitted through their channel ; w«
might rejoin that both Greeks and Orientals have
separated from Catholic unity— and like the Pro-
testants, owe their Bible to C atholic Tradition.

Luther himself acknowledges all this, and sayg
" We are obliged to yield many things to the Pa-
pists — that mth them is the Word of God, whick

;hat every

el? Did
arrated in
-Certain.
? Bible ?-
ntly then
s the sole
, and can
(lain their

icted the
1 the pre-
j. If the
have exe-
Christian
ented the

t that the
I through
jht reply,
IS it upon
: Church
le Jewish
)uld have

t, should
and £as-
been e-
lel ; we
tals have
the Pro-
lition.
and says
) the Pa-
d, whick

we received from them : otherwise we should have
known nothing at all about it. *

These facts being admitted, what guarantee
have our Protestant Brethren, that the CathoIi«
Church is not the sole inventor of Christianity, and
that she has not herself forged the Records which
proclaim its establishment ? — Certainly none what-
ever.

AGAiN-r^Suppose the Bible true^ — of what num-
ber of books and what precise books does it cortJ
sist ?— 14; is itself silent upon the subject. Twen-
ty books at least, it has been calculated, are lost.
Among them are that of tJie Wars of the Lord-^
See Numbers xxi. U^^that of Jehu the son of
Hanani, 2 Chron. xx, 34i.-^that of Nathan the Pro-
phet, 1 Chron. xxix. 29.r— that of the Prophecy of
Abijah, ^ Chron. ix. ^9,^that of tb- Vision of
Iddo the Seer, See ibid.— that of 3a'u.uel the Seer,
See 1 Chron. xxix. 29.-r--t!iai af Gad the Seer,
ibid.— that of Jasher.— The Fpistle of Paul to the
Laodiceans, See Col. iv. IG.— that of the Chroni-
cles of the Kings of Judah and Israel, and many
others—besides three thousand Proverbs by Solo-
mon, and fifteen hundred Canticles !

Now we ask, who knows what these lost books
contained ; and whether they might not have con-
tained something, the knowledge of which is ab-
solutely necessary to Salvation ? ^

Once more — Suppose this difficulty vanquished,
others arise not less obstinate and perplexing, and
the Protestant still holds 1ms faith by the most
precarious tenure.

*' The Bible (says Chillingworth) is the Religion
of Protestants."

But what Bible — that is, what copy, what edi-
tion ? The learned Dr. Mills computed that in
feis tim^, there were not less thaiji iUrttf thousand,

readings of the New Testament. Cm we for ii
moment doubt that in these various rei^dings, there
IS matter enough to foEm as many sects, when we
see a hundred sects divide upon the same reading
■^yiz ; that of the Bible printed in Use reisn of
King James the first ? ■

If it be urged, that these variations are trifling
and accidental, neither subversive of sound doc-
trine, nor implying any treachery in the Transla-
tors : let us appeal to the sentiments of the Re-
formers and other Protestants themselves, whose
mutual complaints, sarcasms and abuse are un^
paralleled in the annals of controversy. Whitaker
B'Ay?, ^' Forgery, I blush for the honor of Protes-
tantism, while I write it, seems to have been pe-
culiar to the Reformed, I look in vain for one of
these accursed outrages of imposition among tb^
disciples of Popery.**

ZuiNGi^ius says to Luther—" Thou corruptest,
O Luther ! the divine word. Thou art an open
and bold perverter of the Sacred Scriptures. Al-
- though we have esteemed thee beyond measure,
yet we now blush at thy prophaneness." Luther
is not much in his debt, but calls him and his fol-
lowers " Asses, fools, antichrists and impostors.**
The Bible of the divines of Basil, Beza calls «• wic-
ked, and quite repugnant to the dictates of the
Holy Ghost.'* The Bible of Castalio, tiie same
Bejsa calls " Sacrilegious, wicked and pagan.** Of
the Bible of Beza himself, Castalio in his turn
says, " Indieed to mention all Beza*s corruptions
of the Scripture would fill a volume.** And Mo^
linoeus says '* Beza changes entirely the text.**—
The Bible of Calvin, the same Molinoeus criticises
with egual severity, and says '^ Calvin makes the
t^xt of the Gospel leap up and down. He uses
vioknee to the letter V tbe Gospel and adds if

we for ft
gs, there
ivhen we
reading
reign oi

5 trifling
ind doc-
Transla-
the Rcr
5, whose
are un^
i^hitaker
■ Protes-
jeen pe-
r one of
ong th«

riiptest,
an open

!S. Al-
leasure,
Luther
his fol-
ostors."
s *• wic-
s of the
Le same
1." Of
lis turn
uptions
uiMo-
?xt."—
riticises
kes the
le uses
adds if

the text.- InLutlier's Dutch translation of the
New lestament only, there were found o/j^ //^ow,
sand Jour hundred heretical errors '

merited or found any better quarter.

A Petition directed to King James the First,
comptams « That our translation of the Psalms
comprised m the Book of Common Prayer, doth
n addition subtraction and alteration, difer Irora

CT: P / ? ^^^^^^^^ corruptions wcr^ found
1\Z Tf «/a;2., and that by Protestant, ihem-
seives how many might be found fmm the be^in^
mng of Genesis to the end of the Apucatmse, it ex.
amined by an impartial judge? ^

Mb. Carlisle vouches "That the Enolish
ransto have^depraved the sense, ooscurecf the
truth deceived the ignorant; that in many place?.
tlftl' '\ Scriptures from the ri,.htinsel:
and that they shew themselves to love darkness
more than light-^falsehood more than truth >»

ihatthe English translation of the Bible is a
translation that takes ^way from the texts-that
adds to the texts, and that sometimes to the chan.
olnJ' ^^'""7"^, ^^' the meaning of the Holy
Ohost. For which cause, Protesumts of tender

trreto""'' "'''^' ^'""' '''"^^'^ ^^' subscribing

niy nand, a translation, which hath so maw/ omis^
mm, many additions, which sometimes obscure
^n^eumes pervert the sense: being sometimes
fe^^iieless, sometimes contrary."

This great evil of corrupting the Scripture,
being well considered by Mr. Bimighton, one of
fUe moat zealous sort of Prntpstanfc ^uw^^a u:^

to write an epistle to the Lords of the Council,
desiring them with all speed to procure a new
translation. Because (says he) that which is now
m England is full of errorsJ* And in his adver-
tisements of coruptions, he tells the Bishops " That
their public translation of the Scripture into En-
glish is such, that it perverts the text of the Old
Testament in eight hundred and forty eight places,
and that it causes millions of millions to reject the
New Testament, and run into eternal flames /**

Finally, the translators of the great English
Bible declare that " Among the numberless trans-
iations which are extant this day in Europe, there
is none 0/ them all of divine and infallible authority "

Thus it appears that the Bible is written in va-
rious and obsolete languages, translated and re-
translated over and over again, offering at length in-
numerable copies, obscure and interpolated. Who
has the sagacity, the patience, the time and the
opportunity to collate, examine and compare all
these copies, verse by verse, and erect a system of
faith upon his labor?

Nevertheless, every person, without exception,
who takes the Bible as his sole guide to salvation,
is absolutely bound to do this. And after all his
industry and research, it is at least a million chan-
ces to one that he mistakes in his doctrine and
that his soul is lost !

We repeat it emphatically once and again, let
none imagine, from the color of this argument, that
Catholics do not entertain the most profound res^
pect for this Divine Volume. They esteem it more
than all other writings whatever. But they do not
ascribe to it impossibilities. They know and they
never cease to urge that the Bible cannct be ifs
own interpreter. Books cannot speak. What
then is precisely, and without equivocationj it's use?

Council,
J a new
h is now
is adver-
s " That
into En-
tile Old
ht places,
jject the
les r

English
jss trans-
36, there
thorityJ^
m in va-

and re-
ength in-
1. Who
and the
ipare all
ystem of

:ception,
alvation,
2r ail his
on chan-
ine and

gain, let
ent, that
und resi-
lit more
y do not
md they
t be tfs
What
it's use?

Simply this and this only. It is a Lcviv in the
hands of a Judge, excellent when applied : but
Absolutely incapable of self application.

God, who wills the salvation of man, who would
rescue him from sin and death, and raise him to a
state of immortal life and glory, has appointed three
powers which co-operate in this work of transcen-
dant love and mercy, viz i a LegUator, a Law,
and an Interpreter, The Legislator is the Al^
fnight^ himself. The Law, is the Traditions of
the Church, whether written or unwritten. The
Interpreter is the Church. In this compound
agency, the last (I speak it with awe) is as neces-
sary as the first : and without whose cooperation
the second is absolutely useless. '

To render this more clear and incontrovertible
let us suppose a code of laws framed for a country
which were to be obeyed without the intervention
and coercion of courts of justice. What would be
the consequence of this arrangement ? Exactly
what we see take place among our Protestant
-Brethren, with regard tc the laws of Scripture.
And as men who recognize no common authority
to explain and apply these laws, interpret them in
their own way, and of course differently : one
crying, this is the trurh according to Scripture
another that—So in a community where every re-
gulation was to be adjusted by private opinion
without judge or jury, every man offending or of-
lended, sinned against or sinning would interpret
the law in his own favor, to the multiplication of
crime and the oppression of innocence.

It would not be possible to govern a community.
It laws were left to arbitrary interpretation and
execution. The Church, founded by our Lord
and Saviour, is the grand tribunal, to which her
children are to refer in all tbeir soiritual conrmK,

It she exacts the most implicit obedience, slie t^-
pays it with peace an security.

This principle of submission and subordination
so necessary to every society^ though formally
denied by our Protestant Brethren, who avow>
that the very essence of Protestantism is the ri^ht
q/ private judgmentf is nevertheless, virtually admit-
ted. Assemblies and Synods have been convened
in the several countries of the Reform to digest
and impose articles of faith. And though the
foundation of their revolt from the Church, rests
on the right of private judgment j yet among our
Protestant Brethren this right, which has been
claimed and maintained by rebellion and blood-
shed, is as much controlled by the decisions of
their Assemblies and Synods, as it is among Ca
thoiics by the decrees of the General Councils.
The Synod of Charenton in France in 1()4<4«, noti-
cing the error of the Independents, who teach that
" Every Church ought to be governed by her pro-
per laws, without any dependance upon any person
in ecclesiastical matters, and without any obligation
to acknowledge the authorhy of Conferences and
Synods, for her regulation and conduct," urge
on the contrary and with great animation, " That
this sect is as prtjudicial to the state, as to the
Church : and that it opens a door to all sorts of
irregularities and extravagances, that it takes
away all the means of applying any remedy to it,
and that if it took place, there might be as many
religions framed as parishes or particular assem-
blids" Rational as this decision is in itself, can
any thing be imagined more inconsistent and un-
becomnig, than such language in the mouths of
men, who had themselves renounced the autho-
rity of the universal Church ?

Among tlie various abuses of terms, their i«

, she f d-

dination
formally
10 avow>
:he right
y admit-
onvened
y digest
ugh the
:h, reRts"
long our
as been
I blood-
sions of
3ng Ca
Councils.
4, noti-
;acb that
lier pro-
y person
[)Hgaj,ion
Qces and
:," urge
, " That
to the
sorts of
it takes
dy to it,

r ossein-
lelf, can
and un-
louths of
le autho-

their i«

bond rtiore l)alpable than the word Church amontf
our seceding Brethren. They speak with great
confidence of the Protestant Church, in contradis-
tinction from the Cathohc. But where is this
Church ? No where. A vast variety of sects has
appeared within the last three centuries in Europe
and America, denominated Protestant : from
their protesting against the Church of Rome. But
they have no other bond of union whatever. Thev
are many of them bitter foes to each other, and
profess tenets of reciprocal contradiction. In
this chaos of ^eeds^amid this anarchy of sects
and opinionsi. it is true with mathematical certain-
ty, that all cannnot have truth on their side All
may be wrong, but all cannot be right. Yet alas '

n7f \PP^^* ^"^ ^^^^ ^^™^ standard of truth— the
liibte : though no two sects and scarcely any two
men of this whole number can agree ia their in-
terpretation of its meaning,

Tpiusitis evident that out of the Catholic
Church, there is no certainty of faith and tto as-
surance of salvation, and many an example has
there been of a Catholic, after rejecting the an-
thority of his native Church, becoming Sn Atheist,

IHE Authors of the Encyclopcedia speak very
pertmenly on this subject. « The first step (say
they) which the curious ahd indocile CathohV
^kes, when he begins to be dissatisfied ^?h h is
KehgioH IS to adopt the Protestant rule of inve
tigation, to constitute himself a judge of Relicrion
and become Protestant. Led on by this rufe Tn
the ardor of investigation, he soon begins to di^
covei that the principles of Protestantism are f„
coherent, and its doctrine unintelligible. S m
therefore, conducted by the same rule, he ^oen

forward, and becomes a Socinian. Soc niurnsm
he finds out has all th^ nprr.w;.:.. „ J7 " "*^*?'»

Cencie^ of Protestantisrti, and he declares himself
a Deist. Well, still discontented, because still
parsued with difficuhiesr, he i? sen«il ly becomes a
tyrrhonian. Pyrrhonism h a state too drea(*^"ul
to eudure, and he concludes the series of his erroff
by linking into the dreadful abj ss of Atheram."

If all be true that is recorded, even by Protes-
tants themselves, the history of the Kefon* ^tion
is a satire upon itn n taie and pretensions. If
sound doctrine gained nothing by this Hevolty
there are abundant vouchers to prove that pine
morality gained as little. Even in jthe inlim^y of
this unhappy Sec ssion, when prudetiee and policy
ought at least to have sav« d appearances, what
was the character of Protestantism and Protes-
tants ? Let us listen to their own report.— Pare-
lus l-.berus, a learned Lutheran minister, utters
this bitter complaint — " Our whole evangelical
congregation abounds with so many divisions and
scandals, that it is nothing less than what it pre-
tends to be. If you look upon the evangelical
teachers themselves, you will see that some of them
are spurred on with vain glory and an invidious
zeal. Some of them raise unreasonable debates,
and then maintain them with unadvised heat. —
There are many of thr m who pull down by their
picked lives, what they had built up by the truth
of their doctrine. Which evi s as every one sees
with his own eyes, so has he great reason to doubt
whether our evangelical congregation be the true
Church, in which so many and such enormous
vices are discovered.*'

•Andrew DuDiTH, in his epistle to Beza, write*
as foMows — •* What sort of people are our Protes-
tants, struggling to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doptrine, sometimes to this side,
sometimes to that ? You may perhaps know what

himself
tse still

Jreac'^ul
is erroro
ram."

Protes-
rni^tion
ms. U

HevoUy
lat pure
Un^y of
l1 policy
.'9, what

Protes-
-^Pare-
', utters
ngelical
ons and
t it pre-
ngelicat
ot' them
ividious
debates,

heat. —
by their
he truth
me sees
:^o doubt
the true
lortnoua

U write*
Protes-
)ut with
his side,
)w what

theii stentitnents in reli^ion are to-day : but you
can nerer certainly tell what they ,viU be to-rti^r-
row. In what article of religion do these churches
agree among themselves, whicii have cast off' the
Bishop f ^ome 5 Examine all from top to L t-
tom, ycm sh »" scarce find one thing affirmed oy
one is not immediately condemned by a-

nother lor wicked doctrine."

Luther himself in many places, complairtA of
his Followers growing worse and worse — ** And
men, (says he) are now more revengeful, covetous
and licentious than they were in the Papacy.;"
" Heretofore (he remarks in anotiier place) when
' we wer< -^educed by the Pope, every body did
willing! V ,bllow ^ood 'works. And now no man
either sayeth or knowcfh any thing, but hnw to
get all to himself by exactions, pillage, theft, lying,
usury, &c." He eise\yhere declaims-r-'* Men are
become so extiavagant by the Gospel we have

f)reached to them, that they think every thing
awful that flatters their passions, and have lost all
fear of hell fire. There is hut one peasant in i\\Q
district of Wittemberg, who endeavours to instruct
his fkmily according to the word o)l God. All the
rest go st-aight to the Devil, The same Luther
acknowledges that under the Papacy are many
good things ; yea,' All that is good in Christianiti/.
?« 1 say, moreover, (rejoins he) that under the Pa-
pacy is true Christianity f even the very kernel of
iPhristianityJ*

Melancthom says^* It is plain, that in these
countries, men*s whole concern almost is about
banquetting, drunkenness and carousing. And
so strangely barbarous is the people, that most
mien are persuaded that if they do but fast one
day, they must die the following night."

Galviit says, " of so many thousands, who re-

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f/j

}

•'

Mouncjng Popery, seepdcd eagerly to embrace th«
Uospel, howfew have aipen^ed their lives ? Nay,
what else did the greater p^r| pretend to. but sha,
k,mg of the yoke of superstition^ to give themselves
more liberty to follow rU kind of lasciviousn^ss ?
In anoxher place—" Qf the few that hav^ separa-
ted themselves fro(n the tyranny of the Pop^
the greatest part are rotten ^t he^rt. They ap-
pear outwardly to he full of zeal j but if you
search them to the bottom, you ;yil| jJacJ theii^
lull of hypocrisy and deceit.'' .,

CAriTON, a tpinister of S^rasburg says in one of
o' V®"^*"^""" The multitude has entirely shaken
o^^the yoke, being trained up to libertinism. As
|t by pulhng down the pope's authority. W9 m.
lended to destroy the word qf God, th^ S^cra^
nients, and the, whole ministry. They ev^n have
the impudence to tell us, ' I am syffici^ntly ip-
strycted in Scriptures— I can read— .a?id stand in
no need of your direction."

Jacob AxYdrjias says-^MThe Protestants give

due place to the preaching pf the word of God j

but no amendment of manners is found among

theni. On the contrary, we see them lead an a-

bominahle, voluptuous beastly life. Instead of

lasts they spend whole nights and days in revellings

and drunkennessi."— In another place he says, «« To

^ake it plain to all the world that they are not

Papists, and place no confidence in good wo^ks ;

they take care to practise none. When they

pught to relieve the poor, they fleece and oppress

them. Oaths, blasphemies, and implications are

the;r usual prayers. So that Jesus Christ is nolt

so blasphemed among tjie Jurks as he is among

them. In a word—instead of humility, nothing

reigns among them but haughtiness, arrogance and

pnde } and this sorf of life is called evangelical," ,

)race th^
J? Nay,
but sha«
em selves
ousn^ssp
p separa^
e f ope,
rhey ap-
t if you
04 then^

n one of
f shaken
3m. iVs
. W9i^,

^^n have
?ntly ip-
starid in

its give
►fGodj

among
id an a-
tead of
veilings
Ks, " To
are not
wo^'Jks ;
^ they
oppress
ons are
t is no|^

among
nothing
ice and
li^ai," .

WoLFANGUs MuscDLus says— « OuF Gospellen
^^re grown so unlike themselves, that whereas un-
der Popery, they were religious in their errors and
superstition j now, in the light of the known truth.^
they are more profane, light, vain and teme-
rarious thijn the very children of -this world." In
another place he declares, « As to us Lutherans,
the matter stands thus ; If any one has a mind to

UaJ T . ^'^^^^ "™"^' drunkards, libertines,
liars, cheats and insurers— let him go to a town
where the Gospel is preached in its purity : and he

I'l \^\^lu^^^'^^ ^' ^^^ ^'"^ "™^y ^^ seen at noon
ii^y, that there is not so much insolence and wic-
kedness pracused among the Turks and infidels as
Among emngehcal people, where all the reins of
the Devil are let loose.'^

thp^l^'T'^? Baiter confesses, f' That now was
^he state of religion in England come to a stmnge
pass J because always in passing and had no et
Sr'!?'' f^/^bleof^Protfus, X cha^
W ^ Tu^ ^".s^^Pes and forms, might be no

says. « What Jove or charity is th^ere among^^^^^^^
When one calls anoUier Heretic and Anabaptist-

If P '^nfT- ""f' ^""^ ^^P^'^*' Hypocrite, Phari.
see?.^OfthisIam sure, that charity and virtue
were never less exercised; and that God among
SfS'^' ''''' "^'^' '' reverenced, Jionored or

Box perhaps the Keformers redeemed, by the

Ifl^ltrZu'^": "r '^^"''«««' the disorder
Of their Adherents. Let us then add the portraite

«MH

which the Reforffiera draw of themselves and of
each pthen

** Qum I>9us vuit perdere, prius detnenUt"

Luther says-—" I am burned with the flames
of my untamed lusts and the desire of fvomen, I,
who ought to be fervent in spi.it, am lost in im-
purity, in sloth, &c.*' In another i>iace he says,
** Relying on the strong foundation of my learn-
ingf I yielded not in pride either to the Emperor j
King, or Devih-^XiOt not to the universe itself.**

" Luther (says Hospinian) is a man absolutely
furious ; accustomed to combat the trutk, not only
unjustly, but in contradiction to his own conscience,**
" Hie is (says OScolampadius) puffed up with ar-
rogance and pride, and seduced by Satan.". Zur
inglius says, ** Indeed so great is the power which
Satan possesses over Luther, that He seems to aim
at the possession of the ^hole man.*^ Calvin is
called by Beza, ^* a mere mad dog^r^a malevolent
man ; judging of men by t;he measure cf his love
or hatred for them." Valmersays also of Calvin,
•* He is violent and perverse: but so much the
better, since violence is necessary to promote our
Zuinghus is called by Luther *? A son of

cause.

Hell, an associate with Arius-— a man undeserving
to be prayed for,** Melanpthop is styled by Iflirir
cus and Armsdorf? " A shoe for every foot-^-^a
corrupter of the word of Gdd-^a Pelagian."—
Stanearus calls him " The northern Antichrist.''
Melancthon testifies of Carlostadius, that he was
«* void of piety and humanity, and more of a Je^f
than a Christmn.'* Luther says of CEcolampadius,
" He! was beaten to death by the Devil.*' ' John
Knox, the ringleader of the Revolt in Scotland, is
stited by Whitaker "A deluded Idiot in his no-
tions— a wild raven in his speeches—- a son of viov

^s and of

;he flames
omen, I,
ost in im-
e he says,
my learn-
Emperor,
itself.'*
ibsolutely

not only
nscience*^
I with ar-
il.". Zu-
ver which
ms to aim

Calvin 19
lalevplent
f his love
of Calvin,
much the
omoie our
' A sor; of
td^servmg
ibyinirir
y foot-i*^a
agian.*'— -
itichrist.''
at he was

of a JeTf
impadius,
." John
lotland, is
in his no*i
on of vioi-

lence tied Barbarism— th^ religtoui sacheto o{
religious Mohawks." Dn Johnson hoped that he
was buried in the highway, Barnet says, " The'
open lewdness in which many lived with^Ot shame
or remorse, gave gre^ occasjoq for their adversa-
ries to say, that they were in the right to assert
justification without works ^ since they Were to
every good work reprobate. Their gross and in-
satiable scrambling after the goc^s and wealth
that had been dedicated with; good designs, with-
out applying any part o. it to the promoting of
the Gospel, the instruction of youth, and the re^
Jieviilg of ihe poor— made all people conclude that
it was for Robbery and not for Reformation, that
their zeal made them so active. The irregular
and immoral lives of many of the professors of the
Gospel, gave their enemies great advantage to sayl
that they ran away from Confession, Penancci
Fasting and Pfayer, only that they might be un-
der no restraint, but indulge t4iemselyes in a licen-
cious and dissolute course of life." Fletcher ot
Madiley says, " How few of our celebrated pulpits
where more has not been said^r sin than against
it. Even adultery and murder {sLCCording to theso
preachers) do not hurt the pleasant children of God:
but rather work for tJieir good, God sees no sin in
hlievers, whatever sin they cowtwi/."— Oh I jam
satis est.

The candid Protestant will see the pertinacy of
these Extracts-^and not suspect me of anv wish
to give pain. I would gladly have omitted them J
but I could not do justice to my subject, and ex-
hibit the advantages of Catholic union, without
depicting the miseries of Protestant disunion, dis-
sension and uncertainty. Far be it ftora me to
confound our Protestant Brethren of the present
i&y >»ith those who were guilty of these excesses^

:il

!Lct it be, however, ackhowledged, that the l^ml
of an infallible authority in matters of faith, wasr
titihappily the cause of them. The radical evil
still exists, and if it produce not such bitter fruits
as in former times j our Brethren of the Reform
owe it not to their doctrine, but to the general in-
fluence of civilization and refinement*

The sole, sure and safe remedy for all the dis-
orders engendered by the multiplication of sects,
and the diversity of opinions, is for all dissentient
Christians, of whatever communion, to return to
Catholic tfnityi The Church, a tender mother.
Opens her arms to receive with smiles and embraces
her wandering Children. She has never ceased
to pray for them in their estrangement, and longs
to reckon them once more among those of her
household. \

That this is the only remedy for the evils of
the Reformation, and that this will prove effectual,
has been the deliberate sentiment of many Protes-
tants of high reputation.

Grotius (whose name is an hotior to Letters)
was clearly of opinion, that ** Protestants will ne-
ver be united with each other, until they are so
with those who adhere to the See of Rome : without
^' hich, no common agreement can be expected.-—
.ie wishes therefore that the rupture now existing,
as well as the occasions of it, were removed. A-
mong the causes of which, the Supremacy of the
Fope^ according to the cannon cannot be reckoned,
as Melancthon confesses ; who even deems the Su-
premacy neaessar^ for the preservation of unity .-^
Neither is this putting the Church at the Pope's
feet, but it is only the ancient and respectable order^
of things restored again"

Leibnitz ^another illustrious name) gives his
opinion as follows—" As God is the God of order.

the iirtini
aith, was?
dical evil
ter fruits
: Reform
meral in-

1 the dis>
of sects,
ssentient
return to
mother,
embraces
3r ceased
iDd longs
le of her

B evils of
efiectual,
y Protes-

Letters)
will ne-
sy are so
without
lected.—
existing,
jed» A-
c^ of the
eckoned,
s the Su-
^unity*-'-^

\Q PODC'S

\ble order^

gives his
of order.

and as the Church One, Catholic and Apostolic, un-
der a hierarchy embracing all tlie members, is from
God : It follows that in this body there is by Di-
vme Right, One Supreme Spiritual Magistrate,
acting within his own limits, having a dictatodal
authority, and the power of executing what is
necessary to discharge his duty for the advantaffe
ot the Church. Even should Borne, which is the
metropolis of the Christian world, be chosen the
seat and residence of this Power, from merely
human considerations ; really it is requisite in ev-
ery commonwealth and consequently in the Chris-
tian Church, that there be one supreme Magistracy •
whether it be determined to center all its authority
m one individual, or divide it between many. And
in the latter case, it is fit that one of the members
should have the authority of dictator or supreme
Magistrate, which is the same, though with a lim-
ited power." In another document he sighs for
the restoration of the ancient order of thin.rs— .
"which (he says emphatically) would bring back
to us the Golden Age," ^

« There is (says St. Cyprian) but one God and
one Christ, and one Faith, and a People joined in
one solid body with the cement of concord This
unity cannot suffer a division, nor this one, body
bear to be disjointed. He cannot have Ood for
his Father, who has not the Church for his Mother,
It any one could escape the Deluge out of Noah's
Ark, he who is out of the Church ma/also escape."
IHE great ht. Austin thus addresses the Dis-
senters of his time—" If you think you have been
sufficiently tossed about, and wish to see an erici
to your anxieties, follow the rule of Catholic dis-
cipline, which came down to us through the Apos-
ties from Christ himself, and which shall descend
irom us to the latest posterity."

N r

There aie two considerations, which duly
weighed, would no doubt facilitate the return of
our Protestant Brethren to the Catholic Church.
Ift tlie first place, the return of a Protestant to the;,
coAimunion of the universal Church cannot strict-
ly be called ^.Conversion. He does not join a
strange and foreign Church— be only returns to
the Church of his Forefathers.-**He is not convert
edf but merely reconciled.

In the next place, tliia return does not imply
absolutely a change qf doctrine. The convert still
retains the fundamental articles of his former be-
liefs—and only enlarges his creeds. Dr. Johnson
observes with his usual wisdom and penetration—-
*« A man who is converted from Protestantism to
Popery may be sincere. He parts with nothing.
He is only super-adding to what he already had."

These reflections are of the most consolatoiy
nature, and ought surely to influence tlie minds
of our Protestant Brethren to a measure fraught
with such transcendant advantage. Still perhaps
will they insist, that there are corruptions in the
Catholic Church.— Enough, and perhaps more
than enough has been advanced in refutation of
Uiis charge. But supposing for a moment, ^and
tlie concession costs us nothing) that in the long
lap«e of time the Catholic Church " covered with
the awful hoar of innumerable ages" may have
lost something of her primitive attraction and sim-
plicity; is this a reason for estrangement and re-
jection? — A^e the matron graces of Christ's
Spouse less engaging than were her bridal charms ?
Or (to try another simile) would an Heir leave a
venerable Palace, which bad descended to him
from the most remote ancestry, merely because, in,
the revolution of years^ a few cobwebs had col-
lected upon the walls?

1 duly
turn of
Ihurch.
; to Ui&
; strict-
join a
urns to
'orwerU

t imply
ert still
ner be-
ohnson
ation-^ —
itism to
iothing.
jr had."
lolatoiy
3 minds
fraught
perhaps
s in the
18 more
ation of
It, ^and
he long
ed with
ay have
nd sim-
and re-
Christ's
charms?
leave a
to him
lause, in,
had col-

X HEBE close the subject.— There are in tho va-
rious- Protestant communions thousands of well
disposed persons, who only require to have the
substance of the controversy impartially laid before
them, to receive the truth in all its integrity. To
my fellow citizens of this description, I address
this humble attempt ; and affectionately request
them to weigh the arguments thus offered to their
consideration. Let them not forget that Religion
is the most important concern of mankind : and
that while all the Protestant sects unite in acknow-
ledging that Catholics may be saved ; the Catholic
Church, •' the city of God," and sole depository
of all truth, emphatically declares that out of
her pale, there is no salvation. O that we raay^
all know in this our day the things which belong
to our peace, before thev be forever hidden from
our eyes.

HHSSSS

■»' ! , ' rt !

UNIVERSAL PRAYER,

Translated from the original Latin of the Sovereign Pontiffi,

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holu
Ghost — Amen. *^ ^

I believe in Thee, O Lord ! Rfay I believe more firmly.
I hrojie irr Thee, O Lord ! May I hope more safely.
I love Thee, O Lord ! May I love 1 hee more fervently.
I repent, O Lord ! May I repent more earneetly.

I adore Thee as my First Beginning.
I. desire Thee as my Last End.
I praise Thee as my Constant Benefactor.
I invoke Ihee as* my Merciful Defender.

Direct me by thy Wisdoi».— Restrain me by thy JMstice*—
Console me by Thy Pity* Protect me by tby Pow€r.

That I may be Thine according to my Baptism. I re»
noiHiCC the Devil and hia Works-^the World and iU Pomp»-^
the Flesh and its Lustfw-Heresy and its Errors.

To Thee I consecrate my Thoughts, that they may be occu-

BK' ..mrasfi^:"

100

pied with Thy Greatncsa; my Words, that ihey may proclaim
fhyGoodnew; my Actions, that they may be regulated by
Thy Law ; and my Sufferingi, that they may he.gubmisaive to
Thy Decrees.

1 will whatever Thou wiliest— because Thou wiliest, in the
manner Thou wiliest— and as much as 1 hou wiliest. v

May I Accept what Thou Approvast^ Reject what Tho\i

Hatest Shun what Thou Forbiddcst— and Observe what

TIiou Commandest.

To this end I beseech Thee —
to Enlighten my Understanding— to Inflame my Will— to
Purify my liody— and to Sanctify my Soul.

May I Bewail my ftist Offences— Surmount Future Temp-
tations—Correct vicious Propensities— and practice the Chris-
tian Virtues.

Inspire me, good God ! with a Love of Thee— a Hatred of
Myself a ieal for m v Neighbor — and a contempt for the World.
May I studiously Respect my Superiors — Condescend to my
Inferiors — /Assist my Friends — and Spare ray Foes.

May I vanquish Pleasure by Austerity— Avarice bj Liberal-
ity—Auger by ft^eekness- and Tepidity by Devotion.

Infuse in my heart, Fear without Despair— Confidence with-
out Presumption— Piety without Enthusiasm— and Joy without
Levity.

Render me also Prudent in Undertakings- Couragious in
Dangers — Patient in Adversity— and Humble in Prosperity.

Grant, O Lord, that I may be Recollected in my Prayers —
Sober in my Repasts— Diligent in my Employments — and con-
stant in my Resolutions.

May 1 80 govern my Senses, that I may Hear nothing In-
jurious—Speak nothing Licentious— See nothing Impure— and
do nothing Perverse.

May 1 be careful to maintain —
an Inward Innocence — an Outward Modesty — an Examplary
Conversation- and a Regular life.

May I assiduously watch to Subdue nature— to Cherish Thy
Grace — to Obey Thy Law — and to secure my Salvation.

May I learn from Thee
how Little what is Earthly— how Great what is Heavenly—.;,
how Short what is Temporal — and how Durable what is Eternal.
Grant that 1 may Anticipate Death — Fear Thy Judgments-
Escape Hell — and Obtain xieaven.

Finally, Grant Repentance to Sinners — Perseverance to the
Just — Peace to the Living — and Happiness to the Departed.

Through Christ our Mediator — Mary our Intercessor — the
Prayers of the Saints— and the Suffrages of the Church. —

AMEN.

nay proclaim
regulated by
iUbmissive to

rillest, in the

t what Tho\i
bscTve what

ly Will— to

Jture Temp-
;e the Chris-

a Hatred of
r the World,
scend to my

i bj Liberal-
ion.

idence with-
Joy without

ouragious in
rosperity.
y Prayers —
s — and con-
nothing In-
mpure — and

Examplary

]!herish Thy
ation.

Heavenly— J
itisEterngl.
Lidgments—

mce to the
Departed,
ccssor — the
urch. —