INSCRIPTION TO THE FIRST EDITION.

TO

SIR ROBERT HARRY INGLIS, BART.,

WHOSE SHORT CAREER IN PARLIAMENT,

SIGNALIZED BY THE ORIGINAL AND SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT, THROUGH

THE PROHIBITORY INDEXES,

OF ROME,

TO PROVE AND ILLUSTRATE THE EXISTING AND

INHERENT INTOLERANCE OF

HER RELIGION,

AS WELL AS THE DANGER TO EVERY PROTESTANT STATE IN THE

ADMISSION OF HER ADHERENTS TO

POLITICAL POWER,

HAS IMPOSED A DEBT OF DEEP AND CORDIAL GRATITUDE

UPON EVERY FAITHFUL MEMBER OF THE

BRITISH CHURCH,

THE FOLLOWING WORK,

WHICH HUMBLY PROCEEDS IN THE TRAIN OF THE SAME ARGUMENT,

IS,

WITH EQUAL GRATITUDE AND RESPECT,

INSCRIBED,

BY THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

SHOULD it be asked, with respect to the present work, as is sometimes done without the highest wisdom, cui bono? the Author might possibly satisfy himself with the supposed reply of the Apostle Jude, were it inquired of him, why, when intending to write of the common salvation, he occupied nearly his whole address in exposing the character and acts of its enemies. The truth is, a great delusion has long been, and is now, hanging over the minds of men, particularly in this country, respecting the character of the Church of Rome and her adherents. It becomes important to remind them, that this is not to be sought in the declarations of individuals, or even societies, of that communion, however respectable, which are worth nothing-absolutely nothing.

The subjects of the Papacy have taken the utmost possible pains to disqualify themselves from having any opinion, or being able to give any exposition, on the subject of their religion, which shall be independently and personally their own. The Roman, beyond any other professedly Christian sect, is bound to its peculiar faith and discipline by original engagements, the most sacred, the most precise, the most extended, the most rigorous. And it is there that we are to look for its true and distinguishing character. No greater mercy of the kind was ever vouchsafed to the Christian world by a compassionate Providence, than the Council of Trent. However cautious the managers of it, they were obliged by many motives to speak out, and declare themselves, in canons, in decrees, in anathemas, and, above all, in a Creed, which can, none of them, be recalled

* CHARLES BUTLER, Esq., in accordance with a titular archbishop, Dr. Murray, and a titular bishop, Dr. Doyle, in Ireland, in their examination before Parliament (the R. C. Evidence on the State of Ireland, pp. 409 and 575; or Minutes of Evidence before the Lords, 1825, p. 394, and before the Commons, pp. 224, 5, March 22), acknowledges this Creed to be an ' accurate and explicit summary of the Roman Catholic Faith.' The Rev. GEORGE TOWNSEND, in his triumphant Accusations of History against the

or concealed. Here at least we fix upon, and bind, the object of our search and pursuit. The Indexes which are examined in the present work, emanated in a great measure from this assembly; and, with it and many other documents, they stand forth, a specimen and illustration of what the religion of Rome really is. This is precisely the information which the British public require. They are to be directed to look where proof is to be found. They must be taught to inquire for

more unexceptionable testimony than that of a man, more especially a Romanist, to his own self, and to his own cause. This is the only way of

Church of Rome, &c., with an expression of surprise, forbears to inquire the reasons which have induced that acute and learned controversialist to omit the two last, and certainly very important, clauses of this Creed. Will it be believed, not only that he was ignorant of them, but that he has avowed his ignorance! Yet, after this, and many other similar successes of his literary campaigns, Mr. Butler will probably resume his polemical career with as much apparent comfort and self-satisfaction as if all his defeats were victories. The clauses, or (according to a more correct translation than the papal one) the clause referred to runs thus: This true Catholic faith, without which no one can be saved, which at present I freely profess and truly hold, the same, I the same N. promise, vow, and swear that, as far as in me lies, I will take care shall be retained and confessed whole and inviolate, most constantly to the last breath of life, and shall be held, taught, and preached by my subjects, or those, the cure of whom falls to my office. So help me, God, and these holy gospels of God,' &c. &c.