DEDICATION.

TO THE

REFORMED AND ROMISH CLERGY AND LAITY

OF THE

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

THIS WORK IS INSCRIBED,

IN THE HOPE

First, that the PROTESTANT MINISTER of Christ may not deem it unuseful in assisting him to point out the very material difference between the unerring doctrines he inculcates, as taught by our Saviour himself, and those pernicious tenets introduced by erring man, by which their simplicity is obscured—their sublimity reduced to external shew.

Secondly, to the PROTESTANT LAYMAN this volume is offered, as a sure Guide to him in judging between the Reformed and Romish professions of faith, -and which, by shewing him the doctrines of the Church of Rome, precisely in her own language, contrasted with the Holy Scriptures from which he has been taught his Christian belief, will confirm and strengthen him in the RIGHT WAY.

Thirdly, to the Romish Priest these pages are presented; and, as they will show him when, by whom, and for what purposes the inventions of his Church first disfigured Christianity, it is presumed that, in some instances, at least, the prejudices of education will give way to conviction; and that the paltry quibblings of sophistry may be sacrificed to the Christian spirit of TRUTH.

Lastly,--although the writer's chief object-the Roman CATHOLIC Laity are earnestly solicited to read this work : since it contains the “ Grounds of the Faith” entire, in which they profess to believe, but which a comparative few only have read other books being generally put into the hands of British Romanists. The opportunity of making themselves acquainted with the whole of what their Church claims the right of demanding of them (although in a Protestant kingdom many of these claims are never enforced) is herein afforded ;, whilst to the above are added such portions of Scripture as the Pope merely refers to; by which extracts, fully and fairly quoted, it will appear evident that the “ faith” they have been taught is far removed from the faith preached by OUR SAVIOUR.

As the work is designed to induce the Romanist to peruse the commands of God, whilst no Christiøn can impugn the motive, it is hoped that no unchristian spirit will possess sufficient influence to frustrate so desirable an end.

Besides the whole Romish faith, the Scriptures to which that faith is contrasted, and the Protestant tenets with which they are compared, the following sheets contain the “ Rational Inducements to joining Communion with the Church of Rome,” in the words of Dr. Challoner, a Roman Catholic Bishop; also“ Řational Inducements to joining Communion with the Protestant Reformed Church," by M. Lefevre, a convert to her faith in 1825.

In short, an impartial examination of TRUTH only is courted ; nor can any Religion be pure, the professors of which shrink from such a test. That all those for whom this work is designed may think so, is the sincere wish of

Page

PREFACE

xi

INTRODUCTION

1

An elucidation of Truth, the object of the work. Early impres-
2sions, and a restraint of the progress of intellect, the strength of

Popery. Papists invited to disprove the assertion (if they can do
so), and to examine the facts stated as proved by the Scriptures.
Characters of Protestant and Popish clergymen, as resulting
from a strict adherence to their respective doctrines. Jesuits :

origin and object of their Order. Indelicacy of Popish books.
“ GROUNDS OF FAITH," &c. EXTRACT FROM THE CREED OF ATHA
NASIUS

13-14
The Romish Church erroneously impresses upon the belief of her

adherents that she is the only Catholic Church. Of the Atha-

nasian Creed.

" A PROFESSION OF CATHOLIC FAITH,” &c.

16

Declaration of Romish Bishops.

THE GROUNDS OF THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE AS CONTAINED IN THE

PROFESSION OF FAITH OF Pius IV.

19

25

CHAPTER 1.-OF THE CHURCH.

SECT. I.-THAT CHRIST HAS ALWAYS A TRUE CHURCH UPON

EARTH

Who are the members of whom it is composed, as declared by the

Scriptures. The Apostles' Creed not declaratory of the faith pre-

scribed by the Romish, but by the Protestant Church.

Sect. II. That Christ's (meaning the Popish] CHURCH UPON

EARTH IS ALWAYS ONE

Unity of the CHRISTIAN Catholic Church broken by Popery. Her

Doctrines pernicious-Examples. Popish perversions of, and
Protestant appeals to, the Scriptures. Blasphemy of the Papal

Class Books.

Sect. III.—THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS ALWAYS HOLY IN

HER DOCTRINES, AND

ERRORS

Additions of Popery to the doctrines of Christ. What degree of

faith necessary for good Papists to profess, as extracted from

b

ALWAYS

FREE FROM PERNICIOUS

34

.

Page

.

their Decretals. Opinion of Mr. Charles Butler on the depraved ,

state of his Church at the time of the Reformation. Romish

declaration of the fallibility of the Pope. Of Popes and

Councils.

Sect. IV.—THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS CATHOLIC OR

UNIVERSAL

42

Brief history of the primitive Christian and Popish Churches, from :)

their first institution. Origin of the inventions of Papal supre- ,
macy and infallibility, and how the term “ Catholic” was first

applied to the Romish Church.

SECT. Y.-THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST MUST BE APOSTOLICAL

BY THE SUCCESSION OF HER PASTORS, AND A LAWFUL MIS-

SION DERIVED FROM THE APOSTLES

52

Pope Joan. Popes chosen by election ; by whom decreed, and

when.

Sect. VI.—THAT CATHOLICS AND NOT PROTESTANTS ARE THE

TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST

54

Origin of the appellation of Protestant. Popish opinion of the

Christian Doctrine of Protestantism. British Christian Colleges

in the second century. Creed of the Waldenses and Albigenses,

Papal Massacre of their whole race, to stop any Reformation of

the abuses of the Roman Church. Dominic founder of the

Order of Inquisitors, and Francis, (both Popish saints !) The

crime of charity in Papal slaughters and penances enjoined ac-

cordingly. Butchery of 30,000 Protestants in cold blood by

order of Pope Gregory XIII. at Paris, and his public rejoicings

in consequence.

Page
Romish pageants opposed to the Christian form of worship. Fast-

ing should be voluntary when performed ;-the “ soul" not“ de
filed” by eating nieat. Of the many fasts commanded by Po-
pery, and wherefore,

CHAPTER III.

OF THE SACRAMENTS

83

Papal forgetfulness. Of Baptism. Confirmation (the first Popish

sacrament) and character of its obligations. The Lord's Supper.

Penance (the second Popish sacrament). The annual curses of

Popery, and her defence of lying and equivocating. Means em-

ployed by the Reformers to frame the Protestant religion to the

Primitive standard. The Inquisition. Abuse of the Confes-

sional by the Priests. Popish instructions to young Confessors.

Auricular confession contrary to Scripture,—its origin. Extreme

Unction (the third Popish sacrament). The Coronation of Clo-

vis, whence the title of "Most Christian King." Present and

Preservation of the "holy cream.” Of Papal consecrations.

Holy Orders (the fourth Popish sacrament). Christians for-

bidden to make a merit of the performance of their duties. Ma-

trimony (the fifth Popish sacrament). The marriage of the

Christian clergy commanded by the Apostles. Venial and mor-

tal sin in the Romish Church-Fornication of her Clergy a

venial error; Marriage a mortal one, and why. Origin of their

profession of celibacy. Godlike character of Popish Priests

drawn and approved by themselves. “ Ceremonies” of Christ

contrasted with those of the Church of Rome.

110

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE REAL PRESENCE AND TRANSUBSTANTIATION

REASON the surest guide to TRUTH. Positive and explicit lan-