Chapter II: Part 2

True and genuine religion, must be founded on the free, and spontaneous consent of the heart. If therefore, you Protestants ever allow the Pope, to extend his spiritual power over you, _without_ having _first_ sincerely, and deliberately considered the _real_ grounds of the Catholic Faith, and of the Pope's title to spiritual supremacy, and without your having _first_ given your _free_, and _spontaneous_ consent to them, I hope you will forgive me, if I politely tell you, I should consider you as a set of religious donkeys, and that you ought not to be allowed to _bray_ in this free country.

But you will object, it will be _you_ Catholics headed by the Pope, that will make us renounce the _Protestant_, and embrace the _Catholic_ faith. To this objection I answer. First, the Catholics of England have promised to maintain, support, and defend, to the utmost of their power, the succession to the crown. Now, this succession, by an act entitled, "an act for the further limitation of the crown", is, and stands limited to the Princess Sophia, Electress, Duchess Dowager of Hanover, and to the heirs of her Body, _being Protestants_. Such are the very terms of the oath, which we Catholics have taken; as long therefore, as the Established Church is secure of having a Protestant Sovereign, it cannot be in any danger of subversion.

Secondly. The Irish Catholics have gone still further, and to silence even the predictions of their enemies, have disclaimed, disavowed, and solemnly abjured every intention, to subvert the present Church Establishment, for the purpose of substituting a Catholic Establishment in its stead, and have solemnly sworn, that they will not exercise any privilege, to which they are, or may be entitled, to disturb, or weaken the Protestant religion in that kingdom.

Thirdly. But I will suppose for a moment, that the Catholics were at last to determine to perjure themselves, and to violate the promises, to which they are so solemnly pledged, let us see the obstacles, they would have to surmount. First, there would be the Sovereign, the head of the Protestant Church, with the immense patronage of the Crown at her (or his) disposal; secondly, there would be all the spiritual Peers, and with the exception of a few Catholics, all the temporal Peers; thirdly, there would be the great majority in the House of Commons, in proportion to at least, ten Protestants to one Catholic. Now, by what spirit of magic, are a _few_ Catholic Peers, to become the _majority_ of the House of Lords, or is _one_ Catholic Commoner, to outvote _ten_ Protestants. By what miracle, is the Queen (or King) to abandon the defence of _that_ Church, of which she (or he) is by conviction a member, and by law, supreme head? By what manoeuvres, are the Catholics so to blind the confidence of the Sovereign, as to worm themselves into the possession of all places, of power, and trust? Before the Catholics can aid the Pope to extend his temporal or spiritual power over you Protestants, they will have to surmount all the above obstacles. But by what human power can they ever surmount the above obstacles? Really, gentlemen, is it not childish to talk either about Catholics forcing you to become Catholics, or their wishing to aid the Pope, to extend his spiritual or temporal domination over you Protestants, with all the above obstacles staring you in the face.

But, gentlemen, if on the other hand, you should think proper to seriously, and conscientiously, examine the _real_ grounds of the Catholic religion, and if you should think proper, to examine _seriously_, and _conscientiously_, whether the Pope, is the _real_ successor of Saint Peter, and of course in that case, the _real_ spiritual head of Christ's Church, if you should ask yourselves the reason, why the Catholic Faith, has been the belief of the most extensive, and enlightened nations of Europe, and of the most illustrious characters, that ever did honour to the name of man,[F] if upon careful investigation, you should find that the Catholic Faith, was the faith of those, who built our Cathedrals, who erected our Universities, who laid the foundation of our envied Constitution, and who secured the great charter of our rights at Runnymede, in short, if you should find that the members of this creed, have in every age, stood forth the champions of liberty, and at the same time remained faithful worshippers of God, if after the most careful, and impartial investigation, you should find all these things to be real, and undeniable facts, _then_ I would address you in the words, with which St. Paul addressed King Agrippa, "I would to God, that both in little, and in much, not only thou, but also, all that hear me this day, should become such as I also am, except these bonds." (Acts, ch. xxvi., v. 28.) Yes, gentlemen, I repeat it, if after the most serious, and minute investigation, you should find the above things _real_, and _undeniable_ facts, _then_, gentlemen, the sincere wish of my heart would be, that you might all become Catholics, and the _spiritual_ children of the head of our Church, but, _mind_, without our bonds, that is, without having to suffer, what our Catholic ancestors had to suffer for their faith,[G] a faith, which they conscientiously held as their best inheritance, and which, they held more dear, than life itself.

I would also address you in the words, in which Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, addressed the Jewish Council respecting the Apostles, who were unjustly cast into prison. "And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel, or this work, be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps, even you be found to fight against God." (Acts, ch. 5, v. 38, 39.) Gentlemen, if the Catholic Faith, be an invention of _human_ counsel, and a work of _human_ policy, rest assured, it will of _itself_ crumble into nought, but if it be _of God_, and if it be the _will of God_, that England should return to her ancient faith, you cannot overthrow it, and you cannot fight against God, for as the wise man says, "there is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord." (Prov. ch. xxi., v. 30.)

Gentlemen, I think you must acknowledge, that I have answered, shortly indeed, but I hope satisfactorily, your objection, as to the Pope's gradually extending his _spiritual_, and temporal domination over you Protestants. Gentlemen, I am not aware, that any one at your meeting, was so uncourteous as to throw in the face of Catholics, either the Gunpowder, or Oates' plots. Still, you are aware, that it has been done at _many_ of the late meetings, and in many places of England, to the injustice of Catholics. Allow me, to solicit your attention, whilst I say a few words respecting each of these plots, and whilst I show you, it is most unjust to throw those diabolical plots in the face of Catholics, either of the present, or of former ages.

The Guy Fawkes plot, or as it is usually termed, the Gunpowder Plot, is often sneeringly, and insultingly thrown in the face of Catholics. Now let it be remembered, that the original conspirators were only eight in number, that they were also of the most abandoned character, and that some of them, years before, had abjured the Catholic faith, and let it also be remembered, that this plot was disclosed even by a Catholic, Lord Monteagle, and that the Pope in a letter expressed his detestation of it, and ordered the Catholic clergy, to prevent by all means in their power, all similar conspiracies, and to exhort the people to patience and obedience. Now I ask, is it reasonable, that the wicked deeds of these few and abandoned conspirators, should be thrown in the face of the whole body of Catholics; as well might you upbraid our Saviour with the crimes of Judas. The plot was unknown to all good Catholics, they had nothing whatever to do with it, and it, and all other plotting whatever, were condemned and forbidden in the most severe manner, by the Clergy and the Pope. What could Catholics do more? Why, therefore, are the Catholics of the present times to be condemned for a plot with which they had no more to do, than the Protestants of the present day? But I will suppose for a moment, this diabolical plot was concocted by real Catholics. Can it be unreasonably urged, against the Catholics of the present day? If you answer, yes, I will then prove that the Ministers who attended your meeting, were cursers, murderers, and deserters of Christ. For if you ask each of them, if he is a minister of Christ, he will answer, certainly. Well, then, one of the Apostles betrayed our Saviour, another by oaths and curses, denied him, and all deserted him on the night of his passion. Now, if the above line of argumentation, against Catholics be valid, then I may conclude, that the Ministers who attended your meeting, were murderers, cursers, deniers, and deserters of Christ. Really, if I were to adopt this mode of argumentation against them, you would think, and justly, the _upper stories_ of my intellect were of a very strange structure. How can persons, therefore, have the barefacedness to apply such reasoning to the Catholics of the present day, respecting the Gunpowder Plot.

Whoever will read the history of Titus Oates's Plot, will find that it was concocted against the Catholics, by some of the brightest characters for rascality, and perjury, and infamy, and cruelty, that the world ever beheld. Oates' plot consisted in this, that he accused the Catholics, and Jesuits in particular, of a plot, to murder King Charles the II., (1678), to transfer the sovereignty of the realm to the Pope, and to extirpate the Protestant religion from the land. But was not Titus Oates himself a _Jesuit_, or at least, a _Catholic_? You shall hear who Titus Oates was, from the _pen_ of _Protestant_ Historians.

"Oates, the former of this dreadful plot, was himself the most infamous of mankind. He was the son of an Anabaptist preacher, took orders in the Church of England, became chaplain on board the fleet, and was dismissed for some unnatural practices, not fit to be named." (See Hume's History.) You shall hear too, who his accomplices were; "Bedloe, a man, if _possible_, more infamous than Oates himself;" (See Hume's History.) And these were soon backed by others. "A wretch, named Carstairs led the way, and soon, from all the brothels, gambling houses, and spunging houses of London, _false witnesses_ poured in, to swear away the lives of Roman Catholics." (See Macaulay's History of England.) And yet, on the barefaced testimony, of these abandoned, and infamous wretches, the Catholic Noblemen and Gentlemen, were, with the exception of the Duke of York, expelled from their seats in Parliament. Some of them, (although as innocent of the crimes of which they were accused, as the new-born babe), were tried, and executed on the false, and contradictory evidence, of these base wretches. All of them, died protesting their innocence; and many of them, embraced the opportunity to declare their abhorrence, of the doctrines so commonly, but so unjustly, attributed to Catholics. Their speeches at the place of execution, are still on record. (See "A Remonstrance of Piety and Innocence," 1683. Dodd's History, vol. iii., p. 356.) And if ever a man, may be believed to speak with sincerity, it is when, in the full possession of his senses, he stands on the brink of eternity, and expects the next moment, to be presented before an Omniscient Judge. One of them, Lord Stafford, referred the Peers, at his trial, for an account of his religious creed, to a small tract, entitled "Catholic Principles." This small tract has often been printed, and was then, and is still, considered to convey an accurate notion of the Catholic faith. Well may Hume say, that "this Popish plot, is an incident, which, for the credit of the nation, it were better to bury in eternal oblivion, but which it is necessary to perpetuate, both for the truth of history, and to warn, if possible, their posterity, and all mankind, never again to fall into so _shameful_, so _barbarous_ a _delusion_." (See Hume's History.) And yet Oates was rewarded with appointments in the Royal Palace, and had L1200 a year assigned him, as the wages of his iniquity, and Bedloe L500: and Oates was called "the Saviour of the nation."

But how did these wretches come off at last? You shall hear again, from Mr. Macaulay. About seven years later, when the madness, and the delusion of the people, had passed away, it was resolved, to bring these wretches, who had spilled so much blood, to their _own_ trial. "Some of the wretches," (says Macaulay) "were already beyond the reach of justice. Bedloe had died in his wickedness, without one sign of remorse or shame. Dugdale had followed him to the grave, driven mad by the furies of an evil conscience, and with loud shrieks, imploring those, who stood around his bed, to take away Lord Stafford. (A Catholic Lord, whose life he had sworn away, seven years ago.) Carstairs, too, was gone. His end, was all horror, and despair, and with his last breath, he told his attendants to throw him into a ditch, like a dog, for that he was not fit, to sleep in Christian burial ground." Mr. Macaulay thus describes Oates' appearance, at _his_ trial. "A few years earlier, his short neck, his legs uneven, as those of a badger, his forehead low, as that of a baboon, his purple cheeks, and monstrous length of chin, had been familiar to all, who frequented the courts of law. He had been the idol of the nation--men had uncovered their heads to him, and called him, the deliverer of his country. They _now shuddered_ at the sight of the _hideous_ features, on which _villany_ seemed to be written, by the _hand of God_." (See Macaulay's History of England.) Horrible as were the sufferings of Oates, they did not equal his crimes. Such, gentlemen, is a short, but true account of Titus Oates's Plot, and of his abandoned, and perjured accomplices. And yet, some have the audacity to throw this infamous plot, in the face of the Catholics, even at the present day. To such I would say, "you are either ignorant of history, or not; if you are ignorant of history, it is the part of a simpleton, to talk on subjects which he does not understand." But if you are acquainted with history, I beg to address you in the words of the poet--

"A moral, sensible, and well bred man,
Will not offend me, and no other can."

Gentlemen, I now appeal to you, if it is not evident from what I have advanced in the preceding pages, that the late crusade against Catholics, has been most unjust, and most cruel. If you will seriously, and coolly, and impartially consider what has been advanced, you must be convinced, that all your alarms, and those of many other Englishmen, are mere chimeras of your own imaginations. But if, to some of you, the above reasoning does not appear satisfactory, I am sure it will to every sensible and unbiased Englishman. Englishmen, indeed, like all other nations, have _their faults_, and _their perfections_. In times of general excitement, and of public panic, nothing is too absurd, for their credulity. In the hour of excitement, and of public panic, _pigmies_, appear _giants_ to them, and _mole-hills_, swell into _mountains_. Witness the late railway mania. This mania, spread like wildfire, through the higher, the middle, and even the lower classes, and threw the whole nation, into a fever of excitement. Before their excited imaginations, rose the golden dreams of their _six_, and _eight_, and _ten_ per cent., of railways, as the _best_ and _surest_ investment for their property, in short, as the easiest and most direct means, of turning their mole-hills of money into mountains of gold. _In vain_, were Englishmen warned, and cautioned by _sensible_, and _thinking_ persons, _against_ these _golden_ prospects of their excited imaginations. Convinced, they either _would not_, or _could not_ be. But lo! the mighty bubble burst, and then, to their loss, and sorrow, they both _saw_, and _acknowledged_ the _folly_ of their former excitement, of their _railway golden dreams_.

Again, I say, when Englishmen return to their _cooler_ moments, and _seriously_ reflect, on all the _late hubbub_, about _Pope's Bulls_, and _Guy Fawkes_, and _Gunpowder Plots_, and _Catholic Mummeries and Superstitions_, I feel confident, they will verify the words of Dr. Hughes, the Catholic Prelate of New York, who lately preached in London, on his way to Rome. "I am sure (says this distinguished Prelate,) that this great, and liberal nation, (England) _will_, after this _temporary_ excitement is _over_, _be ashamed_ of their _present_ conduct, and will be _astonished_, how they could _ever think_, of proposing any steps, which tended to _abridge_, the _liberty_ of _any_ portion, of their countrymen, and violate that freedom in religion, which _is their boast_. The (English) Ministry _cannot_ go _one_ step back, upon the track of _persecutions_, if they make but _one_ step, in _that_ direction, they will be _condemned_, by _every liberal_ minded man, and will be looked upon, with _contempt_ by the _rest_ of the nations of the _world_." (Dr. Hughes' Sermon. London, December 1st, 1850.)

Hence we find, that _most_, of the _great_ and _enlightened_ statesmen of _England_, always _boldly_, and _freely_, advocated the freedom, and liberties of the _Catholics_. _As long_, as we retain _any_ respect for genius, and discernment, for Parliamentary eloquence, and political wisdom, the names of Pitt, and of Fox, of Burke, and of Windham, of Canning, and of Peel, will stand _foremost_, in the _public_ estimation. These eminent statesmen, however they might _differ_ on _other_ subjects, concurred in supporting the _cause_ of the _Catholics_. _Their's_ was the conviction of _liberal_, and _enlightened_ minds, who forgot the distinctions of _party_, in their _zeal_, to serve the cause of _justice_, and of _freedom_. Yes, they _well knew_, that the _British_ Constitution, was _not_ a constitution of _restraints_, and _penalties_, that it was _framed_ to preserve the rights of _freemen_, that it was formed, for the _whole_, not for a _part_, and that it was destined, like the sun, to shed its benign influence _upon all_. And _hence_, they knew, that they could not _better_ consult its _prosperity_ and _stability_, than by fearlessly, and manfully battling, for _equal_ rights, and _equal_ justice _to all_.

Gentlemen, I must now beg leave to retire, as my presence is required, in a _more august_ assembly. You know, your address to the Magistrates for calling a meeting, &c., was _headed_ by certain Protestant Ministers, and you know also, that most of their fellow labourers in the vineyard, of the Protestant Church, have been most _active_, and _zealous_ in the _late_ crusade against the _Catholics_. Now, to pass over these reverend gentlemen with _silent_ contempt, would be, in my humble opinion, an act of great _incivility_, and _disrespect_ on _my_ part; and which, _they_ might perhaps consider, _a most extraordinary_, and _presumptuous movement_, on _my_ part; I beg leave, gentlemen, therefore, to adjourn to this _august_ assembly, and as I shall have to show these reverend gentlemen, what "an extraordinary and presumptuous movement," _their Protestant_ Church, has been making, _for a long time_, on the _pockets_, and on the _intellects_ of Englishmen, I shall be very glad, if you will accompany me, and see verified the poetical words of my two texts, annexed to my first _little_ address to you--

"I would you had been there to see
How the light blazed up so gloriously."

"And then in naked majesty,
With brow serene, and beaming placid light,
Came truth."

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Lingard's Anglo-Saxon, vol. 1, p. 189, 190.

[B] Macaulay, tells us, that the number of Roman Catholics is not fewer than 150,000,000, and that it would be difficult to shew that all the other Christian sects united, amount, to 120,000,000. I quite agree with his words, "not fewer," and "it would be difficult to shew;" for upon an accurate calculation, it would be found that the Catholics amount nearer to 200,000,000, than to 150,000,000, and that all the other Christian sects, united into one body, are nearer 100,000,000, than 120,000,000. However, Macaulay's statement is quite sufficient to prove what we have cited it for, viz:--that the Roman Catholics are the greatest body of Christians, and therefore have the best title to the ancient and honourable name of Catholic.

[C] In the Apostle's Creed, _we all_ profess to believe in the _Holy Catholic_ Church. Now, if this is not _our_ Church, I would ask, what Church _is it_? Is it the collection of sects which have sprung from the Reformation? But, then, it would not be _Catholic_, for as they are the smaller number, they cannot claim universality. Is it the Theological hodge-podge, the farrago of all the religions, which believe in the Gospel? Then it cannot be _Holy_, for we should form the _principal_ part of it, and you know, the immaculate Church of England tells us, our doctrines are idolatrous. I really think, people had better leave us in the _quiet_ possession of our old inheritance, the honourable and ancient name of Catholic, and _then_ they would avoid the above ridiculous consequences.

[D] I have sometimes been asked, and the question has sometimes been slyly popped to me, and to others, by certain limbs of the law, if I was a _Jesuit_? I answer first, that I have not the honour to belong to that learned, and much calumniated body, the Jesuits. I answer secondly, I perfectly understood the _sly_ drift of these _questions_, and _inuendoes_. It was as good as to say, "Jesuitism is a strange compound of all kinds of tricks and quirks, and of mental reservations, and deceptions. Now this little spectacle fellow, is one of them, and therefore, he is up to all the Jesuitical trade, and is a perfect specimen of it. Nay, I believe, that he could slyly board us with his Jesuitical tricks, _even_ while we were looking on." Well, one good turn certainly deserves another. And now, I must as politely as I can, tell these limbs of the law, that if I am to judge of the law from the little, that I have really seen, and know about _them_, and that if Jesuitism be _really_, what they _imagine_ it is, and if the whole of England ever became Catholic, and then, from Catholicism jumped to Jesuitism, in this case, I certainly think that these limbs of the law, will not have to study, the celestial arts of Jesuitism, as pourtrayed in their own imagination; for they will be _already_, perfectly dubbed masters of Israel in that art, and they will certainly occupy distinguished places, in the various departments of _mental reservations_, pious frauds, and charitable tricks and quirks upon their neighbour's pockets. Really this reminds me of Paddy, who had just arrived from Ireland, and was _sneeringly_ asked by a _busy_ Englishman, what kind of a crop of Murphies, they had had in Ireland? Pat had a shillalah in his hand, he up with it, knocked down the Englishman, and said; "And sure your honour, we have had a very good crop of Murphies, and you may know it by the feel, for that is the stalk of one." Now, I hope these limbs of the law, will not be offended at me for taking up my spectacle shillalah, and just politely flooring them, for their _Jesuitical inuendoes_ and _mental reservations_ in my regard. I hope they will not be offended, at my defending myself, for their own profession will teach them, that every one is allowed fair play, whether he be a metamorphosed calumniated Jesuit, or a limb of the law in the body of a man's pocket. But far be it from me to adopt their extensive, and sweeping mode of argumentation, viz., the law of the land is a heap of deceptions, and tricks, now such a man is a lawyer, therefore he must be a sleight-of-hand gentleman in that art. Before I make this sweeping conclusion, I ought _first_, to examine seriously, and carefully, if the law _really is_, this strange compound of deceptions, and I ought then, to examine and really know, that this lawyer has really acted according to this deception, I ought to do this, before I condemn him personally, or open the flood-gates of condemnation on the whole respectable body of lawyers. This is the argumentation which reason and justice tell me I ought to adopt. Now just let these limbs of the law, adopt this line of argumentation with regard to Jesuitism and Jesuits, and then, they will be both limbs of the law, and limbs of fair play.

[E] But some one will perhaps inquire, does the Protestant Church consider _your_ Catholic Ministers _really_ ordained? I reply she does, for were any Catholic Priest to go over to the Protestant Church, she would not ordain him. And why? Because the Protestant Church got her ordinations (if she has any) from us, and to question _our_ ordination, would be to strike at the foundation of _her own_.

[F] "Catholicity, which has been this night, the subject of so much abuse, has been the belief of the most extensive, and enlightened nations in Europe, and of the most illustrious characters, that ever did honour to the name of man."--(Speech of Lord Hutchinson in the House of Lords, May 10th, 1805.)

[G] The following are the words of Mr. Cobbett, a protestant, writer respecting the introduction of the Protestant religion into these realms. "The Queen (Elizabeth) reigned for forty five years, and these forty-five years, were spent in deeds of such cruelty, as the world had never heard of, or read of before; and all for the purpose of compelling her people, to submit to this established (Protestant) Church. With regard to the cruelties of this monster, in woman's shape, her butcherings, her rippings up, her tearing out of the bowels of her subjects, her torments of every description, in which she was always cordially supported, by the lawgiving makers of the (Protestant) prayer book, I must refer the reader, to my history of the Protestant reformation; suffice it to say (here), that in these forty-five years, which were employed in the establishing of this Church, there were more cruelty, more bloodshed, more suffering, than ever were witnessed in the world, in any other country in a like period of time." (Cobbett's Legacy to Parsons, p. 38.)

AN ADDRESS

TO THE

CLERGYMEN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

"A marvellous project, (is) i'faith, and a merry jest withal!"

MOST REVEREND GENTLEMEN,

You cannot be _surprised_, that I have _not_ taken my text from the _Scripture_, for many of you tell the people, that we _Catholic_ Clergymen wish to conceal from the people that sacred volume. To have, therefore, taken my text from the _Scripture_ for the _sake_ of the _people_, would be like falsifying your words, and to have quoted it for your instructions, would have been most presumptuous on my part, as every one knows you are masters of Israel, both in word and deed, in the knowledge of that sacred volume. Had I, therefore, been so presumptuous as to have quoted Scripture for _your_ information, you might have perhaps addressed me in the words of the Poet--

"Ye Popish blockheads, mitred Cambridge cries,
Begone; I and my friends alone are wise,
Rich with the spoils of Babylon, 'tis fit
That _we_ should claim monopoly of wit."

Well, among the great diffusion of biblical knowledge, which has been so _gloriously_ spread among the people by your Scriptural Church, as by Law established, I happened one day _fortunately_ to hear, that you Reverends often told the people, that there was a golden and heavenly rule in the Scriptures, viz.:--_that they were never to do unto others, what they would not wish others to do unto them_. Now we cannot for a moment suppose, that like spiritual guide-posts, _you_ would wish to inculcate this golden rule to _others_, and not follow it _yourselves_. Well then, you have been _lately_ trying to arouse the indignation of the people, by informing them in the most _dignified_ manner, that the Pope of Rome has just made a most "extraordinary, and presumptuous movement" on the Protestants of England. Now what shall we say, if it turn out, that you and _your Reverend_ Protestant ancestors, have for a long time been making a "most extraordinary, and presumptuous movement" on the _pockets_, and on the _intellects_ of Englishmen?

Let us then proceed to examine _coolly_, and _calmly_, the above points. I will endeavour, most Reverend Gentlemen, to discuss these points with as much temper, and forbearance as I possibly can. But, you must remember, that _you_ and many of _your_ Reverend body, have been endeavouring to convict, _without ceremony_, the _numerous_ and _respectable_ Catholic body of England, of the crimes of wishing to extend their _popish spiritual_ and _temporal_ domination over the Protestants of England. For this purpose, your zealous and Reverend body have, with pious industry, raked together the filth of ancient controversy, and poured it _without mercy_ on the heads of Catholics, and on that Church, of which it is my pride to be a minister. Now, Reverend Gentlemen, _you_, who deal so copiously in hard words, certainly ought not to complain, if you should happen sometimes, to meet with them in return. If _you_ demand respect from _others_, you ought certainly to respect a _more numerous body_ of Christians, (I mean the Catholic Christian world,) who have no reason to think themselves, your inferiors in talent, learning, or judgment. Well then, let us now proceed to the discussion of the above two points.

Most Reverend Gentlemen, in a book (but _mind_ not the _Scripture_) called the _extraordinary_ Black Book, published in London in the year 1831, by Effingham Wilson, Royal Exchange, I find the following statement of the income of the Church of England as by Law established. Of course, I am aware, that certain changes have been made by Government (since the publication of the above book) as to the amount of individual incomes, but the _aggregate_ sum is still absorbed by the Protestant Church, as by Law established. Well then, in the above-mentioned, extraordinary Black Book, I find the various incomes of the Church of England there stated, and would you believe it! they form a sum of money, TO THE TUNE _of nine millions, four hundred and fifty-two thousands, five hundred and sixty-five pounds per annum_.

Now let us see, how well the Bishops, and Archbishops of the Reformation, have thriven on the above _spiritual_ food. The following is an extract from the probate duty returns, and of course, must be _real_ testimony as to the _worth_ of these _poor in spirit_ children, when they awoke "in that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveller returns."

EXTRACT FROM PROBATE OF WILLS.

L
Stopford, Bishop of Cork, left his family 25,000
Percy, Bishop of Dromore 40,000
Cleaver, Bishop of Ferns 50,000
Bernard, Bishop of Limerick 60,000
Knox, Bishop of Killaloe 100,000
Fowler, Archbishop of Dublin 150,000
Beresford, Archbishop of Tuam 250,000
Porter, Bishop of Clogher 250,000
Hawkins, Bishop of Raphoe 250,000
Agur, Archbishop of Cashel 400,000
Bishop Warburton 500,000

Now just add up the above items, and then, you will see that these _Protestant_ Bishops and Archbishops, _after_ maintaining themselves, their wives and families, left _behind_ them, according to the probate duty returns, _no less than the enormous sum of two millions and seventy-five thousand pounds sterling_. Really, when these _mammon-godly_ souls entered the gates of heaven, with all these paraphernalia of gold, how amazed must the celestial inmates have been! They would wonder whence these _golden_ spirits came, but of this they would be convinced, that they must have come from the land of the _living_, and had certainly _piously_ reformed the words of the Scripture, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," and really verified the words of my text, "What a _marvellous_ project is faith, and a _merry_ jest withal!"

So far, Reverend Gentlemen, I think the people will begin to conclude, that your Reverend body has, for some time, been making a most "extraordinary and presumptuous movement" on the _pockets_ of Englishmen, and would to heaven! I could stop here. But I must _now_ show the people of England, that _your Protestant_ Church as by Law established, is receiving more money by _four hundred and fifty-three thousands, five hundred and sixty-five pounds_, than all the other Christian churches in the _whole_ world. The above _extraordinary_ Black Book, gives a scale of the _comparative_ expenses of the Church of _England_, and of all the other _Christian_ churches in the _whole_ world. Now by this scale, it is shown that the _total_ income of all the Christian churches in the various parts of the world, is eight millions nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand pounds; and the above scale shows, that the income of the Church of _England_, is nine millions, four hundred and fifty-two thousands, five hundred and sixty-five pounds. Now, if you will just place the _smaller_ of these under the _larger_ number, and subtract the one from the other, you will see that the _income_ of the Protestant Church _in England_, exceeds the total income of _all_ the other _Christian_ churches in the whole world, by _four hundred and fifty-three thousands, five hundred and sixty-five pounds_. Oh, mighty England! thou boastest, _and justly_, that thy majestic fleet rides on the waves, the triumphant mistress of the seas; and thou mayest also _as truly_, but not _so justly_, boast, that thy _Scriptural_ Church, as by Law _established_, rides triumphant on the _golden_ waves of _mammon_, and that she is _really mistress_ of the world, _in point of mammon_; she is _truly_ the _grand_ and _golden_ emporium of _clerical_ incomes. Oh, how justly may the ministers of this Church, address her, as their golden calf, in these words of the Scripture, "Where _thou_ goest, _I_ will go; and where _thou_ lodgest, _I_ will lodge; and _thy_ people shall be _my_ people." (Ruth i. 16.) "Yea! and we will kill the fatted calf, and slay the rams, and make _merry_." (Prov. v. 9.)

But you will reply, we got all this money from _you papists_. Yes, courteous clerks, to the _honour_ of the Catholic Church be it said, that all this money was left by our _charitable_ ancestors; and I will now judge you from _your own_ mouths. _Mind_ and _mark it well_, that in the _Catholic_ times of old England, the above sums of money were divided into _three_ parts: _one_ for the maintenance of the clergy, the _second_ for the repair of the churches, and the _third_ for the support of the _poor_. In those good old _Catholic_ times, there were no church-rates, nor poor-rates. But your _god-like_ church as by law established, thought it more just, or at least _convenient_, to pocket _herself_ the _whole_ of the above sum, and to leave to the _public_ the charitable office, of providing for the other _two_ purposes. Really, Most Reverend Gentlemen, I candidly appeal to you, if this was not "a most extraordinary and presumptuous movement" of your clerical ancestors on the _pockets_ of the people; and _really_, must not people of the _present_ day think it "a most extraordinary and presumptuous movement" on the part of you Reverend Gentlemen, to continue these _pious_ frauds, and _godly_ practices of your ancestors? In _this_, at least, you _fully_ observe the commands of the _Scripture_, "Remove not the landmark of thy forefathers." Oh ye poor! (whom I sincerely love for the sake of my Saviour,) when I enter your hovels, where sickness, misery, and want meet together, and witness the scenes of distress that are passing there;--when I see a few handfuls of dying embers, that are calculated rather to starve you, than afford you the necessary comforts of warmth;--when I see the bed of wretchedness, on which you cast your wearied limbs;--when I view the tattered clothes, which scarcely cover you decently, much less protect you from the inclemency of the weather;--when I behold your pale and sickly countenances, that bespeak the poorness and scarcity of your food;--when I view your poor little children, begging in vain, with tears of artless innocence, a morsel of bread to satisfy the cravings of hunger;--when I witness scenes of this heart-rending description, (scenes which are not very uncommon now-a-days), the _charity_ of our _Catholic_ ancestors, and the _inhumanity_ of _your_ Church as by law established, rush vividly on my mind, and call to my recollection the words of our Saviour, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess ye the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you covered me; sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil, and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you covered me not; sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least," (namely the poor), "neither did you do it to me." (St. Matt. xxv. 34 to 45.) Oh how _strikingly_ does the _first_ part of this sacred passage apply to _our charitable_ Catholic ancestors? But shall I apply the second part to _you_, or _your_ Protestant ancestors? Oh! heaven forbid I should! I say with the great St. Paul, I judge no man; but charity for you, and the poor, induce me to entreat of you, and to ask of God to give you His grace, to commence a real reform in your _church property_, for the _sake_ of the _poor_, and to restore to the _poor_, what your Protestant ancestors so _unjustly_ took from them.

But you will perhaps reply, that all this church property, has been _justly_ given to your Protestant Church, by the _law_ of the _land_; for as the law of the land, _justly_ secures _to the landlord, his rents_, so the law of the land, _justly_ secures to _your church, the tithes_. I answer, in the first place, that by no law, either human, or divine, can property be _justly_ applied to any _other_ purpose, than to _that_ for which the _intention_ of the testator left it. Now one-third of this church property, was left by our _Catholic_ ancestors, for the support of the _poor_; and _as long_ as this property, was in the hands of the _Catholic Church_, the poor always received _their just_ share. Hence, among _all_ the calumnies against the _Catholic_ Church, even her _basest_ enemies, could _never_ accuse her of _injustice to the poor_. I answer secondly, the law of the land, as to _landlords_, is a _good_ law, because the landlord gives to his tenant _value_ (viz., the use of the land) for what he (the landlord) receives; whereas the law of tithes is a _bad_ law, because it often exacts tithes, where the payer has never received, _one farthing_ of value from the _parson_. Now in this case, it does appear to me (and I am sure it must to many others) most unjust to demand it _from persons_, who never received a _pin's-worth_ of good, from _your_ ministry in their lives. Nay, perhaps the _only return_ they got, for the payment of their tithes was, to hear their religion _abused_, and to be held up before the public, as guilty of those _very_ crimes, which _these_ reverends _themselves_ were _really_ committing, either by their robbing the poor of their just share, or by unjustly exacting from _others_ money, for which the _payers_ had never received one farthing of value.[H]

And now, most Reverend Gentlemen, I must just let the people see, how you contrive to blind them, by throwing _popish_ dust into their eyes. All the noise, which you make, _about the pope's bulls, and about popish spiritual and temporal domination_, is a mere _ruse de guerre_ of _many_ of you, (some of you indeed, I believe, are sincere in your motives, and actions,) to divert _public_ attention, from the _great temporalities_ of the established Church. You call, and hold your public and glorious meetings. With upturned hands and eyes, with high-_souled_ strains of _devotional_ eloquence, with cordial community of feeling, got up between the _established_ Church, and _those_ whom you indeed honour _with your lips_ by the title of reverends, but whom, _in your hearts_, you deem _mere phantoms_ of ministers, with silvery tones, and well-turned periods, of _rag-tag_ and _bob-tail_ inspirations; you excite the breathless attention of your audience, and profess the _most sanctified_ attachment to your _godly_ Church, and to your glorious Constitution, under the protection of whose wing, _you_ are _slyly_ basking in the sunshine of _godly_ mammon, and _worldly_ wealth. Should any poor _Catholic_, or _charitable dissenter_, (who wishes _you_ to _do_ to _others_ as _you_ would be _done_ by,) obtrude himself on the notice of your meeting, a thundering philippic is _instantly_ raised against _popery_, and gaining strength and speed, and loudness in its progress, rumbles onward, until at last, it bursts forth into a _tremendous_ elemental roar, increased by the zealous acclamations of an enraptured and fanatical audience. Oh, most Reverend Gentlemen, this is really a _glorious_, and _very profitable_ humbug. _As long_ as _you_ can manage, to keep the people in _this feverish state of excitement_, the gulls will think more of _discussing pope's_ bulls, _Guy Fawkes's, and Gunpowder Plots_, than of _questioning_ the _moral_ basis of the law, which entitles _you_ to take from _the poor_, their _just_ share of _Church_ property, left by _our charitable_ ancestors, and of exacting tithes and Church-rates from _those_, who do not belong to _your_ flock, and _for whom you do nothing in return_. Thus, you _successfully_ stave off the _discussion of Church_ property, professing all the while, the most _devotional_ concern for the _spiritual_ welfare of _the gulls_, on whose _pockets_, you are making a most 'extraordinary, and presumptuous movement.' Thus _you_ reap the _profits_, and _laugh_ at the _fools_, who are _cajoled_ by _your grand_ displays. Really, most Reverend Gentlemen, this extraordinary and presumptuous conduct, does, in my humble opinion, _beat all the powers of impudence_.[I]

Most Reverend Gentlemen, I have now proved "the extraordinary and presumptuous movement," which _your scriptural_ Church as by law established, has been making for a long time on the _pockets_ of Englishmen. I must now proceed to show, what "a most extraordinary and presumptuous movement" she has been making for a long time, on the _intellects_ of Englishmen. Would to God that occasion had never been given to me to touch on _this_ subject! But remember, that _many_ of your _reverend_ body, have been _publicly_ advancing the most _pretty_, and _polite_ things against _us Catholics_. The newspapers, will bear ample testimony to the _strange_, and _horrid_ things, which _many_ of your _reverends_, have _lately_ uttered against the Catholic Church. Now, what they have in general uttered against us, is, _unfortunately_, _not_ founded on _truth_; but mind, what I shall advance is _really true_, although _most awful_, nay _almost_ incredible, had not your _Protestant_ testimonies borne _ample_ witness _to it_. Remember, also, that although Our Saviour was the _most_ meek, and kind creature that the world _ever_ beheld, _still_, when the _honour_ of His Heavenly Father was _insulted_ and _outraged_, He cast the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. Now, some of your reverend body, have, in my ideas, lately used all their endeavours to insult, and outrage the Catholic Church, which, I consider, the Temple of God. Pardon me, therefore, if I should with the spiritual arms of _truth_, (and I hope of _charity_,) cast _them_ out of that temple, and show the world, they had _better_ have been in _their own_ temple, and have tried to have _re_formed _it_, _before_ they had endeavoured to turn masters of Israel, in their _neighbours'_ temple.

But _this_, Reverend Gentlemen, I must say, that if the Catholic Church, had _no better_ foundation than _declamation_ against the _Protestant_ Church, I would not be either a _minister_, or a _member_ of it for a _single_ day. But mind, the Catholic Church has both a _good_ foundation, and can also show the _flimsy_ texture of the _Protestant_ Church, when Protestant ministers are so _imprudent_ as to attack her.

Most Reverend Gentlemen, I can only say, had _you_ remained quiet, _I_ should have been _innocent_ of the disagreeable task, of having to state the following _awful_ facts. But as _you_ have not, I can only add, I am _innocent_ of the consequences, look _you_ to them. I will not indeed exclaim, with the Scripture, "Its blood be upon you, and upon your children;" but I will rather say, in the spirit of charity, may it bring you, and your followers, to a serious consideration, and to a sense of duty. But some of you reverends will _perhaps_ infer, from the awful truths which I shall advance, that I must believe that all, who are not of _our_ communion, must go to hell. _Appalling sentence!_ Christ certainly has said, that he that will not hear the Church, is to be to us as a heathen and a publican (that is, excluded from our spiritual communion.) But Christ does not say, he will _go to hell_, much less, therefore, ought _I_ to _rashly_ condemn him. St. Paul, also, warns us to judge _no man_, for this good reason, because _we, also_ shall have to stand before the tribunal of Christ. Far, therefore, be it from me to open the flood-gates of damnation, even on a _single_ individual, much less on the _whole_ body of our Protestant brethren. Although, therefore, I shall shortly advance truths, most awful, and almost incredible, still, let no one imagine, I mean anything PERSONAL. Oh, no, I will say with the poet--

"Let not this weak unknowing hand,
Presume thy bolts to throw,
Or deal damnation round the land,
On all I judge thy foe."

Well, then, let it be remembered, that I shall advance only undeniable facts, without intending to deal damnation _on you_, or on the _whole_ Protestant body.

"I (shall) only speak right on,
Yes, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friends, and that they know full well,
Who gave me public cause to speak the truth.
I'll tell you _that_, which you yourselves _might_ know."

A certain Spanish chemist, thought that _God's_ formation of his master, had not been executed in the most perfect, and durable manner; and this chemist had the audacious presumption to imagine, that if he demolished his master, he could raise him to life again, to a more perfect, and durable specimen of workmanship, than he was, when God first made him. For this purpose, this audacious chemist cut his master into pieces, and put the various parts into his sublimatory glass, with the design of raising his master again, by chemical operation, to a more durable, and perfect state of life than he was, when he was the handiwork of _God's_ formation. Now, Most Reverend Gentlemen, I will not apply this to your Church, but _this_ I will do, I will show you what the Church _was_, and _is_, which the fathers of the Reformation wished first to demolish, on account of her imperfections, and then, to raise her again to a more perfect specimen of spiritual life; I will show the characters of these spiritual chemists; I will show you the wonderful works of their spiritual chemistry, and the wonderful spiritual works of their scriptural hands; and then, I will leave you, and others to judge, whether these first reformers, and these new soul menders, _did, or did not_, really imitate the strange, and presumptuous conduct of this Spanish chemist.

When God first created man, He imprinted on his heart the light of reason, which (whether aided by revelation or not, it is not necessary here to enquire) taught him his duty to his God, to his neighbour, and to himself. This light was also imprinted on the hearts of his descendants; but as man fell from God by sin, the light of this natural law was greatly impaired, both in the hearts of our _first_ parents, and of all _their_ descendants. The light of this natural law, though much impaired by Adam's fall, is, and ever has been, imprinted on the hearts of all, and is, and ever has been, the foundation of all moral rectitude. The imperfection of this natural law was, before our Saviour came, supplied by the aid of revelation, which Almighty God communicated to mankind, at various times, through His chosen servants. But at _last_, the Almighty was pleased to send His only Son from heaven to earth, to supply the deficiency of this natural law, and to teach mankind, in the most perfect manner, their duty to God, to their neighbour, and to themselves. Hence our Saviour beautifully says, "He came _not_ to destroy the law, but to fulfil it," that is, He came to supply the imperfections of the natural law, caused by Adam's fall, and to teach us, in the most perfect manner, our duty to our God, to our neighbour, and to ourselves. Hence, for this purpose He became man, and united our humanity to His divinity. In this God-man, were concentrated all the treasures of divine wisdom and knowledge; and to this God-man, were given all power in heaven, and on earth. It is plain, therefore, as our Saviour beautifully says, He came to be the way, the truth, and the life to all mankind; that is, He came to be the way, by showing us the true way of heaven, which had been darkened, and obscured by the sin of our first parents; He came to be the truth, by revealing to us those supernatural truths, which the natural law did not reveal, and by revealing to us more clearly those truths, which the natural law revealed only obscurely; and lastly, He came to be our life, by communicating to mankind His graces, by which they were enabled to _practise_ the truths, which this divine law _taught_, and thus, by the _knowledge_, and _faithful practice_ of this divine law, to arrive at last at the kingdom of heaven. Hence, fully sensible of this truth, the Apostles are continually in the Scriptures reminding us, on _the one hand_, of man's fall, and the sad consequences of that fall; and _on the other hand_, of our liberation from sin, and of the abundant blessings we have received, by redemption through Jesus Christ.

Now, that mankind _in every age_, might be partakers of these abundant, and spiritual blessings, Jesus Christ was pleased to found a Church, and to invest this Church with the same spiritual powers, which He had received from His heavenly Father. This Church, _through Jesus Christ_, was to be the _infallible_ source of all spiritual knowledge, and of all spiritual grace; in short, it was to be the _visible_, the _infallible_, and _the incorruptible_ Church of all ages, with the world for its boundaries, and time for its duration.