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 Christian 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 "Rational 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 13th November, 1828. 1 THE AUTHOR CONTENTS. An elucidation of TRUTH, the object of the work. Early impres- sions, 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. 13-14 The Romish Church erroneously impresses upon the belief of her SECT. I.-THAT CHRIST HAS ALWAYS A TRUE CHURCH UPON Who are the members of whom it is composed, as declared by the Unity of the CHRISTIAN Catholic Church broken by Popery. Her SECT. III. THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS ALWAYS HOLY IN Additions of Popery to the doctrines of Christ. What degree of faith necessary for good Papists to profess, as extracted from 34 their Decretals. Opinion of Mr. Charles Butler on the depraved state of his Church at the time of the Reformation. Romish • SECT. IV. THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS CATHOLIC OR Brief history of the primitive Christian and Popish Churches, from SECT. V.-THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST MUST BE APOSTOLICAL Pope Joan. Popes chosen by election; by whom decreed, and 42 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 Prayers offered in the vulgar tongue punished by the Popish au- Cthorities by immolation in the sixteenth century. Christians expressly commanded to read and to judge of the Scriptures, SECT. II.-OF APOSTOLICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL TRADITIONS The Sabbath-day, why changed from the seventh to the first day of the week. Various doctrines of Papists-why they believe in the Scriptures. Origin of kissing the Pope's foot. Popes en- courage the abuse of the Bible. The Gospels and Epistles writ- |