LETTER XV.-To the same. Want of Unity among Protestants in general-This acknowledged by their eminent writers-Striking instances of it in the Established Church-Vain attempts to reconcile diversity of belief with uniform Articles ... LETTER XVI.-To the same. Unity of the Catholic Church-in Doctrine-in Liturgy -in Government-and Constitution. LETTER XVII.-From James Brown, Esq. Objections against the exclusive claims of CatholicsExtract of a Letter from the Rev. N. N. Prebendary of N.-Bishop Watson's doctrine on this head LETTER XVIII.-To James Brown, Esq. Objections answered-Bishop Watson, by attempting to prove too much, proves nothing-Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures and the Fathers on this head-Exclusive claim of the Catholic Church a proof of her truth ... ... ... ... LETTER XIX.-To James Brown, Esq. Second Mark of the True Church, Sanctity-Sanctity of Doctrine wanting to the different Protestant Communions-to Luther's system-to Calvin's-to that of the Established Church-to those of Dissenters and Methodists-Doctrine of the Catholic Church Page 10 20 25 28 POSTSCRIPT.-Variations and impiety of the late Rev. John Wesley's doctrine ... ... 47 LETTER XX.-To the same. Means of Sanctity-The Seven Sacraments-possessed by Catholics-Protestants possess none of them, except Baptism-The whole Liturgy of the Established Church borrowed from the Catholic Missal and Ritual-Sacrifice the most acceptable worship of God --The most perfect Sacrifice offered in the Catholic Church-Protestants destitute of Sacrifice- Other means of sanctity in the Catholic communion 53 LETTER XXI.-To the same. Fruits of Sanctity-All the Saints were Catholics→→→ ... ... Page LETTER XXII.--To Mr. J. Toulmin. Objections answered-False accounts of the Church before the Reformation, so called--Ditto of John Fox's Martyrs--The vices of a few Popes no impeach-il. ment to the Church's Sanctity--Scriptural practices and exercises common among Catholics, but despised by Protestants ... ... ... ... LETTER XXIII.-To James Brown, Esq. Divine Attestation of Sanctity in the Catholic Church -Miracles the criterion of truth-Christ appeals to them, and promises a continuation of them-The Holy Fathers and Church writers attest their continuation, and appeal to them, in proof of the True Church-Evidence of the Truth of many, MiraclesIrreligious scepticism of Dr. Conyers Middleton: this undermines the Credit of the Gospel-Continuation of Miracles down to the present time: living witnesses of it 65 70 ગ ... 75 LETTER XXIV.-To the same. Objections answered-False and unauthenticated miracles no disproof of true and authenticated onesStrictness of the examination of reported miracles at Rome-Not necessary to know God's design in working each miracle-Examination of the arguments of celebrated Protestants against Catholic miraclesObjection of Gibbon and the late Bishop of Salisbury (Dr. John Douglas) against St. Bernard's miracies refuted-St. Xaverius's miracles proved from the authors quoted against them-Dr. Middleton's confident assertion clearly refuted-Bishop Douglas's Conclusive Evidence from Acosta, against St. Xaverius's miracles, clearly refuted by the testimony of AcostaTestimony of Ribadeneira concerning St. Ignatius's miracles truly stated-True Account of the miracle. of Saragossa-Impostures at the tomb of Abbé Paris Refutation of the Rev. Peter Roberts' pamphlet concerning the miraculous cure of Winefrid White LETTER XXV.-To James Brown, Esq. The True Church, Catholic- Always Catholic in name, by the testimony of the Fathers-Still distinguished by that name in spite of all opposition ... LETTER XXVI.-To the same. ... Qualities of the Catholicity-The Church Catholic as to its members: as to its extent: as to its duration -The original Church of this country LETTER XXVII. To the same. Objections of the Rev. Joshua Clark answered-Existence of an invisible Church disproved-Vain attempt to trace the existence of Protestantism through the discordant heresies of former ages-Vain prognostication of the failure of the True Church-Late attempts to undermine it ... ... LETTER XXVIII.-To the same. The True Church, Apostolical: so described by the ancient Fathers-A POSTOLICAL TREE of the Catholic Church explained, by a brief account of the Popes and distinguished Pastors, also of nations converted by her, and of heretics and schismatics cut off from the True Church ... ... LETTER XXIX.-To the same. Apostolical succession of Ministry in the Catholic Church-Among Protestant Societies the Church of England alone claims such succession-Doctrine and conduct of Luther, and of different Dissenters, on this point-Uncertainty of the Orders of the Established Church from the doctrine of its founders -from the history of the times-from the defectiveness of the form-Apostolic Mission evidently wanting to all Protestants-They cannot show an ordinary mission-They cannot work miracies to prove an extraordinary one Page 95 109 118 123 129 148 LETTER XXX.-To James Brown, Esq. Objections of the Rev. Joshua Clark answeredApostolical ministry not interrupted by the personal vices of certain Popes-Fable of Pope Joan refuted -Comparison between the Protestant and the Catholic Missions for the conversion of Infidels-Vain predication of conversions and of reformation by the Bible Societies-Increase of crimes, commensurate with that of those Societies POSTSCRIPT. Recapitulation of the things proved in the foregoing ... ... Page 163 175 LETTER XXXI.-To the Rev. J. M., D.D. INTRODUCTION-Effects produced by the foregoing Letters on the minds of Mr. Brown, and others of his Society-This in part counteracted by the Bishop of London's (Dr. Porteus's) Charges against the Catholic Religion LETTER XXXII.-To James Brown, Esq. Observations on the Charges in question-Impossibility of the True Church being guilty of themJust conditions to be required by a Catholic Divine in discussing them-Calumny and misrepresentation necessary weapons for the assailants of the True Church- Instances of gross calumny published by eminent Protestant writers now living-Effects of these calumnies-No Catholic ever shaken in his faith by them- They occasion the conversion of many Protestants- They render their authors dreadfully guilty before God ... ... ... LETTER XXXIII.-To the same. Charge of Idolatry-Protestantism not originally founded on this-Invocation of the Prayers of 3 Angels and Saints grossly misrepresented by Protestants: truly stated from the Council of Trent, and Catholic Doctors-Vindication of the Practice — Evasive attack of the Bishop of Durham-Retorted upon his Lordship-The practice recommended by Luther: vindicated by distinguished Protestant Bishops-Not imposed upon the faithful: highly consoling and beneficial ... ... LETTER XXXIV.-To the same. Religious Memorials-Doctrine and Practice of Catholics, most of all, misrepresented on this headOld Protestant versions of Scripture corrupted to favour such misrepresentation-Unbounded calumnies in the Homilies, and other Protestant publications-True doctrine of the Catholic Church defined by the Council of Trent, and taught in her books of instruction-Errors of Bishop Porteus, in fact and in reasoning-Inconsistency of his own practice— No obligation on Catholics of possessing pious images, pictures, or relics Page LETTER XXXV.-To the Rev. Robt. Clayton, M. A. Objections refuted-That the Saints cannot hear usExtravagant addresses to Saints-Want of candour in explaining them-These no evidence of the Faith of the Church-Notorious falsehoods of the Bishop of London, concerning the ancient doctrine and practice ... LETTER XXXVI.-To James Brown, Esq. Transubstantiation-Important remark of Bishop Bossuet concerning it-Catholics not worshippers of bread and wine-Acknowledgment of some eminent Protestants-Disingenuity of others, in concealing the main question, and bringing forward another of secondary importance-The Lutherans and the most respectable Prelates of the Establishment agree with Catholics on the main point LETTER XXXVII.-To the same. 14 24 32 38 |