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THE

ENCYCLICAL LETTER

POPE GREGORY XVI.
BEARING DATE AUGUST 16TH, 1832.
ADDRESSED TO ALL
PATRIARCHS, PRIMATES, ARCHBISHOPS,
AND BISHOPS.
TRANSLATED CLOSELY FROM THE LATIN ORIGINAL.
WITH NOTES, CRITICAL AND HISTORICAL.

DUBLIN .
PRINTED FOR RICHARD MOORE TIMS, GRAFTON-STREET.

M.DCCC.XXXIII.

TO THE READER.

-" Verbosa et grandis Epistola venit,

A Capreis— bene habet, nil plus interrogo." — Juvenal.
The Editor of the following sheets would not have added
to that multitude of Tracts and Pamphlets continually is
suing from the Press, if he had not considered this Letter
a matter of the utmost importance, in the present state of
the world.
To behold a Pope proclaiming his own weakness and
impending fall — to see him struggling hard to retain that
temporal dominion, acquired and maintained by hypocrisy
and fraud — and acknowledging, under his own sign manual,
that the whole of that system of spiritual domination, which
was built up for the purpose of propping and supporting it,
is crumbling into ruins — that the doctrines which were
constructed to violate the order of nature, and impugn the
Gospel of God, are being exposed and anatomized in all
their nakedness and deformity — stripped of all adventitious
clothing and ornament — condemned for their utter mor
bidity and corruption, and now held up to the execration
of mankind. This is a most extraordinary spectacle, and
one, which, at the present crisis, may give rise to the most
serious reflections.

IV
It may be freely admitted, that at other periods of His
tory, the temporal power of the Popes was subjected to
great assaults, and for a time even wrested from their
presumptuous hands ; but never have we seen those assaults
accompanied by such a warfare as that, which this Letter
proves to be now carried on, against their spiritual tyranny
and usurpations.
According to his own evidence, the Pope is on
the verge of ' ruin abroad, whilst we find his emis
saries and adherents employed in a most cruel and
relentless persecution of Protestantism at home— a per
secution long since prepared and contrived with con
summate artifice, and now executed with a determination
and ferocity well worthy of that power which has_ been
described by an unerring pen, as " drunken with the blood
of the Saints, and the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus.','*
And why do we witness all this ? Is it not, that the words
of God may be fulfilled— that the views of those great and
pious men, who described the last efforts, the " ultimum
conaturn Antichristi," might be realized — and that we, who
are destined to suffer from the tremendous struggles of the
dying monster, (which are strongest and most terriffic at the
extremities,) might have hope ?
Perpende et vale.
T Revelations xvii. G.

The Encyclical Letter of our Most Holy Lord,* by Divine Providence,
Pope Gregory XVI. to all Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops,
and Bishops.
Venerable Brethren.
Health, and Apostolical Benediction.
We suppose that you feel surprise, that since the charge of the uni
versal Church has been committed to our humility, we have not yet
addressed you by letter, in the manner which both the custom of the
primitive times, and our own affection for you, would have required.
We had, indeed, a most anxious wish to pour out our heart to you im
mediately, and in the communication of the spirit, to address you in
that tone, in which we, in the person of St. Peter, have been command
ed to strengthen our Brethren. But you are well aware, by what a
tempest of evils and disasters we had been, from the very commence
ment of our Pontificate, carried out suddenly into those depths of the
ocean, in which, unless the right hand of God had wrought powerfully,
you would have had to lament our being overwhelmed by a most foul
conspiracy of the wicked. The mind recoils from renewing the grief
caused by so many dangers, by the sad recital of them : and we rather
bless the Father of all consolation, who, having dispersed the rebels,f
has delivered us from the present danger ; and having calmed the
most furious storm, has allowed us to take breath after our fears. We
purposed thereupon to communicate with you our designs for the heal
ing of the bruises of Israel : but the immense weight of business with
which we were oppressed in bringing about the restoration of public
order, delayed at that time the execution of this our desire.
Meanwhile, a new cause of our silence arose, from the insolence of
* Thus, even at this day, the Pope presumes to style himself, among those
who will submit to his extravagant pretensions of temporal power ! The
former Irish translator of this letter ventured here to leave his original, and
softened down the expression to the less objectionable one of "Father." Was
this the wariness of a Friar, conscious thst the present times were unfavourable
to the propagation of those high doctrines, even in " poor old Ireland ?"— or
was it the honest act of some lay translator, who could no longer brook such
arrogance? Mark well the change: for in either case, it speaks a language
which deserves attention, and conveys most intelligibly some "signs of the
times." t The Pope so styles those who opposed themselves to certain acts of Ins
government (as is well known to the public,) during the last two years ; but
the Irish translator, as if remembering the scenes which are daily passing at
home before his own eyeB, and unwilling to brand with a harsh name doctrines
and practices now in general favour here, substituted for "rebels" the milder
term of " guilty ! "

2
factious persons, who again* endeavoured to raise the standard of re
bellion. This obstinate perverseness of men, whose unbridled fury
appeared not to be softened down, but rather to be augmented by
long impunity, and the repeated indulgence of our kindness, — we
* The facts to which the Pope alludes, relating to the late and present state
of his temporal dominions, are these :— In Bologna, a city in which he had a
garrison of 700 men, with a population of about 60,000 inhabitants, an insur
rection broke out on the 4th of February, 1832. On the day fixed upon for the
rising en masse, the insurrectionists, who were prepared for a serious resistance,
did not find even a single sentinel on duty at the. palace where the papal au
thorities resided. Their first efforts were therefore successful, and a provi
sional government was at once installed. The authority of the Pope, as a
temporal sovereign, was declared to be at an end, and the new government
began to take their measures upon this assumption. The success of the enter
prise became at once the signal for similar and equally successful risings
throughout all the Legations from Bologna to Ancona ; so that in the course of
four days the power of the Pope on the north of the Appenines was annihilated.
The weakness of the ecclesiastical government having thus become manifest,
Austria was looked to aa the great power upon whose conduct the fate of the
insurreetion depended ; and his Holiness, together with the Duchess of Parma,
the Emperor's daughter, and the exiled Duke of Modena, demanded the aid of
the Imperial arms against their rebellious subjects. But France, with that au
thority which her predominance in the scale of European politica gave, at once
took a part in the contest, declaring that she would not permit Austrian troops
to interfere in any quarrel between an Italian prince and his subjects. Nego-
ciations, therefore, commenced between the French and Austrian Cabinets,
which seem to have terminated in this — that the latter should be permitted to
march into the disturbed districts, for the purpose of putting down the insur
rection, but should not be allowed to occupy them permanently. The Impe
rial troops accordingly crossed the Po in the beginning of March, and by force
of arms carried every thing before them ; except at Bologna, where they en
countered some opposition j whilst the insurgents, driven into a corner, endea
voured to make terms with Cardinal Benvenuto, whom they had detained a
prisoner at Ancona. The conditions atipulated for were chiefly relative to a
general amnesty; and on the 20th of March the Cardinal accepted, and put his
name to the convention. This, however, the Pope refused to ratify, on the
plea that this acceptance had been extorted from the Cardinal while in durance
by the rebel party ; so that the arrest of a considerable number of the disaffected
followed, and commissioners were appointed for their trial.
The accused, who were chiefly confined to persons charged with having
signed the act of the provisional government, were, brought before this tribunal ;
and though in the state of fermentation then prevailing, it was not deemed ex
pedient to inflict any capital punishment, yet many were convicted and con
signed to dungeons for having dared to call in question the temporal power of
the Roman pontiff— for having broken their military oaths by enrolling their
names amongst the national guards, and for having published sacrilegious and
seditious writings.
Thus was tranquillity for a time restored ; and the Austrians, according to
the stipulations with France, retired from the subjugated provinces ; which were
immediately garrisoned with foreign troops, chiefly Swiss, in the pav of his
Holiness. r J
It appears, notwithstanding, that, from the pressure of events, the Pope was
obliged to give way in some measure to the demands of his discontented subjects ;
and that a new Constitution, containing within it the seeds of future insurrec
tions and more- determined opposition to his authority, has been granted— a
Constitution which, operating aa it must in the course of time with the excited
hopes and determined spirit of the Italians, may be expected to brine forth
great events Ihe impulse of civil and religious liberty, though checked, is
not extinguished ; and whenever Austria shall have been placed in citcumsten-

found it our duty at last, from the authority committed to us by God,
to chastise with a rod, though to our own severe grief : on which ac
count, as you may very well conceive, our daily attention to public
affairs became more and more laborious.
But since we have now taken possession of the Pontificate, in the
Church of St. John of Lateran,* according to ancient usage, (a matter
which we had deferred for the above reasons,) we hasten, without fur
ther delay to address you, Venerable Brethren ; and send a letter in
testimony of our good will towards you, on this most joyful day, on
which we celebrate the solemn feast of the triumphant Assumption^
into heaven, qf the most Blessed Virgin : so that she, whom we have
found our PatronessJ and Preserver, in the midst of the greatest
calamites, may stand over us propitiously, while we are writing to you,
and by her heavenly inspiration may lead our mind to such instructions
as will be most advantageous to the Christian flock.
With sadness, and a mind bowed down by sorrow, we draw near
to you, whom by reason of your affection for religion, we know to be
filled with anxiety on account of the difficulties which beset her at the
present time. For truly might we say, that now is the hour of the
power of darkness, to sift§ the sons of election Uke wheat. Truly, the
earfA|| hath mourned and faded away, defiled by the inhabitants there-
ces which may fetter her operations, and cramp her powers of interference
Europe is destined to witness a most important revolution in the Italian states'
but chiefly in those now placed under a constrained subjection to the Tiara-
Nothing but external pressure keeps the papal government in existence r and
when that shall have been removed, a total breaking up cannot but ensue.— <
See Annual Register, p. 451, fyc.
* The Church of S. John Lateran, in which the Pope, a short time after his
election, takes solemn possession of his pontificate, bears on its front the fol
lowing presumptuous title: — "Sacrosancta Lateranensis Eccleaia, omnium
Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum mater et caput!" And in a kindred spirit Rome
itself is called (in a work published there so recently as 1824,) " The Metro
polis of the Christian world, the apostolic throne, the sacred seat of the Vicar
of Christ and successor of St. Peter, and the centre of unity recommended by
Christ to his church 1"
t The Pope has choaen this feast of the Roman Church for the date of hia
Letter, notwithstanding that the appointment and celebration thereof is founded
on an assumed fact of which there is no evidence — viz. that the blessed Virgin
was taken up, or translated, to heaven ; and he here attributes to her the power
' of inspiring him with instruction ; that is, he bestows upon her an attribute
belonging only to God— for inspiration is an office proper to the Holy Ghost,
whom Christ sent to lead his disciples into all truth. So that " he commences
his epistle with what many would call a deliberate blasphemy, but we attribute
it to loose language and ignorance of sound divinity."
{ How comes it that when thus thankful to the Virgin Mary, who (as he
asserts) interceded for him, the Pope utters not one word of gratitude to
Almighty God, who had delivered him from his troubles ? Does this set a good
example, or exhibit a sound view of religion, as from a Christian pastor to his
flock ? If the guides and directors thus wilfully deviate from the truth, can we
wonder that the wretched flock for ever go astray ?
| If this be true, then it is quite plain that this sifting time which we are
sure is come, will make manifest which is the true Church, and who are the sons
of election. The Protestant is well satisfied to put his cause upon this issue.
|| 1 1 is very remarkable that this word, earth, is here, used by Isaiah to denote the
land of Israel and Judah ; it cannot, therefore, be applied literally, and if it be ap-

of, because they have transgressed* the laws, changed the ordinance,
broken the everlasting covenant.
We speak, Venerable Brethren, of things which you see with your
own eyes, and which, in consequence, we all deplore with united
tears. Active wickedness is triumphant; shameless knowledgef — dis
solute licentiousness. The sanctity of holy things is despised, and the
majesty of Divine worship, which has so great force and influence, is
assailed, polluted, and holden up to ridicule by wicked men. Hence
sound doctrine is perverted, and errors of every kind are audaciously
disseminated. Neither laws of holy things, nor rights, nor institutions,
nor any of the most sacred courses of discipline, are secure from the
perverse audacity of babblers. This our Roman chair of the blessed
Peter, in which Christ has placed the main strength qf the Church,
is most furiously assailed ;$ and the bonds of unity are daily more and
more loosened, and burst asunder. The Divine authority qf the
Church is impugned, her rights are plucked up, and herself is made
subject to human considerations; and being reduced to disgraceful
slavery,§ is most injuriously exposed to the hatred of the populace.
The obedience due to Bishops is infringed, and their rights are tram
pled under foot. Academies and schools resound horribly with novel
and monstrous opinions, by which the Catholic faith || is attacked —
no longer now, by secret undermining;^ but a horrible and nefarious
plied metaphorically, typically, and prophetically, as the Pope seems to do,
it can only mean the church, Israel and Judah being always spoken of ?s types
of the Christian church. The Biblical Critic will at once see and admit this ;
^and if it be so, here is the Pope testifying against himself. Who in sober truth,
has thus transgressed, changed, and broken the laws, ordinances, and covenants !
—who, for purposes of worldly dominion, has perverted or hidden from view
the main truths of the Gospel, and has substituted human fictions more agree
able to his ambitious views ; magnifying the decrees of Popes and the edicts of
recent Councils, while the written Word of God himself, that "Lamp to our
feet and light to our paths," haa been consigned to the Index of prohibited
books ; a Pope judging that to be poison to the faithful, which an Apostle con-
biders to be the very word of life.
* See preceding Note.
i Alas ! that the schoolmaster is abroad, and he who hateth the light will
neither come lo it, nor sufter it to come to others, lest his deeds should be a
reproach ! It ia, indeed, time to cry out against knowledge, but for none more
needful than for the Pope, and for him it is too late.
t The facts here stated ought to be known; and Divine Providence has
wonderfully ordered it that the Pope himself has trumpeted them forth. The
chair of Peter IS assailed,his assumed divine authority questioned, andtlie doctrine
and the pneer based upon this false foundation, tried at the bar of sound sense
and the It ord of God; for this >s what he calls « made subject to human con-
¦ • I ui'l ill 1 0 Us.
§ The only slavery which the church endures is, that the Pope is not now
permitted to domineer as formerly; and the ground of "the people's hatred"
formerlark^ea ^ * * Conti,ulance °f ty«anical p'owei" as in the
|| It is not the essential doctrines of the Catholic faith which are aimed at,
so much as the temporal usurpations and the assumptions of papal powe. Mhoud
through these ast a favourable door is opened to such as wou dTglad to lx
feasors!1150" *"" th<> °6'Wm aiising from the fe»Hs °fg her pro-
TT Blessed be God, that men now dare to avow what they think of the u.ur-

warfare is openly and avowedly waged against her. For by the in
structions and example of the masters, the minds of youth being cor
rupted, a serious damage of religion, and most foul perversion of mo
rals has prevailed.
Hence, likewise, the restraint of our most holy religion being cast
aside, (by which alone kingdoms stand, and the power and strength of
authority is confirmed,) we behold the destruction of public order —
the sapping of sovereignty, and the overthrow of all lawful power,
spread far and wide. Which great mass of calamities must be traced
primarily to the combination of those societies, into which whatever is
sacrilegious, flagitious, and blasphemous in heresies, and in any of
the most wicked sects, has flowed, as into a common sewer, amidst a
collection qf all kinds of filth.
These things, Venerable Brethren, and many others, and those per
haps worse, which it would be tedious to enumerate, and you your
selves well know,, cause a bitter and lasting sorrow to us, whom, as •
being placed in the chair of the Prince of Apostles, a zeal for the whole
household of God must devour above any other persons. But acknow
ledging ourselves to be placed in a situation wherein it may not suffice
merely to deplore these innumerable evils, unless we moreover endea
vour with all our might to root them out ; we fly to the succour of
your faith, and invoke, Venerable Brethren, your solicitude for the
welfare of the Catholic flock. ; since your proved virtue, and religion,
and singular prudencej and unwearied diligence gives us courage ;
and, while we are afflicted by so sharp calamities, supports us with
most agreeable consolation.
Our duty it is, to lift up our voice, and to use all endeavours, that
the wild boar out of the wood do not destroy the vineyard, nor the
wolves devour the flock. Our duty it is, to drive* the sheep into those
pation and tyranny of the Pope and his myrmidons. He is described in the
Book of Revelation, if all Protestant interpreters, and some of the ancient
Fathers, have judged right, as a lamb having two horns, and speaking as a
dragon. We will not enter into the question whether thin interpretation be the
true one ; but this we may confidently affirm, that his language in this produc
tion is that of a dragon, full of violence and deception. Of violence ; for the
efforts of mankind to regain their right of judging for themselves, and throwing
off the shackles which he had imposed on their minds, are called " a horrible
and nefarious warfare ;" a combination, sacrilegious, flagitious, blasphemous, a
common sewer, a collection of all kinds of filth. Could Billingsgate say more ?
Of deception : for the sophism of the Popes has been to confound heresy with
sedition and other crimes ; it has, therefore, been their usual language
to charge upon heresy (that is, a dissent from papal assumption of
infallibility and supreme power,) whatever evils may affect the poli
tical world, and especially Rome itself: but it may be safely affirmed
that heretics, (if he mean Protestants,) have ever been found more
steadily and conscientiously loyal to their governments than any followers of
the Pope.
• Our Saviour used a milder expression, "He led his sheep ;" the Popes
have chosen this stronger one; and literally has their practice towards unfortu
nate states and individuals justified such a phrase. The former translator,
afraid that Irishmen would not bear so haughty a word, changed "drive" to
" lead ;" this complaisance may be polite, but surely it is not honest.

6
pastures only, which are wholesome for them, and not even in the
slightest degree suspected of being pernicious.*
Far be it", dearest Brethren, far be it, that while so great ills oppress
us, so great dangers are impending, the shepherds should be wanting to
their charge, and stricken by fear, should either desert the sheep ; or
casting off the care- of the flock, should become torpid in indolence and
sloth. Let us therefore defend in unity of spirit, this our common
cause, or more truly the cause of God ; and let the watchfulness and
the exertion of all be united against the common enemy for the wel
fare of the whole community.
This duty you will excellently discharge, if, as the rule of your mi
nistry demands, you attend to yourselves,\ and to doctrine, constantly
revolving in your minds, that the Catholic Church is shaken^ by any
novelty whatsoever ; and by the advice of Pope St Agatho, that none
of those things which have been regularly defined, ought to be diminish
ed, changed, or added to ;§ but that they ought to be kept inviolate, both
in words and meaning. Then will that unity, which is contained in
this Chair of Blessed Peter as its foundation, continue firm and un
shaken ; so that in the quarter whence the rights || of venerable com
munion flow abroad to all Churches ; there all may find a rampart,
security, a harbour safe from storms, and a treasure qf unnumbered
good things. Wherefore, to repress the audacity of those who are en
deavouring either to infringe the rights of this Holy See, or to put an
• It does not at all follow, that whatever may tend to overthrow the Papal
tyranny should be in the least " pernicious' ' to the real interests of religion.
t A very necessary hint for amending their personal conduct ; and conveyed
strongly, though in courteous phraseology. In good truth, in this particular
matter, the Pope himself is not a master, as is too well known.
% If it be true that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the true church
of Christ, how is it, that according to the Pope's testimony, the Church of Rome
is shaken by every wind of doctrine, every novelty, as he here states it ? Is
not this in a great measure, if not giving up the infallibility, at least admitting
it to be questionable; and must we not look some where else for that true
church to which this character, mark, or note is applicable? In point of fact
we do find it, in a certain sense, in every Bible-Church, and in all Bible-
Churches, making together one ; a seamless coat, though it be of many colours,
agreeing in essential and spiritual doctrines drawn from holy Scripture, though
differing in those temporal subjects or metaphysical questions not properly
the subjects of divine revelation, and where the interests of the present world,
or human fancy or frailty may create a difference. Truly the Pope does not
think the foundations of his church (that is to say of his present position in the
world,) to be very sound, if they are in so great danger from causes which may,
be so slight.
§ Who, in sad truth, has been guilty of changing, diminishing, and adding
to the genuine Word of God, to suit his own private interests, half so much as
the Pope and his predecessors ?
|| The former translator had rendered jura "advantages," possibly from a
wish of softening to his countrymen the proud claim thus asserted. The Pope
himself never dreamed of any "advantage" which was to flow from if he
merely maintained his absolute "right:" to discover « advantages" from such
a claim was reserved for an Irish priest. But be it known, that not in Eng
land only, and other Protestant states, but in France, in Italv nav even in
Rome, this assumed right is invaded. How then is Rome to be a 'ram nart.
a security, a harbour, a treasury to others, yhen unable to protect and secure
herself ?-Since the foregoing pages were put to press, the following paragraph

end to the connexion of Churches with it, by which alone they are
supported and flourish,* inculcate the greatest confidence and sincere
veneration for it, exclaiming with St. Cyprian.f that he falsely flatters
himself with being in the Church, who deserts the chair qf Peter, upon
which the Church has been founded.
In this matter, therefore, you must labour and continually watch,
that the deposit of faith \ may be preserved amidst so great a conspira-
racy of wicked men, as, with regret, we see formed for the purpose of
plundering and destroying it. Let all remember, that the judgment
upon the soundness of that doctrine with which the people are to be
imbued, and the government and administration of the universal
Church belongs to the Roman Pontiff, to whom full power of feeding,
ruling j§ and governing the universal Church, has been given by Christ
relative to the state of the Papal dominions, has appeared in the public
Papers: — "The Government has ordered all Provincial Legates, and Pro-
Legates, not to issue any passports for the capital, unless in cases where the
necessity of their being granted is satisfactorily proved. The Papal volunteers
in the Marches are also kept ready to march on the first signal. If we may
credit some of the advices, the Pope has ceded to the Duke of Modena fort
Urbano, in the Province of Bologna, that his Holiness may retain the protec
tion of an Austrian force in his neighbourhood, when the French have evacuated
Ancona, which latter event, however, seems distant. The finances of the head
of the Catholic Church are said to be in so miserable a condition, that he is
seeking a new loan. Thus it is that his assumed rights, both temporal and spiri
tual, are simultaneously invaded ; but neither secular, nor ecclesiastical tyranny,
the bayonets of the Austrians, nor the dogmste of the Prelates, can long suspend
the fatal blow.
* What a libel is here cast upon Christianity, and even on its Divine foun
der, in the assertion that no churches can be supported or flourish except they
be subjected to the Pope ! It is impossible tint reasonable and serious men
can any longer submit to such audacious claims !
t It might be easily shown, that whatever expressions might have been
used by Cyprian on particular occasions, he never did yield to the high
pretensions of Rome.— See Cyprian ad Pompeium, contra Epist Stephani. —
But at all events, in the present sera, and in the new position of the Chris
tian Church, we are not likely to defer to the opinion of Cyprian, or any other
Father, further than, as they may be supported by Scripture and sound argu
ment. X Whatever interpretation the Pope may put on this expression, Deposit of
Faith, it means no more, as used by the ancient Fathers, than the creed commonly
called the Apostles', the Nicene Creed, and similar formularies, adopted in differ
ent ancient churches, and drawn up from Holy Scripture. When the Council of
Nice originally drew up the one which still bears its name, it anathematized all
who should attempt to add to its articles. But this has been done by Pope Pius
in the creed which bears his name, for he has added most of the distinguishing
tenets of Popery. To take away these false and adventitious articles from the
creed, the present Pope calls " plundering and destroying." IVe think it is
only reducing it to its pure and primitive simplicity.
§ This we confidently deny ; and equally deny the inference which the Pope
here draws from the assumption, for Holy Scripture is a more sure guide than
" the Fathers of the Council of Florence."— The Pope's supremacy, so often
asserted and denied, stands upon this basis, if basis it cau be called. Peter was
a chief apostle, though not the chief: for, as he was the apostle of the circum
cision, or of the Jewish converts, St. Paul was a chief apostle of the uncircum-
cision, or of the Gentile converts. Now Peter was bishop at Antioch, at Rome,
at new Babylon. St. Paul likewise was bishop at Rome, at Ephesus, at

8
our Lord ; as the Fathers of the Council of Florence expressly have
declared. It is the duty of every bishop to adhere* most faithfully to
the chair of Peter, scrupulously and religiously to preserve the deposit,
and to feed the flock of God,f which is belonging to him. The priests
must be subject to the Bishops, whom St. Jerome reminds them to
look up to as fathers of their souls ; and let them never forget that
they are forbidden even by the ancient Canons to take any step in the
ministry which they have undertaken, or to assume to themselves the
office of teaching and preaching, without tlie sanction qf the Bishop, to
whose faithful care the people are committed, and by whom an account
shall be given qf their souls. Let it stand, therefore, for a thing sure
and certain, that all those who attempt anything in opposition
to this prescribed order, are disturbing, so far as in them lies, the state
of the Church.
It would, indeed, be a wicked thing, and wholly opposite to that
studied respect with which the laws of the Churchy ought ever to be
Crete, &c. These are historical facts ; and if it be asked, how could St. Paul
and St. Peter be both bishops at Rome ? we may answer, it is most probable
that the one was bishop of the Gentile, the other of the Jewish converts, who
are known to have used different rites and ceremonies in those early times.—
But whereas, say the Papal party, Peter had made a good confession of our Lord's
divinity, and our Lord had said, " thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," ergo, the bishops of Rome,
who claim to be successors of St. Peter (and we can see no better title in them
than the bishops of Antioch, since they also are successors,) are sovereign pon
tiffs to whom is delegated the power of governingthe universal church ! ! — Such is
their Logic. Now if it were true that St. Peter was by these wordsappointod chief
pastor, (which Protestants deny, because they consider Christ himself as the
Rock ; and believe that the words " thou art Peter," mean merely, "your name
has relation to, or associates with, the object of your confession." )—S\X\\ there
seems no good reason why the successor should be chief paator or pontiff, nor why
the successor at Rome should have that privilege more than the successor a\
Antioch or other places. But, in point of fact, there is no single chief pastor on
earth—" For one is your Master which is in heaven," and " the Church is built
on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief
corner stone."
* Yes, so far as to a common labourer (though of high rank,) in the Lord's
vineyard ; but not so as subjects to a Lord and master, to whom we are to stand
or fall. But with this he is not content ; he admits no brethren ; all must be
vassals. t The former translator chose to omit the words " of God :" surely he could
not wish his countrymen to believe that it was the Pope's flock instead of Jesus
Christ s !— or the Priest's flock, whom he could save or destroy at his own
mere will, and therefore miglit lead about blindfold according to his interest or
pleasure I
,' ?, T.hewpe is very !nS,ry at it3 te^S thought that the Church could ever be
liable to defect, or need " restoration ;" yet, a few lines below, he is forgetful
enough to quote one of his own predecessors, expressly advising "whatever the
times may require for the restoration of the church !" Thus, as Scripture is the
best interpreter of Scripture, so a Pope is the best refuter of a Pope. Protestants
know well that the church is taught by the Holy Ghost, and led into all truth, and
shall be so even to the end ; but they know also, that particular churches have
erred and become apostate ; or example, some of the Asiatic churches spoken
of ,n the Apocalypse. Both propositions are true, nor can the Pole^eny
them. How then are they reconcileable, except in this way, that when churched
lall, the Spint and Providence of God are wont to bring about a restoration or

9
received, that the discipline which she has sanctioned (under which
are contained the administration of holy rites, the regulation of morals,
and the doctrine of the rights* belonging to the Church and her minis
ters,) should be assailed bya senseless freedomf of opinion ; or should
be branded as opposed to the fixed principles of the law of nature, or
be regarded as maimed and imperfect, and as subject): to the civil
authorities. But, since it is plain, (to use the words of the Fathers of Trent) that
the Church has been instructed by Christ Jesus and his Apostles, and is
taught by the Holy Ghost, daily suggesting to it all truth, — it is ma
nifestly absurd, and most highly injurious to it, that a certain Restoration
and Regeneration should be pressed forward as being necessary for
promoting its safety and increase ; as if it could be supposed liable
either to any defect, or obscurement, or other inconveniences of this
kind : by which attempt, the innovators have this object in their view,
that the foundations qf a new human institution\\ may be laid; aud
lhus that may take place, which Cyprian abominates, 'that the
Church, which is a Divine thing, may become a hun an one.'
But let those who are engaged in machinations of this kind, con
sider well, that (according to the testimony of St. Leo,) to the Roman
Pontiff alone is entrusted the dispensation of the canons ;^ that to him
alone, and not to any private individual, it appertains to make any de-
regeneration of what is dead and decayed ; and St. Paul clearly intimates that the
Church of Rome, which he considers as a branch, (not the root,) might be ao de
cayed as to be broken off from the tree, (i. e. the Catholic Church,) — Rom. xi. 21.
To say, therefore, as the Pope does in the next page, that because God has ordained
remedies for error or apostacy, that errors and apostacies cannot arise, or do not
exist, or else that such remedies are not required, is another specimen of the
Pope's bad Logic.
» What these are, and whence arising, the Pope alone chooses to be the
judge. He is here, however, giving a severe rebuke to the agitators in Ireland,
who, though calling themselves Roman Catholics, are loudly clamouring
for the downfall of the Church, and the overthrow of its "rights;" and not
merely doing this, but savagely murdering its ministers.
t Freedom of opinion ia the birthright of man : and reason, given for his
guide, is also the best handmaid of religion. The fixed principles of nature
are well known ', and any human "discipline" which is opposed to them, may
be, and ought to be, " assailed by freedom of opinion," till it be brought to a
better form.
{ It is most wholesome, even necesspry, that these matters should be " sub
ject to the civil authority" in every state. From opposition to this principle
have flowed most of the evils with which the Papacy has afflicted Christendom.
|| The Pope wilfully misstates the matter ; for the French and Italian Re
formers do not desire to lay the foundation of a new human institution, but to
clear out the rubbish, repair, and restore the old, if it may be repaired. If it
trill not, what remains, but that it should be swept away with the besom of
destruction ?
IT What bold assertion !— and who is- brought forth to support it? Christ?
— an apostle ? — the voice of the Primitive Church ? — No ; but a Pope himself,
a fellow culprit in the same case ! True, that no better evidence could be had ;
but then this is treating all his Roman Catholic readers with consummate con
tempt, as utterly devoid of common sense. It is like a pick-pocket arguing out
of Jonathan Wild the lawfulness of larceny !

10
t-ision on the rules of the sanctions of the Fathers ; and thus, (as St.
Gelasius writes,) to weigh the decrees of the canons, lo measure the pre
cepts sf his predecessors, that whatever the necessity of the limes may
require to be relaxed for the restoration qf the Church, may, after dili
gent consideration, be introduced.
But here we wish to have your zeal for religion roused against that
most foul conspiracy against the celibacyf of the Clergy, which you
know is boilina; up more extensively every day ; the vilest philoso
phers of our day being joined in this design, even by some ecclesi
astics ; who, forgetful of their character and office, and carried away
by the allurements of pleasure, have broken out into that degree of
licentious freedom,;): that they have even dared to present to their so
vereign, public, and in some places, repeated petitions, that that most
holy discipline may be abolished.
But it is painful to detain you by a longer recital of these most
shameful attempts ; and we prefer, trusting to your religious feeling,
charging you to endeavour by every means within your power, that
this law, which is one of the highest importance,§ against which the
darts of the licentious are levelled from every side, may be preserved
entire, vindicated, and defended, according to the prescription of the
ancient canons.
In the next place, the honorable marriage of Christian people,
which St. Paul has called a great\\ Sacrament in Christ and the Church,
* When the characters of a false or apostate church are spoken of by St
Paul, one of the most prominent is "forbidding to marry." — 1 Tim. iv. 3.—
It is indeed happily true, that this most iniquitous and tyrannical wile of
Satan is now generally spoken against, by the improving sense and (let us
hope) morality of the present day. The Pope may well dread, but he cannot
now stay, its downfall : he well knows the important aid which, since its adop
tion in the eleventh century, it has rendered to his assumption of power ; and
he will, no doubt, close his eyes to the horrible evils which, during every age, by
testimony of his own followers, it has produced to thousands and tens of thou
sands. For detailed proofs of this, see several Roman Catholic writers ¦ among
the latest Scipio Ricci, bishop of Pistoia, whose "memoirs" have been trans
lated into English, and are highly deserving of being read. In France this
system is now beginning to give way. It behoves everyone who claims the
name of Christian, to aid in exposing its worthless and abominable character.
i he Pope complains that some ecclesiastics have joined in the cry It is true ¦
and it speaks much to their credit, though he attributes to them, as usual, the
most unworthy motives. All must remember the late proceedings in France on
this subject. B
X The former translator had rendered this "laciviousncss." Unless all the
accounts of history be sadly false, that " lasciviousness" which through so
many ages has been imputed to the Romish clergy, was something widely dif
ferent from the lasciviousness of merely daring to present petitions to their
sovereign ! Here again, observe, that the Pope is opposed to his most zealous
JeT of^^m^f P1titirand' Wh° - m°8t m°rbid* ^e « the sub-
§ It is indeed "of high importance" to the Pope's pretensions- aud its re
moval ,s equally " important" to the welfare of Christian people *
|| St. Paul has said no such thing. The Pope has chosen to fei<m it a sacra
ment and the priests' derive no small revenue, from all classes, mfacmlS-
ing the nte. St. Paul says that it is a great mystery, not a grea sacrament A

11
demands an united attention ; that no erroneous opinion be holden,
and no attempt be made against its sanctity and the indissoluble force
of its tie. Already our predecessor, Pius VII, of happy memory, had
commended this earnestly to your care by his letters : nevertheless at
tempts hostile to its interests still continue to grow up on all sides.
The people, therefore, are carefully to be instructed, that marriage
once duly contracted, can no more be dissolved ; and that to those who
are joined in matrimony, God has enjoined, for ever, a life of union,
and a bond of connection, which can be loosed only by death. Let
them remember, that matrimony is accounted one of the holy things,
and therefore is subjected to the Chinch; and let them keep in view
the laws passed, by the same Church on that subject, and obey them
religiously and strictly ; inasmuch as upon their execution, the whole
effect, force, and proper union of such marriage wholly depends.
Let them take care not to allow, by any means, whatsoever may clash
with the enactments of the sacred canons, and the decrees of councils ;
well knowing that those marriages must have an unhappy end, which
are contracted either against the discipline of the church, or without
having first obtained the favour of God, or from the mere heat of sensu
al passion, so that the parties take no thought of the Sacrament and the
mysteries which are signified by it.
We now proceed to speak of another most feitile source of evils,
with which we lament to see the Church now afflicted, namely, lhat
" Indifferentism,"* or erroneous opinion, which by the artifice of
wicked men has prevailed on every side ; namely, that by any professionf
sacrament is a seal or confirmation of the covenant of God with his people. It
is also a typical action, and so may be called a mystery ; but marriage, though
typical of the union between Christ and his Church, and therefore a mystery,
is not a seal nor confirmation of the covenant ; for if it were, then all would be
bound to marry, as all are bound to be baptized and to partake of the Lord's
Supper. But if it be a sacrament, as the Pope says, and I suppose he will
not deny that sacraments were instituted in order to edify the church, why
debar his clergy of this means of edification ? To such absurdities does false
hood drive her adherents! He says moreover, that marriages must have an
unhappy end, where the parties, amongst other faults, take no thought of the
sacrament. Have all Protestant marriages then an unhappy end ? — and where
is the bond more sacred than in Protestant England ?
* No wonder that this long word, half Greek, half Latin, strangely mixed,
should have so far puzzled Mr. Coyne as to be twice misprinted in his edition.
The thing itself is strangely perverted by the Pope. The opinion which
really prevails is, that salvation may be obtained through Christ, even without
full submission to the Church of Rome ; whereas the Pope brings forward argu
ments and quotations of St. Paul, which have reference, not to differences
of discipline amongst Christians, but to the grand difference between
Christians and the followers oi heathenism. It is most true that " there is one
faith ;" and by this faith we hope to be saved. But if it be also asserted tbat
we should hold the Bishop of Rome for our sovereign Lord, St. Paul, who
taught us the one duty, would not have failed to admonish us of the other.
+ It is certainly an erroneous statement, to say that a man may be saved by
any profession of faith, provided his morals be good. It is clear that he might
be saved by his morals, provided he had kept the whole moral law without
defect or error ; but this is impossible on account of the weakness and cor
ruption of our nature. He can be saved only by keeping the true faith whole
and undefined— a faith drawn from the pure Word of God. But how are we aa

h2
of faith whatsoever, the eternal salvation of a soul may be obtained,
provided that the morals* be honourable and upright
But you, with little trouble, in so plain and evident a matter, will re
move from the people committed to your charge, so extremely perilous
an error. For, since the apostle admonishes that there is ' one God,
one Faith, one Baptism," let them tremble, who falsely assert that
through every kind of religion, the passage is open to the haven of
bliss ; and let them recollect, that by thetestimony of the Saviour him
self, they are against Christ, who are not with Christ ;\ and that they
are unhappily scattering abroad, who are not gathering with him ;
and therefore, beyond a doubt, they shall perish everlastingly, unless
they hold the Catholic Faith, and keep it whole and inviolate. Let
them listen to St. Jerome.J who relates, that when the Church was
schismatically split into three parties ; he, firm to his purpose, con
stantly cried out, whenever any one endeavoured to draw him over to
his side, ' Whoever is joined to the chair of St. Peter, is with
me.' Falsely§ indeed, would any one flatter himself, (with hopes of sal-
men to judge of each other whether we have the true faith ? — there is but one
certain way, and that is by morals. " By their fruits shall ye know them," said
our blessed Saviour ; " for a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." And this is more particularly true of
churches, though it be applicable to individuals. If you would enquire into the
soundness and purity of a church's faith, judge by the practice of its members. —
Now with what church is persecution, is blood, familiar ? Look into the archives
of Rome — look into the dungeons of the Inquisition — look at the fires of Smith-
field — aye, and at the present day, cast your eyes upon the fields of Ireland, and
you can be at no loss to judge whether the popish faith be the genuine one.
" It is rather to be feared that the Pope has given occasion to the converse
doctrine, that provided a man obey him, his morals may be safely disregarded.
Yet if this were so, and papal absolution could remove all guilt of moral pravity,
surely our Saviour laboured much in vain, and his whole Sermon on the Mount is
but a work of supererogation.
¦f The canon of church unity has been laid down by our Lord himself, and
we are indebted to that excellent divine and philosopher, Lord Bacon, for drawing
our attention to it : — " He that is not against us, is for us ; and he that is not
for us, is against us." That is, he who does not oppose, or, by introducing false
doctrines, uproot and nullify, the essential doctrines of the Gospel, is to be taken
and considered as a member of the Gospel church. But what says the Pope in
this place, " Unless a man hold the Catholic faith," that is, unless he hold all
the tenets of the Romish Church, (for that is his drift,) " without doubt he shall
perish everlastingly." The Athanasian Creed applies the anathema to those who
deny the doctrine of the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ, but the Pope extends
it to those who deny his own usurped authority and government.
$ This father is here incorrectly quoted as bearing on the argument in question,
his words having reference to a different matter.
§ We do indeed humbly trust, that baptism, administered agreeably to our
Saviour's command, and for his sake, may be a means of furthering us towards
salvation. And, while we continue in Cln-ist, we rather believe the Gospel,
which asserts our being alive, than Augustine, who is here assumed to state, that
unless we are subject to the Pope, we have no chance of eternal life. In the pa
rable of the vine and the branches here alluded to, our Lord is instructing us in
the nature of true religion, as compared with formality and hypocrisy. The true
Christian is a living branch of the vine, the formal hypocrite a dead and sere one
The dead branch is only fit to be broken off and burned ; whilst the living though

13
vation,) because he had been regenerated by the water of baptism : for
Augustine would seasonably reply to hihi — a branch, even when cut
off from the vine, retains its form ; but, qf what use to it is the form,
if it receive no vitality from the root?
And from this most filthy source of ' Indifferentism,'' flows that ab
surd and erroneous opinion, or rather mad conceit, that liberty of con
science* is to be claimed and maintained for all ! The way for which
most pestilent error is prepared by that extensive and inordinate
liberty of opinion, which is spreading far and wicje, to the ruin of
both Church and State : while some persons cease not to assert most
impudently, that religion may derive from it a great advantage. But
Augustine said, 'what is more fatal ruin to the soul, than liberty of
error? For, if we remove every restraint by which men are kept in
the path of truth, while their own natural inclination to evil throws
them headlong into ruin, we may truly say, that the pit of the abyss is
open, out of which St. John saw a smoke ascend, by which the sun
was darkened, while locusts-)- went forth from it to lay waste the earth.
For, from thence come changes of men's minds, deadly corruption
of youth ; amongst the people, a contempt for divine rites, and for
subjects and laws the most sacred. From thence, in a word, comes
the chief and principal scourge of a state ; since experience has prov
ed, even from the most remote ages, that states which were flourishing
in wealth, dominion, and glory, have fallen to pieces through this one
evil alone, namely, an ungoverned freedom of opinion, licentiousness
of public harangues, and desire of innovation.
Towards this point tends that most vile, detestable, and never-to-
be-sufficiently-execrated liberty of booksellers, namely, of publishing^:
subjected to the pruning knife, brings forth fruit. The means of the Christian's
union with Christ and the church is baptism, the regeneration by water, and the
Holy Ghost, to which the engraftment of a branch affords an apt and beautiful
similitude. So long as we are influenced by the Spirit of God and godliness, we
are as living branches of the vine, the "principle of life conveying sap and nutri
ment from the root ; but when unvisited by the living principle and the sap con
veyed from the root, we are fit only for the oven. Now what is here applied to
himself by our Lord, as head and root of his church, the Pope applies in this place
to himself. It is he, if you will believe him, that communicates life, and sap,
and nutriment to every part ; and it is the chair of Peter, (if his words are to have
weight,) and not the throne of Jesus Christ, that should be looked to as the prin
ciple of unity and the object of adoration.
" Do our Roman Catholic brethren of Ireland really know that their lord the
Pope thus violently condemns and abuses, as " a most pestilent error," that liberty
of conscience and liberty of opinion, for which they are making such loud and
continual exertions and complaints ? Their master expressly pronounces that they
ought not to enjoy it. Are they his real disciples, or are they not ? Let them
choose and declare, for it is high time that all men should speak out.
t Here the Pope pronounces the locusts of the Apocalypse, to be the liberal
opinions of the 19th century, while Bishop Pastorini stiffly maintained that they
meant Luther and his doctrines in the sixteenth ! But the Pope is infallible ;
what then is Pastorini ?
$ It was to be expected that the Pope would put forth all his anger against this
" never-to-be-sufficiently-execrated" evil, and against all those persons who have
the unparalleled effrontery to " demand and promote it." The spread of know
ledge is indeed his deadliest foe ; and he thus records his continuance in the opi-

14
writings of whatsoever kind they please ; a liberty which some persons
dare with such violence of language to demand and promote.
We are horrified, Venerable Brethren, when we behold the mon
strous doctrines, or rather the portentous errors, with which we are
overwhelmed ; which are disseminated far and wide on every side, by
the vast multitude of books, and pamphlets, and tracts, small indeed
in bulk, but exceeding large in mischievous intent ; out of which such
malediction as we lament, has gone forth over the face of the earth.
Yet there are some, alas ! who are carried away to such a pitch
of impudence, as to assert pertinaciously, that the foul deluge of errors
springing from that source, is sufficiently compensated by some book*
or other, which amidst this great mass of depravity may be published
in defence of religion and truth.
Beyond doubt, it is a crime, forbidden by every law of justice, that
a certain and a great evil should deliberately be perpetrated, because
there may be hope of some good to arise from it. Would any man in
his senses assert, that poisons ought freely to be circulated, and pub
licly sold, and carried about, yea, even drunken, because there is some
remedy, which, they who use may perhaps be snatched from that
destruction ?
Far different was the discipline of the Church in extirpating the in
fection of bad books, even in the days of the aposdes ; who, we read,
publicly burnedf a vast quantity of books.
Let it suffice to read over the laws passed on that point, in the 5th
Council of Lateran, and the ' Constitution which subsequently was
published by our Predecessor of happy memory, Leo the X : — " Let
not that which was happily invented for the increasing of the Faith,
and spread of good learning, be converted to a contrary purpose, and
bring harm to the salvation of faithful Christians.''
This matter also occupied extremely the attention of the Fathers of
Trent, who applied a remedy to so great an evil, by publishing a most
nion expressed by one of his learned prelates in England more than three cen
turies ago, " We must root out printing, or printing will root out us." (So
preached the Vicar of Croydon, in King Henry the Eight's days, at Paule's Crosse.
—Fox.) His fears are well founded, and the danger is hourly approaching him ;
for what can even his own followers think of a system which wishes to put down all
liberty of writing, and would completely take away the key of knowledge, even to
the suppression of a penny journal ? Let this be fairly weighed. Do our Roman
Catholics agree with the Pope, or do they not ? — will they speak out, or dare they
not ? It is in print, that within the last year a Spanish bishop ordered that no
book should be printed in his diocese except the Prayer-book ! What would be
said here, if the archbishop of Dublin should issue such an order ?
* See here, ingenuously confessed, the weakness and inefficiency of such an
swers as the defenders of the Papal pretensions are able to put forth against the
powerful arguments of those who deny and resist them. " Some book or other"
he allows, may possibly be produced ; but how little does it avail. All this is true
indeed, but we did not expect the Pope thus to own it.
t The Apostles, here falsely pressed into the service of a different and worse
cause, burned books hostile to Christianity, by consent of their authors or posses
sors. The Pope has burned writings the most powerfully favourable to the Gospel,
(nay, even the very Gospel itself!) and this against the consent of the authors,
the possessors, and the people amongst whom they were circulated, to
say nothing of committing the authors themselves to the flames !

15
salntary decree for compiling an Index* of books, in which improper
doctrine was contained. Clement XIII. our predecessor of happy me
mory in his Encyclical Letter, on the suppression of noxious books, pro
nounces — " We must contend with energy, such as the subject re
quires, and with all our might exterminate the deadly mischief of so
many books ; for the matter of error will never be effectually remov
ed, unless the guilty elements of depravity be consumed in the
flames."f So that, by this continual solicitude through all ages, with which
this Holy Apostolic See has ever striven, to condemn suspected
and noxious books, and to wrest them forcibly out of men's hands ;
it is most clear how false, rash, and injurious to the said Apostolic
See, and fruitful of enormous evils to the Christian public, is the doc
trine of those, who not only reject the Censorship^ of books as too se
vere and burthensome ; but even proceed to that length of wicked
ness, as to assert, that it is contrary to the principles of equal justice,
and dare deny to the Church, the right of enacting and employing
it. Since we have heard that in writings circulated amongst the pub
lic, certain doctrines are promulgated, by which the loyalty and sub
mission due to princes is undermined, and the torch of rebellion is
every where lighted up ; the greatest care must be taken, that the
people may not be thereby deceived and seduced from the path of
rectitude. Let them all bear in mind, that, according to the Apostle's admoni
tion, — " There is nopower but from God; and those which are, are
ordained by God. He therefore who resisteth the power, resisteth the
ordinance qf God; and they who resist, purchase to themselves dam-
pation."§ Wherefore laws both divine and human exclaim against those, who
endeavour by most shameful schemes of rebellion and sedition, to with-
i
* The Papal " Index librorum prohibitorum" has been a most wonderful ma
chine for suppressing all knowledge which might endanger Rome's ascendancy ;
and, aided by the inhuman cruelties of the Inquisition, it most tremenduously
attained its object. The same system goes on to the present day : the translator
has a Roman Index, in which is formally prohibited " Roscoe's" translation of
the memoirs of Scipio Ricci mentioned above. The Pope is no bad marksman in
these matters ; but the time for such doings is almost past. — See a very interesting
account of the several Papal Indices in different countries, by Mr. Mendham ; 8vo.
London, 1830.
t The Pope acknowledges his designs against the writings of his opponents —
that it is easier to burn than to refute them. But he carefully passes over in silence
the innumerable murders horribly perpetrated, in the sacred name of religion,
upon the persons of those who had the courage to hold up his impostures to pub
lic view.
X How completely here again is the Pope at issue with some of the loudest de
c-aimers among his professed disciples in this island .' They are calling lustily
for an unshackled press ; their lord is eulogising a strict censorship, and accuses
of audacity and wickedness all those who dare deny to the church, the power of
foresting out of people's hands whatever books it pleases. How long, we ask,
halt they between two opinions ?
§ Here is another severe hit against the popular leaders now figuring amongst
us. Will they obey him ? — or will they renounce him at once ?

16
draw subjects from their allegiance to sovereigns, and to precipitate
those very Sovereigns from their thrones.*
For this reason, namely, that they might not contaminate them
selves by so foul a crime, the primitive Christians are known, even
in the midst of persecutions, to have acted, nobly towards the
Emperors, and for the safety of the empire. This they
proved most clearly, not only by their integrity in performing,
carefully and promptly, whatever commands were given them, not
contrary to religion ; but also by their constancy, and by the shedding
of their blood in battle. ;
?' The Christian soldier,'' 'says St. Augustine, " served an unbpr
* The true exposition of the matter is as follows : — There must, and
always will be, an union between a godly church and a godly state,
and when such an union takes place it will be on this basis— In all
temporal and civil concerns, the church will be governed by, and subservient to,
the state ; but in spiritual matters, (that is, in its doctrine and discipline,) it will
be independent of it. To be supported by the state is not essential, but acces
sary to a godly church, and the natural progress of things is as follows : — The
state having become desirous of the protection of Him by whom kings reign and
princes decree justice, and knowing that righteousness exalteth a nation, finds the
church already in existence and organized for the purpose of spreading it abroad — ad
mires it as an excellent, as a divine institution, and then encourages and patronises it
Thus kings and queens have become its nursing fathers and its nursing mothers, en
grafting its institutions and doctrines into the very constitution and laws of their res
pective states and kingdoms. So says the Protestant — what say the popish party ?
The church's right to rule is above that of the state ; it belongs to it to give away
kingdoms and confirm elections to thrones i the sword was bestowed upon temporal
princes to be used at the dictation of Peter. The church may vindicate her rights
by censures and spiritual fulminations, and may stipulate for, demand, and coerce
them. She may call upon states and kingdoms to defer to her authority ; and
unless by covenant, contract, and concordat, they purchase her good will, and
give her her prescribed terms — unless they enter into an unhallowed union with
her (the Scriptures denominate it spiritual fornication,) their dominion shall be
rendered unquiet, unsettled, and turbulent, so far, at least, as Rome has power and
jurisdiction. Such was the case of Belgium, the popish priests availing them
selves of French agitation and revolution, to produce that rebellion by which she
has been severed from Holland. And such might be the case of Ireland, for
already has the great agitator, O'Comiell, threatened that the English government
here shall be treated in like manner, through the Uke agency. Hut, rejoice, ye
Sufferers in the cause of Protestantism and of true religion, for the last struggle qf
antichrist is come. This very letter of the Pope affords incontestible evidence of it ;
and the zealous Protestant may laugh him to scorn, fbr he sees that his day is coming.
The mutual concord of the empire and the priesthood is to be interpreted thus — If,
its advocate would say, you are, or are willing to become, Papists, and will enter
into a league and concordat with the Pope, securing to him his rights and privi
leges, he will use his influence to keep your people in peace and subjection to the
laws, and to preserve the quiet of your dominions. But if you are not, or will
not be, of his side, aud particularly if you patronise the Protestant faith, he
knows well how to treat you ; his adherents shall become thorns in your sides,
and adders in your paths ; you shall live in broils and tumults, and shall never
sleep securely on your thrones. How different the conduct of the primitive
Christians here adverted to. The Pope sets them up as an example to the people
in popish states, but does He exhort his adherents to emulate that example in
Protestant ones ? and yet they obeyed the Pagan emperors of Rome without
plotting their destruction, though they might have done it, whilst the emissaries
and adherents of the Popes afford a mutilated obedience to the laws of Protestant
princes, and never cease to intrigue and plot against the quiet of their dominions.

17
lieving Emperor : but wheu there came any question about the cause of
Christ, they acknowledged none but Him who was in heaven. They
distinguished the eternal Lord from the temporal sovereign ; and yet
they were obedient to the temporal, for the sake of the eternal."
This determination, the invincible martyr, Maurice, chieftain of the
Theban legion, had formed to himself, whei-., as St. Eucherius re
lates, he made this answer to the Emperor : " We are your soldiers,
O Emperor ; yet, as we freely confess, we'are the servants of God.
And now, even this extreme risk of our lives has not driven us to re
bellion : behold, we have arms in our hands, yet we resist not, be
cause we prefer dying to killing !"
Which loyalty of the primitive Christians towards their sovereigns
shines with still greater lustre, if we reflect with Tertullian, that at
that time the Christians wanted neither numbers nor armed forces, if
they had wished to have played the part of open enemies. " We are
but of yesterday,"' says he, " and we have filled your places, cities,
islands, castles, towns, councils, even the camp, tribes, decuriaj,
the palace, the senate, the forum : for what war should we not have
been fit and ready, even though inferior in force — we who thus freely
submit to be slain, if by our religion we were not alio'.. ed rather to
suffer death than to inflict it ? If we, so great a multitude, had with
drawn ourselves from you into some remote corner of the world ; truly
the loss of so many citizens, of whatever class, would not only have
shamed your government, but also would have injured^it by the remo
val. Doubtless, you would have been panic-struck at your solitary
condition : you would have sought around for subjects : there would
have remained to you more enemies than citizens ; but now you have
fewer enemies, by reason of the multitude of Christians."
These examples of unshaken fidelity to their sovereign, which ne
cessarily flowed from the most holy precepts of the Christian religion,
condemn the detestable impudence and wickedness of those, who,
burning with an abandoned and lawless desire of mischievous liberty,*
use all their effort to sap and overthrow all the rights of Sovereigns ;
and who, under the appearance of liberty, will give to the people no
thing but slavery, f
To this end uniformly tended the most wicked ravings and schemes
of the Waldenses, Beguards, Wicliffites, and other sons of Belial of
this stamp; who were the off-scouringsj and disgrace of the human
• The Pope in this place studiously confounds religious liberty and civil licen
tiousness, two things as distinct as the poles. In his effort to destroy the one, he
hopes to undermine the other. If men are wise, they will vindicate their right to
the former whilst they repudiate the latter, and thus shall the spiritual tyrant be
foiled. t A third severe hit of the Pope (because too true,) against the demagogues
and declaimers of the present day ; yet their poor dupes near home will not
discern that which is plain enough to their spiritual lord beyond the Alps —
" Nothing but slavery .'"  mark the words, for there is not one syllable in them
but is true, and very much to the purpose, so far as regards their civil estate.
X These sincere and suffering Christians were never anathematized by Rome be
cause they were " the disgrace of human nature," but they were butchered, and
that by wholesale, through her agency, because they were powerful and pcae-
D

18
race, and therefore were so often-fdeservelly anathematized by the
Apostolic See. Norisit from any other cavse, that those old knavesex-
ert all their powers, but that they may triumphantly congratulaie
themselves, with Luther, " that they are free from all," which ob
ject to obtain with more ease and readiness, they boldly undertak-e the
most flagicious designs of every sort.
Nor can we augur more happy results, either to religion or monar
chy, from the wishes of those who are anxious that the church should
be separated* from the state, and that the mutual concord of the em
pire and the priesthood should be torn asunder. For it is certain,
that these favourers of the most audacious liberty, do exceedingly fear
that concord, which has ever been advantageous and salutary to both
religious and civil interests.
Still, to other most sad causes- of our solicitude, by which, amidst
this common trouble, we have been afflicted with more than common
pain, there have been added certain associations,-]- and set meetings ; in
which, as if by an union with the disciples of every false religion and
worship, (under pretence indeed of a regard for religion, but, in truth,
from a desire of promoting everywhere novelty and sedition,) — liberty
of every kind is proclaimed ; tumults are excited against the sacred
and civil estate ; even the most holy authority is disputed.
Truly, with a most sorrowing heart, yet trusting in Him who rules
the winds, and creates a calm, we write thus to you, Venerable Breth
ren ; that putting on the shield of faith, you may strive to fight bravely.
the battles of the Lord. To you principally it belongs, to stand up as
a wall of defence against every height which exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, Unsheath the sword qf the Spirit, which is the
Ward of God;% and let those who are hungring after righteousness
receive from you this bread.
vering testifiers of her ungodliness, and conscientious opponents of her unhallowed
ambition. They might be called the first Protestants witnessing against Rome's
corruption and depravity, and they shall have a glorious reward. The very ap
pellation here given them is an honour ; for the apostles' themselves gloried in it,
when bestowed by their antichristian enemies — " We are become the filth and
offscouring of all things."— 1 Cor. iv. 13. Truly the manners of the great
antichrist of latter times agree marvellously well with those of his prototypes in
ancient story.
* Still one more strong rebuke of the Roman Catholic leaders here^ who are so
loudly bellowing forth the sinfulness of that union which the Pepe here praises,
insisting on the immediate, total separation of Church and State— a measure
which he stigmatises as one of " audacious liberty." Is, then, the infallible Pope
m the right ?—and if so, what are we to think of the others— and will they StiU
call themselves true Roman Catholics ?
t Once more the Pope is treading on tender ground. These " meetings" and
associations are now the most favourite measures among his followers in Ireland ;
many of whom, it may be supposed, are not aware that their lord and master is
speaking thus harshly of their proceedings and themselves.
X This is the redeeming sentence of the whole letter ! Here for once, it might
be said that the Pope forgets himself, but / will not say so. I say that the Pope
himself now sees the absolute necessity of allowing the circulation of the Serii-
tures, as a check to evils of every kind. I hail this sign of the times, and oriy
desire that this his wish may be made extensively known throughout this island,
so that Roman Catholics may now understand, that even by the very highest
authority recognised by them, the salutary use of the Bible is admitted, and his

19
Called to he diligent labourers in the Lard's vineyard, attend to this
one point ; labour unitedly at this, that every root of bitterness be
plucked up fiom the field committed to your charge; and that, when
every seed of vice has been destroyed, a full crop of virtue may there
grow. Chiefly, embracing with paternal affection those persons who
have applied their minds to sacred literature, and the study of philo
sophy, exhort, and set them an example,* that they do not,
through reliance on their own strength, go aside from the path of truth,
into the way of the wicked. Let them remember, that God is the
guide of wisdom, and reformer of the wise ; and that it is not possible
for us to know God without God, who by his Word, teaches men to
know Him. It is the habit of the proud, or rather of the foolish man,
to weighf in human scales the mysteries of Faith, which surpass all our
understanding.; and to trust to his own mind and reason, which by the
constitution of man's nature are infirm and weak.
These, our common wishes for the preservation of the things both of
church and state, may our dearest children in Christ, the sovereigns of
kingdoms, second, both bytheir power and authority, which they may
recollect were given to them, not only for the ruling of the world,
but still morej for the protection of the church.
Let them diligently bear in mind, that every exertion made for the
welfare of the Church tends to their authority and tranquillity : nay,
let them be persuaded, that the cause of religion ought to be even
more regarded than that of their empire ; and let them account it a
treat point, if (we use the words of Pope St. Leo,) the crown of Faith
e added to their diadem by the hand qf the Lord. Set up as
parents and guardians of their people, they will provide for them a
clergy are expressly ordered to avail themselves of its aid. Henceforth, if any
priest shall take upon him to prohibit the Bible, let it be known that this man is
acting from personal bigotry alone, and in direct contravention of the will and
orders of his superior.
* Here again we must acknowledge the justice of the Pope's remark ; and
must sincerely pray that his clergy would generally follow the advice thus pub
licly given to them.
t All this is perfectly just and true, if the Pope went no further ; for man
ought not to set up his reason as a standard to measure the things of God, nor
should the understanding ever be used to impugn any doctrine of divine revelation.
But it is the office of reason to judge, whether a doctrine said to be contained in, or
deducedfrom, Scripture, is really to be found in it, or flows consequentially from it.
This is the business of .the sacred critic, and divine — this is the office of every
Christian, so, far ?s he has talent and capacity for the task. He should gather
light from every side, from Scripture, from books, from men, looking ever to the
- influence and guidance of God's holy Spirit, that he may know and appreciate the
divine truths. But has Popery encouraged this mode of procesding ? No. It
has burnt their Bibles, proscribed useful bpoks and' the conversation of pious men
—shielded theii minds, and kept them in a state of pupilage— jt has
taught that ignorance is the toother of devotion ; and where it has given know
ledge, it has done it in stinted measure and garbled extract, whilst even to this it has
been stimulated only through shame or unwilling emulation ; but the world is no
longer in its dotage, and that system will no longer work.
X Some portion of the old leaven is yet fermenting in the.mass : the dregs of
the spirit of Hildebrand yet linger in the cup of Babylon, although a change of
times has compelled some considerable change of tone.

20
real, permanent, and wealthy peace and tranquillity, if they make it their
principal study to preserve religion and piety towards God, who has,
written on his thigh, King of kings, and Lord qf lords.
Now, that all these events may come to pass happily and successful
ly, let us lift up our eyes and hands to the most holy Virgin Mary *
who alone has destroyed all heresies, and is our greatest confid e/ice,
even the whole foundationf of our hope. May she, by her patronage,
in this trying situation of the Lord's flock, implore a prosperous re
sult of our efforts, designs, and actions.
Let us ask this, with humble prayers, of Peter the PrinceJ of the
Apostles, and of his co-apostle, Paul : that you may all stand as a
a rampart to prevent the laying of any other foundation than that
which is laid.
Trusting in this delightful expectation, we have hope that Jesus
Christ,§ the author and finisher of our faith, will at length con
sole us all in the tribulations which have too sadly overtaken us:
and as an earnest of the heavenly aid, we impart most lovingly to
you Venerable Brethren, and to the sheep committed to your care,
the apostolical benediction.
Given at Rome, at St. Maria Maggiore, on the XVII. Kalends, of
September, (15th of August,) on the festival of the Assumption of the
said Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year of our Lord's Incarnation,
MDCCCXXXH. in the second year of our Pontificate.
* O ! wherefore is this sad and uncalled for burst of perverseness ! Why not
invoke directly (if sincere in his intentions,) the aid and blessing of Almighty
God, instead of blasphemously stating ' that " his chief confidence," " the whole
foundation of his hope," lay in a mortal being, however highly favoured !  whose
" patronage" can be effectual, if [our requests be unfit to meet the divine eye and
ear, and whose can possibly be needful if we ask that which becometh Christians ?
"Let our requests be made known unto God," says the Scripture; it might, and
it would, have said, "Let them be made known to the Virgin Mary, or to some
saint or Father," had this been necessary, or profitable, or proper.
t The Pope here states the Virgin Mary to be the whole foundation of his
hope ; and afterwards prays to the Apostles Peter and Paul, that his prelates may
stand as a rampart against " laying any other foundation than that is laid." Now
St. Paul says — " Other foundation can no man lay save that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ ;" but the language of this letter is, "other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is the Virgin Mary !" And if it be said that this is
. not the meaning, I would answer, if it is not, I never met a stronger instance of
negligent composition or studied obscurity.
X This Christ never made St. Peter ; this St. Peter never called himself, nor
was called by his fellow apostles. It has suited the Bishops of Rome in later
ages thus to elevate their chosen founder, in order to derive pretence for extraor
dinary claims in behalf of themselves.
§ After the Virgin Mary is first invoked, and the Apostles Peter and Paul
called in to aid, at last, as if for very shame at the omission, the Almighty and
all-merciful Redeemer is spoken of! with a hope, not that he will deliver the
Pope out of troubles, but merely that he will console him under them. What,
m good sadness, is meant by this voluntary . preferring of the creature to the
Creator—this placing of God behind and below mortal men— this looking for
deliverance from them— but from Him only asking "consolation" under that tri
bulation which his creatures are requested to remove ! !

APPENDIX

Samctissimi Domini nostri, Gregorii, Divina Providentia, Papa
XVI. Epistola Encyclica, ad omnes Patriarchas, Primates, Archi-
episcopos, et Episcopos.
Veneeabiles Fratb.es,
Salutem et Apostolicam Benedictionem,
Mirari vos arbitramur, quod ab imposita Nostras humilitati Ecclesias
universes procuratione, nondum Literas ad vos dederimus, prout et con
suetudo vel a primis temporibus invecta, et benevolentia in vos Nostra
postulasset. Erat id quidem Nobis maxime in votis, ut dilataremus illico
super vos cor Nostrum, atque in communicatione spiritus ea vos adloque-
remur voce, qua, confirmare Fratres in persona Beati Petri jussi fuimus.*
Verura probe nostis, quanam malorum atrumnarumque procella primis Pon-
tificatus Nostri momentis in earn subito altitudinem maris acti fuerimus, in
qua nisi dextera Dei fecisset virtutem, ex teterrima impiorum conspiratione
Nos congemuissetis demersos. Refugit animus tristissima tot discriminum
recensione susceptum inde moerorem refricare ; Patrique potius omnis con-
solationis benedicimus, qui, disjectis perduellibus, prasenti Nos eripuit pe
ricuio, atque, turbulentissima sedata tempestata, dedit a metu respirare.
Proposuimus illico vobiscum communicare consilia ad sanandas contritio-
nes Israel ; sed ingens curarum moles, quibus in concilianda publici ordinis
restitutione obruti fuimus, nioram tunc Nostra: huic objecit voluntati.
Nova interim accessit causa silentii ob factiosorum insolentiam, qui signa
perduellionis iterum attoUere conati sunt. Nos quidem tantam hominum
pervicaciam, quorum efl'renatus furor impunitate diuturna, impensseque
Nostra, benignitatis indulgentia non deliniri, sed ali potius conspiciebatur,
debuimus tandem, ingenti licet cum moerore, ex collata Nobis divinitus
auctoritate, virga compescere ;f ex quo, prout jam probe conjicere potes-
tis, operosior in dies instantia nostra quotidiana facta est.
Ast cura, quod ipsum iisdem ex causis distuleramus, jam possessionem
Pontificatus in Lateranensi Basilica ex more institutoque majorum adiveri-
mus, omni demum abjecta cunctatione, ad vos properamus, Venerabiles
Fratres, testemque Nostra, erga vos voluntatis epistolam damus laetissimo
hoc die, quo de Virginis Sunctissimsein Ccelum Assumptae triumpho sollem-
nia festa peragimus, ut quam Patronum ac Sospitam inter maximas quas-
que calamitates persensimus, Ipsa et scribentibus ad vos Nobis adstet pro-
pitia, mentemque Nostram coelesti afflatu suo in ea inducat consilia, quae
Christiano Gregi futura sint quam maxime salutaria.
Moerentes quidem, animoque tristitia confecto venimus ad vos, quos
pro vestro in Religionem studio, ex tanta, in qua ipsa versatur, temporum
acerbitate, maxime anxios novimus. Vere enim dixerimus, horam nunc
esse potestatis tenebrarum ad cribandos, sicut triticum, filios election is.:};
Veretuxit, et defliu-it terra  infecta ab hdbitatoribus s-uis, quia trans-
gressi sunt leges, mutaverunt jus, dfcsipaveruntfoedus sempiternum.^
" Luc. xxii. 32. t 1 Cjriuth. iv. 21. J Luc. xxii. 53. § Isaiae xxiv. 5.

22
Loquimur, Venerabiles Fratres, qua. vestris ipsi oculis conspicitis, qus
communibus idcirco lacrymis ingemiscimus. Alacris exultat improbitas,
scientia impudens, dissoluta licentia. Despicitur sanctitas sacrorum, et
quae magnam vim, magnamque necessitatem possidet, divini cultis majestas
ab hominibus nequam improbatur, polluitur, habetur ludibrio. Sana hinc
pervertitur doctrina, erroresque omnis generis disseminanrur audacter.
Non leges sacrorum, non jura, non instituta, non sanctiores quaelibet dis
cipline tutaa sunt ab audacia loquentium iniqua. Vexatur acerrime Roma
na haec Nostra Beatissimi Petri Sedes, in qua posuit Christus Ecclesias fir-
mamentum ; et vincula unitatis in dies magis labefactantur, abrumpuntur.
Divina Ecclesiae auctoritas oppugnatur, ipsiusque juribus convulsis, sub-
sternitur ipsa terrenis rationibus, ac per summam iiijuriam odio populorum
subjicitur, in turpem redacta servitutem. Debita Episcopis obedientia in-
fringitur, eorumque jura conculcantur. Personant borrendum in modum
Academiae ac Gymnasia novis opinionum monstris, quibus non occulte am-
plius et cuniculis petitur Catholica Fides, sed horrificnm ac nefarium ei
bellum aperte jam et propalam infertur. Institutis enim exemploque Pras-
ceptorum, corruptis adolescentium animis, ingens Religionis clades, mo-
ruinque perversitas teterrima percrebuit. Hinc porro freno Religionis
sanctissimse projecto, per quam unam Regna consistunt, dominatusque vis
ac robur firmatur, conspicimus ordinis publici exitium, labem principatus,
omnisque legitimas potestatis conversionem invalescere. Quae quidem
tanta calamitatum congeries ex illarum imprimis conspiratione societatum
est repetenda, in quas quidquid in hderesibus, et in sceleratissimis quibus-
que sectis sacrilegum, flagitiosum, ac blasphemum est, quasi in sentinam
quamdam, cum omnium sordium concretione confluxit.
Hee, Venerabiles Fratres, et alia complura, et fortassis etiam graviora,
quae in praesens percensere longum. esset, ac vos probe nostis, in dolore
esse Nos jubent, acerbo sane ac diuturno, qnos in Cathedra Principis Apos-
tolorum constitutos, zelus universe, domus Dei comedat prae caeteris, opus
est. Verum cum eo Nos loci positos esse agnoscamus,quo deplorare dmn-
taxat innumera haec mala non sufficiat, nisi et ea convellere pro viribus
connitamur ; ad opem fidei vestrae cemfugimus, vestramque pro Catholici
Gregis salute sollicitudinem advocamus, Venerabiles Fratres, quorum spec-
tata virtus ac religio et singularis prucfentia et sedula adsiduitas animos
Nobis addit, atque in tanta rerum asperitate afBictos consolatione susten-
tat perjucunda. Nostrarum quippe est partium, vocem tollere, omniaque
conari, ne aper de silva demoliatur vineam, neve lupi mactent gregem :
Nostrum est, oves in ea dumtaxat pabula compellere, quae salutaria iisdem
sint, nee vel tenui suspicione perniciosa. Absit, Charissimi, absit, ut
quando tanta premant mala, tanta impendeant discrimina, suo desint mu-
neri pastores, et perculsi metu diriiittant oves, vel, abjecta cura gregis, otio
torpeant ac desidia. Agamus idcirco in unitate spiritus communem Nos-
.trano, seu veriusDeicausam, et contra communes hostes pro totius populi
salute una omnium sit vigilantia, una contentio.
Id porro apprime praestabitis,_ si, quod vestris muneris ratio postulat, at-
tetid'atis vobis, et doctrinae, assidue reVolventes animo, unieersalem Eccle
siam quacumque novitate pulsari,'' atque S. Agathonis Pontificis monituf
nihil de iis, quo? sunt regvlariter definita, minui debere, nihil mutari, nihil ad-
jici,, sed ea et verbis, et senstbus illibata esse custodienda. Immota inde con-
sistet firmit'as unitatis, quae hac B. Petri Cathedra suo veluti fundamento
continetur, ut unde in Ecclesias omnes venerandae communionis jura di-
manant, ibi universis et murus sit, et securittts, et portus expers fluctuiim, et
* S. Celest. PP. Ep. 21 ad Episc Galliar.
f S. Agatho PP. Ep. ad Imp. apud Labo. Tom. 11. pag. 235. Ed. Mansi.

23
benorwrn thesaurus bmumerabiUum.* Ad eorum itaque retundendam auda-
ciam, qui vel jura Sanctse hujus Sedis infringere conantur, vel dirimere Ec-
clesiarum cum ipsa conjunctionem, qua una eadem nituntur et vigent,
maximum fidei in earn ac venerationis sinceras studium inculcaste, incla-
mantes cum S. Cypriano,f falso confidere se esse in Ecclesia, qui Cathedram
Petri deserat, super quamfundata est Ecclesia-
In hoc ideo elaborandum vobis est, assidueque vigilandum, ut" fidei de-
positum custodiatnr in tanta hominum impiorum conspiratione, quam ad
illud diripiendum perdendumque factam lamentamur. Meminerint omnes,
judicium de sana doctrina, qua populi imbuendi sunt, atque Ecclesiae uni-
versae regimen et administrationem penes Romanum Pontificem esse, cui
plena pascendi, regendi, et gubernandi universalem Ecclesiam potestas a
Christo Domino traditafuit, uti Patres Florentini Concilii diserte declara-
runt.J Est autem singulorum Episcoporem Cathedrae Petri fidelissime ad-
haerere, depositum sancte religioseque custodire, et pascere, qui in eis est,
gregem Dei. Presbyteri vero subjecti sint, oportet, Episcopis, quos utianimce
parentes suscipiendos ab ipsis esse, monet Hieronymns :§ nee unquam obli-
viscantur, se vetustis etiam canonibus vetari, quidpiam in suscepto minis-
teria agere, ac docendi et concionandi munus sibi sumere sine sententia
Episcopi, cujus fidei populus est creditus, et a quo animabus ratio exigetur.\\
Certum denique firmumque sit, eos omnes, qui adversus praestitutum hunc
ordinem aliquid moliantur, statum Ecclesiae, quantum in ipsis est, pertur-
bare. Nefas porro esset, atque ab eo venerationis studio prorsus alienum, qua
Ecclesiae leges sunt excipienidae, sancitam ab ipsa disGipIinam, qua et sacro
rum procuratio, et morum norma, et jurium Ecclesias Ministrorumque ejus
ratio continctur, vesana opinandi libidinae improbari, vel ut certis juris na
turae principiis infestam notari, vel mancam duci atque imperfectam, civi-
liquc auctoritati subjectam.
Cum autem, ut Tridentinorum Patrum verbis utamur, constet, Ecclesiam
eruditam fuisse a CHRISTO JESU, ejusque Apostolh, atque a Spiritu
Sancto illi omnem veritatem in dies suggerente edocerifl absurdum plane est,
ac maxime in earn injuriosum, restaurationem ac regenerationem quanduni
obtrudi, quasi necessariam, ut ejus incolumitati et incremento consutatur,
perinde ac si censeri ipsa possit vel defectui, vel obscuration!, vel aliis hu-
juscemodi incommodis obnoxia ; quo quidem molimine eo spectant nova-
tores, ut recentis humance institutionis jaciantur-fundamenta, illudque ipsum
eveniat, quod detestatur Cyprianus, ut, quae divina res est, humana fiat
Ecclesia.** Perpendant vero, qui consilia id genus machinantur, uni Ro
mano Pontifici ex S. Leonis testimonio Canonum dispensationem esse eredi-
tam, ipsiusque dumtaxat esse, non vero privati hominis, de paternarum re-
gul-is sanctionum quidpiam decernere, atque ita, quemadmodum scribit S.
Gelasius,ff decreta Canonum Vtbrare,dtcessoriamque preecepta metiri, ut quee
neeessitas temporum restaurandis Ecclesiis relaxanda deposed, adhibita consi-
deratione diligenti, temperentur.
Hie autem vestram volumus excitatam pro Religione constantiam ad
versus fcedissimam in Clericalem ccelibatum conjurationem, quam nostis-
• S. Innocent. PP. Ep. 11. apud Constat.
+ S. Cypr. de imitate Eccles.
\ Cone. Floa. Sess. 25. In definit. apud Labb. Tom. 18, col. 528, edit.Venet.
§ S. Hieron. Ep. 2. ad Nepot. a 1. 24.
|| E». Can. Ap. 38. apud Labb. Tom. 1. pag, 38. Edit. Mansi.
€ Cone. Trid. Sess. 13. dec. de Eucharist, in procem.
*"> S. Cypr. Ep. 52. Edit. Baluz.
ff S. Gelasius, PP. in Ep. ad Episcop. Lucaniae.

24
effervescere in dies latius, connitentibus cum perditissimis nostri aevi phi-
losophis, nonnullis etiam ex ipso ecclesiastico ordine, qui personae obliti,
munerigque sui, ac blanditiis abrepti vbluptatum, eo licentiae proniperunt,
nt publicas etiam atque iteratas aliquibus in lo<-:s ausi sint adhibere Prin-
cipibus, postulationes ad disciplinam illam sanctissimam perfringendam.
Sed piget de turpissimis hisce conatibus longo vos sermone distinere, ves-
trasque potius religioni fidentes committimus, ut legem maximi .nomenti,
in quam lascivicntium tela undiqi'e suut intenta, sartam tectam custodh-i,
vindicari, defend!, ex sacrorum canonum praescripto, omni ope conten-
datis. Honorabile deinde Christianorum connubium,* quod Sacramentwm mag
num nuncupavit Paulus in Chiuto et Ecclesia,f communes nostras curas
efflagitat, ne quid adversus ip.ius sanctitatem, ac de indissolubili ejusdem
vinculo minus recte sentiatur, vel tentetur induci. Impense id jam com-
mendarat suis ad vos litteris felicis recordationis Praedecessor Noster Pius
VII. adhuc tamen infesta eidem molimina succrescunt. Docendi itaque
sunt sedulo Populi, matrimonium semel rite initum dirimi amplius non
posse, nexisque connubio Dc .11 indidisse perpetuam vitae societatem, no-
dumque necessitudinis, qui exsolvi, nisi morte, non possit. Memores, sa-
cris illud rebus adnumerari, et Ecclesia. proinde subjici, praestitutas de
ipso ejusdem Ecclesiae leges habeant ob oculos, usque pareant sancte, accu-
rateque, ex quarum exequutione omnino pendet ejusdem connubii vis, ro-
bur, ac justa consociatio. Caveant, ne quod sacrorum canonum placitis,
Cpnciliorumque decretis officiat, ulla ratione admittant, probe gnari, exi-
tus infelices ilia habitura esse conjugia, quae vel adversus Ecclesiae discipli
nam, vel non propitiate prius Deo, vel solo aestu libidinis jungantur, quin
de sacramento, ac de mysteriis, quae illo significantur, ulla teneat sponsos
cogitatio. Alteram nunc persequimur causam maloram uberrimam, quibus affiictari
in praesens comploramus Ecclesiam, indifferenHssimum scilicet, seu pravam
illam opinionem, quae improborum fraude ex omni parte percrebuit, qualibet
fidei professione aeternam posse, anima. salutem comparari, si mores ad
recti honestique normam exigantur. At facili sane negotio in re perspi-
cua, planeque evidenti, errorem exitiosissimum a populis vestrae curas con-
creditis propclletis. Admonente enim Apostolo, unum esse Deum, unam
fidem, unam baptisma,% extimescant, qui e religione qualibet patere ad
portum beatitudinis aditum comminiscuntur, reputentque animo ex ipsius
Servatoris testimonio, esse se contra Christum, qui cum Christo non sunt,§
seque infeliciter dispergere, qui cum ipso non colligunt, ideoque absque
dubiointeternumesseperituros, nisi teneant Catholicam fidem, eamque inte
grant, inviolatamque servaverint.\\ Hieronymum audiant, qui, cumin tres
partes schismate scissa esset Ecclesia, narrat, se tenacem propositi, quando
aliquis rapere ipsum ad se nitebatur, constanter clamitasse: Si quis Cathe
dra Petri jungitur meus est.H Falso autem sibi quis blandiretur, quod et
ispe in aqua sit regenerates. Opportune enim re.ponderet Augustinus :••
Ipsamformam habet etiam sarmentum, quod prmcisum est de vite: sed quid
illi prodest forma, si non vivit de radice ?
Atque ex hoc puditissimo indiferentissimi fonte absurda ilia fluit ac erro-
nea sententia, seu potius deliramentum, asserendam esse ac vindicandam
cuilibet libertatem conscientice. Cui quidem pestilentissiino errori viam
.ternit plena ilia, atque immoderate libertas opinionum, quae in sacra? et
civihs rei labem late grassatur, dictitantibus per summam impudentiam
nonnullis, aliquid ex ea commodi in Reliaionem promanare. At quce pe-
• Ad Heb. xiii. 4. f Ad Ephes. iv 5. i Ad Ephes. iv. 5. § Luc xi 25
|| Luc. xi. 25. H S. Hier. Ep. 58. •• S. Aug. in Psal. cont ra p£t Bona't.

26
jor mors animas, quam Ubertas erroris? inquiebat Augustinus.* Freno
quippe omni adempto, quo homines contine^ntur in semitis veritatis, pro-
ruente jam in praeceps ipsorum natura ad malum inclinata, vere apertum
dicimus puteum dbyssi,\ e quo vidit Joannes ascendere fumum, quo ob-
scn ratus est sol, locustis ex eo prodeuntibus in vastitatem terrae. Inde
enim animorum immutationes, inde adolescentium in deteriora corrupt io,
inde in populo sacrorum, rerumque, ac legum sanctissimarum contemptus,
inde uno verbo p'estis rei publicae prae qualibet capitalior, cum experientia
teste vel a prima antiquitate notuin sit, civitates, quae opibus,. imperio,
gloria floruere, hoc uno malo concidisse, libertate immoderate opinionum,
licentia concionum, rerum novandarum cupiditate.
Hue spectat deterrima ilia, ac numquam satis exsecranda et detestabilis
Ubertas artis librariae ad scripta quaelibet edenda in vulgus, quam tanto
con vicio audent nonnulli efflagitare ac promovere. Perhorrescimus, Ve
nerabiles Fratres, intuentes, quibus monstris doctrinarum, seu potius qui
bus errorum portentis obruamur, quae longe ac late ubique disseminantur
ingenti librorum multitudine, libellisque, et scriptis mole quidem exiguis,
malitia tamen permagnis, e quibus maledictiqnem. egressam illaccymamur
super faciem terrae. Sunt tamen, prob dolor 1 qui eo_ impuderitiae abripi-
autur, ut asserant pugnaciter, hanc errorum colluviem inde prorumpentem
satis cumulate compensari ex libro aliquo, qui in hac tanta pravitatum_tem-
pestate ad Religionem ac veritatem propugnandum edatur.— Nefas profec-
to est, omnique jure improbatum, patrari data opera malum certum ac
majns, quia spes sit, inde boni aliquid habitum ii-i. Numquid venena li-
bere spargi. ac publice vendi, comportarique, imo et combibi .debere, sa-
nus quis dixerit, quod remedy quiclpiara habeatur, quo qui utuntur, eripi
eos ex interitu identidem contingat?
Verum longe alia fuit Ecclesiae disciplina in exscindenda male-rum libro
rum peste vel ab Apostolorum aetate, quos legimus grandem librorum vim
publice combussisse. J Satis sit, leges in Concilio Lateranensi V. in earn
rem datas perlegere, et Constitutionem, quae deinceps a Leone X. feJ. rec.
Praedecessore Nostro fuit edita, ne id quod adfidei augmetum, ac bonarum
artium propagationem salubriter est inventum, in conlrarium convertatur, ac
Christi fidelium tal-uti detrimentum pariat.§ Id quidem et Tridentinis Patri-
bus maxima; euros fuit, qui remedium tanto huic malo adhibuere, edito
saluberrimo decreto de Indice librorum, quibus impura doctrina contine-
retur, conficiendo. || Pugnandum est acriter, inquit Clemens XIII, fei. rec.
Praedecessor Noster in suis de noxiorum librorum proscriptione encyclicis
litteris.f pugnandum est acriter, quantum res ipsa effiagitat, etpro viribui tot
librorum mortifera externdnandi pernicies : numquam enim materia subtrahe-
tur erroris, nisi pravitatisfacinorosa elementa in fiammis combusta depereant.
Ex hac itaque constanti omnium aetatum solieitudine, qua semper Sancta
haec Apostolica Sedes suspectos et noxios libros damnare, et de hominum
manibus extorquere enixa est, patet luculentissirae, quantopere falsa, te-
uie.-a.ia, eidemque Apostolica. Sedi injuriosa, et fecunda raalortim in Chris-
tiano Populo ingentium sit illorum doctrina, qui nedum censiiram libro
rum veluti gravem nimis, et onerosam rejiciunt, sed eo etiam improbitatis
progrediuntnr, ut earn prae'dicent a recti juris principiis abhorrere, jusque
illiiis decernendae, habend-eque audeant Ecclesiae denegare.
Cum autem circumjatis in vulgus scriptis doctrinas quasdam promulgan
aceeperimus, quibus debita erga Principe, fidei atque submissio labefacta-
» S. Aug. Ep. 166. \ Apocalyps. ix. 3. i Act. Apost. 19.
§ Act. Cone. Latenn, V. sess. 10. ubi refertur Const. Leonis X. Le^eiula est
anterior Constitutio Alexandri VI. Inter multipliees, in qua nmltaad rem.^ -
|| Cone. Trid. Sess. 18 et25. IT Lit. Clem. XIII. Christiana., 2j >uv. l/oo.
E

26
tur, facesque perduellionis ubique incenduntur: ™l™dn™™*™™'*'
ne populi inde decepti arecti^emita abducantur. Ammadvertant omnes
non esse juxta Apostoli monitum, potestatem nisi a Deo; qum °f™™nt>
a Deo ordinal* sunt. Itaque qui resistd potestah, Dei prdim^mremM,et
qui resistunt, ipsi sibi damnationem acqumnt." Quocirca et divina ei nu-
mana jura in eos clamant, qui turpissimis perduellionis s^ditionumqu ma-
chinatlonibus a fide in Principes descisere, ipsosque ab imperio deturDare
connituntur. . . , _,-*_»—
Atque hac plane ex causa, ne tanta se turpitudine faedarent veteres
Christiani sceventibus licet persecntionibus, optime tamen eos de Impera-
toribus, ac de Imperii incolumitate meritos fuisse constat, idque nedum
fide in iis, quas sibi mandabantur Religioni non contrana, accurate promp-
teque perficiendis, sed et constantia, et effuso etiam in praslus sanguine
luciilentissime comprobasse. Milites Christiani, ait S. Augustmus, T seme-
runt Imperatoriinfideli; ubi veniebatur ad causam Christi, non agnoscebant,
nisi ilium qui in ccelis erat. DisUnguebant Bominum cetemum a Donatio tem-
porali, et tamen subditi erant propter Dominum ceternum etiam Domino tem-
porali. Haec quidem sibi ob oculos proposuerat Mauritius Martyr mvic-
tus, Legionis Thebanae Primicerius, quando, uti S. Eucherius refert, haec
respondit Imperatori :} Milites sumus, Imperator, tui, sed tamen servt,
quod Where confitemur, Dei  Et nunc non nos luzc ultima vita necessi-
tas in rebellionem coegit : tenemus ecce arma, et non resistimus, quia mort,
quam occidere satius voluntas. Quae quidem veterum Christianorum in
Principes fides eo etiam illustrior effulget, si perpendatur cum Tertulliano,}
tunc temporis Christianis non defuisse vim numerorum, et copiarum, si hostes
exertos agere volvissent. Esterni sumus, inquit ipse, et vestra omnia implevi-
mus, Urbes, Jnsulas, Castella, Municipia, Coneiliabula, Castra ipsa, 2 rums,
Decurias, Palatium, Senatum, Forum... .Cui bello non Idonei non promptifuis-
semus, etiam bnpares copiis, qui tarn libenter irucidamur, si non apudistam dis-
ciplinam magis occidi liceret, quam occidere ?  Si tanta vis hominum in ali-
quem Orbis remoti sinum abrupissemus a i-obis, suffudisset utique pudore Do-
minatkmem vestram tot qualiumcumque amissio civium, immo et ipsa dcstitutume
punisset. Procul dubio expavissetis ad solitudinem vestram  qucesksctis,
quibus imperaretis ; plures hostes, quam cives vobis remansissent : nunc autem
pauciores hostes habetis prce multitudine Christianorum.
Praeclara haec immobilis 6ubjectionis in Principes exempla, quas ex 6anc-
tissimis Christianas Religionis praeceptis necessario proficiscebantur, detes-
tandam illorum insolentiam, et improbitatem condemnant, qui projecta,
effrenataque procacis libertatis cupiditate asstuantes, toti in eo sunt, ut jura
quasque Principatuum labefactent, atque convellant, servitutem sub liber
tatis specie populis illaturi. Hue sane scelestissima deliramenta, consilia-
que conspiramnt Waldensium, Beguardorum, Wiclefistarum, aliorumque
hujusmodi filiorum Belial, qui humani generis sordes, ac dedecora fuere,
merito idcirco ab Apostolica hac Sede toties anathemate confixi. Nee
alia profecto ex causa omnes vires intendunt veteratores isti, nisi ut cum
Luthero ovantes gratulari sibi possint, liberos se esse ab omnibus: quod ut
facilius celeriusque assequantur, fhgitiosora qusdibet audacissinic aggre-
, diuntur. Neque lastiora et Religioni, et Principatui omirari possemus ex eorum
votis, qui Ecclesiam a Regno separari, mutuamque Imperii cum Sacerdo-
tio concordiam abrumpi discupiunt. Constat quippe, pertimesci ab impu-
dentissimte libertatis amatoribus concordiam illam, quae semper rei et sacras
et civili fausta cxtitit ac salutaris.
* Ad Rom. xiii. 1. j S. Aug. in Psalt. 134, n. 7
\ S Euchcr. apud Ruinart. Act. SS. MM. de SS. Maurlt et Soe. n. 4.
§ Tertul. in Apologct. Cap. 37.

27
At ad ceteras acerbissimas causas, quibus soliciti sumus, et in communi
discrimine dolore quodam angimur praecipuo, accessere consociationes
quaedam, statique coetus, quibus, quasi agmine facto cum cujuscumque
etiam falsae religionis ac cultus sectatoribus, simulata quidem in religionem
pietate, vere tamen novitatis, seditionumque ubique promovendarum cupi-
dine, libertas omnis generis prasdicatur, perturbationes in sacram et civi-
lem rem excitantur, sanctior quaslibet auctoritas discerpitur.
Haec perdolenti sane animo, fidentes tamen in Eo, qui imperat ventis et
facit tranquillitatem, scribimus ad vos, Venerabiles Fratres, ut induti scu
tum fidei contendatis praeliari strenue praelia Domini. Ad vos potissimum
pertinet, stare pro muro contra omnem altitudinem extollentem se adversus
scientiam Dei. Exerite gladium spiritus, quod est verbum Dei, habeant-
que a vobis panem, qui esuriunt justitiam. Adsciti, ut sitis cuitoreS navi
in vinea Domini, id unum agite, in hoc simul laborate, ut radix quaelibet
amaritudinis ex agro vobis commisso evellatur, omnique enecato semine
vitiorum convalescat ibi seges lasta virtutum. Eos in primis affectu paterno
complexi, qui sid sacras prassertim disciplinas, et ad philosophicas questio-
nes animum appulere, hortatores, auctoresque iisdem sitis, ne solius ingemi
sui viribus freti imprudenter a veritatis semita in viam abeant impiorum.
Meminerint, Deum esse sapientia ducem emendatoremque sapientium,* ac
fieri non posse, ut sine Deo Deum discamus, qui per Verbum docet homi
nes scire Deum.-f- Superb!, seu potius insipientis hominis est, fidei mys-
teria, quas exsuperant omnem sensum, humanis examinare ponderibus,
nostraeque mentis rationi confidere, quas naturae humanae conditione de
bilis est, et infirma.
Ceterum communibus hisce votis pro rei et 6acras, et publicas incolumi
tate, Carissimi in Christo Filii Nostri Viri Principes sua faveant ope, et
auctoritate, quam sibi collatam considerent non solum ad mundi regimen,
sed maxime ad Ecclesiae presidium. Animadvertant 6edulo, pro illorum
imperio et quiete geri, quidquid pro Ecclesiae salute laboratur ; imo pluris
sibi suadeant fidei causam esse debere, quam Regni, magnumque sibi esse
perpendant, dicimus cum S. Leone Pontifice, si ipsorum diademati de manu
Domini etiam fidei addatur corona. Positi quasi parentes, et tutores popu-
lorum, veram, constantem, opulentam iis quietam parient, et tranquilli
tatem, si in earn potissimum curam incumbant, ut incolumis sit Religio et
pietas in Deum, qui habet scriptum in femore ; Rex Regum, et Dominus
do-hinantium. tied ut omnia haec prospere ac feliciter eveniant, levemus oculos manus-
que ad Sanctissimam Virginem MARIAM, quae sola universas haereses in-
teremit,!: Nostraque maxima fiducia, imo tota ratio est spei Nostrae.}
Suo ipsa patrocinio in tanta Dominici gregis necessitate studiis, consiliis,
actionibusque Nostris exitis secundissimos imploret. Id et ab Apostolo-
ruin Principe PETRO, et ab ejus Coapostolo PAULO humili prece effla-
gitemus ; ut stetis omnes pro muro, ne fundamentum aliud ponatur praster
id, quod positum est. Hac jucunda spe freti, confidimus, Auctorem con-
summatoremque fidei JESUM CHRISTUM consolaturum tandem esse
Nos omnes in tribulationibos, quae invenerunt Nos nimis, ccelestisque aux-
ilii auspicem, Apostolicam Benedictionem, vobis, Venerabiles Fratres, et
ovibus vestras curoe traditis peramanter impertimur.
Datum Rom=e apud S. Mariam Majorem XVIII. Kalendas Septembris
die sollemni Assumptionis ejusdem B. V. MARIJE Anno Dominica. In-
carnationis MDCCCXXXII. Pontificatus Nostri Anno II.
• Sep. 7. 15. f s- iremus Lib. 4. Cap. ID. i S. Aug.
§ Ex. £. Bernardo Serm, de Nat. B. M. V. 7.

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