I hope you will avail yourselves of whatever advantages the intelligence of the times may afford: and that the narrow or selfish views of man will no longer control you in the exercise of your judgment. Remember that “the word of God is fire tried,” and that it has ever courted investigation, while falsehood has always shrunk from inquiry. I know there are many among the lay portion of Roman Catholics, who would anxiously sever the link of their nominal adhesion to Roman doctrine, but their fears of an after persecution prevent an avowed acknowledgment of error. But, my friends, remember that the troubles of this life are not to be compared with the glory that awaits us in the next. “For (as the Apostle says) our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” {47a} I pray then, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, ye may know what is the hope of his calling” {47b}—and that ye may be strengthened to say with me in the words of the Psalmist, “In God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Psalms 56th chap. 4th verse. FOOTNOTES. {30} See Hayes’s Sermon I. {31} See Nicholson’s Philosophy, vol. 1. {43} See Scheffmaker’s Polemical Catechism, translated by Coppinger, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cloyne. {44} In the eleventh century. {45a} In the thirteenth century. {45b} In the fifteenth century. {45c} In the sixteenth century. {47a} 2 Cor. 4th chap. 17th verse. {47b} Ephes. 1st chap. 17–18 verses.