Two Addresses: One, to the Gentlemen of Whitby, Who Signed the Requisition, Calling a Meeting to Address the Queen, on the Late (So Called) Aggression of the Pope: and the Other, to the Protestant ClergyRigby, N. (Nicholas)
Religion
Two Addresses: One, to the Gentlemen of Whitby, Who Signed the Requisition, Calling a Meeting to Address the Queen, on the Late (So Called) Aggression of the Pope: and the Other, to the Protestant Clergy
Rigby, N. (Nicholas)
Catholic Church -- England -- History -- 19th century; England -- Church history
things, and accounted them as dung, that he might gain Christ." (Phil.
iii.) Thus, they have cheerfully renounced the riches, and honours of
this world, to associate themselves in faith, and worship, with those
holy, and illustrious members of the Catholic faith, who, in every age,
and clime, have made it their aim, and glory, to bring their dear, but
erring brethren, to this one fold, of the one Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
I can only say it appears to me strange, passing strange, that if
Catholicity be such a monster, as some would gladly persuade the world,
it appears very strange, that there should be such an inclination in
England, of late years, to return to this ancient faith. Every one must
acknowledge, that the march of intellect in England, during these late
years, has been immense; but if Catholicity be such a monster, as our
enemies _charitably_ represent it, what is the reason, so many are
beginning to enter into its fold, and what is the reason, Catholicity in
England is so much in the increase? This great increase, is acknowledged
even by our enemies. One would _reasonably_ think, that if Catholicity be
such a monster, the march of intellect would have _naturally_ guarded the
people against it. It surely will not be said, that the people have not
been sufficiently warned against it. What! not sufficiently warned
against it! Have they not been warned against it, these three hundred
years at least? Have they not been warned against it, in books of all
descriptions, from the large folio to the penny tract? Have they not been
warned against it, in almost every pulpit (except Catholic) in England?
Have they not been warned against it, again, and again, in the House of
Lords and Commons? Have they not been warned against it, in almost every
rank of society? In short, have they not been warned against it by every
means, that human ingenuity could devise? But surely, we shall not be
told, that this inclination to Catholicity, is owing to the want of
scriptural knowledge in England? Want of scriptural knowledge indeed in
England! Have not millions of money, been subscribed for the printing of
the scriptures, have not millions of bibles, been printed and circulated
in England? In short has not almost every one a bible, to which he
confidently appeals as his word of life? And yet notwithstanding all this
_warning_ against Catholicity, notwithstanding this immense diffusion of
bibles in England, Catholicity is rapidly increasing, to the great dismay
and "horrification" of our enemies. What then, can be the reason of this
late increase of Catholicity in England? Why, I will tell you, the people
of England, can now most of them read, and the march of intellect is
abroad, and by these means the people begin to find out, that their
Catholic fellow creatures, have been long, an unjustly abused, a
shamefully treated, and basely calumniated body of Christians. The
people, therefore, naturally begin to feel for them, and are now
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