quered. "Magna est veritas, et pravalebit." There is, sir, another body associated for the support of religious liberty, and I expect, that ere long, I shall be able to inform your readers, that the signatures of Messrs. Pellat and Wilks (names dear indeed to religious freedom and the Dissenters) are subjoined to some document, demonstrative of the ceterminations of the Society of which they are secretaries, not to be outstripped in the career of glory. IT Yours, A CALVINISTIC DISSENTER." To the Earl of Shrewsbury. T was with infinite regret I treat your lordship to read the extracts which our Catholic Correspondent has this month se lected from the Methodist Magazine, and let the Catholic Board judge whether that Correspondent's strictures are either unprovoked or undeserved. The English Board has thought proper to disclaim all connection with our work:-they were perfectly competent so to do; but let me ask, whether any Board of Methodists will disclaim all connection with the Magazine containing the virulent attack on our work, and on the whole body of the Roman Catholics in every part of Christendom? No. my lord, there is a material dif ference in these two cases.Our Magazine never has pretended to be the official medium of Catholic intelligence to the whole body. We wish it were so; but the Methodist Magazine is the common property of the whole connexion.It is not, like our's, the humble production and private possession of a few individuals, but the "official Gaṛ zette" of the whole body. Its editor is appointed and paid by the Conference; and its profits are, ostensibly at least, devoted to "the carrying on the work of God among the people called Methodists." What appears, therefore, in that Magazine, should be considered as the genuine, authorized sentiments and feelings of the whole body, And, I can assure your lordship, that the sentiments and language of the Magazine on which we have animadverted, are the genuine sentiments of almost every individual of that body. Think not, my lord, to conciliate these people by disclaiming our Magazine. Not one more name to petitions in our favour shall we gain by such a measure. I have dwelt on this point, because I know that our remarks on the Methodist Magazine have, by a somewhat circuitous rout, been dragged forth to procure the resolution against our work. The Methodists laugh to scorn the very men on whose credulity they have practised; but they will not, therefore, aid our just views. We wish, as much as the English Catholic Board, to conciliate all classes, and to promote sentiments of universal charity and toleration. That there are a few Methodists, both of the Wesleyan and Calvinistic persuasion, who espouse cause, we have no doubt; but will the Editor of the Methodist Magazine admit into his work any defence of Catholics, against the attacks which he has admitted to be made upon us? I know he will not. our As to the other branch of Methodists who arrogate to themselves the general title of Dissenters, I mean the Calvinists, I affirm, and let them, my lord, deny the charge, that they are, as a body, opposed to us and our claims. I affirm, and can, if called upon, prove the fact, that a majority of their preachers are No Popery men."-If they are not, why do they not unite to petition Parliament in our fa. vour? Why do they oppose us in every possible way? Why does their Magazine (on which also I could wish our correspondent would favour us with his strictures) every month abound with abuse of us? Why do they persist in stigmatizing us as Papists, bigots, persecutors, and murderers? Which of these evangelical ministers would sign a petition avowedly in favour of Catholic Emancipation? Not a dozen in all London, it is my firm persuasion, could be found to do us this justice!-They want liberty for themselves:-they ought to have it; and they are somewhat zealous in seeking it; but will they petition for it in conjunction with Catholics? Let them answer this:-I call upon them to answer it. If they will not, let them no more seek to oppose us and our Magazine. Let us have an open, unequivocal avowal of their sentiments in their own Magazine. If they are not enemies of the Catholic Claims, they can have no ob jection to say, in an official manner, that they are friendly to them. The Editor of the Evangelical Magazine knows very well, my lord, what are the general sentiments of his brethren : let him, then, tell us what they are. And if they are not our enemies, why do they manœuvre against us? No, my lord, though the Committee of Deputies may be favourable to us, because that Committee is composed of a few enlightened gentlemen-(their names shall appear in our next Number) - though, possibly, Messrs. Wilks and Pellat, (of which,however, as yet, we have not any open proof,) may not be hostile to us, believe me, my lord, these gentlemen do not speak the sentiments of all the Dissenters, nor of a majority of the Calvinistic Dissenters. Let the Committee of Deputies say that I am mistaken in this, and I shall rejoice. "But have not the Dissenting Ministers of the three denominations lately passed certain Resolutions for a Petition to Parliament for the repeal of all the penal statutes affecting relion?" Yes, my lord, to their honour, they have so resolved: but let me ask, even that respectable Body, whether they would pass a resolution worded in the following manner: "Resolved-That we will ex"ert ourselves, both in our offi. "cial capacities, as the minis"ters of religion, and in our private circles, as true Chris"tians, to procure Petitions to "Parliament for the free, full, and entire restoration of our "Roman Catholic brethren to "all those rights, franchises, "privileges, liberties, and im"munities to which every peace"able subject of this realm is "justly entitled, to whatsoever "religious sect, denomination, "or community, he may be" long." No, no, my lord, these ministers of the three denominations will do no such thing.-Many of them will sign one Petition for liberty for themselves; and another against liberty for Catholics. It is of no earthly use, my lord, to cloak this matter. I speak facts; and if Catholics cannot obtain the aid of either Dissenters or Churchmen, by an open, fair, honourable, and manly inde pendence, they will never procure that aid by cringing and bowing. Let us not talk of policy and expedience. Our's is the cause of truth-of religion-of right; by true, religious, rightful means we shall at length succeed; nor can this Methodist, nor that Calvinist, prevent it. ner. re The only Dissenters who, as a body, may be considered really favourable to our Emancipation, are the English Presbyterians and the small body of General Baptists.* The Magazine which speaks the genuine sentiments of these true honest friends of civil and religious liberty, is The Monthly Repository of Theology and General Literature, under the superintendance of a gentleman, who never fails, on all occasions, to speak his senti- › ments in the most explicit mauHis Magazine, I grant, is I devoted to the propagation of ligious opinions much more at variance with those of Catholics, than either the Methodist, or the Evangelical Magazine; but a large portion of his pages are always devoted to the true interests of the Catholic Cause; and it is, in fact, the only reli gious periodical Protestant pub lication which is constantly and heartily engaged in the promo tion of that cause. When, therefore, my lord, we would claim the aid of Dissenters, we must seek it not among Methodists and Calvinists, but among the English Presbyterians, the General Baptists, and the Quakers. I do not say, my lord, but that we have friends, both amongst the Methodists and the Calvinists; and those who are so our friends, are almost a host in themselves for talents and virtue; but even these dare not openly avow their attachment to our cause: they know the offence they would give by such an avowal. In the resolution, my lord,' which has given rise to these remarks on the Dissenters, * Perhaps I might add the Qua more is meant than meets the eye." Member for Norwich, had preThose who framed that resolu- sented a Petition to the House of tion, and those who advised it, Commons against the Catholic will know, that these remarks are Claims, from the Dissenting not irrelevant. They will know, Clergy of London, Westminster, that the animadversions, which and the neighbourhood." It is from time to time has appeared also stated, that Mr. Butterin our Numbers, on the Methoworth, the Member for Covendists and Calvinists, have excited try, objected to it, on the grounds - the indignation of the party who of its not having been the Petihave continued, by misrepre- tion of the whole body, as Mr. sentation, to procure the resolu- Smith had stated it to be. In a . tion against our work. That certain honourable House, there some of the animadversions which is sometimes a great outcry against have appeared in certain Num- the Newspaper Reporters for bers of the former series, were breaches of privilege," in havsuch as I myself totally disap- ing given false accounts of their prove, I am free to acknow- proceedings. Will the Geneledge; nor shall they be re- ral Body of Dissenting Ministers peated, while I have any thing of the three denominations" comto do with the Catholic Maga- plain of this Star Paper, for thus zine. As to the "Strictures on misrepresenting their "proceedthe Methodist Magazine," the ings?" or will they not, as Mr. author of them, as your lordship Butterworth's remarks on Mr. will find, has made his own de Smith's Statements would seem to fence. If the Methodists are not intimate, rather secretly rejoice at satisfied, the pages of this work the blunder? The fact is, sir, the are open to their reply. Will they Dissenting Clergy have petitionsay the same to us? ed for a Repeal of all the penal statutes affecting religion; but neither" against the Catholics," nor professedly for them. I am extremely sorry to observe Mr. B. open his parliamentary career with such sentiments and such feelings. As the Wesleyan Methodists profess themselves to be members of the Established Church, the penal statutes against Dissenters do not affect them. There is no office of trust, honour, or emolument, to which such per sons as Mr. Butterworth is not eligible. If it is true, that the It is far, my lord, from being my wish that the Catholic Ma gazine should be made the vehicle of cabal and disunion; or to render it the medium of dispute among ourselves. Let us, therefore, walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing!" I am, my lord, your lordship's most obedient servant, Feb. 19, 1813. THE EDITOR. Breach of Privilege-Mr. Smith Strictures on the Methodist Ma- Dissenting Ministers could only carry their Petition by a majority of six, what have Catholics to expect from the Dissenting Minis ters in aid of their Claims? A PROTESTANT. REVIEW. ART. I. Nightingale's Review of Catholicism. IN (Continued from p. 91.) N continuing our analysis of Mr. Nightingale's Portraiture, we will extract a portion of his First Section, PART II. The whole section relates to Catholic doctrines." The part which we select is itself confessedly reprinted from an original copy of a little pamphlet first published in the reign of Charles II, entitled "Roman Catholic Principles, in reference to God and the King" It is a valuable little tract, and Mr. N. has shewn his undeviating impartiality by having preserved it in his book. We omit the introductory part, and commence (p. 280,) with what is more di. rectly to the point. "4. This revelation contains ma by mysteries, transcending the na tural reach of human understand. ing. Wherefore, 66 5. It became the divine wisdom and goodness to provide some way or means, whereby man might ar rive to the knowledge of these mysteries; means visible and apparent to all; means proportioned to the capacities of all; means. sure and certain to all. 6. This way, or means, is not the reading of scripture, interpreted according to the private judgment of each disjunctive per son, or nation in particular; Bus, 7. It is an intention and submis sion to the voice of the Catholic lic or Universal Church, establishe ed by Christ for the instruction of all; spread for that end through all nations, and visibly continued in the succession of pastors and people through all ages. From this church, guided in truth and secured from error in matters of faith, by the promised assistance of the Holy Ghost, every one may learn the right sense of the scrip tures, and such Christian mysteries and duties as are necessary in salvation. "Ş. This church, thus established, thus continued, thus guided, in one uniform faith, and subordination of government, is that which is termed the Roman Catholic Church: The qualities just men tioned, unity, indeficiency, visibi lity, succession, and universality. being evidently applicable to her $ |