PRINTED BY WILLLIAM DAVY AND SON, GILBERT STREET.

TO THE VERY REV.

THE REV. P. BECK X,

GENERAL OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS,

This Work

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

BY HIS PATERNITY'S OBEDIENT SERVANT,

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.-Anglican statements relative to the defection of the

Universal Church.

Statement of the Homilies relative to an universal apostacy.-Conse-

quences derivable from this statement.-These consequences, as well

as the general accusations proved to be untenable.

1

CHAPTER II.—Examination of the principle laid down in the Homilies

relative to the defection of the Church.

The Church infallible-proved first by an universal testification, and

secondly, by the Scriptures of the New Law, which are a realization of

the prophecies of the Old Testament.-Use and end of the Ministry.—

This end attained in Catholicity.-The Ministry is useless on Protestant

grounds.-The Protestant allegation of defection disproved.-The charge

of idolatry shown to be absolutely groundless, from the zeal and cha-

racter of the Missioners of the middle ages, the countries they con-

verted, the monuments they erected, the books they wrote; as also

from even the Protestant catalogue of Saints.-Origin and progress of

the Protestant calumny.-The charge not substantiated by reference

to Catholic doctrines.-These doctrines are defended by eminent Protes-

tants.-General observations on the folly and falseness of the Homi-

lies

8

CHAPTER III.-On the Origin and Authority of the Articles of Reli-

gion of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Queen Elizabeth.

Importance of the examination of the History of the Articles.-Their

authority in the Anglican Church.-Henry's innovations destructive

of Episcopal and Clerical authority, generally.-The six Articles, and

works in connexion with them.-These Articles, &c. forced on the

people. The principle involved in the framing of the Articles, destruc-

tive of Anglicanism.-Fox and others write against the Articles.-The

Articles and religion of Henry are changed by King Edward.-History

of the origin, number, nature, and subscription of the Articles of

Edward VI.-The Articles mainly formed by Cranmer.-His vacillating

character. Reproached for his changes by Gardiner, &c.-Still, always

dogmatical, imperious, and cruel.-Persecution of Mary.—Her firmness.