historical misstatements are easily detected, and the inferences deduced from facts cannot be overstrained without serious injury to the advocate. In the following pages the Author has carefully traced the history of Popery as an operative system of policy, and has avoided, as much as possible, any allusion to mere opinions, save such as were manifestly devised and propagated to effect political objects. He has been particularly cautious to avoid any statement resting on doubtful or suspicious evidence, and any colouring or comment which might distort the simple facts. The general plan of the work is stated in the Introduction; it is only necessary here to say a few words respecting the last three chapters. The state of the Romish Church in Ireland possesses peculiar importance at the present moment, when it has assumed a militant attitude, and not obscurely put forward its claims to a legal establishment. It seemed, therefore, desirable to state simply the circumstances in which that church is now placed, especially as Romanism in Ireland differs very materially in its position and its influence from the same system in other countries. In fact, the Irish branch of the papacy may now be more properly called Maynoothism than Romanism. The distinction is little understood in England, but a perusal of the chapter will, it is hoped, show that it is one of very grave import, both to the present welfare and future prospects of the United Empire. The History of the Inquisition, as a political engine of the papacy, is discussed very briefly; it would have been easy to accumulate details of cruelty and horror, but the Author deemed it sufficient to show that the Inquisitorial system must, from its very nature, have led to atrocities, whose recital would only harrow the feelings with unnecessary torture. Some few specimens of the Monkish Legends are added: half of the accusation against the Romish clergy is only made when they are accused of withholding the Scriptures from the people; an equally heavy charge arises from what they substituted for the word of God. It would have been no difficult matter to have extended this chapter to a volume, but the mind soon revolts from absurdity, and, perhaps, the ridicule which assails the absurdities of religion, may be sometimes perverted to a dangerous use. |