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tion. IRELAND, too, "expects every man to do his duty." Nor can he be worthy the name of a patriot who does not exert his best efforts for the diffusion of the principles of Protestantism; since the religion of the Bible, understood and practised, and “the Bible only is the religion of (Protestants,") is the best pledge of peace and good order, and the surest source of a nation's prosperity.

May your Lordship long be spared to enjoy the high privilege and refined bliss of Christian exertion, and to support, by your patronage, your example, and your benevolent aid, those institutions which are the glory of the present age, and the true bulwarks of the land?

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's much obliged

and obedient servant,

JOHN MOCKETT CRAMP.

May 20, 1831.

PREFACE.

MR. BUTLER maintains, in his "Book of the Roman Catholic Church," that, "in every religious controversy between Protestants and Roman Catholics, the following rule should be rigidly observed:-'That no doc. trine should be ascribed to the Roman Catholics as a body, except such as is an article of their faith.""

Protestants have no objections to meet their opponents on their own terms. The articles of faith of the Roman Catholic church are to be found in its accredited creeds, catechisms, formularies, and decrees. These received the finishing touch at the council of Trent. The doctrinal decisions of that assembly are held sacred by every Roman Catholic, in every country.

In compiling this small volume, the author has aimed to delineate the theological system of the Romish church, as definitively and authoritatively settled at Trent, and exhibited in the decrees of the council, its catechism, and the creed of Pope Pius IV. He has also endeavoured to render the work interesting to general readers by interweaving historical sketches, illustrative of the spirit and tendency of the sentiments maintained. by Roman Catholics. The whole is intended to present a picture of Popery as it is, fairly and faithfully drawn.

St. Peter's, Isle of Thanet, May 20, 1831,

J. M. C.

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