should obtain a copy of the Bible, and read it without the permission of the Church, or when that permission is denied, if he should read the words of everlasting life, which Jesus hath written in the Scriptures, and in which he speaks to his people; if he should become such a character as that described in the first Psalm, "a man that meditateth in the law of God," then he sins against the Church; he falls beneath her ban; the Inquisition, where it flourishes, comes in, searches his house, has him apprehended on the suspicion of heresies, for reading the Bible; he is put to the rack, and at length that man who "searched the Scriptures daily," is led as a Martyr to the stake. Rome! many such deeds hast thou perpetrated. In Spain the Reformation was extinguished by the Inquisition. Throughout our own beloved land did the fires of martyrdom burn. But perhaps some one will say that Romish bibles are sold in the Roman Catholic shops in this very town. True; but this is only to cast dust into the eyes of a Protestant people. In England, Rome wears a mask, she has an object to accomplish. But let her councils and standard works tell of her real principles.

Are Bibles, even Romish versions, sold generally in the public shops in Spain, Portugal, and Italy? It is well known that they are not; but in England, they are sold simply for the purpose, as we have said, to cast a mantle round the deformities of Rome. That it is the custom of Popery to adapt itself to the circumstances of various countries, is evident from the following passages which will serve as a specimen of the many we might quote.

"In Germania audire conciones hæreticorum, deducere funus, assistere baptismo pro

"In Germany, to hear the sermons of Heretics, to attend at funerals, to assist at baptism

patrino, non habentur signa professiva fidei vel communionis cum hæreticorum sacris Filliuc Azor. Sanch. ii. cc. unde, seclusis aliis, v. qr. scandalo, periculo, prohibitione etc., si ex justa causa fiant licent. (At in Synodo Neapolitana expresse prohibetur assistere concionibus, catechismis, et quibuscumque litibus hæreti corum ex quocumque prætextu, estque casus reservatus cum excommunicatione ipso facto cæterum salm, tract, 21. cap 2 n. 522. tenet licere, modo absit scandalum, periculum perversionis et communicatio impietatis

as a sponsor, are not esteemed distinct signs of the faith, or communion with the sacred things of Heretics..... Hence other things being secluded, to wit, offence, danger, prohibition, &c., they may be done if for a just cause. (But in the Neapolitan Synod it is expressly forbidden to assist at the sermons, catechizings, and all other supplications of Heretics, on any pretext whatsoever. There is indeed a reserved case with excommunication ipso facto, but Salm tract 21, cap. 2, n. 522, holds that it is lawful, provided that scandal, the danger of perversion, and the communication of impiety, are wanting.

The fact that the Bible is sold in Protestant countries by Popish booksellers, is explained by Romish Doctors themselves. Dr. Dens, having given the fourth Rule of the Index, and stated that it is strictly binding in Romish countries, says: "Yea, rather according to Steyaeret, the law (4th rule of Index) was received and hitherto observed (with some variety, according to the peculiar genius of nations,) in by far the greatest portion of the Catholic world, nay, in the whole of that part of the world which is completely Catholic: it was more dispensed with ONLY where Catholics lived among Heretics.-Vol ii. p. 103.

This statement accounts for the fact, that Bibles are sold in Nottingham and other places where it is the object of Popery to effect a purpose! In Romish countries, however, Popes have opposed the circulation of the Bible, urging the observance of the 4th Rule, even within the last few years. Pius VII., in the year 1816,

and again in 1820; Leo XII., in the year 1824, and the same Pope again in 1825; Pius VIII., in 1829, and the present Pope Gregory XVI., so late as May 25th, 1843. enjoin the strict observance of the 4th Rule of the Index, which, as has been shown, robs man of his birth-right— the BIBLE!!

In Protestant countries, however, as the above passage from Dens testifies, this is relaxed to throw dust into the eyes of the Protestants.

From these passages we may observe that Rome adapts herself to the peculiar circumstances of each country, to accomplish her purposes. While in Protestant Germany it is lawful (according to Liguori), for a Romanist to be present at the sermons, &c., of heretics, it is absolutely forbidden in the Neapolitan kingdom. Many other instances might be pointed out; these, however, will serve as an example.

Thus, the Bible in Protestant England is sold in Romish shops to disguise the principles and spirit of Rome.

The principles of Popery are seen in her councils and standard works. Liguori is a canonized Saint. On the 2nd of August the following prayer is addressed to him:— "Oh God, who by the blessed Alphonsus, thy Confessor and Pontiff, inflamed with the love of souls, hast enriched thy Church with a new offspring, we implore that, taught BY HIS ADMONITIONS, and strengthened by his example, we may be able to come to thee through the Lord."-Roman Missal Mechlin, p. 402.

Here Romanists "IMPLORE " God, that taught by the admonitions of Liguori, they may finally reach the shores of heaven; the Church of Rome has declared that his works contain NOT ONE WORD WORTHY OF CENSURE! and yet in them he urges strenuously the

suppression of the free use and circulation of that word "which is a lamp unto our feet," which speaks to all classes and conditions of mankind,—to the king in his palace, the poor man in his lowly cot-the learned and the unlearned, the wise and the simple,-masters and servants, parents and children. To all God speaks in the Bible. Here the rich may find heavenly treasures, "which neither moth or dust doth corrupt, "-Here the poor may find "the pearl of great price,"-Here the wise will learn "to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord,”and the simple and ignorant may be "made wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The Bible is adapted to all, intended for all, and to all addressed. The Bible, next to the inestimable gift of God's own Son, is Heaven's best boon; it is emphatically called" the Bible," the best book; yet Rome prohibits it. The Inquisition has torn it from many a waiting soul." Roman Catholics, "search the Scriptures," and Protestants, be not robbed by any "cunning device," of the charter of your spiritual rights, in which your title is written to an "inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

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The next Tract will contain the sentiments of Liguori on "DISSIMULATION," &c.

No. 3.

LIGUORI TEACHES THE LAWFULNESS OF DISSEMBLING OR CONCEALING THE FAITH!

IN book the second, treatise the first, Liguori having considered what mysteries of the faith are necessary to be believed, as also, when the obligation of the faith is binding, in which he maintains much that is objectionable; in chap. the third, treats upon the subject of denying and dissembling religion, he distinguishes between the absolute denial of the faith, and the dissimulation thereof, while the former is unlawful, the latter is LAWFUL, as will be seen in the following extracts :

In answer to the question whether it may be lawful to deny the faith or to profess a false one, he says::

"RESP. Nullo casu licet, sive voce, sive alio signo fiat, dicente Christo: Qui negaverit me coram hominibus, etc. Interim vero, etsi licitum non est mentiri, seu simulare quod non est, licet tamen dissimulare quod est, sive tegere veritatem verbis, aliisve signis ambiguis et indifferentibus, ob justam causam, et cum non est necessitas fatendi. Est comm. S. Thom. Kon. dis. 15. dub. 2. n. 9. Laym. 1. 2. t. i. c. 11."

"In no case is it lawful, whether it be done by voice or any other sign, Christ having said, 'He who hath denied me before men,' &c. Notwithstanding, indeed, although it is not lawful to lie, or to feign what is not, HOWEVER IT IS LAWFUL TO DISSEMBLE WHAT IS, OR TO COVER THE TURTH WITH WORDS, or other AMBIGUOUS and DOUBTFUL signs, for a just cause, and when there is not a necessity of confessing."

This is Liguori's proposition, nothing can be clearer or more distinct.-He says, that it is lawful to dissemble religion for a good cause! therefore, Dissimulation in religion is established as a Romish doctrine: it is a matter of fact that the canonized Liguori and Aquinas teach it.

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