This impious Imposture adopted by the Dominican Or- der. The Rosary becomes fashionable under the Emperor Fre- Society of the Rosary founded by F. Jacob Spenger. Form of Prayer for blessing the Beads. Sixtus IV. approves the Society. Indulgences granted to the Members. Miracles in proof of its Efficacy. Celestial Palace built with Beads. Jacob the Usurer. . You have called me into the field of controversy, and though I have heretofore accepted from you invitations of a different kind, with a different feeling, I accept this also cheerfully and with good will. It was my intention not to have answered any animadversions which the Book of the Church might draw forth from the members of your communion. Being sure of the ground whereon I stood, and of the fidelity of my statements, I would have left that good work for other and younger champions, who will not be wanting to the cause of the Reformation, and more especially of the Church B of England at this time. You, Sir, are perhaps the only appellant for whom I could have been induced to alter this resolution. There is a pleasure in manifesting toward an honourable and generous opponent, a due and becoming sense of his worth. There is a pleasure in receiving courtesy on such occasions, and a greater pleasure in returning it. In the spirit, Sir, with which you have addressed me, and in which I reply, even controversy may be made as wholesome a discipline for the disposition as for the intellect. Meeting, as we thus do, not with the profession merely, but with the sincere and cordial sentiment of mutual esteem, there are other circumstances also, which place us upon terms of singular conformity. We are both laymen; both have been led to the study of ecclesiastical history by inclination and by choice; and each is not more warmly than conscientiously attached to the principles of his own Church. The English Romanists have produced few writers so tolerant, and, in general, so equitable as Mr. Butler; and for myself, I dare affirm that no man has ever rendered more ample justice to the virtues and motives of those whose principles he has impugned, and whose actions he has condemned. I appeal to you, Sir, whe this assertion, as it ther I am not justified in respects the Methodists? that if the Methodists were asked whether or not I had acted thus toward the Roman Catholics in the Book of the Church, they would answer the one appeal as fairly, and with as little hesitation as you would do the other. The English Romanists will proudly acknowledge you for their advocate, (whatever may be thought by the Ultra-Montanists,) as one in whose hands their cause will lose nothing in strength, while it gains all that can be given to it by the most winning urbanity and apparent candour. Nor shall I be disowned by those members of the Church of England, who understand its real interests and its inestimable worth. I am sure it will not displease you, Sir, if I notice one other point of conformity, in which the coincidence is as exact as our opinions upon the great question at issue are opposite to each other. So far as in either case we may have been biassed by circumstances in forming those opinions, the circumstances have been precisely similar. You, Sir, grew up with feelings of reverential affection towards a near kinsman, who well deserved the respect and honour which you have so ably paid to his memory. Your uncle, Mr. Alban Butler, was employed on the English mission; he was a man of letters, holding firmly the doctrines of his Church, but partaking no more of its intolerance than its tenets absolutely prescribe: and while he officiated as a minister of that Church in a land of Protestants, he lived in charity with those whom he believed to be lost in error, and enjoyed the friendship of some of the most eminent and illustrious members of the establishment to which he was opposed. One to whom I stand in the same degree of relationship, was minister of the English Church in a Roman Catholic country; he was not, indeed, employed on an English mission, for the Romanists never allow to others that liberty which they claim for themselves. During my childhood, Mr. Herbert Hill was chaplain to the British factory at Porto; after a few years he removed, in the same capacity, to Lisbon, and continued to reside there till, upon the occupation of that city by the French, he was driven to his native land, Like your venerable kinsman, Sir, he obtained the respect of those among whom he dwelt, (though he had far stronger prejudices to overcome,) and kept up a literary and friendly intercourse with the most distinguished of the Portugueze prelates. Both you and I, Sir, have examined and decided for ourselves; the deci |