TO THE MOST REVEREND DR. JOHN THOMAS TROY, ARCHBISHOP IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF DUBLIN. MOST REVEREND FATHER; IF I consult my own gratitude and long set tled veneration, I must admit, that there is nothing possessed by me, upon which you do not hold a principal claim. But the following work is singularly due to you. Its public appearance is owing to your concession and and to your encouragement: its subject involves, along with your episcopal right, a disquisition affecting the essence of the new law; whether christianity has or has not been carried on by usurpation and misgovernment, since the disappearance of its Founder; a question, in which the Gospel truth itself is brought to issue, whether its hopes are groundless and its promises delusive. This work I submit to you, Most Reverend Father, as to my Bishop, unreservedly. In proof of my sincere deference, I repress those sentiments, which I should esteem it base to have dissembled on any other occasion. But I will not praise my judge. That your humility has triumphed over resentments; that your zeal is not fatigued by age; that your paternal kindness is unceasing and unbounded; that your clergy flourishes in reverence, and your flock still prospers in doing good; that you have preserved the faith; these are good titles, but not demanded for my purpose. appeal not to your personal claims, but to the lasting privilege of your ministry. I Of the opinions expressed by me in this work, I ap prove or I disavow, such as your judgment shall declare to be worthy of acceptance or to be worthy of rejection. I am, Most Reverend Archbishop, Your dutiful servant, J. BERNARD CLINCH. |