Protestants, he has parcelled out the land of England, he has named
Archbishops and Bishops, and appointed them to rule over _us_, whom he
impudently styles heretics." To this objection, gentlemen, I reply, Do
the Catholics in England acknowledge the Queen's supremacy in _spiritual_
matters? Do the Dissenters of England acknowledge Her supremacy in
_spiritual_ matters? No. Now divide the English population into two
parts, and if you calculate accurately, you will find, that the greater
half of the English population, consists of Catholics and Dissenters, who
do not acknowledge the Queen's _spiritual_ supremacy. But when the Queen
issues Her Spiritual Instruments, or if you please, Bulls, does she not
parcel out the land of England? Does she not name Archbishops, and
Bishops, and _apparently_ appoint them to rule over _us Catholics_ and
_Dissenters_, in short, does _She_ not in those Spiritual Instruments, or
Bulls, _apparently_ assume over _us_ Catholics and Dissenters, the very
same spiritual power, which the Pope appears to assume, in His Bulls,
over Protestant Englishmen? But do you ever hear of us Catholics, or
Dissenters, styling this an extraordinary movement on the part of the
Queen? No. Because we have the common sense to know, that such parcelling
out of the land, and such extension of Her _Spiritual_ Authority to her
Archbishops, and Bishops, regard only the _real_ Protestants of the land,
and that they have no more to do with us and the Dissenters, in a
_spiritual_ point of view, than they have with the inhabitants of Turkey.
If you would likewise ask some of the limbs of the law, who attended your
meeting, they would inform you, that in Acts of Parliament, that in
deeds, and in the drawing up almost all the various instruments of the
law, there are certain forms, which to _us_ appear most ridiculous, and
outrageous, and if you questioned them on these points, and asked them,
about all this strange rigmarole of words and of phraseology, they would
tell you, it is only a certain necessary form in law, and that although
it may appear strange _to other_ people, still, it is perfectly
understood _by all_, who are versed in the laws of the land.[D] Why
cannot these gentlemen, therefore, have the good sense to extend this
explanation to the Pope's Bull, and then they would find this parcelling
out the land by the Pope's Bull, and this delegation of spiritual power,
of Archbishops, and Bishops, as if extending to Protestants, was a mere
phantom of their own imagination, and that in reality, it regarded
_none_, but the _spiritual_ subjects of the _Pope_ in this kingdom, and
that it did not regard _even them_, only in a _spiritual_, and _not_ in a
_temporal_ point of view, either directly or indirectly.
I observe, in your public notice for your meeting, two Dissenting
Ministers, put their names to the requisition. Now, although the
Protestant Church may _honour_ these gentlemen, with the name of
_Reverend_, does it consider them to be ministers? It certainly does
not.[E] And I will prove it to you. If these Ministers were to go over to
the _Protestant_ Church, it would ordain them, and by that act, tell them
that _before_, they were mere _phantoms_ of Ministers, and that they had
_never_ had any spiritual power, or jurisdiction whatever. If therefore
the orthodox Protestant gentleman, whose name stands so conspicuously
between these two Dissenting Reverends, were to be asked, why he styled
them Reverends, when his own Church, considers them as mere phantoms of
Ministers, what would he say? Of course he would tell us, it was a mere
matter of courtesy, for he was obliged to agree with his Church, that
they were mere phantoms of Ministers. Now, gentlemen, just apply this to
the Pope's Bull in _your_ regard. You read the Pope's Bull, and
erroneously imagine that the spiritual powers, which it asserts, really
regards (or is to regard) you Protestants. Whereas you ought to consider
it, as a _mere phantom_ of _spiritual_ power in _your_ regard, and I
moreover add, you ought to consider it, as a mere phantom in any
_temporal_ point of view, even as it regards _the Catholics_. Do this,
gentlemen, and then, you will perceive, that the idea of it extending to
_you_ Protestants, either in any _spiritual_, or _temporal_ point of
view, whatever, is a mere chimera of your own imaginations.
But after all, I know many of you will _still_ urge, that the Pope may
_gradually_ extend his _spiritual_ power over you, and then, by degrees
extend his _temporal_ power over you, until at last, he has completely
established over you his spiritual and temporal domination. Gentlemen, I
will answer this argument shortly indeed, but I hope satisfactorily, and
I feel confident that, unless you are as the poet says,
"Convince a man against his will,
He'll hold the same opinion still,"
you will be convinced, from what I shall advance, that the above
objection, is another chimera of your own imaginations.
True and genuine religion, must be founded on the free, and spontaneous
consent of the heart. If therefore, you Protestants ever allow the Pope,
to extend his spiritual power over you, _without_ having _first_
sincerely, and deliberately considered the _real_ grounds of the Catholic
Faith, and of the Pope's title to spiritual supremacy, and without your
having _first_ given your _free_, and _spontaneous_ consent to them, I
hope you will forgive me, if I politely tell you, I should consider you
as a set of religious donkeys, and that you ought not to be allowed to
_bray_ in this free country.
But you will object, it will be _you_ Catholics headed by the Pope, that
will make us renounce the _Protestant_, and embrace the _Catholic_ faith.
To this objection I answer. First, the Catholics of England have promised
to maintain, support, and defend, to the utmost of their power, the
succession to the crown. Now, this succession, by an act entitled, "an
act for the further limitation of the crown", is, and stands limited to
the Princess Sophia, Electress, Duchess Dowager of Hanover, and to the
heirs of her Body, _being Protestants_. Such are the very terms of the
oath, which we Catholics have taken; as long therefore, as the
Established Church is secure of having a Protestant Sovereign, it cannot
be in any danger of subversion.
Secondly. The Irish Catholics have gone still further, and to silence
even the predictions of their enemies, have disclaimed, disavowed, and
solemnly abjured every intention, to subvert the present Church
Establishment, for the purpose of substituting a Catholic Establishment
in its stead, and have solemnly sworn, that they will not exercise any
privilege, to which they are, or may be entitled, to disturb, or weaken
the Protestant religion in that kingdom.
Thirdly. But I will suppose for a moment, that the Catholics were at last
to determine to perjure themselves, and to violate the promises, to
which they are so solemnly pledged, let us see the obstacles, they would
have to surmount. First, there would be the Sovereign, the head of the
Protestant Church, with the immense patronage of the Crown at her (or
his) disposal; secondly, there would be all the spiritual Peers, and with
the exception of a few Catholics, all the temporal Peers; thirdly, there
would be the great majority in the House of Commons, in proportion to at
least, ten Protestants to one Catholic. Now, by what spirit of magic, are
a _few_ Catholic Peers, to become the _majority_ of the House of Lords,
or is _one_ Catholic Commoner, to outvote _ten_ Protestants. By what
miracle, is the Queen (or King) to abandon the defence of _that_ Church,
of which she (or he) is by conviction a member, and by law, supreme head?
By what manoeuvres, are the Catholics so to blind the confidence of the
Sovereign, as to worm themselves into the possession of all places, of
power, and trust? Before the Catholics can aid the Pope to extend his
temporal or spiritual power over you Protestants, they will have to
surmount all the above obstacles. But by what human power can they ever
surmount the above obstacles? Really, gentlemen, is it not childish to
talk either about Catholics forcing you to become Catholics, or their
wishing to aid the Pope, to extend his spiritual or temporal domination
over you Protestants, with all the above obstacles staring you in the
face.
But, gentlemen, if on the other hand, you should think proper to
seriously, and conscientiously, examine the _real_ grounds of the
Catholic religion, and if you should think proper, to examine
_seriously_, and _conscientiously_, whether the Pope, is the _real_
successor of Saint Peter, and of course in that case, the _real_
spiritual head of Christ's Church, if you should ask yourselves the
reason, why the Catholic Faith, has been the belief of the most
extensive, and enlightened nations of Europe, and of the most illustrious
characters, that ever did honour to the name of man,[F] if upon careful
investigation, you should find that the Catholic Faith, was the faith of
those, who built our Cathedrals, who erected our Universities, who laid
the foundation of our envied Constitution, and who secured the great
charter of our rights at Runnymede, in short, if you should find that the
members of this creed, have in every age, stood forth the champions of
liberty, and at the same time remained faithful worshippers of God, if
after the most careful, and impartial investigation, you should find all
these things to be real, and undeniable facts, _then_ I would address you
in the words, with which St. Paul addressed King Agrippa, "I would to
God, that both in little, and in much, not only thou, but also, all that
hear me this day, should become such as I also am, except these bonds."
(Acts, ch. xxvi., v. 28.) Yes, gentlemen, I repeat it, if after the most
serious, and minute investigation, you should find the above things
_real_, and _undeniable_ facts, _then_, gentlemen, the sincere wish of my
heart would be, that you might all become Catholics, and the _spiritual_
children of the head of our Church, but, _mind_, without our bonds, that
is, without having to suffer, what our Catholic ancestors had to suffer
for their faith,[G] a faith, which they conscientiously held as their
best inheritance, and which, they held more dear, than life itself.
I would also address you in the words, in which Gamaliel, a doctor of the
law, addressed the Jewish Council respecting the Apostles, who were
unjustly cast into prison. "And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain
from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel, or this work, be
of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, you cannot overthrow
it, lest perhaps, even you be found to fight against God." (Acts, ch. 5,
v. 38, 39.) Gentlemen, if the Catholic Faith, be an invention of _human_
counsel, and a work of _human_ policy, rest assured, it will of _itself_
crumble into nought, but if it be _of God_, and if it be the _will of
God_, that England should return to her ancient faith, you cannot
overthrow it, and you cannot fight against God, for as the wise man says,
"there is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against
the Lord." (Prov. ch. xxi., v. 30.)
Gentlemen, I think you must acknowledge, that I have answered, shortly
indeed, but I hope satisfactorily, your objection, as to the Pope's
gradually extending his _spiritual_, and temporal domination over you
Protestants. Gentlemen, I am not aware, that any one at your meeting, was
so uncourteous as to throw in the face of Catholics, either the
Gunpowder, or Oates' plots. Still, you are aware, that it has been done
at _many_ of the late meetings, and in many places of England, to the
injustice of Catholics. Allow me, to solicit your attention, whilst I say
a few words respecting each of these plots, and whilst I show you, it is
most unjust to throw those diabolical plots in the face of Catholics,
either of the present, or of former ages.
The Guy Fawkes plot, or as it is usually termed, the Gunpowder Plot, is
often sneeringly, and insultingly thrown in the face of Catholics. Now
let it be remembered, that the original conspirators were only eight in
number, that they were also of the most abandoned character, and that
some of them, years before, had abjured the Catholic faith, and let it
also be remembered, that this plot was disclosed even by a Catholic, Lord
Monteagle, and that the Pope in a letter expressed his detestation of it,
and ordered the Catholic clergy, to prevent by all means in their power,
all similar conspiracies, and to exhort the people to patience and
obedience. Now I ask, is it reasonable, that the wicked deeds of these
few and abandoned conspirators, should be thrown in the face of the whole
body of Catholics; as well might you upbraid our Saviour with the crimes
of Judas. The plot was unknown to all good Catholics, they had nothing
whatever to do with it, and it, and all other plotting whatever, were
condemned and forbidden in the most severe manner, by the Clergy and the
Pope. What could Catholics do more? Why, therefore, are the Catholics of
the present times to be condemned for a plot with which they had no more
to do, than the Protestants of the present day? But I will suppose for a
moment, this diabolical plot was concocted by real Catholics. Can it be
unreasonably urged, against the Catholics of the present day? If you
answer, yes, I will then prove that the Ministers who attended your
meeting, were cursers, murderers, and deserters of Christ. For if you ask
each of them, if he is a minister of Christ, he will answer, certainly.
Well, then, one of the Apostles betrayed our Saviour, another by oaths
and curses, denied him, and all deserted him on the night of his passion.
Now, if the above line of argumentation, against Catholics be valid, then
I may conclude, that the Ministers who attended your meeting, were
murderers, cursers, deniers, and deserters of Christ. Really, if I were
to adopt this mode of argumentation against them, you would think, and
justly, the _upper stories_ of my intellect were of a very strange
structure. How can persons, therefore, have the barefacedness to apply
such reasoning to the Catholics of the present day, respecting the
Gunpowder Plot.
Whoever will read the history of Titus Oates's Plot, will find that it
was concocted against the Catholics, by some of the brightest characters
for rascality, and perjury, and infamy, and cruelty, that the world ever
beheld. Oates' plot consisted in this, that he accused the Catholics, and
Jesuits in particular, of a plot, to murder King Charles the II., (1678),
to transfer the sovereignty of the realm to the Pope, and to extirpate
the Protestant religion from the land. But was not Titus Oates himself a
_Jesuit_, or at least, a _Catholic_? You shall hear who Titus Oates was,
from the _pen_ of _Protestant_ Historians.
"Oates, the former of this dreadful plot, was himself the most infamous
of mankind. He was the son of an Anabaptist preacher, took orders in the
Church of England, became chaplain on board the fleet, and was dismissed
for some unnatural practices, not fit to be named." (See Hume's History.)
You shall hear too, who his accomplices were; "Bedloe, a man, if
_possible_, more infamous than Oates himself;" (See Hume's History.) And
these were soon backed by others. "A wretch, named Carstairs led the way,
and soon, from all the brothels, gambling houses, and spunging houses of
London, _false witnesses_ poured in, to swear away the lives of Roman
Catholics." (See Macaulay's History of England.) And yet, on the
barefaced testimony, of these abandoned, and infamous wretches, the
Catholic Noblemen and Gentlemen, were, with the exception of the Duke of
York, expelled from their seats in Parliament. Some of them, (although as
innocent of the crimes of which they were accused, as the new-born babe),
were tried, and executed on the false, and contradictory evidence, of
these base wretches. All of them, died protesting their innocence; and
many of them, embraced the opportunity to declare their abhorrence, of
the doctrines so commonly, but so unjustly, attributed to Catholics.
Their speeches at the place of execution, are still on record. (See "A
Remonstrance of Piety and Innocence," 1683. Dodd's History, vol. iii., p.
356.) And if ever a man, may be believed to speak with sincerity, it is
when, in the full possession of his senses, he stands on the brink of
eternity, and expects the next moment, to be presented before an
Omniscient Judge. One of them, Lord Stafford, referred the Peers, at his
trial, for an account of his religious creed, to a small tract, entitled
"Catholic Principles." This small tract has often been printed, and was
then, and is still, considered to convey an accurate notion of the
Catholic faith. Well may Hume say, that "this Popish plot, is an
incident, which, for the credit of the nation, it were better to bury in
eternal oblivion, but which it is necessary to perpetuate, both for the
truth of history, and to warn, if possible, their posterity, and all
mankind, never again to fall into so _shameful_, so _barbarous_ a
_delusion_." (See Hume's History.) And yet Oates was rewarded with
appointments in the Royal Palace, and had L1200 a year assigned him, as
the wages of his iniquity, and Bedloe L500: and Oates was called "the
Saviour of the nation."
But how did these wretches come off at last? You shall hear again, from
Mr. Macaulay. About seven years later, when the madness, and the delusion
of the people, had passed away, it was resolved, to bring these
wretches, who had spilled so much blood, to their _own_ trial. "Some of
the wretches," (says Macaulay) "were already beyond the reach of justice.
Bedloe had died in his wickedness, without one sign of remorse or shame.
Dugdale had followed him to the grave, driven mad by the furies of an
evil conscience, and with loud shrieks, imploring those, who stood around
his bed, to take away Lord Stafford. (A Catholic Lord, whose life he had
sworn away, seven years ago.) Carstairs, too, was gone. His end, was all
horror, and despair, and with his last breath, he told his attendants to
throw him into a ditch, like a dog, for that he was not fit, to sleep in
Christian burial ground." Mr. Macaulay thus describes Oates' appearance,
at _his_ trial. "A few years earlier, his short neck, his legs uneven, as
those of a badger, his forehead low, as that of a baboon, his purple
cheeks, and monstrous length of chin, had been familiar to all, who
frequented the courts of law. He had been the idol of the nation--men had
uncovered their heads to him, and called him, the deliverer of his
country. They _now shuddered_ at the sight of the _hideous_ features, on
which _villany_ seemed to be written, by the _hand of God_." (See
Macaulay's History of England.) Horrible as were the sufferings of Oates,
they did not equal his crimes. Such, gentlemen, is a short, but true
account of Titus Oates's Plot, and of his abandoned, and perjured
accomplices. And yet, some have the audacity to throw this infamous plot,
in the face of the Catholics, even at the present day. To such I would
say, "you are either ignorant of history, or not; if you are ignorant of
history, it is the part of a simpleton, to talk on subjects which he does
not understand." But if you are acquainted with history, I beg to address
you in the words of the poet--
"A moral, sensible, and well bred man,
Will not offend me, and no other can."
Gentlemen, I now appeal to you, if it is not evident from what I have
advanced in the preceding pages, that the late crusade against Catholics,
has been most unjust, and most cruel. If you will seriously, and coolly,
and impartially consider what has been advanced, you must be convinced,
that all your alarms, and those of many other Englishmen, are mere
chimeras of your own imaginations. But if, to some of you, the above
reasoning does not appear satisfactory, I am sure it will to every
sensible and unbiased Englishman. Englishmen, indeed, like all other
nations, have _their faults_, and _their perfections_. In times of
general excitement, and of public panic, nothing is too absurd, for their
credulity. In the hour of excitement, and of public panic, _pigmies_,
appear _giants_ to them, and _mole-hills_, swell into _mountains_.
Witness the late railway mania. This mania, spread like wildfire, through
the higher, the middle, and even the lower classes, and threw the whole
nation, into a fever of excitement. Before their excited imaginations,
rose the golden dreams of their _six_, and _eight_, and _ten_ per cent.,
of railways, as the _best_ and _surest_ investment for their property, in
short, as the easiest and most direct means, of turning their mole-hills
of money into mountains of gold. _In vain_, were Englishmen warned, and
cautioned by _sensible_, and _thinking_ persons, _against_ these _golden_
prospects of their excited imaginations. Convinced, they either _would
not_, or _could not_ be. But lo! the mighty bubble burst, and then, to
their loss, and sorrow, they both _saw_, and _acknowledged_ the _folly_
of their former excitement, of their _railway golden dreams_.
Again, I say, when Englishmen return to their _cooler_ moments, and
_seriously_ reflect, on all the _late hubbub_, about _Pope's Bulls_, and
_Guy Fawkes_, and _Gunpowder Plots_, and _Catholic Mummeries and
Superstitions_, I feel confident, they will verify the words of Dr.
Hughes, the Catholic Prelate of New York, who lately preached in London,
on his way to Rome. "I am sure (says this distinguished Prelate,) that
this great, and liberal nation, (England) _will_, after this _temporary_
excitement is _over_, _be ashamed_ of their _present_ conduct, and will
be _astonished_, how they could _ever think_, of proposing any steps,
which tended to _abridge_, the _liberty_ of _any_ portion, of their
countrymen, and violate that freedom in religion, which _is their boast_.
The (English) Ministry _cannot_ go _one_ step back, upon the track of
_persecutions_, if they make but _one_ step, in _that_ direction, they
will be _condemned_, by _every liberal_ minded man, and will be looked
upon, with _contempt_ by the _rest_ of the nations of the _world_." (Dr.
Hughes' Sermon. London, December 1st, 1850.)
Hence we find, that _most_, of the _great_ and _enlightened_ statesmen of
_England_, always _boldly_, and _freely_, advocated the freedom, and
liberties of the _Catholics_. _As long_, as we retain _any_ respect for
genius, and discernment, for Parliamentary eloquence, and political
wisdom, the names of Pitt, and of Fox, of Burke, and of Windham, of
Canning, and of Peel, will stand _foremost_, in the _public_ estimation.
These eminent statesmen, however they might _differ_ on _other_ subjects,
concurred in supporting the _cause_ of the _Catholics_. _Their's_ was the
conviction of _liberal_, and _enlightened_ minds, who forgot the
distinctions of _party_, in their _zeal_, to serve the cause of
_justice_, and of _freedom_. Yes, they _well knew_, that the _British_
Constitution, was _not_ a constitution of _restraints_, and _penalties_,
that it was _framed_ to preserve the rights of _freemen_, that it was
formed, for the _whole_, not for a _part_, and that it was destined, like
the sun, to shed its benign influence _upon all_. And _hence_, they knew,
that they could not _better_ consult its _prosperity_ and _stability_,
than by fearlessly, and manfully battling, for _equal_ rights, and
_equal_ justice _to all_.