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institute, at a very cheap rate, and calculated, by their plausible assertions, and apparently ingenuous, but sophistical arguments, to pervert the minds of the ignorant, the inconsiderate, and the misinformed.

It cannot be too deeply regretted, that a school of semi-popish divinity has sprung up in the Protestant university of Oxford, propagating, in the "Tracts for the Times," and other publications, sentiments utterly at variance with those of the venerable reformers of the sixteenth century. These Oxford divines, it is asserted, "are daily acquiring new disciples, and command a force amounting, if we are not misinformed, to about seven hundred of the clergy, with no inconsiderable portion of the best informed among the laity."* This is appalling enough, if true, and demands the serious consideration of all sound Protestants. Let them, also, ponder well the following sentences, expressing the feelings and hopes with which the movement is contemplated by Roman Catholics :- "Most sincerely and unaffectedly do we tender our congratulations to our brethren of Oxford, that their eyes have been opened to the evils of private judgment, and the consequent necessity of curbing its multiform extravagance."—"It has been given them to see the dangers of the ever-shifting sands of the desert in which they were lately dwelling, and to strike their tents, and flee the perils of the wilderness. They have already advanced a great way on their return towards that church, within whose walls the wildest imagination is struck with awe, and sobered down to a holy calm, in the enjoyment of which

*Catholic Magazine, March.

it gladly folds its wearied wings."—"They have found the clue, which, if they have perseverance to follow it, will lead them safely through the labyrinth of error into the clear day of truth.". "Some of the brightest ornaments of their church have advocated a re-union with the church of all times and all lands; and the accomplishment of the design, if we have read aright the signs of the times,' is fast ripening. Her maternal arms are ever open to receive back repentant children; and as when the prodigal son returned to his father's house, the fatted calf was killed, and a great feast of joy made, even so will the whole of Christendom rejoice greatly when so bright a body of learned and pious men, as the authors of the Tracts for the Times,' shall have made the one step necessary to place them again within that sanctuary, where alone they can be safe from the moving sands, beneath which they dread being overwhelmed. The consideration of this step will soon inevitably come on; and it is with the utmost confidence that we predict the accession to our ranks of the entire mass.'

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In a discourse, delivered last year, (1838,) by Dr. Wiseman, before the "Catholic Academy" of Rome, "On the present state of Protestantism in England," he assured his audience, that the most enlightened men of Great Britain have renounced their prejudices against Roman Catholicism, and acquired a decided leaning to Romish doctrines : in proof of this assertion, he referred to the Oxford

tracts.

We have no fears of the ultimate result, because "that wicked one "" is doomed to be destroyed by

Catholic Magazine, March.

the Lord himself, "with the spirit of his mouth, and with the brightness of his coming," 2 Thess. ii. 8, But there will be a sharp previous conflict. Let all who love the truth prepare for the struggle, by providing themselves with such weapons as shall be mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds," 2 Cor. x. 4.

:

THE END.

London Printed by W. CLOWES and SONS, Stamford street.

OF THE

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

THE WRITINGS OF THE

BRITISH REFORMERS.

BRADFORD.-LATIMER.-RIDLEY AND PHILPOT.-HOOPER.KNOX. BECON. WICKLIFF.- TINDAL, FRITH, AND BARNES.-CRANMER, ROGERS, SAUNDERS, TAYLOR, AND CARELESS.-JEWELL.-EDWARD VI.,

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The twelve volumes complete, 2. 8s. boards; 31. 6s. half calf gilt; 47. 10s. calf gilt. Each volume, complete in itself, 4s. bds.

"These treatises, being published by a charitable institution, are cheapened down even to the cottage of the peasant; and we shall rejoice to find that they are circulated as widely as the value of their contents, and the demand of the age, require. No family need now be destitute of one or more volumes of the works of our venerable British reformers."-Christian Observer, May, 1829.

LIVES OF THE BRITISH REFORMERS,

FROM WICKLIFF TO FOX.

18mo edition, 3s. boards; 4s. half-bound. Royal edition, with Portrait, 6s. boards; 9s. calf.

DAYS OF QUEEN MARY;

OR, ANNALS OF HER REIGN.

Containing Particulars of the Restoration of Romanism, and the Sufferings of the Martyrs during that Period. 3s. half-bound.

THE LOLLARDS;

OR, SHORT ACCOUNTS OF WITNESSES OF THE TRUTH IN ENGLAND FROM 1400 TO 1546.

3s. half-bound.

THE RELIGION OF PROTESTANTS

A SAFE WAY TO SALVATION.

By WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH, M.A.
2 vols. 18mo. 5s. boards; 7s. half-bound.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN A POPISH PRIEST AND
AN ENGLISH PROTESTANT,

Wherein the principal Points and Arguments of both
Religions are truly proposed, and fully examined.
By MATTHEW POOLE, Author of the Synopsis Criticorum.
18mo. 1s. 6d. boards; 2s. half-bound.

THE GOSPEL LEVER APPLIED TO THE OVER-
TURNING OF ROMANISM.
By the Rev. E. NANGLE, A.B.
ls. boards; ls. 6d. half-bound.

PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY;

OR. THE

ANCIENT CATHOLIC FAITH OF APOSTOLICAL CHRISTIANS.

A Discourse, delivered by the Rev. JOHANNES GOSSNER, on quitting Munich. 18mo. 6d. stiff cover.

JEHOVAH-ZIDKENU,

"THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
The Watchword of the Reformers.

From the German of the Rev. FREDERIC Sander, M.A. 6d. stiff cover.

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