their very disciples cannot disavow them. But you can no where find that the Church in communion with the See of Rome ever separated herself from the true mystical body of Jesus Christ, nor that she ever altered the dogmas of faith, which she had received from the Apostles, and diffused over the whole world, as says St. Paul. The ancient writers, who have with so much care pointed out all the heresies which have sprung up in the Church, have never even given the smallest hint, that the Church in communion with the See of Rome ever separated herself from the true Church of Christ on earth, and which would be of the greatest possible consequence, had it been true. No one could, I assert, be found to impute these innovations to the Church in communion with the See of Rome, but the innovators themselves; and whom I can truly address in the words of Optat to the Donatists: "Invenistis Diaconos, Presbyteros, Episcopos; fecistis laicos; agnoscite vos animas evertisse.”—(Lib, 2.)—“ You accuse us of changing, you who have upset every thing. You have found Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, and have turned them into lay-persons. You have found Sacraments, and you have withdrawn the use of them. You have found altars consecrated to God, and you have profaned them. You have found unity in the sheepfold of Jesus Christ, and you have every where scattered divisions. Remember well, then, that the change comes from you, and that you have perverted souls." They, I proclaim, are the sworn enemies of God's true Church on earth, who have invented this foul calumny, and who have conspired together to destroy her; but that all the power of the Devil cannot effect, because the Great and Glorious God, the Lord and Creator of all things, has promised to be ever with his Church, leading and guiding her into all Truth. And, moreover, it is certain, that the Holy Ghost dwells with none, who have not a sincere love and respect for the Church of Jesus Christ. St. Augustine says: "Quantum quisque amat ecclesiam, tantum habet spiritum sanctum." -(St. Aug. tr. 33, in Joan.) (c) I have availed myself largely of Protestant Authorities in the course of this work, as the most Illustrious Personage, to whom this work is dedicated, must perceive. To avoid incumbering my sheets, as much as possible, with references, I shall content myself with this one ample acknowledgment of expressing how deeply I am indebted to the Catholic Divines, who have treated on this profound mystery. It will be readily seen, that these letters are written in a familiar and irregular manner; and are by no means intended as a Scholastic Treatise, which would require greater method and order. ...... Letter XIV.-If Jesus Christ be not true God, the Christian Religion has not sufficient criteria to distinguish it from Idolatry Letter XV.—A reply to the objection of the supposed silence of Scrip- .......... ....... Letter XVI.-The Doctrine of the Divinity of Christ was taught by the Apostles and Evangelists in and before the year 63, and even from the very beginning of the Christian Church Letter XVII.-The Faith of the Primitive Church was not altered or Letter XVIII.-The decision, or decree of the Council of Nice, is a convincing proof that the doctrine of the Divinity of Christ was the Of the Blessed φεου του ευλογητου, or of God the blessed one. Φεου Vide also Poole's Synopsis, and the Notes in Dr. Mills' Greek Testament ERRATUM. Page 67-For Peter was the son of Zebedee, read Peter was the son of |