Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ... IV. ANTAGONISM BETWEEN POPERY AND CIVIL FREEDOM. "shall The Throne Op Iniquity Have Fellowship With THEE, WHICH FEAMETH MISCHIEF BY A LAW." -- Pialm XCtV. 20. I Propose, in this lecture, to discuss the bearing of Popery upon freedom, and social and national happiness. That we may not be charged with bringing against the Romish church unfounded accusations, or with dealing with antiquated principles of government which have been abandoned or repudiated, we will quote the opinions which have recently been advanced by the advocates of Romanism in America. And it should be observed, that whatever is said against religious freedom, bears with equal force against civil freedom, for the two are inseparably connected. One cannot exist without the other. Hear, then, the language used by the " Shepherd of the Valley," November 23, 1851: " The church is of necessity intolerant. Heresy she endures when and where she must; but she hates it, and directs all her energies to its destruction. If Catholics ever gain an immense numerical majority, religious freedom in this country is at an end. So our enemies say. So we believe." Another authority, high in the church, has said, " That popes and general councils have passed the most bloody and persecuting laws against all whom they were pleased to denominate as heretics, is now generally conceded by intelligent defenders of the Catholic faith, and it is maintained, as we have seen, that if they should ever obtain a decided numerical majority in this country, they will be bound by the very nature of their religion to act on the same principles, and consequently religious liberty will thus be at an end. ' So our enemies say. So say we.'" Listen to the words of Brownson's Review, which is the acknowledged...