He has here argued every point in dispute between the Roman Catholics and Protestants. His discussions are calm and impartial, but firm and uncompromising. To learn the real tenets of the Roman Church in these days, recourse must be had to her latest acknowledged authorities; many extracts from which are given in the course of this work: and it will be seen from these, what credit is due to the asseverations of individual Roman Catholics, respecting the more liberal principles of their Church at the present day; asseverations which they would scarcely venture to make within the precincts of the Vatican. After an unbiassed perusal of this volume, it is difficult to conceive how a Protestant, unless blinded or bribed, can be entangled in the snares of the Roman proselytemakers. The dialogue-form, which the author has adopted, has enabled him to clothe even the most polemical parts of the work in a familiar garb; it is thus equally adapted to high and low: and the characters who conduct the dialogue, tend materially to heighten the interest of the subject. The author, by wishing to reduce the exorbitant claims and power of the Roman Bishops, had, in the thirteenth chapter, carried his arguments somewhat too far against the Episcopal order in general. But as Episcopacy is the palladium of our Church, and is unquestionably of Apostolical origin, the translator has taken the liberty of altering that chapter, and adapting it to the views of the Church of England. The reader will soon perceive that the author, who now ranks, both as a scholar and a divine, as one of the ablest men in Germany, is perfectly untainted with Rationalism. May this translation contribute to confirm the Protestant faith in our native country! and thus, in England, as well as in Germany, fulfil the pious wishes of the author. M. MORGAN. Gothenburg, March 31st, 1829. CONTENTS. PAGE |