(iv) I willingly admit, that, to produce against our creed or conduct, all that research or fair argument can supply, is legitimate controversy; but surely, to conceal our merits, or to represent them very briefly and imperfectly, and to display our defects at length, and with the highest colouring; to impute to our general body what, in justice, is only chargeable on individuals; or to estimate the writings or actions of our ancestors in the dark ages, by the notions and manners of the present age, is a crying injustice. Does not Dr. Southey too often fall into all these errors? Is he sufficiently aware, that the roman-catholics have sustained a defamation of three hundred years?—That, in consequence of it, an immense mass of prejudice was raised against them? That it yet retains its place in many uninstructed minds; and that it is not wholly eradicated from all the liberal and the informed? None of these believe that London was set on fire by the (v) roman-catholics, or in the truth of Oates's revelations : But the prejudice originally created by these fictions, has not entirely lost its effect: it still influences some respectable persons, in their opinions of the roman-catholic religion, much more than they are aware of. This prejudice," the Book of the Church' is admirably calculated both to keep alive and increase: To counteract its tendency is the object of the present pages. If Dr. Milner had framed "his Strictures" upon the "Book of the Church" on a more extensive plan, it would have made this or any other answer to it unnecessary. Such as my pages are,-I INSCRIBE THEM TO YOU: I hope they do not contain a word, at which the very learned, elegant and eloquent author of the work, to which they are addressed, can take just offence. My publications are numerous,—perhaps too numerous: -but I trust they do not contain one harsh (vi) word; one, by which I have ever offended, either against charity, or even against civility. No person admires more than I do, the golden sentence of St. Francis of Sales,that "a good christian is never outdone in good manners." 66 With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, Your most obedient Servant, CHARLES BUTLER. Lincoln's-Inn, 4 November 1824. IV. Application of these Observations to doctor Southey's 1. History of their Conversion to Christianity 2.-Conformity of the Religion preached to the Anglo- The Anglo-Saxon Church-Saint Dunstan 1.-Early Years of Saint Dunstan |