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have extended equally to catholics, to protestant dissenters, and to members of the established church; but it would not have been beneficial to all in an equal degree-as it would have been much more beneficial, in its consequences, to the catholics, than it would have been either to the protestant dissenters, or to the members of the established church, inasmuch as the penalties of non-conformity, to which a catholic is subject, are heavier than the penalties to which a protestant dissenter, or a member of the established church, is subject.

As there was a prejudice against the catholics, which did not exist, at least in the same degree, against any other dissenters, his lordship thought that, in their regard, it would be advisable to use a method of recommendation to the public, which the others did not appear to him to want.

This was,-that the roman-catholics should solemnly disclaim some of the tenets falsely imputed to them.

For this reason, with long consideration, and after perusing the works of some of the best catholic writers, and conferring with the ministers of other churches, and some of the leading men of all other parties, but without the slightest communication with any roman-catholic*,-his lordship framed the protestation; transmitted it to lord Petre, and recommended that it should be gene

This was most explicitly declared at the time, both by lord Stanhope and the members of the committee,—and then never contradicted: the contrary has since been asserted, but without the slightest proof.

rally signed. On the receipt of it, lord Petre instantly forwarded it to the secretary of the committee, with directions to send copies of it immediately to the four vicars-apostolic.

Such was the origin of the protestation.

At a meeting of the committee on the 17th of December 1788,

Present,

Lord Petre,

Sir H. C. Englefield,

Mr. Throckmorton,

Mr. Towneley,

Mr. Berington,
Mr. Wilks:

A letter from Mr. Walmesley on the subject of the protestation was read.

Mr. Berington acquainted the committee with the sentiments of Mr. Thomas Talbot upon it. The secretary acquainted the committee with the sentiments of Mr. James Talbot upon it.

In consequence of which, some alterations were made in it; and, with these alterations, it was approved of.

It was resolved, that, with these alterations, "it "should be immediately transmitted to the vicars"apostolic, accompanied by a letter to them from "the secretary, requesting their sentiments upon it.

At a meeting of the committee on the 18th of the same month, at which lord Petre, Mr. Throckmorton, Mr. Berington, and Mr. Wilks, were present, it was resolved, that "as soon as the protestation "was approved of by the vicars-apostolic, the

secretary should take such measures as he should "think advisable, to procure the general signatures "of the catholics to it."

Mr. Mitford was requested to undertake the moving, and Mr. Windham the seconding of the bill in the house of commons.

Both agreed to comply with the request.

In pursuance of the resolutions of the committee, the secretary transmitted copies of the protestation to the four vicars-apostolic,-Dr. James Talbot, Dr. Thomas Talbot, Dr. Walmesley, and Dr. Matthew Gibson.

ALL signed it: the three first with their own hands, Dr. Gibson, by Dr. James Talbot, whom he authorized to sign it for him.

It is expressed in the following terms:

"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, "catholics of England, do freely, voluntarily, and "of our own accord, make the following solemn "declaration and protestation.

"Whereas sentiments unfavourable to us, as citizens and subjects, have been entertained by Eng"lish protestants, on account of principles which "are asserted to be maintained by us, and other "catholics, and which principles are dangerous "to society, and totally repugnant to political and "civil liberty;-it is a duty that we, the English catholics, owe to our country, as well as to ourselves, to protest, in a formal and solemn manner, "against doctrines that we condemn, and that con"stitute no part whatever of our principles, religion, " or belief.

"We are the more anxious to free ourselves "from such imputations, because divers protestants, "who profess themselves to be real friends to

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liberty of conscience, have, nevertheless, avowed "themselves hostile to us, on account of certain opinions which we are supposed to hold. And "we do not blame those protestants for their hostility, if it proceeds (as we hope it does) not from "an intolerant spirit in matters of religion, but from "their being misinformed as to matters of fact.

"If it were true that we, the English catholics, had adopted the maxims that are erroneously imputed "to us, we acknowledge that we should merit the reproach of being dangerous enemies to the state; "but, we detest those unchristian-like and execra"ble maxims and we severally claim, in common "with men of all other religions, as a matter of "natural justice, that we, the English catholics, "ought not to suffer for, or on account of, any "wicked or erroneous doctrines that may be held by any other catholics, which doctrines we publicly disclaim, any more than British protestants ought to be rendered responsible for any dangerous doctrines that may be held by any other protestants, which doctrines they, the British protestants, disavow.

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First, We have been accused of holding, as a "principle of our religion, that princes excommu"nicated by the pope and council, or by authority "of the see of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their subjects or other persons.

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But, so far is the above-mentioned unchris"tian-like and abominable position from being a principle that we hold, that we reject, abhor, and "detest it, and every part of it, as execrable and

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impious; and we do solemnly declare, that nei"ther the pope, either with or without a general "council, nor any prelate, nor any priest, nor any

assembly of prelates or priests, nor any ecclesi"astical power whatever, can absolve the subjects "of this realm, or any of them, from their allegiance "to his majesty king George the third, who is by "authority of parliament, the lawful king of this "realm, and of all the dominions thereunto belonging.

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F2dly, We have also been accused of holding, "as a principle of our religion, that implicit obe"dience is due from us to the orders and decrees "of popes and general councils; and that there"fore if the pope, or any general council, should, "for the good of the church, command us to take

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up arms against government, or by any means to "subvert the laws and liberties of this country, or "to exterminate persons of a different persuasion "from us, we (it is asserted by our accusers) hold "ourselves bound to obey such orders or decrees, "on pain of eternal fire.

"Whereas we positively deny that we hold any "such obedience to the pope and general council,

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or to either of them; and we believe that no act "that is in itself immoral or dishonest can ever be justified by or under colour that it is done either "for the good of the church, or in obedience to any "ecclesiastical power whatever. We acknowledge no infallibility in the pope; and we neither apprehend nor believe that our disobedience to any "such orders or decrees (should any such be given

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