LETTER XIV.

QUEEN MARY.

In this letter You profess to state the grounds upon which I have endeavoured in "The Book of "the Roman Catholic Church," to extenuate the persecutions in the reign of Queen Mary.

1.-You say, (page 161), that "my apology for the persecutions in the reign of Queen Mary, " is derived from considering the former conduct of Cranmer, in passing an unjustifiable law, by "which he condemned to death the advocates of the "Romish opinions."

This I mention as one extenuating circumstance; but I state five others:-1 st, The rebellions and treasons against Mary. You admit, (p, 174), " that at "the time of Mary's decease, a rebellion was almost "raging against her."-2d, The many indignities, some of a very atrocious nature, which were offered to her.-3rd, That there was not, in Mary's time, a Protestant state, in which similar executions for religion had not taken place.-4th, That there scarcely was a primitive reformer, by whom religious persecution was not justified or practised.5th, And that several persons were executed in the reign of Queen Mary for heresy, who might justly have been executed for treason.

You should also have mentioned my explicit avowal in "The Book of the Roman Catholic "Church," "that the sanguinary executions in "the reign of Queen Mary cannot be justified."

2. You say, (p. 162), "Iimpeach the Church "of Rome of the crime of still sanctioning perse"cution, and thereby maintaining a doctrine which "is alike hostile to your own petition for admission "to power, and to the common rights aad happiness " of nations."

The assertion I have completely overthrown in my Ninth Letter to You, and therefore, applying, with little alteration, to my church, the words, which You apply to Yours, I say, at least upon as good grounds as yourself, that persecution for religion never was a principle of the Roman Catholic church it was a local error of individuals, which has been removed by gradual improvement. In the church of Rome it never was a law, and has long ceased to be a custom : those who now persecute in Switzerland, are not Catholics.

3.-You inform us in a note, (page 172), that "Mr. Todd has ably defended Cranmer; and that "the character of Latimer, You have no doubt, "can be equally vindicated also."

Permit me to think, with Dr. Lingard, that "Doctor Todd's work has disappointed the wishes "of his friends;" that "his statements have con"firmed the most material of the statements con"tained in the fourth volume of the Doctor's

history," and that "a candid comparison will show, that even his objections on points of minor importance are built on slender foundations, and frequently serve to overturn each other."

4.-You say, "if the good character which "the historian upon whose researches you have "relied be correctly represented, how severely do you condemn the religion, which could change a compassionate, liberal, pious, moral, exemplary woman, into a savage, rancorous and bigotted persecutor. Your efforts are in vain-the blood "of the martyrs is upon her.

"

"And history with her whip of steel

"Has stampt the character of shame so deep,
"That not eternity shall wear it out."

Randolph's Muses Looking Glass.

With all that history can justly charge on Mary, she does not merit the atrocious epithets which You bestow upon her, or your application to her of Randolph's atrocious verse. Would not this verse be more justly applied to Elizabeth's conduct towards Mary of Scotland? and to Elizabeth's dissimulations, both before and after the execution of that unfortunate princess? to the sanguinary executions she sanctioned of 204 priests.

In pronouncing upon Mary of England, it should not be forgotten, that she was highly provoked, greatly mistaken, and abominably advised: Thus, while her conduct deserves strong reprehension, she is entitled to much pity; and while the

reprehensible part of her character is held out in the strongest light, neither her merits, nor the circumstances which extenuate her misdeeds, should be concealed.

But how is the church chargeable with the supposed change in the character of this princess? The first volume of Dodd's Church History contains the faculties and instructions which the Pope gave for reconciling the kingdom to the Holy See. They are written in the language of moderation, and do not contain a single expression which suggests sanguinary measures. The lenity of Cardinal Pole, her majesty's principal adviser, seems to be universally admitted.

LETTER XV.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Alleged Omission of any mention of the State of Europe and England, at the Accession of Queen Elizabeth.

IN this letter, I shall successively examine,—

I. Your remarks upon my alleged omission of any notice of the state of Europe and England, at the accession of Queen Elizabeth:

II.-Your eulogy of the pacific tendency of her first measures respecting religion :

III. And of the moderation of the penal laws passed in the first year of her reign :

IV. Your justification of the law passed in the fifth:

V.--And of those passed in the 13th, 23d, and 27th:

VI. I shall then consider the justice of your denial of the merit of loyalty to the conduct of the Catholics, while the English coast was threatened by the Armada :

VII. And conclude my letter with some general reflections.

In every part of your present letter You insert reflections injurious to the Catholics;—to the principal of them, I shall occasionally advert.