of GOD, and ventures to indulge the pleasing hope, that his humble labours will contribute in some small measure to promote the long sighed for illumination and tranquillity of his native land.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, 1–5.

LETTER II.

Early Piety-First Communion-Confirmation-Con-

fession-The Curate-General Confession-Anecdote-

Clerical Caprice-A Divorce-Parish Priest-Inconsis-

tencies-A Converted Priest-Bigotry-Mountain Scene

-The Rushyman-Country Chapel-A Priest's Sermon

-Excommunication · Reflections A Biget Act of

Faith, 6-30.

LETTER III.

Discussions-Transubstantiation-The Senses-Popu-

lar Superstitions - Education - Scripture - Religious

Melancholy-Influence of Confession-Suspense-Novel

Reading-Infidel Writings-Church History-The Al-

ternative-The Friars-A Convent-Spell Broken-Con-

forming Infidels-Party Spirit, 31-54.

Pyrrhonism Bayle-Infidelity, its Source, its Misery,

its Varieties-Implicit Faith-Thinking Proscribed-

Power of Conscience-Vague Aspirations-Index Expur-

gatorius-Art of Reading-Indifference-Despondency-

Adam Smith on Atonement- Infidelity Irrational-An

Infidel's Confession-An Infidel's Hope, 54-74.

LETTER V.

A Devotee-Predestination-A Disappointed Candi-

date for the Priesthood-An Infidel Teacher-Traits of

the Clergy-The Priest and the Penitent-Catholic Semi-

naries The Priesthood, their Education, Power, Avo-

cations, Politics, Social Position, Treatment, Sincerity,

74-94.

LETTER VI.

A Maynooth Priest-A Liberal Rector-A Miracle-

Monger-Converted Ministers-Providential Deliverance

—A Zealous Clergyman-False Delicacy-The Pilgrim

-The Waldenses-The Best Gift, a Dangerous Com

panion The Bible an Intruder-Fear of Man-Kind-

Importunity-The Word Blessed--The Prayer-book--

Church of England, 94-116.

LETTER VII.

Systematic Slander-Unpleasant Topic The Estab-
lishment Church and State-First Impressions-Tithe
Proctors-Political Prejudices-The Convert's Trials—
Romish Persecution a Protestant Suspicion-Proselytism
-The Second Reformation-Papal Policy-The Prose-

CONTENTS.

lyte and the Cor.vert-Apathy of Protestants-Prospects

of Converts, 116–143.

LETTER VIII.

The Rubicon of Romanism-Religious Customs-Pro-

testant Worship-The Mass-Unknown Tongue-Pro-

testant Sermon-Irish Talent-Protestant Bishop-Re-

cantation-The Convert's Reasons, 143–155.

LETTER IX.

ix

The Mass-The First Mass-The Last Supper-Un-

bloody Sacrifice-Office of Priest-Melchisedek - No

Priest but Christ-Rhemish Translations-Effects of

Discussion-Supreme Pontiff, 155–166.

LETTER X.

Human Depravity- Justification-Supererogation-

Atonement-Redemption-Faith-Paul and James Re-

conciled-Abraham's Faith-Justifying Faith, 166–181.

LETTER XI.

Penance-Auricular Confession-Power of the Keys-

Tell the Church-Binding and Loosing-Public Confes-

sion-Confession to God-Confession to Men-Restitu-

tion-Auricular Confession, 182-198.

LETTER XII.

Intercession of Christ-Sub-Mediators-Christ our Ad-
vocate-Intercession of Saints-Jupiter and Peter-Pray-

X

CONTENTS.

-

ing to Saints-Polytheism-What is Prayer?-The Vir-

gin Mary — Papal Foundation—The Virgin Mary—

Worship of Angels-Catholic Arguments, 199–221.

LETTER XIII.

Purgatory-Masses for the Dead-Repetition of Sacri-

fices A Third Place-Pardon in Eternity-Salvation by

Fire-God's Building-The Spirits in Prison-Prayers for

the Dead-Prayers for the Damned-St. Hilary's Purga-

tory, 222-249.

LETTER XIV.

Transubstantiation-Grounds of Belief-The Ideal Sys-

tem-Reason and Faith-A God in Jeopardy-Contra-

dictions - Power of God-The Resurrection-Incredulity

of Thomas-Scriptural Arguments-Literal Interpre-

tation, 250-272.

LETTER XV.

Transubstantiation Continued-Silence of Antiquity-

Its Earliest Advocate- Its Catholic Opponents-Conduct

of Gregory VII.-The Virgin's Response-Progress of

Error-Transubstantiation Finally Established in the

Thirteenth Century-Its Origin, 273–283.

LETTER XVI.

Images Image of God-The Lord's Supper-Helps

to Devotion-Praying Machine-Spiritual Worship-

Religion of Imagination-Second Commandment-Wor-

ship of Images-The Cherubim-The Brazen Serpent-

Changing Laws-An Exhortation, 284-302.