Page:An Index of Prohibited Books (1840).djvu/185

 treat of their religion, in order to refute them.' These lines place this whole matter in its proper point of view. They evidently evince to what purpose Roman Catholics are indulged in the reading of Protestant authors. Not, it is presumed, for the sake of impartial investigation, but solely to combat and refute them. The rev. gentleman may say, then, with as much confidence as he pleases, that rational investigation is as open to Catholics as to any other set of men on the face of the earth. But persons of real candour will still give the chaplain credit for the same valuable quality, until it be proved that religious information also is equally open to Roman Catholics as to others; or, that the Protestant churches forbid the reading of Roman Catholic writers, unless it be with a view to confute them."

V. Another testimony to the same effect is extant in a pamphlet written in defence of the Rev., a well-known and learned convert from Popery to Protestanism. He published, in vindication of the step which he had taken, a volume entitled, "The Popish Mass," &c. or a Sermon, &c. It is intended