Page:The spiritual venality of Rome.djvu/24

 THE

SPIRITUAL VENALITY OF ROME.

In the whole compass of Literature there scarcely exists any book, or set of books, more curious, and, for several reasons and purposes, more important in themselves, more numerous in editions^ and, however Gttle concealed, for some time after their first appearance, more rare of o6coirence in modern ages ; more in- dispensable and profitable to their real parent, who yet most positively and earnestly disowns his progeny, certainly with good and obvious reason, but in d^anee of undeniable proof of filiation; and, finally, of which the accounts, with the means of being much otherwise, are more defective, confused, erroneous, and unsa- -^ r tisfactory, — ^than the books bearing, fi>r sub- stance, the title of Tax^ Cancellari^ Apos- ; TOLiCiB, and Taxm Sacr^ Pcenitentiari^ AposTOLiCiE. It may be importaiit to observe, B