THE CHURCH OF ROME WEIGHED IN THE BALANCES AND FOUND WANTING; OR, PUSEYISM AND ROMANISM TWIN SISTERS; DIGESTED UNDER PROPER HEADS. BY JOHN B. SCOLLARD, PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, AND LATE SCRIPTURE READER TO "Let no man deceive you with vain words."-Eph. v. 6. "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to LEEDS: SAMUEL JOWETT, PRINTER, DICKINSON'S YARD, TOP OF MILLHILL. 1854. PREFACE. WHAT custom sanctions, mankind are apt to require; and where legitimate and useful, it would seem right to meet their expectations. On taking up a book, it is as natural as proper to look for an analysis of the contents, or some information as to the circumstances under which it was written, or a declaration of the motives and objects of the writer. As regards the following "reasons," while many Protestant divines are unhappily apostatising to the Church of Rome, and numerous Romish priests are vigorously spreading their pernicious errors among our people, it is some consolation to those who deplore these calamities, that in Ireland, and in other parts of Europe, the tide rushes in an opposite direction. In Ireland especially, whole Parishes have recently cast off the superstitions of the Papacy and embraced the glorious truths of the blessed gospel. Not a few of the priests in France, but also in England and Ireland have not only renounced the apostacy in which they have been nursed, but in the face of persecution and reproach, have given irresistible reasons for the better faith that is in them. Among these is the author of this little work, who gives a short but simple reason for his change of religion in these words "I renounce Popery to embrace the doctrine of Jesus Christ. I abandon the tradition of men for the truth of God; the worship of the creature for that of the Creator; and trust in a genuine sacrifice for faith and confidence in the perfect propitiatory sacrifice made once for all, for the sins of them that believe." In this enlightened age of the world, when learning and talent are so powerfully displayed in the various publications which daily issue from the press, and which are calcu lated to instruct the simple, and to gratify the critic, many may be led to wonder that such an imperfect work as this should be presented to public notice, or claim any part of the attention of mankind. But, in consideration that piety and good sense will ever confer upon their happy votaries a disposition to judge favourably of the meanest efforts of the humble to detect error and display truth, it is hoped that such characters may be found as will honour it with their candid and favourable attention, amidst the sneers of those who may hold it in private contempt or expose it to public ridicule. And although I am conscious that the work, in many respects, is deficient in manner, yet the matter defies refutation, as it is founded upon reason, experience, and truth. And though some may deem such a work unnecessary, in consequence of the number of publications on a similar subject, by eminent men, on various occasious; it may be answered, that, notwithstanding the numerous and excellent discourses delivered from the pulpit and issued from the press, both in ancient and modern times, for the purpose of stemming the torrent of antichristian error, yet it is lamentable to relate, that towards the meridian splendour of gospel day, many are the infatuated dupes of popish superstition, whose spiritual interests and happy privileges point them to a better choice But let it be observed, that the humble author of this work makes no pretence to excel other writers on this subject, nor hopes to be more successful than they; but because he was conversant with the dogmas of Popery, and experienced the feelings, motives, and desires of its rigid and numerous votaries until he was nearly 30 years of of age, when by the instrumentality of the Bible, and the influence of the spirit of God, |