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less informed classes of them there is probably a large majority by whom different sentiments are cherished , and who have a traditional horror of Popery which obscures their perception of expediency , and even their sense of justice . Even these classes , however , are becoming more enlightened , and it may be added to the favourable symptoms which have been enumerated , that their leaders are in a state-of alarm , and are attempting to raise a
cry of danger to the Protestant Cause and the British Constitution . Such is the object of a pamphlet recently published by Mr . Ivimey , a Particular Baptist Minister , entitled , " The Roman Catholic Claims a Question not of Religious Liberty , but of Political Expediency ; an Address to the Protestant Dissenters of Great Britain , assigning Reasons why ( in reference to that subject ) they should maintain the most strict Neutrality . " This pamphlet
deserves to be made the subject of a few remarks , not certainly on account of the novelty of its matter , the force of its logic , or the eloquence of its style ; but because it embodies , and presents in a tangible shape , some of the more powerful prejudices which yet influence the minds of thousands of our Nonconformist brethren , and prevent an unanimous and decisive assertion , by the Dissenting body , of the great principles of religious liberty without respect of persons or denominations .
It was the proud and merited distinction of Mr . AspJand , at the Dissenters ' celebration of their victory , to stand forward as the representative of their talent , information , integrity , firmness , and liberality . Nobly did he acquit himself . And as well has Mr . Ivimey acquitted himself , representing , as he does , the ignorance and intolerance of Dissent , the iron and clay feet of
the heterogeneous image which oppression had kneaded together . In using the words ignorance and intolerance ( the latter only as a consequence of the former ) , the whole of our censure is conveyed ; for the sincerity and conscientiousness of the Dissenters who oppose themselves to Catholic Emancipation we firmly believe in , and hold in high respect .
Mr . Ivimey affirms that the Roman Catholics are in possession already of complete religious liberty . He asks , ** What impositions are practised towards them ? Are they not in possession of the most entire toleration ? Are they not at perfect liberty to propagate their sentiments , to build chapels , to establish colleges and schools , and to make proselytes in every part of the kingdom ? " He affirms , that " whatever cause of complaint they may think they have in regard to the penal laws , they have none on the score of a want of religious liberty . If they suffer , it is not for conscience' sake , "
This ia strange language for a Dissenter to hold just now , when from one end of the country to the other his brethren are rejoicing in having successfully assorted their own religious rights . The same questions might have been asked , the same assertions made , as to their condition anterior to . the repeal of the Test Act . Of them , too , it might have been demanded , with afi air of triumph , « ' For what rite of religion , which they observe in their public worship , are they labouring under any legal disability ?"
And the fame reply would have done in hoth cases—For no particular rite , but for that honest faith which is the root of all external observances , and the abjuration of which is demanded as a passport to place and power . The Catholic eajwot take the , oaths any more than the Dissenter could take the sacrament . Nay , the former exclusion was by far the most complete ; for there may bj& Dissenters whose consciences do not forbid their occasionally communicating with the Episcopal Church ; while there cannot be a Catholic whose conscience will allow him to swear that his own religion is
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586 Catholics and Dissenters .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1828, page 586, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2564/page/2/
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