OBJECT AND EFFECT

OF

THE OATH

IN THE

ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL

CONSIDERED;

WITH

OBSERVATIONS UPON THE DOCTRINE OF CERTAIN IRISH
AUTHORITIES WITH RESPECT TO TITHES;

AND ON THE

POLICY OF A CONCORDAT WITH THE SEE OF ROME.

WITH AN

APPENDIX.

BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SIR ROBERT WILMOT HORTON, BART., G.C.H.

LONDON:

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

MDCCCXXXVIII.

729.

INTRODUCTION.

In the first section of this publication I have endeavoured to demonstrate that the securities suggested by me in the year 1829, for the protection of the Church against the possible danger of Roman Catholic legislation, did not deserve to be characterised as impracticable. In the second section, that no justifiable accusation or even imputation of perjury can attach to a Roman Catholic Member of Parliament from his voting for any resolution or measure which any body of Protestants may deem necessary for the preservation, or at least ultimate benefit of, any Church Establishment. In the third section, that if it can be proved that a Catholic Member of Parliament unequivocally proposes to subvert the present Church Establishment, according to the fair and equitable import of the term, such an attempt is not in accordance with the Oath which he has taken within the walls of Parliament. In the fourth section, that as Roman Catholics are now admitted into both houses of the Legislature, it is a most necessary act of state policy to negociate with the head of the Catholic Church on Catholic matters,