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they yield their principal allegiance. And let British Protestants well assure themselves, that if Popery should again spread its dark and pestilent wings over this country, no greater delay would take place than was expedient, before the Index of Rome and all its penalties would be established in full force in our land.
A decree of the Sacred Congregation was made Dec. 4, 1674, determining that their Decrees oblige in the Spanish Dominions abroad, and indeed oblige all Christians (universos Christianos).
And the reader is to note, that where, through the tolerance of the Apostolic See, the Rules of the Index and the Bull Cænæ are not received, it only follows, that the readers of books do not incur the censures therein expressed. At certum est (proceeds the author), graviter peccare contra Ecclesiæ præceptum quæ semper vetuit horum librorum lectionem, quæque eandem [idem?] per Rom. Pontificem inculcat & renovat. Hinc boni probique Catholici ex omnibus partibus recurrere solent ad Apost. Sedem, vel ad habentes ab ea facultatem, ut legendi vetitos libros licentiam obtineant.
It is rather instructive to observe, how irresistibly this uncompromising writer knocks to pieces all the ingenious pretences of certain softeners or dissemblers of his communion, who would persuade the world, that the sacred proscriptions, and appendeut penalties, of Rome, are not of universal obligation. The faithful are well, and somewbat sarcastically, guarded against so mischievous an error. What! the will and law of the Supreme Pontiff and his cardinals to be set light by! — the law of him, whose will is law, to depend upon the reception of the sheep! — the pretence of non-publication, or not sufficient publication, to afford a subterfuge, when the de. crees in question are attended with every notoriety, are printed,
