xiv confidence reposed in them, the secresy, the pru- dence, and, when needful, the severity of the inqui- dtion, would be the only effectual restraint against licentiousness and the universal depravation of their morals/ * Happy for the Inquisition had it always been so well employed ! But why this concern of Koine for the reputation of the Confessional ? With its reputation goes its existence^ and with its exis^ tence its profits. With the facts here, and throughout the follow- ing treatise adduced, in evidence and before my eyes, I should blush, if I could be prevailed upon, either to conceal or to palliate — I should blush, if I suppressed or di sguiaed the feelings which they naturally, or, I «hould say, necessarily, excite. But with all just abhorrence of the spiritual turpitude which I have had to unfold, there is no degree of compassionate, and even indulgent, charity, which I do not feel and cherish towards the wretched victinu of so much error and iniquity. That charity is ex* treme towards the passive portion, that which pecu- liarly constitutes the deceived^ the lower and help* less claims, whose simplicity is practised upon, and tyrannized over, by their unprincipled, and, it is to be feared, hypocritical, and interested deeeher^. In favour of the clerical deceivers, charity may dic- tate the allowance, that it is possible, though barely possible, that they may, in the first instance, be
- YoL aii p. SS5^ fint editkm.
