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THE

1:1:1826.

FORLORN CASE OF POPERY!

OR,

The Romanist Undeceived:

BEING

A Rational, Historical, and Scriptural Refutation

OF THE SUPER-ADDED ARTICLES

OF THE

CHURCH OF ROME;

INCLUDING

THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES

OF

POPE JOAN, or JOHN the VIIIth.

Most seriously recommended to the perusal of Romanists.

BY THE LATE REV. JOHN CONNELL,
A Conformist to the Established Church,

CURATE OF ETTAGH.

"Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old
paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for
your souls: but they said, we will not walk therein."- -Jer. vi. 16.

"For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eves,
and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should sa
converted, and I should heal them."—Acts xxviii. 27.

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DEDICATED

TO THE REV. THOMAS PERCIVAL MAGEE,
&c. &c. &c.

DUBLIN:

Printed for the benefit of the Widow and Orphan Children··

of the Author.

1826.

PART I.-Price Five Shillings, British.

PART II. will be published as soon as possible.

381.

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TO THE

REV. THOMAS PERCIVAL MAGEE,

&c. &c. &c.

Rev. Sir,

In might be justly deemed presumption, were I to prefix to the writings of my father, a name so intimately connected with every Association, which all who feel an interest in the welfare of our Church, must hold dear, without assigning the motives which have actuated me, and the rea sons which alone can justify me in taking that liberty; viewing the Work itself as the production of one who, though long yoked in the trammels of error, when freed, was eager to cast in his humble mite amid the treasures which, in modern times, have been contributed for the support of truth, to whom could it, (however small its literary pretensions,) be dedicated with such propriety, as to one so nearly allied to the "Author of the ATONEMENT?" to whom Christianity in general, and the Church of England in particular, stand so much indebted for his noble and uncompromising defence, on every occasion, against falsehood in all its varied forms, whether as the professed hostility of the Deist, the poisonous sophistry of the Unitarian, or the superstitious errors of the Romanist; considering the situation of the Author's family,

a Widow and Seven Orphans, whose name could I venture to prefix before that of a Clergyman, whose distinguished character it is practically to exhibit, that "pure Religion and undefiled before God," even the "Visiting the widow and the fatherless in their affliction?" In short, Rev. Sir, feeling that to you, further apology would be needless, and humbly hoping that something may be found herein worthy of your approbation, assured, that should this Work but gain the smallest meed of your Patronage, my most anxious expectations will be realized, and the public countenance secured, allow me to subscribe myself,

Rev. Sir,

Your very humble,

And much obliged Servant,

SARAH CONNELL

Dublin, August 3, 1826.

THE

FORLORN CASE OF POPERY,

&c. &c.

"Victricem suprema Veritas faxil."

THE sudden, but premeditated change that I have made, through God's mercy, from a fabricated farce, supported by Papal tyranny,* and upheld by implicit obedience to its commands, to the pure, unadulterated and divine religion of the Gospel of Christ, has influenced some to censure me, and made others desirous to know the cause. While by the ignorant and prejudiced I am calumniated, nay, even condemned to perdition;t the candid and unbiassed are anxious to be acquainted with the true and just motive of my conversion. To inspire the one, if possible, with more charity, and candidly declare the sentiments of my heart to the other;-I now, openly avow, that prejudice, and a heretofore rooted aversion to the Protes

* See a Sketch of Papal Tyranny and Additionals, in a subsequent part of this work.

+ It is a leading principle of the members of the Church of Rome, implicitly to believe, that Protestants are in a state of final perdition.This is the basis of that tenet, that no faith is to be kept with (what they call) Heretics. This pious doctrine is studiously inculcated from their childhood. The result is obvious, and often, fatally experienced. "But who art thou that judgest another man's servant. To his own master he standeth or falleth; yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand?" Rom, xiv. 4.

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