ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Title of PUBLICIST, hitherto given to this Magazine, we beg leave to exchange for that of CATHOLICON, which we humbly conceive will be regarded as more characteristic of its views and objects, as well as more conformable to the Prospectus that appeared in the Laity's Directory for 1810, when it was first proposed under that title to the attention of the Catholic Public, although from intervening causes the actual period of its publication was delayed till July 1815.

The first Volume of the CATHOLICON being at length accomplished, its Sentiments and Claim to Support may be easily appreciated: that the sphere of its utility may be enlarged, a more extended co-operation of Learning, Piety, and Talent, is now most humbly solicited, and will be gratefully acknowledged by

THE EDITOR.

London, January 31,

1816.

DEFENCE

OF THE

HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

AGAINST THE

UNJUST IMPUTATIONS OF THE EDINBURGH REVIEWERS, AND OTHER MODERN CRITICS;

With Remarks on Mr. Collinson's late Bampton Lectures.

COMPILED BY H. R.

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, und walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Jer. vi. 16.

"Neceffe eft omnibus Catholicis, qui fese Ecclefiae Matris legitimos filios probare ftudent, ut fanctorum Patrum fidei inhæreant, adglutinentur, immoriantur."

"It is neceffary for all Catholics, who ftudy to approve themselves true fons of their mother the Church, to stick faft and firm, to live and die, in the holy faith of the Holy Fathers."-Vincent of Lerins, at the end of his Commonitorium,

THE PREFACE.

EXT to the Holy Scriptures, and the decrees of General Councils, the writings of the Fathers have a just claim to our attention and reverence: their usefulness, importance, and authority, have acquired them this rank in the Catholic -Church, and it was reserved for modern times to call in question their merits and acknowledged excellence. As Protestants place the standard of othodoxy in scripture alone, explained by private judgment, they are unwilling, in the affair of salvation, to own any superior under God: they protest against the authority of the Catholic Church as ecclesiastical tyranny, and, by establishing a supreme tribunal in the fancy and opinion of individuals, have brought the writings of the ancient Fathers into A Publicist, VOL. 1.