This Tract is chiefly composed of statements relative to the Sabbath, and its change, collected from Catholic Books, Catechisms, &c. We think it contains all the matter of this kind, of value, which has appeared in the REVIEW, and all that is quoted by preaching brethren. We think it an excellent work for general circulation.
It is a Tract of 36 pages, neatly put up in paper covers—price 4 cents. The following is from the preface:—
It has ever been the boast of Protestants, that "the Bible, and the Bible alone," is their rule of faith and practice; while Catholics contend that the written Word is not a sufficient rule. We here give the rule of both:—
THE RULE OF PROTESTANTS:—"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, THOROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS." 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.
THE PAPISTS' RULE:—"All Scripture, &c. Every part of divine Scripture is certainly profitable for all these ends. But if we would have the whole rule of Christian faith and practice, we must not be content with those Scriptures which Timothy knew from his infancy, that is, with the Old Testament alone: nor yet with the New Testament, without taking along with it the traditions of the apostles, and the interpretation of the church, to which the apostles delivered both the book, and the true meaning of it." Note in Douay Bible, 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.
It is the shame of Protestants, that, especially on the Sabbath question, they leave their own rule, and take that of Papists. This they most certainly do, in endeavoring to sustain the observance of First-day as the Christian Sabbath by the testimony of the uninspired "Fathers;" this, too, without a word of inspired testimony.
Here is a stain upon the face of the Protestant church, which she can wipe away only by turning from the tradition of the first day of the week, to keep the Sabbath of the Bible. By listening to the voice of tradition, especially on the Sabbath question, instead of the "Bible, and the Bible alone," Protestants have placed deadly weapons in the hands of the Catholic church, with which she has slain her thousands, which might have been rescued had the Protestant church followed her own rule of faith and practice. And if the Protestant church will reject the plain testimony of the written word of God, and, contrary to her profession, sustain herself in her errors by the traditions of the so-called Fathers, will not her case be most intolerable in the day of Judgment?
The rule of Protestants is ours. The "Bible, and the Bible alone," shall be our rule of faith and duty. And shall it not be yours also, brother Protestant? If it is, you will turn from the sabbath of the Papal church, to the Sabbath of the written word of God.
Protestants will agree that Dan. xi, 32-35, applies to Papacy. "And such as do wickedly against the holy covenant," &c. Verse 32. To learn what the Catholic church has done against God's holy covenant of the ten commandments, please see the ten commandments, as she gives them to her children, on pages 15 and 16. There the second commandment is taken out, the Sabbath of the fourth is changed, and the tenth is divided into two, to make up the ten. Is not that doing wickedly?
St. Paul calls this same power, the "man of sin." 2 Thess. ii. And why? Ans. "Sin" being the "transgression of the law," there is no power that could be more worthy the name than that which has thus mutilated the law of God. In this, he has "exalted himself above all that is called God." In his arrogant assumption, he has even thought "to change the times and laws of the Most High." Dan. vii, 25.