The Rule of the Catholic Faith

THE authority of the following treatise of Velon is well-known, and unhtet'sally acknowledged. The Translation is from the Latin edition of the work, which is much more complete and satisfactory, than the original French as it first came from the pen of the Author. Of the latter, a Translation has already appeared in our language, printed at Paris, in 1660, with only the initials of the Translator's name, which, I have reason to believe, was Ed ward Sheldon. But there is such a dissimilarity between the two works, that they may almost be considered as two distinct publications. Tbe edition, which I have followed, is that which Hooke has appended to his Treatise on the Church. The object of the work is to draw a distinct line between the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and the opinions advanced by Catholic Theologians, on the erroneous tenets ascribed to us by writers of other persuasions. This the Author executes in 8 masterly manner. His plan is simple, but must, I think, prove highly satisfactory to anyone, who sincerely wishes to know the real tenets of our Church. If this Translation tend in any degree to weaken, or remove prejudice, or to correct mis-statements, much, if not the whole of the merit is due to Lord Dormer, without whose assistance, this Translation would, probably, never have seen the light. I am aware, that, in a work of this kind, which is replete with quotations from the writings of the schoolmen, which it demands no ordinary study to comprehend, many errors. or inaccuracies may have crept into the Translation, I shall, therefore, deem it a favor to have them fairly stated