By the Rev. Dr. ALBAN BUTLER, AUTHOR OF THE LIVES OF THE FATHERS, MARTYRS, &c, DUBLIN: BY HN MORRIS, EDITOR OF THE MEDITATIONS. [No. 9.] MDCCLXXV, [Fishamble-ftr.] 1 ADVERTISEMENT. TH From the DUBLIN EDITOR. HE Book we here prefent to the Public is à pofthumous Work of the late Rev. Mr. ALBAN BUTLER (Prefident of the English College of St. Omers). Happy in the universal Approbation of his greater Work of the LIVES of the MARTYRS, and SAINTS, venerated by the Church throughout the Year, the learned and pious Author found it proper to complete his Design in this Supplemental Volume on the FASTS, FEASTS, and other Anniverfary Obfervances of the Catholic Church, from the earliest Age to the prefent.All along he foreclofes Doubts from authentic Facts, and ftrengthens each, from the Authority of ancient Fathers and Oecumenical Councils. Hrs Manufcript on this Subject has been laid before the R. R. Dr. Challoner, and that Prelate's Approbation alone is fufficient to show the Right of the Public, to fo valuable a Legacy. It has been printed, lately in England, and the Reception it found there, induced the Irish Editor, under the Patronage of fome Gentlemen equally learned and worthy, to render the like Service to his Native Country. He has not only given it Page by Page from the London Copy, but has corrected carefully the Typographical Errors of the English Printer. THE Perufal of this Volume on the Fafts and Feafts must undoubtedly create a Defire of poffeffing the Author's greater Work on the Lives of the Martyrs, &c. By the Consent of the best Judges on the Continent, as well as in our own Ifles, it has been pronounced the most profitable Compilation of Ecclefiaftical Biography hitherto published in any Country. Without direct Controverfy, which but too often takes its Effect, in contentious Evafion, rather than humiliating Conviction; our pious Author leads his Reader gently to Truth, without wounding his Pride. In the Lives of the Christian Martyrs and Confeffors, Mr. BUTLER has fhewn his straid Brethren, as in a Mirrour, what the Faith and Practices of the Chriftian Church have invariably been through all Ages.-In the prefent divided State of Christianity a better Scheme than this could not be calculated for restoring the the Harmony of Religion, and the Perufal of it by Englishmen, we may prefume, has contributed to the Twilights of Christian Forbearance, which began in his prefent Majefty's Reign to dawn over the Neighbouring Island, The first Impreffion of the Lives of the Martyrs having had a rapid Sale in England, a few Copies only have reached Ireland, wherein a Work fo promotive of Piety, and so effectual to retain Catholics in the Faith of the primitive Fathers is much wanted; it is hoped therefore that the intended Publication will meet with due Encouragement, in a Country circumstanced as our own is at prefent. By fpreading. Knowledge among all Parties, it will force Afperity to relent, and obtain fome Compaffion for Numbers, who, in Cafes where Religion alone is concerned, are juftified in dreading the Penalties of Confcience more than those imposed by Law. In the Lives of the Martyrs, Sufferers for Religion will find Confolation: the Precepts delivered are enforced all along by Examples, difplaying the Efficacy of Divine Grace, amidst all Temptations under the Dangers of Profperity, or Afflictions of Perfecution. FOR further Satisfaction it remains only to obferve, that this intended Edition of the LIVES of SAINTS will be enriched with many valuable Additions and Emendations, which the Author has left in Manufcript, for rendering. his Work ftill more Ufeful to Chriftian Readers of all Perfuafions; but yet as confiftently as poffible with the Conciseness of his Plan, as well as Abilities of the Majority of Purchasers. A regular printed Propofal for printing the LIVES of the MARTYRS, &c. by Subfcription, will, speedily be put in the Hands of the Public. This Book of the Fafts and Feafts is to be had of Also, a few remaining Sets of Dr. CHALLENOR'S |