THE DECLARATION OF Francis Briber, Gent. Which he publickly made before the Lord Bishop of WATERFORD, IN THE Cathedral-Church of WATERFORD, IN THE Kingdom of Ireland, JƲNE the 17th, 1688. Containing the REASONS for his Renouncing the Roman-Catholic, and Embracing the Protestant Religion: Together with what the Lord Bishop of Waterford Return'd upon that Occasion.
THE following Paper came to me, well recommended, from a Person of unquestionable Integrity, living in the Kingdom of Ireland. I am not ignorant, to how little purpose it would be, in this inquisitive Age, to offer to the Publique any thing of this kind, which might be de [...]ected of Falshood; and therefore it is only delivered to you nakedly and sincerely, as it came to my hands.
[Page 2]AS there ought to be nothing dearer to any man than his own Soul, nor any thing more heeded by him on this side the Grave, than its eternal Salvation; so I bless my GOD that he hath for several Years touched my Heart with a sence of this, as well as the Sins of my Life; which put me upon frequent and diligent Inspection into the Articles of the Christian Religion, wherewith I was seasoned from my Youth, according to the Doctrine and Communion of the Church of Rome. The more I looked into the Doctrines of Transubstantiation, Purgatory, Invocation of Saints, Indulgences, and Worshipping of Images, the more Scruples arose in my Mind, and the rather, because I could find no solid Foundation for them in the SCRIPTURE, (which I thought could best inform me what I ought to Believe for my Salvation, tho' those of my Sort in that Communion are not allowed the use of them) nor yet in the Three CREEDS, in which I found all allowed the Doctrines of Salvation to be summ'd up. I took several opportunities to discourse of these Points, as well with those of the Clergy of the Church of Rome, as with others whom I thought knowing in the Principles of that Church, sincerely desiring to learn the Truth, for the eternal Welfare of my Soul: But I found their Defences of those Doctrines Unsatisfactory, and my own Scruples against them to gather strength upon me. I then applied myself privately to discourse them with some of the Clergy, and others, of the Communion of the PROTESTANT CHURCH, and to look into some Books of those Writers; and thereupon became confirmed in my Dis-believe of those Doctrines. These and such-like Thoughts, and Communications, begot in me a sence of Duty, that I ought to joyn myself with the CHURCH of CHRIST, holding only the true ancient Catholick Faith; which I am convinced the [Page 3] CHURCH of GOD, whereof Your Lordship is one of the Spiritual Guides, does. But then the Censures and Inconveniencies, as to Worldly Respects, I saw I should expose myself unto, retarded me. And when I discoursed at any time any such the least Inclinations, I met with the Tears and Entreaties of many of my Relations to stop me, and the Flouts and Menaces of others to deter me. But I bless GOD, who has at length born me above all those Discouragements, and made my Salvation the love of Truth, as it is in JESUS and the inward Peace of my CONSCIENCE (convinced of my Errours and my Sins) dearer to me than all Secular Respects.
Wherefore, I Francis Briber, of Monevehogy, in Your Lordship's Diocess, Gent. Do in the Presence of GOD, and before Men and Angels, this day Renounce any further Communion with the Church of Rome, in her erronious Doctrines and Worship; and do pray to be Received by Your Lordship into the Communion of the CHƲRCH of GOD, in this Kingdom, Established by Law. And that I may receive Your present Benedictions and future Prayers, for my further Illumination for Divine Satisfaction and Heavenly Assistance in my Christian Course and future eternal Salvation, by affixing hereunto my Hand and Seal this 17th Day of June, 1688.
[Page 4]Then the Lord Bishop of Waterford spoke as followeth:
YOƲ have this day a signal Instance of the force of Heavenly Truth, and of the power of Conscience, Illuminated by the Spirit of GOD in this Voluntary, Chearful, and Pious Access of this Gentleman to seek Admission into Our Communion, when no Secular Inducements can be thought to have disposed him to it. Let us Welcome him as the compassionate Father did the returning-Prodigal; let us Embrace him with the Arms of Christian Affection; Give him the right Hand of Fellowship, and be daily Suitors at the Throne of Grace for his further Illumination and Confirmation in this FAITH. And be You careful, Sir, as You have this day made a good Profession, so You stand fast in this Faith, to adorn this Holy Profession with a Holy Conversation: For GOD is not to be Mocked, nor the Communion of His CHƲRCH, once thus solemnly entred into, Rejected and Contemned. And that You may do so, God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Three Persons, and One GOD, receive You into His Favour, sanctifie You with His Spirit, strengthen You with His Grace, and at length receive You into His Glory. Amen.