Chapter I · INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT.
Reading edition
The great and constant boast of the Latin Clergy is: that The Catholic or Universal Church of Christ from the very beginning, has ALWAYS taught the doctrines which are now taught by the Church of Rome; that These doctrines are revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures, and that They have ALWAYS been set forth and maintained by those early ecclesiastical writers who are commonly styled the Fathers.
I. On these points lest we should labour under any mistake, let us hear the positive declarations of the Council of Trent, which sat in the sixteenth century, and which by the Romanists is considered as having finally set at rest all disputes respecting the points of doctrine litigated between themselves and the Reformed. [7]
The declarations of that last reputed infallible General Council run in manner following.
1. This faith was ALWAYS in THE CHURCH OF GOD. [8a]
2. The UNIVERSAL CHURCH thus ALWAYS understood. [8b]
3. This matter was ALWAYS held for certain in THE CHURCH OF GOD. [8c]
4. The sacred scriptures declare, and the tradition of THE CATHOLIC CHURCH has ALWAYS taught. [8d]
5. Since, by the testimony of SCRIPTURE, by apostolical tradition, and by the unanimous consent of THE FATHERS, the matter is perspicuous:—no one ought to doubt. [8e]
6. The Council of Trent, following the testimonies of THE SACRED SCRIPTURES and THE HOLY FATHERS and the most esteemed Councils and the judgment and consent of the Church herself, determines, confesses, and declares, these doctrines. [8f]
II. Here we have no ambiguity. The Church of Rome, we see, speaking through the organ of the Council of Trent, declares: that Her doctrines are revealed in Holy Scripture; and that, Expressly as such, they have always been unanimously taught by the Fathers, and have always been invariably received by the Church Universal. [8g]
III. Now the meanest capacity will at once perceive: that, In making this declaration, the Church of Rome asserts, not merely a point of opinion, but AN ABSOLUTE MATTER OF FACT.
The simple question, therefore, is: Whether the asserted FACT be capable of substantiation by competent EVIDENCE.
1. In submitting this matter to the plain and honest inquirer, it is obvious, that nothing more is necessary: than, first, to state any particular doctrine of the Roman Church; next, to bring forward either the silence or the declarations of Scripture; and, lastly, to adduce the testimony of the Fathers.
2. By the adoption of such a plan, without a grain of any extraordinary learning, and by the mere exercise of common sense, every reader will be enabled fully to judge for himself.
3. Nor can a member even of the Roman Church justly refuse to hear me. For the present is simply A QUESTION OF FACT: and, by Mr. Berington, one of his own Clergy, he is distinctly assured; that It is no article of Catholic Faith, that the Church cannot err in MATTERS OF FACT. [9] Under the express sanction, therefore, of Mr. Berington, the laic gentlemen of the Roman Church will, I hope, be persuaded to indulge me with their company.