CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT.
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]