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}

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.