Apostles committed the care of their Churches, and they ran into devious paths, foreign from the truth. But they, who adhered to the Church, continued to profess, with all nations, the doctrine, which the Apostles had delivered, with one and the same Faith, believing in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; meditating on the same precepts, upholding the same ordinances, expecting the coming of the Lord, and the salvation of men. The teaching of the Church is true and stable, shewing to all men the same one path of salvation; for to her has been committed the light and the wisdom of God. As the wise man says: (Prov. c. 1.) she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth on the highest walls ; she speaketh without ceasing in the city gates. Every where the Church proclaims the truth; she is the candlestick with the seven lamps; (Exod. xxv.) bearing the light of Christ.” Adv. Hæreses. L. v. c. 20. p. 317.
CENT. III.
St. CYPRIAN, L. C.-“The Church, imbrued with the light of the Lord, sends forth her rays over the whole earth; yet is the light one, every where diffused, and its unity undivided : she extends her branches, by the power of her fecundity, into all regions, and her streams are as widely spread; yet the head is one, and the spring is one.” De Unit. Eccl. p. 195.
CENT. IV.
St. HILARY, L. C.—“ The light or lamp of Christ is not to be hidden under a bushel, nor concealed by any covering of the synagogue; but hung, as it were, on the wood of the passion, it will give light for ever to those that dwell in the
