SCRIPTURE.
Matt. xi. 25, 26. “At that time Jesus answered and said: I praise thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Even so, Father, for so hath it seemed good in thy sight.” Ibid. xvi. 17. “ And Jesus answering, said unto him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona : because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.”
John xv. 22. “If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin : but now they have no excuse for their sin."
1 Cor. i. 27. “But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise ; and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong." 16. ii. 12. 13. “Now we have received, not the spirit of this world, but the spirit that is of God: that we may know the things that are given us from God: which things also we speak, not in the learned words of human wisdom; but in the doctrine of the spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
Eph. iv. 11, 14. “And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some other Evangelists, and other some Pastors and Doctors. That henceforth we be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive."
THE AUTHORITY AND MARKS OF THE CHURCH.
PROPOSITION VI.
The way or means, by which to arrive at the knowledge of the divine truths, is attention and submission to the voice of the Pastors of the Church; a Church established by Christ for the instruction of all; spread for that end through all nations: visibly continued in the succession of Pastors and people through all ages. Whence the marks of this Church are, Unity, Visibility, Indefectibility, Succession from the Apostles, Universality and Sanctity.
