38 sen it. TamE. [Boox I. tots; and who cares for {he opinion of an obscure priest or friar ? Thus nothing is so difficult as to know what the belief of Roman Catholics really is; and when a Protestant adduces their own writers as wit- nesses, he is frequenfiy told that he is a ,n/.?epre?ter of their church. 3. The legal enactments of ecclesiastical Rome are, however, still unrepealed, and still in force; and they must remain in force, unless the same authority which enacted should repeal them. A repeal seems to be impossible, as it is impracticable to reassemble another general council. Still provincial councils might be convened and disavow their erroneous principles. This would be showing a good will. Or the living pope might issue his decree to the same purpose. This would be doing sotn?tAiag in favour of truth. But until this is attempted, not/gag has been done. 4. As the object of the present undertaking is to furnish a correct view of the peculiar tenets of the Church of Rome, it is not necessary to offer any observations on those doctrines which she holds in common with other churches; such as the Trinity; the divinity, incarnation, and atonement of Christ; the divinity of the Spirit, he. How far these truths are held in righteousness, and whether their glory is not obscured and their influence much perverted by the errors and corrup- tions which are connected with their system, are inquiries which wilt occur toward the conclusion of this discussion. CHAPTER II. SCRIPTURE. I. STATmMBNT 01? THEIR Doe'raINS ON THE AVTH01tITY, READIN(J, Uwl?, INT?a- PIETATIO?, ?S?:L, 0f SCRIPTURE. 1. ScFipture and the word of God distinguished. Roman Catechism quoted. Roman Catholic version cited. Dr. Milner: 2. Council ot Trent quoted. Decree on tho canonical ,%ripturcs. Decree on their edition and use: 3 The fourth rule of the Index: 4. The principles deduced from the foregoing.-- II. Sm*!*,csENev oR PE?tt*EC'noN 0?' SCRIPT,RS. Proofs of this: 1. The direct testi- mony of Scripture itself. Many passages cited: 2. The absence of every other role on which we can depend: 3. The Scripture the best testimony of its own sufficiency 4. It is imssible Scripture should contat'n all things necessary: �he completeneaq of its contents: 6. Nothing material is preservedElsewhere: 7. The contrary doctrine is the source of numerous and great errors, such as Shakerism, Mormonisln, &c.-- III. TaE Sc.a?m'vass ,?ts PLizs oR CL?*S. I. Romantats say they are obscure: 2. The writers of them must, at least, be as competent as other writers: 3. The 01d Testa- ment was given to the Jews: 4. The New was addressed to all the saints: 5. They are represented as a light to in?truct and guide: 6. Examination of 2 Pet. iii, 16': 7. Protestants provide against the obscurity of Script,re: 8. Ability to understand it thoroughly, not the rule of permission to possess and read it. I)eficieney of the Church of Rome, both in explaining and promoting a knowledge of Scripture 9. Mankind liable to fall into error.?IV. Tsz SCa?PTVa*. Ta? Rv?cs Ass .sLY RVLt or F*tTtt ANn PStlCT?C,?. 1. The Protestant and Roman Catholic rules defined: 2. The Scripture points out no other rule than itself: 3. The primitive church ac- knowled no other' 4 Private jud eat not the Protestant rule Protestant rule explame .?. 'd Insulated private judgment considered: 5. Uncertainty of the Roman Catholic rule. They are obliged to adopt sometimes the Protestant rule. Dr. !ariseman cited. An ?tCT Or r?tt?a. lfmpl?c?t ]aith a substitute for faith. The absurdity of it. The collier'z faith. Their curious distinctions and definitions. Doubts of Rosnan Catholics and Protestants compared. Dr. Milner's obiection , that Proteat?ats on t/?r own ?t/?,'ata, answered. Death-bed conrelax.ns: 6. Arrogant assertions/ I '
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