it had been received. Therefore the Bishops of the whole world, now singly, now assembled in Synod, following the long-established custom of Churches,[1] and the form of the ancient rule,[2] sent word to this Apostolic See of those dangers especially which sprang up in matters of faith, that there the losses of faith might be most effectually repaired where the faith cannot fail.[3] And the Roman Pontiffs, according to the exigencies of times and circumstances, sometimes assembling Œcumenical Councils, or asking for the mind of the Church scattered throughout the world, sometimes by particular Synods, sometimes using other helps which Divine Providence supplied, defined as to be held those things which with the help of God they had recognised as conformable with the Sacred Scriptures and Apostolic Traditions. For the Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter that by His revelation they might make known new doctrine, but that by His assistance they might inviolably keep and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith delivered through the Apostles. And indeed all the venerable Fathers have embraced and the holy orthodox Doctors have venerated and followed their Apostolic doctrine; knowing most fully that this See of holy Peter remains ever free from all blemish of error according to the Divine promise of the Lord our Saviour made to the Prince of His disciples: I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not, and, when thou art converted, confirm thy brethren.[4]
This gift, then, of truth and never-failing faith was conferred by heaven upon Peter and his successors in this Chair, that they might perform their high office for the salvation of all;- ↑ From a letter of S. Cyril of Alexandria to Pope S. Celestine I., a.d. 422, vol. vi. part ii. p. 36, Paris edition of 1638.
- ↑ From a Rescript of S. Innocent I. to the Council of Milevis, a.d. 402. Labbe, vol. iii. p. 47.
- ↑ From a letter of S. Bernard to Pope Innocent II., a.d. 1130. Epist. 191, vol. iv. p. 433, Paris edition of 1742.
- ↑ S. Luke xxii. 32. See also the Acts of the Sixth General Council, a.d. 680. Labbé, vol. vii. p. 659.
