NOTES.

NOTE A.

Many passages are, of course, quoted by Romish writers, from the Ante-Nicene fathers, in proof of the notions of Infallibility and Supremacy. The best of those passages are collated by the Jesuit Gaulterius. I have examined them with much care, and find them to be of two kinds; passages proving the superiority of St. Peter, but not affirming that it devolved on the bishops of Rome; and passages vindicating the immunity of the Church CATHOLIC from vital error. Both which opinions may be held by the reformed churches. Eusebius records the testimony of Irenæus against the attempted tyranny of Pope Victor. And Cyprian expressly affirms "Episcopum ab alio judicari non posse." Exercitat. I. Prof. Deylingii. The best testimonies in favour of the Romish doctrine seem to me to be those of Clement of Alexandria, and Origen; and for these, as

in other cases, we have to depend on Eusebius, (lib. ví. cap. 11.) writing in the fourth century. But even these do not prove any thing more than a Protestant might admit; and ean never satisfy a candid Romanist.

NOTE B.

"The expression Catholic Church must necessarily be understood of the Universal Church, comprehending within its bounds the visible professors of the Christian religion, owning the doctrine delivered by our Saviour and his Apostles, throughout the whole world; who, though necessarily divided into many separate congregations and particular Churches, yet compose but that One General Church, which is affirmed in the creed to be One, Holy, and Catholic: ONE, as to her faith and doctrine; ONE as to her love and charity : for the unity of the Church universal, besides that of faith, included the communion of love and concord between her particular members and Churches; insomuch that the Universal Church agrees as to the execution of ecclesiastical government, that whatsoever is justly determined in one Church is not thwarted and contradicted by another. Therefore, the Fathers, in their disputes against heretics, made frequent references unto the faith and doctrine of THE CHURCH; which method is frequently used by Tertullian, in whose works is the

first mention of this clause I believe the Holy Catholic Church,' as an article of the creed (which was afterwards put into it); particularly in his book of Prescriptions against Heretics, he several times refers his readers to the faith received in the Church, and admonishes them to reject as lies, whatsoever doctrines were contrary to the truth of the Churches so united."-Hist. of the Ap. Creed.

Some of the strongest instances of the early Fathers', affirming the general Indefectibility of the CATHOLIC Church, its freedom from vital error, and the duty of obedience to it, are the following:—

Ignatius ad Trall. :-Justin Martyr Apol. ad Anton. Pium.-Irenæus, and Tertullian-(See the "Tracts for the Times;" Records) and Cyprian, in his often-published tract on the UNITY of the Church.

NOTE C.

The Jesuits always write most when they have least to say. Among the voluminous "testimonies adduced from the Ante-Nicene fathers, in support of the "Sacrament" of Penance, I confess I cannot meet with one plausible one. Whoever wishes to consult them for himself, may find them in the book before quoted: Gaulter's Tabulæ Chrono.

NOTE D.

The treatise of Bishop Cosen (republished in the Oxford Tracts,) on Transubstantiation, has fully exposed its want of evidence, either in Scripture or Catholic antiquity. I was considerably startled, however, by the apparent testimony of Cyril of Jerusalem to this doctrine; on which the Romish writers frequently rest. But the passage from his Catachesis has been thoroughly examined and vindicated in the exercitation entitled"Cyrillus Hier. a Corruptelis Pontificiis purgatus." Prof. Deyling, Lipsia. In the same volume there is also a valuable exercitation, entitled "Errorum Pontificiorum Novitas, circa S. Eucharistiam."

NOTE E.

The sacrifice of the Mass is unsanctioned by antiquity. No honest man can pretend to be satisfied by the miserable evidence usually adduced. Yet the Council of Trent (Can. II. Sess. 22,) anathematises all who deny it! It was an ancient custom, and one derived from the apostles' days, that none of the faithful should 'partake of the Holy Eucharist, unless they brought an

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offering" (poopopa) of bread, wine, or other things, which were presented at the altar. Béλera (says