26 IMT?ODUCTIOfI. [BOOK article of their faith.** In representing, therefore, the doctrines of the Church of Rome, let us hear their own standards of faith, and let us hear them as they stand in their acknowledged and authenticated for- mulas, as exhibited by the authorities of their church. But while Pro- tenants do not desire to misrepresent the Church of Rome, she should not be allowed to rn/,v?re?nt/er, df We cannot take the glosses and interpretation of individual clergymen, or even of whole provinces, as the standat? of her creed. We will have recourse, then, not to the misrepresentations of Protestants, (as RomanisM are pleased sometimes to call sound argument,) nor to their own concealed or misrepresented expositions, designed to blind Protestants and Romanists; we adduce the standards which are acknowledged by them. The articles of faith of the Eoman Catholic Church are to be found in its accredited creeds, catechisms, formulades, and decrees. These received the finishing touch by the Council of Trent, whose decisions respecting doctrines, morals, and discipline, are held sacred by every Roman Catholic in every country. 3. It should, however, be observed, that in the decrees o?' the Council of Trent, as well as in numerous others of their standards, many thinga are expressed in a vague manner, and that designedly. Besides, in Ihese decrees, and in their Catechism, several doctrines and rules of worship are inculcated in a much more rational and decent manner, than that in which they appear in the service of the church, and in the public practico of its members. This is true especially in reference to the doctrine of purgatory, the invocation of saints, and the worship of images and relics. 4. The following standards no Roman Catholic c?n, with any con- sistency, deny or evade; although most of them will explain them away in any manner, whenever this can be done to their advantage. They are the creed and oath of Pius IV.; the episcopal oath of feudal alle- giance to the Pope; the Tridentine Catechism; the councils, particu- larly that of Trent; papal bulls and breves; liturgical books, such' as the Breviary, Missal, Pontificals, Rituals, and devotional books, &c. H. THE CREED AND OATH OF POPE PW8 IV. 1. Perhaps in no other document do we find the Roman Catholic creed in a less exceptionable form Oran in the creed of' Pope Plus IV., bearing date November, 1564. It was immediately received through- out their church, and since that time has ever been considered as am accurate summary of their faith. It is binding upon all clergymen, doctors, teachers, heads of universities and of monastic institutions and military orders, with all reconciled converts. 2. We have the testimony of Romanists themselves, that the profes- sion of this creed, under the solemn sanction of m? sarA, is obligatory on the whole body of the Roman Church. Dr. Milner says: "The same creeds, namely, the apostles' creed, the Nicene creed, the Atha- nasian creed, and the creed of Pope Plus IV., drawn up in conformity with the definitions of the Council of Trent, are everywhere recited and professed to the strict letter.*** Charles Buder, speaking of creed of Plus IV., says: "It was immediately received tlwonghout ?tl?e �End of' Contr., p. 99. 1
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