The Faith of Catholics/Introduction
THE
FAITH OF CATHOLICS,
&c. &c.
THE RULE OF FAITH.
All that, and that only, is of Catholic Faith, which God has revealed, and the Church proposes to the belief of all.[1]
For any doctrine to be deemed of Catholic Faith, two things are necessary; first, that it should have been revealed: second, that it be proposed by the Church. Of which two conditions, if either be wanting, such doctrine is not of Catholic Faith. The second condition pre-supposes the first; for as the Apostles were commissioned to teach only such truths as they had received from Christ, that is, what he had revealed to them; so their successors in the ministry, by virtue of the same commission, and under the direction of the same Divine Spirit, continued to teach the same. It is by the touchstone of this Rule, that we wish each article of our faith to be proved; and, consequently, the doctrines contained in the following propositions.
- ↑ See Veron, De Regula Fidei Catholice.