xxxvi PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. Before I conclude, I make it my request to the reader, who wishes to derive any benefit from this Treatise, to suspend his judgment, till he has read with some attention one Part of it at least. For there are many passages which, if taken out of their connection, may be liable to gross misinterpretations, and chargeable with the most absurd consequences. Trinity College, Dublin, CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAP. II. The Three Distinct Orders of Bishops, Presbyters (or Priests,) and Deacons, proved from the Scrip- tures and Primitive Fathers............. CHAP. III. Of the Necessity of the Order of Bishops to the Constitution of the Catholic Church............................................ CHAP. IV. Of the Necessity of Church Communion, and the CHAP. V.-The Reformed Episcopal Church in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a Sound and Orthodox CHAP. III.-The Supremacy of the Bishop of Rome confuted from the Primitive Fathers, with an Account of the primitive Method of preserving the Unity of the Catholic Church............... INTRODUCTION. THERE is no article of the Christian Faith, as laid down in our public creeds, that seems to be so strangely misunderstood, and so little attended to, as that in which we are taught to profess our belief of the Holy Catholic Church, And the mistakes and inattention so prevalent in regard to that important point are the more to be regretted, as the baneful consequences arising from this unhappy cause, daily exhibit an increasing tendency to disorder, confusion, and every evil work. On this important subject all information that is absolutely necessary, is to be obtained from an accurate examination of the Word of God alone. "Because (says Chrysostom,) at this time heresy has infected the Church, the Divine Scriptures only can afford a proof of genuine christianity, and a refuge to those who are desirous of arriving at the truth of Faith. Formerly, it could be evinced by various means which was the true Church of Christ,-which the Church of the Gentiles; but at present there is no other method left to those who are willing to discover the true church of Christ, but the Scriptures only, and why? Because heresy has all outward observances in common with her. If a man, therefore, be desirous of knowing the true Church of Christ, how will he be able to do it, amidst so great a resemblance, but by the Holy Scriptures only? Wherefore our Lord, foreseeing that such a great confusion of things would take place in the latter days, orders the christians who are desirous of arriving at the firmness of Faith, to have recourse to nothing but the Holy Scriptures; for if they look up to any thing else, they will be scandalized, and will perish, as not understanding which is the true Church*." * How St Chrysostom could write the above passage and yet regard the doctrine of private judgment as heretical, is a paradox (as a convert from the Romish Church observes,) which all the fine spun subtleties of modern schoolmen, would find it difficult to unravel. Rev. H. Wharton's Reply to Carrol, p. 29. 1788. |