PREFACE.

THE present work has been ready for some time past, although its publication has been unavoidably delayed. On the appearance of Dr. Pusey's Eirenicon, the writer formed the intention of giving a condensed account of the whole controversy between Catholics and the Tractarian School. Further consideration, however, convinced him that it would be better to confine himself to the two fundamental points of the entire controversy, for by these, and by these alone, can it be decided, and these once settled, all minor difficulties will speedily vanish.

Hence the subject of this treatise is the Authority and Infallibility of the Pope and Church; two crucial topics, misunderstood alike, if not equally, in every form of religion external to Catholicism; the former being concerned with the constitution of the Church itself, the latter having reference to its claims as a teacher. Now, though the High Church party, as they are called, most nearly approximate to that Church which alone is Catholic, they too share in the common error of Pro

testants, inasmuch as the communion which they mistake for the true Church has, according to their system, no visible foundation or centre of unity, nor do they attribute to it the office of an infallible teacher, since they consider the Scriptures to be in some sense the exclusive deposit of revelation.

The truth is, that Jesus Christ founded the Church upon St. Peter and his successors--that is, upon their authority, which is supreme in ruling and infallible in instructing, and He committed His teaching to the Apostles and their successors in the Episcopate, with the object of transmitting it from one generation toanother till the end of time, entire and unaltered, preserved in its integrity by the might of that Holy Spirit, who was to be with the Church for ever, and to teach it all truth. It follows, consequently, that the whole fabric of Christ's Church is held together by the Supreme Authority of the Pope, whilst Infallibility resides in the living, unerring magisterium.

These two points have been treated with especial reference to the errors and misconceptions of the Trac-tarian School. For the sake of clearness and method,. the work is divided into three portions. The first, now presented to the public, has for its theme, the Supreme Authority of the Pope as centre and foundation of the whole Church. The second will treat of Papal Infallibility, and explain its intimate connection with the Church, its nature and its extent. The concluding volume will be occupied with the consideration of

Catholic teaching in its true origin and real development.

It has been the author's endeavour to assign as large a space as was practicable to the historical and other difficulties which seemingly contradict the principles laid down, and which prejudice and misrepresentation have caused so many sincere inquirers to consider quite irreconcilable with the present system of the Church. Amongst these are the refusal of St. Gregory the Great to assume or allow in others the title of "Universal Bishop," the African controversy in the fifth century, the Canons of the Council of Sardica, the well-known Twenty-eighth Canon of Chalcedon, the Gallican system, the Councils of Constance and Florence, the errors ascribed to Popes Liberius and Honorius, the development of doctrine, and other such questions.

Brevity and solidity have been consulted as much as possible. Thus each volume will be of a very moderate size, though each will contain a complete treatment of the matter discussed. At the same time, to prove that nothing is asserted arbitrarily, brevity has not been allowed to stand in the way of constant reference to authorities, and of frequent quotation of the documents referred to.

The author tenders no apology for faults of style. Were there none it would not be his own work, and that there are no more is owing to the kind assistance which he gratefully acknowledges. He is aware that the earnest

seeker after truth-and for such alone he writesknowing the vital importance of the subject, will set more store upon the matter here treated than upon the dress in which it comes before him.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

(pp. 1-6.)

1. Importance of the Subject-Opinions of Mr. Palmer and of
Dr. Browne in accordance with the Catholic Doctrine. II. Design
of the Treatise. III. Principles of Dr. Pusey and of Anglicans
generally concerning the Papacy. IV. Summary of their system.

SECTION I.

UNITY AND SUPREMACY IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

(pp. 7--29.)

I. False idea of Church Unity held by Protestants-Divine Pro-
totypes of the Church. II. The essential character of these Pro-
totypes-The Church centre must be numerically one. III. Close
connection between Church Unity and Supremacy according to
the ancient Fathers: St. Cyprian, Pope Cornelius, St. Ambrose,
St. Jerome St. Cyprian's beautiful conception of Church Unity
and Papal Supremacy-St. Jerome on the same subject-St.
Optatus of Milevis. IV. The doctrine was fully acknowledged
by the Gallicans as a matter of faith-Terms on which Bossuet
would have agreed to the union of England with Rome. V. Dr.
Wake and Du Pin-Great mistake of Dr. Pusey concerning
the matter. VI. Two passages of St. Cyprian misrepresented by
Dr. Pusey. VII. They prove the opposite doctrine to that which
he quoted them to prove. VIII. The Greek and Protestant view
of Church Unity is contrary to that conveyed in the Epistles of
St. Paul-It is illogical. IX. It is contrary to the view of the
Scripture and of the ancient Fathers.