The exercise of faith impossible except in the Catholic Church

W.G Penny

Sujets

• Apologetics
• Catholic Church

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• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 6
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

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THE
J1L
EXERCISE OF FAITH
IMPOSSIBLE
EXCEPT IN THE
CHUKCH.CATHOLIC
7
1
BY W. G. PENNY,
o
LATE STUDENT OF CHRIST OXFORD.CHURCH,
LONDON:
THOMAS ANDRICHARDSON
FLEET DAWSON172, STREET; 16, STREET, DUBLIN;
1846./ZPREFACE.
ofsaid of late theSo much has been upon subject
awhile at the same time suchChurch veryauthority,
theof view and so much uncertainty upongreat variety
time inat the Eng-altogether prevails presentsubject
is made tothat it is that whichland, hoped any attempt
it be inthethrow anylight upon question, (whether
atsuccessful or will meet withnot,) indulgence.degree
for it ishands of those for whom it is writtenthe ;
as a towardsin the that it servewritten hope may step
needsthat which is felt to be one of themeeting great
until ofof the in that the authorityday, great question
enter into discus-is it seems almost tosettled, hopeless
of nor can con-sions matters of doctrine or detail,upon
be to a successful and termi-troversies brought lasting
whom are tonjition until men are as toagreed they
refer them to for decision and not; this, but,only
here there is felt towhat is considered,principally
I a connectionb( so intimate, inseparable,may say
between the true faith and the thehaving going by
that it deserves our most attentiveproper authority,
consideration what we are to follow. No Chris-guide
tian will for that one who deniesallow, instance, any
the truth of the can be said to have trueScripturesIV PREFACE.
even he to hold much offaith, though may happen
the truth which is therein contained.
It is not a little remarkable that the ofquestion
should hun-Church have existed for threeauthority
dred and be unsettled in the; fact,years, yet entirely
confusion to it does but increase. Irelating speak
of it as an unsettled not thatquestion, meaning thereby,
it is one which admits of but as onedoubt,really being
into which those who called it have notquestion
decided or uniform answerthemselves given ;any very
there in of them re-fact,is, every opinion amongvariety
to it some of them act almost the Catholic;lating upon
others it All this showsprinciple, despise altogether.
that the of the Reformation are butprinciples very
little men talk of them but whatknown; acting upon
are the Reformed at canWJw, least,they? among
intell what are ? That are some con-they they way
"nected with in distinction from theprivate judgment"
ofthe Church is butwith;authority plain enough regard
to the extent to which is theallowable,private judgment
are no meansReformed how for in-far,by agreed;
are bound to the conclusions of thestance, they accept
or to assent to articles drawn theReformers, up by pri-
vate of others or how the them at;judgment accepting
all is consistent with the of orright private judgment,
whether be exercised in deter-private judgment may
what is as well as what is inmining Scripture, Scrip-
&c. is the of the Reforma-ture, What, then, principle
and what is its character ? Is ittion, evil,unmitigated
or is it ? Has it its and its bad ?pure good good points
Did it too or not far ? Is it andfar, enough completego
or does it need All these havefinal, developing? opinions
cf the Reformed com-their adherents membersamongPREFACE. V
that move-Some abuse the leaders ofmimities. great
some them but whateverand ;ment, they maypraise
think of whether well or somehow,them, ill, yet,
to callthe mention of their name seems upsurely
all from whatdifferent in the minds offeelings parties
the name of anwould at the mention of
they experience
will not iden-and ! Their admirersProphetApostle
with and on the one hand,them Apostles Prophetstify
with ordi-will their class themnor opponents entirely
fol-heretics on the other hand.* Nor are theirnary
have thelowers as to whetheragreed they purified
not tooor havefaith sufficiently, they gone
them with a rulefar. It is to assist in furnishing
ascertain how far theor standard whichby they may
has affected the faith of thoseReformation really
that this iswho follow it, published.paper
of it was drawn before conver-An outline up my
at the time. Sincebut was not then,sion, published
hasadded to and the whole beenhave been it,parts
into a size than that in which it
developed greater
written.was originally
to me ifIt will be a cause of sincere gratification
in ever soit is in instrumental, thoughany way
the need which is feltsmall a indegree, meeting by
the in which I wasreligious community brought up,
socialand with which I am still connected, thoughby
and which still containsao ties,longer by religious
are dear to me and havein it some who especially
me with the kindness.treated very greatest May
be at to it! it is to belength granted thoughpeace
* A excellent distinction has been a member ofbyvery given
Church of which will be stated farther on.the England,VI PREFACE.
feared that it will find it until it has firsthardly
still confusion a confusion whoseexperienced greater
sound seems to louder and louder as the deedgrow
of the Reformers becomes better known and under-
stood.
Littlemore,
Feast the B. M. V. 1846.of Desponsation of