The Apostolical Jurisdiction and Succession of the Episcopacy in the British Churches Vindicated Against the Objections of Dr. Wiseman in the Dublin Review (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1840 Excerpt: ... "how any verdict but that of schism could be "pronounced against ic. It is in a state of sepa"ration from the aggregate of churches dispersed "over the world. It cannot make an excuse, it "cannot raise a point either of fact or right in bar "of judgment, which has not been already met by "the judicious sagacity of the great supporters of "the unity of the church, when combating the "cavils of the Donatists y." I trust that, from what has been said, it is evident, that the principles and positions of the Donatists were entirely contrary to ours; and that our adversaries are entirely precluded from employing against us the arguments which the Fathers directed against those schismatics. SECTION XVII. COMMUNION WITH THE SEE OF ROME NO INVARIABLE CRITERION OF UNION WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.--DR. WISEMAN'S ARGUMENTS TO THE CONTRARY REFUTED.--CONCLUSION OF OUR VINDICATION. "The second criterion of the true church," says Dr. W. "is closely allied to the first, though simpler "in its application. According to the doctrine of "the ancient Fathers, it is easy at once to ascertain "who are the church Catholic, and who are in a "state of schism, by simply discovering who are in "communion with the see of Rome, and who are "not."" This test is certainly simple enough, in more senses than one. Let us, before we enter on the examination of Dr. W.'s proofs, dwell a little on the doctrine of the Fathers concerning this point. r Ibid. p. 162. There is every reason to believe, that Victor, bishop of Rome, excommunicated the Asiatic churches, in consequence of their refusal to adopt the Roman mode of celebrating Easterb. Did the church generally regard the churches of Asia as schismatical, because they were separated from the communion of the Roman see 2 Far from it: they remai...