Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/132

 is, what Christ revealed to them, recourse must be had to the Churches which they founded, and which they instructed by word of mouth, and by their epistles. For it is plain that all doctrine which is conformable to the faith of these Mother Churches, is true; being that which they received from the Apostles, the Apostles from Christ, Christ from God; and that all other opinions must be novel and false." Ibid. c. xvii. xix. xx. xxi. p. 334.

“ It is a maxim not to be controverted, that what was first delivered is evangelical and true; and what was afterwards imported is extraneous and false." By this rule all future heresies may be tried. But should they dare to arrogate to themselves the name of Apostolic, because at that time they may have been in existence, let them produce the origins of their Churches, the regular succession of their Bishops; so that the first in that order should have been an Apostle, or one constantly united with the Apostles. For in this manner the Apostolic Churches deduce the order of their successions. Smyrna has her Polycarp, appointed by St. John; Rome her Clement, ordained by St. Peter; and so the other Churches. Let the heretics shew this. And should they invent something like it, they will have gained nothing; since their doctrine, compared with that of the Apostles, by its diversity and contrariety will shew, that it came not from any Apostle nor apostolic man. For as the Apostles would not have taught discordant doctrines, so neither would their immediate followers have taught differently from them. To this rule those Churches appeal ; which, being of a much later foundation, as daily rising, claim not for their first Bishop either an Apostle or an immediate disciple; but maintaining the same faith, they may be deemed apostolic. Thus, on all sides are these heretics refuted.” Ibid. c. xxxi. xxxii. p. 337. “Now, would you