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Rh teaching and of ruling, together with the charge of the whole flock on earth.

(2.) That this power was so given to him that he was able to act alone and supremely, apart from the other Apostles; whereas the other Apostles were unable to act except in subordination to him.

(3.) That to him a special assistance was granted, to sustain him in the knowledge and declaration of the faith, and a special office committed to him to confirm and to sustain the faith of the Apostles; so that the deposit of faith was doubly secured, first in the person of Peter, and next in the college of the Apostles in union with him.

(4.) That this Divine foundation and institution of the Church is perpetual; that Peter lives on in his successors, and the college of the Apostles in the episcopate; so that both the Chair of Peter is indefectible and infallible, and also the episcopate in union with it.

Such are, in fact, the principles which were embodied in this great solemnity; and that I may more fully and completely express this confession of faith, I will take the words of another, more capable than I am to convey its full force.

'Rome, through its bishop, successor of the Apostle S. Peter, forms the centre of unity to the whole Church. Hence those marks and notes, which are for the purpose of designating the kingdom of God on earth, must, in virtue of such title, attach to the Roman Church, as chief among all particular Churches,