PROLEGOMENA. XL 



At all times breaking out and subduing every 

 sort of opposition, recovering from temporary 

 local destruction like a phoenix, repelling the 

 shafts of ridicule, glorying in the tortures of 

 martyrdom, conducting men in virtue through 

 ages otherwise dark and ferocious, and now 

 increasing everywhere on the wrecks of its most 

 formidable opponent, sceptical philosophy ; it must 

 prove to all those whose heads are not as stupid 

 as their hearts are cold, that the Fire of Charity 

 is never extinguished, as our holy Father St. 

 Ignatius used to say, but will be always re- 

 kindled by the Wood of tlie Cross, in spite of the 

 foul and troubled waters of Heresy, which may 

 for a time damp its energies and diminish its 

 flame. 



IV. Its Apostolicity is proved by the suc- 

 cession of Popes, Bishops, and Clergy, from St. 

 Peter to our present days, and, according to 

 promise, to the end of time : with these Vicars 

 Apostolic we believe the authority delegated by 

 -Christ to reside, as our visible guide to Heaven. 



In opj)osition to Catholicity founded upon au- 

 thority, is Heresy founded, paradoxically enough, 

 on the assumed right of private judgment to 

 explain doctrines admittedly above human com- 

 prehension, and incapable, from the very nature 

 of man, and his various imperfections, of being 

 judged of and expounded by any individual 



