Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-03

| on us the fallaey OF the vicious circle.
Again, the connection between the premises
and the conclusion of sound argument is so
! complete and perfect, that, although the truth
| of the former should be apparent, still-when
by their means the truth of the conclusion be-
comes evident, though in reality the certainty
of their truth is not increased-still the salts
| faction of contemplating it isenhanced, and the
mind becomes more grathed from the exhibl-
ton. This additional pleasure is, by several,
mistaken for new proof of the premises them
! selves. Thus, though should know a man to
be wise, and good, and generous, | feel addl-
tional pleasure from contemplating the new ex-
hbitions OF his wisdom, and his goodness and
his generosity-my qualification, but not my
conviction, is increased. Should [ from a
Church, which kno,U 10 be infalllble, receive
books, of whose inspiration | could have no
knowledge but for her tesrimony-should find
in those books themselves, additional exhibit
tons Of what | already knew, viz. her infallibl-
lily; my former knowledge is not derived from
this late discovery, though | feel my pleasure
thereby augmented. And although cannot
fairly use this late and gratifying discovery to
prove my original premises, it will not be the
error Of vicious circle to apply it as conhr-
nation of that, for which had already con-
vincing evidence.
1t not untrequenuy happens regarding the
proof and value of written documents, that their
authenticity can be proved only by the authorl-
~ Of tribunal; the authority of which tribunal
was evident without tEadocuments, and before
they existed; but when by the authority Of the
tribunal their value was established. the docu-
rnenls themselves were found to contain new
proof Of the authority of the tribunal. Yet to
use this new proof in addition to that which was
old and sufficient, and which existed before
the documents were written, would not be ar
guing in a circle; because though admitting
their value, their testimony would prove the
power Of The tribunal; still it was not by them
it was originally proved Thus if stranger
has the public testimony that the persons who
preside in one of our courts are the supreme
Judges of the stale, this testimony is evidence
for him of their authority.
Having this knowledge OF their power; he OBJ
serves their proceedings;he beholds them not on
ly declare that certain books have legal author-
ty, but he finds that they interpret certain pass
ages Of those books, as being good testimony in
favour Of their exercise Of power; they never re-
fer TO the commission by virtue Of which they
sit, but they refer to the book, which their de-
cision explains Surely no person would say
that this court was guilty Of vicious circle,
by claiming their power OF decision from the
book, and by their decision making the book 10
be authority. For it is obvious that their pow
er Of decision existed and was generally known
without the book: and the general tenor OF the
book night be known before their decision, and
might be valuable before the decison; yet it
was by the decision of what was The exact i'm
port Of the passages, the application became
precisely hxeG
It now rests with me to shew that il is not
from the Scriptures that Roman Catholics
learn the infallibilty of the Church, though it
is from that infallible church they do learn the
inspiration of the Scriptures. And indeed my
friends, after deep and serious investigation
hesitate not to avow, with one whom | should
not name in the same line with myself, the great
ST. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. 81 would not
believe the Gospel were | moi induced thereto
by the authority of the Church"
Ia order to view the case fairly and without
prejudice must go to its origin in the mode
of creating the ecclesiastical tribunal, and OF
getting from that tribunal the testimony Of the
inspiration Of the Scriptures. We must then
take the facts in their historical order. We in
such case have no Scriptures of either old or
new law, recognised as being inspired, and we
go back TO Judea at the time previous TO the
death Of our Saviour. | know from history
what now assert | know the facts also from
documents and monuments of the highest cha
racter. The observant person would at that
time have witnessed vast number of miracles
performed by the Saviour: from the evidence OF
the miracles, the truth of his doctrine, and his
power to grant commission and to state what
the extent of that commission should be, must
result. He does teach doctrine, and gives his
commission to some of his followers. He is
put to death; he arises, this resurrection is pro-
claimed: miracles prove its truth He sends
the Holy Ghost upon those whom he commits
sions, they prove and confirm this fact by mi
racles Their commission is now evidently es-
tablished, and they may be easily known; the
commission is extended, and is to be still more
extended and perpetuated, and the miraculous
confirmation accompanies It's extension and its
continuance No fact was ever more evident
TO any community, than was the commission of
the early teachers of those who behed them
| That they were commissioned amongst other
things to teach the doctrine of Christ to all
men, and to provide for its continuance TO the
end Of the world, and for its extension to every
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