The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, 1891 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, 1891

When we turn to the other camp, the first thing that strikes us is the violation of this order and harmony. Here there has ever been a tendency to set up some one of the authorities or sources of truth, and disparage the others. Undercurrents were, no doubt, at work long before the epen revolt. We may, however, conveniently date the movement from its outbreak in the days of the Western schism.

The first stage is the attempt of certain theologians at Pisa, Constance, and Basle to set the Councils above the Pope. Following close on this we have the Reformers setting up Scripture as the sole authority to the disparage ment of Pope and Council, Church and tradition. And more recently, we find one of the secondary sources-natural reason - exalted above all the others. Such are, in brief out line, the chief stages of this fatal movement. It is hardly necessary to add that in every case the exaltation was really illusory. To sever the Councils from their true head and ruler, is to degrade them. To wrest the Bible from the guardian hands of the Church, and give it to the fickle multitude, that they may interpret and misinterpret it as they list, is, after all, a strange kind of honour.

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