AN INQUIRY INTO THE CATHOLIC TRUTHS HIDDEN UNDER CERTAIN ARTICLES OF THE CREED OF THE CHURCH OF ROME. PART II. ORIGINAL SIN AND JUSTIFICATION. BY CHARLES SMITH, B.D., RECTOR OF NEWTON, SUFFOLK, AND FORMERLY FELLOW AND TUTOR OF PREFACE. In preparing the Second Part of this work for the Press, the Author feels assured that all who discern the signs of the times must be convinced that the controversy with Rome requires more than ever a direct and systematic examination of the Decrees of the Council of Trent, and also that the Truths hidden under those Decrees should be sought out and duly honoured; so that Protestantism may appear in its true character of witnessing for Truth as well as protesting against its perversion. In this conviction he has been confirmed by those writers who reviewed the former part of this work, and also by less public notices, with which he has been favoured. NEWTON RECTORY, June, 1850. ORIGINAL SIN AND JUSTIFICATION. "I embrace and receive all things and each one of them, which have been defined and declared in the Holy Council of Trent concerning Original Sin and Justification." As the doctrine of Justification necessarily involves that of Original Sin, it seems more convenient to consider the former in the first place; and as the Tridentine Decrees on these subjects are prolix and much confused, especially in the metaphysical statements, it seems also desirable to prefix to their investigation the Scriptural doctrine of Justification, and then review each section of the Decrees. The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, involved in the Decree on Original Sin, * Omnia et singula, quæ de Peccato Originali et de Justificatione in Sacro-sanctâ Tridentinâ Synodo definita et declarata fuerunt, amplector et recipio. B |