"I state in distinct propositions the articles of belief as
"briefly, but as comprehensively as may be: and these pro-
positions I generally take from a small tract, entitled
"Roman Catholic Principles,' published anonymously to-
"wards the close of the reign of Charles II. This I did,
"because those principles, a few clauses excepted, are drawn
"up with great precision; and because, in stating points of
"religious belief, I feel a predilection for whatever bears the
stamp of age. Antiquity is the badge of our faith. In any
"other view, as the Catholic creed in all its articles is clearly
" defined, and is as unchangeable as it has been unchanged,
"it mattered not whence the propositions were taken." Bė-
rington's Introduction, p. iii.
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which
are approved may be made manifest among you.
The violation of Christian unity foretold.-The prin-
ciples of Nonconformists, as explained by Winter, Con-
der, Bass, Fielding, and in the "Life of a Dissenting
"Minister," compared with the Scriptures. 1. The
right of private judgment and unlimited inquiry in reli-
gion. 2. National establishments for religion. 3. The
nature of ecclesiastical unity. 4. Ministerial authority.
5. Misapprehension of Matt. xx. 25-28. 6. Aposto-
lical succession. 7. Orders of ministry. 8. Election
of Ministers, and right of the people in the administra-
tion of ecclesiastical affairs.-Independence of the pri-
mitive Churches, and voluntary nature of Christian
communion. 9. Baptism. 10. Confirmation. II. The