"Rome has spoken, the cause is finished. It is certain that this formula of St Augustine possesses something decisive and absolute about it like an axiom. It says everything. 'Rome has spoken, the cause is finished.' Rome has spoken; all is said, the rest is of no consequence.
"But the objection to this is that St Augustine never said that at all."
Gratry then quotes the passage as it actually occurs. To Gratry's mind the real words do not even imply that the judgment of Rome by itself is everything ; while the misquoted formula does.[1]
4. Constantly appealed to again are the words of St Jerome.
"I know that the Roman faith praised by the Apostle's voice does not accept suggestion of such a kind. Although an angel taught otherwise than that which has been once proclaimed, strengthened by the authority of St Paul, it could not change."[2]
"Upon this rock I know that the Church is builded. I entreat you, authorise me by your letters either to assert or not to assert three substances. I shall not fear to assert three substances if you order me."[3]
Here, then, St Jerome is found affirming that the Roman Church cannot fail, and that he who accepts its instruction cannot be misguided.[4]
On the other hand, Bishop Bossuet appeals to Jerome's own account of Pope Liberius that he was induced to endorse heresy, and that, overcome by the weariness of exile, he subscribed to heretical error.[5]
