itself we adhere to the consentient definitions and determinations of all, or at least of almost all priests and doctors."[1]
Vincent's famous Canon states the appeal to tradition in a triple form: in relation to place and time and persons. The test of a doctrine's apostolic character is its universality in place and time. That which commands a consent virtually coextensive with the Church's existence, across the entire world geographically, and across the entire Christian ages historically, constitutes the Catholic Faith.
Vincent's application of this test to several instances shows alike its clearness and its use.
i. First Case—If the Local oppose the Universal.
"What, then, will a Catholic Christian do if a small portion of the Church have cut itself off from the communion of the universal faith?
"What, surely, but prefer the soundness of the whole body to the unsoundness of a pestilent and corrupt member?"
ii. Second Case—If the Modern oppose the Ancient.
"What if some novel contagion seek to infect not merely an insignificant portion of the Church, but the whole?
"Then it will be his care to cleave to antiquity, which at this day cannot possibly be seduced by any fraud of novelty.
"To preach any doctrine therefore to Catholic Christians other than what they have received never was lawful, never is lawful, never will be lawful."
Thus according to Vincent the Christian obligation is to keep that deposit of doctrine which is committed to our trust. And this obligation rests in general on
- ↑ Commonitorium, ii.
