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own See, holds out to all who seek it the true faith.'[1] Or in those of one who, with a profusion of learning and irresistible evidence, has destroyed for ever the Acts of 1682: 'This tradition of the Fathers does not only derive from Peter to his successor a general primacy, but also a firmness which never fails in propounding the dogmas of faith from Peter's Chair; nay, it exhibits Peter himself, that is, the immoveable Rock of Faith, the pillar and foundation, as still living and teaching in his Chair and See; it regards the Roman Pontiffs as one person with Peter; and it describes them with the same honours, and invests them with the same titles, as Peter himself.[2]'

I will now go on to the second reason which suggested what has hitherto been said.

Subordinate in importance to the Primacy and Chair of Peter, but far beyond that of the celebration of the Centenary, is the other subject announced by the Holy Father in the Allocution of June 26; namely, the intention to convene a General Council. The words which fell from his lips will be long remembered, and the intense response of heart and mind with which they were heard.

The Holy Father spoke as follows:—'Nothing is more desired by us, venerable brethren, than that we should gather from this your union with the Apostolic See the fruit which we hold to be the most salutary

  1. S. Petri Chrys. Ep. ad Eutychen apud S. Leon. M. Opp. tom. i. pp. 241–2, Ed. Lugd. 1700.
  2. Orsi de Rom. Pontif. Auctor. tom. ii. 338.