here decline to place in the range of subjects for the exercise of Infallibility ecclesiastical matters, I mean to exclude all those matters which commonly form the subject of ecclesiastical processes, as, for instance, marriage questions, benefice questions, patronage questions, church-building questions, &c.; questions of faith of course the Pope decides as Supreme Teacher.
(2) As doctrinal definitions comprehend doctrines respecting the faith as well as doctrines respecting morals, it will often happen in the nature of things that definitions on the latter of these two subjects, viz. morals, will be issued to the universal Church in the form of a command or prohibition from the Pope (Precepta morum).
(3) Here, in order that we may better understand the subject, it will be well to compare what we are now saying with what is said in the third chapter of the Vatican definition de fide, where it is expressly taught that the Pope possesses the highest power of jurisdiction over the whole Church, 'not only in matters of faith and morals, but also in matters of the discipline and government of the Church
from the Pope's authority. Ballerini expresses himself to the same effect (De vi ac Ratione Primatûs Rom. Pontiff. cap. xiv. § vi. Veronæ, 1766, p. 287–8): 'Solas itaque fidei definitiones id (inerrantiæ privilegium) respicit a Summis Pontificibus Ecclesiæ propositas contra insurgentes dissentiones et errores in materiâ fidei: non autem opiniones, quibus etsi aliquid statuant, nihil tamen decernunt credendum ex Catholicâ fide, nihilque damnant tanquam alienum ab eâdem; non simplicia præcepta, quæ ad fidei definitionem referri non possint; non judicia de personis tantum, non decreta disciplinæ, quæ ad fidem non pertinent, non tandem omissiones definitionum fidei,' &c.
