Conclusion de ce Traité
An Invitation to Understanding
The author presents his exposition as a bridge to reconciliation, suggesting that many controversies arise from misunderstanding rather than fundamental disagreement.
This is the explanation of Catholic doctrine, in which, to focus on the essentials, I have set aside certain questions that those of the so-called Reformed religion do not consider a legitimate reason for a split. I hope that those in their communion who fairly examine every part of this treatise will, through this reading, be better prepared to receive the proofs upon which the faith of1 the Church is established; and they will recognize, in the meantime, that many of our controversies can be settled by a sincere explanation2 of our views; that our doctrine is holy; and that, even by their own principles, none of these articles overturns the foundations of salvation.34
Guidelines for Honest Engagement
The author establishes the parameters for a fair critique of his work, urging interlocutors to focus on the doctrine itself rather than peripheral theological debates.
If anyone feels the need to respond to this treatise, I ask them to consider that to make any real progress, they shouldn't set out to refute the doctrine it contains, since I only intended to present it, not prove it. If I've touched on some of the reasons that support it in certain places, it's because understanding the main reasons for a doctrine is often a necessary part of explaining it. It would also be straying from the purpose of this treatise to examine the different means Catholic theologians have used to establish or clarify the doctrine of the Council of Trent, and the various consequences that particular doctors have drawn from it. To say something solid about this treatise—something that actually hits the mark—you must either prove, by acts the Church has been bound to receive, that her faith is not faithfully set out here; or show that this account leaves every objection still standing and every dispute fully intact; or, finally, make clear exactly how this doctrine overturns the foundations of the faith.
Read the original Latin
Telle est l'exposition de la doctrine catholique, en laquelle, pour m'attacher à ce qu'il y a de principal, j'ai laissé quelques questions que Messieurs de la religion prétendue réformée ne regardent pas comme un sujet légitime de rupture. J'espère que ceux de leur communion qui examineront équitablement toutes les parties de ce traité, seront disposés, par cette lecture, à mieux recevoir les preuves sur lesquelles la foi de. l'Eglise est établie; et reconnaîtront, en attendant, que beaucoup de nos controverses se peuvent terminer par une sincère explication. de nos sentiments que notre doctrine est sainte, et que, selon leurs principes mêmes, -aucun de ces articles ne renverse les fondements du salut.
Si quelqu'un trouve à propos de répondre à ce traité, il est prié de considérer, que, pour avancer quelque chose, il ne faut pas qu'il entreprenne de réfuter la doctrine qu'il contient, puisque j'ai eu dessein de la proposer seulement, sans en faire la preuve; et que si en certains endroits j'ai touché quelques-unes des raisons qui l'établissent, c'est à cause que la connaissance des raisons principales d'une doctrine fait souvent une partie nécessaire de son exposition.
Ce serait aussi s'écarter du dessein de ce traité, que d'examiner les différents moyens dont les théologiens catholiques se sont servis pour établir ou pour éclaircir la doctrine du concile de Trente, et les diverses conséquences que les docteurs particuliers en ont tirées. Pour dire sur ce traité quelque chose de solide, et qui aille au but, il faut, ou par des actes que l'Eglise se soit obligée de recevoir, prouver que sa foi n'est pas ici fidèlement exposée; ou montrer que cette explication laisse toutes les objections dans leur force, et toutes les disputes en leur entier; ou enfin faire voir précisément en quoi cette doctrine renverse les fondements de la foi.
Notes
- 1 ↩Source sentence ends mid-phrase at «la foi de»; the sense continues in ExpoCath.1.22.1.s3 as «l'Eglise est établie».
- 2 ↩Continues s2 («la foi de l'Eglise est établie») and is continued by s4 («de nos sentiments…»).
- 3 ↩Normalized reading treats the stray dash before «aucun» as a typesetting artifact, not negation or interruption.
- 4 ↩«sentiments» rendered as «views» (doctrinal positions), not affective «feelings».
Exposition de la doctrine de l'Église catholique sur les matières de controverse companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit