"_But, once admit a single exception, and the infallible virtue of the rule ceases_."--Thus the famous Canon of Vincentius Lirinensis is like tradition itself, always either superfluous or insufficient. Taken literally, it is true and worthless;--because what _all_ have asserted, _always_, and in _all places_, supposing of course that the means of judging were in their power, may be assumed to be some indisputable axiom, such as never will be disputed any more than it has been disputed hitherto. But take it with any allowance, and then it is of no use in settling a question: for what _most_ men have asserted, _most commonly_, and in _most places_, has a certain _à priori_ probability, it is true, but by no means such as may not be outweighed by probabilities on the other side; for the extreme improbability consists not in the prevalence of error amongst millions, or for centuries, or over whole continents,--but in its being absolutely universal, so universal, that truth could not find a single witness at any time or in any country. But the single witness is enough to "justify the ways of God," and reduces what otherwise would have been a monstrous triumph of evil to the character of a severe trial of our faith, severe indeed as the trials of an evil world will be, but no more than a trial such as, with God's grace, may be overcome. * * * * * NOTE D. P. 189. _"It was an admirable definition of that which excites laughter,"_ &c.--[Greek: To geloion apurtaepa ti chai aiochos auodnnoy chai on phthartichon oion enthus to geloion prosopon aischron ti chai dieotruppenon anen odunaes]--_Aristotle, Poetic,_ ii. * * * * * NOTE E. P. 245. "_I would endeavour just to touch upon some of the purposes for which the Scripture tells us that Christ died_."--The Collects for Easter Sunday and the Sundays just before it and after it, illustrate the enumeration here given. The Collect for the Sunday next before Easter speaks of Christ's death only as an "example of his great humility." The Collect for Easter-day speaks of the resurrection, and connects it with our spiritual resurrection, as does also the Collect for the first Sunday after Easter. But the collect for the Second Sunday after Easter speaks of Christ as being at once our sacrifice for sin and our example of godly life,--a sacrifice to be regarded with entire thankfulness, and an example to be daily followed. * * * * * NOTE F. P. 282.