world until the consummation of ages: and therefore, it were useless to treat of the articles of the English Church were they not universally believed. Are there many who believe in all these articles? From what is attested by Protestants themselves, even by Protestant clergymen, there are very few who believe all these articles. How then is it possible that such doctrines be conformable to those of holy scripture and of the ancient Church, to which a great number of christians throughout the world shall adhere until the consummation of ages?

The second question which I wish you to answer, is, by whose commission were these articles of faith drawn up? We are assured by history, that this was done by a commission of king Edward VI. But how can they be conformable to holy scripture and to the belief of the ancient Church, which loudly proclaim that the authority of the Church of Christ has been vested in the apostles and their lawful successors, and that the doctrines of the same Church have been spread all over the world, not only without any commission of temporal powers, but also in opposition to their decrees, and in defiance of their mightiest efforts to suppress the promulgation thereof?

Finally, let us see what are these articles. By the 35th of these articles, a certain book of homilies is commended, as containing pious and salutary doctrine, and is directed to be read carefully and distinctly, so as to be understood by the people. In one of these homilies occurs the following passage: "Laity, and clergy, learned, and unlearned, all ages, sects, and degrees of men, women and children, of the whole of christendom, had been at once drowned in abominable idolatry; and that for the space of eight hundred years and

more." (Homily against the Peril of Idolatry.) Gracious God! What can be found more contrary to the doctrine of the holy scripture and of the ancient Church than this article? Do not both scripture and christian antiquity teach us, on the clearest testimonies, that Christ's Church is built on a rock, and that she will last until the end of the world, notwithstanding all the rage and the efforts of hell to demolish her? How can this doctrine be reconciled with the appalling doctrine, that the whole of christendom had been at once drowned in abominable idolatry, and that for the space of eight hundred years and more?

Be assured, my friend, I am quite weary of witnessing the inconsistency of the Protestant religion. Where is that consummate wisdom, of which Protestants boast against Catholics? For my part, nothing appears more incoherent and preposterous than the Protestant Church.

Thus far have I proceeded, actuated, believe me, through love of truth, without the remotest idea of censuring those sensible and respectable men who have the misfortune of adhering to the Protestant religion through defect of education rather than perversity of will, in which position stands, I believe, the individual whom I have the honor of addressing.

91

FIFTH DIALOGUE.

PROTESTANT.The love of truth obliges me to acknowledge that your remarks on the subject at issue are neither superfluous nor useless. Many charges which Protestants are accustomed to level against Catholics, I see distinctly, have little or no foundation.

CATHOLIC.-Do the rays of divine truth at length enlighten your mind? Thank him, from whom proceeds every perfect gift, and omit no exertion, I entreat you, to profit by it. Walk whilst you have the light, that you may be a child of light. Implore earnestly our Lord, who is the true light, to acomplish that work which he has begun, by receiving you into his kingdom, which is a kingdom of light.

PROTESTANT. I am prepared to do so. No longer can I remain in this bewilderment of mind. Grant me, gracious God! to know the truth, thou who art all truth. Spare me until I know this truth; then take me to thyself.

CATHOLIC.-Repose entire confidence in Almighty God. A humble heart and a sincere mind God will not despise. If the overwhelming majority of the world is plunged in the shadow of death, it is because men prefer darkness to light. They who hunger and thirst after justice are declared blessed by our Lord, and it is said they will be filled. Could I be of the slightest benefit to you, I shall esteem myself most happy, and therefore you may at all times command my services.

PROTESTANT.-I feel your excessive kindness, and will avail myself of this opportunity to request you would speak again on the authority of the Church of Christ. Were I sure that Christ established in his Church such authority as Catholics admit, I would not hesitate a moment to abandon the Protestant Church, and to enrol myself under her banner. Your remarks on this subject are striking indeed; but as they were directed to prove rather the existence than the infallibility of an external authority in the Church of Christ, I am anxious to hear some solid reasons, bearing immediately on that one single point, the infallibility of such authority. Nothing, it appears to me, but an absolute and thorough conviction of such infallibility could ever induce a sensible man to subject himself to her, so as to receive her code of faith, and obsequiously follow her guidance.

CATHOLIC.-My observations, it is true, regarding the authority of the Church of Christ, have been especially directed to prove the existence of such authority; yet, if we consider them well, we shall see that they may be equally and successfully applied to demonstrate her infallibility. How could the faithful be obliged to hear the Church, and to regard all who disobey her as heathens and publicans, were she not infallible in her decisions? How could the Church of Christ be the pillar and foundation of truth, were she not steady in holding the doctrine of Christ? How could the unity of faith be preserved in the Church of Christ until the end of the world, unless she were free from the possibility of falling into error? How could the pastors of the Church comply with their duties of confirming the faithful in the faith and preserving them from all error, unless they themselves

were firmly established in truth? How could the pastors of the Church preach the gospel to all creatures, were they not firm in holding the real doctrine of Christ until the end of the world? How are we to understand those words of Christ, addressed to the pastors of his Church: "Whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven..... Teach ye all nations.....And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.....He (the Father) shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever.....He will teach you all things;" did they not possess infallibility in matters of faith?

Besides these reasons, which are undoubtedly weighty and convincing, there are others not less forcible.

1. Do you not admit that the Church of Christ must be perpetual, or, in other words, enduring to the end of the world?

PROTESTANT.-Unquestionably; because it is clear from scripture, that the Church of Christ is the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our Lord; God has established it for ever. She is the kingdom of the Almighty. God has raised it, and it shall never be destroyed. The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed; but the clemency of God shall not depart from his Church, neither shall the covenant of his peace be removed from her. She is the great building raised upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. She is the beloved spouse, in whom the heavenly bridegroom is well pleased: he will be with her all days even to the end of the world. Hence I conclude, that there was, is, and shall endure to