could escape the fire or sword, but such as were within the House of Rahab, for whose protection a Covenant was made: so none will ever escape the eternal wrath of God, who belong not to the Church of God. Since then Almighty God has in his mercy called you to this Church, and now made you a member of it: what remains for me to recommend to you, is, earnestly to contend for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, Jude 3. and to fix in your soul an invincible resolution never to depart from this faith, the truth of which you are now so fully convinced of, and have so deliberately and so solemnly profess ed For St. Peter says, 2 Ep. ii. 20. If flying from the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, you be again entangled in them and overcome, your latter state will become worse than the former: for it would be better for you not to have known the way of Righteousness, than after you have known it to turn back from the holy commandment which was des livered to you, Let not therefore the solicitations of friends or kindred have any influence on you, to withdraw you from the Religion, which with so much deliberation you have embraced but let Christ be preferred to them all; who says, Matth. x. 37. He that loves father or mother or son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. Temporal advan tages likewise, and worldly posses-sions when put in competition with religion, must not be regarded: for the salvation of your soul is of infinitely more importance to you,. than all that this world can offer. For, Matth. xvi. 26. What will it avail a man to gain the whole world, if he lose his own soul? Even life itself is to be given up rather than violate your solemn promise to God.. For, our Saviour says, Matth. xvi. 25.. He that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. Such indeed is the state of the world, that many temporal disadvantages and oppressions often attend those who profess the true religion. We are, and we must expect to be often made the objects of reproach and ridicule for Christ says to his disciples, Matth. x. 22, 36. You shall be hated by all men for my name's sake-and a man's greatest enemies shall be they of his own household. But to comfort and encourage us to persevere faithful to him, he also says, Matth. v. 11. Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all that is evil against you untruly for my sake: be glad and rejoice, for great is your reward in heaven. And St. Paul assures us, Rom. viii. 17. that if we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified with him. Whatever reproaches therefore you may meet with, or whatever other sufferings you may have to endure on account of your Religion, should be disregarded, upon the consideration that these troubles will soon end; and that the crown that is to be gained by your bearing them with patience will last for all eternity. I must also remind you that it is not sufficient, merely to believe and profess the Catholic Faith: but it is moreover necessary for you to live according to your Faith, by practising its maxims. Holiness of life, and a punctual performance of all the duties prescribed by the Catholic Church are therefore equally required of you. For, as Hebr. xi. 6. iVithout Faith it is impossible to please God: so, though you have this Faith, if it is not accompanied with good works, it cannot save you. For St. James says, ii. 26. As the body without the spirit is dead: so also faith without works is dead. And our Saviour says, Matth. vii. 21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he who doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven: he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Faith alone therefore cannot save any man; and good works without faith, likewise avail nothing but both joined together make the perfect Christian. Let then the practice of virtue and a strict obedience to the Laws of God and his Church, go hand in hand with your belief: and in order to compass this work, fail not daily to beg of God to assist you by his grace. I will heartily join my prayers with you for that purpose: and will beseech the Almighty to perfect in you this happy work which he has be gun, to be your Father and protec tor, to shower down upon you his choicest blessings in this life and to complete them by bringing you to the possession of his glory hereafter. Amen. The Recommendation of a Departing L Soul. ORD, have mercy on him, (or Christ, have mercy on him.. All ye holy Angels and Arch- All ye Choirs of the Just, St. John Baptist, St. Joseph, All ye holy Patriarchs and Pro phets, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. John, Pray for him, (or her.) |