6 hat fruit the anti-Christian Free-thinkers have proaced in Europe (§§ 39, 47, 48). If the tree is to known by its fruits' (Matt. yii. 16), every one ust see that the Christian Faith, which diffuses othing but happiness and blessings, is the most valule gift of God; that, on the contrary, infidelity, hich produces but misery and vexation, can only roceed from the spirit of evil. 8. Now, this Church which Almighty God has unded on miracles, nay, which is herself a connual miracle; this Church which incessantly pours it the greatest benefits over the universe, can be no her but the Roman Catholic Church. History early proves that it is she, and no other, that forms at community of the faithful which Christ has tablished for the salvation of the world, in which e bishops, as the successors of the Apostles, under e supreme authority of the Pope, the Successor of int Peter, exercise their Teaching and Pastoral fices in an uninterrupted succession (§§ 22, 30, 31). is impossible that any Sect, whatever may be its me, should be the Church founded by Christ; for is well known that every one of them began to exist ng after Christ, and that even then they owed their igin to their defection and separation from the urch of Christ (§§ 36, 42, 43). We see, therefore, at in all these Sects the words of Jesus are sooner later fulfilled: Every plant which my Heavenly ather hath not planted shall be rooted up' (Matt. . 13). Their existence is not lasting; they spring o, make some noise, and disappear again (§ 36 at e end; § 47 at the beginning). It is not so with e Catholic Church. Thousands of years pass away; -ither does she vanish, nor does she grow old; for her was made the promise of our Lord: Upon is rock I will build my Church, and the gates of ell shall not prevail against her' (Matt. xvi. 18). 6 8. How do you prove from history that the Church estabhed by God can be no other than the Roman Catholic? hat has Christ foretold of all Sects? What promise has He ven to the Catholic Church? |