Page:Blaise Pascal works.djvu/322

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314
PASCAL'S THOUGHTS

in this rather evidence of the care of God than of His forgetfulness in regard to us.


890

Tertullian: Nunquam Ecclesia reformabitur.[1]


891

Heretics, who take advantage of the doctrine of the Jesuits, must be made to know that it is not that of the Church…the doctrine of the Church; and that our divisions do not separate us from the altar.


892

If in differing we condemned, you would be right. Uniformity without diversity is useless to others; diversity without uniformity is ruinous for us. The one is harmful outwardly; the other inwardly.


893

By showing the truth, we cause it to be believed; but by showing the injustice of ministers, we do not correct it. Our mind is assured by a proof of falsehood; our purse is not made secure by proof of injustice.


894

Those who love the Church lament to see the corruption of morals; but laws at least exist. But these corrupt the laws. The model is damaged.


895

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.


896

It is in vain that the Church has established these words, anathemas, heresies, &c. They are used against her.

  1. "The Church will never be reformed."