We deplore as at present afflicting the Church. We allude to the principle of "Indifference"—that depraved principle, which, by the contrivances of wicked men has become very prevalent: maintaining eternal salvation to be equally attainable in whatever profession of faith, provided the natural dictates of morality be therein observed. But in a matter so clear and evident you will easily extirpate this most pernicious error from among the people committed to your charge. Let them tremble at the admonition of the Apostle:—"One God, one faith, one baptism"[1]—who pretend that every religion conducts, to the haven of beatitude, and let them reflect from the language of the Redeemer, that "not being with Christ, they are against Christ; that not gathering with him, they are unhappily scattering;"[2] and that consequently they will "without doubt perish eternally, unless they hold fast the Catholic faith, and preserve it whole and inviolate."[3] Let them hearken to the voice of St. Jerome, who, when the Church was torn into three parts by schism, relates that he, firm to his purpose, said to those who attempted to draw him over to their party: "I hold fellowship with them that cling to the Chair of Peter."[4] For vainly would such a one flatter his conscience with his regeneration in water. To him St. Augustine addresses himself: "The twig lopped from the vine, retains its shape, but what will its shape avail it, when separated from the life-giving root?"[5]
From this polluted fountain of "Indifference," flows that absurd and erroneous doctrine, or rather raving, in favour and defence of "liberty of conscience;" for which most pestilential error, the course is opened by that entire and wild liberty of opinion, which is everywhere attempting the overthrow of religious and civil institutions; and which the unblushing impudence of some has held forth as an advantage to religion. "But what," exclaimed St. Augustine, "what worse death to the soul than freedom in error?"[6] For only destroy those fences, which keep men within the paths of truth, leave them to the headlong sway of their natural evil propensities, and the "bottomless pit" at once yawns before you, from which St. John saw the smoke arise, which darkened the sun, and which shed its locusts over the face of the earth.[7] For hence arise these revolutions in the minds of men: hence this aggravated corruption of youth; hence this contempt among the people of sacred things, and of the most holy institutions and laws; hence, in one word, that pest of all others, most to be dreaded in a state, unbridled liberty of opinion, licenciousness of speech, and a lust of novelty, which, according to the
- ↑ Ephes. iv. 6.
- ↑ Luke xi. 93.
- ↑ Athanasian Creed.
- ↑ S. Hier. Ep. 58.
- ↑ S. Aug. In Psal. cont. part. Donat.
- ↑ S. Aug. Ep. 166.
- ↑ Apocal. 9. 8,
