ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, G. C. “If you wage war against man, you may conquer, or be overcome; but if you wage war against the Church, to conquer is impossible. 1) The Church is much stronger than the earth; even stronger than heaven: for heaven and earth shall pass away. (Luke xxi. 33.) What words are these: The gates of hell shall not prevail against her? (Matt. xvi. 18.) But if you doubt the word, give credit to the things themselves, to facts. How many tyrants have assailed the Church of God? How many torments ? What persecutions, what fires ? They could effect nothing." Homil. Ante Exilium, T. iii. 415. this rock will I build my Church. (Matt. xvi. 18.) Consider what this means, and you will discover its evident truth; for it is not alone wonderful that Christ built his Church in all parts of the earth, but that he rendered her invincible, and invincible against all attacks. b) This is the meaning of the words, The gates of hell shall not prevail; that is, no dangers, not those that produce death, and lead to hell. Have you witnessed the truth of the prediction ? Have you beheld the certitude and strength of the event? Have you seen the words manifested in the facts and the power, that, without arms, accomplishes all things?" Lib. quod Christus sit Deus, T. i. p. 575.
CENT. V.
St. AUGUSTIN, L. C. As I remarked of St. Optatus, it is here likewise unnecessary to repeat the various arguments of St. Augustin against the Donatists, who maintained that the universal Church had failed, and that they alone were the true believers : but I will quote a few passages from his other works.
