who was baptized a Catholic and holds Catholic opinions, but in his words and actions, in what he does and leaves undone, gives evidence that his is a diluted Catholicism; especially by fawning upon such enemies of the Church who can promote his temporal interest, and by ranging himself on their side where important ecclesiastical questions are concerned.
Certainly in this case the admonition holds good : Be true to yourself in thought, word, and deed. You desire to be a Catholic Christian; very well, but do not be half a one; do not think in one way, and act in another; do not conduct yourself here after one fashion, and there after another; in church like a good Catholic, and in daily life like an apostate; turning about like a weathercock, speaking and behaving in a manner which will please certain persons. Away with this diluted Catholicism, this half-heartedness and miserable sycophancy! Christ has said: "No man can serve two masters ... He that is not with Me is against Me " (Mali. vi. 24; xii. 30). There is no alternative, no neutrality is possible!
3. It always seems to me that a Catholic Christian who really knows his holy Church, and is aware what a treasure he possesses in her, ought to find it difficult, nay impossible, to kick against the goad of his own convictions, and to speak and act contrary to his belief: and yet the number of stanch, loyal
