Page:Essays on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism.djvu/75

Catholic supernaturalism, with its infinite fecundity and its unspeakable marvels, and, above all, an explanation of the greatest and most inconceivable of wonders—the triumph of the cross.

Christianity, humanly speaking, must of necessity have succumbed: First, because it was the truth; and secondly, because it adduced in its support the most eloquent testimony, wonderful miracles, and irrefragable proofs. Mankind have never failed to protest against all and each one of these things; and it was not probable, nor credible, nor in any way possible, that they should fail to protest against and oppose all these things when united. Hence their blasphemies, protests, and rebellions.

But, the Just One was crucified through love, shed his blood through love, and gave up his life through love; and this infinite love, this most precious blood, merited for the world the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then all things were changed by faith, because reason was conquered by faith, and nature by grace.

How admirable in his works is God! how wonderful in his designs! how sublime in his thoughts! Man and truth were antagonistic, the indomitable pride of the one could not brook the rude and imperious evidence of the other. God tempered this evidence of truth, by vailing it in a transparent cloud, and he sent faith to man, and added to the gift this compact, saying, “I will divide my power with thee; I will tell thee what thou hast to believe, and I will give the strength to receive my word, but I will not oppress thy sovereign will with the weight of evidence. I will help thee to save thyself, but I will leave thee the power to lose thyself. Work out thy salvation with me, or, unaided