Untitled - Rore Sanctifica

276 Rititalism in its relation to Re-union.
I have been obliged to clear my ground by
these preliminary remarks, because one is met
at almost every turn by one s Anglican friends
crying out lustily, as if it were some most re
condite truth, that such and such things are not
essential to the existence of the Catholic Church;
and, therefore, not to any particular branch
thereof. Prove a thins: ever so clearlv. from
c? %/ /
Holy Scripture, fathers, tradition, antiquity,
universal consent, edification, charity to souls,
as soon as there is not one word more to be said,
the Anglican s final end of all controversy is,
"
It is not of the De Esse of the Church, it is
only of the De bene Esse;" and one finds all
one s labour gone for nothing. So far as I can
see, the only effectual reply is, to say, "Granted
that such and such things are not essential to
the existence of the Church, or to the validity
of her sacraments, they are absolutely essential
to an undivided Church, and to a united or a re
united Christendom."
I must illustrate my meaning by giving
instances. I will begin with that which, per
haps, without invalidating,
if omitted, the
sacrament of the altar, comes as near to that
which may be compared to an infinitude of
distance as a finite mind can grasp,
I mean the
mingling water with the wine in the chalice.
Let me sum up very briefly the arguments in
its favour :