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AND THEIR REFUTATION. 2?1
anathema sit" (Sees, vi, can. 15). Behold, then, how clearly and
distinctly the Council defines all the dogmas of Faith, opposed to
the errors of modern innovators. I make this remark for the
instruction of those who assert that the Council gave only
ambiguous decisions in their controversies, and that it only
increased disputes, instead of putting an end to them. The
Fathers of the Council said over and over, that it was never
their intention to give any decision regarding the questions
debated in Catholic schools, but solely to define matters of
Faith, and condemn the errors of the pretended Reformers, who
were endeavouring, not to reform morals, but to subvert the
ancient and true doctrines of the Catholic Church. The Council,
therefore, speaks ambiguously of scholastic questions, and gives
no decision on them ; but in matters of Faith, contested by
Protestants, it always speaks with the greatest clearness, and
without any ambiguity. Those alone find the definitions of the
Council doubtful who refuse to yield obedience to them. To
come back to the subject. The Council teaches that no one can
be sure that he is predestined ; and, in fact, how can any one be
sure of predestination, when he is not sure that he will persevere
in goodness.
eternal life, you
But, says Calvin, St. John teaches that
" You
have
who believe in the name of the Son of God"
(I. John, v, 13). Therefore, says he, whoever has faith in Jesus
Christ has eternal life. We answer, he who believes in Jesus
Christ with true Faith, enlivened by Charity, has eternal life,
not in possession, but in hope, as St. Paul says :
"
For we are
saved by hope" (Rom. viii, 24). Perseverance is necessary to
obtain eternal life
" He
that shall persevere to the end, he shall
be saved" (Matt, x, 22) but as long as we are uncertain of per
severance, we are never sure of eternal life.
47. The sectarians object that the uncertainty of eternal sal
vation makes us doubt of the Divine promises, to be saved by
the merits of Jesus Christ. We answer that the Divine promises
never can fail, so, on God s part, we never can doubt that he will
be wanting, by denying what he promised us. The doubt and
fear is on our side, for we may be found wanting, by transgress
ing his Divine commandments, and thus losing his Grace. God
in that case is not obliged to fulfil the promises made to us, but
rather punish our infidelity ; and, therefore, St, Paul exhorts us