The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

:276 OF ORIGINAL SIN.his fall than would the body of man by being stript of itsclothing. The same doctrine is taught by Bellarmine, whoholds, that the nature of fallen man, the original fault excepted,isnot inferior to a human nature in puris naturalilus*This point is an important one, and we make no apologyfor dwelling a little longer upon it. We would fain presentour readers, in a few words, with a view of what the Churchof Rome holds on thedoctrine of grace as opposed to thesentiments of Protestant divines, premising that absoluteaccuracy is not easily attainable. Popish writers not havingexpressed themselves either very definitely or very consistently.In the following summary we take M. Perrone asour chief authority and guide, using almost his very words— 1st, The Roman Catholic Church teaches, in respect ofthe integrity of man, and the supernatural state to which hewas raised, that he fell from that condition by sin, and losthis original righteousness, with all the gifts connected therewith.2d, In respect of the supernatural state and thesanctifying grace bestowed on man, the Church of Rometeaches, that by his fall the soul of man came into a stateof death, and that inrespect of his integrity, both his souland his body were changed for the worse.3d, That by thefall the free will of man was weakened and biassed. 4th,With respect to those privileges and gifts of grace whichwere added to man's nature, and which are accidental to it,the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church is, that fallenman has been denuded of these privileges and gifts, and hascome into that state in which, not reckoning his fault, hewould have been had God not willed to exalt him to a supernaturalposition, and to confer upon him uprightness andother endowments ; and has, moreover, sunk into that state* Bellarm. Lib. de Gratia Primi Horn. cap. v. sec. 12. " Non magis differtstatus hominis post lapsum Adse a statu ejusdem in puris naturalibus,qiiam distet sjwliatus a nudo, neque deterior est liuinana natura, si culpainori^inalcm detralias."