there, but to bestow upon it the effects of His bounty, mercy and love.

1st Effect. A complete renewal of our souls, by which not only our sins are remitted, but our souls are beautified with the rich embellishments of Divine grace. (Quote I Cor. vi. 11; Conc. Trent, Sess. vi. Cap. 7.) "Non est solum peccatorum remissio sed et sanctificatio et renovatio interioris hominis;" and again, "Renovamini spiritu mentis vestrae," (Eph. iv. 23).

This renovation and beautifying of the soul consist, Ist, in the infused virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. 2ndly, in the moral virtues according to the general opinion of theologians; 3rdly, in the gifts of the Holy Ghost; 4thly, in the fruits of the Holy Ghost. With these embellishments rich and beautiful beyond all earthly ornamentation, does the Divine Spirit renew and beautify the soul as He takes posses. sion of it, whereby, as the Catechism of the Council of Trent expresses it, "He diffuses a light and splendour through all the powers and faculties of our souls, rendering them thereby more beautiful and splendid."

2nd Effect. We are made children of God. (John, i. 12-13; Rom. viii. 15–16; Galat. iv. 4-5; 1 John, iii. I.)

3rd Effect. We are made heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Gal. iv. 7; Rom. viii. 17; Tit. iii. 7; I Pet. iii. 22.)

4th Effect. We are made partakers of the Divine nature, (2 Pet. i. 4; John, xv. 5; Heb. iii. 14,) with comment of "Triplex Expositio " thereon, "Da nobis per hujus aquæ et vini," &c., Liturgy at mingling water with wine at Mass; where observe not only the words

but the symbol: Cat. Conc. Trid. De Baptismo, No. 50. "Est autem gratia," &c. (Quote in full in English, as also the other references.) How are we to explain these wonderful effects? Even the most enlightened theologians confessed themselves stammering, as it were, in the effort to explain them. Imitating their humility, I can only say what they say that by the Holy Ghost abiding in us we become partakers in a special manner of the nature and life of God, so that partaking of His nature we are raised to the supernatural order, and partaking of His life our souls live the life of God in some degree, as our bodies are animated by our souls, or as the branch, according to the comparison of our Saviour, lives the life of the vine. that bears it. Thus the soul becomes deified according to the words of the Psalmist, "I have said you are all gods and sons of the Most High" (Ps. lxxxi. 6), and we are invested, in some degree, with the perfections of God, with His Wisdom, Fortitude, Constancy, Justice, Charity, and other Attributes, which He communicates to us by His grace. (Sentiments of wonder, &c.)

It is to be observed that the various effects produced in a soul in a state of grace, though various, are not successive, as if one followed another with an interval between. They are produced simultaneously, somewhat in the manner, as St. Thomas would illustrate the process, in which light expels darkness, as it enters into an apartment, from which it was excluded.

9. Having said so much on this most important subject of habitual or sanctifying grace, we have

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further to add, that it may be unequal, existing in degrees of more or less in different persons, that it is susceptible of increase in the same person, and liable to be altogether lost by mortal sin. Hence it is of the greatest importance to understand the means whereby we are to preserve it, and even to increase it. There are chiefly three means for this purpose, which have been already inculcated, namely, Prayer, the Word of God, and the Sacraments. With regard to the Sacraments, we are to observe that they are instituted only for occasional use, except the Sacraments of Penance and the Blessed Eucharist, which are for our more ordinary use. These blessed Sacraments are, in the spiritual life, in the nature of medicine and food. And as it is by medicine and food we maintain our corporal life, health and strength, so by Penance we apply a spiritual medicine to our souls, and by the food of the Holy Eucharist we receive increased strength, to fortify our souls for accomplishing the great task of our salvation.

CONCLUSION.

Recapitulate the several points, and exhort as follows:

Let us, therefore, be devoted to Prayer and the hearing the Word of God, and with these holy practices let us join the frequentation of the Holy Sacraments. This is all the more incumbent upon us, as we never can know for certain whether we are in a state of grace or not. Oh! that dreadful sentence, "Man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love or hatred" (Eccles. ix. 1). Therefore we are to work out

our salvation in fear and trembling, co-operating in all humility and fervour with the graces of the Holy Ghost, and thereby sending merit before us to the world to come, so that on leaving this miserable world we may deserve to hear from the Divine Judge the delightful invitation, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant," &c., &c.

Consult Theology, on Grace.

Read the Liturgy for the Vigil, Feast, and Octave of Pentecost, to select appropriate phraseology for the subject; consult also Butler's "Feasts and Fasts"-Whitsuntide.

"I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, and the Communion of Saints."

INTRODUCTION.

These words present to us the Ninth Article of the Apostles' Creed. The previous Articles have reference to God, and to the Blessed Trinity. In treating of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, we spoke of His Incarnation, His Passion, and Death, His glorious Resurrection and admirable Ascension. But we saw that before withdrawing His visible presence from amongst mankind, He established a new religion upon earth, and appointed Pastors, who were to preach and propagate that religion-promising that He himself would be with them, if not in visible form, at least equally effectually, till the end of time. "Going, therefore," said he to them, "teach all nations,” &c., &c. (Matt. xxviii. 19).

The professors of this religion founded by our Saviour were called Christians, almost from the very beginning; and, in their collective capacity, constituted what is universally known as the Church of Christ. It is this great Institution, the Apostles' Creed, in the Article I have quoted, presents to us, and together