Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/240



St. AUGUSTIN, L. C. “Not that any of the disciples themselves gave the Holy Ghost: they prayed that he would come down on those on whom they laid their hands; they gave him not. Such, at this time, is the practice of the Prelates of the Church.” De Trin. L. xv. c. 26. T. viii. p. 999. “Does any one now expect that they who receive the imposition of our hands, should speak with various tongues; and when this does not happen, is so perverse as to say that they have not received the Holy Ghost? But if this miraculous testimony of the presence of the Divine Spirit is not given, how does any person know that the Holy Ghost has come down upon him? Let him ask his heart: If he loves his brother, the Spirit of God abideth in him. Ask thy heart: Thou mayest have received the Sacrament, and not the virtue of the Sacrament. If the love of thy brother be in thee, rest secure. Where charity is, there is the spirit of God.” Tract. vi. in 1 Ep. Joan. Pars. 2, T. iii. p. 868.

St. INNOCENT I. L.C.-To Decentius, Bishop of Eugubium in Italy, who had consulted him on various points, he first observes, that if all Churches had followed the rules which they received from the Apostles, the differences in discipline, which now prevail, would not have been known; and then adds, on the subject of Confirmation : “It is manifest, that Bishops only can confirm infants, because they, and not priests, possess the plenitude of the priesthood. And this follows, not from the practice of the Church only, but from the authority of Scripture; where it is said, that Peter and John were sent to give the Holy Ghost to those who had been previously baptised. Priests may baptise, in