Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/476

 turday, that we may always reflect, that preparation is necessary for the due celebration of the following feast.

Whatever God has made, is good; and that, which goeth into the mouth, defileth not a man (Matt. xv. 11.); but by abstaining from what is most grateful to the appetite, we learn temperance and self-command, while not to obey the ordinances of God and his Church, must cause defilement. So did Adam sin. From the practice of all nations in the day of distress, it may be said, that the universal voice of conscience tells man to fast, as a means of propitiating heaven; but if, in public or private fasting, good works and the spirit of sincere repentance accompany not the act, it is no better than the fast of the beasts of Nineveh. They fed not, nor did they drink water.-Jonah iii. 7.

''God alone is the object of our worship and adoration ; but Catholics shew honour to the relics of Saints ; and they place Images and Pictures in their Churches, to reduce their wandering thoughts, and to enliven their memories towards heavenly things. They shew, besides, a respect to the representations of Christ, of the mysterious facts of their religion, and of the Saints of God, beyond what is due to every profane figure, not that they can believe any virtue to reside in them, for which they ought to be honoured; but because the honour given to Pictures is referred to the Prototype, or the thing represented.

They maintain also, that honour and respect are due to the Bible, to the Cross, to the name of Jesus, to Churches, &c.