Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/166

 Brethren, this  is  a  mystery  to  which  Christ's  words may be  appropriately  applied — that  it  is  known  to no  man,  no,  not  even  to  the  angels  in  heaven,  but to the  Father  alone. That is  why  the  Church,  in  one of her  prayers,  says:  "  O  God,  to  whom  only  is known  the  number  of  the  faithful  to  be  admitted  to the  happiness  of  heaven." That, too,  is  why  the Church, as  such,  has  never  committed  herself  to  a dogmatic  statement  on  the  subject,  but  leaves  the question still  open  to  conjecture  and  argument. True it is,  the  weight  of  private  opinion  among  theologians inclines  to  the  doctrine  that  only  a  small minority will  be  saved;  but  that,  at  best,  is  private opinion; and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  greatest living theologian,  though  he  teaches  this  doctrine  in his  written  works,  has  more  than  once  retracted  it from  the  pulpit  and  in  the  class-room. It is  true, also, that  on  May  22,  1772,  the  doctrine  of  "  Salvation for  the  majority  "  was  put  on  the  Index,  but  we must  not  forget  that  decisions  of  a  Congregation deciding individual  disputes  are  by  no  means  infallible. In the  thirteenth  chapter  of  St.  Luke,  a  certain man  questions  Christ:  "  Lord,  are  they  few  that are  saved?  "  Christ  answered  him:  "  Strive  to  enter by  the  narrow  gate,  for  many  shall  seek  to  enter  and shall  not  be  able." Again, in  the  seventh  chapter  of St.  Matthew,  Christ  says:  "Wide  the  door  and broad  the  way  that  leads  to  perdition,  and  many  there are  that  travel  by  it;  how  small  the  gate  and  narrow the  path  that  leads  to  life,  and  few  there  are  that  find it." He avoids  a  direct  answer. To spur  men  on  to