Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/108

14 naturally restless in discussion, and tormented with thoughts of his own ingenuity, the result is all but morally certain.

Thirdly: (the point must not be omitted, however, the majority may agree to scoff at it, and however gravely some may blame it as uncharitable): if there be such a thing as a true Apostolical commission, truly connected with the efficacy of Christ's holy Sacraments; then we must suppose, that where that commission is wanting, especially if the want be through men's presumption or neglect, then the gracious assistance of the cannot be so certainly depended on, as for other sanctifying purposes, so for the guiding of the mind to doctrinal truth. Of course, then, the evil spirit and the tempting sophistry of the world will have the more power over men: so that if for no other reason, yet through the want or imperfection of the ordinary channels of grace, schism might be expected to lead to false doctrine and heresy.

Can it be necessary to add the obvious remark, that if the Church system were needful heretofore, it is but rendered the more evidently necessary for every advance in intellectual light and liberty, which the present age, from day to day, prides itself on making? Alas! if the appetite for knowledge of good and evil be indeed the great snare of all, then all the supernatural means and aids which our Lord has provided in His Church, instead of having gone out of date, are more than ever necessary to us; and those more heavily than ever responsible, who scorn any of those aids, or teach and encourage others to do so.

It is of great mercy, that to such a perversion of mind is generally annexed what makes it its own punishment here, and so far gives it a fairer chance of better and more humble thoughts in time for hereafter. We are plainly taught by St. Paul, that those who permit themselves to disparage the heavenly gifts, may conveyed to us by the of  through his Apostles, expect to be, if no worse, yet all their lives "children, tossed to and fro, and carried away by every wind of doctrine:" or, as he elsewhere expresses it, "ever learning, and never able to