Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/555

Rh heretical novelty, then the authority of an Apostle was roused in him, and he settled the matter with an unmixed severity. "Though we," he says, "or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be anathema, an accursed thing." What is the meaning of his saying, "Though we?" why not rather, "Though I?" This, viz. though Peter, though Andrew, though John, though in a word the whole company of the Apostles preached as the Gospel other doctrines than we have already preached, let, him be anathema. Tremendous ban! that he may maintain the supremacy of the original faith, he spares neither himself nor his fellow-Apostles;—yet even this is not all. He adds, "Though an angel from heaven, let him too be anathema." Not as if the holy and heavenly angels can sin; but he says. If that were possible, which is impossible; whoever he be, who would tamper with the faith once delivered, let him be anathema.

But perhaps it will be said that this injunction was intended for the particular time when it was given, and is not in force now. If so, why should his other commandments be in force at this day, such as "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." But if the latter supposition is at once profane and pernicious, it follows of necessity that, as the command to be spiritual is for all ages, so the sanction given to the immutability of the faith is for all ages also. Therefore, to preach any doctrine to Catholic Christians, besides what they have received, was never lawful, is no where lawful, never shall be lawful; and to anathematize those who do preach a doctrine besides that which was once given and received, was never but a duty, is no where but a duty, never shall be but a duty. If this be so, is there a person to be found so venturesome as to preach, or so light of mind as to receive, doctrines in addition to those which the Church has received and the Church preaches! Let him cry aloud, let him cry out again and again, to all, and in all times, and in all places, by means of his Epistles, that elect vessel, that teacher of the Gentiles, that clarion among the Apostles, that herald on the earth, that guest of the third heaven. If any one bring in any new doctrine, let him be anathema! And