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THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CHURCH
I. God has committed to His Church a high duty which is far superior to what the individual members are capable of in their private capacity. Her officials can speak with an authority, and advance claims therefore, which would be preposterous in any who had not received the same divine commission. It has been said to them, "The Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops to rule the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts xx. 28). No plenitude of power could be greater than that which the Founder of the Church conveyed to it in the person of its chief pastor. "To thee will I give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, it shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven" (Matt. xvi. 19). This authority, conveyed by God Himself, justifies the claim of the Church that she should be believed and obeyed by all in spiritual matters; it justifies the faithful in trusting implicitly to such a guide, for such a trustfulness is trust in Christ Himself. No man or body of men could claim such a position; no gifts of talent or virtue, no commission from earthly rulers, no degree of personal influence and popular appreciation would justify any man in assuming to speak as the Church speaks, or would justify others in submitting their liberty to his control. You are able to say, applying the words at once to Christ and to His Church, "I know whom I have believed, and I am certain that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him" (2 Tim. i. 12). Rejoice in this security.
II. The authority given to the Church and the injunctions laid on us to listen and obey, should be a sufficient assurance to us. We require no further guarantee than St. Paul did when he was bidden by God to consult Ananias, or Cornelius when St. Peter was sent to him. God takes upon Himself the responsibility for the consequences; and if we should be misled, we could say, "It is Thou Thyself who hast misled us" (St. Aug.). But God does more than guarantee us impunity in case of error through obeying Him. He assures us against all error from the teachings of His delegates The Church has full knowledge "The Holy Ghost . . . will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you" (John xiv. 26). The voice of the Church is the voice of Jesus Himself: "He that heareth you heareth me" (Luke x. 16). The Church can never fail, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. xvi. 18). "Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world" (Matt, xxviii. 20). For our still greater assurance, Our Lord refers specially to the Apostle who was the head of the twelve and the mouth-piece of the teaching Church : "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not, and thou being once converted confirm thy brethren" (Luke xxii. 32). Trust the Church most fully, as the appointed guide who will certainly bring you to God. Be loyal to her, venerate and love her.
III. From the possession of divine authority and infused capacity to administer the divine law there follow the other qualifications which the Church exhibits in her action. In every age there must be the scandal of those who refuse to obey the command of Christ, but they are the minority in the world-wide empire of the Church. She has the power of inspiring an unexampled confidence in men, of ruling their intelligence without compulsion, and convincing them, in incredulous and rebellious times, of her divine mission. She has an unexampled power of dealing with men of every country, of every grade of civilization, of every age, and of binding all these into one majestic unity. She has the power of winning the affections of all who are not plunged in ignorance or vice, and commanding the interest of all men whether benevolent or hostile. She has the power of raising souls in wonderful numbers to the practice of the highest virtues and to intimate union with God. If you be docile, the Church will work all this in you, and show you the way of peace and salvation.
