DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.71556#0216
176 LIFE OF MICHAEL ANGELO.
the living into a deathly slumber. Oh! my God,
what can equal the infatuation of those modern
teachers and theologians who thus attempt to ex-
plain the great doctrines which concern our salva-
tion by authorities derived from pagan authors!
Of them, and of their teaching, it may well be said,
'But Israel does not know.' And why have they
not known me ? saith God;—why have they de-
stroyed my people? why have they not taught
them the way of truth ? Instead of thus instruct-
ing them, they will say to them, ' Good people, how
much good you do; how devout you are; what
precious relics you possess; what hospitals, what
monasteries; how grand are your processions, how
numerous your festivals! You have great reason
to bless God. We really know of no city so ad-
mirably ordered in all that concerns Divine wor-
ship; nor so devoted to almsgiving.' Alas! these
are vain flatteries. My brethren, the men who
thus pronounce you blessed, are only deceiving you
witli vain words. They teach you not the way of
holy living; nor how to exercise patience in tribu-
lation ; nor how to interpret the providence of God
when you see His true servants afflicted and de-
pressed, and His enemies triumphant and exalted.
The solution of such questions is beyond the scope
of their philosophy. What you ought to be taught
is, that the doctrine of the Church is the Gospel,
which explains the goodness of God, and the mode
of attaining eternal happiness; the doctrine of
the living into a deathly slumber. Oh! my God,
what can equal the infatuation of those modern
teachers and theologians who thus attempt to ex-
plain the great doctrines which concern our salva-
tion by authorities derived from pagan authors!
Of them, and of their teaching, it may well be said,
'But Israel does not know.' And why have they
not known me ? saith God;—why have they de-
stroyed my people? why have they not taught
them the way of truth ? Instead of thus instruct-
ing them, they will say to them, ' Good people, how
much good you do; how devout you are; what
precious relics you possess; what hospitals, what
monasteries; how grand are your processions, how
numerous your festivals! You have great reason
to bless God. We really know of no city so ad-
mirably ordered in all that concerns Divine wor-
ship; nor so devoted to almsgiving.' Alas! these
are vain flatteries. My brethren, the men who
thus pronounce you blessed, are only deceiving you
witli vain words. They teach you not the way of
holy living; nor how to exercise patience in tribu-
lation ; nor how to interpret the providence of God
when you see His true servants afflicted and de-
pressed, and His enemies triumphant and exalted.
The solution of such questions is beyond the scope
of their philosophy. What you ought to be taught
is, that the doctrine of the Church is the Gospel,
which explains the goodness of God, and the mode
of attaining eternal happiness; the doctrine of