Today's Mass tells us in the epistle and gospel how it is, and what means God took. It was by means of faith, which is not only the beginning of all acceptable service, but is the binding principle of the Church. 'This is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith.' Now consider this attentively. It is a problem which has never been solved before. He did not take self-interest, worldly benefit, etc., because they would not last; and it is what the world proposes to mankind. When He would make a universal empire, He did not take a book or law for the basis. Some would have said the Bible, but the event, the divisions of Protestants show it would not do.

Not a law, nor politics, nor episcopacy (as Anglo-Catholics say). Nor reason (as Liberals and Latitudinarians will say), for it only arrives at opinion. Nor love (as religious persons may think), quoting: 'By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, because you have love one for another'; for concupiscence overcomes love, and the good will never be the many. Some principle must be taken which all can have. Therefore He took faith - a supernatural gift. Faith may be possessed by good and bad, and is most influential; even the bad are made to serve His glory and praise. And it is the bond, for thus all have common objects. Faith is not easily lost. They obey because they believe. It is not the Church enforces on them faith, but faith obliges them to take the Church (to the ends of the earth) (1 John ii. 20). This is our consolation at all times. Our very sins do not overcome the Church, for faith is independent of sin.