The Condition of Catholics Under James I

The Condition of Catholics Under James I. - Father Gerard's Narrative of the Gunpowder Plot

The blessed Apostle, Master, and Teacher of us Gentiles, instructing the Romans in the cause and means of their salvation, affirmeth, that God hath ordained we must be conformed to the image of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus, Et quos prscivit (saith he) et prdestinavit conformes fieri imaginis filii sui.230 Upon which place St. Jerome and other Doctors do teach that it is the will of God, both in this life and in the next, to frame and fashion us both in grace and glory unto that most perfect pattern. So that if we will reign with Christ, we must expect to suffer with Him in the way unto His Kingdom, si compatimur et conglorificabimur: si commortui sumus et convivemus; si sustinebimus et conregnabimus.231 Yea, with that condition we are accepted, and in that measure we must look to be rewarded, ut sicut socii passionum sumus, sic simus et consolationis.232 This, therefore, hath been the course and manner of proceeding of Almighty God with His elected servants; [pg 002] even from the beginning, and will continue unto the end of the world. So when there were but two men born upon the earth, and those brethren, yet one did persecute the other, the wicked did kill the innocent. The Patriarchs had all their several probations, and lived but as pilgrims in the world; the Prophets sustained many persecutions, and sundry of them were put to cruel deaths for avouching the truth. The best and chosen part of God's servants towards the end of the Old Testament were proved and purged with many tribulations, they were diversely tormented and slaughtered in such manner as that saying of the Prophet David was justly applied unto them, Carnes sanctorum tuorum et sanguinem ipsorum effuderunt in circuitu Jerusalem, et non erat qui sepeliret.233 And St. Paul doth reckon up in few words the many pressures both of those and other Saints of the Old Testament, saying, Lapidati sunt, secti sunt, in occisione gladii mortui sunt, circuierunt in melotis, etc.234 ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 35501
Author: Gerard, John
Release Date: Feb 7, 2011
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Morris, John, 1826-1893