Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846. Excerpt: ... LECTURE VII. ON THE PRACTICAL SUCCESS OF THE CATHOLIC RULE OF FAITH IN CONVERTING HEATHEN NATIONS. "But if I, in the finger of God, cast out devils, undoubtedly the kingdom of God is come upon you."--Luke xi. 20. In the Gospel which the church has selected for your edification in the service of this day, it is related how our blessed Saviour cast out the devil from one that was blind, and deaf, and dumb. In the words of my text, he concludes, from this circumstance, that, seeing how this wonderful power could not be attributed to any human or earthly agency, but must have come from God, his hearers were bound to acknowledge, that the kingdom of God was really, in his person, brought among them. Now, as the venerable Bede observes, in his commentary on this passage, what, on this occasion, was done in the body, is daily performed in the spirit, in the Church of God, by the conversion of men unto the faith; inasmuch as, the devil being thence expelled, their eyes are at first opened to see the light of God's truth, and afterwards, their tongues being loosed, they are allowed to join in his praise. And as this efficacy and power was assumed by our blessed Saviour, for a proof that the kingdom of God was indeed with him, and through him was presented to the acceptance of the Jews; so may we say, that in the parallel power of the church is to be found a similar demonstration, that where it at present exists, there also is the kingdom of Christ. Such, my brethren, is the topic on which I wish to occupy your attention this evening; it is but a completion of the task which I commenced at our last meeting; when, having laid before you the touchstone of the rule of faith, which exists in the power of effecting conversion among such as know not Christ, I entered upo...
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