repliedthemonk；"confessorsareboundtobelievethemforallthat；forFatherBauny，whohasprobedthisquestiontothebottom，hasconcluded’thatatwhatevertimethosewhohavefallenintofrequentrelapses，withoutgivingevidenceofamendment，presentthemselvesbeforeaconfessor，expressingtheirregretforthepast，andagoodpurposeforthefuture，heisboundtobelievethemontheirsimpleaverment，althoughtheremaybereasontopresumethatsuchresolutiononlycamefromtheteethoutwards。Nay，’
　　sayshe，’thoughtheyshouldindulgesubsequentlytogreaterexcessthaneverinthesamedelinquencies，still，inmyopinion，theymayreceiveabsolution。’Therenow！that，Iamsure，shouldsilenceyou。""But，father，"
　　saidI，"youimposeagreathardship，Ithink，ontheconfessors，bythusobligingthemtobelievetheveryreverseofwhattheysee。""Youdon’tunderstandit，"returnedhe；"allthatismeantisthattheyareobligedtoactandabsolveasiftheybelievedthattheirpenitentswouldbetruetotheirengagements，though，inpointoffact，theybelievenosuchthing。
　　Thisisexplained，immediatelyafterwards，bySuarezandFiliutius。Afterhavingsaidthat’thepriestisboundtobelievethepenitentonhisword，’
　　theyadd：’Itisnotnecessarythattheconfessorshouldbeconvincedthatthegoodresolutionofhispenitentwillbecarriedintoeffect，noreventhatheshouldjudgeitprobable；itisenoughthathethinksthepersonhasatthetimethedesigningeneral，thoughhemayveryshortlyafterrelapse。Suchisthedoctrineofallourauthors—itadocentomnesautores。’
　　Willyoupresumetodoubtwhathasbeentaughtbyourauthors？""But，sir，whatthenbecomesofwhatFatherPetauhimselfisobligedtoown，intheprefacetohisPublicPenance，’thattheholyfathers，doctors，andcouncilsoftheChurchagreeinholdingitasasettledpointthatthepenancepreparatorytotheeucharistmustbegenuine，constant，resolute，andnotlanguidandsluggish，orsubjecttoafter—thoughtsandrelapses？’""Don’tyouobserve，"
　　repliedthemonk，"thatFatherPetauisspeakingoftheancientChurch？
　　Butallthatisnowsolittleinseason，touseacommonsayingofourdoctors，that，accordingtoFatherBauny，thereverseistheonlytrueviewofthematter。’Therearesome，’sayshe，’whomaintainthatabsolutionoughttoberefusedtothosewhofallfrequentlyintothesamesin，moreespeciallyif，afterbeingoftenabsolved，theyevincenosignsofamendment；
　　andothersholdtheoppositeview。Buttheonlytrueopinionisthattheyoughtnottoberefusedabsolution；and，thoughtheyshouldbenothingthebetterofalltheadvicegiventhem，thoughtheyshouldhavebrokenalltheirpromisestoleadnewlives，andbeenatnotroubletopurifythemselves，stillitisofnoconsequence；whatevermaybesaidtothecontrary，thetrueopinionwhichoughttobefollowedisthateveninallthesecases，theyoughttobeabsolved。’Andagain：’AbsolutionoughtneithertobedeniednordelayedinthecaseofthosewholiveinhabitualsinsagainstthelawofGod，ofnature，andoftheChurch，althoughthereshouldbenoapparentprospectoffutureamendment—etsiemendationisfuturaenullaspesappareat。’""But，father，thiscertaintyofalwaysgettingabsolutionmayinducesinners—""Iknowwhatyoumean，"interruptedtheJesuit；"butlistentoFatherBauny，Q。15：’Absolutionmaybegiveneventohimwhocandidlyavowsthatthehopeofbeingabsolvedinducedhimtosinwithmorefreedomthanhewouldotherwisehavedone。’AndFatherCaussin，defendingthisproposition，says’that，werethisnottrue，confessionwouldbeinterdictedtothegreaterpartofmankind；andtheonlyresourceleftpoorsinnerswouldbeabranchandarope。’""Ofather，howthesemaximsofyourswilldrawpeopletoyourconfessionals！""Yes，hereplied，"youwouldhardlybelievewhatnumbersareinthehabitoffrequentingthem；’weareabsolutelyoppressedandoverwhelmed，sotospeak，underthecrowdofourpenitents—
　　penitentiumnumeroobruimur’—asissaidinTheImageoftheFirstCentury。"
　　"Icouldsuggestaverysimplemethod，"saidI，"toescapefromthisinconvenientpressure。Youhaveonlytoobligesinnerstoavoidtheproximateoccasionsofsin；thatsingleexpedientwouldaffordyoureliefatonce。""Wehavenowishforsucharelief，"rejoinedthemonk；"quitethereverse；for，asisobservedinthesamebook，’thegreatendofourSocietyistolabortoestablishthevirtues，towagewaronthevices，andtosaveagreatnumberofsouls。’Now，asthereareveryfewsoulsinclinedtoquittheproximateoccasionsofsin，wehavebeenobligedtodefinewhataproximateoccasionis。’Thatcannotbecalledaproximateoccasion，’saysEscobar，’whereonesinsbutrarely，oronasuddentransport—saythreeorfourtimesayear’；or，asFatherBaunyhasit，onceortwiceinamonth。’Again，asksthisauthor，’whatistobedoneinthecaseofmastersandservants，orcousins，who，livingunderthesameroof，arebythisoccasiontemptedtosin？’""Theyoughttobeseparated，"saidI。"Thatiswhathesays，too，’iftheirrelapsesbeveryfrequent：butifthepartiesoffendrarely，andcannotbeseparatedwithouttroubleandloss，theymay，accordingtoSuarezandotherauthors，beabsolved，providedtheypromisetosinnomore，andaretrulysorryforwhatispast。’"Thisrequirednoexplanation，forhehadalreadyinformedmewithwhatsortofevidenceofcontritiontheconfessorwasboundtorestsatisfied。"AndFatherBauny，"continuedthemonk，"permitsthosewhoareinvolvedintheproximateoccasionsofsin，’toremainastheyare，whentheycannotavoidthemwithoutbecomingthecommontalkoftheworld，orsubjectingthemselvestoinconvenience。’
　　’Apriest，’heremarksinanotherwork，’mayandoughttoabsolveawomanwhoisguiltyoflivingwithaparamour，ifshecannotputhimawayhonourably，orhassomereasonforkeepinghim—sinonpotesthonesteejicere，authabeataliquamcausamretinendi—providedshepromisestoactmorevirtuouslyforthefuture。’""Well，father，"criedI，"youhavecertainlysucceededinrelaxingtheobligationofavoidingtheoccasionsofsintoaverycomfortableextent，bydispensingwiththedutyassoonasitbecomesinconvenient；
　　butIshouldthinkyourfatherswillatleastallowitbebindingwhenthereisnodifficultyinthewayofitsperformance？""Yes，"saidthefather，"thougheventhentheruleisnotwithoutexceptions。ForFatherBaunysays，inthesameplace，’thatanyonemayfrequentprofligatehouses，withtheviewofconvertingtheirunfortunateinmates，thoughtheprobabilityshouldbethathefallintosin，havingoftenexperiencedbeforethathehasyieldedtotheirfascinations。Somedoctorsdonotapproveofthisopinion，andholdthatnomanmayvoluntarilyputhissalvationinperiltosuccourhisneighbor；yetIdecidedlyembracetheopinionwhichtheycontrovert。’""Anovelsortofpreachersthese，father！ButwheredoesFatherBaunyfindanygroundforinvestingthemwithsuchamission？""Itisupononeofhisownprinciples，"hereplied，"whichheannouncesinthesameplaceafterBasilPonce。Imentionedittoyoubefore，andIpresumeyouhavenotforgottenit。Itis，’thatonemayseekanoccasionofsin，directlyandexpressly—primoetperse—topromotethetemporalorspiritualgoodofhimselforhisneighbour。’"Onhearingthesepassages，IfeltsohorrifiedthatIwasonthepointofbreakingout；but，beingresolvedtohearhimtoanend，Irestrainedmyself，andmerelyinquired："How，father，doesthisdoctrinecomportwiththatoftheGospel，whichbindsusto’pluckouttherighteye，’and’cutofftherighthand，’whenthey’offend，’orproveprejudicialtosalvation？Andhowcanyousupposethatthemanwhowilfullyindulgesintheoccasionsofsins，sincerelyhatessin？Isitnotevident，onthecontrary，thathehasneverbeenproperlytouchedwithasenseofit，andthathehasnotyetexperiencedthatgenuineconversionofheart，whichmakesamanloveGodasmuchasheformerlylovedthecreature？""Indeed！"criedhe，"doyoucallthatgenuinecontrition？
　　Itseemsyoudonotknowthat，asFatherPintereausays，’allourfathersteach，withoneaccord，thatitisanerror，andalmostaheresy，toholdthatcontritionisnecessary；orthatattritionalone，inducedbythesolemotive，thefearofthepainsofhell，whichexcludesadispositiontooffend，isnotsufficientwiththesacrament？’""What，father！doyoumeantosaythatitisalmostanarticleoffaiththatattrition，inducedmerelybyfearofpunishment，issufficientwiththesacrament？Thatidea，Ithink，ispeculiartoyourfathers；forthoseotherdoctorswhoholdthatattritionissufficientalongwiththesacrament，alwaystakecaretoshowthatitmustbeaccompaniedwithsomelovetoGodatleast。Itappearstome，moreover，thatevenyourownauthorsdidnotalwaysconsiderthisdoctrineofyourssocertain。YourFatherSuarez，forinstance，speaksofitthus：’Althoughitisaprobableopinionthatattritionissufficientwiththesacrament，yetitisnotcertain，anditmaybefalse—nonestcerta，etpotestessefalsa。And，ifitisfalse，attritionisnotsufficienttosaveaman；
　　andhethatdiesknowinglyinthisstate，wilfullyexposeshimselftothegraveperilofeternaldamnation。Forthisopinionisneitherveryancientnorverycommon—necvaldeantiqua，necmultumcommunis。’SanchezwasnotmorepreparedtoholditasinfalliblewhenhesaidinhisSummarythat’thesickmanandhisconfessor，whocontentthemselvesatthehourofdeathwithattritionandthesacrament，arebothchargeablewithmortalsin，onaccountofthegreatriskofdamnationtowhichthepenitentwouldbeexposed，iftheopinionthatattritionissufficientwiththesacramentshouldnotturnouttobetrue。Comitolus，too，saysthat’weshouldnotbetoosurethatattritionsufficeswiththesacrament。’"Heretheworthyfatherinterruptedme。"What！"hecried，"youreadourauthorsthen，itseems？Thatisallverywell；butitwouldbestillbetterwereyounevertoreadthemwithouttheprecautionofhavingoneofusbesideyou。Doyounotsee，now，that，fromhavingreadthemalone，youhaveconcluded，inyoursimplicity，thatthesepassagesbearhardonthosewhohavemorelatelysupportedourdoctrineofattrition？Whereasitmightbeshownthatnothingcouldsetthemofftogreateradvantage。Onlythinkwhatatriumphitisforourfathersofthepresentdaytohavesucceededindisseminatingtheiropinioninsuchshorttime，andtosuchanextentthat，withtheexceptionoftheologians，nobodyalmostwouldeversupposebutthatourmodernviewsonthissubjecthadbeentheuniformbeliefofthefaithfulinallages！Sothat，infact，whenyouhaveshown，fromourfathersthemselves，that，afewyearsago，’thisopinionwasnotcertain，’youhaveonlysucceededingivingourmodernauthorsthewholemeritofitsestablishment！"Accordingly，"
　　hecontinued，"ourcordialfriendDiana，togratifyus，nodoubt，hasrecountedthevariousstepsbywhichtheopinionreacheditspresentposition。’Informerdays，theancientschoolmenmaintainedthatcontritionwasnecessaryassoonasonehadcommittedamortalsin；sincethen，however，ithasbeenthoughtthatitisnotbindingexceptonfestivaldays；afterwards，onlywhensomegreatcalamitythreatenedthepeople；others，again，thatitoughtnottobelongdelayedattheapproachofdeath。Butourfathers，HurtadoandVasquez，haveablyrefutedalltheseopinionsandestablishedthatoneisnotboundtocontritionunlesshecannotbeabsolvedinanyotherway，oratthepointofdeath！’But，tocontinuethewonderfulprogressofthisdoctrine，Imightadd，whatourfathers，Fagundez，Granados，andEscobar，havedecided，’thatcontritionisnotnecessaryevenatdeath；
　　because，’saythey，’ifattritionwiththesacramentdidnotsufficeatdeath，itwouldfollowthatattritionwouldnotbesufficientwiththesacrament。AndthelearnedHurtado，citedbyDianaandEscobar，goesstillfurther；forheasks：’Isthatsorrowforsinwhichflowssolelyfromapprehensionofitstemporalconsequences，suchashavinglosthealthormoney，sufficient？
　　Wemustdistinguish。IftheevilisnotregardedassentbythehandofGod，suchasorrowdoesnotsuffice；butiftheevilisviewedassentbyGod，as，infact，allevil，saysDiana，exceptsin，comesfromhim，thatkindofsorrowissufficient。’OurFatherLamyholdsthesamedoctrine。"
　　"Yousurpriseme，father；forIseenothinginallthatattritionofwhichyouspeakbutwhatisnatural；andinthiswayasinnermayrenderhimselfworthyofabsolutionwithoutsupernaturalgraceatall。NoweverybodyknowsthatthisisaheresycondemnedbytheCouncil。""Ishouldhavethoughtwithyou，"hereplied；"andyetitseemsthismustnotbethecase，forthefathersofourCollegeofClermonthavemaintained（intheirThesesofthe23rdMayand6thJune1644）’thatattritionmaybeholyandsufficientforthesacrament，althoughitmaynotbesupernatural’；and（inthatofAugust1643）’thatattrition，thoughmerelynatural，issufficientforthesacrament，provideditishonest。’Idonotseewhatmorecouldbesaidonthesubject，unlesswechoosetosubjoinaninference，whichmaybeeasilydrawnfromtheseprinciples，namely，thatcontrition，sofarfrombeingnecessarytothesacrament，isratherprejudicialtoit，inasmuchas，bywashingawaysinsofitself，itwouldleavenothingforthesacramenttodoatall。Thatis，indeed，exactlywhatthecelebratedJesuitFatherValenciaremarks。（Bookiv，disp。7，q。8，p。4。）’Contrition，’sayshe，’isbynomeansnecessaryinordertoobtaintheprincipalbenefitofthesacrament；
　　onthecontrary，itisratheranobstacleinthewayofit—imoobstatpotiusquominuseffectussequatur。’Nobodycouldwelldesiremoretobesaidincommendationofattrition。""Ibelievethat，father，saidI；"butyoumustallowmetotellyoumyopinion，andtoshowyoutowhatadreadfullengththisdoctrineleads。Whenyousaythat’attrition，inducedbythemeredreadofpunishment，’issufficient，withthesacrament，tojustifysinners，doesitnotfollowthatapersonmayalwaysexpiatehissinsinthisway，andthusbesavedwithouteverhavinglovedGodallhislifetime？
　　Wouldyourfathersventuretoholdthat？""Iperceive，"repliedthemonk，"fromthestrainofyourremarks，thatyouneedsomeinformationonthedoctrineofourfathersregardingtheloveofGod。Thisisthelastfeatureoftheirmorality，andthemostimportantofall。YoumusthavelearnedsomethingofitfromthepassagesaboutcontritionwhichIhavequotedtoyou。ButhereareothersstillmoredefiniteonthepointoflovetoGod—Don’tinterruptme，now；foritisofimportancetonoticetheconnection。
　　AttendtoEscobar，whoreportsthedifferentopinionsofourauthors，inhisPracticeoftheLoveofGodaccordingtoourSociety。Thequestionis：’WhenisoneobligedtohaveanactualaffectionforGod？’SuarezsaysitisenoughifonelovesHimbeforebeingarticulomortis—atthepointofdeath—withoutdeterminingtheexacttime。Vasquez，thatitissufficientevenattheverypointofdeath。Others，whenonehasreceivedbaptism。
　　Others，again，whenoneisboundtoexercisecontrition。Andothers，onfestivaldays。Butourfather，CastroPalao，combatsalltheseopinions，andwithgoodreason—merito。HurtadodeMendozainsiststhatweareobligedtoloveGodonceayear；andthatweoughttoregarditasagreatfavourthatwearenotboundtodoitoftener。ButourFatherConinckthinksthatweareboundtoitonlyonceinthreeorfouryears；Henriquez，onceinfiveyears；andFiliutiussaysthatitisprobablethatwearenotstrictlyboundtoitevenonceinfiveyears。Howoften，then，doyouask？Why，herefersittothejudgementofthejudicious。"Itooknonoticeofallthisbadinage，inwhichtheingenuityofmanseemstobesporting，intheheightofinsolence，withtheloveofGod。"But，"pursuedthemonk，"ourFatherAntonySirmondsurpassesallonthispoint，inhisadmirablebook，TheDefenceofVirtue，where，ashetellsthereader，’hespeaksFrenchinFrance，’asfollows：’St。ThomassaysthatweareobligedtoloveGodassoonaswecometotheuseofreason：thatisrathertoosoon！ScotussayseverySunday；pray，forwhatreason？Otherssaywhenwearesorelytempted：yes，iftherebenootherwayofescapingthetemptation。ScotussayswhenwehavereceivedabenefitfromGod：good，inthewayofthankingHimforit。Otherssayatdeath：ratherlate！AslittledoIthinkitbindingatthereceptionofanysacrament：attritioninsuchcasesisquiteenough，alongwithconfession，ifconvenient。Suarezsaysthatitisbindingatsometimeoranother；butatwhattime？—heleavesyoutojudgeofthatforyourself—hedoesnotknow；andwhatthatdoctordidnotknowIknownotwhoshouldknow。’Inshort，heconcludesthatwearenotstrictlyboundtomorethantokeeptheothercommandments，withoutanyaffectionforGod，andwithoutgivingHimourhearts，providedthatwedonothateHim。
　　Toprovethisisthesoleobjectofhissecondtreatise。Youwillfinditineverypage；moreespeciallywherehesays：’God，incommandingustoloveHim，issatisfiedwithourobeyingHiminhisothercommandments。
　　IfGodhadsaid："Whateverobediencethouyieldestme，ifthyheartisnotgiventome，Iwilldestroythee！"wouldsuchamotive，thinkyou，bewellfittedtopromotetheendwhichGodmust，andonlycan，haveinview？HenceitissaidthatweshallloveGodbydoingHiswill，asifwelovedHimwithaffection，asifthemotiveinthiscasewasrealcharity。
　　Ifthatisreallyourmotive，somuchthebetter；ifnot，stillwearestrictlyfulfillingthecommandmentoflove，byhavingitsworks，sothat（suchisthegoodnessofGod！）wearecommanded，notsomuchtoloveHim，asnottohateHim。’"SuchisthewayinwhichourdoctorshavedischargedmenfromthepainfulobligationofactuallylovingGod。AndthisdoctrineissoadvantageousthatourFathersAnnat，Pintereau，LeMoine，andAntonySirmondhimself，havestrenuouslydefendeditwhenithasbeenattacked。
　　YouhaveonlytoconsulttheiranswerstotheMoralTheology。ThatofFatherPintereau，inparticular，willenableyoutoformsomeideaofthevalueofthisdispensation，fromthepricewhichhetellsusthatitcost，whichisnolessthanthebloodofJesusChrist。Thiscrownsthewhole。Itappears，thatthisdispensationfromthepainfulobligationtoloveGod，istheprivilegeoftheEvangelicallaw，inoppositiontotheJudaical。’Itwasreasonable，’hesays，’that，underthelawofgraceintheNewTestament，Godshouldrelieveusfromthattroublesomeandarduousobligationwhichexistedunderthelawofbondage，toexerciseanactofperfectcontrition，inordertobejustified；andthattheplaceofthisshouldbesuppliedbythesacraments，institutedinaidofaneasierdisposition。Otherwise，indeed，Christians，whoarethechildren，wouldhavenogreaterfacilityingainingthegoodgracesoftheirFatherthantheJews，whoweretheslaves，hadinobtainingthemercyoftheirLordandMaster。’""Ofather！"
　　criedI；"nopatiencecanstandthisanylonger。ItisimpossibletolistenwithouthorrortothesentimentsIhavejustheard。""Theyarenotmysentiments，"
　　saidthemonk。"Igrantit，sir，"saidI；"butyoufeelnoaversiontothem；and，sofarfromdetestingtheauthorsofthesemaxims，youholdtheminesteem。Areyounotafraidthatyourconsentmayinvolveyouinaparticipationoftheirguilt？andareyounotawarethatSt。Pauljudgesworthyofdeath，notonlytheauthorsofevilthings，butalso’thosewhohavepleasureinthemthatdothem？’Wasitnotenoughtohavepermittedmentoindulgeinsomanyforbiddenthingsunderthecovertofyourpalliations？
　　Wasitnecessarytogostillfurtherandholdoutabribetothemtocommiteventhosecrimeswhichyoufounditimpossibletoexcuse，byofferingthemaneasyandcertainabsolution；andforthispurposenullifyingthepowerofthepriests，andobligingthem，moreasslavesthanasjudges，toabsolvethemostinveteratesinners—withoutanyamendmentoflife，withoutanysignofcontritionexceptpromisesahundredtimesbroken，withoutpenance’unlesstheychoosetoacceptofit’，andwithoutabandoningtheoccasionsoftheirvices，’iftheyshouldtherebybeputtoanyinconvenience？’
　　"Butyourdoctorshavegoneevenbeyondthis；andthelicensewhichtheyhaveassumedtotamperwiththemostholyrulesofChristianconductamountstoatotalsubversionofthelawofGod。Theyviolate’thegreatcommandmentonwhichhangallthelawandtheprophets’；theystrikeattheveryheartofpiety；theyrobitofthespiritthatgivethlife；theyholdthattoloveGodisnotnecessarytosalvation；andgosofarastomaintainthat’thisdispensationfromlovingGodistheprivilegewhichJesusChristhasintroducedintotheworld！’This，sir，istheveryclimaxofimpiety。
　　ThepriceofthebloodofJesusChristpaidtoobtainusadispensationfromlovingHim！Beforetheincarnation，itseemsmenwereobligedtoloveGod；butsince’GodhassolovedtheworldastogiveHisonlybegottenSon，’theworld，redeemedbyhim，isreleasedfromlovingHim！Strangedivinityofourdays—todaretotakeoffthe’anathema’whichSt。Pauldenouncesonthose’thatlovenottheLordJesus！’TocancelthesentenceofSt。John：’Hethatlovethnot，abidethindeath！’andthatofJesusChristhimself：’Hethatlovethmenotkeepethnotmyprecepts！’andthustorenderthoseworthyofenjoyingGodthrougheternitywhoneverlovedGodalltheirlife！BeholdtheMysteryofIniquityfulfilled！Openyoureyesatlength，mydearfather，andiftheotheraberrationsofyourcasuistshavemadenoimpressiononyou，lettheselast，bytheirveryextravagance，compelyoutoabandonthem。ThisiswhatIdesirefromthebottomofmyheart，foryourownsakeandforthesakeofyourdoctors；andmyprayertoGodisthatHewouldvouchsafetoconvincethemhowfalsethelightmustbethathasguidedthemtosuchprecipices；andthatHewouldfilltheirheartswiththatloveofHimselffromwhichtheyhavedaredtogivemanadispensation！"Aftersomeremarksofthisnature，Itookmyleaveofthemonk，andIseenogreatlikelihoodofmyrepeatingmyvisitstohim。This，however，neednotoccasionyouanyregret；for，shoulditbenecessarytocontinuethesecommunicationsontheirmaxims，Ihavestudiedtheirbookssufficientlytotellyouasmuchoftheirmorality，andmore，perhaps，oftheirpolicy，thanhecouldhavedonehimself。Iam，&；c。LETTERXI
　　TOTHEREVERENDFATHERS，THEJESUITSAugust18，1656REVERENDFATHERS，IhaveseentheletterswhichyouarecirculatinginoppositiontothosewhichIwrotetooneofmyfriendsonyourmorality；andIperceivethatoneoftheprincipalpointsofyourdefenceisthatIhavenotspokenofyourmaximswithsufficientseriousness。Thischargeyourepeatinallyourproductions，andcarryitsofarastoallege，thatIhavebeen"guiltyofturningsacredthingsintoridicule。"Suchacharge，fathers，isnolesssurprisingthanitisunfounded。WheredoyoufindthatIhaveturnedsacredthingsintoridicule？
　　Youspecify"theMohatracontract，andthestoryofJohnd’Alba。"Butarethesewhatyoucall"sacredthings？"DoesitreallyappeartoyouthattheMohatraissomethingsovenerablethatitwouldbeblasphemynottospeakofitwithrespect？AndthelessonsofFatherBaunyonlarceny，whichledJohnd’Albatopractiseitatyourexpense，aretheysosacredastoentitleyoutostigmatizeallwholaughatthemasprofanepeople？What，fathers！mustthevagariesofyourdoctorspassfortheveritiesoftheChristianfaith，andnomanbeallowedtoridiculeEscobar，orthefantasticalandunchristiandogmasofyourauthors，withoutbeingstigmatizedasjestingatreligion？Isitpossibleyoucanhaveventuredtoreiteratesooftenanideasoutterlyunreasonable？Haveyounofearsthat，inblamingmeforlaughingatyourabsurdities，youmayonlyaffordmefreshsubjectofmerriment；thatyoumaymakethechargerecoilonyourselves，byshowingthatIhavereallyselectednothingfromyourwritingsasthematterofraillerybutwhatwastrulyridiculous；andthatthus，inmakingajestofyourmorality，Ihavebeenasfarfromjeeringatholythings，asthedoctrineofyourcasuistsisfarfrombeingtheholydoctrineoftheGospel？
　　Indeed，reverendsirs，thereisavastdifferencebetweenlaughingatreligionandlaughingatthosewhoprofaneitbytheirextravagantopinions。ItwereimpietytobewantinginrespectfortheveritieswhichtheSpiritofGodhasrevealed；butitwerenolessimpietyofanothersorttobewantingincontemptforthefalsitieswhichthespiritofmanopposestothem。For，fathers（sinceyouwillforcemeintothisargument），Ibeseechyoutoconsiderthat，justinproportionasChristiantruthsareworthyofloveandrespect，thecontraryerrorsmustdeservehatredandcontempt；
　　therebeingtwothingsinthetruthsofourreligion：adivinebeautythatrendersthemlovely，andasacredmajestythatrendersthemvenerable；
　　andtwothingsalsoabouterrors：animpiety，thatmakesthemhorrible，andanimpertinencethatrendersthemridiculous。Forthesereasons，whilethesaintshaveevercherishedtowardsthetruththetwofoldsentimentofloveandfear—thewholeoftheirwisdombeingcomprisedbetweenfear，whichisitsbeginning，andlove，whichisitsend—theyhave，atthesametime，entertainedtowardserrorthetwofoldfeelingofhatredandcontempt，andtheirzealhasbeenatonceemployedtorepel，byforceofreasoning，themaliceofthewicked，andtochastise，bytheaidofridicule，theirextravaganceandfolly。Donotthenexpect，fathers，tomakepeoplebelievethatitisunworthyofaChristiantotreaterrorwithderision。Nothingiseasierthantoconvinceallwhowerenotawareofitbeforethatthispracticeisperfectlyjust—thatitiscommonwiththefathersoftheChurch，andthatitissanctionedbyScripture，bytheexampleofthebestofsaints，andevenbythatofGodhimself。DowenotfindGodatoncehatesanddespisessinners；sothatevenatthehourofdeath，whentheirconditionismostsadanddeplorable，DivineWisdomaddsmockerytothevengeancewhichconsignsthemtoeternalpunishment？"Ininterituvestrorideboetsubsannabo—I