PREFACE.

The invaluable work of M. L'Abbé Petit * here presented, for the first time, to the English reader, is but one of a large number which the gifted Author has contributed to the religious movement in France. The idea of it, as we are informed in the original Preface, was taken from Bossuet's Élévations sur les Mystères; and its character cannot be better expressed, than in the terms of the Approbation given under authority of his Lordship the Archbishop of Cambrai.

"This work, breathing in every page, sentiments of the tenderest and truest devotion to Holy Church, combines with an ardent zeal to make her known, loved, and honoured, the greatest exactness and solidity in its

* Amour a la Sainte Eglise ou Élévations sur l'Eglise Catholique, par M. L'Abbé Petit, Curé à la Rochelle. Lille. L. Lefort, Imprimeurlibraire. 1856.

doctrinal statements. The spirit of charity and wisdom that has guided the Author's pen throughout, induces a hope that, while, replete with interest and instruction for clergy and laity, his excellent book will, by divine grace, prove useful even to those who are strangers to the Fold."

In this hope the Translator fervently unites; and in conclusion he recommends for translation to those who have leisure for the task, two other works by the same Author, constituting one series with the presentAmour à la Sainte Eucharistie; and Amour à la Sainte Vierge.

Oratory, Edgbaston,

Feb. 28, 1862.

1. The Church constituted after the type of, and in union with,

the Blessed Trinity,

2. The Angels a constituent portion of the Church,

3. The just of all times a constituent portion of the Church,

4 The Church universal begins in Abel,

5. Superiority of our privileges to those of the ages before

Christ,

6. Divine Founder of the Church Catholic,

7. Name of the Church,

.. 20

23

27

32

8. Figures applied to the Church in Holy Scripture,

9. Types of the Church,

10. The Body and Soul of the Church,

..

CHAPTER II.

FOUNDATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE CHURCH,

1. The Jewish Dispensation a preparation for the Catholic

Church,

2. The Church is founded by our Lord. His divine mission,

and its proofs,

54

59

3. Effusion of the Holy Ghost,

65

4. The rapid growth of the Church not the result of mere

human effort, but of a divine influence,

69

5. Influence of the early Church on the side of virtue,

6. The Church, in the blood of her martyrs overcoming perse-

7. The Church always weak, yet strong in her weakness with

the strength that comes from God,

82

MEDITATION.

CHAPTER III.

DISTINCTIVE MARKS OF THE CHURCH.

1. Unity of faith and government a mark of the true Church,

2. Secret of Catholic Unity,

3. Sanctity a mark of the Church,

4. Sanctity a mark of the Church, continued,

5. Catholicity a mark of the Church,

89

94

99

6. Apostolicity a mark of the Church,

CHAPTER IV.

SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CHURCH TO MANKIND IN THE

SPIRITUAL ORDER.

124

1. Recapitulation.-The author's apology for his work,

2. The Catholic Church alone offers a sure path to salvation, 128

3. Unhappiness of those who admit no principle of authority,

4. Where, within the Church, the great principle of authority

5. The Catholic Church the preserver of morality,

6. Obedience to the divine law facilitated by the precepts of the

Church,

7. The Church in her Pastoral Ministry, ..

CHAPTER V.

SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CHURCH TO MANKIND IN THE

SPIRITUAL ORDER-CONTINUED.

1. The Church, as preserving to us the Sacraments and Holy

2. The Church as preserving to us the writings of the Holy

Fathers,

3. The Church, as preserving to us the use of Holy Indul-

4. The Church as ordaining Rites and Ceremonies,..

5. The Church as preserving the Holy state of Virginity,

6. The Church as recording her own history and the lives of

her Saints,

7. The Church as maintaining solemn days and seasons and

other holy practices,

8. Recapitulation,