Course 1, Chapter 19: Knowledge of Religion; — it is a great grace

1. How must we consider religion?

We must consider religion as a great favor, con ferred upon us by God.

2. Explain this truth?

By a goodness altogether gratuitous, God has destined man to a supernatural happiness, and has given him all the means to attain it. Religion, which is the assemblage of all these means, is therefore a great favor and a great grace.

3. What is grace?

Grace is a supernatural aid which God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, gratuitously gives to men, whereby they may work out their salvation.

4. How many kinds of grace are there V

There are two kinds of grace; exterior and interior. Exterior graces are the sensible aids which God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, gives us to work out our salvation.

5. Illustrate this answer?

In the Old Testament, the promises, figures, and predictions regarding the Messiah, the law given on Mount Sinai, the Decalogue, the sacrifices, the teach ings of the prophets, the examples of the just — in a word, the whole Jewish religion was a great grace, an exterior grace. The same may be said of the Christian religion, with all its miracles, the discourses and examples of our Saviour, the apostles, the saints, arid all the teachings of the church.

6. What is interior grace?

Interior grace is whatever touches our heart interiorly, enlightens our understanding, strengthens our will, inducing us to work out our salvation. Interior graces, like the exterior, are innumerable.

7. What ought we to know respecting grace?

We must know respecting grace, 1st, that it is gratuitous, that is, we are indebted for it solely to the merits of Jesus Christ; 2d, that he who profits well by the graces received, acquires, in virtue of the promises of God, a right to new graces; 3d, that grace is absolutely necessary for us, that without it we can do nothing; with it we can do all things in order to salvation; 4th, that grace, far from trammeling our liberty, perfects it; 5th, that grace is more precious than all natural goods, since it conducts us to eternal happiness.