Course 2, Chapter 23: Of union with our Lord, the new Adam, by faith. Twelfth article of the Creed — Sign of the Cross

1. Which is the twelfth article of the creed?

Life everlasting. These words signify that after the general resurrection, men shall die no more; that the wicked shall be punished with eternal punishment, whilst the good shall enjoy everlasting happiness.

2. How do you call that eternal punishment?

It is called hell. Hell is the place where God punishes, and will punish for all eternity those who die in the state of mortal sin.

3. What does faith teach us with respect to this truth?

With respect to this truth faith teaches us, 1 st, that there is a hell; 2d, that hell is eternal; 3d, that the wicked will there be punished with the devils.

4. What are the principal torments of the reprobate?

The principal torments of the reprobate are the pain of loss and the pain of sense. The pain of loss is regret at having lost God. It is the greatest pain that a rational creature can experience.

5. Did the Saviour ever speak of this pain?

The Saviour spoke of this pain when he said in the Gospel: The worm dieth not; this worm is con-

science, and the conscience of the reprobate is their remembrance, consisting of these four reflections, ever present to their mind: / have lost God; I have lost him through my own fault; I have lost him for a mere trifle; I have lost him forever.

6. What is the second pain of the reprobate?

The second pain of the reprobate is the pain of sense; it is a suffering produced by a fire which will burn the body without consuming it, and will never be extinguished.

7. Did the Saviour speak of this fire?

The Saviour spoke of it plainly, when he said: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire. These two pains, of loss and of sense, are perfectly just; because they correspond to the two faults contained in sin, viz: the contempt of God and the inordinate love of creatures. The existence of an eternal hell has been believed amongst all nations; but the passions of the human heart had obscured the belief. Therefore it is that our Lord proclaimed and confirmed it anew.

8. What is the happy eternity?

The happy eternity is heaven, which is also called eternal life.

9. Why so?

To teach us not only the eternity of the saints, but also the greatness and eternity of their happiness.

10. Why did the apostles place this article at the end of the creed?

The apostles placed this article, life everlasting^ at the end of the creed, because the happiness of heaven is to be the recompense of all our good works in this life and should be the object of all our desires.

11. Is it sufficient to believe interiorly, in order to be saved?

No; it is not sufficient to believe interiorly in order to be saved. We must make an exterior profes sion of faith.

12. By what sign do we manifest our faitfr?

1#G CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

A . We manifest our faith by the sign of the cross. In making it, we profess the three principal mysteries of Christianity, viz: the mysteries of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Redemption.

13. Is the sign of the cross very ancient in the church?

The sign of the cross is as ancient as the church itself. The custom of making it dates back to the apostles and our Lord. The first Christians used it on every occasion.

14. Is it very powerful?

The sign of the cross is all-powerful in putting the devil to flight, banishing temptations, and doliv° ering us from the dangers of soul and body. As the devil makes use of creatures to tempt man, the first Christians never failed to make the sign of the cross when about to use them for any purpose. They were particularly faithful in making the sign of the crpss before and after meals.