and by all people, that is really and truly Catholic' (Vincent of Lerins; d. 450).
§ 4. On Salvation in the true Church of Christ alone.
64. If the Catholic Church is to lead all men to eternal salvation, and has, for that purpose, received from Christ her doctrine, her means of grace, and her powers,[1] what, for his part, is every one obliged to do?
Every one is obliged, under pain of eternal damnation, to become a member of the Catholic Church, to believe her doctrine, to use her means of grace, and to submit to her authority.
65. Who teaches us this obligation?
Jesus Christ Himself, in these words (Matt, xviii. 17): 'If he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican '; and (Mark xvi. 16): 'He that believeth not [the Apostles and their lawful Successors] shall be condemned.'
Hence the Catholic Church is justly called the only saving Church. To despise her is the same as to despise Christ; namely, His doctrine, his means of grace, and His powers; to separate from her is the same as to separate from Christ, and to forfeit eternal salvation. Therefore, St. Augustine, and the other Bishops of Africa, at the Council of Zirta, a.d. 412, pronounced this decision: 'Whosoever is separated from the Catholic Church, however commendable in his own opinion his life may be, he shall for this very reason, that he is at the same time separated from the Unity of Christ, not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him' (John iii. 36).
66. Who is a member of the Catholic Church?
Every one who is baptized, and has neither voluntarily separated himself, nor has been excluded, from her.
67. Who have voluntarily separated themselves from the Church?
1. All those who by their own fault are Heretics, i.e., who profess a doctrine that has been condemned by the
- ↑ Compare page 142, quest. 42-44.
