The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"428 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.ing an Indulgence, the idea of license to sin is atonce presented to their minds.An Indulgenceissimply a remission in whole orin part, through the superabundant meritsof JesusChrist and His saints, of the temporal punishmentdue to God on account of sin, after the guilt andeternal punishment have been remitted.It should be borne in mind, that even after ourguilt is removed, there often remains some temporalpunishment to be undergone, either in this life orthe next, as an expiation to divine sanctity andjustice. The Holy Scripture furnishes us with manyexamples of this truth. Mary, the sister of Moses,was pardoned the siii which she had committed bymurmuring against her brother. Nevertheless, Godinflicted on her the penalty of leprosy and of sevendays separation from the people. 1Nathan, the prophet, announced to David thathis crimes were forgiven, but that he should suffer2many chastisements from the hand of God.That our Lord has given to the Church the powerof granting Indulgences, is clearly deduced from theSacred Text. To the Prince of the Apostles, Hesaid : Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shallbe bound also in heaven ;and whatsoever hou shaltloose on earth, shall be loosed also in heaven."And to all the Apostles assembled together Hemade the same solemn declaration. 4By these words1Num. xii.a II. Kings xii. 8 Matt. xvi. 19.4 Ibid, xviii. 18.