The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

432 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.From what I have said, you may judge for youran Indulself what to think of those who say thatgence is the remission of past sins, or a license tocommit sin granted by the Pope as a spiritual compensation to the faithful for pecuniary offeringsmade to him. I need not inform you that an Indulisgence neither the one nor the other. It is not aremission of sin, since no one can gain an Indulgenceuntil he isalready free from sin. It is still less alicense to commit sin for ; every Catholic child knowsthat neither Priest, nor Bishop, nor Pope, nor evenGod Himself with all reverence be it said cangive any license to commit the smallest fault.But are not Indulgences at variance with thespirit of the Gospel, since they appear to be a mildand feeble substitute for alms-giving, fasts, abstinences, and other penitential austerities, which JesusChrist inculcated and practised, and which the primitive Church enforced?The Church never exempts her children from theobligation of doing works of penance, as every onemust know who isacquainted with her history.No one can deny that the practices of mortification are more frequent among Catholics than amongProtestants. Where will you find the evangelicalduty of fasting enforced,if not from the Catholicpulpit? And it is well known that, among themembers of the Catholic Church, those who availthemselves of the boon of Indulgences are usuallyher most practical, edifying, and fervent children