The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-11
vOL. 1...NO. 2O6

theni have exceeded that of the citizens left be-
hind, but as it is, those enemies show meanlY
before the multitude of Christiansn
These lllustrlous examples of mistaken sub
lection to Rulers necessarily flowing from the
ever holy precepts of the Christian religion.
loudly condemn the insolence and impiety Of
those who, maddening in the free unbridIed pas
sion Of untamed liberty, leave no stone unturn-
ed to break down and destroy the constitution of
states, and under the appearance of liberty to
bring slavery on the people. This was the OBJ
ject of the impious rawlings and scheme of the
WGtdenseS, OF the Beguardians, of the Wick-
H6IteS, and Of the other children Of BeliaI, the
refuse othtlmdR nature and its STAIN toIio we're
so often G,ld so justly mathematical bq the
apostolic See. Nor had they any other object
than to triumph with Luther in the boast "that
they were Independent of every one ;" and to at
tain this the more easily and readily, they fear
lessly waded through every crime.
Nor we augur more consohng conse-
quences to religion and to government, from the
zeal of some to separate THE CHURCH FROM
THE STATE, and to BURST the bond sohich
taites the priesthood to the Empire. For it Is
clear that this union is dreaded By the prQfane
torers Of liberty, only because 1t has neUer
failed to confer prosperity on both
But in addition to the other bitter causes of
our solicitude, and of that weight of sorrow
which Expresses Us in the midst of much con-
fusion, come certain associations and political
assemblies, in which, as if league were struck
with the followers of every false religion and
form Of worship, under a pretended zeal for
Piety, but in reality urged by the desire of
change, and of promotion, liberty of eueTy kind
IS maintained, resolutions ils the state and in
religion are .tonlented, and the sanctity Of all
authority is torn in pieces.
With heavy heart, but with confidence in
Him who commands the winds, and brings tran
guilty We have written on these subjects to
you, venerable brethren, that putting on the
buckler of faith you maybe encouraged to go forth
and fight the battles of the Lord. You above
all others it behooveth to stand as wall against
every height, exalhng itself against the knowl-
edge of God. Unsheath then, the sword of the
Spirit, which is the Word Of God, and let those
who hunger after justice receive bread from your
hands. Called to be labourers in the vineyard
of the Lord, confine yourself to this, labour
at this that every root of bitterness may be torn
up in the field entrusted to your care, and that
every noxious weed being destroyed, a joyful
harvest of virtues may flourish. Embrace with
paternal tenderness those in particular, who
have devoted their minds to sacred studies and
to philosophical inquiries. Exhort them and
warn them, however, against an imprudent re-
lance on the unassisted powers of their own
minds which might seduce from the pathway of
truth, into the high road of lmpiety.-Bid them
that ''God is the guide division, and
the director of the wise, and that without God
1t Is impossible to understand the nature of God,
who teaches men by his word to know God. He
is proud, or rather foolish man, who weighs
in a balance the mysteries of faith which sur
pass all human understanding, or who confides
in the deductions Of his own intellect, which SUBJ
ject to the common fatility, Of human nature, is
necessarily weak and infirm.
May this our zeal for the welfare Of religious
and public ordor, acquire aid and authority from
the princes, Our dearest sons in Christ, who
let them reflect have received their power not
merely for their temporal rule, bat chiefly for
the protection of the church. Let them careful
ly observe, that whatever is done for the good of
the church, necessarily benefits their government
AID confirms the peace of their states Let them
be persuaded that the cause ofthe faith interests
hem more neaT'v than that of their kingdom;
md let them wers,h the vast importance to them
elves, 1--WE speak with st. Leo, the Sovereign
'ontifD ''that the crown of faith should be added
o the diadem which they have received from the
land of God.n Placed over their subjects as
PARENTS and guardians, they will ensure for
hem true, constant, rich repose and tranquil
y, if they make 1t their first care to protect re-
igion and pietv towards God, who has written
ga SIC tliASh3 hhiS Vi hibSSss anu AoIu Oh loIus,
But that all may have successful and happy
ssue, let US raise our eyes TO the most blessed
Virgin Mary, who alone destroys heresies, WHO
S OUR GREATEST HOPE, YEA, THE
ENTIRE GROUND OF OURHOPE. May
he exert her patronage, to draw down an flea
;ious blessing on desires, our plans, and pro-
,eediRgs, in the present straitened condition of
he Lords flock. We will also implere, in hum
Die prayer, from Peter, tbs prince of the apos-
les, and from his fellew apostle Paul, that you
nay all stand a wall to prevent any other
oundation than what hath been laid; and sup
orted by this cheering hope, We have confidence
hat the Author and Finisher of Faith, Jesus
'hrst, will at last console us all in the eetribu-
atoms which have found us exceedingly To
OH, venerable brethren, and to the focks GEM
littsd to your care, We most lovingly impart,
5 suspicious of celestial help, the apostolic ben
liction.
Dated at Rome, from st. Mary Majors, Au-
lst 18th, the festival of the Assumptions OF the
me Blessed Virgin Mary, the year ofour Lord,
332 of our Pantificate the second