Fragmenda

Scripture

Psalms 105–106 · 2 Kings 5:11–6:23 · 1 Paralipomenon 13–16

Psalms 105

Confitemini Domino. A confession of the manifold sins and ingratitudes of the Israelites. Alleluia.

1 

Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 

Who shall declare the powers of the Lord? who shall set forth all his praises?

3 

Blessed are they that keep judgment, and do justice at all times.

4 

Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy salvation.

5 

That we may see the good of thy chosen, that we may rejoice in the joy of thy nation: that thou mayst be praised with thy inheritance.

6 

We have sinned with our fathers: we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.

7 

Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt: they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies: And they provoked to wrath going up to the sea, even the Red Sea.

8 

And he saved them for his own name’s sake: that he might make his power known.

9 

And he rebuked the Red Sea and it was dried up: and he led them through the depths, as in a wilderness.

10 

And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them: and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 

And the water covered them that afflicted them: there was not one of them left.

12 

And they believed his words: and they sang his praises.

13 

They had quickly done, they forgot his works: and they waited not for his counsel.

14 

And they coveted their desire in the desert: and they tempted God in the place without water.

15 

And he gave them their request: and sent fulness into their souls.

16 

And they provoked Moses in the camp, Aaron the holy one of the Lord.

17 

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.

18 

And a fire was kindled in their congregation: the flame burned the wicked.

19 

They made also a calf in Horeb: and they adored the graven thing.

20 

And they changed their glory into the likeness of a calf that eateth grass.

21 

They forgot God, who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt,

22 

Wondrous works in the land of Cham: terrible things in the Red Sea.

23 

And he said that he would destroy them: had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach: To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

24 

And they set at nought the desirable land. They believed not his word,

25 

And they murmured in their tents: they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.

26 

And he lifted up his hand over them: to overthrow them in the desert;

27 

And to cast down their seed among the nations, and to scatter them in the countries.

28 

They also were initiated to Beelphegor: and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

29 

And they provoked him with their inventions: and destruction was multiplied among them.

30 

Then Phinees stood up, and pacified him: and the slaughter ceased.

31 

And it was reputed to him unto justice, to generation and generation for evermore.

32 

They provoked him also at the waters of contradiction: and Moses was afflicted for their sakes:

33 

Because they exasperated his spirit. And he distinguished with his lips.

34 

They did not destroy the nations of which the Lord spoke unto them.

35 

And they were mingled among the heathens, and learned their works:

36 

And served their idols, and it became a stumblingblock to them.

37 

And they sacrificed their sons, and their daughters to devils.

38 

And they shed innocent blood: the blood of their sons and of their daughters which they sacrificed to the idols of Chanaan. And the land was polluted with blood,

39 

And was defiled with their works: and they went aside after their own inventions.

40 

And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people: and he abhorred his inheritance.

41 

And he delivered them into the hands of the nations: and they that hated them had dominion over them.

42 

And their enemies afflicted them: and they were humbled under their hands:

43 

Many times did he deliver them. But they provoked him with their counsel: and they were brought low by their iniquities.

44 

And he saw when they were in tribulation: and he heard their prayer.

45 

And he was mindful of his covenant: and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

46 

And he gave them unto mercies, in the sight of all those that had made them captives.

47 

Save us, O Lord, our God: and gather us from among the nations: That we may give thanks to thy holy name, and may glory in thy praise.

48 

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say: So be it, so be it.


Psalms 106

Confitemini Domino. All are invited to give thanks to God for his perpetual providence over men. Alleluia.

1 

Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 

Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: and gathered out of the countries.

3 

From the rising and from the setting of the sun, from the north and from the sea.

4 

They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water: they found not the way of a city for their habitation.

5 

They were hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them.

6 

And they cried to the Lord in their tribulation: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 

And he led them into the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

9 

For he hath satisfied the empty soul, and hath filled the hungry soul with good things.

10 

Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: bound in want and in iron.

11 

Because they had exasperated the words of God: and provoked the counsel of the most High:

12 

And their heart was humbled with labours: they were weakened, and there was none to help them.

13 

Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

14 

And he brought them out of darkness, and the shadow of death; and broke their bonds in sunder.

15 

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

16 

Because he hath broken gates of brass, and burst iron bars.

17 

He took them out of the way of their iniquity: for they were brought low for their injustices.

18 

Their soul abhorred all manner of meat: and they drew nigh even to the gates of death.

19 

And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

20 

He sent his word, and healed them: and delivered them from their destructions.

21 

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

22 

And let them sacrifice the sacrifice of praise: and declare his works with joy.

23 

They that go down to the sea in ships, doing business in the great waters:

24 

These have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

25 

He said the word, and there arose a storm of wind: and the waves thereof were lifted up.

26 

They mount up to the heavens, and they go down to the depths: their soul pined away with evils.

27 

They were troubled, and reeled like a drunken man; and all their wisdom was swallowed up.

28 

And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he brought them out of their distresses.

29 

And he turned the storm into a breeze: and its waves were still.

30 

And they rejoiced because they were still: and he brought them to the haven which they wished for.

31 

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

32 

And let them exalt him in the church of the people: and praise him in the chair of the ancients.

33 

He hath turned rivers into a wilderness: and the sources of waters into dry ground:

34 

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

35 

He hath turned a wilderness into pools of waters, and a dry land into water springs.

36 

And hath placed there the hungry; and they made a city for their habitation.

37 

And they sowed fields, and planted vineyards: and they yielded fruit of birth.

38 

And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly: and their cattle he suffered not to decrease.

39 

Then they were brought to be few: and they were afflicted through the trouble of evils and sorrow.

40 

Contempt was poured forth upon their princes: and he caused them to wander where there was no passing, and out of the way.

41 

And he helped the poor out of poverty: and made him families like a flock of sheep.

42 

The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

43 

Who is wise, and will keep these things; and will understand the mercies of the Lord?


2 Kings 5

David is anointed king of all Israel. He taketh Jerusalem, and dwelleth there. He defeateth the Philistines.

11 

And Hiram the king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons for walls: and they built a house for David.

12 

And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.

13 

And David took more concubines and wives of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were born to David other sons also and daughters:

14 

And these are the names of them, that were born to him in Jerusalem, Samua, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15 

And Jebahar, and Elisua, and Nepheg,

16 

And Japhia, and Elisama, and Elioda, and Eliphaleth.

17 

And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David to be king over Israel: and they all came to seek David: and when David heard of it, he went down to a strong hold.

18 

And the Philistines coming spread themselves in the valley of Raphaim.

19 

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to David: Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

20 

And David came to Baal Pharisim: and defeated them there, and he said, The Lord hath divided my enemies before me, as waters are divided. Therefore the name of the place was called Baal Pharisim.

21 

And they left there their idols: which David and his men took away.

22 

And the Philistines came up again and spread themselves into the valley of Raphaim.

23 

And David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? He answered: Go not up against them but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees.

24 

And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going in the tops of the pear trees, then shalt thou join battle: for then will the Lord go out before thy face to strike the army of the Philistines.

25 

And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and he smote the Philistines from Gabaa until thou come to Gezer.


2 Kings 6

David fetcheth the ark from Cariathiarim. Oza is struck dead for touching it. It is deposited in the house of Obededom: and from thence carried to David’s house.

1 

And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2 

And David arose and went, with all the people that were with him of the men of Juda to fetch the ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is invoked, who sitteth over it upon the cherubims.

3 

And they laid the ark of God upon a new cart: and took it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, and Oza and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

4 

And when they had taken it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, Ahio having care of the ark of God went before the ark.

5 

But David and all Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of wood, on harps and lutes and timbrels and cornets and cymbals.

6 

And when they came to the floor of Nachon, Oza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: because the oxen kicked and made it lean aside.

7 

And the indignation of the Lord was enkindled against Oza, and he struck him for his rashness: and he died there before the ark of God.

8 

And David was grieved because the Lord had struck Oza, and the name of that place was called: The striking of Oza, to this day.

9 

And David was afraid of the Lord that day, saying: How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?

10 

And he would not have the ark of the Lord brought in to himself into the city of David: but he caused it to be carried into the house of Obededom the Gethite.

11 

And the ark of the Lord abode in the house of Obededom the Gethite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.

12 

And it was told king David, that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that he had, because of the ark of God. So David went, and brought away the ark of God out of the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims.

13 

And when they that carried the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a ram:

14 

And David danced with all his might before the Lord: and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15 

And David and all the house of Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and with sound of trumpet.

16 

And when the ark of the Lord was come into the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord: and she despised him in her heart.

17 

And they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it: and David offered holocausts, and peace offerings before the Lord.

18 

And when he had made an end of offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

19 

And he distributed to all the multitude of Israel, both men and women, to every one, a cake of bread, and a piece of roasted beef, and fine flour fried with oil: and all the people departed every one to his own house.

20 

And David returned to bless his own house: and Michol the daughter of Saul coming out to meet David, said: How glorious was the king of Israel to day, uncovering himself before the handmaids of his servants, and was naked, as if one of the buffoons should be naked.

21 

And David said to Michol: Before the Lord, who chose me rather than thy father, and than all his house, and commanded me to be ruler over the people of the Lord in Israel,

22 

I will both play and make myself meaner than I have done: and I will be little in my own eyes: and with the handmaids of whom thou speakest, I shall appear more glorious.

23 

Therefore Michol the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.


1 Paralipomenon 13

The ark is brought from Cariathiarim. Oza for touching it is struck dead.

1 

David consulted with the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, and with all the commanders.

2 

And he said to all the assembly of Israel: If it please you; and if the words which I speak come from the Lord our God, let us send to the rest of our brethren into all the countries of Israel, and to the priests, and the Levites, that dwell in the suburbs of the cities, to gather themselves to us,

3 

And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we sought it not in the days of Saul.

4 

And all the multitude answered that it should be so: for the word pleased all the people.

5 

So David assembled all Israel from Sihor of Egypt, even to the entering into Emath, to bring the ark of God from Cariathiarim.

6 

And David went up with all the men of Israel to the hill of Cariathiarim which is in Juda, to bring thence the ark of the Lord God sitting upon the cherubims, where his name is called upon.

7 

And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart out of the house of Abinadab. And Oza and his brother drove the cart.

8 

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might with hymns, and with harps, and with psalteries, and timbrels, and cymbals, and trumpets,

9 

And when they came to the floor of Chidon, Oza put forth his hand, to hold up the ark: for the ox being wanton had made it lean a little on one side.

10 

And the Lord was angry with Oza, and struck him, because he had touched the ark; and he died there before the Lord.

11 

And David was troubled because the Lord had divided Oza: and he called that place the Breach of Oza to this day.

12 

And he feared God at that time, saying: How can I bring in the ark of God to me?

13 

And therefore he brought it not home to himself, that is, into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gethite.

14 

And the ark of God remained in the house of Obededom three months: and the Lord blessed his house, and all that he had.


1 Paralipomenon 14

David’s house, and children: his victories over the Philistines.

1 

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.

2 

And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted over his people Israel.

3 

And David took other wives in Jerusalem: and he begot sons, and daughters.

4 

Now these are the names of them that were born to him in Jerusalem: Samua, and Sobad, Nathan, and Solomon,

5 

Jebahar, and Elisua, and Eliphalet,

6 

And Noga, and Napheg, and Japhia,

7 

Elisama, and Baaliada, and Eliphalet.

8 

And the Philistines hearing that David was anointed king over all Israel, went all up to seek him: and David heard of it, and went out against them.

9 

And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the vale of Raphaim.

10 

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to him: Go up, and I will deliver them into thy hand.

11 

And when they were come to Baalpharasim, David defeated them there, and he said: God hath divided my enemies by my hand, as waters are divided: and therefore the name of that place was called Baalpharasim.

12 

And they left there their gods, and David commanded that they should be burnt.

13 

Another time also the Philistines made an irruption, and spread themselves abroad in the valley.

14 

And David consulted God again, and God said to him: Go not up after them, turn away from them, and come upon them over against the pear trees.

15 

And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going in the tops of the pear trees, then shalt thou go out to battle. For God is gone out before thee to strike the army of the Philistines.

16 

And David did as God had commanded him, and defeated the army of the Philistines, slaying them from Gabaon to Gazera.

17 

And the name of David became famous in all countries, and the Lord made all nations fear him.


1 Paralipomenon 15

The ark is brought into the city of David, with great solemnity. Michol derideth David’s devotion.

1 

He made also houses for himself in the city of David: and built a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tabernacle for it.

2 

Then David said: No one ought to carry the ark of God, but the Levites, whom the Lord hath chosen to carry it, and to minister unto himself for ever.

3 

And he gathered all Israel together into Jerusalem, that the ark of God might be brought into its place, which he had prepared for it.

4 

And the sons of Aaron also, and the Levites.

5 

Of the children of Caath, Uriel was the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twenty.

6 

Of the sons of Merari, Asaia the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty.

7 

Of the sons of Gersom, Joel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and thirty.

8 

Of the sons of Elisaphan, Semeias the chief: and his brethren two hundred.

9 

Of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief: and his brethren eighty.

10 

Of the sons of Oziel, Aminadab the chief: and his brethren a hundred and twelve.

11 

And David called Sadoc, and Abiathar the priests, and the Levites, Uriel, Asaia, Joel, Semeia, Eliel, and Aminadab:

12 

And he said to them: You that are the heads of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brethren, and bring the ark of the Lord the God of Israel to the place, which is prepared for it:

13 

Lest as the Lord at first struck us, because you were not present, the same should now also come to pass, by our doing some thing against the law.

14 

So the priests and the Levites were sanctified, to carry the ark of the Lord the God of Israel.

15 

And the sons of Levi took the ark of God as Moses had commanded, according to the word of the Lord, upon their shoulders, with the staves.

16 

And David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites, to appoint some of their brethren to be singers with musical instruments, to wit, on psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, that the joyful noise might resound on high.

17 

And they appointed Levites, Hemam the son of Joel, and of his brethren Asaph the son of Barachias: and of the sons of Merari, their brethren: Ethan the son of Casaia.

18 

And with them their brethren: in the second rank, Zacharias, and Ben, and Jaziel, and Semiramoth, and Jahiel, and Ani, and Eliab, and Banaias, and Maasias, and Mathathias, and Eliphalu, and Macenias, and Obededom, and Jehiel, the porters.

19 

Now the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, sounded with cymbals of brass.

20 

And Zacharias, and Oziel, and Semiramoth, and Jehiel, and Ani, and Eliab, and Maasias, and Banaias, sung mysteries upon psalteries.

21 

And Mathathias, and Eliphalu, and Macenias and Obededom, and Jehiel and Ozaziu, sung a song of victory for the octave upon harps.

22 

And Chonenias chief of the Levites, presided over the prophecy, to give out the tunes: for he was very skilful.

23 

And Barachias, and Elcana, were doorkeepers of the ark.

24 

And Sebenias, and Josaphat, and Nathanael, and Amasai, and Zacharias, and Banaias, and Eliezer the priests, sounded with trumpets, before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehias were porters of the ark.

25 

So David and all the ancients of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.

26 

And when God had helped the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they offered in sacrifice seven oxen, and seven rams.

27 

And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that carried the ark, and the singing men, and Chonenias the ruler of the prophecy among the singers: and David also had on him an ephod of linen.

28 

And all Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and sounding with the sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and cymbals, and psalteries, and harps.

29 

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.


1 Paralipomenon 16

The ark is placed in the tabernacle. Sacrifice is offered. David blesseth the people, disposeth the offices of Levites, and maketh a psalm of praise to God.

1 

So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent, which David had pitched for it: and they offered holocausts, and peace offerings before God.

2 

And when David had made an end of offering holocausts, and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3 

And he divided to all and every one, both men and women, a loaf of bread, and a piece of roasted beef, and flour fried with oil.

4 

And he appointed Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, and to remember his works, and to glorify, and praise the Lord God of Israel.

5 

Asaph the chief, and next after him Zacharias: moreover Jahiel, and Semiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mathathias, and Eliab, and Banaias, and Obededom: and Jehiel over the instruments of psaltery, and harps: and Asaph sounded with cymbals:

6 

But Banaias, and Jaziel the priests, to sound the trumpet continually before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

7 

In that day David made Asaph the chief to give praise to the Lord with his brethren.

8 

Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name: make known his doings among the nations.

9 

Sing to him, yea, sing praises to him: and relate all his wondrous works.

10 

Praise ye his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice, that seek the Lord.

11 

Seek ye the Lord, and his power: seek ye his face evermore.

12 

Remember his wonderful works, which he hath done: his signs, and the judgments of his mouth.

13 

O ye seed of Israel his servants, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

14 

He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

15 

Remember for ever his covenant: the word, which he commanded to a thousand generations.

16 

The covenant which he made with Abraham: and his oath to Isaac.

17 

And he appointed the same to Jacob for a precept: and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

18 

Saying: To thee will I give the land of Chanaan: the lot of your inheritance.

19 

When they were but a small number: very few and sojourners in it.

20 

And they passed from nation to nation: and from a kingdom to another people.

21 

He suffered no man to do them wrong: and reproved kings for their sake.

22 

Touch not my anointed: and do no evil to my prophets.

23 

Sing ye to the Lord, all the earth: shew forth from day to day his salvation.

24 

Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

25 

For the Lord is great and exceedingly to be praised: and he is to be feared above all gods.

26 

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

27 

Praise and magnificence are before him: strength and joy in his place.

28 

Bring ye to the Lord, O ye families of the nations: bring ye to the Lord glory and empire.

29 

Give to the Lord glory to his name, bring up sacrifice, and come ye in his sight: and adore the Lord in holy becomingness.

30 

Let all the earth be moved at his presence: for he hath founded the world immoveable.

31 

Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad: and let them say among the nations: The Lord hath reigned.

32 

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all things that are in them.

33 

Then shall the trees of the wood give praise before the Lord: because he is come to judge the earth.

34 

Give ye glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

35 

And say ye: Save us, O God our savior: and gather us together, and deliver us from the nations, that we may give glory to thy holy name, and may rejoice in singing thy praises.

36 

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel from eternity to eternity: and let all the people say Amen, and a hymn to God.

37 

So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, Asaph and his brethren to minister in the presence of the ark continually day by day, and in their courses.

38 

And Obededom, with his brethren sixty-eight: and Obededom the son of Idithun, and Hosa he appointed to be porters.

39 

And Sadoc the priest, and his brethren priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place, which was in Gabaon.

40 

That they should offer holocausts to the Lord upon the altar of holocausts continually, morning and evening, according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded Israel.

41 

And after him Heman, and Idithun, and the rest that were chosen, every one by his name to give praise to the Lord: because his mercy endureth for ever.

42 

And Heman and Idithun sounded the trumpet, and played on the cymbals, and all kinds of musical instruments to sing praises to God: and the sons of Idithun he made porters.

43 

And all the people returned to their houses: and David to bless also his own house.

Catechism

Catechism of the Council of Trent, Part 2, Chapter 1, Sections 35-37

Baptism Of Adults

With regard to those of adult age who enjoy the perfect use of reason, persons, namely, born of infidel parents, the practice of the primitive Church points out that a different manner of proceeding should be followed. To them the Christian faith is to be proposed; and they are earnestly to be exhorted, persuaded and invited to embrace it.

They Should Not Delay Their Baptism Unduly

If converted to the Lord God, they are then to be admonished not to defer the Sacrament of Baptism beyond the time prescribed by the Church. For since it is written, delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day, they are to be taught that in their regard perfect conversion consists in regeneration by Baptism. Besides, the longer they defer Baptism, the longer are they deprived of the use and graces of the other Sacraments, by which the Christian religion is practised, since the other Sacraments are accessible through Baptism only.

They are also deprived of the abundant fruits of Baptism, the waters of which not only wash away all the stains and defilements of past sins, but also enrich us with divine grace which enables us to avoid sin for the future and preserve righteousness and innocence, which constitute the sum of a Christian life, as all can easily understand.

Ordinarily They Are Not Baptised At Once

On adults, however, the Church has not been accustomed to confer the Sacrament of Baptism at once, but has ordained that it be deferred for a certain time. The delay is not attended with the same danger as in the case of infants, which we have already mentioned; should any unforeseen accident make it impossible for adults to be washed in the salutary waters, their intention and determination to receive Baptism and their repentance for past sins, will avail them to grace and righteousness.

Nay, this delay seems to be attended with some advantages. And first, since the Church must take particular care that none approach this Sacrament through hypocrisy and dissimulation, the intentions of such as seek Baptism, are better examined and ascertained. Hence it is that we read in the decrees of ancient Councils that Jewish converts to the Catholic faith, before admission to Baptism, should spend some months in the ranks of the catechumens.

Furthermore, the candidate for Baptism is thus better instructed in the doctrine of the faith which he is to profess, and in the practices of the Christian life. Finally, when Baptism is administered to adults with solemn ceremonies on the appointed days of Easter and Pentecost only greater religious reverence is shown to the Sacrament.