Q. 481. Can we merit the grace of final perseverance or know when we possess it? A. We cannot merit the grace of final perseverance, or know when we possess it, because it depends entirely upon God's mercy and not upon our actions. To imagine we possess it would lead us into the sin of presumption. Q. 482. Can a person merit any supernatural reward for good deeds performed while he is in mortal sin? A. A person cannot merit any supernatural reward for good deeds performed while he is in mortal sin; nevertheless, God rewards such good deeds by giving the grace of repentance; and, therefore, all persons, even those in mortal sin, should ever strive to do good. Q. 483. Does God reward anything but our good works? A. God rewards our good intention and desire to serve Him, even when our works are not successful. We should make this good intention often during the day, and especially in the morning. LESSON ELEVENTH. ON THE CHURCH. Q. 484. How was the true religion preserved from Adam till the coming of Christ? A. The true religion was preserved from Adam till the coming of Christ by the patriarchs, prophets and other holy men whom God appointed and inspired to teach His Will and Revelations to the people, and to remind them of the promised Redeemer. Q. 485. Who were the prophets, and what was their chief duty? A. The prophets were men to whom God gave a knowledge of future events connected with religion, that they might foretell them to His people and thus give proof that the message came from God. Their chief duty was to foretell the time, place and circumstances of Our Saviour's coming into the world, that men might know when and where to look for Him, and might recognize Him when He came. Q. 486. How could they be saved who lived before Christ became man? A. They who lived before Christ became man could be saved by belief in the Redeemer to come and by keeping the Commandments of God. Q. 487. Was the true religion universal before the coming of Christ? A. The true religion was not universal before the coming of Christ. It was confined to one people--the descendants of Abraham. All other nations worshipped false gods. Q. 488. {114} Which are the means instituted by Our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of the Redemption? A. The means instituted by Our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of His Redemption are the Church and the Sacraments. Q. 489. {115} What is the Church? A. The Church is the congregation of all those who profess the faith of Christ, partake of the same Sacraments, and are governed by their lawful pastors under one visible Head. Q. 490. How may the members of the Church on earth be divided? A. The members of the Church on earth may be divided into those who teach and those who are taught. Those who teach, namely, the Pope, bishops and priests, are called the Teaching Church, or simply the Church. Those who are taught are called the Believing Church, or simply the faithful.