And though its own first vocation is to seek and save souls one by one, it consecrates in passing every field of thought and action, wherein the quickened energies of souls may find their scope. It welcomes the discoveries of science, as ultimately due to Divine revelation, and part of the providential education of the world. It recalls to art the days when, in catacomb and cloister, she learned her noblest mission to be the service of the Word made Flesh. It appeals to democracy as the religion of the fishermen who gathered round the carpenter's Son. It points the social reformer to the pattern of a perfect man, laying down His life alike for enemy and friend. While it crowns all earthly aims with a hope full of immortality, as prophetic of eternal occupations otherwhere. And however many a new meaning may yet be found in the Incarnation, however many a misconception of it fade before fuller light; we can conceive no phase of progress which has not the Incarnation for its guiding star; no age which cannot make the prayer of the fifth century its own-- 'O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favourably on Thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and by the tranquil operation of Thy perpetual Providence, carry out the work of man's salvation; and let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things are returning to perfection through Him, from whom they took their origin, even through our Lord Jesus Christ[214].' [195] Irenaeus. [196] S. Thom. Aq. _c. Gent._ iv. 13. [197] H. de Boseham (Migne) v. 190. p. 1353. [198] Scot. Er. (Migne) v. 122. p. 302. [199] S. Bonav. _In Eccles._ ci. t. ix. [200] H. de S. Victor. (Migne) v. 177. p. 580. [201] S. Thom. Aquinas. [202] S. Bonav. _de Reduct._ sub fin. [203] S. Thom. Aq. _de Verit._ 22. 2. 1. [204] S. Bonav. _Lum. Eccles._ S. 12. [205] Id. _Lum. Eccles._ S. 5. [206] Mark Pattison. [207] _Mag. Mor._ ii. 12. [208] S. Thom. Aq. ii. _Sent._ i. 1. [209] _In Act. Apost._ c. 17. v. 28. [210] Cp. p. 64. [211] S. Aug. _de Magist._ 38. t. i. p. 916. [212] S. Thom. Aq. _cont. Gent._ iv. 13. [213] Thomassin, _Incarn._ i. 15. [214] Gelasian, quoted by Bright, _Ancient Collects_, p. 98. VI. _THE INCARNATION AS THE BASIS OF DOGMA._ R. C. MOBERLY.