FREIND.--We revere and cherish her. But we think she cares very little for the titles given her in this world. She is never styled the Mother of God in the gospel. In the year 431, there was a great dispute at the council of Ephesus to ascertain if Mary was Theotocos; and if Jesus Christ, being at the same time God and the son of Mary, Mary could be at the same time mother of God the Father and God the Son. We do not enter into these disputes of Ephesus. The Royal Society at London does not concern itself with such controversies. THE BACHELOR.--But, sir, you talk of Theotocos. What may Theotocos mean, if you please? FREIND.--It means Mother of God. What, are you a Bachelor of Salamanca, and don't understand Greek? THE BACHELOR.--But Greek! Of what use can Greek be to a Spaniard? But, sir, do you believe that Jesus Christ has one nature, one person, and one will; or two natures, two persons, and two wills; or, one will, one nature, and two persons; or, two wills, two persons and one nature; or,--? FREIND.--This, also, belongs to the Ephesian controversy and does not concern us. THE BACHELOR.--But what does concern you, then? Do you suppose there are only three persons in God, or that there are three Gods in one person? Does the second person proceed from the first person, and the third from the two others, or from the second _intrinsecus_, or only from the first? Has the father all the attributes of the son except paternity? And does the third person proceed by infusion, by identification, or by spiration? FREIND.--This question is not mooted in the gospel. St. Paul never wrote the name of the Trinity. THE BACHELOR.--But, you always refer to the gospel, and never make mention of St. Bonaventura, of Albert the Great, of Tambourini, of Gullandus, of Escobar. FREIND.--Because I do not call myself a Dominican, a Franciscan, or a Jesuit. I am satisfied with being a Christian. THE BACHELOR.--But if you are a Christian, tell me if you conscientiously think the rest of mankind will be damned? FREIND.--It does not become me to limit the compassion or the justice of God. THE BACHELOR.--But to come to the point, if you are a Christian, what do you believe? FREIND.--I believe with Jesus Christ that we ought to love God and our neighbor, forgive our enemies, and do good for evil. These are the maxims of Jesus. So true are they, that no legislator, no philosopher, ever had other principles before him, and it is impossible that there can be any other. These truths never have and never can meet with contradiction, save from our passions. THE BACHELOR.--But, in regard to the passions, is it true that your bishops, priests, and deacons are all married? FREIND.--Quite true. St. Joseph, who passed for the father of Jesus, was married. James the Less, surnamed Oblia, brother of our Lord, was his son, who, after the death of Jesus, spent his life in the temple. St. Paul--the great St. Paul--was a married man.