ne
decree, the inherent tendency of human nature,--whether manifested in
the individual or the collective being,--and destined, more or less
speedily, but inevitably, to be evolved in time and space.

The logical consequences of the new formula are:--

The substitution of the idea of a _law_ for the idea of a
_Mediator_;--the idea of a _continuous_ educational revelation for that
of an _immediate_ arbitrary revelation;

The apostolate of genius and virtue, and of the great collective
intuitions of the peoples, when roused to enthusiastic action in the
service of a truth, substituted for the _privilege_ of a priestly
_class_;

The sanctity of tradition, as the depository of the progress already
achieved; and the sanctity of individual conscience, alike the pledge
and the means of all future progress;

_Works_, sanctified by faith, substituted for mere faith alone, as the
criterion of merit and means of salvation.

The new formula of life cancels the dogma of _grace_, which is the
negation of that capacity of perfectibility granted to _all_ men; as
well as that of _predestination_, which is the negation of _free-will_,
and that of eternity of punishment, which is the negation of the divine
element existing in every human soul.

The new formula substitutes the conception of the slow, continuous
progress of the human _Ego_ throughout an indefinite series of
existences, for the idea of an impossible perfection to be achieved in
the course of one brief existence; it presents an absolutely, new view
of the mission of man upon earth, and puts an end to the antagonism
between earth and heaven, by teaching us that this world is an abode
given to man _wherein_ he is bound to merit salvation, by his own works,
and hence enforces the necessity of endeavoring, by thought, by action,
and by sacrifice, to transform the world,--the duty of realizing our
ideal here below, as far as in us lies, for the benefit of future
generations, and of reducing to an earthly _fact_ as much as may be of
the _kingdom_--the conception--of God.

The religious synthesis which is slowly but infallibly taking the place
of the synthesis of the past comprehends a new term,--the continuous
_collective_ life of humanity; and this alone is sufficient to change
the _aim_, the _method_, and the moral _law_ of our existence.

All links with heaven broken, and useless to the earth, which is ready
to hail the proclamation of a new dogma, the Papacy has no l