purified morals in the
first century, and with the same weapons she went to work with a right
good will, and effected a moral reformation in the sixteenth century. She
was the only effectual spiritual reformer of that age.

What was the Council of Trent but a great reforming tribunal? Most of its
decrees are directed to the reformation of abuses among the clergy and the
laity, and the salutary fruits of its legislation are reaped even to this
day.

St. Charles Borromeo, the nephew of a reigning Pope, was the greatest
reformer of his time. His whole Episcopal career was spent in elevating
the morals of his clergy and people. Bartholomew, Archbishop of Braga, in
Portugal, preached an incessant crusade against iniquity in high and low
places. St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Alphonsus, with their companions,
were conspicuous and successful reformers throughout Europe. St. Philip
Neri was called the modern Apostle of Rome because of his happy efforts in
dethroning vice in that city. All these Catholic Apostles preach by
example as well as by word.

How do Luther and Calvin, and Zuinglius and Knox, and Henry VIII. compare
with these genuine and saintly reformers, both as to their moral character
and the fruit or their labors? The private lives of these pseudo-reformers
were stained by cruelty, rapine, and licentiousness; and as the result of
their propagandism, history records civil wars, and bloodshed, and bitter
religious strife, and the dismemberment of Christianity into a thousand
sects.

Instead of co-operating with the lawful authorities in extinguishing the
flames which the passions of men had enkindled in the city of God, these
faithless citizens fly from the citadel which they had vowed to defend;
then joining the enemy, they hasten back to fan the conflagration, and to
increase the commotion. And they overturn the very altars before which
they previously sacrificed as consecrated priests.(55) They sanctioned
rebellion by undermining the principle of authority.

What a noble opportunity they lost of earning for themselves immortal
honors from God and man! If, instead of raising the standard of revolt,
they had waged war upon their own passions, and fought with the Catholic
reformers against impiety, they would be hailed as true soldiers of the
cross. They would be welcomed by the Pope, the Bishops and clergy, and by
all good men. They might be honored today on our altars, and might have a
niche in our temples, si