The question has been asked whether a godly living Roman Catholic, dying in his faith, seeking the intercession of the Virgin Mary with Christ for his sins, can be saved.
We ought, of course, to refuse entirely the pretensions of the Church of Rome, and to shrink from its system of priest craft, with its indulgences, its absolutions, and its miracles, as an abominable delusion, and believe that it is portrayed in scripture as “ the mother of harlots.”
Still it is a part of Christendom, it bears the name of Christ, and we could not say that none of that church will be saved. We believe some will. If Thyatira represents popery, in the addresses to the seven churches (Rev. 2, 3), we read (after describing her misdeeds), “Unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” And then is added a promise to the overcomer. May we not gather from this that even in that corrupt system there may be some who by the grace of God have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and trust in Him alone for salvation?
There is abundant evidence in the history of the church that there have been such. Without referring to what Luther himself taught—for he was far beyond his compeers—yet he himself was helped by others who were rigid Romanists. When Luther was groaning under the power of sin, saw not forgiveness, and sought relief by making promises and keeping under the body, one (and he a vicar-general) said to him, “Why do you distress yourself with these high thoughts? Look to the wounds of Jesus Christ, to the blood which He has shed for you: it is there you will see the mercy of God. Instead of torturing yourself for your faults, cast yourself into the arms of your Redeemer. Trust in Him, in the righteousness of His life, in the expiatory sacrifice of His death. Do not shrink from Him; God is not against you: it is you who are estranged and averse from God. Listen to the Son of God. He became man to assure you of the divine favor. He says to you, You are My sheep: you hear My voice: none shall pluck you out of My hand.”
The same man hearing Luther exclaim (for he yet had no peace), “Oh, my sin! my sin!” answered, “Well, would you be only the semblance of a sinner, and have only the semblance of a Savior? Know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of those even who are real and great sinners, and deserving of utter condemnation.” The same man gave Luther a Bible, and bid him study the scriptures.
But Luther was long in finding peace, and was one day in despair, when an old monk entered his cell, and referring Luther to his Credo, repeated “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” Well, Luther had often repeated that and believed it. “Ah,” said the monk, “you must not only believe that David’s or Peter’s sins are forgiven: the devils believe that. The commandment of God is that we believe that our own sins are forgiven.” The old man then repeated what St. Bernard had said: “The testimony which the Holy Ghost applies to your heart is this, ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee.’”
Another Romanist warned his son against indulgences as being nets for money, and deluding the simple. “Remission of sins and eternal life,” said he, “are not to be purchased by money.... The blood of Christ is the only ransom for the sins of the whole world. Oh, my son, if there were but three men to be saved by the blood of Christ, only believe, and be sure that you shall be one of those three. It is disparaging the Savior’s blood to doubt its power to save.”
Now all these counsels were given by rigid Romanists, who doubtless at the same time prayed to the Virgin Mary and to the saints, and practiced many things that could not be reconciled with what they said. And though what they confessed may not have been the clearest gospel, yet does it not show that what they really trusted in for salvation was the blood of Christ?
Thus we may say of these—and many other instances might be quoted—that they were above and beyond the teaching of their church. And there may be others in our day, hidden up in the dark corners of the earth, who have been educated in the Church of Rome, who have yet been reached by the Holy Spirit, and taught to trust for salvation to the precious blood of Christ.
The question asked—whether a Roman Catholic can be saved—suggests the solemn question, Can some Protestants be saved? We are all apt to consider Protestantism as greatly superior to Romanism; but there are really very solemn things connected with the former as well as the latter. In the address to the church in Sardis (which answers historically to Protestantism) we read, “Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead!” Profession without reality! Yet it is graciously added, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” (Rev. 3:1, 4.)
A few names! How solemn! when all may be rejoicing that they are delivered from the delusions of Rome, and have no idea of being lost. Satan cares not whether it is Romanism or Protestantism if it is mere profession.
Let us not forget that there are peculiar dangers in Protestantism. Some therein boast that they are delivered from priest craft, and that every man is perfectly free to choose his own religion. This agrees with man’s cherished thought of “liberty;” but has not God given us Christianity? And if He has given us a religion, what choice have we except to receive or reject it?
Alas, many do reject it, who at the same time pride themselves on being Protestants, yet some are farther from salvation than the poor deluded Romanists. Those who deny the divinity of Christ, and yet call themselves Christians—can they be saved? No; the death of a mere man could not atone for one soul, much less for millions. The precious blood of Christ is no atonement to them, and indeed they deny the need of any such thing.
There are others, professedly orthodox, who speak so slightingly of the blessed Lord that it is difficult to know what they believe. And some of these are in “high places” in their churches or colleges, looked up to by others, and to whom the training of the young is entrusted. One of such lately preached and published a sermon that gave such an uncertain sound that professed Unitarians circulated it by thousands. It was pleasing to them to find that one who would have declared them to be heterodox, was coming near to what they held. What can we expect of the young who are being taught by such men?
It was supposed that creeds and confessions carefully drawn up were a sufficient guarantee that nothing erroneous could be held and taught; but these have had to be altered to make room for the freedom of modern thought, and now it has been found that even that concession does not satisfy; too tight a rein cannot be held in these days of the march of mind! But what Christianity is there in all this? God’s word cannot be altered. True; but its inspiration can be denied and be trodden under foot.
Many others, who are not Unitarians, virtually deny the atonement: they deny that there is any need that another should die for them, or that this is God’s way of salvation. They do not believe that “without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Alas, such have chosen their own religion; but how can such Protestants be saved?
Some deny the inspiration of the scriptures, and many deny the eternity of punishment, &c. Yes, man likes to assert his liberty, and choose his own religion; but the tendency of all this is that it leads to infidelity.
Many other Protestants are showing their relationship to “the mother of harlots” by imitating their “mother” in her ritualism, and drawing nearer and nearer to her corruptions and her delusions.
How refreshing to turn away from it all, and have simple faith in God, believe His word, trust in the precious blood of Christ for salvation, see the deliverance He gives us from the whole scene around us, and to be looking for the Lord Himself to come and fetch us to be with Him and like Him forever. May the reader not be content with boasting of his Protestantism, but be drawn to Christ as his Savior, and have a bright hope of eternal life which nothing here can rob him of, for it is founded on the imperishable word of God.