72. It is self-evident that the Church is at an end when there are no longer any truths of faith, and so no goods of charity. Falsities of faith extinguish truths of doctrine, and evils of life consume goods of charity; for wherever there are falsities of faith, there, likewise, are evils of life also wherever there are evils of life, there, likewise, are falsities of faith. These points will be demonstrated separately in their proper place. The reason it has hitherto been unknown that by the consummation of the age is meant the end of the Church is that, when falsities are taught, and when the doctrine from them is believed and honoured as orthodox, it cannot possibly be known that the Church is to be brought to a consummation. For falsities are regarded as truths, and truths as falsities; and then falsity rejects truth and blackens it, as ink blackens clear water, or as soot blackens white paper. For it is believed and proclaimed by the most learned men of this age that they are in the clearest light of the Gospel, although they are in thick darkness as to its entire meaning; thus, a white spot has covered the pupils of their eyes.