Chapter 2 of 4

8By Philosophy. Philosophy and all humane science, so long as they be subject and obedient to Christ (as they be in the Schools of Christian Catholic men) be not forbidden, but are greatly commended and be very profitable in the Church of God. Otherwise where secular learning is made the rule of religion and commandeth faith, there it is pernicious and the cause of all heresy and infidelity. for the which, S. Jerome and before him Tertullian call Philosophers, the Patriarchs of Heresies, and declare that all the old heresies rose only by too much admiring of profane Philosophy. Hieron. ad Ctesiph. cont. Pelag. c. 1. Tertul. de praescr. & cont. Hermog. & cont. Marcio. li. 5. And so do these new sects no doubt in many things. for, other arguments have they none against the presence of Christ in the B. Sacrament but such as they borrow of Aristotle and his like, concerning quantity, accidents, place, position, dimensions, sense, sight, taste, and other straits of reason, to which they bring Christ's mysteries. All Philosophical arguments therefore against any article of our faith be here condemned as deceitful, and are called also here, the tradition of men, and the elements of the world. The better to refute which fallacies and traditions of Heathen men, the School learning is necessary, which keepeth Philosophy in awe and order of faith, and useth the same to withstand the Philosophical and sophistical deceits of the Heretics and Heathen. So the great Philosophers S. Denys, S. Augustine, Clemens Alexandrinus, Justine, Lactantius and the rest, used the same to the great honour and benefit of the Church. So came S. Cyprian, S. Ambrose, S. Jerome, and the Greek fathers, furnished with all secular learning unto the trade of Divinity, whereof see S. Jerome ep. 84. ad Magnum Oratorem.By Philosophie. Philosophie and al humane science, so long as they be subiect and obedient to Christ (as they be in the Schooles of Christian Catholike men) be not forbidden, but are greatly commended and be very profitable in the Church of God. Otherwise vvhere secular learning is made the rule of religion and commaundeth faith, there it is pernicious and the cause of al heresie and infidelitie. for the vvhich, S. Hierom and before him Tertullian cal Philosophers, the Patriarkes of Heresies, and declare that al the old heresies rose onely by to much admiring of profane Philosophie. Hieron. ad Ctesiph. cont. Pelag. c. 1. Tertul. de praescr. & cont. Hermog. & cont. Marcio. li. 5. And so do these nevv sectes no doubt in many things. for, other arguments haue they none against the presence of Christ in the B. Sacrament but such as they borovv of Aristotle and his like, concerning quantitie, accidents, place, position, dimensions, sense, sight, tast, and other straites of reason, to vvhich they bring Christes mysteries. Al Philosophical arguments therefore against any article of our faith be here condemned as deceitful, and are called also here, the tradition of men, and the elements of the vvorld. The better to refute vvhich fallacies and traditions of Heathen men, the Schoole learning is necessarie, vvhich keepeth Philosophie in avve and order of faith, and vseth the same to vvithstand the Philosophical and sophistical deceites of the Heretikes and Heathen. So the great Philosophers S. Denys, S. Augustine, Clemens Alexandrinus, Iustine, Lactantius and the rest, vsed the same to the great honour and benefite of the Church. So came S. Cyprian, S. Ambrose, S. Hierom, and the Greeke fathers, furnished vvith al secular learning vnto the trade of Diuinitie, vvherof see S. Hierom ep. 84. ad Magnum Oratorem.

16In meat. The Protestants wilfully or ignorantly apply all these kinds of forbearing meats, to the Christian fasts: but it is by the circumstance of the text plain (as S. Augustine also teacheth) that the Judaical observation and distinction of certain clean and unclean meats is forbidden to the Colossians, who were in danger to be seduced by certain Jews, under pretence of holiness to keep the Law touching meats and festivities and other like, which the Apostle in sheweth were only shadows of things to come: which things are come, and therefore the said shadows to cease. where he nameth the Sabbaths and feasts of the new moon, that no man need to doubt but that he speaketh only of the Jewish days and kinds of fasts and feasts, and not of Christian holidays or fasting days at all.In meate. The Protestants vvilfully or ignorantly applie al these kindes of forbearing meates, to the Christian fastes: but it is by the circumstance of the text plaine (as S. Augustine also teacheth) that the Iudaical obseruation and distinction of certaine cleane and vncleane meates is forbidden to the Colossians, vvho vvere in danger to be seduced by certaine Ievves, vnder pretence of holines to keepe the Lavv touching meates and festiuities and other like, vvhich the Apostle in shevveth vvere onely shadovves of things to come: vvhich things are come, and therfore the said shadovves to cease. vvhere he nameth the Sabboths and feastes of the nevv moone, that no man neede to doubt but that he speaketh onely of the Ievvish daies and kindes of fastes and feastes, and not of Christian holidaies or fasting daies at al.

18Religion of Angels. By the like false application of this text as of the other before, the Heretics abuse it against the invocation or honour of Angels used in the Catholic Church, where the Apostle noteth the wicked doctrine of Simon Magus and others (See S. Chrys. ho. 7 in hunc locum. and Epiph. har. 21.) who taught, Angels to be our mediators and not Christ, non tenens caput, not holding the head, as the Apostle here speaketh, & prescribed sacrifices to be offered unto them, meaning indifferently as well the ill Angels as the good. which doctrine the said Heretic had of Plato, who taught, that spirits (which he calleth dæmones) were to be honoured as mediators next to God. Against which S. Augustine disputeth li. 8, 9, & 10 de civit. as he condemneth also the same undue worship li. 10 Confess. cap. 42. S. Jerome (q. 10 ad Algasiam) expoundeth this also of ill spirits or devils, whom he proveth (out of S. Steven's sermon Act. 7) that the Jews did worship, avouching that they serve them still, so many of them and so often as they observe the Law. Of which idolatry also to Angels Theodorete speaketh upon this place, declaring that the Jews defended their superstition towards Angels by that, that the Law was given by them, deceitfully at once inducing the Colossians, both to keep the Law, & to honouring of the Angels as the givers of the same. whereby divers of the faithful were so seduced, that they forsook Christ and his Church and service, and committed idolatry to the said Angels. Against which abominations the Council of Laodicia Cap. 35 took order, accursing all that forsook our Saviour and committed idolatry to Angels, and contemning Christ, kept conventicles in the name of spirits and Idols. of which kind of worship of Angels and Devils see Clemens Alexand. Strom. 3. Tertullia. li. 5. cont. Marcion. expoundeth this place of the false teachers that feigned themselves to have revelation of Angels, that the Law should be kept touching difference of clean & unclean meats. which is very agreeable to that in the Epistle to Timothy, where S. Paul calleth abstaining from meats after the Jewish or heretical manner, the doctrine of Devils: whereof see more in the annotation upon that place. Haimo a godly ancient writer, upon this place, saith further, that some Philosophers of the Gentiles and some of the Jews also taught, that there were four Angels Presidents of the four elements of man's body, and that in feigned hypocrisy (which the Apostle here calleth humility) they pretended to worship by sacrifice the said Angels. Theophylacte expoundeth this feigned humility, of certain Heretics, that pretending the mediatorship to be a derogation to Christ's majesty, worshipped Angels as the only mediators. All which we see do well agree, that the Heretics may be at hand to abuse this place against the due reverence and respect or prayers made to the holy Angels, whom the Scriptures record so often to offer our prayers up to God, and to have been lawfully reverenced of the Patriarchs, never as gods, but as God's ministers and messengers. Josu. 5, 14. Tob. 12, 12. Gen. 48, 16. Angelus qui eruit me, 1 Tim. 5, 21. And that they may be prayed unto, & can help & hear us, see S. Jerome in cap. 10 Danielis. S. Ambrose in Psal. 118. ser. 1. S. Augustine li. 10 de civit. Dei c. 12. Bede li. 4 in Cantica c. 14.Religion of Angels. By the like false application of this text as of the other before, the Heretikes abuse it against the inuocation or honour of Angels vsed in the Catholike Church, vvhere the Apostle noteth the vvicked doctrine of Simon Magus and others (See S. Chrys. ho. 7 in hunc locum. and Epiph. har. 21.) vvho taught, Angels to be our mediators and not Christ, non tenens caput, not holding the head, as the Apostle here speaketh, & prescribed sacrifices to be offered vnto them, meaning indifferently as vvel the il Angels as the good. vvhich doctrine the said Heretike had of Plato, vvho taught, that spirites (vvhich he calleth dæmones) vvere to be honoured as mediators next to God. Against vvhich S. Augustine disputeth li. 8, 9, & 10 de ciuit. as he condemneth also the same vndue vvorship li. 10 Confeß. cap. 42. S. Hierom (q. 10 ad Algasiam) expoundeth this also of il spirites or diuels, vvhom he proueth (out of S. Steuens sermon Act. 7) that the Ievves did vvorship, auouching that they serue them stil, so many of them and so often as they obserue the Lavv. Of vvhich idolatrie also to Angels Theodorete speaketh vpon this place, declaring that the Ievves defended their superstition tovvardes Angels by that, that the Lavv vvas giuen by them, deceitfully at once inducing the Colossians, both to keepe the Lavv, & to honouring of the Angels as the giuers of the same. vvhereby diuers of the faithful vvere so seduced, that they forsooke Christ and his Church and seruice, and committed idolatrie to the said Angels. Against vvhich abominations the Councel of Laodicia Cap. 35 tooke order, accursing al that forsooke our Sauiour and committed idolatrie to Angels, and contemning Christ, kept conuenticles in the name of spirites and Idols. of vvhich kinde of vvorship of Angels and Diuels see Clemens Alexand. Strom. 3. Tertullia. li. 5. cont. Marcion. expoundeth this place of the false teachers that feined them selues to haue reuelatiō of Angels, that the Lavv should be kept touching difference of cleane & vncleane meates. vvhich is very agreable to that in the Epistle to Timothie, vvhere S. Paul calleth abstaining from meates after the Ievvish or heretical maner, the doctrine of Diuels: vvherof see more in the annotation vpon that place. Haimo a godly ancient vvriter, vpon this place, saith further, that some Philosophers of the Gentils and some of the Ievves also taught, that there vvere foure Angels Presidents of the foure elements of mans body, and that in feined hypocrisie (vvhich the Apostle here calleth humilitie) they pretended to vvorship by sacrifice the said Angels. Theophylacte expoundeth this feined humilitie, of certaine Heretikes, that pretending the mediatorship to be a derogation to Christs maiestie, vvorshipped Angels as the only mediators. Al vvhich vve see do vvel agree, that the Heretikes may be at hand to abuse this place against the due reuerence and respect or praiers made to the holy Angels, vvhom the Scriptures record so often to offer our praiers vp to God, and to haue been lavvfully reuerenced of the Patriarkes, neuer as gods, but as Gods ministers and messengers. Iosu. 5, 14. Tob. 12, 12. Gen. 48, 16. Angelus qui eruit me, 1 Tim. 5, 21. And that they may be praied vnto, & can helpe & heare vs, see S. Hierom in cap. 10 Danielis. S. Ambrose in Psal. 118. ser. 1. S. Augustine li. 10 de ciuit. Dei c. 12. Bede li. 4 in Cantica c. 14.

19Not holding the head. Because he hath much ado with such false preachers as taught the people to prefer the Angels which gave the Law, or other whatsoever, before Christ: in this Epistle, and to the Ephesians, he often affirmeth Christ to be our head, yea and to be exalted far above all creatures, Angels, Potestates, Principalities, or whatsoever.Not holding the head. Because he hath much a do vvith such false preachers as taught the people to preferre the Angels vvhich gaue the Lavv, or other vvhatsoeuer, before Christ: in this Epistle, and to the Ephesians, he often affirmeth Christ to be our head, yea and to be exalted far aboue al creatures, Angels, Potestats, Principalities, or vvhatsoeuer.

20Why do you. A marvelous impudent translation of these words in the English Bibles thus, Why are you burdened with traditions? whereas the Greek hath not that signification: but to make the name of Tradition odious, here they put it in of purpose, not being in the Greek: and in other places where Traditions are commended (1 Cor. 11. and 2 Thes. 2.) and where the Greek is so most flatly (παράδοσις) there they translate it, Instructions, ordinances, &c.Why do you. A maruelous impudent translation of these vvordes in the English Bibles thus, Why are you burdened vvith traditions? vvheras the Greeke hath not that signification: but to make the name of Tradition odious, here they put it in of purpose, not being in the Greeke: and in other places vvhere Traditions are commended (1 Cor. 11. and 2 Thes. 2.) and vvhere the Greeke is so most flatly (παράδοσις) there they translate it, Instructions, ordinances, &c.

21Touch not. The Heretics (as before and always) very vainly allege this against the Catholic fastings: when it is most clear that the Apostle reprehendeth the aforesaid false teachers, that thought to make the Christians subject to the observation of the ceremonies of the old Law, of not eating hogs, conies, hares flesh, and such like, not to touch a dead corpse nor any place where a woman in her flowers had sit, & other infinite doctrines of touching, tasting, washing, eating, and the rest, either commanded to the old people by God, or (as many things were) voluntarily taken up by themselves, sometime clean against God's ordinance, and often frivolous and superstitious. which sort as Christ in the Gospel, so here S. Paul calleth the precepts and doctrines of men, and superstition, and (as the Greek word signifieth) voluntary worship, that is invented by Heretics of their own head without the warrant of Christ in the Scriptures, or the Holy Ghost in the Church, or any lawful authority of such whom Christ commandeth us to obey. Against such Self-Masters therefor as would have yoked the faithful again with the Jewish or Heretical fasts of Simon Magus and the like, S. Paul speaketh, and not of the Churches fasts or doctrines.Touch not. The Heretikes (as before and alvvaies) very vainely allege this against the Catholike fastings: vvhen it is most cleere that the Apostle reprehendeth the forefaid false teachers, that thought to make the Christians subiect to the obseruation of the ceremonies of the old Lavv, of not eating hogges, conies, hares flesh, and such like, not to touch a dead corps nor any place vvhere a vvomā in her floures had sitte, & other infinite doctrines of touching, tasting, vvashing, eating, and the rest, either commaunded to the old people by God, or (as many things vvere) voluntarily taken vp by them selues, sometime cleane against Gods ordinance, and often friuolous and superstitious. vvhich sort as Christ in the Gospel, so here S. Paul calleth the precepts and doctrines of men, and superstition, and (as the Greeke vvord signifieth) voluntarie vvorship, that is inuented by Heretikes of their ovvne head vvithout the vvarrant of Christ in the Scriptures, or the Holy Ghost in the Church, or any lavvful authoritie of such vvhom Christ commaundeth vs to obey. Against such Self-Maisters therfor as vvould haue yoked the faithful againe vvith the Ievvish or Heretical fastes of Simon Magus and the like, S. Paul speaketh, and not of the Churches fastes or doctrines.

23Having a shew. Again the Heretics of our time object, that these aforesaid false teachers pretended holiness, wisdom, and chastisement of their bodies (for so S. Paul saith) by forbidding certain meats according to the Jews observation, even as the Catholics do. It is true they did so, and so do most vices imitate virtues. for if chastising men's bodies and repressing their concupiscences and lusts were not good, and if abstinence from some meats were not laudable and profitably used in the Church for the same purpose, no Heretics (to induce the abolished observations and differences of meats of the Jews, or the condemnation of certain meats and creatures as abominable according to others) would have falsely pretended the chastisement of their flesh, or made other shew of wisdom and piety, to found their unlawful Heretical or Judaical superstition concerning the same. The Catholic Church & her children, by the example of Christ, S. John Baptist, the Apostles and other blessed men, do that lawfully, godly, religiously, and sincerely in deed to the end aforesaid, which these false Apostles only pretended to do. So S. Paul did chastise his body in deed, by watching, fasting, and many other afflictions, and that was lawful and was true wisdom and piety in deed. The aforesaid Heretics not so, but to induce the Colossians to Judaism and other abominable errors, did but pretend these things in hypocrisy.Hauing a shevv. Againe the Heretikes of our time obiect, that these forefaid false teachers pretended holines, vvisedom, and chastisement of their bodies (for so S. Paul saith) by forbidding certaine meates according to the Ievves obseruation, euen as the Catholikes do. It is true they did so, and so do most vices imitate vertues. for if chastising mens bodies and repressing their concupiscences and lustes vvere not good, and if abstinence from some meates vvere not laudable and profitably vsed in the Church for the same purpose, no Heretikes (to induce the abolished obseruations and differences of meates of the Ievves, or the condemnation of certaine meates and creatures as abominable according to others) vvould haue falsely pretended the chastisement of their flesh, or made other shevv of vvisedom and pietie, to found their vnlavvful Heretical or Iudaical superstition concerning the same. The Catholike Church & her children, by the example of Christ, S. Iohn Baptist, the Apostles and other blessed men, do that lavvfully, godly, religiously, and sincerely in deede to the end aforesaid, vvhich these false Apostles onely pretended to do. So * S. Paul did chastise his body in deede, by vvatching, fasting, and many other afflictions, and that vvas lavvful and vvas true vvisedom and pietie in deede. The forefaid Heretikes not so, but to induce the Colossians to Iudaisme and other abominable errors, did but pretend these things in hypocrisie.