Original Douay–Rheims Annotations2 Corinthians 10
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read 2 Corinthians 10 in the Bible2 Corinthians 10:6
To revenge.
[1] You may see hereby, that the spiritual power of Bishops is not only in preaching the Gospel, and so by persuasion and exhortation only (as some Heretics hold) to remit or retain sins, but that it hath authority to punish, judge, and condemn Heretics and other like rebels: which power [2] one of the principal rebels of this time being convinced by the evidence of the place, acknowledgeth to be grounded upon Christ's word, Whatsoever you bind in earth, shall be bound in heaven: Mat. 18, 18. applying also the words spoken to Hieremy (c. 1, 10.) Behold I appoint thee over Nations and kingdoms, that thou plant, pluck up, build and destroy, to confirm and explicate the power Apostolic here alleged by S. Paul. Mary they would gladly draw this power from the lawful successors of the Apostles, to themselves, their ministers, and consistories [3]. Which are nothing else but the shops and Councels of sedition and all the conspiracies of this time, against the lawful Princes of the world.
- 1 The spiritual power of Bishops against Heretics.
- 2 Calvin upon this place.
- 3 Heretical Consistories.
2 Corinthians 10:8
Unto edification.
◦ This great power of the Church's censures, specially of Excommunication, as it was given for the good and salvation of the people, so it must not be used against the innocent: no nor yet upon Heretics or other offenders, but where and when it may be likelihood benefit either the parties, or the people, or may be executed without the hurt or perturbation of the whole Church, as often times it cannot be, by reason of the multitude of offenders. Which caused the Apostle here to signify that he would not use his uttermost authority against the false Apostles which disturbed them, till themselves were in perfect obedience unto him, lest by punishing the principal offenders, a greater disturbance and revolt might fall among the people, if they were not before in perfect obedience.
- ◦ Ecclesiastical censures (namely Excommunication) when & where to be executed.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
2 Corinthians 10:4
Weapons.
[1] He meaneth the ample spiritual and Apostolical power given by Christ for the punishment of false Apostles, Heretics, and rebels to God's Church, who are here noted specially by pride and insolence (which is the proper mark of such fellows) [2] to extol themselves above the measure of the science of God, which consisteth in humble obedience to the faith and the preachers of the same.