Original Douay–Rheims Annotations2 Corinthians 11
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read 2 Corinthians 11 in the Bible2 Corinthians 11:6
Rude in speech.
[1] Hereby we see that the seditious and false teachers have often the gift of eloquence whereby the simple be easily beguiled. Such were Core and Dathan, as Josephus writeth Antiq. li. 4 c. 2. for the same, S. Augustine (li. 5 Confes. c. 3. & 13.) calleth the Heretic Faustus Manichæus, magnum laqueum Diaboli, a great snare of the Devil, saying that he passed the glorious Doctor S. Ambrose in shew of words, but far inferior to him (without all comparison) in substance and matter [2]. In which sort the Apostle here is glad to compare himself with the false Apostles, whom the Corinthians did follow and extol far above him by reason of their eloquence; granting to them that gift, but challenging to himself superiority in knowledge, which all wise men prefer before vain words. [3] And it is the bane of our poor country, that the people now a days give credit rather to new orators and foolish younkers, for their sweet speeches; than to the glorious Doctors of Christ's Church, for their singular knowledge and more grave eloquence.
- 1 Heretics sometime eloquent.
- 2 Knowledge better than gay words.
- 3 Young orators among heretics preferred before the ancient Doctors.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
2 Corinthians 11:3
From the simplicity.
◦ People fall from their first faith, virginity, and simplicity in Christ, not by sodden revolt, but by little & little, in giving ear to the subtile persuasion of the Serpent, speaking to them by the sweet mouths & allurements of Heretics. Of which kind of seduction he giveth Eve for an example, who was by her greedy desire of knowledge and the Devils promise of the same, drawn from the native simplicity and obedience to God. As at this day, promise and pretence of knowledge driveth many a poor soul from the sure, true, sincere, and only belief of God's Church.