Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsActs 13
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Acts 13 in the BibleActs 13:3
Fasting.
[1] Hereof the Church of God useth and prescribeth public fasts at the four solemn times of giving Holy Orders (which are our Imber days ) as a necessary preparative to so great a work, as S. Leo declareth by this place, naming it also an Apostolical tradition. See. S. [2] Leo Ser. 9. de ieiunio 7. mensis, & Calixtus ep. 1. to. 1. Conc. Magunt. c. 34. 35. to. 3. [3] And this fasting was not fasting from sin, nor moral or Christian temperance, as the Protestants ridiculously affirm, for such fasting they were bound ever to keep: but it was abstinence for a time from all meats or from some certain kinds of meats, which was joined with prayer and sacrifice, and done specially at such seasons as the Church prescribed, of all together (as in Lent, the Imber days, Friday, Saturday) and not when every man list, as Ærius and such Heretics did hold. S. August. hær. 53.
- 1 Imber days.
- 2 * Leo ep. 81. c. 1. Epipha. in compend. Leo ser. 3. et 4. de ieiu. 7. mensis.
- 3 Præscript times of fasts.
Imposing hands.
[1] Because all blessings and consecrations were done in the Apostles' time by the external ceremony of imposition of hands, diverse Sacraments were named of the same, specially Confirmation, as is noted before, and [2] holy Ordering or consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and Subdeacons, as we see here and elsewhere. In which though there were many holy words and ceremonies and a very solemn action: yet whatsoever is done in those Sacraments, is altogether called imposition of hands [3]: as whatsoever was done in the whole divine mystery of the B. [4] Sacrament, is named fraction of bread. For the Apostles (as S. Denys Eccl. hier. c. 1. in fine writeth) purposely kept close in their open speeches and writings which might come to the hands or ears of Infidels, the sacred words and actions of the Sacraments. And S. Ambrose saith, in 1. Tim. c. 4. The imposition of the hands is mystical words, wherewith the elected is conformed and made apt to his function, receiving authority (his conscience bearing witness) that he may be bold in our Lord's stead to offer sacrifice to God. And S. Hierom [5], The imposition of hands is the Ordering of Clerks, Which is done by prayer of the voice, and imposition of the hand. And this is in some inferior orders also, but Paul and Barnabas were ordered to a higher function than inferior Priests, even to be Bishops throughout all Nations.
Acts 13:4
Sent of the Holy Ghost.
◦ Whosoever be sent by the Church, are sent of the Holy Ghost, though in such an extraordinary sort it be not done. Whereby we see how far the Officers of our souls in the Church do pass the temporal Magistrates, who though they be of God's ordinance, yet not of the Holy Ghost's special calling.
- ◦ Spiritual officers of our souls.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Acts 13:2
As they were ministering.
[1] If we should, as our Adversaries do, boldly turn what text we list, and flee from one language to another for the advantage of our cause, we might have translated for ministering, sacrificing. For so [2] the Greek doth signify, and so Erasmus translated. Yea we might have translated, Saying Mass, for so they did: and the Greek Fathers here had their name, Liturgy, which Erasmus translateth Mass, saying, Missa Chrysostomi. But we keep our text, as the translators of the Scriptures should do most religiously.
Separate me.
[1] Though Paul were taught by God himself [2] and specially designed by Christ to be an Apostle, and here chosen by the Holy Ghost together with Barnabas, yet they were to be ordered, consecrated, and admitted by men. Which wholly condemneth all these new rebellious disordered spirits, that challenge and usurp the office of preaching and other sacred actions from heaven, without the Church's admission.