Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsActs 19
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Acts 19 in the BibleActs 19:16
Paul I know.
[1] Both the said napkins taken from S. Paul's body, and his name also, were dreadful and able to expel devils. Whereby we learn that not only Christ's name, which is the principal, but his servant's names also invocated upon the possessed, have power over devils: which is a marvelous honour to Saints, and nothing diminisheth the glory of Christ, but exceedingly increaseth the same, not only himself, but his servants also being able to do such things, and to be stronger than any Devil in Hell. So we read in [2] S. Hierom that many did invocate the name of S. Hilarion upon the possessed, and the Devils straight departed. So did the Devil know S. Babylas and other Saints, even after they were dead, when they could not speak for the presence of their Relics, and when they were tormented and expelled by them: whereof all antiquity is full of testimonies. But our Heretics Luther and Calvin and their Scholars attempting to cast out Devils, sped much like as these good fellows did.
- 1 The name, or presence, or Relics of Saints & holy men, confound the Devil.
- 2 In vit. Hilarionis. Chrys. loco citato.
Acts 19:19
Curious things.
◦ Curious and unlawful sciences, as Witchcraft, Necromancy, and other means of divination by soothsaying, figure-casting, interpretation of dreams, or any way not allowed by God and his Church, must much more be abhorred of old Christians, when these so lately converted were so zealous and diligent to leave them. And by this example all that are newly reconciled to the Church, are taught, the first thing they do, to burn their heretical and naughty books.
- ◦ Superstitious, heretical, and all hurtful books must be made away.
Books.
◦ A Christian man is bound to burn or deface all wicked books of what sort so ever, specially Heretical books. Which though they infect not him always that keepeth them, yet being forth-coming, they may be noisome and pernicious to others that shall have them and read them after his death, or otherwise. Therefore hath the Church taken order for condemning all such books, and against the reading of them, where danger may ensue: and the Christian Emperors, Constantinus Magnus, Valentinian, Theodosius, Martian, Justinian, made penal laws for the burning or defacing of them. Sozom. li. 1. c. 20. li. 2. c. 31. Conc. Chalc. act. 3. in fine, cap. Amplæ, & in fine totius Conc. c. Imperator. Conc. Constantinop. 2. confes. 5. cap. Debitum. & Act. 1. cap. 1. &. cap. Rom. See Eusebius li. 3. de vita Constant. c. 61. 62. 63. 64. The danger of reading them, as it is manifest, so it is signified by Euseb. li. 7. c. 6. S. Augustine li. 3. de bapt. c. 14. S. Greg. li. 5. ep. 64.
- ◦ Decrees and penal laws against heretical books.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Acts 19:12
Napkins.
[1] The napkins that had touched S. Paul's body, wrought miracles, and it was no superstition to attribute that virtue to them which God gave to them indeed: nor to seek to touch them for health, was any dishonour to God, but it much proved Christ's religion to be true, and him to be the only God, whose servants, yea whose servants' [2] shades and napkins could do such wonders, as S. Chrysostome (to. 5. cont. Gentiles. quod Christus sit Deus, in vit. Babylæ.) sheweth in a whole book to that purpose, against the Pagans, proving hereby and by the like virtue of other Saints and their Relics, that Christ their Lord and Master is God. For it is all one concerning the bodies of Saints, relics, garments, statues, books, or any thing that belonged to them, all which may and have done and yet do (when it is necessary to our edification) the like wonders to God's great honour: not only in their life time, but after their death much more. For S. Paul's napkins had as great force when he was dead, as when he lived, and so much more, as his grace and dignity with God is greater than before. Which S. Chrysostom in the place alleged proveth at large by the shrine of S. Babylas the Martyr: and to think contrary, is the Heresy of Vigilantius, condemned so long since as S. Hierom's time, and by him refuted aboundantly.