Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsDeuteronomy 17

English College of Douai–Rheims

Deuteronomy 17:8

If the judgement be heard.

^◦ For a full and assured decision of all controversies, God here instituted to his people a supreme Tribunal, that in case inferior Judges varied in judgement, recourse might be had to the Councel of Priests, where one chief Judge, the High-Priest, was appointed to give sentence, and all others commanded to receive and obey the same.

◦ Supreme Judge of controversies.

Deuteronomy 17:9

Who shall shew the truth.

^[1] God so assisted this Consistory with his spirit of truth, that their sentence was infallible: though otherwise they might err, either in life, or in private opinion. Wherefore, our Saviour distinguishing between their public doctrine, and their works, taught the people, that for so much as the Scribes and Pharisees sat in Moyses' chair, and yet transgressed God's commandments, every one should observe and do as they said: but not do according to their works. Mat. 23. And S. John ascribeth the true sentence given by Caiphas in the councel, ^[2] to his office of High Priest, saying: (Ioan. 11.) He said not this of himself, but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation and to gather into one the children of God. Where the high priest by virtue and privilege of his office, uttered the truth, which himself neither meant nor understood. And this happened when the Law and Priesthood of the Jews was to decline & give place to Christ's new ordinance, and therefore no doubt God ever directed the sentence of the high Priest: and most specially now Christ preserveth the Apostolic See from error in faith, and in general decrees touching manners: yea though the chief visible Judge were as wicked as Caiphas. ^[3] And therefore the Protestants' evasion is frivolous, limiting the priests' sentence to bind the subjects, so long as he is the true minister of God, and pronounceth according to his word ^[4] . For except God assisted him, that he should pronounce according to his word, and so all men rest satisfied, submitting themselves to his sentence, the controversy should be endless, and this consistory nothing worth: but still be new examinations, and new judgements, whether the former were according to God's word or no.

1 Sentence of the Jews' consistory infallible.
2 The high-Priest was chief Judge.
3 Protestants' frivolous evasion.
4 English Bible. 1603.

Deuteronomy 17:12

He that shall be proud.

This also convinceth, that all were bound to accept of the high priest's sentence, ^◦ the law condemning him of pride, that refused to obey the commandment of the Priest, which at that time ministered to our Lord; and for his disobedience punishing him with death.

◦ Pride in private opinion punished with death.

Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0