Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 21
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Genesis 21 in the BibleOriginal Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Genesis 21 in the BibleOriginal Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Genesis 21:12
Let it not.
[1] It seemed so hard, inhuman, and unjust to cast Agar and Ismael out of the house, that Abraham would not have done it, unless God had commanded him in this to hear the voice of Sara. But when he knew God's will therein, not respecting flesh and blood, nor disputing further of the lawfulness of the fact, sent them both away, commending them to God's protection: and so by this separation the family was made quiet. [2] It represented also a notable Mystery of the Synagogue of the Jews and Church of Christ. As S. Augustine [3] doth excellently expound the same, according to S. Paul (Gal. 4.) That Ismael's playing with Isaac was persecution, because it tended to pervert him, shewing it to be a greater injury to delude and deceive any, in drawing them to new and particular companies, than corporally to persecute them: [4] and that the Church and Catholic Princes punish heretics for their good [5], to make them return to the truth, or finally to cease from seducing others. [6] Ecce libera afflixit ancillam, & non illam vocat persecutionem. Apostolus, ludit servus cum domino, & persecutionem vocat. Afflictio ista non vocatur persecutio, & lusio illa vocatur persecutio. Behold the freewoman afflicted the handmaid, and the Apostle calleth it not persecution, the servant playeth with the Master, and he calleth it persecution [7]. This affliction is not called persecution, and that play is called persecution. Again [8], he saith of Sara, Illusionem vidit in illo lusu, animadvertit servi superbiam, displicuit illi, eiecit foras. She saw foul play in that play, she noted the servant's pride, it displeased her, she cast him forth of the doors. S. Hierom [9] also teacheth that the spiritual never persecuteth the carnal: but spareth him as his rustical brother, knowing that he may in time be profitable.