Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsJohn 3
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read John 3 in the BibleJohn 3:18
Is judged already.
He that believeth in Christ with faith which worketh by charity (as the Apostle speaketh) [1] shall not be condemned at the later day nor at the hour of his death. but the Infidel, [2] be he Jew, Pagan, or Heretic, is already (if he die in his incredulity) by his own profession and sentence condemned, and shall not come to judgement either particular or general, to be discussed according to his works of mercy done or omitted. In which sense S. Paul saith that the obstinate Heretic is condemned by his own judgement, preventing in himself, [3] of his own free will, the sentence both of Christ and of the Church.
John 3:31
He that cometh from above.
As though he should say, No marvel that men resort to Christ so fast and make less account of men. ◦ for, his baptism and his preaching and his person are all from heaven immediately, He bringeth all from the very bosom, mouth, and substance of God his Father. Whatsoever is in me, is but a little drop of his brace. His spirit and graces are above all measures of men's gifts, even according to his Manhood: and all power temporal and spiritual, the kingdom and the Priesthood, and all sovereignty in heaven and earth are bestowed upon him as he is man also.
- ◦ The excellency of Christ's power and graces.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
John 3:5
Born again of water.
As no man can enter into this world not have his life and being in the same, except he be born of his carnal parents: [1] no more can a man enter into the life & state of grace which is in Christ, or attain to life everlasting, unless he be born and baptized of water and the Holy Ghost. Whereby we see first, this Sacrament to be called our regeneration or second birth, in respect of our natural and carnal, which was before. Secondly, that this Sacrament consisteth of an external element of water, and internal virtue of the Holy Spirit: wherein it excelleth John's Baptism, which had the external element, but not the spiritual grace. thirdly, that no man can enter into the kingdom of God, nor into the fellowship of Holy Church, without it. Whereby the [2] Pelagians, and Calvinists be condemned, that promise life everlasting to young children that die without Baptism, and all other that think only faith to serve, or the external element of water superfluous or not necessary: our Saviour's words being plain and general. Though in this case, God which hath not bound his grace, in respect of his own freedom, to any Sacrament, may and doth accept them as baptized, which either are martyred before they could be baptized, [3] or else depart this life with vow and desire to have that Sacrament, but by some remediless necessity could not obtain it. Lastly, it is proved that this Sacrament giveth grace ex opere operato, that is of the work itself (which all Protestants deny) because it so breedeth our spiritual life in God. as our carnal birth giveth the life of the world.