Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsMark 5

Could bind him.

We see here that mad men which have extraordinary strength, are many times possessed of the devil: as there is also a deaf and a dumb devil, and unclean spirits, which work these effects in men, possessing their bodies. ^◦ All which things infidels and carnal men following only nature and reason, attribute to natural causes: and the less faith a man hath, the less he believeth that the devil worketh such things.

• ◦ Profane and natural men.

If I shall touch.

^[1] So the good Catholic faith: If I might but touch one of his Apostles, yea one of his Apostle's napkins, yea but the shade of one of his Saints, I should be better for it. Act. 5. and 19. See S. Chrys. to. 5. cont. Gent. in principio. in vit. Babylæ. Yea S. Basil saith ^[2], He that toucheth the bone of a martyr, receiveth in some degree holiness of the grace or virtue that is therein.

• 1 The touch of Relics.
• 2 Basil. in Ps. 115.

Virtue.

Virtue to heal this woman's malady, proceeded from Christ, though she touched but his coat: so when the Saints by their Relics or garments do miracles, the grace and force thereof cometh from our Saviour, they being but the means or instruments of the same.

Only believe.

^[1] It is our common speech, when we require one thing specially, though other things also be as necessary, and more necessary. As the Physician to his patient, Only have a good heart: when he must also keep a diet, and take potions, things more requisite. So Christ in this great infidelity of the Jews, required only that they would believe he was able to do such a cure, such a miracle, and then he did it: otherwise it followeth in the next Chapter ^[2], He could not do miracles there because of their incredulity. Again, for this faith he gave them here and in all like places health of body, which they desired, and therefore he saith not, Thy faith hath justified thee: but, hath made thee safe or whole. Again this was the father's faith, which could not justify the daughter. Whereby it is most evident, that this Scripture, and the like, are foolishly abused of the Heretics to prove that only faith justifieth.

• 1 Scripture fondly applied to prove only faith.
• 2 v. 5.

Wench arise.

Christ's miracles, besides that they be wonders and ways to shew his power, be also significative: as these which he corporally raised from death, put us in mind of his raising our souls from sin. ^{[1] [2]} The Scripture maketh special mention only of three raised by our Saviour, of which three, this wench is one, within the house: another, the widow's son in Naim, now carried out toward the grave: the third, Lazarus having been in the grave four days, and therefore stinking. Which diversity of dead bodies, signify diversity of dead souls, some more desperate than other, some past all man's hope, and yet by the grace of Christ to be revived and reclaimed.

• 1 By three dead, are signified three kinds of sinners.
• 2 Aug. de verb. Do. Ser. 44.