Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsNumbers 16

Rose against Moyses.

By this most famous Schism and terrible punishment thereof, ^[1] all are warned to keep order, unity, and peace within the Church of God; and in nowise to communicate with heretics or schismatics in the act of heresy or schism. A necessary admonition, especially in such times and places as we live in, and see greater breaches made from ordinary and lawful Pastors than this was. For as S. Ignatius well noteth (Epist. 3. ad Magnatianos) ^[2] Core, Dathan and Abiron impugned not directly the law, but resisted Moyses and Aaron: Yet were they and many thousands with them, severely punished for their conspiracy. S. Cyprian (lib. 1. Epist. 6.) observeth the same, saying: Core, Dathan and Abiron acknowledged the same God with Aaron and Moyses, living under the same law and religion, and invocated one true God, yet because, passing the appointed ministry of their own place, opposite to Aaron (who by God's favour and ordinance had receive lawful Priesthood) they took upon them to sacrifice, they were forthwith punished by God for their unlawful attempts: ^[3] neither could their sacrifices irreligiously and unlawfully offered against God's ordinance be ratified, nor profit them at all. Thus teacheth S. Cyprian the glorious Martyr. And the text is clear, that they were neither Idolaters nor Heretics, but the chief of them being Levites, of the family of Caath (who were nearest in kindred and in office to the Priests) and other principal men of diverse tribes, envying the superiority of Moyses and Aaron, and that priesthood was established only in Aaron's progeny, arrogated to themselves the office of Priests and offered incense, further pretending, for upholding their schism, that there should be no Superior at all above the holy people of God, which albeit they did not believe, yet thereby they drew the multitude to favour and follow them. ^[4] But God deciding this debate, to take away the contradiction, made the earth to open, & swallow up those that first refused to obey Moyses, with their tabernacles and substance; and fire from heaven to consume two hundred & fifty which offered incense; & fourteen thousand seven hundred of the common people, for imputing to their Superiors the destruction of the seditious, were also consumed with fire, raging amongst the whole multitude, till Aaron sent by Moyses, and offering incense appeased God's wrath, and saved the rest. And will any Christians (that know they have immortal souls, and that God is a just Judge) think to escape with less damnation, who for any worldly gain, favour, or fear, yield their bodily and personal presence at service or sermon of heretics, or any way communicate with heretics in practice of heresy? ^[5]

• 1 This history & others were written for our admonition. 1. Cor. 10.
• 2 Core and his complices were not heretics, but only schismatics.
• 3 God accepteth not sacrifice done against his ordinance.
• 4 God by speedy punishment preventeth heresy, whereto all schism tendeth.
• 5 Not only the authors of wickedness, but all that consent, much more that cooperate, are worthy of death. Rom. 1.