The Nevv Testament of Iesus Christ, translated faithfully into English, out of the authentical Latin, according to the best corrected copies of the same, diligently conferred vvith the Greeke and other editions in diuers languages; vvith arguments of bookes and chapters, annotations, and other necessarie helpes, for the better vnderstanding of the text, and specially for the discouerie of the corruptions of diuers late translations, and for cleering the controversies in religion, of these daies: in the English College of Rhemes

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VIII.

2. Deu••us men.]* 1.1 As here great deuotion vvas vsed in burying his body, so aftervvard at the In∣uention & Translation thereof. And the miracles vvrought by the same, and at euery litle memorie of the same, vvere infinite: as S. Augustine vvitnesseth. li. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Ciuil. Dei. c. ••. & Sermon. de S. Steph. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10.

14. Sent Peter.] Some Protestants vse this place to proue S. Peter not to be head of the Apo∣stles, because he and S. Iohn were sent by the Tvvelue, by vvhich reason they might as vvel con∣clude that he vvas not equal to the rest▪ for commonly the Maister sendeth the man, and the Supe∣rior the inferior,* 1.2 vvhen the vvord of Sending is exactly vsed. But it is not alvvaies so taken in the Scriptures, for then could not the Sonne be sent by the Father, not the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Sonne: nor othervvise in cōmon vse of the vvorld, seing the inferior or equal may in••ea••e his frend or Superior to doe his busines for him, and specially a body Politike or a Corporation may by election or othervvise choose their Head and send him. so may the Citizens send their Maior to the Prince or Parliament, though he be the head of the citie, because he may be more fitte to doe their busines, also the Superior or equal may be sent by his ovvne consent or desire. Lastly, the College of the Apostles comprising Peter vvith the rest, (as euery such Body implieth both the head and the members) vvas greater then Peter their head alone. as the Prince and Parliament is greater then the Prince alone. And so Peter might be sent as by authoritie of the vvhole College, notvvithstanding he vvere the head of the same.

17. Did they impose.] If this Philip had been •• an Apostle (saith S. Bede) he might haue imposed his handes, that they might haue receiued the Holy Ghost, but this none can doe sauing Bishops. For though Priests may baptize,* 1.3 and anoint the Baptized also vvith Chrisme consecrated by a Bishop: yet he can not signe his forehead vvith the same holy oile, because that belongeth only to Bishops▪ vvhen they giue the holy Ghost to the Baptized. So saith he touching the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8 Act. This imposition ther∣fore of hands together vvith the praiers here specified (vvhich no doubt vvere the very same that the Church yet vseth to that purpose) vvas the ministration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Whereof S. Cyptian saith thus.* 1.4 They that in Samaria vvere baptized of Philip, because they had lavvful and Ecclesiastical Baptisme, ought not to be baptized any more: but only that vvhich vvanted, vvas done by Peter and Iohn, to vvit, that by praier made for them and imposition of handes, the Holy Ghost might be povvred vpon them. Vvhich novv also is done vvith vs, that they vvhich in the Church are baptized, be by the Rulers of the Church offered, and by our praier and imposition of hand receiue the Holy Ghost, and be signed vvith our Lordes seale. So S. Cyprian.

But the Heretikes obiect that yet here is no mention of oile. To vvhom vve say, that many things vvere done and said in the administration of this and other Sacraments, and al instituted by Christ him self and deliuered to the Church by the Apostles, vvhich are not particularly vvritten by the Euangelists or any other in the Scripture, among vvhich this is euident by al antiquitie and most general practise of the Church, to be one.

S. Denys saith,* 1.5 The Priests did present the baptized to the Bishop,* 1.6 that he might signe them diuino & d••ifico vnguento, vvith the diuine and deifical ointment. And againe, Aduentum S. Spi∣ritus consummans inunctio largitur, the inunction consummating giueth the comming of the Holy Ghost. Tertullian de resur carn. nu. 7 & li. 1 adu. Marcio. speaketh of this Cōfirmation by Chrisme thus: The flesh is anointed, that the soul may be consecrated: the flesh is signed, that the soul may be sensed: the flesh by imposition of hand is shadovved, that the soul by the Spirit may be illuminated. S. Cyprian likevvise, ep. 70. nu. 2. He must also be anointed, that is baptized, vvith the oile sanctified on the Altar: And ep. 72 (see also ep. 73. nu. 3) he expresly calleth it a Sacrament, ioyning it vvith Baptisme, as Melchiades doth (ep. ad omnes Hispania•• Episcopos nu. 2. to 1 Con••.) shevving the diffe∣rence betvvixt it and Baptisme. S. Augustine also, cont. lit. Petil. li. 2. c. 104. The Sacrament of Chrisme in the kind of visible seales is sacred and holy, euen as Baptisme it self. Vve omit S. Cyril mystag. 3. S. Am∣brose li. 3 de Sacram. c. 2. & de ijs qui mysterijs initiantur c. 7. S. Leo ep. 88. the aūcient Councels also of Laodicea, can. 48. Carthage 3 can. 39. and Arausicanum 4 can. 1. and others. And S. Clement (Apost. Const. li. 7▪ c. 44) reporteth certaine cōstitutions of the Apostles touching the same.* 1.7 S. De∣nys referreth the maner of consecration of the same Chrisme to the Apostles instruction. S. Basil li. de Sp. sancto c. 27 calleth it a tradition of the Apostles. And the most aūcient Martyr S. Fabian ••p. 2 ad omnes Orientales Episcopos in initio, to. 1 Conc. saith plainely that Christ him self did so instruct the Apostles at the time of the institution of the B. Sacramēt of the Altar. And so doth the Author of the booke de vnctione Chrismatis apud D. Cyprianum nu. 1. telling the excellent effects and graces of this Sacrament, and vvhy this kinde of oile and balsme vvas taken of the old Lavv, & vsed in the Sacraments of the nevv Testament. Vvhich thing the Heretikes can vvith lesse cause obiect against the Church, seeing they confesse* 1.8 that Christ and his Apostles tooke the ceremonie of imposition of hands in this and other Sacraments, from the Ievves maner of consecrating their hostes deputed to sacrifice.

To conclude,* 1.9 neuer none denied or contemned this Sacrament of Confirmation and holy Chrisme, but knovven Heretikes. S. Cornelius that B. Martyr so much praised of S. Cyprian, ep. ad Fabium apud Euseb. li. 6 c. 35 affirmeth, that Nouatus fel to Heresie, for that he had not receiued the Holy Ghost by the con••ignation of a Bishop. Vvhom al the Nouatians did folovv, neuer vsing that holy Chrisme, as Theodorete vvriteth, li, 1 Fabul. Haer. And Optatus li. 2 cont Parm. vvriteth that it vvas the special barbarous sacrilege of the Donatists, to conculcate the holy oile. But al this is nothing to the sauage disorder of Caluinists in this point.

17. And they receiued the Holy Ghost.] The Protestants charge the Catholikes,* 1.10 that by approuing and commending so much the Sacrament of Confirmation, and by attributing to it specially the gift of the Holy Ghost, they diminish the force of Baptisme, chalenging also boldly the aūcient Fathers for the same. As though any Catholike or Doctor euer said more then the expresse vvordes of Scripture here and els vvhere plainely giue them vvarrant for. If they diminish the vertue of Baptisme, then did Christ so, appointing his Apostles and al the Faithful euen after their Baptisme to expecte the Holy Ghost & vertue from aboue▪ then did the Apostles iniurie to Baptisme, in that they imposed hands on the baptized,* 1.11 and gaue them the Holy Ghost. And this is the Heretikes blindnes in this case, that they can not, or vvil not see that the Holy Ghost is giuen in Baptisme to remission of sinnes, life, and sanctification: & in Confirmation, for force, strength, and corrobora∣tion to fight against al our spiritual enemies, and to stand constantly in confession of our faith, euen to death, in times of persecution either of the Heathen or of Heretikes, vvith great increase of grace. And let the good Reader note here our Aduersaries great peruersity and corruption of the plaine sense of the Scriptures in this point:* 1.12 some of them affirming the Holy Ghost here to be no other but the gift of vvisedom in the Apostles and a fevv moe to the gouernement of the Church, vvhen it is plaine that not only the Gouerners but al that vvere baptized, receiued this grace, both men and vvomen. Some, that it vvas no internal grace, but only the gift of diuers languages: Vvhich is very false, the gift of Tongues being but a sequele and an accident to the grace, and an external token of the invvard gift of the Holy Ghost, and our Sauiour calleth it vertue from aboue. Some say, that vvhatsoeuer it vvas, it vvas but a miraculous thing, and dured no longer then the gift of the Ton∣gues ioyned therevnto, by vvhich euasion they deny also the Sacrament of Extreme Vnction, and the force of Excommunication, because the corporal punishments vvhich vvere annexed often times in the Primitiue Church vnto it, ceaseth, and so may they take avvay (as they meane to do) al Christs faith or religion,* 1.13 because it hath not the like operation of miracles as in the beginning. But S. Augustine toucheth this point fully. Is there any man (saith he) of so peruerse an hart, to deny these Children on vvhom vve novv imposed hands, to haue receiued the Holy Ghost, because they speake not vvith Tongues? &c. Lastly, some of them make no more of Con••irmation or the Apostles facte, but as of a doctrine, instruction, or exhortation to continevv in the saith receiued. Vvherevpon

they haue turned this holy Sacrament* 1.14 into a Catechisme.* 1.15 There are also that put the baptized cō∣ming to yeres of discretiō, to their ovvne choise vvhether they vvil cōtinevv Christiās or no. To such diuelish and diuers inuentions they fall, that vvill not obey Gods Churche nor the expresse Scrip∣tures, vvhich tel vs of praier, of imposition of hands, of the Holy Ghost, of grace and vertue from aboue, and not of instruction, vvhich might and may be done as vvel before Baptisme, & by others, as by Apostles and Bishops,* 1.16 to vvhom only this Holy function pertaineth, in so much that in our Countrie it is called Bishoping.

18. Offered money.) This vvicked sorcerer Simon is noted by S. Irenaeus li, 1 c. 20. and others, to haue been the first Heretike, & father of al Heretikes to come, in the Church of God. He taught, only faith in him, vvithout good life and vvorkes, to be ynough to saluation▪ ••e gaue the onset to purchase vvith his money a spiritual function, that is to be made a Bishop▪ for, to haue povver to giue the Holy Ghost by imposition of hādes, is to be a Bishop: as to bye the povver to remitte sinnes or to consecrate Christs body,* 1.17 is to bye to be a Priest, or to bye Priesthod: and to bye the autho∣ritie to minister Sacraments, to preach or to haue cure of soules, is to bye a benefice, and likevvise in al other spiritual things, vvhereof either to make sale or purchase for money or money vvorth, is a great horrible sinne called Simonie: and in such as thinke it lavvful (as here Simon iudged it) it is named Simoniacal Heresie, of this detestable man vvho first attempted to bie a spiritual fun∣ction or office. D. Greg. apud ••oan. Diac. in vit. li. ••, c. 2. ••. 4. 5.

22. Doe penance.) S. Augustine (ep. 108) vnderstanding this of the penance done in the Primi∣tiue Church for heinous offenses▪* 1.18 doth teach vs to translate this and the like places (2 Cor. 12, 21. Apoc. 9, 21) as vve doe, and as it is in the vulgar Latin, and consequently that the Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth signifie so much. Yea vvhen he addeth, that very good men doe daily penance for venial sinnes by fasting, praier, and almes, he vvarranteth this phrase and translation through out the nevv Testament, specially him self also reading so as it is in the vulgar Latin, and as vve translate.

22. If perhaps.] You may see, great penance is here required for remission of sinne, & that men must stand in feare and dread lest they be not vvorthy to be heard or to obteine mercie. Vvhereby al men that bye or sel any spiritual functions, dignities, offices, or liuings, may specially be vva••ned that the sinne is exceding great.

24. Pray you for me.] As this Sorc••••er had more knovvledge of the true religion then the Pro∣testants haue,* 1.19 vvho see not that the Apostles and Bishops can giue the Holy Ghost in this Sacra∣ment, or other, vvhich he plainely perceiued and confessed, so surely he vvas more religious then they, that being so sharply checked by the Apostle, yet blasphemed not as they do vvhen they be blamed by the Gouerners of the Church, but desired the Apostles to pray for him.

27. This is desert.] Intolerable boldnes of some Protestants, here also (as in other places) against al copies both Greeke and Latin, to surmise corruption or falshod of the text, saying it can not be so:* 1.20 Vvhich is to accuse the holy Euangelist,* 1.21 and to blaspheme the Holy Ghost him self. See Beza, vvho is often very saucie vvith S. Luke.

38. He baptized him.] When the Heretikes of this time finde mention made in Scripture of any Sacrament ministred by the Apostles or other in the Primitiue Church,* 1.22 they imagine no more vvas done then there is expresly told, nor scarsly beleeue so much. As if imposition of hands in the Sa∣crament of Confirmation be onely expressed, they thinke there vvas no chrisme nor other vvorke or vvord vsed.* 1.23 So they thinke no more ceremonie vvas vsed in the baptizing of this noble man, then here is mentioned. Vvherevpon S. Augustine hath these memorable vvordes, In that that he saith, Philip baptized him, he vvould haue it vnderstood that al things vvere done, vvhich though in the Scriptures for breuitie sake they are not mentioned, yet by order of tradition vve knovv vvere to be done.

Notes

• * 1.1

  S. Steuens re∣likes.
• * 1.2

  That Peter was sent, is no rea∣son against his Primacie.
• * 1.3

  The Sacrament of Confirmati∣on, ministred by Bishops onely.
• * 1.4

  ••p. 73. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3 ad lubai∣anum.
• * 1.5

  Ec. Hier. c. 2 & 4.
• * 1.6

  Chrisme in Cō∣firmation.
• * 1.7

  Ec. Hier. c. 4.
• * 1.8

  Beza in Act. c. 6. v. 6.
• * 1.9

  Old heresies against confir∣mation and Chrisme.
• * 1.10

  ke••••nit. in exam. conc. Trid. de Con••ir.
• * 1.11

  The effectes of Baptisme and Confirmation differ.
• * 1.12

  Haeretical shif∣tes and euasiōs against mani∣fest Scriptures, and against this Sacrament of Confirmation.
• * 1.13

  Tractat. 6 in ••p. 10.
• * 1.14

  See Con••. Trid. Sess. •• can. 1 de Confirmat.
• * 1.15

  Cone. Trid. sess. •• can. 14 de Bapt.
• * 1.16

  Bishoping.
• * 1.17

  Simonie.
• * 1.18

  Pena••ce.
• * 1.19

  Simon Magus more religious then the Prote∣stants.
• * 1.20

  Beza.
• * 1.21

  Annot. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Test. 155••.
• * 1.22

  The ceremo∣nies of Sacra∣ments done, though not mentioned.
• * 1.23

  De fid. & ••p. ••. 9.