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

ANNOT.

6. From the beginning.] This is the rule of a Christian Catholike man, to vvalke in that faith and vvorship of God vvhich he hath receiued from the beginning.* 1.1 Vvhich is that vvhich vve novv call according to the Scriptures, the tradition of the Apostles: that vvhich is come to vs from man to man, from Bishop to Bishop, and so from the Apostles. So shal a faithful man auoid seducers that rise vp in euery age, teaching nevv doctrine.

10. This doctrine.]* 1.2 The Apostles, and true Pastors their lavvful successors, and the Church of God in holy Councel, vse to set dovvne the true doctrine in those pointes vvhich Heretikes call into controuersie. Vvhich being once done and declared to the faithful, they neede no other marke or description to knovv an Heretike or false teacher by, but that he commeth vvith an other doctrine then that vvhich is set dovvne to them. Neither can the Heretikes shift them selues, as novv a daies they vvould doe, saying, ô let vs first be proueds Heretikes by the Scriptures, let them define an Heretike. No, this is not the Apostles rule. Many a good honest shepheard knovveth a vvoolfe, that can nor define him. but the Apostle saith. If he bring not this set doctrine, he is a seducer. So holy Church saith novv, Christ is really in the B. Sacrament, vnder forme of bread and vvine &c. If ther∣fore he bring not this doctrine, he is a seducer, and an Heretike and vve must auoide him, vvhether in his ovvne definitions and censures he seeme to him self an Heretike or no.

10. Receiue him not.] Though in such times and places vvhere the communitie or most part be infected,* 1.3 necessitie often forceth the faithful to conuerse vvith such in vvorldly affaires, to salute them, to eate and speake vvith them, and the Church by decree of Councel, for the more quietnes of timorous consciences prouideth, that they incurre not excommunication or other censures for communicating in vvorldly affaires vvith any in this kinde, except they be by name excommuni∣cated

or declared to be Heretikes yet euen in vvordly coonuersatiō and secular actes of our life, vve must auoid them as much as vve may, because their familiaritie is many vvaies contagious and nolsome to good men, namely to the simple: but in matter of religion, in praying, reading their bookes, hearing their sermons, presence at their seruice, partaking of their Sacraments, and al other communicating vvith them in spiritual things. It is a great damnable sinne to deale vvith them.

10. Nor say, God saue you.]* 1.4 S. Iohn 〈…〉〈…〉 anotable storie of this holy Apo∣stle touching to is point out of S. Polycarpus, vvhich is this. There be some (saith he) that haue heard Polycarpe say, that vvhen Iohn the disciple of our Lord vvas going to Ephesus, into a bath, to vvash him self, and savv Corinthus the Heretikes vvithin the same, he so denly skipt out, saying that he feared lest the bath should fall, because Corinthus the enemie of truth vvas vvithin. So saith he of S. Iohn, and addeth also a like vvorthie example of S. Polycarpe him self: vvho on a time meeting Marcion the Here∣tike,* 1.5 and the said Marcion calling vpon him, and asking him vvhether he knew him not: Yes, quoth Polycarpe, I knovv thee for Satans sound and heire. So great feare (saith S. Irernaeus) had the Apo∣stles and their disciples to communicate in vvord onely,* 1.6 vvith such as vvere adulterers or corrupters of the truth, as S. Paul also uvarned, vvhen he said, A man that is an Heretike, after the first and second admo∣nition auoid. So far Irenaeus. If then, to speake vvith them or salute them, is so earnestly to be auoided according to this Apostles example & doctrines vvhat a sinne is it to flatter them, to serue them, to marie vvith them, and so forth?

Notes

• * 1.1

  To hold fast the old recei∣ued faith.
• * 1.2

  To bring vvil∣fully an other doctrine then the Catholike Church setteth dovvne, is al∣vvaies a marke of seducers and Heretikes.
• * 1.3

  Vvhen & whe∣rein to cōuerse with Heretikes, is tolerable: vvhen & whe∣rein, it is dam∣nable.
• * 1.4

  S. Iohn vvould not be in one bath with Ce∣rinthus the He∣retike.
• * 1.5

  The like zeale of S. Polycarpe, and other Apo∣stolike men in not communi∣cating with He∣retikes.
• * 1.6

  Tit. 3.