St. Augustine, Of the citie of God vvith the learned comments of Io. Lod. Viues. Englished by I.H.

The reason of that visible sacrifice that the true religion commands vs to offer vnto one God. CHAP. 19.

But as for those that thinke visible sacrifices pertaine to others, and inuisible to him, as onely inuisible, as greater to the greater, and better to the better, (〈◊〉〈◊〉: the duties of a pure heart, and an holy will) verely these men conceiue not that the other are Symbols of these, as the sound of words, are significations of things. VVherefore as in our prayses and prayers to him, wee speake vocall wordes, but offer the contents of our hearts, euen so we in our sacrifice, know that wee must offer thus visibly to none but him to whome our hearts must be an inuisible sacri∣fice For then the Angels, and predominate powers doe (a) reioyce with vs and further vs with all their power and ability. But if wee offer vnto them, they are not willing to take it, and when they are personally sent downe to men, they expresly forbidde it. And this the (b) Scriptures testifie: Some held that the Angels were eyther to haue adoration, or (that which wee owe * 1.1 only to God) sacrifice: but they were forbidden, and taught that al was only Gods & lawfully giuen him. And those Angels the Saints did follow (c) Paul & Barnabas

beeing in Lycaonia, the people (for a miraculous cure) held them goddes, and * 1.2 would haue sacrificed vnto them, but they humbly and godlyly denyed it, and preached that God vnto them in whome they beleeued But the wicked spirits do affect it onely because they know it to be gods onely due. For (as Porp•…•…yry and others thinke) it is the diuine honours, not the smels of the offerings that they de∣light in. For those smels they haue plenty, and may procure them-selues more if they list. So then these arrogant spirits affect not the smoake ascending from a body, but the honours giuen them from the soule, which they may deceiue and domineere ouer, stopping mans way to God, and keeping him from becomming Gods sacrifice, by offering vnto other then God.

L. VIVES.

Reioyce (a) with] The Angels reioyce at mans righteousnes. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 15. (c) Scriptures] Ioh•…•… would haue worshipped the Angel that was sent him, but he sorbad him, willing him rather to worshippe God, whome he (as his fellow seruant) serued. Apoc. 19. (c) Paul] Being in Lyaconia (a part of Asia) preaching Gods word, and curing a lame man by Gods power, the people said they were gods, calling Barnabas Ioue, & Paul (that preached) Mer•…•…ury the preten∣ded God of speach. So they prepared them sacrifices, but the Apostles were angry, and •…•…orbad it, fearing to take to them-selues, the due of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The An∣gels refuse honours. Apoc. 19.
• * 1.2

  Acts. 〈◊〉〈◊〉