If this be so dangerous a Doctrine, as you tell us, why then are the Ancient Catholic Fathers suffered to hold and maintain the same? Dionysius, whom you so often call S. Pauls Scholar, writeth thus, 1Nos imaginibus sensibilibus, quantum fieri potest, ad Divinas adducimur Contemplationes: We, as much as may be, by Sensible Images, or Sacraments are brought unto Divine Contemplations. Likewise S. Augustine saithe, 2Sacramenta propter Carnales Visibilia instituta sunt: ut ab illis, quae oculis cernuntur, ad illa, quae intelliguntur, Sacramentorum gradibus ⟨p. 150⟩transferamur: Visible Sacraments are ordained for Carnal Men: that by the steppes of Sacraments we may be lead from the things, that we see with eye, unto the things, that we understand.3 So saith S. Cyprian, Fidei nostrae infirmitas Symboli argumento edocta est, &c. The weakness of our Faith is taught by the understanding of the Sacrament, &c. So S. Chrysostom, Si incorporei essemus, nuda, & incorporea nobis haec ipsa daret. Nunc quia Corporibus insertas habemus animas, sub visibilibus spiritualia tradit: If we were Bodiless, God would give us these things bare, and Bodiless. But for as much, as we have Souls fastened unto our Bodies, therefore God giveth us things Spiritual under things Visible.4 Again he saith, Rectis, & Fidelibus Scripturae non sunt Necessariae, dicente Apostolo, Lex justis non est posita: To the Godly, and Faithful the Scriptures are not Necessary: For so the Apostle saith, There is no Law provided for the Just. And again, Oportuerat quidem nos nihil indigere auxilio Literarum, sed tam nudam in omnibus vitam exhibere,5 ut Librorum vice Gratia Spiritus uteremur: It behooved us to have no need of the Scriptures: but in all things to show our Lives so pure, and clean, that in stead of Books we might use the Grace of the Holy Ghost.6 In like manner S. Hierome saith, Cùm meruerimus esse cum Christo, & similes Angelis fuerimus, tunc Librorum Doctrina cessabit: When we shall obtain to be with Christ, and shall be like unto the Angels, then the Doctrine of Books shall give place.
If this be so dangerous a Doctrine, as you telle vs, why then are the Ancient Catholique Fathers suffered to holde and maineteine the same? Dionysius, whome you so often calle S. Paules Scholar, writeth thus, 1Nos imaginibus sensibilibus, quantum fieri potest, ad Diuinas adducimur Contemplationes: Wee, as mutche as maie be, by Sensible Images, or Sacramentes are brought vnto Diuine Contemplations. Likewise S. Augustine saithe, 2Sacramenta propter Carnales Visibilia instituta sunt: vt ab illis, quae oculis cernuntur, ad illa, quae intelliguntur, Sacramentorum gradibus ⟨p. 150⟩transferamur: Visible Sacramentes are ordeined for Carnal Menne: that by the steppes of Sacramentes we maie be leadde from the thinges, that wee see with eie, vnto the thinges, that wee vnderstande.3 So saithe S. Cyprian, Fidei nostrae infirmitas Symboli argumento edocta est, &c. The weakenesse of our Faithe is taught by the vnderstandinge of the Sacramente, &c. So S. Chrysostome, Si incorporei essemus, nuda, & incorporea nobis haec ipsa daret. Nunc quia Corporibus insertas habemus animas, sub visibilibus spiritualia tradit: If wee were Bodilesse, God woulde geue vs these thinges bare, and Bodilesse. But for as mutche, as wee haue Soules fastened vnto our Bodies, therefore God geueth vs thinges Spiritual vnder thinges Visible.4 Againe he saithe, Rectis, & Fidelibus Scripturae non sunt Necessariae, dicente Apostolo, Lex iustis non est posita: To the Godly, and Faithful the Scriptures are not Necessarie: For so the Apostle saithe, There is no Lawe prouided for the Iuste. And againe, Oportuerat quidem nos nihil indigere auxilio Literarum, sed tam nudam in omnibus vitam exhibere,5 vt Librorum vice Gratia Spiritus vteremur: It behooued vs to haue no neede of the Scriptures: but in al thinges to shewe our Liues so pure, and cleane, that in steede of Bookes wee mighte vse the Grace of the Holy Ghoste.6 In like manner S. Hierome saithe, Cùm meruerimus esse cum Christo, & similes Angelis fuerimus, tunc Librorum Doctrina cessabit: When wee shal obteine to be with Christe, and shalbe like vnto the Angels, then the Doctrine of Bookes shal geue place.
- 1Eclesiast. Hicrarch. Cap. 1.
- 2In Question. Vet. Testamen.In Quaestion. Vet. Testamen.
- 3Cap•ian. De Coena Domini. Chrysost. ad Pop•l. Antiochen. Homil. 60.
- 4Chrysost in Matthae. Homil. 22.
- 5Chryso. in Matthae. Homi. 1.
- 6Hieron. in Pro••mio in Lamen. Hieremiae.