BROWSE UNBIBLICAL QUOTES FROM CHURCH FATHERS

Click individual authors to read select notorious and unbiblical quotations from the writings of the Church Fathers, and find links to their more biblical quotations (words of wisdom), books, audio books, and other resources. It is important to note that many of the Church Fathers lived during eras in which the ecclesiastical church, or rather the early Catholic Sect within Christianity—sinking into the apostasy that become Medieval Roman Catholicism—was highly regarded and respected. Roman Law had empowered the Catholic Sect over all other forms of Christianity even before men like Augustine and Jerome were born (see the Theodosian Code). As early as the 13th Century, the Papacy launched terrible crusades against the regions of Europe where the followers of the Bible still lived in peace under religious freedom.

BROWSE NOTABLE AND NOTORIOUS QUOTES

Read select quotations—biblical and unbiblical—from Apostolic, Church Father, early Christian and early Catholic, Pre-Reformation Protestant and Post-Reformation Protestant, and Roman Catholic sources and authors on doctrine, dogma, persecution and Biblical theology.

Condemnation of Luther Damnation of the Waldenses "The Waldensians, the Beghards, the Wycliffites, and other such sons of Belial, who were the sores and disgrace of the human race; they often received a richly deserved anathema from the Holy See. For no other reason do experienced deceivers devote their efforts, except so that they, along with Luther, might joyfully deem themselves 'free of all.'" Pope Gregory XVI NOTORIOUS: Pope Gregory XVI, 1832, on Liberty of Conscience: "This shameful font of indifferentism gives rise to that absurd and erroneous proposition which claims that liberty of conscience must be maintained for everyone. ... When all restraints are removed by which men are kept on the narrow path of truth, their nature, which is already inclined to evil, propels them to ruin. Then truly "the bottomless pit" (Apoc. 9:3,23) is open from which John saw smoke ascending which obscured the sun, and out of which locusts flew forth to devastate the earth. Thence comes transformation of minds, corruption of youths, contempt of sacred things and holy laws -- in other words, a pestilence more deadly to the state than any other. Experience shows, even from earliest times, that cities renowned for wealth, dominion, and glory perished as a result of this single evil, namely immoderate freedom of opinion, license of free speech, and desire for novelty. ... Here We must include that harmful and never sufficiently denounced freedom to publish any writings whatever and disseminate them to the people, which some dare to demand and promote with so great a clamor. We are horrified to see what monstrous doctrines and prodigious errors are disseminated far and wide in countless books, pamphlets, and other writings which, though small in weight, are very great in malice. ... those who, "Nor can We predict happier times for religion and government from the plans of those who desire vehemently to separate the Church from the state, and to break the mutual concord between temporal authority and the priesthood. It is certain that that concord which always was favorable and beneficial for the sacred and the civil order is feared by the shameless lovers of liberty." Pope Gregory XVI consumed with the unbridled lust for freedom, are entirely devoted to impairing and destroying all rights of dominion while bringing servitude to the people under the slogan of liberty. Here surely belong the infamous and wild plans of the Waldensians, the Beghards, the Wycliffites, and other such sons of Belial, who were the sores and disgrace of the human race; they often received a richly deserved anathema from the Holy See. For no other reason do experienced deceivers devote their efforts, except so that they, along with Luther, might joyfully deem themselves 'free of all.' To attain this end more easily and quickly, they undertake with audacity any infamous plan whatever. Nor can We predict happier times for religion and government from the plans of those who desire vehemently to separate the Church from the state, and to break the mutual concord between temporal authority and the priesthood. It is certain that that concord which always was favorable and beneficial for the sacred and the civil order is feared by the shameless lovers of liberty. But for the other painful causes We are concerned about, you should recall that certain societies and assemblages seem to draw up a battle line together with the followers of every false religion and cult. They feign piety for religion; but they are driven by a passion for promoting novelties and sedition everywhere. They preach liberty of every sort; they stir up disturbances in sacred and civil affairs, and pluck authority to pieces." Pope Gregory XVI, Mirari Vos (On Liberalism and Religious Indifferentism), 1832

NOTABLE: Irenaeus (120 - 202 ad), Bishop of Lyon, on the Sole Authority of the Scriptures (sola scriptura theology):

"We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith … If any one do not agree to these truths, he despises the companions of the Lord; nay more, he despises Christ Himself the Lord; yea, he despises the Father also, and stands self-condemned, resisting and opposing his own salvation, as is the case with all heretics."

Source: Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol I, Irenaeus, "Against Heresies", Book III, Ch I-V.

NOTORIOUS: Sir Thomas More on the authority of the Church to define truth and doctrine (against sola scriptura theology):

"Then are ye, quod I, also fully answered in this, that where ye said ye should not believe the church telling you a tale of their own, but only telling you scripture, ye now perceive that in such things as we speak of, that is to wit, necessary points of our faith, if they tell you a tale, which if it were false were damnable, ye must believe and may be sure that, sith the church cannot in such things err, it is very true all that the church in such things telleth you; and that it is not their own word, but the word of God, though it be not in scripture. That appeareth well, quod he. Then are ye, quod I, as fully satisfied that where ye lately said that it were a disobedience to God, preferring of the church before himself, if he shall believe the church in such things as God in his holy scripture sayeth himself the contrary, ye now perceive it can in no wise be so. But sith his church, in such things as we speak of, cannot err, it is impossible that the scripture of God can be contrary to the faith of the church. That is very true, quod he. Then it is as true, quod I, that ye be further fully answered in the principal point, that the scriptures laid against images, and pilgrimages, and worship of saints, make nothing against them. And also that those things, images I mean and pilgrimages, and praying to saints, are things good, and to be had in honour in Christ's church, sith the church believeth so; which as ye grant, and see cause why ye should grant, can in such points not be suffered, for the special assistance and instruction of the Holy Ghost, to fall into error."

Source: Sir Thomas More, Works (see also "An Answer to Sir Thomas More's Dialogue" by William Tyndale).

NOTABLE: Ignatius (30 - 107 ad) wrote these words regarding the scriptures:

"Fathers, 'bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;' and teach them the holy Scriptures … Now [the scripture] says, 'A righteous father educates [his children] well.'"

Source: Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I, "Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians."

NOTORIOUS: Pope Benedict XIV, in 1740, said on the authority of the "successor of Peter" and "Vicar of Christ":

"When it first pleased God to raise Us to the supreme See of Saint Peter, He entrusted to Us the power of the Vicar of Christ as governor of His universal Church. We heard the divine voice: 'Feed my lambs; feed my sheep'. The care of both the lambs of the Lord's flock (who are the people scattered through the entire world) and of the sheep, (the bishops who act as tender parents of the lambs) is entrusted to the Pope.

Therefore, brothers, receive the words of your shepherd through this letter. You are called to share in Our concerns. Understand from Our warnings and exhortations how much the desire to fulfill Our duties presses upon Us. …

Though unworthy, We take the place of God on earth."

Source: Benedict XIV, "Ubi Primum," 1740.

NOTORIOUS: Pope Innocent III, in the 13th century, stated on the authority of the Pope as the "successor of Peter":

"non puru hominis sed veri Dei vicemgerens"

Innocent III

NOTORIOUS: Pope Leo XIII said in 1894, regarding the office of the Pope as Vicar of Christ and God in this world:

"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty."

Pope Leo XIII, "Praeclara Gratulationis Publicae," 1894.

NOTORIOUS: Pope Paul IV said in 1559, on the Fullness of Papal Power and Authority:

"the Roman Pontiff, who is the representative upon earth of God and our God and Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the fulness of power over peoples and kingdoms, who may judge all and be judged by none in this world."

Source: Pope Paul IV, "Cum ex Apostolatus Officio," 1559.

NOTORIOUS: Pope Boniface VIII declared, in 1302, on the subjection of all men to the Papal power and authority:

"We declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff."

Source: Pope Boniface VIII, "Unam Sanctam," 1302.

NOTABLE: Chrysostom on the saying of Jesus, "be not ye called Rabbi ('magistri' Vulgate): for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father ('patrem' Vulgate; 'pater' Greek) upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven," Matthew 23:8-9:

"For what saith He? 'But be not ye called Rabbi.' Then follows the cause also; 'For one is your master, and all ye are brethren;' and one hath nothing more than another, in respect of his knowing nothing from himself. Wherefore Paul also saith, 'For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers?' He said not masters. And again, 'Call not, father,' not that they should not call, but they may know whom they ought to call Father, in the highest sense. For like as the master is not a master principally; so neither is the father. For He is cause of all, both of the masters, and of the fathers.

And again He adds, 'Neither be ye called guides, for one is your guide, even Christ;' and He said not, I. For like as above He said, 'What think ye of Christ?' and He said not, 'of me,' so here too.

But I should be glad to ask here, what they would say, who are repeatedly applying the term one, one, to the Father alone, to the rejection of the only-begotten. Is the Father guide? All would declare it, and none would gainsay it. And yet 'one,' He saith, 'is your guide, even Christ.' For like as Christ, being called the one guide, casts not out the Father from being guide; even so the Father, being called Master, doth not cast out the Son from being Master. For the expression, one, one, is spoken in contradistinction to men, and the rest of the creation. Having warned them therefore against this grievous pest, and amended them, He instructs also how they may escape it; by humility. Wherefore He adds also, 'He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. For whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and whosoever shall abase himself shall be exalted.'"

Source: Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Series I, Vol X, Chrysostom, "Homily on the Gospel of Matthew," Homily LXXII.

NOTORIOUS: Ignatius Loyola (1491 - 1556 ad), founder of the Jesuit Order and author of the famous volume "The Spiritual Exercises," on the doctrine of where truth is to be found and how men might know the method of their salvation or the "way" of God, states:

Ignatius Loyola

"Praise positive and scholastic learning ... as it is more proper to the Positive Doctors, as St. Jerome, St. Augustine and St. Gregory, etc., to move the heart to love and serve God our Lord in everything; so it is more proper to the Scholastics, as St. Thomas, St. Bonaventure ... etc., to define or explain for our times the things necessary for eternal salvation; and to combat and explain better all errors and all fallacies. For the Scholastic Doctors, as they are more modern, not only help themselves with the true understanding of the Sacred Scripture and of the Positive and holy Doctors, but also, they being enlightened and clarified by the Divine virtue, help themselves by the Councils, Canons and Constitutions of our holy Mother the Church."

"To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it."

Source: Ignatius Loyola, "The Spiritual Exercises."

NOTABLE: St Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (354 - 430ad), explained and recorded for us the opinion of the Apostolic Church and the faith of the Apostolic Fathers on the true and Gospel understanding and interpretation of the text "Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," Matthew 16:16-17:

"Let us be saved by Him, let us walk in Him. This it is to 'believe that Jesus is the Christ,' as Christians believe, who are not Christians only in name, but in deeds and in life, not as the devils believe. For 'the devils also believe and tremble,' as the Scripture tells us. What more could the devils believe, than that they should say, 'We know who thou art, the Son of God?' What the devils said, the same said Peter also. When the Lord asked them who He was, and whom did men say that He was, the disciples made answer to Him, 'Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.' And this he heard from the Lord: 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.' See what praises follow this faith. 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.' What meaneth, 'Upon this rock I will build my Church'? Upon this faith; upon this that has been said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Upon this rock,' saith He, 'I will build my Church.'"

Source: Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Series I, Vol. VII, Augustine, The Epistle of John, Homily X.

And again: "when the Lord Jesus Christ asked, whom men said that He was, and when the disciples gave the various opinions of men, and the Lord asked again and said, 'But whom say ye that I am?' Peter answered, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' … Then said the Lord to Him, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjonas: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.' Then He added, 'and I say unto thee.' As if He had said, 'Because thou hast said unto Me, 'Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God;' I also say unto thee, 'Thou art Peter.'' … 'Therefore,' he saith, 'Thou art Peter; and upon this Rock' which thou hast confessed, upon this Rock which thou hast acknowledged, saying, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, will I build My Church;' that is upon Myself, the Son of the living God, 'will I build My Church.' I will build thee upon Myself, not Myself upon thee.

For men who wished to be built upon men, said, 'I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas,' who is Peter. But others who did not wish to be built upon Peter, but upon the Rock, said, 'But I am of Christ.' And when the Apostle Paul ascertained that he was chosen, and Christ despised, he said, 'Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?' And, as not in the name of Paul, so neither in the name of Peter; but in the name of Christ: that Peter might be built upon the Rock, not the Rock upon Peter. ... For then we shall not totter, then shall we be founded on the Rock."

Source: Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Series I, Vol. VI, Augustine, Sermon XXVI.

NOTABLE: St John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, ca. 349 - 407 ad, wrote the following in his "Homilies on the Gospel of St Matthew," explaining and recording for us the opinion of the Apostolic Church and the faith of the Apostolic Fathers on the true and Gospel understanding and interpretation of the text "Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," Matthew 16:16-17:

"Seest thou how the Father reveals the Son, how the Son the Father? For 'neither knoweth any man the Father,' saith He, 'save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. It cannot therefore be that one should learn the Son of any other than of the Father; neither that one should learn the Father of any other than of the Son. So that even hereby, their sameness of honor and of substance is manifest.

What then saith Christ? 'Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas. Thus since thou hast proclaimed my Father, I too name him that begat thee;' all but saying, 'As thou art son of Jonas, even so am I of my Father.' Else it were superfluous to say, 'Thou art Son of Jonas;' but since he had said, 'Son of God,' to point out that He is so Son of God, as the other son of Jonas, of the same substance with Him that begat Him, therefore He added this, 'And I say unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church;' that is, on the faith of his confession.'"

Source: Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Series I, Vol. X, Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew, Homily LIV.

NOTABLE: Gregory the Great, 600 ad, Bishop of Rome, on the title "Universal Bishop" declared:

"The proud and pestiferous title of oecumenical, that is to say, universal" is deserving of the "most severe rebuke."

Bishop Gregory applauded wholeheartedly those who warned all persons from "that new and temerarious name of superstition" and decried those who would bring "so great a wickedness" as "that name of pride" into the Church.

"As we see, now that the end of this world is near at hand, that the enemy of the human race has already appeared in his harbingers, so as to have as his precursors, through this title of pride, the very priests who ought to have opposed him by living well and humbly, I exhort and entreat that not one of you ever accept this name, that not one consent to it, that not one write it, that not one admit it wherever it may have been written, or add his subscription to it; but, as becomes ministers of Almighty God, that each keep himself from this kind of poisoned infection, and give no place to the cunning lier-in-wait, since this thing is being done to the injury and rendering asunder of the whole Church, and, as we have said, to the contemning of all of you. For if one, as he supposes, is Universal Bishop, it remains that you are not bishops. … we once more admonish you before God and His Saints, that you observe all these things with the utmost attention, and with the entire bent of your minds."

Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol XIII, Gregory the Great, Epistle LXVIII, To Eusebius of Thessalonica.

NOTABLE: Ignatious Von Dollinger on Papal Infallibility:

Ignatious Von Dollinger as a 19th century Martin Luther.

"As a Christian, as a theologian, as one acquainted with history, and as a citizen, I can not accept this doctrine. Not as a Christian, because it is incompatible with the spirit of the Gospel, and the plain words of Christ and the apostles; its aim is precisely to erect the kingdom of this world, which Christ declined - seeks the dominion over the congregations which Peter prohibited to all and to himself. Not as a theologian, because the entire tradition of the church is irreconcilably opposed to it. Nor as a student of history can I accept this doctrine, because, as such, I know that the unceasing efforts to realize this theory of universal dominion has cost Europe torrent of blood, has distracted and ruined entire countries, has destroyed the beautiful organic constitution of the ancient church, and generated, nourished, and maintained in the church the most abominable abuses. In fine, as a citizen, I spurn this doctrine, because with its claims for subjection of sovereigns and states, and the whole political system under papal rule, and by the immunities it claims for the clergy, it lays the foundation for endless and ruiness strife between church and state, between the clergy and the laymen."

Ignatious Von Dollinger

NOTABLE: St Ignatius (30 - 107 ad), Bishop of Antioch, who lived during the same period as the Apostles, exhorts the church just before his martyrdom, recording plainly what he and the Apostolic Church believed of the role and the authority and power of the bishops, saying:

"I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles of Jesus Christ."

The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I, Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans, Ch IV.

NOTABLE: The BIBLE, in the King James Version, the Douay-Rheims Version, the original 1582 Rheims Version, as well as the Latin Vulgate, states upon the doctrine of salvation, the method whereby men are saved is:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV.

"For by grace you are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God. Not of works, that no man may glory." Ephesians 2:8-9 Douay-Rheims (Challoner Version).

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God. Not of works, that no man glory." Ephesians 2:8-9 Rheims New Testament, 1582 (Jesuit Version).

"gratia enim estis salvati per fidem et hoc non ex vobis Dei enim donum est. non ex operibus ut ne quis glorietur." Ephesians 2:8-9 Latin Vulgate.

As also the Douay-Rheims and Latin Vulgate versions verify the doctrine of the scripture on the subject of salvation in the clarity of chapter 4 of the Epistle to the Romans:

"Now to him that worketh ['ei autem qui operator'], the reward is not reckoned according to grace but according to debt ['merces non inputatur secundum gratiam sed secundum debitum']. But to him that worketh not ['qui non operatur'], yet believeth ['credenti autem'] in him that justifieth the ungodly ['in eum qui iustificat impium'], his faith is reputed to justice ['reputatur fides eius ad iustitiam', 'imputed unto righteousness'], according to the purpose of the grace of God. As David also termeth the blessedness of a man to whom God reputeth justice without works ['cui Deus accepto fert iustitiam sine operibus']: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven ['beati quorum remissae sunt iniquitates']: and whose sins are covered ['et quorum tecta sunt peccata']. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin ['beatus vir cui non inputabit Dominus peccatum']." Romans 4:4-8 Douay-Rheims & Latin Vulgate.

NOTORIOUS: Council of Trent stated the dogma of the Roman Church on the doctrine of salvation:

"If any one saith, that justifying faith is nothing else but confidence in the divine mercy which remits sins for Christ's sake; or, that this confidence alone is that whereby we are justified; let him be anathema." Council of Trent, On Justification, Canon XII.

"If any one saith … that the grace, whereby we are justified, is only the favour of God; let him be anathema." Council of Trent, On Justification, Canon XI.

"If any one saith … that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema." Council of Trent, On Justification, Canon XIV.

NOTORIOUS: St. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, explains the Parable of Jesus that is called the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares; following St. Thomas's "interpretation" is the explanation of Jesus himself, which is given and plainly understood, being recorded together in the scripture where the Parable of the Wheat and Tares is found:

Among the parables of the kingdom, Jesus told the Parable of the Wheat and Tares:

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Matthew 13:24-30 KJV.

Thomas Aquinas - interpretation for the proper understanding of the Church's dealing with and dogma against heretics:

"With regard to heretics two points must be observed: one, on their own side; the other, on the side of the Church. On their own side there is the sin, whereby they deserve not only to be separated from the Church by excommunication, but also to be severed from the world by death. For it is a much graver matter to corrupt the faith which quickens the soul, than to forge money, which supports temporal life. Wherefore if forgers of money and other evil-doers are forthwith condemned to death by the secular authority, much more reason is there for heretics, as soon as they are convicted of heresy, to be not only excommunicated but even put to death. ... On the part of the Church, however, there is mercy which looks to the conversion of the wanderer, wherefore she condemns not at once, but 'after the first and second admonition' ... after that, if he is yet stubborn, the Church no longer hoping for his conversion, looks to the salvation of others, by excommunicating him and separating him from the Church, and furthermore delivers him to the secular tribunal to be exterminated thereby from the world by death. ... if heretics be altogether uprooted by death, this is not contrary to Our Lord's command, which is to be understood as referring to the case when the cockle cannot be plucked up without plucking up the wheat." St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part, Q11.

Jesus Christ, on the meaning of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, explained to the churches of every age the meaning that is of the truth, which ever has been held by all who are his, even that which is held by his church and will be held until the last day when the thing itself will be fulfilled:

His disciples came to him, saying, "Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 13:36-43 KJV.

NOTABLE: Lactantius, one of the Church Fathers, on the subject of the wisdom of men compared to the wisdom of the Word of God said:

"It has been so determined by the arrangement of the Most High God, that this unrighteous age, having run the course of its appointed times, should come to an end; and all wickedness being immediately extinguished, and the souls of the righteous being recalled to a happy life, a quiet, tranquil, peaceful, in short, golden age, as the poets call it, should flourish, under the rule of God Himself. This was especially the cause of all the errors of the philosophers, that they did not comprehend the system of the world, which comprises the whole of wisdom. But it cannot be comprehended by our own perception and innate intelligence, which they wished to do by themselves without a teacher. Therefore they fell into various and ofttimes contradictory opinions, out of which they had no way of escape, "And they remained fixed in the same mire." as the comic writer says, since their conclusion does not correspond with their assumptions; inasmuch as they had assumed things to be true which could not be affirmed, and proved without the knowledge of the truth and of heavenly things. And this knowledge, as I have often said already, cannot exist in a man unless it is derived from the teaching of God. For if a man is able to understand divine things, he will be able also to perform them; for to understand is, as it were, to follow in their track. But he is not able to do the things which God does, because he is clothed with a mortal body; therefore he cannot even understand those things which God does. And whether this is possible is easy for every one to measure, from the immensity of the divine actions and works. For if you will contemplate the world, with all the things which it contains, you will assuredly understand how much the work of God surpasses the works of men.

Thus, as great as is the difference between divine and human works, so great must be the distance between the wisdom of God and man. For because God is incorruptible and immortal, and therefore perfect because He is everlasting, His wisdom also is perfect, as He Himself is; nor can anything oppose it, because God Himself is subject to nothing.

But because man is subject to passion, his wisdom also is subject to error; and as many things hinder the life of man, so that it cannot be perpetual, so also his wisdom must be hindered by many things: so that it is not perfect in entirely perceiving the truth. Therefore there is no human wisdom, if it strives by itself to attain to the conception and knowledge of the truth; inasmuch as the mind of man, being bound up with a frail body, and enclosed in a dark abode, is neither able to wander at large, nor clearly to perceive the truth, the knowledge of which belongs to the divine nature. For His works are known to God alone. But man cannot attain this knowledge by reflection or disputation, but by learning and hearing from Him who alone is able to know and to teach. Therefore Marcus Tullius, borrowing from Plato the sentiment of Socrates, who said that the time had come for himself to depart from life, but that they before whom he was pleading his cause were still alive, says: Which is better is known to the immortal gods; but I think that no man knows. Wherefore all the sects of philosophers must be far removed from the truth, because they who established them were men; nor can those things have any foundation or firmness which are unsupported by any utterances of divine voices."

The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 7, Lactantius, The Divine Institutes, Book VII, Ch II. Of the Error of the Philosophers, and of the Divine Wisdom, and of the Golden Age.

NOTORIOUS: The Baltimore Catechism (2004) on the authority of the Scriptures, teaches against and shows the manner to discredit and dismiss "Sola Scriptura" theology:

Q. 561. Must we ourselves seek in the Scriptures and traditions for what we are to believe?

A. We ourselves need not seek in the Scriptures and traditions for what we are to believe. God has appointed the Church to be our guide to salvation and we must accept its teaching us our infallible rule of faith.

Q. 562. How do we show that the Holy Scriptures alone could not be our guide to salvation and infallible rule of faith?

A. We show that the Holy Scripture alone could not be our guide to salvation and infallible rule of faith: 1.because all men cannot examine or understand the Holy Scripture; but all can listen to the teaching of the Church; 2. because the New Testament or Christian part of the Scripture was not written at the beginning of the Church's existence, and, therefore, could not have been used as the rule of faith by the first Christians; 3. because there are many things in the Holy Scripture that cannot be understood without the explanation given by tradition, and hence those who take the Scripture alone for their rule of faith are constantly disputing about its meaning and what they are to believe.

NOTORIOUS: 1582 Rheims New Testament on the need for a common vulgar scripture and on the edifying power of the Word of God:

Preface: "Treating of these Points: The translations of Holy Scriptures into the vulgar tongues; and, namely, into English; the causes why the New Testament is translated according to the vulgar Latin text; and the manner of translating the same. ... Which translation we do not for all that publish, upon erroneous opinion of necessity, that the Holy Scriptures should always be in our mother tongue, or that they ought, or were ordained by God to be read indifferently of all, or could be easily understood of every one that readeth or heareth them in a known language: or that they were not often, through man's malice and infirmity, pernicious, and much hurtful to many: or that we generally, and absolutely, deemed it more convenient in itself, and more agreeable to God's word and honour, or edification for faith, to have them turned into vulgar tongues, than to be kept and studied only in the ecclesiastical learned languages. Not for these, or any such like causes, do we translate this Sacred Book, but upon special considerations of the present time, state, and condition of our country, unto which divers things are either necessary, or profitable and medicinable now, that otherwise, in the peace of the church, were neither much requisite, nor perchance wholly tolerable."

See the original 1582 Rheims New Testament and read the Preface and the annotations provided under the direction of Gregory Martin and William Allen at the Jesuit School at Rheims: 1582 Rheims New Testament

NOTORIOUS: 1582 Rheims New Testament on the Church's toleration of heretics only when they are too many to suppress or "execute":

Matthew 13:29-30 "29 And he said, No: lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you may root up the wheat also together with it. 30 Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the cockle, and bind it in bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn."

Annotation on Matthew 13:29: "ver. 29. Lest you pluck up also. The good must tolerate the evil, when it is so strong that it cannot be redressed without danger and disturbance of the whole Church, and commit the matter to God's judgment in the latter day. Otherwise where ill men, be they Heretics or other malefactors, may be punished or suppressed without disturbance and hazard of the good, they may and ought by public authority either spiritual or temporal to be chastised or executed."

See the original 1582 Rheims New Testament and read the Preface and the annotations provided under the direction of Gregory Martin and William Allen at the Jesuit School at Rheims: 1582 Rheims New Testament

NOTORIOUS: 1582 Rheims New Testament on the medieval Waldenses, Vaudois, Lyonists, Reformers and Protestants:

Apocalypse 17:3-6 "3 And I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads, and ten horns. 4 And the woman was clothed round about with purple and scarlet, and gilted with gold and precious stone, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of the abomination and filthiness of her fornication. 5 And in her forehead a name written, Mystery: Babylon the great, mother of the fornications and the abominations of the earth. 6 And I saw the woman drunken of the blood of the Saints, and of the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus."

Annotation on Apocalypse 17:6: "ver. 6. Drunken of the blood. It is plain, that this woman signifieth the whole corp of all the persecutors that have and shall shed so much blood of the just: of the Prophets, Apostles, and other Martyrs from the beginning of the world to the end. The Protestants foolishly expound it of Rome, for that there they put Heretics to death, and allow of their punishment in other countries: But their blood is not called the blood of Saints, no more than the blood of thieves, mankillers, and other malefactors: for the shedding of which by order of justice, no commonwealth shall answer."

See the original 1582 Rheims New Testament and read the Preface and the annotations provided under the direction of Gregory Martin and William Allen at the Jesuit School at Rheims: 1582 Rheims New Testament

NOTORIOUS: Fourth Lateran Council, 1215 AD, held by Pope Innocent III, enacted on the subject of heretics and heresy:

"On Heretics"

"We excommunicate and anathematize every heresy raising itself up against this holy, orthodox and catholic faith which we have expounded above. We condemn all heretics, whatever names they may go under. They have different faces indeed but their tails are tied together inasmuch as they are alike in their pride. Let those condemned be handed over to the secular authorities present, or to their bailiffs, for due punishment. Clerics are first to be degraded from their orders. The goods of the condemned are to be confiscated, if they are lay persons, and if clerics they are to be applied to the churches from which they received their stipends. Those who are only found suspect of heresy are to be struck with the sword of anathema, unless they prove their innocence by an appropriate purgation, having regard to the reasons for suspicion and the character of the person. Let such persons be avoided by all until they have made adequate satisfaction. If they persist in the excommunication for a year, they are to be condemned as heretics. Let secular authorities, whatever offices they may be discharging, be advised and urged and if necessary be compelled by ecclesiastical censure, if they wish to be reputed and held to be faithful, to take publicly an oath for the defence of the faith to the effect that they will seek, in so far as they can, to expel from the lands subject to their jurisdiction all heretics designated by the church in good faith. Thus whenever anyone is promoted to spiritual or temporal authority, he shall be obliged to confirm this article with an oath. If however a temporal lord, required and instructed by the church, neglects to cleanse his territory of this heretical filth, he shall be bound with the bond of excommunication by the metropolitan and other bishops of the province. If he refuses to give satisfaction within a year, this shall be reported to the supreme pontiff so that he may then declare his vassals absolved from their fealty to him and make the land available for occupation by Catholics so that these may, after they have expelled the heretics, possess it unopposed and preserve it in the purity of the faith - saving the right of the suzerain provided that he makes no difficulty in the matter and puts no impediment in the way. The same law is to be observed no less as regards those who do not have a suzerain.

Catholics who take the cross and gird themselves up for the expulsion of heretics shall enjoy the same indulgence, and be strengthened by the same holy privilege, as is granted to those who go to the aid of the holy Land. Moreover, we determine to subject to excommunication believers who receive, defend or support heretics. We strictly ordain that if any such person, after he has been designated as excommunicated, refuses to render satisfaction within a year, then by the law itself he shall be branded as infamous and not be admitted to public offices or councils or to elect others to the same or to give testimony. He shall be intestable, that is he shall not have the freedom to make a will nor shall succeed to an inheritance. Moreover nobody shall be compelled to answer to him on any business whatever, but he may be compelled to answer to them. If he is a judge sentences pronounced by him shall have no force and cases may not be brought before him; if an advocate, he may not be allowed to defend anyone; if a notary, documents drawn up by him shall be worthless and condemned along with their condemned author; and in similar matters we order the same to be observed. If however he is a cleric, let him be deposed from every office and benefice, so that the greater the fault the greater be the punishment. If any refuse to avoid such persons after they have been pointed out by the church, let them be punished with the sentence of excommunication until they make suitable satisfaction. Clerics should not, of course, give the sacraments of the church to such pestilent people nor give them a Christian burial nor accept alms or offerings from them; if they do, let them be deprived of their office and not restored to it without a special indult of the apostolic see. Similarly with regulars, let them be punished with losing their privileges in the diocese in which they presume to commit such excesses.

There are some who holding to the form of religion but denying its power (as the Apostle says), claim for themselves the authority to preach, whereas the same Apostle says, How shall they preach unless they are sent? Let therefore all those who have been forbidden or not sent to preach, and yet dare publicly or privately to usurp the office of preaching without having received the authority of the apostolic see or the catholic bishop of the place, be bound with the bond of excommunication and, unless they repent very quickly, be punished by another suitable penalty. We add further that each archbishop or bishop, either in person or through his archdeacon or through suitable honest persons, should visit twice or at least once in the year any parish of his in which heretics are said to live. There he should compel three or more men of good repute, or even if it seems expedient the whole neighbourhood, to swear that if anyone knows of heretics there or of any persons who hold secret conventicles or who differ in their life and habits from the normal way of living of the faithful, then he will take care to point them out to the bishop. The bishop himself should summon the accused to his presence, and they should be punished canonically if they are unable to clear themselves of the charge or if after compurgation they relapse into their former errors of faith. If however any of them with damnable obstinacy refuse to honour an oath and so will not take it, let them by this very fact be regarded as heretics. We therefore will and command and, in virtue of obedience, strictly command that bishops see carefully to the effective execution of these things throughout their dioceses, if they wish to avoid canonical penalties. If any bishop is negligent or remiss in cleansing his diocese of the ferment of heresy, then when this shows itself by unmistakeable signs he shall be deposed from his office as bishop and there shall be put in his place a suitable person who both wishes and is able to overthrow the evil of heresy."

NOTORIOUS: Pope Leo XIII, in "Apostolic Constitution Officiorum ac Munerum," (1897) said regarding 'forbidden books':

"All books condemned before the year 1600 by the Sovereign Pontiffs, or by Ecumenical Councils, and which are not recorded in the new Index, must be considered as condemned ... The books of apostates, heretics, schismatics, and all writers whatsoever, defending heresy or schism, or in any way attacking the foundations of religion, are altogether prohibited. Moreover, the books of non-Catholics, ex professo treating of religion, are prohibited, unless they clearly contain nothing contrary to Catholic faith. ... Editions of the original text and of the ancient Catholic versions of Holy Scripture, as well as those of the Eastern Church, if published by non-Catholics, even though apparently edited in a faithful and complete manner, are allowed only to those engaged in theological and biblical studies, provided also that the dogmas of Catholic faith are not impugned in the prolegomena or annotations. ... In the same manner, and under the same conditions, other versions of the Holy Bible, whether in Latin or in any other dead language, published by non-Catholics, are permitted. ... As it has been clearly shown by experience that, if the Holy Bible in the vernacular is generally permitted without any distinction, more harm than utility is thereby caused, ... all versions in the vernacular, even by Catholics, are altogether prohibited, unless approved by the Holy See, or published, under the vigilant care of the bishops, with annotations taken from the Fathers of the Church and learned Catholic writers. ... All versions of the Holy Bible, in any vernacular language, made by non-Catholics are prohibited; and especially those published by the Bible societies, which have been more than once condemned by the Roman Pontiffs, because in them the wise laws of the Church concerning the publication of sacred books are entirely disregarded. ... All the faithful are bound to submit to preliminary ecclesiastical censorship at least those books which treat of Holy Scripture, sacred theology, ethics, and other religious or moral subjects of this character; and in general all writings specially concerned with religion and morality. ... Books condemned by the Apostolic See are to be considered as prohibited all over the world, and into whatever language they may be translated. ... All and every one knowingly reading, without authority of the Holy See, the books of apostates and heretics defending heresy; or books of any author which are by name prohibited by Apostolic Letters; also those keeping, printing, and in any way defending such works; incur ipso facto excommunication reserved in a special manner to the Roman Pontiff."

NOTORIOUS: Pope Gregory XVI, 1832, Mirari vos (On Liberalism and Religious Indifferentism):

"We consider another abundant source of the evils with which the Church is afflicted at present: indifferentism. This perverse opinion is spread on all sides by the fraud of the wicked who claim that it is possible to obtain the eternal salvation of the soul by the profession of any kind of religion, as long as morality is maintained. Surely, in so clear a matter, you will drive this deadly error far from the people committed to your care. With the admonition of the apostle that 'there is one God, one faith, one baptism' may those fear who contrive the notion that the safe harbor of salvation is open to persons of any religion whatever. ... Therefore 'without a doubt, they will perish forever, unless they hold the Catholic faith whole and inviolate.' ...

This shameful font of indifferentism gives rise to that absurd and erroneous proposition which claims that liberty of conscience must be maintained for everyone. It spreads ruin in sacred and civil affairs ... When all restraints are removed by which men are kept on the narrow path of truth, their nature, which is already inclined to evil, propels them to ruin. Then truly "the bottomless pit" (Rev.:3,23) is open from which John saw smoke ascending which obscured the sun, and out of which locusts flew forth to devastate the earth. ... Experience shows, even from earliest times, that cities renowned for wealth, dominion, and glory perished as a result of this single evil, namely immoderate freedom of opinion, license of free speech, and desire for novelty.

Here We must include that harmful and never sufficiently denounced freedom to publish any writings whatever and disseminate them to the people, which some dare to demand and promote with so great a clamor. ... who ... are entirely devoted to impairing and destroying all rights of dominion while bringing servitude to the people under the slogan of liberty. Here surely belong the infamous and wild plans of the Waldensians, the Beghards, the Wycliffites, and other such sons of Belial, who were the sores and disgrace of the human race; they often received a richly deserved anathema from the Holy See. For no other reason do experienced deceivers devote their efforts, except so that they, along with Luther, might joyfully deem themselves "free of all." To attain this end more easily and quickly, they undertake with audacity any infamous plan whatever.

Nor can We predict happier times for religion and government from the plans of those who desire vehemently to separate the Church from the state, and to break the mutual concord between temporal authority and the priesthood. It is certain that that concord which always was favorable and beneficial for the sacred and the civil order is feared by the shameless lovers of liberty. ... . They feign piety for religion; but they are driven by a passion for promoting novelties and sedition everywhere. They preach liberty of every sort; they stir up disturbances in sacred and civil affairs, and pluck authority to pieces. ...

May Our dear sons in Christ, the princes, support these Our desires for the welfare of Church and State with their resources and authority. May they understand that they received their authority not only for the government of the world, but especially for the defense of the Church. They should diligently consider that whatever work they do for the welfare of the Church accrues to their rule and peace. ... That all of this may come to pass prosperously and happily, let Us raise Our eyes and hands to the most holy Virgin Mary, who alone crushes all heresies, and is Our greatest reliance and the whole reason for Our hope."

NOTORIOUS: Pope Pius IX, 1860, NULLIS CERTE VERBIS (On The Need For Civil Sovereignty):

In the closing of the encyclical, the Pope declares: "We ask first the recommendation of the Virgin Mary, who is our most beloved mother and most trustworthy hope and ever present guardian of the Church. Nothing is more powerful with God than her patronage."

NOTORIOUS: Pope Paul IV said in 1559 regarding 'heretics':

"By virtue of the Apostolic office … in order that the flock may be faithfully guarded and beneficially directed, We are bound to be diligently watchful after the manner of a vigilant Shepherd and to ensure most carefully that certain people … be driven out of the sheepfold of Christ … We refer in particular to those who in this age, impelled by their sinfulness and supported by their cunning, are attacking with unusual learning and malice the discipline of the orthodox Faith, and who, moreover, by perverting the import of Holy Scripture, are striving to rend the unity of the Catholic Church and the seamless tunic of the Lord. … the Roman Pontiff, who is the representative upon earth of God and our God and Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the fulness of power over peoples and kingdoms, who may judge all and be judged by none in this world … we now enact as follows: In respect of each and every sentence of excommunication, suspension, interdict and privation and any other sentences, censures and penalties against heretics or schismatics, enforced and promulgated in any way whatsoever by any of Our predecessors the Roman Pontiffs, or by any who were held to be such (even by their "litterae extravagantes" i.e. private letters), or by the sacred Councils received by the Church of God, or by decrees of the Holy Fathers and the statutes, or by the sacred Canons and the Constitutions and Apostolic Ordinations - all these measures, by Apostolic authority, We approve and renew, that they may and must be observed in perpetuity and, if perchance they be no longer in lively observance, that they be restored to it. Thus We will and decree that the aforementioned sentences, censures and penalties be incurred without exception by … Anysoever who … shall have been detected to have deviated from the Catholic Faith … These sanctions, moreover, shall be incurred by all … even worldly authority or excellence, as Count, Baron, Marquis, Duke, King or Emperor. All this We will and decree … We also consider it proper that those who do not abandon evil deeds through love of virtue should be deterred therefrom by fear of punishment … Kings and Emperors (who ought to teach others and offer them a good example in order to preserve them in the Catholic Faith), by failing in their duty sin more gravely than others; since they not only damn themselves, but also drag with them into perdition and into the pit of death countless other people entrusted to their care or rule … Hence, by this Our Constitution which is to remain valid in perpetuity, in abomination of so great a crime (than which none in the Church of God can be greater or more pernicious) by the fulness of our Apostolic Power, We enact, determine, decree and define … that: each … shall also automatically, without any exercise of law or application of fact, be thoroughly, entirely and perpetually deprived of … all authority … secular or religious … Countships, Baronies, Marquisates, Dukedoms, Kingships and Imperial Power … moreover, they shall be unfit and incapable in respect of these things and that they shall be held to be backsliders and subverted in every way, just as if they had previously abjured heresy of this kind in public trial; that they shall never at any time be able to be restored, returned, reinstated or rehabilitated to their former status or … any other dignity … or Countships, Baronies, King, Marquisates, Dukedomsgships and positions of Imperial power; but rather that they shall be abandoned to the judgement of the secular power to be punished after due consideration, unless there should appear in them signs of true penitence and the fruits of worthy repentance, and, by the kindness and clemency of the See itself, they shall have been sentenced to sequestration in any Monastery or other religious house in order to perform perpetual penance upon the bread of sorrow and the water of affliction … that all such individuals also shall be held, treated and reputed as … such as must be avoided and must be deprived of the sympathy of all natural kindess. By this Our Constitution, which is to remain valid in perpetuity, We further enact, determine, decree and define:- as follows concerning those who shall have presumed in any way knowingly to receive, defend, favour, believe or teach the teaching of those so apprehended, confessed or convicted: (i) they shall automatically incur sentence of excommunication; (ii) they shall be rendered infamous; (iii) they shall be excluded on pain of invalidity from any public or private office … (iv) they shall be incapable of making a will; (v) they shall not accede to the succession of heredity; (vi) no one shall be forced to respond to them concerning any business; (vii) if perchance they shall have been Judges, their judgements shall have no force, nor shall any cases be brought to their hearing.; (viii) if they shall have been Advocates, their pleading shall nowise be received; (ix) if they shall have been Notaries, documents drafted by them shall be entirely without strength or weight; (x) clerics shall be automatically deprived of each and every Church…;(xi) laymen, moreover, in the same way - even if they be qualified, as already described, or endowed with the aforesaid dignities or anysoever Kingdoms, Duchies, Dominions, Fiefs and temporal goods possessed by them; (xii) finally, all Kingdoms, Duchies, Dominions, Fiefs and goods of this kind shall be confiscated, made public and shall remain so, and shall be made the rightful property of those who shall first occupy them if these shall be sincere in faith, in the unity of the Holy Roman Church and under obedience to Us and to Our successors the Roman Pontiffs … No one at all, therefore, may infringe this document of our approbation, re-introduction, sanction, statute and derogation of wills and decrees, or by rash presumption contradict it. If anyone, however, should presume to attempt this, let him know that he is destined to incur the wrath of Almighty God."

Pope Paul IV, "Cum ex Apostolatus Officio," 1559.

NOTORIOUS: Pope Leo XIII said in 1890 on the rights and power of the Roman Catholic Church over all civil authority:

"On this very account the Church cannot stand by, indifferent as to the import and significance of laws enacted by the State; not in so far indeed as they refer to the State, but in so far as, passing beyond their due limits, they trench upon the rights of the Church. From God has the duty been assigned to the Church not only to interpose resistance, if at any time the State rule should run counter to religion, but, further, to make a strong endeavor that the power of the Gospel may pervade the law and institutions of the nations. And inasmuch as the destiny of the State depends mainly on the disposition of those who are at the head of affairs, it follows that the Church cannot give countenance or favor to those whom she knows to be imbued with a spirit of hostility to her; who refuse openly to respect her rights; who make it their aim and purpose to tear asunder the alliance that should, by the very nature of things, connect the interests of religion with those of the State. On the contrary, she is (as she is bound to be) the upholder of those who are themselves imbued with the right way of thinking as to the relations between Church and State, and who strive to make them work in perfect accord for the common good. These precepts contain the abiding priniple by which every Catholic should shape his conduct in regard to public life. ... All who have it at heart to attach themselves earnestly to the Church, which is the pillar and ground of the truth, will easily steer clear of masters who are lying and promising them liberty, when they themselves are slaves of corruption. ... These make it a matter of guesswork as to whether they are for the Church or against her; since on the one hand they give themselves out as professing the Catholic faith, and yet wish that the Church should allow certain opinions, at variance with her teaching, to be spread abroad with impunity. ... These same individuals would not have any one entertain a doubt as to their good-wil towards the Holy See; yet they have always a something by way of reproach against the supreme Pontiff. ... For the enemies of the Church have for their object - and they hesitate not to proclaim it, and many among them boast of it - to destroy outright, if possible, the Catholic religion, which is alone the true religion. With such a pupose in hand they shrink from nothing; for they are fully conscious that the more faint-hearted those who withstand them become, the more easy will it be to work out their wicked will."

On the Chief Duties of Christians as Citizens, Encyclical Sapientice Christaince, 1890.