2 Corinthians — Chapter 12
These annotations are from the original 1582 Rheims New Testament, produced by English scholars in exile at the English College of Rheims. The archaic spelling is preserved.
This content was digitized from the original 1609 Douay (Old Testament) and 1582 Rheims (New Testament) print editions by OCR. The OCR process sometimes confused print page numbers with verse numbers, and may have assigned annotations to the wrong chapter. Chapter and verse labels on this page reflect the OCR output from the original print pagination and may not correspond to canonical Scripture chapter/verse numbers. For canonical reference, consult a standard Douay-Rheims edition. The annotation texts themselves are authentic 1609/1582 Douay-Rheims content.
Verse 1
1. Visions.) Visions haue no credit with heretikes. S. Cyprian (ep. 69. nu. 4.) complaineth that the Aduersaries of Gods Church and Priests, giue no credit to visions. But their incredulitie is much more in our daies that condemne al such reuelations, though they be reported and recorded for most certaine, of holy S. Gregorie, S. Bede, or who-els soeuer. Yea they are so wicked in this case, that the vision which the holy Author of the booke of Machabees *calleth fide dignum, worthy of credit, is one cause why they deny the whole booke to be Canonical: and as wel might they for this vision deny al S. Paules Epistles, and for the like, the Actes of the Apostles Act. 9. 10. 11. 12. 27. and the Ghospel it-self, Matth. 1,20. 2,13, 19. *2. Mac. 15,11.
Verse 11
11. Aboue measure Apostles.) The Apostles some greater then others. Though al were in that they were Apostles, of one and the same order, yet we may see that some had maruelous great preeminence and priuilege aboue others in the same office: specially S. Peter and S. Iohn, whom S. Paul often calleth great Apostles, aboue measure or passing Apostles, the pillars, &c. 2. Cor. 11,5. 12,11. Gal. 2,9.
Verse 12
12. In signes.) We must stick to the faith first planted by miracles. Miracles be necessarie, and be great signes of truth, when it is first newly taught. And therfore let al Catholike men hold fast that faith which was first preached & confirmed by miracles. As in England by S. Augustin, & in other Nations by holy Apostolike men. And let the Heretikes that preach extraordinarily, newly and otherwise then we receiued at our first conuersion, shew their calling and doctrine by miracles, or els let them be taken for false Apostles as they be.