Second, from the custom of all the heathen.
Second, from the custom of all the heathen.
§ 411. The second rational argument is taken from the custom of all the heathen. “The Jews had some traditions outside of Scripture, according to Origen (homily 5 on Numbers; commentary on Romans 3). Hilary, on Psalm 2: ‘Then, in the secular commonwealth all people are ruled for the most part by unwritten laws, and as a result, Pericles divides the law of Athens into the written and unwritten law.’ In Polit., bk. 3, c. 11, Aristotle claims that the state must be ruled partly by the best laws and partly by the choice of an excellent man. In civil law the same authority is given to written law and unwritten custom.”
We respond. (1) We have shown earlier that the prophets, apostles, and Christ Himself called the Jews back from uncertain traditions to the certain and immovable Scriptures. Let a mature person see closely whether Bellarmine wants to approve of the talmudic and cabalistic dreams of the Jews, which they say take their origin from Moses. Christ and the apostles always emphasize the Scriptures, but nowhere do they recommend those secret traditions either to the Jews or to us.
(2) The law of earth [jus poli] is one thing, the law of heaven [jus soli] is another. As the Church is not ruled by human counsel, so also it is not ruled by human laws and any measure of this world. Tertullian is correct in saying: “No one can can give orders to the truth—not a space of time, not patronage of persons, not privilege of position. You see, as a result of these things, custom is given a beginning from some ignorance or simplicity, is strengthened in its use by succession, and thus lays a claim against the truth. Our Lord Christ, however, calls Himself the truth, not the custom” (De veland. virgin., beginning of c. 1).
(3) People could not embrace all things by laws and foresee all future cases. But God, who is wisdom itself, wanted and was able in His Word to counteract all errors, all defects, all doubts.
(4) In political matters some light of reason has been left, but that has no place in the mysteries of faith.
(5) Bellarmine says that “nature itself cries out that traditions are necessary.” The testimony of nature, however, is something to which we must listen in natural matters but not in divine matters placed beyond the sphere of nature.