Archbishop Antoninus of Florence.
Archbishop Antoninus of Florence.
§ 91. Before we leave Italy, we must list the testimonies of others who wrote in Italy, testimonies that are in conformity with our opinion. Archbishop Antoninus of Florence (summa, part. 3, tit. 18, c. 6, § secundo) affirms that, concerning those six controversial books, “their authority for proving those things that are doubtful is not suitable.” For this opinion he cites Thomas ([ST,] 2a2ae) and Lyra (prologue on the Book of Tobit), namely, that “those books are not of such great authority that one may draw from their statements sufficient arguments in matters that are of faith, just as from other books.” Consequently, Antoninus says that it seems to him that “they should have as great authority as have the writings of the holy teachers that the Church has approved.” This Antoninus was present at the Council of Florence. If it were true, then, what Carranza (summa conciliorum) and Bellarmine and others wrote about the Council of Florence—that “those controversial books were received into the canon at that council”—Antoninus would have been their opponent.