Chapter XI — An exhortation to Confessors

I. There is no need of many words, O Ministers of Christ, to persuade you to withdraw from the kingdom of Probabilism — in which, as Bishop Palanco, a man most celebrated not for doctrine only but also for sanctity of morals, says, it is not God who reigns, but the inventions of men and their vain cogitations. But Christ your Master, Matthew 15, cries out: In vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men. And they are doctrines of men, not of God, which I have hitherto studied to refute.

II. Seriously, I pray you, weigh the security and tranquillity which the Probabilists promise you at that very time at which you repel the more splendid light — by the force of a human reflection which men have devised. Against them cry the divine Scriptures. Hear Paul, 1 Corinthians 4: For I am not conscious to myself of any thing; yet am I not hereby justified. Would the Probabilists have replied to the Apostle that he should form for himself a reflex syllogism, by which to shake off his fear? But Paul straightway adds: But he that judgeth me is the Lord. And he judges, not according to the reflex doctrines which men have devised, but according to his own law — eternal, immutable, and true. Wherefore Paul exhorts, Philippians chapter 2, that with fear and trembling you work out your salvation. This holy fear and dread the divine Scriptures continually urge and command. Serve ye the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto him with trembling: Psalm 2. Who can understand sins? From my secret ones cleanse me: Psalm 18.

III. To whom, then, must we hearken? To the divine Scriptures, or to the Probabilists? The Scriptures cry: There is a way which seemeth just to a man; but the ends thereof lead to death. Probabilism, on the contrary, contends that that becomes right which appears distorted and erroneous, by the help of a single reflex proposition. But why do I prolong further the most manifest opposition between the holy Scriptures and the probabilistic axioms? You yourselves, O Ministers of Christ, already perceive that nothing is so hostile to the accomplishing of the business of eternal salvation as the security introduced by this new manner of opining, which equals error itself — covered over by the artifice of subtle reflections and by the darkness of ignorance — to truth. But Ecclesiasticus, chapter 2 [recte 11], says: Error and darkness are created with sinners; and David adds: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain: Psalm 93.

IV. But let this remain fixed more deeply in your souls, O Ministers of God, which St. Paul commends to you: Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine: 2 Timothy 4. The word, not of men, but of God, is to be preached by you — not from the pulpit only, but above all from the very tribunal of penance. A double doctrine — one for the chair, another for the tribunal of loosing and binding — the Scribes and Pharisees devised. One, and that a simple one, is the doctrine of Christ, which, adds St. Paul, men refuse to endure, because it is an enemy to the flesh and to the appetites; and therefore they busy themselves to corrupt it with cavils, paradoxes, and unheard-of inventions. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.

V. That doctrine is corrupt, says St. Thomas with all the Fathers on this place, which has falsity mingled with it. Probabilism has falsity mingled with it, since it defends the licit use of contrary opinions about the same action. Whether the things which we have hitherto refuted be fables, judge you yourselves. The doctrines which I have confuted itch in the ears, indulge the desires of men, favor human liberty against the law of God. What clearer sign do you await? What excuse can you offer, if you allow yourselves to be deceived? Nay, that the Apostle might shut every crack of escape, he foretold that this corruption of doctrine, these fables, these masters with itching ears, would come in the last days. Know also this, that, in the last days, shall come dangerous times. He describes the endowments of these men, that we may be able to be on our guard: Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud ... having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof ... For of these sort are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away with divers desires: ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth. They always confess; they always, or frequently, eat the body of Christ; they attend sermons and discourses; they have frequent and familiar converse with the ministers of God: yet they never dismiss the pomps, the luxury, and the ambition of the world; but, laden with the burdens of sins, and puffed up with divers desires, they flee from and reject the knowledge of the truth.

VI. But know this: that you can by no means announce this doctrine of divine truth, and openly inculcate it in season and out of season, without sustaining reproaches, derisions, and persecutions — and those grave ones. For Paul adds in the same place, chapter 3: And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.