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AeterniPatrisHisHolinessPopeLeoXIIIOntheRestorationofChristianPhilosophyAugust4,1879

TothePatriarchs,Primates,Archbishops,andBishopsoftheCatholicWorldinGraceandCommunionWiththeApostolicSee.

TheonlybegottenSonoftheEternalFather,whocameonearthtobringsalvationandthelightofdivinewisdomtomen,conferredagreatandwonderfulblessingontheworldwhen,abouttoascendagainintoheaven,HecommandedtheApostlestogoandteachallnations,[1]andlefttheChurchwhichHehadfoundedtobethecommonandsupremeteacherofthepeoples.FormenwhomthetruthhadsetfreeweretobepreservedbythetruthnorwouldthefruitsofheavenlydoctrinesbywhichsalvationcomestomenhavelongremainedhadnottheLordChristappointedanunfailingteachingauthoritytotrainthemindstofaith.AndtheChurchbuiltuponthepromisesofitsowndivineAuthor,whosecharityitimitated,sofaithfullyfollowedoutHiscommandsthatitsconstantaimandchiefwishwasthis:toteachreligionandcontendforeveragainsterrors.Tothisendassuredlyhavetendedtheincessantlaborsofindividualbishopstothisendalsothepublishedlawsanddecreesofcouncils,andespeciallytheconstantwatchfulnessoftheRomanPontiffs,towhom,assuccessorsoftheblessedPeterintheprimacyoftheApostles,belongstherightandofficeofteachingandconfirmingtheirbrethreninthefaith.Since,then,accordingtothewarningoftheapostle,themindsofChrist'sfaithfulareapttobedeceivedandtheintegrityofthefaithtobecorruptedamongmenbyphilosophyandvaindeceit,[2]thesupremepastorsoftheChurchhavealwaysthoughtittheirdutytoadvance,byeverymeansintheirpower,sciencetrulysocalled,andatthesametimetoprovidewithspecialcarethatallstudiesshouldaccordwiththeCatholicfaith,especiallyphilosophy,onwhicharightinterpretationoftheothersciencesingreatpartdepends.Indeed,venerablebrethren,onthisverysubjectamongothers,WebrieflyadmonishedyouinOurfirstencyclicalletterbutnow,bothbyreasonofthegravityofthesubjectandtheconditionofthetime,weareagaincompelledtospeaktoyouonthemodeoftakingupthestudyofphilosophywhichshallrespondmostfitlytotheexcellenceoffaith,andatthesametimebeconsonantwiththedignityofhumanscience.

2.Whosoturnshisattentiontothebitterstrifesofthesedaysandseeksareasonforthetroublesthatvexpublicandprivatelifemustcometotheconclusionthata

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fruitfulcauseoftheevilswhichnowafflict,aswellasthosewhichthreaten,usliesinthis:thatfalseconclusionsconcerningdivineandhumanthings,whichoriginatedintheschoolsofphilosophy,havenowcreptintoalltheordersoftheState,andhavebeenacceptedbythecommonconsentofthemasses.For,sinceitisintheverynatureofmantofollowtheguideofreasoninhisactions,ifhisintellectsinsatallhiswillsoonfollowsandthusithappensthatfalseopinions,whoseseatisintheunderstanding,influencehumanactionsandpervertthem.Whereas,ontheotherhand,ifmenbeofsoundmindandtaketheirstandontrueandsolidprinciples,therewillresultavastamountofbenefitsforthepublicandprivategood.Wedonot,indeed,attributesuchforceandauthoritytophilosophyastoesteemitequaltothetaskofcombatingandrootingoutallerrorsfor,whentheChristianreligionwasfirstconstituted,itcameuponearthtorestoreittoitsprimevaldignitybytheadmirablelightoffaith,diffused"notbypersuasivewordsofhumanwisdom,butinthemanifestationofspiritandofpower",[3]soalsoatthepresenttimewelookaboveallthingstothepowerfulhelpofAlmightyGodtobringbacktoarightunderstandingthemindsofmananddispelthedarknessoferror.[4]Butthenaturalhelpswithwhichthegraceofthedivinewisdom,stronglyandsweetlydisposingallthings,hassuppliedthehumanraceareneithertobedespisednorneglected,chiefamongwhichisevidentlytherightuseofphilosophy.For,notinvaindidGodsetthelightofreasoninthehumanmindandsofaristhesuperaddedlightoffaithfromextinguishingorlesseningthepoweroftheintelligencethatitcompletesitrather,andbyaddingtoitsstrengthrendersitcapableofgreaterthings.

3.Therefore,DivineProvidenceitselfrequiresthat,incallingbackthepeopletothepathsoffaithandsalvation,advantageshouldbetakenofhumansciencealsoanapprovedandwisepracticewhichhistorytestifieswasobservedbythemostillustriousFathersoftheChurch.They,indeed,werewontneithertobelittlenorundervaluethepartthatreasonhadtoplay,asissummedupbythegreatAugustinewhenheattributestothisscience"thatbywhichthemostwholesomefaithisbegotten...isnourished,defended,andmadestrong."[5]

4.Inthefirstplace,philosophy,ifrightlymadeuseofbythewise,inacertainwaytendstosmoothandfortifytheroadtotruefaith,andtopreparethesoulsofitsdisciplesforthefitreceptionofrevelationforwhichreasonitiswellcalledbyancientwriterssometimesasteppingstonetotheChristianfaith,[6]sometimesthepreludeandhelpofChristianity,[7]sometimestheGospelteacher.[8]And,assuredly,theGodofallgoodness,inallthatpertainstodivinethings,hasnotonlymanifestedbythelightoffaiththosetruthswhichhumanintelligencecouldnotattainofitself,butothers,also,notaltogetherunattainablebyreason,thatbythehelpofdivineauthoritytheymaybemadeknowntoallatonceandwithoutany

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admixtureoferror.Henceitisthatcertaintruthswhichwereeitherdivinelyproposedforbelief,orwereboundbytheclosestchainstothedoctrineoffaith,werediscoveredbypagansageswithnothingbuttheirnaturalreasontoguidethem,weredemonstratedandprovedbybecomingarguments.For,astheApostlesays,theinvisiblethingsofHim,fromthecreationoftheworld,areclearlyseen,beingunderstoodbythethingsthataremade:Hiseternalpoweralsoanddivinity[9]andtheGentileswhohavenottheLawshow,nevertheless,theworkoftheLawwrittenintheirhearts.[10]Butitismostfittingtoturnthesetruths,whichhavebeendiscoveredbythepagansageseven,totheuseandpurposesofrevealeddoctrine,inordertoshowthatbothhumanwisdomandtheverytestimonyofouradversariesservetosupporttheChristianfaithamethodwhichisnotofrecentintroduction,butofestablisheduse,andhasoftenbeenadoptedbytheholyFathersoftheChurch.Whatismore,thosevenerablemen,thewitnessesandguardiansofreligioustraditions,recognizeacertainformandfigureofthisintheactionoftheHebrews,who,whenabouttodepartoutofEgypt,werecommandedtotakewiththemthegoldandsilvervesselsandpreciousrobesoftheEgyptians,thatbyachangeofusethethingsmightbededicatedtotheserviceofthetrueGodwhichhadformerlybeentheinstrumentsofignobleandsuperstitiousrites.GregoryofNeoCaesare[11]praisesOrigenexpresslybecause,withsingulardexterity,asonesnatchesweaponsfromtheenemy,heturnedtothedefenseofChristianwisdomandtothedestructionofsuperstitionmanyargumentsdrawnfromthewritingsofthepagans.AndbothGregoryofNazianzen[12]andGregoryofNyssa[13]praiseandcommendalikemodeofdisputationinBasiltheGreatwhileJerome[14]especiallycommendsitinQuadratus,adiscipleoftheApostles,inAristides,Justin,Irenaeus,andverymanyothers.Augustinesays:"DowenotseeCyprian,thatmildestofdoctorsandmostblessedofmartyrs,goingoutofEgyptladenwithgoldandsilverandvestments?AndLactantius,alsoandVictorinus,OptatusandHilary?And,nottospeakoftheliving,howmanyGreekshavedonelikewise?"[15]ButifnaturalreasonfirstsowedthisrichfieldofdoctrinebeforeitwasrenderedfruitfulbythepowerofChrist,itmustassuredlybecomemoreprolificafterthegraceoftheSaviorhasrenewedandaddedtothenativefacultiesofthehumanmind.Andwhodoesnotseethataplainandeasyroadisopeneduptofaithbysuchamethodofphilosophicstudy?

5.Buttheadvantagetobederivedfromsuchaschoolofphilosophyisnottobeconfinedwithintheselimits.Thefoolishnessofthosemenwho"bythesegoodthingsthatareseencouldnotunderstandHim,thatis,neitherbyattendingtotheworkscouldhaveacknowledgedwhowastheworkman,"[16]isgravelyreprovedinthewordsofDivineWisdom.Inthefirstplace,then,thisgreatandnoblefruitisgatheredfromhumanreason,thatitdemonstratesthatGodisforthegreatnessof

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thebeautyandofthecreaturetheCreatorofthemmaybeseensoastobeknownthereby.[17]Again,itshowsGodtoexcelintheheightofallperfections,especiallyininfinitewisdombeforewhichnothinglieshidden,andinabsolutejusticewhichnodepravedaffectioncouldpossiblyshakeandthatGod,therefore,isnotonlytruebuttruthitself,whichcanneitherdeceivenorbedeceived.WhenceitclearlyfollowsthathumanreasonfindsthefullestfaithandauthorityunitedinthewordofGod.Inlikemanner,reasondeclaresthatthedoctrineoftheGospelhasevenfromitsverybeginningbeenmademanifestbycertainwonderfulsigns,theestablishedproofs,asitwere,ofunshakentruthandthatall,therefore,whosetfaithintheGospeldonotbelieverashlyasthoughfollowingcunninglydevisedfables,[18]but,byamostreasonableconsent,subjecttheirintelligenceandjudgmenttoanauthoritywhichisdivine.AndofnolessimportanceisitthatreasonmostclearlysetsforththattheChurchinstitutedbyChrist(aslaiddownintheVaticanCouncil),onaccountofitswonderfulspread,itsmarveloussanctity,anditsinexhaustiblefecundityinallplaces,aswellasofitsCatholicunityandunshakenstability,isinitselfagreatandperpetualmotiveofbeliefandanirrefragabletestimonyofitsowndivinemission.[19]

6.Itssolidfoundationshavingbeenthuslaid,aperpetualandvariedserviceisfurtherrequiredofphilosophy,inorderthatsacredtheologymayreceiveandassumethenature,form,andgeniusofatruescience.Forinthis,themostnobleofstudies,itisofthegreatestnecessitytobindtogether,asitwere,inonebodythemanyandvariouspartsoftheheavenlydoctrines,that,eachbeingallottedtoitsownproperplaceandderivedfromitsownproperprinciples,thewholemayjointogetherinacompleteunioninorder,infine,thatallandeachpartmaybestrengthenedbyitsownandtheothers'invinciblearguments.Noristhatmoreaccurateorfullerknowledgeofthethingsthatarebelieved,andsomewhatmorelucidunderstanding,asfarasitcango,oftheverymysteriesoffaithwhichAugustineandtheotherfatherscommendedandstrovetoreach,andwhichtheVaticanCouncilitself[20]declaredtobemostfruitful,tobepassedoverinsilenceorbelittled.Thosewillcertainlymorefullyandmoreeasilyattainthatknowledgeandunderstandingwhotointegrityoflifeandloveoffaithjoinamindroundedandfinishedbyphilosophicstudies,asthesameVaticanCouncilteachesthattheknowledgeofsuchsacreddogmasoughttobesoughtaswellfromanalogyofthethingsthatarenaturallyknownasfromtheconnectionofthosemysteriesonewithanotherandwiththefinalendofman.[21]

7.Lastly,thedutyofreligiouslydefendingthetruthsdivinelydelivered,andofresistingthosewhodareopposethem,pertainstophilosophicpursuits.Wherefore,itisthegloryofphilosophytobeesteemedasthebulwarkoffaithandthestrong

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defenseofreligion.AsClementofAlexandriatestifies,thedoctrineoftheSaviorisindeedperfectinitselfandwantethnaught,sinceitisthepowerandwisdomofGod.AndtheassistanceoftheGreekphilosophymakethnotthetruthmorepowerfulbut,inasmuchasitweakensthecontraryargumentsofthesophistsandrepelstheveiledattacksagainstthetruth,ithasbeenfitlycalledthehedgeandfenceofthevine.[22]For,astheenemiesoftheCatholicname,whenabouttoattackreligion,areinthehabitofborrowingtheirweaponsfromtheargumentsofphilosophers,sothedefendersofsacredsciencedrawmanyargumentsfromthestoreofphilosophywhichmayservetoupholdrevealeddogmas.NoristhetriumphoftheChristianfaithasmalloneinusinghumanreasontorepelpowerfullyandspeedilytheattacksofitsadversariesbythehostilearmswhichhumanreasonitselfsupplied.ThisspeciesofreligiousstrifeSt.Jerome,writingtoMagnus,noticesashavingbeenadoptedbytheApostleoftheGentileshimselfPaul,theleaderoftheChristianarmyandtheinvincibleorator,battlingforthecauseofChrist,skillfullyturnsevenachanceinscriptionintoanargumentforthefaithforhehadlearnedfromthetrueDavidtowresttheswordfromthehandsoftheenemyandtocutofftheheadoftheboastfulGoliathwithhisownweapon.[23]Moreover,theChurchherselfnotonlyurges,butevencommands,Christianteacherstoseekhelpfromphilosophy.For,thefifthLateranCouncil,afterithaddecidedthat"everyassertioncontrarytothetruthofrevealedfaithisaltogetherfalse,forthereasonthatitcontradicts,howeverslightly,thetruth,"[24]advisesteachersofphilosophytopaycloseattentiontotheexpositionoffallaciousargumentssince,asAugustinetestifies,"ifreasonisturnedagainsttheauthorityofsacredScripture,nomatterhowspeciousitmayseem,iterrsinthelikenessoftruthfortrueitcannotbe."[25]

8.Butinorderthatphilosophymaybeboundequaltothegatheringofthosepreciousfruitswhichwehaveindicated,itbehoovesitaboveallthingsnevertoturnasidefromthatpathwhichtheFathershaveentereduponfromavenerableantiquity,andwhichtheVaticanCouncilsolemnlyandauthoritativelyapproved.Asitisevidentthatverymanytruthsofthesupernaturalorderwhicharefarbeyondthereachofthekeenestintellectmustbeaccepted,humanreason,consciousofitsowninfirmity,darenotaffecttoitselftoogreatpowers,nordenythosetruths,normeasurethembyitsownstandard,norinterpretthematwillbutreceivethem,rather,withafullandhumblefaith,andesteemitthehighesthonortobeallowedtowaituponheavenlydoctrineslikeahandmaidandattendant,andbyGod'sgoodnessattaintotheminanywaywhatsoever.Butinthecaseofsuchdoctrinesasthehumanintelligencemayperceive,itisequallyjustthatphilosophyshouldmakeuseofitsownmethod,principles,andargumentsnot,indeed,insuchfashionastoseemrashlytowithdrawfromthedivineauthority.But,sinceitisestablishedthatthosethingswhichbecomeknownbyrevelationhavetheforceofcertaintruth,and

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thatthosethingswhichwaragainstfaithwarequallyagainstrightreason,theCatholicphilosopherwillknowthatheviolatesatoncefaithandthelawsofreasonifheacceptsanyconclusionwhichheunderstandstobeopposedtorevealeddoctrine.

9.Weknowthattherearesomewho,intheiroverestimateofthehumanfaculties,maintainthatassoonasman'sintellectbecomessubjecttodivineauthorityitfallsfromitsnativedignity,andhamperedbytheyokeofthisspeciesofslavery,ismuchretardedandhinderedinitsprogresstowardthesupremetruthandexcellence.Suchanideaismostfalseanddeceptive,anditssoletendencyistoinducefoolishandungratefulmenwillfullytorepudiatethemostsublimetruths,andrejectthedivinegiftoffaith,fromwhichthefountainsofallgoodthingsflowoutuponcivilsociety.Forthehumanmind,beingconfinedwithincertainlimits,andthosenarrowenough,isexposedtomanyerrorsandisignorantofmanythingswhereastheChristianfaith,reposingontheauthorityofGod,istheunfailingmistressoftruth,whomwhosofollowethhewillbeneitherenmeshedinthesnaresoferrornortossedhitherandthitheronthewavesoffluctuatingopinion.Those,therefore,whotothestudyofphilosophyuniteobediencetotheChristianfaith,arephilosophizinginthebestpossiblewayforthesplendorofthedivinetruths,receivedintothemind,helpstheunderstanding,andnotonlydetractsinnowisefromitsdignity,butaddsgreatlytoitsnobility,keenness,andstability.Forsurelythatisaworthyandmostusefulexerciseofreasonwhenmengivetheirmindstodisprovingthosethingswhicharerepugnanttofaithandprovingthethingswhichconformtofaith.Inthefirstcasetheycutthegroundfromunderthefeetoferrorandexposetheviciousnessoftheargumentsonwhicherrorrestswhileinthesecondcasetheymakethemselvesmastersofweightyreasonsforthesounddemonstrationoftruthandthesatisfactoryinstructionofanyreasonableperson.Whoeverdeniesthatsuchstudyandpracticetendtoaddtotheresourcesandexpandthefacultiesofthemindmustnecessarilyandabsurdlyholdthatthemindgainsnothingfromdiscriminatingbetweenthetrueandthefalse.Justly,therefore,doestheVaticanCouncilcommemorateinthesewordsthegreatbenefitswhichfaithhasconferreduponreason:Faithfreesandsavesreasonfromerror,andendowsitwithmanifoldknowledge.[26]Awiseman,therefore,wouldnotaccusefaithandlookuponitasopposedtoreasonandnaturaltruths,butwouldratherofferheartfeltthankstoGod,andsincerelyrejoicethat,inthedensityofignoranceandinthefloodtideoferror,holyfaith,likeafriendlystar,shinesdownuponhispathandpointsouttohimthefairgateoftruthbeyondalldangerofwandering.

10.If,venerablebrethren,youopenthehistoryofphilosophy,youwillfindallWehavejustsaidprovedbyexperience.Thephilosophersofoldwholackedthegiftof

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faith,yetwereesteemedsowise,fellintomanyappallingerrors.YouknowhowoftenamongsometruthstheytaughtfalseandincongruousthingswhatvagueanddoubtfulopinionstheyheldconcerningthenatureoftheDivinity,thefirstoriginofthings,thegovernmentoftheworld,thedivineknowledgeofthefuture,thecauseandprincipleofevil,theultimateendofman,theeternalbeatitude,concerningvirtueandvice,andothermatters,atrueandcertainknowledgeofwhichismostnecessarytothehumanracewhile,ontheotherhand,theearlyFathersandDoctorsoftheChurch,whowellunderstoodthat,accordingtothedivineplan,therestorerofhumanscienceisChrist,whoisthepowerandthewisdomofGod,[27]andinwhomarehidallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge,[28]tookupandinvestigatedthebooksoftheancientphilosophers,andcomparedtheirteachingswiththedoctrinesofrevelation,and,carefullysiftingthem,theycherishedwhatwastrueandwiseinthemandamendedorrejectedallelse.For,astheallseeingGodagainstthecrueltyoftyrantsraisedupmightymartyrstothedefenseoftheChurch,menprodigaloftheirgreatlives,inlikemannertofalsephilosophersandhereticsHeopposedmenofgreatwisdom,todefend,evenbytheaidofhumanreason,thetreasureofrevealedtruths.Thus,fromtheveryfirstagesoftheChurch,theCatholicdoctrinehasencounteredamultitudeofmostbitteradversaries,who,deridingtheChristiandogmasandinstitutions,maintainedthatthereweremanygods,thatthematerialworldneverhadabeginningorcause,andthatthecourseofeventswasoneofblindandfatalnecessity,notregulatedbythewillofDivineProvidence.

11.ButthelearnedmenwhomWecallapologistsspeedilyencounteredtheseteachersoffoolishdoctrineand,undertheguidanceoffaith,foundargumentsinhumanwisdomalsotoprovethatoneGod,whostandspreeminentineverykindofperfection,istobeworshippedthatallthingswerecreatedfromnothingbyHisomnipotentpowerthatbyHiswisdomtheyflourishandserveeachtheirownspecialpurposes.AmongtheseSt.JustinMartyrclaimsthechiefplace.AfterhavingtriedthemostcelebratedacademiesoftheGreeks,hesawclearly,ashehimselfconfesses,thathecouldonlydrawtruthsintheirfullnessfromthedoctrineofrevelation.Theseheembracedwithalltheardorofhissoul,purgedofcalumny,courageouslyandfullydefendedbeforetheRomanemperors,andreconciledwiththemnotafewofthesayingsoftheGreekphilosophers.

12.Quadratus,also,andAristides,Hermias,andAthenagorasstoodnoblyforthinthattime.NordidIrenaeus,theinvinciblemartyrandBishopofLyons,winlessgloryinthesamecausewhen,forciblyrefutingtheperverseopinionsoftheOrientals,theworkoftheGnostics,scatteredbroadcastovertheterritoriesoftheRomanEmpire,heexplained(accordingtoJerome)theoriginofeachheresyandinwhatphilosophicsourceittookitsrise.[29]Butwhoknowsnotthedisputationsof

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ClementofAlexandria,whichthesameJeromethushonorablycommemorates:"Whatisthereinthemthatisnotlearned,andwhatthatisnotoftheveryheartofphilosophy?"[30]Hehimself,indeed,withmarvelousversatilitytreatedofmanythingsofthegreatestutilityforpreparingahistoryofphilosophy,fortheexerciseofthedialecticart,andforshowingtheagreementbetweenreasonandfaith.AfterhimcameOrigen,whogracedthechairoftheschoolofAlexandria,andwasmostlearnedintheteachingsoftheGreeksandOrientals.Hepublishedmanyvolumes,involvinggreatlabor,whichwerewonderfullyadaptedtoexplainthedivinewritingsandillustratethesacreddogmaswhich,though,astheynowstand,notaltogetherfreefromerror,containneverthelessawealthofknowledgetendingtothegrowthandadvanceofnaturaltruths.Tertullianopposeshereticswiththeauthorityofthesacredwritingswiththephilosophershechangeshisfenceanddisputesphilosophicallybutsolearnedlyandaccuratelydidheconfutethemthathemadeboldtosay:"Neitherinsciencenorinschoolingareweequals,asyouimagine."[31]Arnobius,also,inhisworksagainstthepagans,andLactantiusinthedivineInstitutionsespecially,withequaleloquenceandstrengthstrenuouslystrivetomovementoacceptthedogmasandpreceptsofCatholicwisdom,notbyphilosophicjuggling,afterthefashionoftheAcademicians,butvanquishingthempartlybytheirownarms,andpartlybyargumentsdrawnfromthemutualcontentionsofthephilosophers.[32]Butthewritingsonthehumansoul,thedivineattributes,andotherquestionsofmightymomentwhichthegreatAthanasiusandChrysostom,theprinceoforators,haveleftbehindthemare,bycommonconsent,sosupremelyexcellentthatitseemsscarcelyanythingcouldbeaddedtotheirsubtletyandfullness.And,nottocovertoowidearange,weaddtothenumberofthegreatmenofwhommentionhasbeenmadethenamesofBasiltheGreatandofthetwoGregories,who,ongoingforthfromAthens,thathomeofalllearning,thoroughlyequippedwithalltheharnessofphilosophy,turnedthewealthofknowledgewhicheachhadgatheredupinacourseofzealousstudytotheworkofrefutinghereticsandpreparingChristians.

13.ButAugustinewouldseemtohavewrestedthepalmfromall.Ofamostpowerfulgeniusandthoroughlysaturatedwithsacredandprofanelearning,withtheloftiestfaithandwithequalknowledge,hecombatedmostvigorouslyalltheerrorsofhisage.Whattopicofphilosophydidhenotinvestigate?Whatregionofitdidhenotdiligentlyexplore,eitherinexpoundingtheloftiestmysteriesofthefaithtothefaithful,ordefendingthemagainstthefullonslaughtofadversaries,oragainwhen,indemolishingthefablesoftheAcademiciansortheManichaeans,helaidthesafefoundationsandsurestructureofhumanscience,orfollowedupthereason,origin,andcausesoftheevilsthatafflictman?Howsubtlyhereasonedontheangels,thesoul,thehumanmind,thewillandfreechoice,onreligionandthelifeofthe

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blessed,ontimeandeternity,andevenontheverynatureofchangeablebodies.Afterwards,intheEast,JohnDamascene,treadinginthefootstepsofBasilandofGregoryofNazianzen,andintheWest,BoethiusandAnselmfollowingthedoctrinesofAugustine,addedlargelytothepatrimonyofphilosophy.

14.Lateron,thedoctorsofthemiddleages,whoarecalledScholastics,addressedthemselvestoagreatworkthatofdiligentlycollecting,andsifting,andstoringup,asitwere,inoneplace,fortheuseandconvenienceofposteritytherichandfertileharvestsofChristianlearningscatteredabroadinthevoluminousworksoftheholyFathers.Andwithregard,venerablebrethren,totheorigin,drift,andexcellenceofthisscholasticlearning,itmaybewellheretospeakmorefullyinthewordsofoneofthewisestofOurpredecessors,SixtusV:"BythedivinefavorofHimwhoalonegivesthespiritofscience,andwisdom,andunderstanding,andwhothoughallages,astheremaybeneed,enrichesHisChurchwithnewblessingsandstrengthensitwithnewsafeguards,therewasfoundedbyOurfathers,menofeminentwisdom,thescholastictheology,whichtwogloriousdoctorsinparticular,theangelicSt.ThomasandtheseraphicSt.Bonaventure,illustriousteachersofthisfaculty,...withsurpassinggenius,byunwearieddiligence,andatthecostoflonglaborsandvigils,setinorderandbeautified,andwhenskillfullyarrangedandclearlyexplainedinavarietyofways,handeddowntoposterity.

15."And,indeed,theknowledgeanduseofsosalutaryascience,whichflowsfromthefertilizingfountsofthesacredwritings,thesovereignPontiffs,theholyFathersandthecouncils,mustalwaysbeofthegreatestassistancetotheChurch,whetherwiththeviewofreallyandsoundlyunderstandingandinterpretingtheScriptures,ormoresafelyandtobetterpurposereadingandexplainingtheFathers,orforexposingandrefutingthevariouserrorsandheresiesandintheselatedays,whenthosedangeroustimesdescribedbytheApostlearealreadyuponus,whentheblasphemers,theproud,andtheseducersgofrombadtoworse,erringthemselvesandcausingotherstoerr,thereissurelyaverygreatneedofconfirmingthedogmasofCatholicfaithandconfutingheresies."

16.AlthoughthesewordsseemtobearreferencesolelytoScholastictheology,neverthelesstheymayplainlybeacceptedasequallytrueofphilosophyanditspraises.For,thenobleendowmentswhichmaketheScholastictheologysoformidabletotheenemiesoftruthtowit,asthesamePontiffadds,"thatreadyandclosecoherenceofcauseandeffect,thatorderandarrayasofadisciplinedarmyinbattle,thosecleardefinitionsanddistinctions,thatstrengthofargumentandthosekeendiscussions,bywhichlightisdistinguishedfromdarkness,thetruefromthefalse,exposeandstripnaked,asitwere,thefalsehoodsofhereticswrappedaround

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byacloudofsubterfugesandfallacies"[33]thosenobleandadmirableendowments,Wesay,areonlytobefoundinarightuseofthatphilosophywhichtheScholasticteachershavebeenaccustomedcarefullyandprudentlytomakeuseofevenintheologicaldisputations.Moreover,sinceitistheproperandspecialofficeoftheScholastictheologianstobindtogetherbythefastestchainhumananddivinescience,surelythetheologyinwhichtheyexcelledwouldnothavegainedsuchhonorandcommendationamongmeniftheyhadmadeuseofalameandimperfectorvainphilosophy.

17.AmongtheScholasticDoctors,thechiefandmasterofalltowersThomasAquinas,who,asCajetanobserves,because"hemostveneratedtheancientDoctorsoftheChurch,inacertainwayseemstohaveinheritedtheintellectofall."[34]Thedoctrinesofthoseillustriousmen,likethescatteredmembersofabody,Thomascollectedtogetherandcemented,distributedinwonderfulorder,andsoincreasedwithimportantadditionsthatheisrightlyanddeservedlyesteemedthespecialbulwarkandgloryoftheCatholicfaith.Withhisspiritatoncehumbleandswift,hismemoryreadyandtenacious,hislifespotlessthroughout,aloveroftruthforitsownsake,richlyendowedwithhumananddivinescience,likethesunheheatedtheworldwiththewarmthofhisvirtuesandfilleditwiththesplendorofhisteaching.Philosophyhasnopartwhichhedidnottouchfinelyatonceandthoroughlyonthelawsofreasoning,onGodandincorporealsubstances,onmanandothersensiblethings,onhumanactionsandtheirprinciples,hereasonedinsuchamannerthatinhimthereiswantingneitherafullarrayofquestions,noranaptdisposalofthevariousparts,northebestmethodofproceeding,norsoundnessofprinciplesorstrengthofargument,norclearnessandeleganceofstyle,norafacilityforexplainingwhatisabstruse.

18.Moreover,theAngelicDoctorpushedhisphilosophicinquiryintothereasonsandprinciplesofthings,whichbecausetheyaremostcomprehensiveandcontainintheirbosom,sotosay,theseedsofalmostinfinitetruths,weretobeunfoldedingoodtimebylatermastersandwithagoodlyyield.Andashealsousedthisphilosophicmethodintherefutationoferror,hewonthistitletodistinctionforhimself:that,singlehanded,hevictoriouslycombatedtheerrorsofformertimes,andsuppliedinvinciblearmstoputthosetoroutwhichmightinaftertimesspringup.Again,clearlydistinguishing,asisfitting,reasonfromfaith,whilehappilyassociatingtheonewiththeother,hebothpreservedtherightsandhadregardforthedignityofeachsomuchso,indeed,thatreason.borneonthewingsofThomastoitshumanheight,canscarcelyrisehigher,whilefaithcouldscarcelyexpectmoreorstrongeraidsfromreasonthanthosewhichshehasalreadyobtainedthroughThomas.

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19.Forthesereasonsmostlearnedmen,informeragesespecially,ofthehighestreputeintheologyandphilosophy,aftermasteringwithinfinitepainstheimmortalworksofThomas,gavethemselvesupnotsomuchtobeinstructedinhisangelicwisdomastobenourisheduponit.ItisknownthatnearlyallthefoundersandlawgiversofthereligiousorderscommandedtheirmemberstostudyandreligiouslyadheretotheteachingsofSt.Thomas,fearfulleastanyofthemshouldswerveevenintheslightestdegreefromthefootstepsofsogreataman.TosaynothingofthefamilyofSt.Dominic,whichrightlyclaimsthisgreatteacherforitsownglory,thestatutesoftheBenedictines,theCarmelites,theAugustinians,theSocietyofJesus,andmanyothersalltestifythattheyareboundbythislaw.

20.And,here,howpleasantlyone'sthoughtsflybacktothosecelebratedschoolsanduniversitieswhichflourishedofoldinEuropetoParis,Salamanca,Alcala,toDouay,Toulouse,andLouvain,toPaduaandBologna,toNaplesandCoimbra,andtomanyanother!Allknowhowthefameoftheseseatsoflearninggrewwiththeiryears,andthattheirjudgment,oftenaskedinmattersofgravemoment,heldgreatweighteverywhere.Andweknowhowinthosegreathomesofhumanwisdom,asinhisownkingdom,Thomasreignedsupremeandthatthemindsofall,ofteachersaswellasoftaught,restedinwonderfulharmonyundertheshieldandauthorityoftheAngelicDoctor.

21.But,furthermore,OurpredecessorsintheRomanpontificatehavecelebratedthewisdomofThomasAquinasbyexceptionaltributesofpraiseandthemostampletestimonials.ClementVIinthebull"InOrdine"NicholasVinhisbrieftothefriarsoftheOrderofPreachers,1451BenedictXIIIinthebull"Pretiosus,"andothersbearwitnessthattheuniversalChurchborrowslusterfromhisadmirableteachingwhileSt.PiusVdeclaresinthebull"Mirabilis"thatheresies,confoundedandconvictedbythesameteaching,weredissipated,andthewholeworlddailyfreedfromfatalerrorsothers,suchasClementXIIinthebull"VerboDei,"affirmthatmostfruitfulblessingshavespreadabroadfromhiswritingsoverthewholeChurch,andthatheisworthyofthehonorwhichisbestowedonthegreatestDoctorsoftheChurch,onGregoryandAmbrose,AugustineandJeromewhileothershavenothesitatedtoproposeSt.Thomasfortheexemplarandmasteroftheuniversitiesandgreatcentersoflearningwhomtheymayfollowwithunfalteringfeet.OnwhichpointthewordsofBlessedUrbanVtotheUniversityofToulouseareworthyofrecall:"Itisourwill,whichWeherebyenjoinuponyou,thatyefollowtheteachingofBlessedThomasasthetrueandCatholicdoctrineandthatyelaborwithallyourforcetoprofitbythesame."[35]InnocentXII,followedtheexampleofUrbaninthecaseoftheUniversityofLouvain,intheletterintheformofabriefaddressedtothatuniversityonFebruary6,1694,andBenedictXIVintheletterintheformofa

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briefaddressedonAugust26,1752,totheDionysianCollegeinGranadawhiletothesejudgmentsofgreatPontiffsonThomasAquinascomesthecrowningtestimonyofInnocentVI:"Histeachingabovethatofothers,thecanonicalwritingsaloneexcepted,enjoyssuchaprecisionoflanguage,anorderofmatters,atruthofconclusions,thatthosewhoholdtoitareneverfoundswervingfromthepathoftruth,andhewhodareassailitwillalwaysbesuspectedoferror."[36]

22.Theecumenicalcouncils,also,whereblossomstheflowerofallearthlywisdom,havealwaysbeencarefultoholdThomasAquinasinsingularhonor.IntheCouncilsofLyons,Vienna,Florence,andtheVaticanonemightalmostsaythatThomastookpartandpresidedoverthedeliberationsanddecreesoftheFathers,contendingagainsttheerrorsoftheGreeks,ofhereticsandrationalists,withinvincibleforceandwiththehappiestresults.ButthechiefandspecialgloryofThomas,onewhichhehassharedwithnoneoftheCatholicDoctors,isthattheFathersofTrentmadeitpartoftheorderofconclavetolayuponthealtar,togetherwithsacredScriptureandthedecreesofthesupremePontiffs,the"Summa"ofThomasAquinas,whencetoseekcounsel,reason,andinspiration.

23.Alasttriumphwasreservedforthisincomparablemannamely,tocompelthehomage,praise,andadmirationofeventheveryenemiesoftheCatholicname.Forithascometolightthattherewerenotlackingamongtheleadersofhereticalsectssomewhoopenlydeclaredthat,iftheteachingofThomasAquinaswereonlytakenaway,theycouldeasilybattlewithallCatholicteachers,gainthevictory,andabolishtheChurch.[37]Avainhope,indeed,butnovaintestimony.

24.Therefore,venerablebrethren,asoftenasWecontemplatethegood,theforce,andthesingularadvantagestobederivedfromhisphilosophicdisciplinewhichOurFatherssodearlyloved.Wethinkithazardousthatitsspecialhonorshouldnotalwaysandeverywhereremain,especiallywhenitisestablishedthatdailyexperience,andthejudgmentofthegreatestmen,and,tocrownall,thevoiceoftheChurch,havefavoredtheScholasticphilosophy.Moreover,totheoldteachinganovelsystemofphilosophyhassucceededhereandthere,inwhichWefailtoperceivethosedesirableandwholesomefruitswhichtheChurchandcivilsocietyitselfwouldprefer.Foritpleasedthestrugglinginnovatorsofthesixteenthcenturytophilosophizewithoutanyrespectforfaith,thepowerofinventinginaccordancewithhisownpleasureandbentbeingaskedandgiveninturnbyeachone.Hence,itwasnaturalthatsystemsofphilosophymultipliedbeyondmeasure,andconclusionsdifferingandclashingonewithanotheraroseaboutthosemattersevenwhicharethemostimportantinhumanknowledge.Fromamassofconclusionsmenoftencometowaveringanddoubtandwhoknowsnothoweasilythemindslipsfrom

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doubttoerror?But,asmenareapttofollowtheleadgiventhem,thisnewpursuitseemstohavecaughtthesoulsofcertainCatholicphilosophers,who,throwingasidethepatrimonyofancientwisdom,choserathertobuildupanewedificethantostrengthenandcompletetheoldbyaidofthenewilladvisedly,insooth,andnotwithoutdetrimenttothesciences.For,amultiformsystemofthiskind,whichdependsontheauthorityandchoiceofanyprofessor,hasafoundationopentochange,andconsequentlygivesusaphilosophynotfirm,andstable,androbustlikethatofold,buttotteringandfeeble.Andif,perchance,itsometimesfindsitselfscarcelyequaltosustaintheshockofitsfoes,itshouldrecognizethatthecauseandtheblamelieinitself.InsayingthisWehavenointentionofdiscountenancingthelearnedandablemenwhobringtheirindustryanderudition,and,whatismore,thewealthofnewdiscoveries,totheserviceofphilosophyfor,ofcourse,Weunderstandthatthistendstothedevelopmentoflearning.Butoneshouldbeverycarefullestallorhischieflaborbeexhaustedinthesepursuitsandinmereerudition.Andthesamethingistrueofsacredtheology,which,indeed,maybeassistedandillustratedbyallkindsoferudition,thoughitisabsolutelynecessarytoapproachitinthegravemanneroftheScholastics,inorderthat,theforcesofrevelationandreasonbeingunitedinit,itmaycontinuetobe"theinvinciblebulwarkofthefaith."[38]

25.Withwiseforethought,therefore,notafewoftheadvocatesofphilosophicstudies,whenturningtheirmindsrecentlytothepracticalreformofphilosophy,aimedandaimatrestoringtherenownedteachingofThomasAquinasandwinningitbacktoitsancientbeauty.

26.Wehavelearnedwithgreatjoythatmanymembersofyourorder,venerablebrethren,havetakenthisplantoheartandwhileWeearnestlycommendtheirefforts,Weexhortthemtoholdfasttotheirpurpose,andremindeachandallofyouthatOurfirstandmostcherishedideaisthatyoushouldallfurnishtostudiousyouthagenerousandcopioussupplyofthosepureststreamsofwisdomflowinginexhaustiblyfromthepreciousfountainheadoftheAngelicDoctor.

27.ManyarethereasonswhyWearesodesirousofthis.Inthefirstplace,then,sinceinthetempestthatisonustheChristianfaithiskingconstantlyassailedbythemachinationsandcraftofacertainfalsewisdom,allyouths,butespeciallythosewhoarethegrowinghopeoftheChurch,shouldbenourishedonthestrongandrobustfoodofdoctrine,thatso,mightyinstrengthandarmedatallpoints,theymaybecomehabituatedtoadvancethecauseofreligionwithforceandjudgment,"beingreadyalways,accordingtotheapostoliccounsel,tosatisfyeveryonethataskethyouareasonofthathopewhichisinyou,"[39]andthattheymaybeabletoexhort

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insounddoctrineandtoconvincethegainsayers.[40]Manyofthosewho,withmindsalienatedfromthefaith,hateCatholicinstitutions,claimreasonastheirsolemistressandguide.Now,Wethinkthat,apartfromthesupernaturalhelpofGod,nothingisbettercalculatedtohealthosemindsandtobringthemintofavorwiththeCatholicfaiththanthesoliddoctrineoftheFathersandtheScholastics,whosoclearlyandforciblydemonstratethefirmfoundationsofthefaith,itsdivineorigin,itscertaintruth,theargumentsthatsustainit.thebenefitsithasconferredonthehumanrace,anditsperfectaccordwithreason,inamannertosatisfycompletelymindsopentopersuasion,howeverunwillingandrepugnant.

28.Domesticandcivilsocietyeven,which,asallsee,isexposedtogreatdangerfromthisplagueofperverseopinions,wouldcertainlyenjoyafarmorepeacefulandsecureexistenceifamorewholesomedoctrineweretaughtintheuniversitiesandhighschoolsonemoreinconformitywiththeteachingoftheChurch,suchasiscontainedintheworksofThomasAquinas.

29.For,theteachingsofThomasonthetruemeaningofliberty,whichatthistimeisrunningintolicense,onthedivineoriginofallauthority,onlawsandtheirforce,onthepaternalandjustruleofprinces,onobediencetothehigherpowers,onmutualcharityonetowardanotheronalloftheseandkindredsubjectshaveverygreatandinvincibleforcetooverturnthoseprinciplesoftheneworderwhicharewellknowntobedangeroustothepeacefulorderofthingsandtopublicsafety.Inshort,allstudiesoughttofindhopeofadvancementandpromiseofassistanceinthisrestorationofphilosophicdisciplinewhichWehaveproposed.Theartswerewonttodrawfromphilosophy,asfromawisemistress,soundjudgmentandrightmethod,andfromit,also,theirspirit,asfromthecommonfountoflife.Whenphilosophystoodstainlessinhonorandwiseinjudgment,then,asfactsandconstantexperienceshowed,theliberalartsflourishedasneverbeforeorsincebut,neglectedandalmostblottedout,theylayprone,sincephilosophybegantoleantoerrorandjoinhandswithfolly.Norwillthephysicalsciencesthemselves,whicharenowinsuchgreatrepute,andbytherenownofsomanyinventionsdrawsuchuniversaladmirationtothemselves,sufferdetriment,butfindverygreatassistanceintherestorationoftheancientphilosophy.For,theinvestigationoffactsandthecontemplationofnatureisnotalonesufficientfortheirprofitableexerciseandadvancebut,whenfactshavebeenestablished,itisnecessarytoriseandapplyourselvestothestudyofthenatureofcorporealthings,toinquireintothelawswhichgovernthemandtheprincipleswhencetheirorderandvariedunityandmutualattractionindiversityarise.TosuchinvestigationsitiswonderfulwhatforceandlightandaidtheScholasticphilosophy,ifjudiciouslytaughtwouldbring.

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30.Andhereitiswelltonotethatourphilosophycanonlybythegrossestinjusticebeaccusedofbeingopposedtotheadvanceanddevelopmentofnaturalscience.For,whentheScholastics,followingtheopinionoftheholyFathers,alwaysheldinanthropologythatthehumanintelligenceisonlyledtotheknowledgeofthingswithoutbodyandmatterbythingssensible,theywellunderstoodthatnothingwasofgreaterusetothephilosopherthandiligentlytosearchintothemysteriesofnatureandtobeearnestandconstantinthestudyofphysicalthings.AndthistheyconfirmedbytheirownexampleforSt.Thomas,BlessedAlbertusMagnus,andotherleadersoftheScholasticswereneversowhollyraptinthestudyofphilosophyasnottogivelargeattentiontotheknowledgeofnaturalthingsand,indeed,thenumberoftheirsayingsandwritingsonthesesubjects,whichrecentprofessorsapproveofandadmittoharmonizewithtruth,isbynomeanssmall.Moreover,inthisveryagemanyillustriousprofessorsofthephysicalsciencesopenlytestifythatbetweencertainandacceptedconclusionsofmodernphysicsandthephilosophicprinciplesoftheschoolsthereisnoconflictworthyofthename.

31.While,therefore,Weholdthateverywordofwisdom,everyusefulthingbywhomsoeverdiscoveredorplanned,oughttobereceivedwithawillingandgratefulmind,Weexhortyou,venerablebrethren,inallearnestnesstorestorethegoldenwisdomofSt.Thomas,andtospreaditfarandwideforthedefenseandbeautyoftheCatholicfaith,forthegoodofsociety,andfortheadvantageofallthesciences.ThewisdomofSt.Thomas,WesayforifanythingistakenupwithtoogreatsubtletybytheScholasticdoctors,ortoocarelesslystatediftherebeanythingthatillagreeswiththediscoveriesofalaterage,or,inaword,improbableinwhateverwayitdoesnotenterOurmindtoproposethatforimitationtoOurage.LetcarefullyselectedteachersendeavortoimplantthedoctrineofThomasAquinasinthemindsofstudents,andsetforthclearlyhissolidityandexcellenceoverothers.Lettheuniversitiesalreadyfoundedortobefoundedbyyouillustrateanddefendthisdoctrine,anduseitfortherefutationofprevailingerrors.But,lestthefalseforthetrueorthecorruptforthepurebedrunkin,beyewatchfulthatthedoctrineofThomasbedrawnfromhisownfountains,oratleastfromthoserivuletswhich,derivedfromtheveryfount,havethusfarflowed,accordingtotheestablishedagreementoflearnedmen,pureandclearbecarefultoguardthemindsofyouthfromthosewhicharesaidtoflowthence,butinrealityaregatheredfromstrangeandunwholesomestreams.

32.ButwelldoWeknowthatvainwillbeOureffortsunless,venerablebrethren,HehelpsOurcommoncausewho,inthewordsofdivineScripture,iscalledtheGodofallknowledge[41]bywhichwearealsoadmonishedthat"everybestgiftandeveryperfectgiftisfromabove,comingdownfromtheFatheroflights",[42]

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andagain:"Ifanyofyouwantwisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogivethtoallmenabundantly,andupbraidethnot:anditshallbegivenhim."[43]

33.ThereforeinthisalsoletusfollowtheexampleoftheAngelicDoctor,whonevergavehimselftoreadingorwritingwithoutfirstbeggingtheblessingofGod,whomodestlyconfessedthatwhateverheknewhehadacquirednotsomuchbyhisownstudyandlaborasbythedivinegiftandthereforeletusall,inhumbleandunitedprayer,beseechGodtosendforththespiritofknowledgeandofunderstandingtothechildrenoftheChurchandopentheirsensesfortheunderstandingofwisdom.Andthatwemayreceivefullerfruitsofthedivinegoodness,offeruptoGodthemostefficaciouspatronageoftheBlessedVirginMary,whoiscalledtheseatofwisdomhavingatthesametimeasadvocatesSt.Joseph,themostchastespouseoftheVirgin,andPeterandPaul,thechiefsoftheApostles,whosetruthrenewedtheearthwhichhadfallenundertheimpureblightoferror,fillingitwiththelightofheavenlywisdom.

34.Infine,relyingonthedivineassistanceandconfidinginyourpastoralzeal,mostlovinglyWebestowonallofyou,venerablebrethren,onalltheclergyandtheflockscommittedtoyourcharge,theapostolicbenedictionasapledgeofheavenlygiftsandatokenofOurspecialesteem.

GivenatSt.Peter's,inRome,thefourthdayofAugust,1879,thesecondyearofourpontificate.

ENDNOTES

1.Matt.28:19.2.Col.2:8.3.ICor.2:4.4.See"InscrutabiliDeiconsilio,"78:113.5."DeTrinitate,"14,1,3(PL42,1037)quotedbyThomasAquinas,"Summatheologiae,"1,1,2.6.ClementofAlexandria,"Stromata,"1,16(PG8,795)7,3(PG9,426).7.Origen,"EpistolaadGregorium"(PG11,8791).8.ClementofAlexandria,"Stromata,"1,5(PG8,718719).9.Rom.1:20.10.Rom.2:1415.11.GregoryofNeoCaesarea(alsocalledGregoryThaumaturgusthatis"themiracleworker"),"InOrigenemoratiopanegyrica,"6(PG10,1093A).12.Carm.,1,lamb.3(PG37,1045A1047A).13."VitaMoysis"(PG44,359).14."EpistolaadMagnum,"4(PL22,667).Quadratus,JustinIrenaeus,arecountedamongtheearlyChristianapologists,whodevotedtheirworkstothedefenseofChristiantruthagainstthepagans.15."Dedoctrinachristiana,"1,2,40(PL34,63).16.Wisd.13:1.17.Wisd.13:5.18.2Peter1:16.

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19."Const.Dogm,defid.Cath.,"c.3.20."Const.cit.,"c.4.21.Loc.at.22."Stromata,"1,20(PG8,818).23."EpistolaadMagnum,"2(PL22,666).24.Bulla"Apostoliciregiminis."25."Epistola147,adMarcellinum,"7(PL33,589).26."Const.Dogm.defid.Cath.,"c.4.27.ICor.1:24.28.Col.2:3.29."EpistolaadMagnum,"4(PL22,667).30.Loc.cit.31.Tertullian,"Apologet.,"46(PL1,573).32.Lactantius,"Div.Inst.,"7,7(PL6,759).33.Bulla"Triumphantis,"an.1588.34.Cajetan'scommentaryon"Sum.theol.,"IIaIIae148,9.Art.4Leonineedit.,Vol.10,p.174,n.6.35."Constitutio5a,datadie3Aug.1368,"adCancell.Univ.Tolos.36."SermodeS.Thoma."37.Bucer.38.SixtusV,Bulla"Triumphantis."39.IPeter3:15.40.Titus1:9.41.IKings2:3.42.James1:17.43.James1:5.