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AND THEIR REFUTATION. 297
10, 11). We answer, that frequently in the Scriptures, because
some are wicked, all are reprimanded, as St. Augustin (6) says,
explaining that passage (Phil, ii, 21) :
"
All seek the things that
are their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christ s." But
the Apostles surely did not seek the things which were their
own; they sought solely the glory of God, and, therefore, St.
Paul calls on the Philippians, and tells them :
" Be followers of
me, brethren, and observe them who walk, so as you have our
model" (Phil, iii, 17). We should, besides, remember that the
texts quoted, speak of Priests and Prophets divided among them
selves, and deceiving the people, and not of those of who speak
to us, assembled in the name of God. Besides, the Church of
the New Testament has received surer promises than did the
Synagogue of old, which was never called
" The Church of the
living God, the pillar and the firmament of truth" (I. Tim. iii,
15). Calvin, however, says (7), that even in the New Law there
are many false prophets and deceivers, as St. Matthew (xxiv, 11)
tells us :
"
This is also true ;
Many false prophets shall arise, and seduce many."
but he ought to apply this text to himself, and
Luther, and Zuinglius, and not to the Ecumenical Councils of
Bishops, to whom the assistance of the Holy Ghost is promised,
"
and who can : say It hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and
to us" (Acts, xv, 28).
80. Calvin objects, secondly, the iniquity of the Council of
Caiphas, which, withal, was a general one, composed of the
Princes and Priests, and still condemned Jesus Christ as guilty
of death (Matt, xxvi, 66). Therefore, he says, even General
Councils are fallible. We reply, that we call infallible those
legitimate General Councils alone, at which the Holy Ghost
assists; but how can we call that Council either legitimate, or
assisted by the Holy Ghost, in which Christ was condemned as a
blasphemer, for attesting that he was the Son of God, after so
many proofs given by him that he was really so whose pro
ceedings were all based on false testimony, suborned for the
purpose, and which was governed by envy alone, as even Pilate
knew :
"
(Matt, xxvii, 18).
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him"
(6) St. Aug. dc Unit. Eccl. c. 11. (7) Calvin, loc. cit. sec. 4.