the mystical temple of god 602 mandments, indeed not by introducing anything new contrary to the mind of the Legislator, but by surrounding his laws with a bulwark of its own, so that they look like reserve troops, keeping watch before the camp of the Lord’s hosts. Finally political associations by their laws, and whole nations by various customs wished to protect themselves. All of these, when they are just, as we have intimated above, and pertain only to a holy and happy life, to the excellent governance of the Church, and to the preservation and glory of kingdoms, must certainly be kept before the eyes, in the heart, mind and will. Somebody deservedly reprehended the ridiculous devotion of the Jews, who either hang the commandments of God about their necks, or put them on the double doors of their houses, but do not observe them. But for a Christian it is proper to keep them in his memory, to consider them with his intellect, and fulfill them in his actions. And this is exactly what the just king sang: “The mouth of the just shall mediate wisdom; and his tongue speak what is right. The law of his God is in his heart; it shall not be supplanted” (Ps 36:30-31) [LV].77 Here the old man Eleazar, a true Israelite, provides an example; he chose rather to die than to eat forbidden meat, even in pretense, as it would cause a scandal.78 An example is also provided by that well known Maccabean Heroine with her seven sons, whom she sent on ahead to Heaven through terrible tortures, lest they violate native laws and customs.79 The lukewarm Christian should be ashamed that almost every day he infringes some of his laws, at least in thought or speech, if not in action. In addition, the following should be carefully noted. In observing any laws, the correct order should be kept, thus: the first honor should be given to divine laws, then to ecclesiastical, and finally to civil laws. On this score those Pseudopoliticians ought to consider whether the system of state [ratio status] is good, which opposes the law of God or the Church? [I need] not say it 77 In the RSV and NAB this is Psalm 37. 78 Cf. 2 Macc 6:18-31. 79 Cf. ibid., 7:1-41.
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