4 - [Of] Blasphemy in Which

Summary

In which matters blasphemy is involved.

Of all the sins which exist, none is more horrible and there is none at which our Lord God is more greatly angered, or which is burdened with greater reproach, or into which the sharp weapon of revenge more quickly plunges, than the crime of blasphemy, when either we turn against God in an attitude of supreme contempt, or we are incited against him by the burning power of anger, and spew out abuse either against him or against the things which pertain to his most divine majesty. And the difference between heresy and blasphemy is this, that blasphemy hurls invectives against God out of contempt and anger, whereas heresy adopts false opinions in error, and without knowledge.

How blasphemy is to be punished.

Therefore let it be decreed by us that as soon as this detestable ungodliness of blasphemy has been duly demonstrated, it shall in no way be tolerated by the bishops, but be punished with the same punishment as that which the persistent madness of the heretics receives. Nor is this unjust, since in early times the wrath of God burned so strongly against this madness of blasphemy, that in order to repress and destroy a man accused of this crime, it was God's will for there to be a gathering of the people and of the whole multitude, that it should be stamped out by public stoning. And God himself bears witness by the public disasters which are often brought by him, that he is avenging the crime of blasphemy against them.