The Difference Between the Canonical and Apocryphal Books
We distinguish those sacred books from the apocryphal, viz.: the third and fourth books
of Esdras, the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Syrach, Baruch, the Appendix to the
book of Esther, the Song of the Three Children in the Furnace, the History of Susannah, of
Bell and the Dragon, the Prayer of Manasseh, and the two books of the Maccabees. All of
which the Church may read and take instruction from, so far as they agree with the
canonical books; but they are far from having such power and efficacy that we may from
their testimony confirm any point of faith or of the Christian religion; much less may
they be used to detract from the authority of the other, that is, the sacred books.
