Question Nine of Chapter Nine of the Third Decade
Whether it is lawful to hang divine words around the neck
It is asked whether it is lawful to hang divine words around the neck.
It is answered that it is not, for two reasons.
The first is that, since the Gospel is read and heard daily in church, if the words of God do not profit in the ear, how can they save when placed around necks?
The second reason is that the power of the Gospel is in understanding and not in figures. Therefore, when placed in the heart, its words profit more than when suspended around the neck.
Here note that in all suspended writings four things must be guarded against and attended to.
The first is what is written or uttered. If it is something pertaining to the invocation of demons, it is manifestly superstitious and unlawful.
Second, one must beware if it contains unknown names, lest something unlawful lie hidden beneath them. Hence Chrysostom says upon Matthew that, after the example of the Pharisees who magnified their fringes, many now invent, write, and allege certain Hebrew names which seem fearful to those who do not understand them.
Third, one must see and beware lest it contain any falsehood, because then its effect could not be expected from God, who is not a witness of falsehood.
Fourth, one must also beware lest any vain things be contained with the sacred words—for example, any characters besides the sign of the cross.
These things are from blessed Thomas, Second Part of the Second Part, question 96, article 4.