Precept
PRECEPT
A rule given by a superior; a direction or command. The precepts of religion, says Saurin, are not essential as the doctrines; and religion will as certainly sink, if the morality be subverted, as if the theology be undermined. The doctrines are only proposed to us as the ground of our duty.
See DOCTRINE.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
precept
(Latin: praecipere, to command)
A certain command given directly, not to a community, but to individuals. Precept is used in many different senses. Sometimes it designates a common generic concept of two specific terms, law and mere precept. Law is in a certain sense a precept, as for example when we say: “The natural law has many precepts each one of which properly and formally partakes of the nature of law.” Again by precept something is meant foreign to the comprehension of law. Law proceeds from a public official. The father of a family may impose precepts on his children, but since he is not a public official, he cannot make a law. Law and precept although frequently used to designate the same thing are different.
They differ by reason of their end, since the end of law is common good, and the end of precept is private good, yet it too may be for public good, e.g., a superior may forbid one to visit a certain house, first, because of danger to such person of spiritual ruin, second, also to prevent scandal. Precept given directly is for the individual good, to prevent scandal is for public good.
They differ by reason of the one commanding, for a law maker is a public person; one giving a precept may be a private person enjoying domestic power.
They differ by reason of subject. Law is imposed on each individual, even on those not yet born, in so far as in the future they will be part of the community. Precepts are imposed directly on private persons, and they are imposed for the present only.
They differ by reason of extension. Law obliges in the territory for which it was enacted; precepts affect and follow the individual everywhere, hence the axiom, “Law clings to the territory, precepts adhere to the bones of a person.”
They differ by reason of stability. Law is of its nature perpetual and remains even after the death of the legislator. Precept is of its nature transitory and dies with him who gave it, or with his removal from office.
Precept is often confused with counsel. Precept implies necessity. Counsel is optional. Good as referred to divine goodness, is of varying standards. Certain kinds of good are necessary to the attainment of divine goodness and hence are of the nature of a precept; others are conducive to greater perfection and are of the nature of counsel. The evangelical counsels are so called because they are especially recommended in the Gospel. Poverty, chastity, and obedience dispose one to perfection.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Precept
(Precept: From the Lat. præceptum from præcipere, to command).
Precept, in its common acceptation, is opposed to counsel, inasmuch as the former imposes an obligation, while the latter is a persuasion. In ecclesiastical jurisprudence, the word precept is used: In opposition to law. A law is always binding, even after the death of the legislator until it is revoked; a precept is obligatory only during the lifetime or office of the precipient. A law directly affects the territory of the legislator, and thence passes to the subjects dwelling in it; a precept directly affects the persons of the inferiors and is independent of locality. Finally, a law is promulgated for a whole community, present and future, while a precept is directed to individuals and ceases with them. As a term in extra-judicial processes. When a grave fault has been committed by a cleric, it is the duty of the bishop, after making an informal inquiry into the matter, to give the delinquent two successive monitions or warnings. If he does not thereupon amend, the bishop proceeds to the issuance of a canonical precept, as directed by the Decree “Cum Magnopere” (1884). The precept, under pain of nullity, must be in writing, state plainly what is to be done or avoided by the delinquent, and mention the specific punishment to be inflicted if the precept go unheeded. The accused is then cited before the chancellor of the episcopal court, and the latter, in presence of the vicar-general or two witnesses, ecclesiastical or lay, must serve the precept upon him. An official record of this fact is then to be drawn up and signed by all concerned, including the delinquent if he so wishes. The witnesses may be bound by oath to observe secrecy as to the proceedings. If the accused contumaciously refuses to appear, the precept may be served upon him by a trust-worthy person or sent by registered mail. If even these measures are not possible, the precept may be posted publicly as an intimation to the delinquent. If he fails to amend after receiving the precept, a formal trial may then be instituted.
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SMITH, Elements of Ecclesiastical Law, III (New York, 1888); FERRARIS, Bibliotheca Canonica, V (Rome, 1889), s.v. Lex, art. I; BAART, Legal Formulary (New York, 1898).
WILLIAM H.W. FANNING Transcribed by Wm Stuart French, Jr. Dedicated to Eunice Philona Smith Roberts
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIICopyright © 1911 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, June 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
Fuente: Catholic Encyclopedia
Precept
is a direction, command, or rule enjoined by a superior. Religious precepts are divided into moral and positive. The precepts of religion, says Saurin, are as essential as the doctrines; and religion will as certainly sink if the morality be subverted, as if the theology be undermined. The doctrines are only proposed to us as the ground of our duty. A moral precept derives its force from its intrinsic fitness; a positive precept from the authority which enjoins it. Moral precepts are commanded because they are right; positive are right because commanded. The duty of honoring our parents and of observing the Sabbath are instances, respectively, of each kind of precept. SEE LAW.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Precept
presept: A commandment, an authoritative rule for action; in the Scriptures generally a divine injunction in which man’s obligation is set forth (Latin praeceptum, from praecipere, to instruct).
Four words are so rendered in the King James Version: (1) , micwah, very frequently (168 times) translated commandment, but 4 times precept (in the Revised Version (British and American) only Jer 35:18; Dan 9:5); (2) from the same root is , caw, or , caw (Isa 28:10, Isa 28:13); (3) , pikkudhm, only in the Psalms (21 times in Ps 119, e.g. Psa 119:4, Psa 119:15, Psa 119:27; also the Revised Version (British and American) Psa 19:8; Psa 103:18; Psa 111:7); (4) in the New Testament, , entole, generally in the King James Version translated commandment (68 times), but twice precept (Mar 10:5; Heb 9:19; in both cases the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes commandment). See COMMANDMENT.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Precept
“a commandment,” is translated “precept” in Mar 10:5 (RV, “commandment”); so Heb 9:19. See COMMANDMENT, No. 2.
is always translated “precepts” in the RV; see COMMANDMENT, No. 3.