Articles 1-3

The first article, then, is whether the star which appeared to the Magi had the shape of a cross;

the second, whether it had the shape of man;

the third, whether it had the shape of a crucifix.

To which I respond that a certain Chrysostom relates something similar when commenting on Matthew, not as declaring it to be so but by way of relating what was said by others. And because it cannot be said for certain, I do not think one should preach about it—especially because it does not seem probable that the holy doctors such as Augustine, Pope Leo, Gregory and others would be silent about this in their sermons if the idea had some authoritative foundation. For it does not seem fitting that a preacher of the truth turn to unknown fables. If, however, it has already been preached about by someone, I do not deem it necessary to be recanted unless, by chance, scandal has broken out among the people. In that case, there is no need to revoke it as erroneous as much as to explain that it ought not be proposed definitively.