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authority_n church_n council_n rome_n 6,864 5 7.0948 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A36721 An historical dissertation upon the Thebean Legion plainly proving it to be fabulous / by John Dubourdieu ...; Dissertation historique et critique sur le martyre de la légion thébéenne. English Dubourdieu, Jean, 1652-1720. 1696 (1696) Wing D2409; ESTC R17246 111,591 210

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legion_n be_v of_o more_o weight_n and_o consideration_n then_o that_o of_o a_o whole_a army_n 283._o second_o sulpitius_n severus_n speak_v of_o the_o persecution_n which_o suscepta_fw-la marcus_n aurelius_n raise_v against_o the_o christian_n say_v that_o that_o be_v the_o first_o time_n that_o martyr_n be_v know_v to_o have_v suffer_v in_o gaul_n christianity_n have_v be_v receive_v somewhat_o late_o beyond_o the_o alps_n from_o which_o word_n we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o when_o dioclesian_n admit_v maximian_n to_o a_o partnership_n in_o the_o government_n the_o christian_n be_v so_o numerous_a as_o to_o form_v a_o army_n but_o if_o to_o destroy_v this_o consequence_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o sulpitius_n severus_n it_o be_v reply_v that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v so_o late_o in_o france_n a_o country_n so_o near_o adjoin_v to_o italy_n since_o in_o the_o time_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n have_v publish_v it_o in_o the_o most_o distant_a part_n of_o the_o world_n we_o will_v oppose_v nothing_o to_o this_o answer_n that_o may_v any_o way_n detract_v from_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o french_a church_n for_o beside_o that_o this_o will_v carry_v we_o too_o far_o beyond_o our_o purpose_n the_o persecution_n which_o their_o unworthy_a posterity_n have_v raise_v against_o we_o shall_v never_o lessen_v that_o high_a and_o just_a respect_n and_o veneration_n we_o have_v always_o have_v for_o the_o first_o church_n of_o the_o gaul_n but_o suppose_v it_o be_v true_a that_o st._n luke_n st._n philip_n st._n paul_n crescent_n and_o some_o other_o disciple_n of_o christ_n do_v preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o gaul_n and_o let_v it_o be_v suppose_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v not_o without_o ground_n that_o vienna_n lion_n aix_n narbonne_n sens_n paris_n reims_n lymoges_n and_o toulouse_n do_v boast_n of_o have_v receive_v the_o christian_a 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not_o infer_v a_o good_a conclusion_n from_o this_o negative_a argument_n john_n launoy_n a_o doctor_n of_o paris_n in_o his_o dissertation_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o negative_a argument_n lay_v down_o this_o rule_n that_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v the_o untruth_n of_o a_o fact_n from_o it_o be_v not_o be_v attest_v either_o by_o contemporary_a writer_n or_o by_o any_o author_n within_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o confess_v that_o this_o space_n of_o two_o hundred_o year_n be_v indeed_o too_o long_o but_o that_o he_o fear_v if_o he_o have_v chalk_v out_o a_o short_a he_o shall_v thereby_o have_v draw_v upon_o himself_o the_o reproach_n and_o calumny_n of_o most_o people_n who_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o too_o strict_a a_o search_n shall_v be_v make_v after_o truth_n but_o what_o if_o mr._n de_fw-fr launoy_n have_v be_v so_o very_o complaisant_a to_o the_o monk_n and_o the_o admirer_n of_o fable_n and_o legend_n as_o to_o throw_v they_o in_o other_o fifty_o year_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o in_o the_o least_o have_v weaken_v the_o strength_n of_o our_o argument_n since_o that_o it_o be_v almost_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o maximian_n expedition_n into_o gaul_n that_o not_o one_o writer_n have_v speak_v of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n it_o be_v true_a that_o upon_o the_o superstitious_a party_n of_o the_o popish_a church_n be_v alarm_v by_o mr._n de_fw-fr launoy_n book_n because_o they_o see_v that_o the_o method_n in_o it_o be_v like_a to_o pull_v down_o a_o great_a number_n of_o their_o saint_n and_o will_v bring_v into_o contempt_n their_o miracle_n and_o relic_n john_n baptist_n thiers_n a_o divine_a of_o paris_n endeavour_v to_o re_fw-mi assure_v they_o by_o a_o dissertation_n in_o answer_n to_o that_o of_o mr_n de_fw-fr launoy_n which_o indeed_o he_o do_v not_o think_v worth_a his_o while_n to_o answer_v or_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o his_o argument_n and_o evasion_n now_o this_o be_v the_o tenet_n of_o john_n 6._o baptist_n of_o thiers_n we_o grant_v that_o a_o negative_a argument_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o some_o force_n in_o historical_a account_n when_o in_o matter_n of_o very_o ancient_a fact_n the_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o the_o general_a silence_n of_o grave_a learned_a and_o diligent_a writer_n who_o be_v not_o light_o wrought_v upon_o but_o prudent_a in_o their_o judgement_n and_o choice_n and_o who_o have_v succeed_v one_o another_o during_o many_o age_n where_o notwithstanding_o that_o all_o his_o word_n be_v exact_o measure_v and_o fit_v to_o his_o design_n viz._n to_o render_v negative_a argument_n of_o no_o use_n by_o put_v they_o under_o impossible_a condition_n etc._n etc._n yet_o nevertheless_o we_o desire_v no_o other_o concession_n than_o what_o he_o himself_o grant_v for_o the_o fact_n here_o in_o question_n be_v very_a ancient_n and_o no_o body_n can_v deny_v but_o the_o writer_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v some_o of_o the_o most_o grave_a learned_a and_o diligent_a that_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o for_o a_o continue_a succession_n of_o two_o or_o three_o age_n and_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o be_v whole_o silent_a upon_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n now_o after_o this_o long_a silence_n on_o the_o one_o side_n let_v we_o see_v who_o those_o be_v who_o first_o open_v their_o mouth_n on_o the_o other_o and_o who_o shall_v these_o be_v but_o two_o author_n who_o live_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o six_o century_n 15._o namely_o gregory_n of_o tours_n and_o venantius_n honorius_n fortunatus_n the_o latter_a of_o which_o be_v a_o poet_n and_o consequent_o more_o likely_a to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o old_a privilege_n in_o the_o verse_n pictoribus_fw-la atque_fw-la poetis_fw-la he_o have_v translate_v into_o verse_n a_o abridgement_n of_o st._n george_n legend_n which_o baronius_n confess_v to_o have_v be_v original_o write_v by_o the_o arrian_n see_v then_o that_o this_o poet_n be_v so_o gross_o mistake_v in_o attribute_v the_o character_n of_o a_o saint_n to_o one_o who_o be_v a_o arrian_n and_o a_o wicked_a man_n may_v we_o not_o think_v but_o his_o credulity_n may_v have_v be_v likewise_o impose_v upon_o concern_v another_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o a_o old_a date_n than_o this_o be_v 90._o and_o as_o for_o gregory_n of_o tours_n mr._n dupin_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v very_o credulous_a and_o easy_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o miracle_n and_o make_v no_o scruple_n of_o recount_v uncertain_a and_o fabulous_a history_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o abbot_n hilduinus_n write_v concern_v he_o to_o the_o emperor_n lewis_n we_o ought_v to_o pardon_v the_o simplicity_n of_o this_o pious_a man_n for_o have_v write_v several_a thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o history_n not_o indeed_o out_o of_o any_o crafty_a design_n of_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o mere_o through_o his_o credulity_n and_o see_v that_o fortunatus_n take_v a_o journey_n to_o tours_n where_o he_o hope_v to_o have_v be_v cure_v of_o his_o sore_a eye_n by_o the_o intercession_n of_o st._n martin_n and_o that_o he_o have_v a_o great_a esteem_n and_o affection_n for_o gregory_n it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o he_o receive_v all_o that_o he_o know_v concern_v the_o theb._n legion_n from_o this_o good_a bishop_n now_o to_o let_v you_o see_v the_o very_a foundation_n on_o which_o gregory_n own_o belief_n of_o this_o matter_n be_v establish_v i_o shall_v only_o transcribe_v the_o place_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o ten_o book_n of_o his_o history_n of_o france_n i_o find_v say_v he_o a_o little_a chest_n in_o st._n martin_n treasury_n in_o which_o our_o father_n have_v deposit_v the_o relic_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n as_o i_o be_v inform_v by_o some_o very_a age_a priest_n the_o very_a seal_n which_o their_o piety_n have_v put_v to_o it_o be_v
they_o have_v be_v actual_o alive_a but_o however_o the_o veneration_n they_o have_v then_o for_o they_o come_v nothing_o near_o to_o the_o worship_n which_o the_o romish_a church_n pay_v to_o they_o now_o adays_o gregory_n the_o first_o who_o die_v in_o the_o seven_o century_n begin_v in_o his_o time_n to_o innovate_v in_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o the_o church_n by_o insert_v in_o the_o litany_n the_o name_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n mary_n those_o of_o the_o saint_n have_v not_o be_v introduce_v till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o and_o we_o defy_v the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o show_v we_o that_o the_o worship_n which_o they_o render_v to_o saint_n be_v mention_v in_o any_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n who_o 197._o live_v before_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 350._o martin_n perez_n hiala_n bishop_n of_o cadiz_n confess_v that_o they_o can_v justify_v by_o ancient_a authority_n the_o invocation_n and_o intercession_n of_o saint_n before_o the_o time_n of_o cornelius_n who_o live_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n and_o this_o good_a prelate_n will_v have_v descend_v 308._o yet_o a_o hundred_o year_n low_a have_v he_o see_v the_o reason_n which_o blondel_n allege_v to_o prove_v that_o that_o which_o be_v cite_v of_o cornelius_n be_v mere_o spurious_a have_v the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o time_n of_o st._n athanasius_n and_o st._n hilary_n we_o must_v 12._o confess_v that_o the_o arrian_n have_v but_o very_o little_a wit_n when_o it_o be_v object_v as_o it_o be_v by_o these_o father_n to_o they_o that_o they_o be_v downright_a idolater_n in_o pray_v as_o they_o do_v to_o christ_n who_o they_o think_v to_o be_v but_o a_o creature_n they_o do_v not_o reply_v that_o this_o accusation_n ought_v to_o rebound_v on_o their_o adversary_n also_o since_o notwithstanding_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v their_o saint_n to_o be_v god_n yet_o they_o make_v prayer_n and_o supplication_n to_o they_o but_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o believe_v that_o in_o those_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n the_o christian_n make_v their_o address_n to_o the_o decease_a saint_n see_v they_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a do_v not_o enjoy_v the_o beatific_a vision_n before_o the_o general_a resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a if_o we_o ask_v cardinal_n bellarmine_n why_o the_o saint_n be_v not_o invoke_v under_o 19_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o answer_v because_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o just_o be_v then_o in_o limbo_n and_o do_v not_o yet_o behold_v the_o face_n of_o god_n for_o which_o very_a reason_n we_o may_v likewise_o conclude_v that_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n do_v not_o pray_v to_o saint_n since_o they_o believe_v that_o their_o soul_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n till_o the_o general_n resurrection_n which_o opinion_n of_o they_o have_v force_v cardinal_n richlieu_n to_o make_v this_o confession_n 4._o that_o several_a father_n in_o the_o first_o age_n hold_v for_o certain_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a decease_a in_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n those_o of_o martyr_n only_o except_v shall_v not_o enjoy_v the_o beatific_a vision_n till_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o therefore_o '_o its_o no_o wonder_n that_o they_o speak_v in_o those_o time_n of_o the_o veneration_n and_o invocation_n of_o saint_n with_o more_o caution_n and_o wariness_n than_o it_o have_v be_v do_v since_o it_o have_v be_v common_o believe_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a who_o have_v depart_v this_o life_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n do_v not_o wait_v till_o the_o resurrection_n for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o beatific_a vision_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o first_o age_n they_o observe_v another_o practice_n inconsistent_a with_o that_o worship_n which_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n render_v to_o the_o saint_n for_o now_o a_o day_n the_o live_n pray_v to_o the_o dead_a whereas_o former_o the_o live_v pray_v for_o they_o cardinal_n richelieu_n as_o you_o have_v see_v in_o the_o place_n above_o quote_v have_v except_v the_o martyr_n from_o the_o general_a rule_n but_o in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o exception_n make_v of_o any_o for_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n ascribe_v to_o st._n mark_n the_o christian_n use_v to_o say_v remember_v o_o lord_n our_o ancestor_n the_o 17._o patriarck_n the_o prophet_n the_o martyr_n and_o all_o the_o spirit_n who_o be_v perfect_a in_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o grant_v that_o their_o soul_n may_v rest_v in_o the_o sanctuary_n of_o thy_o saint_n this_o practice_n of_o pray_v for_o all_o the_o saint_n be_v yet_o in_o use_n in_o hinkmar_n time_n and_o in_o the_o rubric_n upon_o the_o decretal_n at_o the_o title_n of_o the_o celebration_n of_o mass_n ch_n 6._o sect_n oratio_fw-la quae_fw-la dicitur_fw-la etc._n etc._n we_o find_v this_o curious_a remark_n in_o the_o gloss_n on_o the_o margin_n it_o be_v former_o oratio_fw-la say_v grant_v o_o lord_n that_o this_o prayer_n may_v be_v profitable_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o thy_o servant_n leo_n but_o now_o it_o be_v say_v grant_v that_o this_o prayer_n may_v be_v profitable_a to_o we_o by_o the_o intercession_n of_o thy_o servant_n leo._n so_o little_a distinction_n be_v make_v in_o those_o time_n between_o the_o martyr_n and_o the_o saint_n of_o the_o first_o order_n that_o they_o use_v to_o pray_v even_o for_o the_o bless_a mother_n of_o god_n for_o in_o the_o liturgy_n attribute_v to_o st._n chrysostom_n we_o find_v these_o word_n let_v we_o pray_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o all_o those_o who_o 62._o have_v heretofore_o administer_v and_o fulfil_v the_o duty_n of_o priesthood_n for_o the_o eternal_a remission_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o for_o the_o memory_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v decease_v in_o hope_n of_o the_o resurrection_n forgive_v they_o o_o merciful_a lord_n and_o we_o offer_v also_o this_o reasonable_a service_n unto_o thou_o for_o our_o ancestor_n who_o rest_n in_o the_o faith_n the_o father_n the_o patriarch_n the_o prophet_n the_o apostle_n the_o martyr_n and_o especial_o for_o the_o most_o bless_a and_o immaculate_a mary_n after_o this_o do_v you_o think_v it_o well_o do_v of_o the_o romanist_n to_o accuse_v we_o of_o condemn_v the_o primitive_a church_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n because_o we_o condemn_v the_o worship_n which_o they_o pay_v in_o our_o day_n to_o the_o saint_n certain_a it_o be_v that_o in_o this_o we_o do_v it_o condemn_v origen_n who_o write_v thus_o against_o celsus_n 5._o we_o ought_v not_o to_o pray_v to_o creature_n who_o have_v as_o much_o need_n to_o make_v prayer_n and_o supplication_n for_o themselves_o and_o do_v therefore_o rather_o by_o their_o call_n upon_o he_o admonish_v we_o to_o make_v our_o address_n to_o god_n only_o and_o not_o to_o debase_v ourselves_o before_o they_o by_o divide_v between_o god_n and_o they_o the_o honour_n of_o prayer_n god_n forbid_v that_o we_o shall_v follow_v celsus_n advice_n who_o will_v have_v we_o to_o pray_v to_o angel_n we_o ought_v to_o pray_v to_o none_o but_o god_n who_o be_v the_o paramount_n lord_n of_o a●l_a thing_n we_o do_v not_o condemn_v st._n austin_n who_o say_v 8._o that_o be_v st._n paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n our_o mediator_n we_o shall_v have_v many_o of_o they_o but_o then_o this_o apostle_n have_v not_o be_v in_o the_o right_n who_o say_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o one_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n who_o be_v jesus_n christ._n and_o he_o declare_v in_o 19_o another_o place_n that_o in_o offer_v the_o sacrifice_n mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o martyr_n as_o of_o man_n of_o god_n who_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o his_o name_n have_v triumph_v over_o the_o world_n but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o invocate_v we_o do_v condemn_v ignatius_n a_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o recommend_v this_o to_o the_o christian_n to_o have_v none_o before_o their_o eye_n when_o they_o pray_v but_o christ_n jesus_n and_o his_o father_n we_o do_v not_o condemn_v 57_o st._n irenaeus_n that_o holy_a bishop_n of_o lion_n who_o have_v frame_v himself_o both_o upon_o the_o lesson_n and_o example_n of_o polycarp_n and_o who_o say_v that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o mix_v in_o her_o service_n either_o the_o invocation_n of_o angel_n or_o any_o other_o criminal_a curiosity_n but_o do_v direct_v her_o prayer_n mere_o pure_o and_o open_o to_o god_n the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n we_o do_v not_o condemn_v 30._o tertullian_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o christian_n before_o the_o roman_a emperor_n say_v that_o they_o do_v invocate_v none_o but_o the_o true_a