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book_n ancient_a church_n father_n 2,262 5 4.7708 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A42622 The genuine epistles of the apostolical fathers, S. Barnabas, S. Ignatius, S. Clement, S. Polycarp, the Shepherd of Hermas, and the matyrdoms of St. Ignatius and St. Polycarp, written by those who were present at their sufferings : being, together with the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, a compleat collection of the most primitive antiquity for about CL years after Christ / translated and publish'd, with a large preliminary discourse relating to the several treaties here put together by W. Wake ...; Apostolic Fathers (Early Christian Collection) English. Wake, William, 1657-1737. 1693 (1693) Wing G523A; ESTC R10042 282,773 752

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the_o greek_n for_o pretend_v that_o neither_o juno_n nor_o minerva_n nor_o jupiter_n be_v what_o those_o imagine_v who_o build_v temple_n and_o altar_n to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nay_o so_o far_o go_v this_o last_o author_n in_o his_o allegory_n as_o to_o turn_v all_o the_o trojan_a and_o grecian_a hero_n into_o mere_a fiction_n and_o to_o make_v hector_n and_o achilles_n and_o agamemnon_z and_o even_o helena_n herself_o nothing_o less_o than_o what_o one_o will_v think_v they_o be_v and_o what_o the_o common_a people_n ignorant_o imagine_v they_o to_o be_v 33._o and_o for_o the_o influence_n which_o this_o have_v upon_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o from_o philosopher_n become_v christian_n the_o write_n both_o of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n sufficient_o show_v and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v porphery_n a_o enemy_n in_o the_o case_n of_o origen_n he_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o same_o place_n in_o which_o he_o complain_v of_o he_o for_o turn_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v clear_o deliver_v by_o moses_n into_o mystical_a signification_n not_o only_o that_o he_o do_v this_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o grecian_n but_o that_o it_o be_v his_o frequent_a conversation_n with_o numenius_n and_o cronius_n moderatus_n nichomachus_n and_o other_o among_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o with_o chaeremon_n and_o cornutus_n among_o the_o stoic_n that_o he_o have_v learn_v his_o allegorical_a way_n of_o expound_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o apply_v that_o to_o his_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o do_v to_o their_o superstition_n 34._o from_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o this_o way_n of_o write_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o those_o day_n general_o use_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n but_o among_o the_o wise_a and_o more_o philosophical_a of_o the_o gentile_n too_o and_o from_o both_o come_v to_o be_v almost_o universal_o practise_v among_o the_o primitive_a christian_n which_o be_v so_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v far_o from_o censure_v of_o st._n barnabas_n for_o his_o mystical_a application_n of_o what_o god_n prescribe_v to_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o the_o spiritual_a accomplishment_n of_o it_o in_o the_o new_a much_o less_o shall_v we_o ever_o the_o more_o call_v in_o question_n either_o the_o truth_n or_o credit_n of_o his_o epistle_n upon_o this_o account_n 35._o have_v say_v thus_o much_o either_o in_o vindication_n of_o the_o allegorical_a exposition_n of_o this_o epistle_n or_o at_o least_o by_o way_n of_o apology_n for_o they_o i_o shall_v add_v but_o little_o more_o concern_v the_o epistle_n itself_o i_o have_v before_o observe_v as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o its_o write_n that_o it_o be_v somewhat_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o as_o we_o may_v conjecture_v from_o the_o subject_a of_o it_o for_o title_n at_o present_a it_o have_v none_o nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o ever_o it_o have_v any_o be_v address_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o draw_v they_o 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xuj_o 14_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o doubt_v nor_o be_v it_o improbable_a but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o hermas_n who_o afterward_o write_v this_o book_n and_o who_o appear_v not_o only_o still_o to_o have_v continue_v his_o relation_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o to_o have_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o may_v well_o agree_v to_o one_o of_o st._n paul_n acquaintance_n the_o former_a of_o these_o may_v be_v collect_v from_o his_o second_o vision_n which_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v have_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o clement_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o to_o who_o therefore_o he_o be_v command_v to_o carry_v a_o copy_n of_o it_o and_o for_o the_o latter_a if_o the_o conjecture_n of_o two_o of_o our_o great_a critic_n may_v be_v allow_v in_o apply_v the_o great_a affliction_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v in_o another_o of_o his_o vision_n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o at_o hand_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o book_n must_v have_v be_v 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baronius_n himself_o can_v not_o tell_v we_o insomuch_o that_o in_o his_o annal_n he_o dare_v not_o once_o mention_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n but_o be_v content_a to_o say_v that_o have_v undergo_v many_o labour_n and_o trouble_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o persecution_n under_o aurelius_n and_o that_o too_o without_o any_o authority_n he_o at_o last_o rest_v in_o the_o lord_n july_n xxvi_o and_o which_o be_v therefore_o observe_v in_o commemoration_n of_o he_o and_o here_o be_v indeed_o a_o pleasant_a mistake_n and_o worthy_a the_o roman_a martyrologie_n for_o this_o author_n from_o the_o book_n of_o which_o we_o be_v now_o discourse_v be_v sometime_o call_v by_o the_o title_n of_o pastor_n or_o shepherd_n the_o martyrologist_n have_v very_o grave_o divide_v the_o good_a man_n into_o two_o saint_n and_o they_o observe_v the_o memorial_n of_o hermas_n may_v ix_o the_o and_o of_o pastor_n july_n xxvi_o the_o unless_o we_o shall_v rather_o say_v that_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o cardinal_n blunder_n and_o the_o martyrologie_n in_o the_o right_n to_o make_v two_o distinct_a person_n of_o st._n hermas_n rembembr_v by_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o brother_n of_o pope_n pius_n to_o who_o the_o passage_n mention_v july_n xxvi_o do_v manifest_o belong_v and_o err_v only_o in_o apply_v the_o character_n of_o pastor_n to_o the_o latter_a which_o with_o the_o treatise_n of_o which_o we_o be_v now_o discourse_v aught_o as_o the_o cardinal_n have_v true_o observe_v to_o have_v be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o former_a 10._o but_o not_o to_o insist_v any_o long_o on_o the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n as_o for_o the_o work_n itself_o we_o find_v both_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o time_n not_o a_o little_a divide_v in_o
their_o judgement_n concern_v it_o some_o there_o be_v and_o those_o the_o near_a to_o the_o time_n when_o this_o book_n be_v write_v that_o treat_v it_o almost_o with_o the_o same_o respect_n that_o they_o will_v do_v the_o canonical_a scripture_n irenaeus_n quote_v it_o under_o the_o very_a name_n of_o the_o scripture_n origen_n though_o he_o sometime_o moderate_v his_o opinion_n of_o it_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o who_o do_v not_o it_o seem_v pay_v the_o same_o respect_n with_o himself_o to_o it_o yet_o speak_v of_o hermas_n be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n in_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n give_v we_o this_o character_n of_o it_o that_o he_o think_v it_o to_o be_v a_o most_o useful_a write_n and_o be_v as_o he_o believe_v divine_o inspire_v eusebius_n tell_v we_o that_o though_o be_v doubt_v of_o by_o some_o it_o be_v not_o esteem_v canonical_a yet_o be_v it_o by_o other_o judge_v a_o most_o necessary_a book_n and_o as_o such_o read_v public_o in_o the_o church_n and_o st._n hierom_n have_v in_o like_a manner_n observe_v that_o it_o be_v read_v in_o some_o church_n make_v this_o remark_n upon_o it_o that_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a profitable_a book_n and_o who_o testimony_n be_v often_o quote_v by_o the_o greek_a father_n athanasius_n place_n it_o in_o the_o same_o rank_n with_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o call_v it_o a_o most_o useful_a treatise_n and_o in_o another_o place_n tell_v we_o that_o though_o it_o be_v not_o strict_o canonical_a yet_o be_v it_o reckon_v among_o those_o book_n which_o the_o father_n appoint_v to_o be_v read_v to_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v direct_v in_o the_o way_n of_o piety_n 11._o hence_o we_o may_v observe_v as_o a_o far_a evidence_n of_o that_o respect_n which_o be_v pay_v to_o this_o book_n heretofore_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o open_o read_v in_o the_o church_n but_o in_o some_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a manuscript_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v join_v together_o with_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n a_o instance_n of_o this_o cotelerius_fw-la offer_v we_o in_o that_o of_o the_o monastery_n of_o st._n germane_a in_o france_n in_o which_o it_o be_v continue_v on_o at_o the_o end_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n and_o in_o several_a of_o the_o old_a stichometry_n it_o be_v put_v in_o the_o same_o catalogue_n with_o the_o inspire_a write_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o that_o which_o the_o same_o author_n have_v publish_v out_o of_o a_o manuscript_n in_o the_o king_n library_n in_o his_o observation_n upon_o st._n barnabas_n and_o in_o which_o st._n barnabas_n epistle_n be_v place_v immediate_o before_o the_o revelation_n as_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o hermas_n shepherd_n be_v immediate_o after_o it_o 12._o and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o we_o find_v this_o same_o book_n not_o only_o doubt_v of_o by_o other_o among_o the_o ancient_a father_n but_o slight_v even_o by_o some_o of_o those_o who_o upon_o other_o occasion_n have_v speak_v thus_o high_o in_o its_o favour_n thus_o st._n jerome_n in_o his_o comment_n expose_v the_o folly_n of_o that_o apocryphal_a book_n as_o he_o call_v it_o which_o in_o his_o catalogue_n of_o writer_n he_o have_v so_o high_o applaud_v tertullian_n who_o speak_v if_o not_o honourable_o yet_o calm_o of_o it_o whilst_o a_o catholic_n be_v become_v montanist_n reject_v it_o even_o with_o scorn_n and_o most_o of_o the_o other_o father_n who_o have_v speak_v the_o high_a of_o it_o themselves_o yet_o plain_o enough_o insinuate_v that_o there_o be_v those_o who_o do_v not_o put_v the_o same_o value_n upon_o it_o thus_o origen_n mention_n some_o who_o not_o only_o deny_v but_o despise_v its_o authority_n and_o cassian_n have_v make_v use_v of_o it_o in_o the_o point_n of_o freewill_n prosper_v without_o more_o ado_n reject_v it_o as_o a_o testimony_n of_o no_o value_n and_o what_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o latter_a age_n be_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n especial_o after_o pope_n gelasius_n have_v rank_v it_o among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n may_v be_v see_v at_o large_a in_o the_o observation_n of_o antonius_n augustinus_n upon_o that_o decree_n 13._o how_o far_o this_o have_v influence_v the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o present_a time_n in_o their_o censure_n upon_o this_o work_n be_v evident_a from_o what_o many_o on_o all_o side_n have_v free_o speak_v concern_v it_o who_o not_o only_o deny_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o hermas_n the_o companion_n of_o st._n paul_n but_o utter_o cast_v it_o off_o as_o a_o piece_n of_o no_o worth_n but_o rather_o full_a of_o error_n and_o folly_n thus_o baronius_n himself_o though_o he_o deliver_v not_o his_o own_o judgement_n concern_v it_o yet_o plain_o enough_o show_n that_o he_o run_v in_o with_o the_o severe_a censure_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o it_o and_o in_o effect_n charge_v it_o with_o favour_v the_o arrian_n though_o upon_o a_o mistake_a authority_n of_o st._n athanasius_n and_o which_o by_o no_o mean_n prove_v any_o such_o error_n to_o be_v in_o it_o but_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n be_v more_o free_a he_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o have_v many_o hurtful_a thing_n in_o it_o and_o particular_o that_o it_o favour_v the_o novatian_a heresy_n which_o yet_o i_o think_v a_o very_a little_a equity_n in_o interpret_n of_o some_o passage_n that_o look_v that_o way_n by_o other_o that_o be_v direct_o contrary_a thereunto_o will_v serve_v to_o acquit_v it_o of_o other_o be_v yet_o more_o severe_a they_o censure_v it_o as_o full_a of_o heresy_n and_o fable_n though_o this_o labbe_n will_v be_v think_v to_o excuse_v by_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o have_v be_v foist_v into_o it_o by_o some_o late_a interpolation_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o hermas_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n 14._o nor_o have_v many_o of_o those_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n be_v any_o whit_n more_o favourable_a in_o their_o censure_n of_o the_o present_a treatise_n but_o then_o as_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n heretofore_o though_o they_o admit_v it_o not_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o holy_a scripture_n yet_o otherwise_o pay_v a_o very_a great_a deference_n to_o it_o so_o the_o more_o moderate_a part_n of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o present_a time_n esteem_v it_o as_o a_o piece_n worthy_a of_o all_o respect_n and_o clear_a of_o those_o fault_n which_o be_v too_o light_o charge_v by_o some_o person_n upon_o it_o thus_o petavius_n none_o of_o the_o most_o favourable_a critic_n upon_o the_o ancient_a father_n yet_o acknowledge_v as_o to_o the_o present_a book_n that_o it_o be_v never_o censure_v by_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_n as_o guilty_a of_o any_o false_a doctrine_n or_o heresy_n and_o especial_o as_o to_o the_o point_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n cotelerius_fw-la one_o of_o the_o late_a editor_n of_o it_o esteem_v it_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a work_n of_o good_a note_n and_o a_o great_a defence_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n against_o the_o error_n of_o montanism_n who_o judgement_n be_v not_o only_o follow_v by_o their_o late_a historian_n natalis_n alexander_n but_o be_v make_v good_a too_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o against_o those_o objection_n which_o some_o have_v bring_v to_o lessen_v its_o reputation_n and_o for_o those_o of_o our_o own_o communion_n i_o shall_v mention_v only_o two_o but_o they_o such_o as_o will_v serve_v instead_o of_o many_o to_o all_o judicious_a person_n who_o have_v at_o large_a justify_v it_o against_o the_o chief_a of_o those_o exception_n that_o have_v be_v take_v at_o it_o the_o one_o the_o most_o excellent_a bishop_n pearson_n in_o his_o vindication_n of_o st._n ignatius_n the_o other_o the_o learned_a dr._n bull_n in_o his_o defence_n of_o the_o nicene_n faith_n in_o the_o point_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n divinity_n and_o which_o he_o large_o show_v our_o present_a author_n to_o have_v be_v far_o from_o do_v any_o prejudice_n unto_o 15._o such_o than_o have_v be_v the_o different_a judgement_n of_o learned_a man_n both_o heretofore_o and_o in_o our_o present_a time_n concern_v this_o book_n it_o will_v be_v too_o great_a a_o presumption_n for_o i_o to_o pretend_v to_o determine_v any_o thing_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o have_v subjoin_v the_o work_n itself_o in_o our_o common_a language_n every_o one_o may_v be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v himself_o what_o value_n he_o ought_v to_o put_v upon_o it_o that_o there_o be_v many_o useful_a thing_n to_o be_v find_v in_o it_o but_o especial_o in_o the_o second_o and_o i_o think_v the_o best_a part_n of_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v and_o for_o the_o other_o two_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o though_o such_o vision_n as_o we_o there_o read_v of_o be_v
title_n of_o martyr_n to_o he_o 16._o but_o whatever_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o st._n barnabas_n death_n yet_o famous_a be_v the_o story_n of_o the_o invention_n of_o his_o relic_n deliver_v by_o the_o same_o monk_n and_o who_o as_o baronius_n tell_v we_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n under_o zeno_n the_o emperor_n and_o confirm_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o theodorus_n nicephorus_n cedrenus_n sigebert_n marianus_n scotus_n and_o other_o with_o what_o ceremony_n this_o be_v perform_v and_o how_o this_o bless_a saint_n appear_v twice_o to_o anthemius_n than_o bishop_n of_o salamis_n in_o order_n to_o the_o discovery_n of_o his_o own_o relic_n and_o how_o the_o emperor_n command_v a_o stately_a church_n to_o be_v build_v over_o the_o place_n of_o his_o burial_n i_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o those_o who_o be_v fond_a of_o such_o story_n to_o read_v at_o large_a in_o baronius_n and_o the_o monk_n who_o i_o before_o mention_v it_o will_v be_v of_o more_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o nilus_n doxapater_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o very_a thing_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o cyprian_a privilege_n where_o speak_v of_o certain_a province_n that_o depend_v not_o upon_o any_o of_o the_o great_a patriarchate_n he_o instance_n first_o of_o all_o in_o cyprus_n which_o say_v he_o continues_z free_a and_o be_v subject_a to_o none_o of_o the_o patriarch_n because_o of_o the_o apostle_n barnabas_n be_v find_v in_o it_o and_o the_o same_o be_v the_o account_n which_o nicephorus_n also_o give_v we_o of_o it_o and_o which_o be_v assign_v before_o both_o in_o the_o notitia_fw-la ascribe_v to_o leo_n as_o i_o find_v it_o quote_v by_o mounseur_fw-fr le_fw-fr moyne_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o late_a collection_n of_o several_a ancient_a piece_n relate_v to_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n 17._o together_o with_o his_o body_n be_v find_v say_v alexander_n the_o gospel_n of_o st._n matthew_n write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n lie_v upon_o his_o breast_n but_o nilus_n say_v that_o of_o his_o kinsman_n s._n mark_n which_o of_o the_o two_o it_o be_v or_o whether_o any_o thing_n of_o all_o this_o be_v more_o than_o a_o mere_a story_n contrive_v by_o anthemius_n to_o get_v the_o better_a of_o peter_n patriarch_n of_o antioch_n i_o shall_v not_o undertake_v to_o determine_v it_o be_v enough_o that_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o not_o only_o preserve_v his_o privilege_n against_o peter_n but_o get_v his_o see_n confirm_v by_o the_o emperor_n as_o a_o independent_a see_v which_o be_v also_o afterward_o again_o do_v by_o justinian_n at_o the_o instigation_n of_o the_o empress_n theodora_n who_o be_v herself_o a_o cyprian_a 18._o but_o to_o return_v to_o that_o which_o be_v more_o proper_o the_o business_n of_o these_o reflection_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o st._n barnabas_n leave_v any_o more_o in_o write_v than_o the_o epistle_n i_o have_v here_o subjoin_v indeed_o there_o be_v some_o heretofore_o who_o think_v that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v write_v by_o he_o tertullian_n confident_o quote_v it_o as_o he_o nor_o do_v st._n hierome_n censure_v he_o for_o it_o but_o leave_v it_o as_o a_o doubt_n whether_o it_o shall_v be_v ascribe_v to_o he_o or_o to_o st._n luke_n st._n clement_n or_o st._n paul_n though_o he_o seem_v rather_o to_o incline_v to_o st._n paul_n as_o for_o the_o present_a epistle_n i_o do_v not_o know_v that_o it_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_n to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o st._n barnabas_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n both_o mention_n and_o commend_v it_o as_o he_o origen_n call_v it_o the_o catholic_n epistle_n of_o barnabas_n eusebius_n and_o st._n jerome_n though_o they_o place_v it_o among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n that_o be_v to_o say_v among_o such_o as_o be_v of_o doubtful_a authority_n and_o not_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n for_o so_o valesius_fw-la show_v we_o be_v there_o to_o understand_v they_o yet_o make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o barnabas_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o any_o more_o than_o that_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n st._n judas_n the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o st._n john_n together_o with_o his_o revelation_n which_o eusebius_n place_n in_o the_o same_o rank_n be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v 19_o which_o be_v so_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o some_o in_o our_o own_o time_n who_o upon_o such_o weak_a ground_n peremptory_o pronounce_v it_o to_o be_v none_o of_o st._n barnabas_n which_o say_v our_o learned_a bishop_n pearson_n none_o of_o all_o the_o ancient_n pretend_v to_o doubt_v of_o and_o of_o this_o cotelerius_fw-la seem_v to_o have_v be_v sensible_a who_o though_o he_o do_v not_o care_n to_o ascribe_v it_o to_o the_o bless_a evangelist_n of_o who_o we_o be_v now_o discourse_v yet_o be_v force_v to_o suppose_v that_o some_o other_o barnabas_n write_v it_o and_o without_o which_o he_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o way_n of_o answer_v the_o concurrent_a verdict_n of_o all_o antiquity_n which_o have_v universal_o agree_v in_o barnabas_n as_o the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o now_o who_o this_o other_o barnabas_n be_v or_o that_o in_o those_o time_n there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n he_o pretend_v not_o to_o tell_v we_o and_o they_o who_o ascribe_v it_o to_o barnabas_n express_o speak_v of_o he_o as_o the_o same_o of_o who_o i_o have_v hitherto_o be_v discourse_v 20._o but_o of_o all_o other_o most_o unaccountable_a be_v the_o fancy_n of_o mounseur_fw-fr le_fw-fr moyne_n concern_v the_o author_n of_o this_o epistle_n he_o have_v observe_v that_o in_o several_a manuscript_n it_o be_v immediate_o continue_v on_o with_o that_o of_o st._n polycarp_n and_o from_o this_o ignorance_n or_o negligence_n of_o a_o few_o transcriber_n have_v this_o learned_a man_n conclude_v the_o two_o epistle_n to_o have_v be_v both_o write_v by_o st._n polycarp_n in_o which_o as_o he_o have_v none_o to_o go_v before_o he_o so_o i_o believe_v he_o will_v scarce_o meet_v with_o any_o to_o follow_v he_o 21._o nor_o be_v the_o argument_n which_o they_o bring_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o it_o of_o such_o moment_n as_o to_o overthrow_v the_o constant_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n on_o its_o behalf_n they_o tell_v we_o first_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o xvi_o the_o chapter_n of_o this_o epistle_n that_o it_o be_v write_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o why_o may_v not_o barnabas_n have_v be_v then_o live_v as_o well_o as_o we_o be_v sure_a st._n john_n and_o several_z other_o of_o the_o companion_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v and_o if_o he_o may_v have_v be_v live_v after_o it_o why_o shall_v not_o we_o suppose_v that_o he_o be_v as_o well_o as_o they_o that_o he_o be_v not_o see_v it_o do_v not_o appear_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o ancient_a writer_n when_o he_o die_v 22._o but_o 2_o dly_a they_o argue_v yet_o far_o against_o it_o for_o if_o this_o say_v they_o be_v the_o genuine_a epistle_n of_o st._n barnabas_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o it_o be_v not_o receive_v as_o canonical_a certain_o have_v the_o primitive_a christian_n believe_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o such_o a_o man_n they_o will_v without_o controversy_n have_v place_v it_o among_o the_o sacred_a write_n and_o not_o have_v censure_v it_o as_o of_o doubtful_a authority_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a specious_a pretence_n but_o which_o be_v a_o little_a examine_v will_v be_v find_v to_o have_v no_o strength_n in_o it_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o primitive_a father_n do_v own_o this_o for_o st._n barnabas_n epistle_n and_o yet_o not_o receive_v it_o into_o their_o canon_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o have_v they_o believe_v it_o to_o have_v be_v he_o they_o must_v have_v esteem_v it_o canonical_a 23._o what_o rule_v they_o have_v or_o by_o what_o measure_n they_o proceed_v in_o those_o first_o time_n in_o 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office_n be_v by_o the_o spirit_n enable_v to_o make_v of_o they_o so_o 3_o dly_a if_o we_o look_v to_o those_o account_n which_o still_o remain_v to_o we_o of_o they_o they_o will_v plain_o show_v we_o that_o they_o be_v endue_v and_o that_o in_o a_o very_a singular_a manner_n with_o this_o power_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o bless_a spirit_n 19_o of_o barnabas_n the_o holy_a scripture_n itself_o bear_v witness_n that_o he_o be_v a_o good_a man_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o faith_n act_v xi_o 24_o hermas_n be_v another_o of_o who_o st._n paul_n himself_o make_v mention_v rom._n xuj_o 14_o as_o a_o early_a convert_n to_o christianity_n and_o what_o extraordinary_a revelation_n he_o have_v and_o how_o he_o foretell_v the_o trouble_n that_o be_v to_o come_v upon_o the_o church_n his_o follow_a vision_n sufficient_o declare_v 20_o clement_n be_v not_o only_o speak_v of_o by_o the_o same_o apostle_n but_o with_o this_o advantageous_a character_n too_o that_o he_o be_v the_o fellow-labourer_n of_o that_o great_a man_n and_o have_v his_o name_n write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n phil._n four_o 3_o and_o when_o we_o shall_v consider_v to_o how_o much_o lesser_a and_o worse_a man_n these_o gift_n be_v usual_o communicate_v at_o that_o time_n we_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o so_o excellent_a a_o man_n and_o the_o companion_n of_o so_o great_a a_o apostle_n employ_v first_o in_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o he_o and_o then_o set_v to_o govern_v one_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a church_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v have_v be_v destitute_a of_o it_o 21._o as_o for_o st._n ignatius_n i_o have_v before_o observe_v that_o he_o have_v this_o gift_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o it_o warn_v the_o philadelphian_o against_o fall_v into_o those_o division_n which_o he_o foresee_v be_v about_o to_o rise_v up_o among_o they_o 22._o polycarp_n not_o only_o prophesy_v of_o his_o own_o death_n but_o speak_v often_o time_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v and_o have_v this_o witness_n from_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o smyrna_n that_o nothing_o of_o all_o that_o he_o foretell_v ever_o fail_v of_o come_v to_o pass_v according_a to_o his_o prediction_n 23._o it_o remain_v then_o that_o the_o holy_a man_n who_o write_n be_v here_o subjoin_v be_v not_o only_o instruct_v by_o such_o as_o be_v inspire_a but_o be_v themselves_o inspire_a too_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o they_o have_v not_o only_o not_o mistake_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o what_o they_o deliver_v to_o we_o as_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o do_v of_o it_o by_o consequence_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o their_o write_n though_o not_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o which_o we_o call_v in_o a_o singular_a manner_n the_o holy_a scripture_n because_o neither_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o call_v in_o so_o extraordinary_a a_o way_n to_o the_o write_n of_o they_o nor_o endue_v with_o so_o 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that_o ought_v to_o be_v pay_v to_o the_o treatise_n here_o collect_v and_o that_o be_v sixthly_a that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o write_v by_o such_o man_n as_o i_o have_v say_v instruct_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o judge_v worthy_a by_o they_o both_o for_o their_o knowledge_n and_o their_o integrity_n to_o govern_v some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o last_o endue_v with_o the_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o upon_o all_o these_o account_n to_o be_v much_o respect_v by_o we_o but_o be_v moreover_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n in_o those_o first_o age_n as_o piece_n of_o a_o very_a great_a value_n which_o can_v not_o be_v mistake_v in_o its_o judgement_n of_o they_o 25._o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n clement_n be_v a_o long_a time_n read_v public_o with_o the_o other_o scripture_n in_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a make_v a_o part_n of_o their_o bible_n and_o be_v number_v among_o the_o sacred_a write_n however_o final_o separate_v from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n but_o our_o most_o ancient_a alexandrian_a manuscript_n give_v the_o same_o place_n to_o the_o second_o that_o it_o do_v to_o the_o first_o of_o they_o and_o epiphanius_n after_o both_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v both_o of_o they_o wont_a to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n 26._o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n polycarp_n with_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n be_v not_o only_o very_o high_o approve_v of_o by_o particular_a person_n but_o like_o those_o of_o st._n clement_n be_v read_v public_o too_o in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o for_o those_o of_o ignatius_n beside_o that_o we_o find_v a_o mighty_a value_n put_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n they_o be_v seal_v to_o we_o by_o this_o character_n of_o st._n polycarp_n that_o they_o be_v such_o epistle_n by_o which_o we_o may_v be_v great_o profit_v for_o say_v he_o they_o treat_v of_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o of_o all_o thing_n that_o pertain_v to_o edification_n in_o the_o lord_n 27._o the_o epistle_n of_o barnabas_n be_v not_o only_o quote_v with_o great_a honour_n by_o those_o of_o the_o next_o age_n to_o he_o but_o as_o i_o have_v before_o show_v be_v express_o call_v catholic_n and_o canonical_a and_o in_o the_o ancient_a stichometry_n of_o cotelerius_fw-la we_o find_v it_o place_v the_o very_a next_o to_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n judas_n and_o no_o difference_n put_v between_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o the_o other_o 28._o and_o for_o the_o book_n of_o hermas_n both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n i_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v also_o use_v to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o same_o stichometry_n i_o before_o mention_v it_o be_v place_v in_o the_o very_a next_o rank_n to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o in_o some_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a manuscript_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o find_v it_o write_v 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