lawful_a and_o also_o very_o useful_a to_o pray_v to_o saint_n depart_v and_o to_o angel_n that_o our_o soul_n after_o death_n before_o they_o enter_v into_o heaven_n be_v to_o pass_v through_o a_o certain_a fire_n and_o there_o to_o endure_v grievous_a torment_n thus_o satisfy_v for_o their_o sin_n that_o one_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o receive_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n without_o have_v first_o confess_v himself_o in_o private_a to_o a_o priest_n that_o none_o but_o the_o priest_n himself_o that_o consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n be_v bind_v by_o right_a to_o receive_v it_o in_o both_o kind_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o opinion_n which_o their_o adversary_n protest_v plain_o that_o they_o can_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n believe_v and_o these_o point_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o whole_a difference_n betwixt_o they_o the_o one_o party_n pretend_v that_o they_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n as_o reveal_v by_o he_o and_o the_o other_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a now_o see_v that_o none_o of_o these_o tenet_n have_v any_o ground_n from_o any_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a rule_n of_o christianity_n the_o maintainer_n be_v fain_o to_o fly_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o live_v within_o the_o four_o or_o five_o first_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v common_o call_v the_o father_n my_o purpose_n be_v in_o this_o treatise_n to_o examine_v whether_o or_o no_o this_o be_v a_o good_a and_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o decision_n of_o these_o difference_n and_o for_o this_o purpose_n i_o must_v first_o presuppose_v two_o thing_n which_o any_o reasonable_a person_n will_v easy_o grant_v i_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o question_n be_v here_o about_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o certain_a article_n of_o faith_n upon_o the_o testimony_n or_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o the_o passage_n which_o be_v produce_v out_o of_o they_o be_v clear_a and_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o that_o be_v to_o say_v such_o as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o scruple_n at_o either_o touch_v the_o author_n out_o of_o who_o they_o be_v allege_v or_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n whether_o it_o signify_v what_o be_v pretend_v to_o for_o a_o deposition_n of_o a_o witness_n and_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n be_v of_o no_o value_n at_o all_o save_v only_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o witness_n or_o judge_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o if_o either_o proceed_v from_o person_n unknown_a or_o suspect_v they_o be_v invalid_a and_o prove_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o like_a manner_n if_o the_o deposition_n of_o a_o witness_n or_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n be_v obscure_a and_o in_o doubtful_a term_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o in_o this_o case_n the_o business_n must_v rest_v undecided_a there_o be_v another_o doubt_n first_o to_o be_v clear_v namely_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o either_o of_o they_o be_v the_o second_o point_n that_o i_o shall_v here_o lay_v down_o for_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n be_v no_o less_o evident_a than_o the_o former_a namely_o that_o to_o allow_v a_o sufficiency_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n for_o the_o decide_n of_o these_o controversy_n we_o must_v necessary_o attribute_v to_o their_o person_n very_o great_a authority_n and_o such_o as_o may_v oblige_v we_o to_o follow_v their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o this_o authority_n be_v want_v how_o clear_a and_o express_v soever_o their_o opinion_n be_v in_o the_o article_n now_o controvert_v it_o will_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o towards_o their_o decision_n we_o have_v therefore_o here_o two_o thing_n to_o examine_v in_o this_o business_n the_o first_o be_v whether_o or_o not_o we_o may_v be_v able_a now_o certain_o and_o clear_o to_o know_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o difference_n now_o in_o hand_n the_o second_o whether_o their_o authority_n be_v such_o as_o that_o whatever_o faithful_a person_n shall_v clear_o and_o certain_o know_v what_o their_o opinion_n have_v be_v in_o any_o one_o article_n of_o christian_a religion_n he_o be_v thereby_o bind_v to_o receive_v that_o article_n for_o true_a for_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v but_o able_a to_o prove_v both_o these_o point_n it_o be_v then_o without_o all_o dispute_n that_o their_o proceed_v be_v good_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o end_v propose_v there_o be_v so_o many_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n write_n allege_v at_o this_o day_n by_o they_o but_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_a side_n either_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n or_o both_o of_o they_o be_v indeed_o find_v to_o be_v doubtful_a i_o shall_v think_v that_o any_o man_n of_o a_o very_a mean_a judgement_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o conclude_v of_o himself_o that_o this_o way_n of_o proof_n which_o they_o have_v hitherto_o make_v use_n of_o be_v very_o insufficient_a and_o that_o therefore_o they_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o some_o other_o more_o proper_a and_o solid_a way_n in_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a opinion_n which_o the_o protestant_n will_v not_o by_o any_o mean_n receive_v the_o first_o book_n chap._n i._n reason_n i._o touch_v the_o difficulty_n of_o know_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o father_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a controversy_n in_o religion_n draw_v from_o hence_o namely_o because_o there_o be_v very_o little_a extant_a of_o their_o write_n for_o the_o three_o first_o century_n if_o we_o shall_v in_o this_o particular_a take_v the_o same_o course_n which_o some_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v use_n of_o against_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a easy_a matter_n to_o bring_v in_o question_n and_o render_v very_o doubtful_a and_o suspect_v all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n for_o when_o any_o one_o allege_v the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n these_o gentleman_n present_o demand_v how_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v they_o know_v that_o any_o such_o book_n be_v true_o write_v by_o those_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v if_o therefore_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o these_o man_n urge_v justin_n irenaeus_n ambrose_n augustine_n and_o the_o like_a one_o shall_v take_v they_o short_a and_o demand_v of_o they_o how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_v they_o be_v assure_v that_o these_o father_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o write_n which_o at_o this_o day_n go_v under_o their_o name_n it_o be_v very_o much_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o will_v find_v a_o hard_a task_n of_o it_o than_o their_o adversary_n in_o justify_v the_o inscription_n of_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a writ_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v than_o of_o any_o humane_a write_n whatsoever_o but_o i_o pass_v by_o this_o too-artificial_a way_n of_o proceed_v and_o only_o say_v that_o it_o be_v no_o very_o easy_a matter_n to_o find_v out_o by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n what_o have_v real_o beeen_n their_o opinion_n in_o any_o of_o those_o controversy_n which_o be_v now_o in_o debate_n betwixt_o the_o protestant_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o consideration_n which_o render_v the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o so_o difficult_a be_v many_o i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o this_o first_o part_n handle_v some_o of_o they_o only_o refer_v the_o rest_n to_o the_o late_a examine_v they_o one_o after_o another_o the_o first_o reason_n therefore_o which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o for_o the_o prove_v of_o this_o difficulty_n be_v the_o little_a we_o have_v extant_a of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n especial_o of_o the_o first_o second_o and_o third_z century_n which_o be_v those_o we_o be_v most_o especial_o to_o regard_v for_o see_v that_o one_o of_o the_o principal_a reason_n that_o move_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o allege_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n be_v to_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o tenet_n by_o the_o antiquity_n which_o they_o reckon_v as_o a_o mark_n of_o it_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o most_o ancient_a aught_o to_o be_v the_o most_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o question_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v more_o pure_a and_o without_o mixture_n in_o its_o beginning_n and_o infancy_n than_o it_o be_v afterward_o in_o its_o growth_n and_o progress_n it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n to_o contract_v corruption_n more_o or_o less_o according_a as_o they_o be_v more_o or_o less_o remove_v from_o their_o first_o institution_n as_o we_o see_v by_o experience_n in_o state_n law_n art_n and_o language_n the_o natural_a propriety_n of_o
observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n by_o pius_n both_o bishop_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n eusebius_n never_o so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o as_o may_v appear_v out_o of_o some_o manuscript_n of_o he_o 8._o where_o you_o shall_v find_v he_o whole_o muâ—e_v as_o to_o these_o point_n wherewith_o the_o modern_n so_o much_o please_v themselves_o but_o to_o return_v and_o to_o take_v the_o time_n all_o along_o as_o they_o lie_v we_o may_v observe_v that_o this_o licence_n grow_v strong_a daily_o as_o the_o time_n grow_v worse_a because_o that_o the_o great_a the_o distance_n of_o time_n be_v from_o the_o author_n be_v own_o age_n the_o more_o difficult_a the_o discovery_n of_o these_o forgery_n must_v necessary_o be_v the_o example_n also_o of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n among_o the_o ancient_n who_o have_v sometime_o make_v use_n of_o these_o sleight_n add_v on_o the_o other_o side_n boldness_n to_o every_o one_o and_o courage_n to_o venture_v upon_o what_o they_o have_v do_v before_o they_o for_o i_o pray_v you_o be_v it_o not_o a_o strange_a thing_n that_o the_o legate_n of_o pope_n leo_n in_o the_o year_n 451._o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n where_o be_v assemble_v 600_o bishop_n the_o very_a flower_n and_o choice_n of_o the_o whole_a clergy_n shall_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o allege_v the_o vi_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o these_o very_a word_n council_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v always_o have_v the_o primacy_n word_n which_o be_v no_o more_o find_v in_o any_o greek_a copy_n of_o the_o council_n than_o be_v those_o other_o pretend_a canon_n of_o pope_n zozimus_n neither_o do_v they_o yet_o appear_v in_o any_o greek_a or_o latin_a copy_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o edition_n of_o dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la who_o live_v about_o fifty_o year_n after_o this_o council_n when_o i_o consider_v that_o the_o legate_n of_o so_o holy_a a_o pope_n will_v at_o that_o time_n have_v fasten_v such_o a_o wen_n upon_o the_o body_n of_o so_o venerable_a a_o canon_n i_o be_o almost_o ready_a to_o think_v that_o we_o scarce_o have_v any_o thing_n of_o antiquity_n leave_v we_o that_o be_v entire_a and_o uncorrupt_a except_o it_o be_v in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n or_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v corrupt_v without_o much_o noise_n and_o to_o take_v this_o proceed_v of_o they_o which_o be_v come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n as_o a_o advertisement_n purposely_o give_v we_o by_o divine_a providence_n to_o let_v we_o see_v with_o how_o much_o consideration_n and_o advisedness_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v for_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o of_o constantinople_n and_o for_o cyprian_a and_o hieroâ—o's_n write_n that_o which_o go_v at_o this_o day_n for_o such_o about_o seventy_o four_o year_n after_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la who_o we_o before_o mention_v make_v his_o collection_n at_o rome_n which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d print_v at_o paris_n cum_fw-la privilegio_fw-la regiâ—_n out_o of_o very_o ancient_a manuscript_n whosoever_o shall_v but_o look_v diligent_o into_o this_o collection_n shall_v find_v divers_a alteration_n in_o it_o one_o whereof_o i_o shall_v instance_n in_o only_o to_o show_v how_o ancient_a this_o artifice_n have_v be_v among_o christian_n the_o last_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o laâ—dicea_n which_o be_v the_o 163._o of_o the_o greek_a code_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a forbid_v to_o read_v in_o church_n any_o other_o book_n than_o those_o which_o be_v canonical_a give_v we_o withal_o a_o long_a catalogue_n of_o they_o dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la although_o he_o have_v indeed_o insert_v in_o his_o collection_n num._n 162._o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o say_a canon_n which_o forbid_v to_o read_v any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o church_n beside_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n yet_o have_v he_o whole_o omit_v the_o catalogue_n or_o list_v of_o the_o say_a book_n fear_v as_o i_o conceive_v lest_o the_o tail_n of_o this_o catalogue_n may_v scandalize_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n where_o many_o year_n before_o pope_n innocent_n have_v 7._o by_o a_o express_a decree_n to_o that_o purpose_n put_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o maccabee_n the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la tobit_n judith_n etc._n etc._n of_o which_o book_n the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n make_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o name_v but_o xxii_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o new_a utter_o omit_v the_o apocalypse_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v i_o any_o better_a reason_n of_o this_o suppression_n let_v he_o speak_v as_o for_o my_o part_n i_o conceive_v this_o the_o most_o probable_a that_o can_v be_v give_v however_o we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o bind_v to_o divine_a what_o the_o motive_n shall_v be_v that_o make_v dionysius_n out_o off_o that_o part_n of_o the_o canon_n for_o whatsoever_o the_o reason_n be_v it_o serve_v the_o turn_n well_o enough_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o at_o that_o time_n they_o make_v no_o great_a conscience_n to_o curtal_n if_o need_n be_v the_o very_a text_n of_o the_o canon_n themselves_o so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v not_o have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o have_v have_v this_o canon_n entire_a and_o perfect_a in_o divers_a other_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n as_o namely_o in_o the_o collection_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o also_o in_o the_o council_n of_o the_o french_a church_n we_o shall_v at_o this_o day_n have_v be_v whole_o ignorant_a what_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o father_n of_o lâ—â—odices_n be_v touch_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a controversy_n of_o these_o time_n it_o be_v true_a i_o confess_v that_o the_o latin_n have_v their_o revenge_n upon_o the_o greek_n reproach_v they_o in_o like_a manner_n because_o that_o in_o their_o translation_n of_o the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o african_a church_n they_o have_v leave_v the_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n quite_v out_o of_o the_o roll_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o 24._o canon_n of_o their_o collection_n express_o against_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o latin_a copy_n of_o this_o collection_n l._n both_o print_v and_o manuscript_n as_o cardinal_n perron_n affirm_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o other_o afric_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o no_o book_n of_o maccabee_n appear_v at_o all_o in_o this_o canon_n in_o the_o collection_n of_o cresâ—bnius_n a_o bishop_n of_o africa_n not_o yet_o print_v the_o greek_a cudâ—_n represent_v unto_o we_o vii_o canon_n of_o the_o i_o council_n of_o constantinople_n which_o be_v in_o like_a manner_n find_v both_o in_o balsamon_n and_o in_o zonaras_n and_o also_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a edition_n of_o the_o general_a council_n print_v at_o rome_n the_o three_o last_o of_o these_o do_v not_o appear_v at_o all_o in_o the_o latin_a code_n of_o 〈◊〉_d though_o they_o be_v very_o considerable_a one_o as_o to_o the_o business_n they_o relate_v to_o which_o be_v that_o order_n in_o proceed_v in_o pass_v judgement_n upon_o bishop_n accuse_v and_o in_o receive_v such_o person_n who_o forsake_v their_o communion_n with_o heretic_n desire_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n 〈…〉_z very_o hard_o to_o say_v what_o shall_v move_v the_o 〈…〉_z this_o council_n thus_o but_o this_o i_o be_o 〈…〉_z in_o the_o vi_o canon_n which_o be_v one_o of_o those_o 〈…〉_z have_v omit_v and_o which_o treat_v of_o judge_v of_o bishop_n accuse_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n make_v of_o appeal_n to_o rome_n nor_o of_o any_o reserve_v case_n wherein_o it_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o any_o save_v only_o to_o the_o pope_n himself_o to_o judge_v a_o bishop_n the_o power_n of_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o such_o matter_n be_v here_o whole_o and_o absolute_o refer_v to_o the_o provincial_n and_o diocesan_a synod_n now_o whether_o the_o greek_n add_v this_o tail_n to_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o very_o probable_a or_o whether_o dionysius_n or_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n curtal_v this_o council_n it_o will_v still_o that_o way_n also_o appear_v clear_o that_o this_o boldness_n in_o gâ—lding_v or_o make_v addition_n to_o ecclesiastical_a write_n be_v not_o at_o all_o in_o use_n in_o these_o day_n after_o the_o canon_n of_o constantinople_n there_o follow_v in_o the_o greek_a code_n viii_o canon_n of_o the_o general_n council_n of_o ephâ—sus_n set_v down_o also_o both_o by_o balsamon_n and_o zonaras_n and_o print_v with_o the_o act_n of_o the_o say_a council_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o first_o tome_n of_o the_o roman_a edition_n but_o dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la have_v discard_v they_o all_o not_o give_v we_o any_o one_o of_o
its_o opinion_n public_o touch_v the_o point_n at_o this_o day_n controvert_v it_o be_v as_o impossible_a that_o many_o together_o that_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n shall_v represent_v it_o unto_o we_o as_o that_o one_o single_a person_n shall_v how_o can_v they_o possible_o have_v see_v that_o which_o lie_v as_o yet_o conceal_v how_o can_v they_o possible_o measure_v their_o belief_n by_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o be_v not_o yet_o visible_a to_o the_o world_n the_o chiliast_n allege_v the_o testimony_n not_o of_o one_o not_o of_o two_o but_o of_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o the_o most_o ancient_a among_o the_o father_n who_o be_v all_o of_o their_o opinion_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v ordinary_o make_v to_o the_o objection_n be_v that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o declare_v its_o sense_n touch_v this_o point_n the_o testimony_n of_o these_o man_n bind_v we_o not_o to_o believe_v the_o same_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n that_o a_o great_a number_n in_o this_o case_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o a_o small_a in_o the_o represent_v unto_o we_o what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n have_v be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o either_o by_o some_o general_a council_n or_o else_o by_o some_o other_o public_a way_n it_o must_v have_v declare_v its_o judgement_n touch_v any_o question_n in_o debate_n that_o so_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o the_o father_n have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o judgement_n or_o no._n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o account_n we_o be_v to_o raise_v up_o again_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n and_o to_o call_v it_o to_o account_v touch_v every_o of_o these_o particular_a point_n now_o debate_v touch_v which_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n be_v allege_v it_o be_v impossible_a otherwise_o to_o give_v any_o certain_a judgement_n whether_o that_o which_o they_o say_v be_v their_o own_o private_a or_o else_o the_o public_a opinion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o not_o so_o that_o any_o man_n that_o be_v but_o of_o the_o mean_a judgement_n may_v easy_o perceive_v how_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o difficult_a but_o also_o almost_o a_o impossible_a thing_n to_o gather_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n so_o much_o light_n as_o be_v necessary_a we_o shall_v have_v for_o our_o satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n chap._n x._o reason_n 10._o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o know_v whether_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n touch_v the_o controversy_n of_o these_o time_n be_v receive_v by_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o but_o by_o some_o part_n of_o it_o only_o which_o yet_o be_v necessary_o to_o be_v know_v before_o we_o can_v make_v use_n of_o any_o allegation_n out_o of_o they_o but_o suppose_v that_o a_o father_n relieve_v we_o in_o this_o difficult_a or_o rather_o impossible_a business_n shall_v tell_v we_o in_o express_a term_n that_o what_o he_o propose_v be_v the_o sense_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n yet_o will_v not_o this_o quite_o deliver_v we_o out_o of_o the_o doubtful_a condition_n we_o be_v in_o for_o beside_o that_o their_o word_n be_v many_o time_n in_o such_o case_n as_o these_o liable_a to_o exception_n suppose_v that_o it_o be_v certain_o and_o undoubted_o so_o yet_o will_v it_o concern_v we_o then_o to_o examine_v what_o that_o church_n be_v whereof_o he_o speak_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o church_n universal_a or_o only_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n or_o that_o of_o some_o city_n province_n or_o country_n only_o now_o that_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o small_a importance_n be_v evident_a from_o hence_o because_o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a in_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v account_v infallible_a and_o necessary_o true_a whereas_o those_o of_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o so_o but_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n so_o that_o the_o question_n be_v here_o touch_v the_o faith_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v ground_v upon_o any_o thing_n save_o what_o be_v infallible_o true_a it_o will_v concern_v we_o to_o know_v what_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a have_v be_v see_v the_o opinion_n of_o no_o particular_a church_n can_v do_v we_o any_o service_n in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o this_o distinction_n be_v also_o otherwise_o very_o necessary_a appear_v evident_o by_o this_o because_o that_o the_o opinion_n and_o custom_n which_o have_v be_v common_o receive_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n have_v not_o always_o present_o take_v place_n in_o each_o particular_a church_n and_o again_o those_o which_o have_v be_v receive_v in_o some_o certain_a particular_a church_n have_v not_o be_v entertain_v by_o all_o the_o rest_n thus_o we_o find_v in_o story_n that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n minor_a keep_v the_o feast_n of_o easter_n upon_o a_o different_a day_n from_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o christendom_n and_o although_o the_o business_n itself_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o no_o very_a great_a importance_n yet_o do_v it_o nevertheless_o cause_v a_o world_n of_o stir_n in_o the_o church_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o reason_n of_o this_o little_a difference_n excommunicate_v all_o asia_n minor_fw-la now_o each_o party_n here_o allege_v their_o reason_n graec._n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n for_o what_o they_o do_v speak_v with_o so_o great_a confidence_n in_o the_o justification_n of_o their_o own_o opinion_n as_o that_o hear_v they_o several_o a_o man_n will_v very_o believe_v that_o each_o of_o their_o opinion_n be_v the_o very_a sense_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v but_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o part_n of_o it_o only_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n hold_v the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n to_o be_v good_a and_o effectual_a firmil_n and_o receive_v all_o those_o who_o forsake_v their_o heresy_n desire_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n without_o rebaptising_a they_o as_o appear_v out_o of_o st._n cyprian_n who_o confess_v that_o this_o have_v also_o be_v the_o custom_n former_o even_o in_o the_o african_a church_n themselves_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o est_fw-la firmilianus_n archbishop_n of_o caesaria_n in_o cappadocia_n testify_v that_o the_o church_n of_o cappadocia_n have_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n believe_v and_o practise_v the_o contrary_a and_o have_v also_o in_o his_o time_n so_o declare_v and_o ordain_v together_o with_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n and_o cilicia_n in_o a_o full_a synod_n hold_v at_o the_o city_n iconium_n and_o about_o the_o same_o time_n also_o st._n cyprian_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n fall_v upon_o the_o same_o business_n and_o embrace_v this_o opinion_n of_o rebaptisation_a of_o heretic_n the_o act_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o carthage_n be_v yet_o extant_a where_o you_o have_v 87_o bishop_n who_o with_o one_o unanimous_a consent_n establish_v the_o same_o the_o custom_n at_o rome_n in_o tertullia_n time_n be_v to_o receive_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n all_o fornicator_n and_o adulterer_n after_o some_o certain_a penance_n which_o they_o enjoin_v they_o tertullian_n who_o be_v a_o montanist_n exclaim_v fearful_o against_o this_o custom_n and_o write_v a_o book_n express_o against_o it_o which_o be_v also_o extant_a among_o his_o work_n at_o this_o day_n who_o now_o that_o shall_v read_v this_o piece_n of_o he_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o all_o catholic_n that_o such_o sinner_n be_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o penance_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o a_o certain_a epistle_n of_o st._n cyprian_n anton._n that_o even_o some_o of_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n of_o africa_n be_v of_o the_o contrary_a persuasion_n and_o the_o jesuit_n petavius_n be_v further_o of_o opinion_n that_o this_o indulgency_n be_v not_o allow_v nor_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o spain_n till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o and_o that_o the_o ancient_a rigour_n which_o exclude_v for_o ever_o such_o offender_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o practice_n among_o they_o till_o the_o time_n of_o pacianus_n bishop_n of_o barcelona_n who_o leave_v not_o any_o hope_n of_o ecclesiastical_a absolution_n either_o to_o idolater_n murderer_n or_o adulterer_n 163._o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o repentance_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 364._o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n ordain_v that_o none_o but_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n shall_v be_v read_v in_o church_n give_v we_o withal_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o say_a book_n
what_o have_v be_v so_o temperate_o learned_o and_o judicious_o write_v by_o monsieur_n daille_n our_o protestan-perron_n and_o what_o the_o same_o lord_n in_o a_o treatise_n which_o will_v short_o be_v publish_v say_v concern_v the_o popish_a perron_n viz._n he_o i_o can_v scarce_o ever_o laudare_fw-la in_o one_o sense_n that_o be_v quote_v but_o i_o must_v laudare_fw-la in_o the_o other_o that_o be_v praise_n who_o have_v help_v the_o church_n to_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o wit_n learning_n industry_n judgement_n and_o eloquence_n can_v add_v unto_o she_o be_v as_o true_a of_o this_o our_o protestant_a i_o shall_v add_v but_o one_o lord_n testimony_n more_o viz._n the_o lord_n george_n digby_n in_o his_o late_a letter_n concern_v religion_n in_o these_o word_n p._n 27_o 28._o the_o reason_n prevalent_a with_o i_o whereon_o a_o inquire_a and_o judicious_a person_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o rely_v and_o acquiesce_v be_v so_o ample_o and_o so_o learned_o set_v down_o by_o mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o his_o employ_v des_fw-fr peâ—â—s_n that_o i_o think_v little_a which_o be_v material_a or_o weighty_a can_v be_v say_v on_o this_o subject_n that_o his_o rare_a and_o pierce_a observation_n have_v not_o anticipate_v be_v it_o needful_a to_o wander_v to_o foreigner_n for_o testimony_n i_o can_v tell_v you_o how_o high_o this_o author_n be_v esteem_v by_o the_o learned_a and_o famous_a doctor_n andr._n rivet_n upon_o whole_a importunity_n his_o book_n des_fw-fr image_n and_o other_o tract_n have_v be_v translate_v but_o write_v to_o englishman_n i_o will_v only_o name_v the_o judicious_a doctor_n jer._n taylor_n libert_n of_o proph._n sect._n 8._o n._n 4._o in_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v choose_v such_o a_o topic_a as_o make_v no_o invasion_n upon_o the_o great_a reputation_n of_o the_o father_n which_o i_o desire_v shall_v be_v preserve_v sacred_a as_o it_o ought_v for_o other_o thing_n let_v who_o please_v read_v mr._n daillé_fw-fr du_fw-fr urai_fw-fr usage_n des_fw-fr peres_n et_fw-la siquis_fw-la eveulo_fw-la locus_fw-la inter_fw-la oscines_fw-la i_o must_v ingenuous_o profess_v that_o it_o be_v the_o read_n of_o this_o rational_a book_n which_o first_o convince_v i_o that_o my_o study_n in_o the_o french_a language_n be_v not_o ill_o employ_v which_o have_v also_o enable_v i_o to_o commend_v this_o to_o the_o world_n as_o faithful_o translate_v by_o a_o judicious_a hand_n and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o use_n of_o the_o father_n there_o be_v very_o much_o while_n testem_fw-la quem_fw-la quis_fw-la adducit_fw-la pro_fw-la se_fw-la tenetur_fw-la accipere_fw-la contra_fw-la se_fw-la be_v a_o rule_n in_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o civil_a law_n and_o that_o the_o work_n of_o cord._n perron_n for_o who_o monstrous_a understanding_n they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o viscount_n faulkland_n p._n 59_o bellarmine_n and_o bironius_n may_v with_o most_o advantage_n to_o their_o party_n and_o no_o disgrace_n to_o they_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o seek_v citation_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o principle_n that_o whatever_o the_o father_n witness_n to_o be_v tradition_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n must_v be_v receive_v of_o all_o for_o such_o and_o so_o rely_v on_o and_o this_o principle_n be_v here_o thorough_o examine_v you_o have_v here_o as_o sufficient_a a_o constitation_n of_o perron_n book_n against_o k._n j._n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o the_o marquis_n of_o worcester_n against_o k._n c._n and_o dr._n vane_n and_o other_o epitonizer_n of_o the_o cardinal_n as_o you_o have_v of_o mr._n cressys_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o lord_n faulkland_n by_o the_o learned_a i._n p._n chr._n coll._n aug._n 1._o 1651._o t._n s._n the_o preface_n all_o the_o difference_n in_o religion_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o protestant_n lie_v in_o some_o certain_a point_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v as_o important_a and_o necessary_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n whereas_o the_o protestant_n on_o the_o contrary_a neither_o believe_v nor_o will_v receive_v they_o for_o such_o for_o as_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o protestant_n believe_v for_o their_o part_n and_o which_o they_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n they_o be_v so_o evident_o and_o undeniable_o such_o as_o that_o even_o their_o adversary_n themselves_o do_v also_o allow_v of_o and_o receive_v they_o as_o well_o as_o they_o for_o as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v both_o clear_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o express_o set_v down_o by_o the_o ancient_a council_n and_o father_n and_o be_v indeed_o unanimous_o receive_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n and_o part_n of_o the_o world_n such_o for_o example_n be_v these_o maxim_n follow_v namely_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v supreme_a over_o all_o and_o who_o create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n that_o have_v create_v man_n after_o his_o own_o image_n this_o man_n revolt_a from_o his_o obedience_n be_v fall_v together_o with_o his_o whole_a posterity_n into_o most_o extreme_a and_o eternal_a misery_n and_o become_v infect_v with_o sin_n as_o with_o a_o mortal_a leprosy_n and_o be_v therefore_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o liable_a to_o his_o curse_n that_o the_o merciful_a creator_n pity_v man_n estate_n gracious_o send_v his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n into_o the_o world_n that_o his_o son_n be_v god_n eternal_a with_o he_o and_o that_o have_v take_v flesh_n upon_o himself_o in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n and_o become_v man_n he_o have_v do_v and_o suffer_v in_o this_o flesh_n all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o our_o salvation_n have_v by_o this_o mean_n sufficient_o expiate_v for_o our_o sin_n by_o his_o blood_n and_o that_o have_v finish_v all_o this_o he_o be_v ascend_v again_o into_o heaven_n and_o sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o father_n from_o whence_o he_o shall_v one_o day_n come_v to_o judge_v all_o mankind_n render_v to_o every_o one_o according_a to_o their_o work_n that_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o communicate_v of_o his_o salvation_n by_o his_o merit_n he_o send_v we_o down_o his_o holy_a spirit_n proceed_v both_o from_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n and_o who_o be_v also_o one_o and_o the_o same_o god_n with_o they_o in_o such_o sort_n as_o that_o these_o three_o person_n be_v notwithstanding_o but_o one_o god_n who_o be_v bless_v for_o ever_o that_o this_o spirit_n enlighten_v our_o understanding_n and_o beget_v faith_n in_o we_o whereby_o we_o be_v justify_v that_o after_o all_o this_o the_o lord_n send_v his_o apostle_n to_o preach_v this_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o these_o have_v plant_v church_n and_o place_v in_o each_o of_o they_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n who_o we_o be_v to_o hear_v with_o all_o reverence_n and_o to_o receive_v from_o they_o baptism_n the_o sacrament_n of_o our_o regeneration_n and_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n or_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v the_o sacrament_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o jesus_n christ_n that_o we_o be_v likewise_o all_o of_o we_o bind_v to_o love_n god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n very_o fervent_o observe_v diligent_o that_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o be_v lay_v down_o unto_o we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v be_v inspire_v by_o his_o spirit_n of_o truth_n as_o also_o those_o other_o of_o the_o old_a there_o be_v nothing_o either_o in_o the_o one_o or_o in_o the_o other_o but_o what_o be_v most_o true_a these_o article_n and_o some_o other_o few_o the_o like_a which_o there_o perhaps_o may_v be_v be_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o protestant_n whole_a belief_n and_o if_o all_o other_o christian_n will_v but_o content_v themselves_o with_o these_o there_o will_v never_o be_v any_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n but_o now_o their_o adversary_n add_v to_o these_o many_o other_o point_n which_o they_o press_v and_o command_v man_n to_o believe_v as_o necessary_a one_o and_o such_o as_o without_o believe_v of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o possible_a hope_n of_o salvation_n as_o for_o example_n that_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o head_n and_o supreme_a monarch_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n throughout_o the_o world_n that_o he_o or_o at_o least_o the_o church_n which_o he_o acknowledge_v a_o true_a one_o can_v possible_o err_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n be_v to_o be_v adore_v as_o be_v real_o jesus_n christ_n and_o not_o a_o piece_n of_o bread_n that_o the_o mass_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n that_o real_o expiate_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o faithful_a that_o christian_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o have_v in_o their_o church_n the_o image_n of_o god_n and_o of_o saint_n to_o which_o they_o be_v to_o use_v religious_a worship_n bow_v down_o before_o they_o that_o it_o be_v
all_o which_o be_v continual_o decline_v after_o they_o have_v once_o pass_v the_o point_n of_o their_o vigour_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o flower_n and_o prime_n of_o their_o strength_n and_o perfection_n now_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o any_o faithful_a christian_a will_v deny_v but_o that_o christianity_n be_v in_o its_o height_n and_o perfection_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bless_a apostle_n and_o indeed_o it_o will_v be_v the_o great_a injury_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v they_o to_o say_v that_o any_o of_o their_o successor_n have_v either_o have_v a_o great_a desire_n or_o more_o ability_n to_o advance_v christianity_n than_o they_o have_v it_o will_v hence_o follow_v then_o that_o those_o time_n which_o be_v near_a to_o the_o apostle_n be_v necessary_o the_o pure_a and_o less_o subject_a to_o suspicion_n of_o corruption_n either_o in_o doctrine_n or_o in_o manner_n and_o christian_a discipline_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o corruption_n creep_v into_o the_o church_n they_o come_v in_o by_o little_a and_o little_a and_o by_o degree_n as_o it_o happen_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v here_o object_v that_o even_o the_o very_a next_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o without_o its_o error_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v hegesippus_n who_o as_o he_o be_v cite_v by_o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d witness_v that_o the_o church_n continue_v a_o virgin_n till_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n time_n but_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o conspiracy_n of_o error_n begin_v to_o discover_v itself_o with_o open_a fce_n i_o shall_v not_o oppose_v any_o thing_n against_o this_o testimony_n but_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o if_o the_o enemy_n immediate_o upon_o the_o set_n of_o these_o star_n of_o the_o church_n their_o presence_n and_o light_n be_v scarce_o shut_v in_o have_v yet_o the_o boldness_n present_o to_o fall_v to_o sow_v his_o evil_a seed_n how_o much_o more_o have_v he_o opportunity_n to_o do_v this_o in_o those_o age_n which_o be_v further_o remove_v from_o their_o time_n when_o as_o the_o sanctity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o these_o great_a teacher_n of_o the_o world_n have_v now_o by_o little_a and_o little_o vanish_v out_o of_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n humane_a invention_n and_o new_a fancy_n begin_v to_o take_v place_n so_o that_o we_o may_v however_o conclude_v that_o suppose_v that_o christianity_n even_o in_o the_o first_o age_n have_v not_o be_v altogether_o exempt_a from_o alteration_n in_o doctrine_n yet_o be_v they_o much_o more_o free_a from_o it_o than_o the_o succeed_a age_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o be_v therefore_o consequent_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o they_o in_o all_o respect_n it_o be_v here_o something_o like_o what_o the_o poet_n have_v fancy_v of_o the_o four_o age_n of_o the_o world_n where_o the_o succeed_a age_n always_o come_v short_a of_o the_o former_a casaub_v for_o as_o for_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o man_n who_o think_v the_o best_a way_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n will_v be_v to_o search_v the_o write_n of_o those_o of_o the_o father_n chief_o who_o live_v betwixt_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a till_o pope_n leo_n or_o till_o pope_n gregory_n time_n that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n till_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o seven_o i_o take_v this_o as_o a_o confession_n only_o of_o the_o small_a number_n of_o book_n that_o be_v leave_v we_o of_o those_o age_n before_o constantine_n and_o not_o that_o these_o man_n allow_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o three_o late_a age_n aught_o to_o be_v prefer_v to_o that_o of_o the_o three_o former_a if_o we_o have_v but_o as_o much_o light_n and_o as_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o one_o as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o other_o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o they_o will_v prefer_v the_o former_a but_o if_o they_o mean_v otherwise_o and_o be_v indeed_o of_o a_o persuasion_n that_o the_o church_n be_v real_o more_o pure_a after_o constantine_n time_n than_o before_o they_o must_v excuse_v i_o if_o i_o think_v that_o they_o by_o this_o mean_n confess_v the_o distrust_n they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o cause_n see_v they_o endeavour_v to_o get_v off_o as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v from_o the_o light_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n retreat_v back_o to_o those_o age_n wherein_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a there_o be_v both_o less_o perfection_n and_o light_n than_o before_o run_v clean_o contrary_a to_o that_o excellent_a rule_n which_o s._n 195._o cyprian_n have_v give_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o fountain_n whenever_o the_o channel_n and_o stream_n of_o doctrine_n and_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n be_v find_v to_o be_v any_o whit_n corrupt_v but_o however_o let_v their_o meaning_n be_v what_o it_o will_v their_o word_n in_o my_o judgement_n do_v not_o a_o little_a advantage_n the_o protestant_n cause_n it_o be_v a_o very_a clear_a confession_n that_o those_o opinion_n about_o which_o they_o contest_v with_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v clear_o in_o any_o of_o the_o book_n that_o be_v write_v during_o the_o three_o first_o century_n for_o if_o they_o be_v find_v clear_o in_o the_o same_o what_o policy_n be_v it_o then_o in_o they_o to_o appeal_v to_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o three_o follow_a century_n to_o which_o they_o very_o well_o know_v that_o their_o adversary_n attribute_v less_o than_o to_o the_o former_a but_o beside_o this_o tacit_a confession_n of_o they_o the_o thing_n be_v evident_a namely_o that_o there_o be_v leave_v we_o at_o this_o day_n very_o little_a of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n of_o christianity_n for_o the_o decide_n of_o our_o difference_n the_o bless_a christian_n of_o those_o time_n content_v themselves_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o with_o write_v the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n by_o the_o beam_n of_o their_o sanctity_n and_o holy_a life_n and_o by_o their_o blood_n shed_v in_o martyrdom_n without_o much_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n of_o book_n whether_o it_o be_v 2._o because_o as_o learned_a origen_n elegant_o give_v the_o reason_n they_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o be_v defend_v by_o the_o innocency_n of_o life_n and_o honesty_n of_o conversation_n rather_o than_o by_o sophistry_n and_o the_o artifice_n of_o word_n or_o whither_o because_o their_o continual_a suffering_n give_v they_o not_o leisure_n to_o take_v pen_n in_o hand_n and_o to_o write_v book_n or_o else_o whether_o it_o be_v for_o some_o other_o reason_n perhaps_o which_o we_o know_v not_o but_o this_o we_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v of_o that_o except_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v very_o little_o write_v by_o other_o in_o these_o primitive_a time_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o so_o much_o trouble_n to_o eusebius_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o history_n 〈◊〉_d have_v little_a or_o no_o light_n to_o guide_v he_o in_o his_o undertake_n and_o tread_v as_o himself_o say_v in_o a_o new_a path_n unbeaten_a by_o any_o that_o have_v go_v before_o he_o beside_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o few_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n have_v not_o come_v down_o to_o our_o hand_n but_o be_v lose_v either_o through_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n that_o consume_v all_o thing_n or_o else_o have_v be_v make_v away_o by_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n who_o have_v make_v bold_a to_o suppress_v and_o smother_v whatsoever_o they_o meet_v with_o that_o be_v not_o whole_o to_o their_o gust_n of_o this_o sort_n be_v those_o five_o book_n of_o papias_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n the_o apology_n of_o quadratus_n atheniensis_fw-la and_o that_o other_o of_o aristides_n the_o write_n of_o castor_n agrippa_n against_o the_o xxiv_o book_n of_o the_o heretic_n basilides_n the_o five_o book_n of_o hegesippus_n the_o work_n of_o melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n apollinaris_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n the_o epistle_n of_o pinytus_n cretensis_n the_o write_n of_o philippus_n musanus_n modestus_n bardesanes_n pantaenus_n rhodon_n miltiades_n apollonius_n serapion_n bacchylus_n polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n heraclius_n maximus_n hammonius_n tryphon_n hippolytus_n julius_n africanus_n dionysius_n alexandrinus_n and_o other_o of_o who_o we_o have_v no_o more_o leave_v save_v only_o their_o name_n and_o the_o title_n of_o their_o book_n which_o be_v preserve_v in_o eusebius_n meminit_fw-la s._n hierome_n and_o other_o all_o that_o we_o have_v leave_v we_o of_o these_o time_n which_o be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v they_o and_o that_o no_o man_n doubt_n of_o be_v some_o certain_a discourse_n of_o
their_o name_n how_o much_o more_o likely_a be_v it_o that_o they_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o make_v as_o bold_a with_o the_o father_n and_o indeed_o this_o kind_n of_o imposture_n have_v always_o be_v very_o ordinary_a thus_o we_o read_v 6._o that_o the_o nestorian_n sometime_o publish_v a_o epistle_n under_o the_o name_n of_o s._n cyril_n of_o alexandria_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o theodorus_n bishop_n of_o mopsuestia_n who_o be_v the_o author_n and_o first_o broacher_n of_o their_o heresy_n 2._o and_o likewise_o that_o the_o eutychist_n also_o vent_v certain_a book_n of_o apollinaris_n under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o orthodox_n doctor_n only_o to_o abuse_v the_o simple_a people_n leontius_n have_v write_v a_o express_a tract_n on_o this_o subject_a wherein_o he_o show_v that_o these_o man_n abuse_v particular_o the_o name_n of_o s._n gregory_n of_o neocaesarea_n of_o julius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o of_o athanasius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o he_o also_o say_v particular_o that_o the_o book_n entitle_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o particular_a exposition_n of_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o by_o turrianus_n the_o jesuit_n voss_n gerardus_n vossius_fw-la and_o the_o last_o edition_n of_o gregorius_n neocaesariensis_n for_o a_o true_a and_o legitimate_a piece_n of_o the_o say_v s._n gregory_n be_v not_o true_o he_o but_o the_o bastard_n issue_n of_o the_o heretic_n apollinaris_n and_o the_o like_a judgement_n do_v the_o publisher_n of_o the_o bibliotheca_fw-la patrum_fw-la give_v of_o the_o xii_o anathema_n lat._n which_o be_v common_o attribute_v to_o the_o same_o s._n gregory_n the_o monothelite_n also_o take_v the_o same_o course_n forge_v a_o oration_n under_o the_o name_n of_o menas_n patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n council_n and_o direct_v to_o vigilius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o two_o other_o book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o same_o vigilius_n direct_v to_o justinian_n and_o theodora_n wherein_o their_o heresy_n be_v in_o express_a term_n deliver_v and_o these_o three_o piece_n be_v afterward_o insert_v into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o five_o council_n and_o keep_v in_o the_o library_n of_o the_o patriarch_n palace_n in_o constantinople_n council_n but_o this_o imposture_n be_v discover_v and_o convince_v in_o the_o vi_o council_n for_o otherwise_o who_o will_v not_o have_v be_v deceive_v by_o it_o see_v these_o false_a piece_n in_o so_o authentic_a a_o copy_n i_o bring_v but_o these_o few_o example_n to_o give_v the_o reader_n but_o a_o taste_n only_o of_o what_o the_o heretic_n not_o only_o dare_v but_o be_v able_a also_o to_o do_v in_o this_o particular_a and_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v do_v before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seven_o century_n that_o be_v to_o say_v above_o nine_o hundred_o year_n ago_o since_o which_o time_n in_o all_o the_o dispute_n about_o the_o image_n in_o church_n 5._o and_o in_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n and_o indeed_o in_o the_o most_o part_n of_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a contestation_n you_o shall_v find_v nothing_o more_o frequent_a than_o the_o mutual_a reproach_n that_o the_o several_a party_n cast_v at_o each_o other_o 4._o accuse_v each_o other_o of_o forge_v the_o piece_n of_o author_n which_o they_o produce_v each_o of_o they_o in_o defence_n of_o their_o own_o cause_n judge_v you_o therefore_o whether_o or_o not_o the_o heretic_n use_v the_o same_o artifice_n and_o the_o same_o diligence_n now_o for_o the_o space_n of_o so_o many_o century_n since_o though_o in_o different_a cause_n may_v not_o in_o all_o probability_n have_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o sufficient_a stock_n of_o spurious_a piece_n send_v abroad_o under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n by_o their_o profess_a enemy_n and_o do_v but_o think_v whether_o or_o no_o we_o may_v not_o chance_v to_o converse_v with_o a_o heretic_n sometime_o when_o we_o think_v we_o have_v a_o father_n before_o we_o and_o a_o profess_a enemy_n disguise_v under_o the_o mask_n of_o a_o friend_n so_o that_o it_o will_v hence_o follow_v that_o it_o may_v just_o be_v fear_v that_o we_o sometime_o receive_v and_o deliver_v for_o maxim_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n no_o better_a than_o the_o very_a dream_n of_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n for_o we_o must_v conceive_v that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o discover_v their_o venom_n at_o the_o first_o dash_n in_o the_o height_n of_o their_o heretical_a position_n but_o rather_o that_o they_o only_o cunning_o cast_v in_o here_o and_o there_o some_o sprinkling_n of_o it_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o heresy_n as_o it_o be_v afar_o off_o only_o which_o make_v the_o knavery_n the_o more_o hard_a to_o be_v discover_v and_o so_o consequent_o the_o more_o dangerous_a but_o suppose_v that_o this_o juggle_a trick_n of_o the_o heretic_n may_v have_v very_o much_o corrupt_v the_o old_a book_n yet_o notwithstanding_o have_v we_o no_o other_o spurious_a piece_n than_o what_o have_v be_v forge_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v no_o very_o hard_a matter_n to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o false_a but_o that_o which_o render_v the_o evil_a almost_o uncurable_a be_v that_o even_o in_o the_o church_n itself_o this_o kind_n of_o forgery_n have_v be_v both_o very_a ordinary_a and_o very_o ancient_a i_o impute_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o mischief_n to_o those_o man_n who_o before_o the_o invention_n of_o print_v be_v the_o transcriber_n and_o copier_n out_o of_o manuscript_n of_o who_o negligence_n and_o boldness_n in_o corrupt_v of_o book_n s._n hierome_n very_o much_o complain_v even_o in_o his_o time_n 1._o scribunt_fw-la say_v he_o non_fw-la quod_fw-la inveniunt_fw-la sed_fw-la quod_fw-la intelligunt_fw-la &_o dum_fw-la alienos_fw-la errores_fw-la emendare_fw-la nituntur_fw-la ostendunt_fw-la suos_fw-la that_o be_v they_o write_v not_o what_o they_o find_v but_o what_o they_o understand_v and_o whilst_o they_o endeavour_v to_o correct_v other_o man_n error_n they_o show_v their_o own_o we_o may_v very_o well_o presume_v that_o what_o liberty_n these_o man_n take_v in_o corrupt_v they_o take_v the_o same_o in_o forge_v book_n too_o especial_o since_o this_o last_o course_n be_v beneficial_a to_o they_o which_o the_o other_o be_v not_o for_o by_o alter_v or_o corrupt_v the_o book_n they_o write_v they_o can_v not_o make_v any_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o whereas_o in_o forge_v new_a book_n and_o vent_v they_o under_o great_a and_o eminent_a name_n they_o put_v they_o off_o both_o fast_o and_o dear_a so_o likewise_o if_o there_o come_v to_o their_o hand_n any_o book_n that_o have_v either_o no_o author_n name_n or_o have_v any_o it_o be_v but_o a_o obscure_a or_o a_o taint_a one_o to_o the_o end_n that_o these_o evil_a mark_n may_v not_o prejudice_v the_o vent_n of_o it_o they_o will_v raze_v it_o out_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n and_o inscribe_v it_o present_o with_o some_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o venerable_a name_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n that_o so_o the_o reputation_n and_o favour_n that_o that_o name_n have_v find_v in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v a_o mean_n of_o the_o better_a put_v off_o their_o false_a ware_n as_o for_o example_n the_o name_n of_o novatianus_n who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o a_o schism_n against_o the_o roman_a church_n become_v just_o to_o be_v odious_a to_o christian_a ear_n as_o that_o of_o tertullian_n be_v the_o more_o esteem_v both_o for_o the_o age_n wit_n and_o learn_v of_o the_o person_n now_o the_o transcriber_n consider_v this_o with_o himself_o without_o any_o other_o design_n or_o end_n than_o only_o of_o his_o own_o private_a gain_n have_v in_o my_o judgement_n make_v a_o exchange_n attribute_v to_o tertullian_n that_o book_n of_o the_o trinity_n which_o be_v indeed_o novatianus_n his_o as_o we_o be_v give_v to_o understand_v also_o by_o s._n ruff._n hierome_n and_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o both_o the_o birth_n and_o fortune_n of_o that_o other_o piece_n de_fw-fr poenitentia_fw-la have_v be_v if_o not_o the_o very_a same_o yet_o at_o least_o not_o much_o unlike_a that_o of_o the_o other_o so_o likewise_o that_o book_n which_o bear_v title_n de_fw-fr operibus_fw-la cardinalibus_fw-la christi_fw-la 444._o which_o be_v compose_v and_o send_v by_o the_o author_n of_o it_o to_o one_o of_o the_o pope_n without_o set_v down_o his_o name_n as_o himself_o there_o testify_v have_v be_v vent_v abroad_o under_o the_o name_n of_o s._n cyprian_n only_o because_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v the_o more_o profitable_a to_o the_o manuscript-monger_n and_o it_o have_v former_o always_o pass_v and_o do_v still_o pass_v for_o he_o notwithstanding_o that_o in_o my_o judgement_n it_o be_v clear_a enough_o that_o it_o can_v be_v his_o as_o be_v ingenuous_o confess_v by_o 8._o very_a many_o of_o the_o learned_a both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o
too_o they_o make_v no_o conscience_n at_o all_o to_o make_v use_n of_o so_o gross_a a_o piece_n of_o forgery_n what_o have_v they_o not_o since_o in_o these_o late_a time_n while_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o so_o many_o age_n lay_v cover_v with_o so_o thick_a darkness_n dare_v to_o do_v but_o as_o for_o my_o part_n i_o shall_v neither_o accuse_v nor_o excuse_v at_o present_a these_o man_n proceed_n but_o shall_v only_o conclude_v that_o see_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n before_o they_o come_v to_o we_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o have_v sometime_o be_v find_v to_o use_v these_o juggle_a trick_n it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a a_o matter_n as_o people_n may_v imagine_v to_o discover_v out_o of_o those_o write_n which_o now_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n what_o their_o opinion_n be_v the_o like_a inclination_n produce_v the_o very_a same_o effect_n in_o the_o five_o council_n council_n where_o a_o letter_n forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o theodoret_n touch_v the_o death_n of_o s._n cyril_n be_v both_o read_v and_o by_o a_o general_a silence_n approve_v by_o the_o whole_a assembly_n which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v so_o evident_o false_a that_o those_o very_a man_n who_o cause_v the_o body_n of_o the_o general_a council_n to_o be_v print_v at_o rome_n have_v convince_v it_o of_o falsehood_n and_o brand_v it_o as_o spurious_a such_o another_o precious_a piece_n be_v that_o foolish_a story_n of_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o a_o image_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n in_o the_o city_n berytus_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o very_o ample_a manner_n council_n in_o the_o vii_o council_n and_o goes_z forsooth_o under_o the_o name_n of_o s._n athanasius_n but_o be_v indeed_o so_o tasteless_a a_o piece_n and_o so_o unworthy_a the_o gallantry_n and_o clearness_n of_o that_o great_a wit_n that_o he_o must_v not_o be_v think_v to_o have_v common_a sense_n that_o can_v find_v in_o his_o heart_n to_o attribute_v it_o to_o he_o and_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o council_n athan._n both_o nannius_n bellarmine_n and_o possevine_v have_v plain_o confess_v that_o it_o be_v not_o write_v by_o athanasius_n i_o shall_v place_v in_o this_o rank_a the_o so_o much_o cry_v up_o deed_n of_o the_o donation_n of_o constantine_n which_o have_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n be_v account_v as_o a_o most_o valid_a and_o most_o authentic_a evidence_n and_o have_v also_o be_v insert_v into_o the_o decree_n and_o so_o stiff_o maintain_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o agobio_n 511._o against_o the_o opposition_n of_o laurentius_n valla._n certain_o those_o very_a man_n who_o at_o this_o day_n maintain_v the_o donation_n do_v notwithstanding_o disclaim_v this_o evidence_n as_o a_o piece_n of_o forgery_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v the_o epistle_n attribute_v to_o the_o first_o pope_n as_o clemens_n anacletus_fw-la euaristus_n alexander_n sixtus_n telesphorus_n hyginus_n pius_n anicetus_n and_o other_o down_z to_z the_o time_n of_o siricius_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n ccclxxxv_o which_o the_o world_n read_v under_o these_o venerable_a title_n at_o the_o least_o for_o eight_o hundred_o year_n together_o and_o by_o which_o have_v be_v decide_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n very_o many_o controversy_n and_o especial_o the_o most_o important_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n namely_o that_o of_o the_o pope_n monarchy_n which_o show_v plain_a enough_o the_o inclination_n shall_v i_o call_v itâ—_n or_o rather_o the_o purpose_a design_n of_o the_o merchant_n that_o first_o vent_v they_o abroad_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o notwithstanding_o be_v account_v forge_v even_o by_o many_o of_o the_o learned_a of_o their_o own_o party_n hieron_n as_o namely_o henricus_fw-la kâ—ltheisen_n nicolas_n cusanus_fw-la jo._n de_fw-fr turrecremata_fw-la both_o cardinal_n erasmus_n jo._n driedo_n claudius_n espensaeus_n cassander_n simon_n vigour_n baronius_n and_o other_o as_o indeed_o their_o forgery_n appear_v plain_a enough_o by_o the_o barbarousness_n of_o their_o style_n the_o error_n that_o you_o meet_v with_o every_o foot_n in_o compute_v the_o time_n and_o in_o history_n the_o piece_n that_o they_o be_v patch_v up_o of_o steal_v here_o and_o there_o out_o of_o several_a author_n who_o book_n we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n to_o show_v and_o also_o by_o the_o general_a silence_n of_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o eight_o first_o century_n among_o who_o there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n mention_v of_o they_o now_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o meddle_v at_o all_o with_o the_o six_o or_o seven_o last_o century_n where_o in_o regard_n of_o diverse_a article_n of_o faith_n most_o eager_o by_o they_o press_v and_o establish_v there_o have_v be_v more_o need_n than_o ever_o of_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o where_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o dark_a ignorance_n of_o those_o time_n and_o the_o scarcity_n of_o opposer_n they_o have_v much_o better_a opportunity_n than_o before_o to_o forge_v what_o book_n they_o please_v this_o abuse_n the_o world_n be_v never_o free_a from_o till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o light_n break_v forth_o in_o the_o last_o century_n at_o what_o time_n erasmus_n by_o name_n give_v we_o a_o account_n how_o he_o himself_o have_v discover_v one_o of_o these_o wretched_a knave_n who_o ordinary_a practice_n it_o be_v to_o lay_v his_o own_o egg_n in_o another_o man_n nest_n put_v his_o own_o foolery_n on_o s._n hierome_n particular_o and_o on_o s._n augustine_n and_o s._n ambrose_n and_o who_o know_v what_o those_o many_o book_n be_v that_o be_v daily_o issue_v out_o of_o the_o selfsame_a shop_n that_o of_o old_a be_v wont_a to_o furnish_v the_o world_n with_o these_o kind_n of_o knack_n be_v it_o not_o very_o probable_a that_o both_o the_o will_n and_o the_o dexterity_n in_o forge_v and_o vent_v these_o false_a ware_n will_v rather_o in_o these_o day_n increase_v than_o abate_v in_o the_o professor_n of_o this_o trade_n so_o that_o if_o beside_o what_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o heretic_n the_o avarice_n and_o ignorance_n of_o transcriber_n of_o manuscript_n and_o the_o ambition_n and_o affection_n of_o man_n have_v bring_v forth_o of_o this_o kind_n there_o have_v yet_o so_o many_o other_o bend_v their_o endeavour_n this_o way_n and_o that_o in_o a_o manner_n all_o along_o for_o the_o space_n of_o the_o last_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n although_o they_o have_v their_o several_a end_n we_o be_v not_o to_o wonder_v at_o all_o if_o now_o in_o this_o last_o age_n we_o see_v such_o a_o monstrous_a number_n of_o write_n false_o father_v upon_o the_o ancient_n which_o if_o they_o be_v all_o put_v together_o will_v make_v little_a less_o than_o a_o four_o or_o a_o five_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o father_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o learned_a have_v note_v a_o great_a number_n of_o they_o and_o do_v ordinary_o cast_v they_o into_o the_o late_a tome_n of_o edition_n and_o that_o some_o have_v write_v whole_a book_n upon_o this_o very_a subject_n as_o namely_o ant._n possevine_n apparatus_fw-la bellarmine_n catalogue_n scultetus_n his_o medulla_n patrum_fw-la rivet_n critic_n and_o the_o like_a both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o religion_n but_o who_o can_v assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v not_o forget_v any_o thing_n they_o shall_v have_v note_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o new_a labour_n and_o almost_o equal_a to_o the_o former_a to_o read_v so_o many_o book_n of_o the_o modern_n as_o there_o be_v and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v we_o be_v not_o present_o to_o sit_v down_o upon_o their_o judgement_n neither_o without_o a_o due_a examination_n have_v of_o they_o for_o each_o of_o they_o have_v be_v prepossess_v with_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o party_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v up_o before_o they_o take_v this_o work_n in_o hand_n who_o shall_v warrant_v we_o that_o they_o have_v not_o deliver_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o case_n in_o favour_n of_o their_o own_o particular_a interest_n as_o have_v be_v touch_v before_o the_o justness_n of_o this_o suspicion_n be_v so_o clear_a that_o i_o presume_v that_o no_o man_n that_o be_v but_o any_o whit_n verse_v in_o these_o matter_n will_v desire_v i_o to_o prove_v my_o assertion_n neither_o shall_v i_o need_v to_o give_v any_o other_o reason_n of_o it_o than_o the_o conflict_n and_o disagreement_n in_o judgement_n which_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o these_o man_n the_o one_o of_o they_o oftentimes_o let_v pass_n for_o pure_a metal_n what_o the_o other_o perhaps_o will_v throw_v by_o for_o dross_n which_o difference_n be_v find_v not_o only_o betwixt_o those_o that_o be_v of_o quite_o opposite_a religion_n but_o which_o be_v more_o even_o betwixt_o those_o that_o be_v of_o the_o self_n same_o persuasion_n
we_o have_v a_o synodical_a epistle_n of_o sophronius_n ii_o patriarch_n of_o jerusalem_n wherein_o as_o the_o usual_a custom_n be_v he_o explain_v the_o faith_n in_o a_o very_a large_a and_o particular_a manner_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o you_o shall_v no_o there_o meet_v with_o any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v now_o controvert_v among_o we_o those_o that_o shall_v search_v more_o narrow_o into_o the_o business_n will_v be_v apt_a positive_o to_o conclude_v from_o this_o their_o silence_n that_o these_o point_n be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n any_o part_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n and_o certain_o this_o their_o way_n of_o argumentation_n seem_v not_o to_o want_v reason_n but_o as_o for_o my_o own_o particular_a it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o that_o it_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o assertion_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v if_o not_o a_o impossible_a yet_o at_o least_o a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o discover_v in_o what_o degree_n either_o of_o necessity_n or_o probability_n the_o ancient_a father_n hold_v each_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v now_o debate_v among_o we_o see_v that_o they_o appear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o in_o the_o exposition_n of_o their_o faith_n nor_o yet_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o council_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o point_n which_o they_o account_v necessary_a chap._n ix_o reason_n ix_o we_o ought_v to_o know_v what_o have_v be_v the_o opinion_n not_o of_o one_o or_o more_o of_o the_o father_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n which_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o be_v find_v out_o those_o who_o make_v most_o account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o who_o urge_v they_o the_o often_o in_o their_o disputation_n do_v inform_v we_o that_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o say_n in_o these_o matter_n proceed_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o be_v as_o so_o many_o testimony_n of_o the_o general_n sense_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o alone_o these_o man_n attribute_v the_o supreme_a power_n of_o judge_v in_o controversy_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o we_o shall_v consider_v they_o several_o each_o by_o himself_o and_o as_o they_o stand_v by_o their_o own_o strength_n only_o they_o confess_v that_o they_o may_v chance_v to_o err_v so_o that_o it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v whether_o such_o or_o such_o say_n be_v true_o they_o and_o if_o so_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o be_v but_o we_o ought_v further_o also_o to_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o in_o a_o court_n of_o judicature_n the_o opinion_n of_o any_o single_a person_n of_o the_o bench_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n at_o all_o as_o to_o the_o pass_v of_o judgement_n unless_o it_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n or_o at_o least_o of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o company_n and_o now_o see_v how_o we_o be_v fall_v again_o into_o new_a difficulty_n for_o whence_o and_o by_o what_o mean_n may_v we_o learn_v whether_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o justin_n martyr_n or_o of_o s._n augustine_n or_o of_o s._n hierome_n maintain_v the_o same_o opinion_n in_o every_o particular_a that_o these_o man_n several_o do_v or_o not_o i_o confess_v that_o the_o charity_n of_o these_o man_n be_v very_o great_a and_o that_o they_o very_o hearty_o and_o constant_o embrace_v the_o body_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o particular_n that_o they_o see_v apparent_o to_o be_v such_o but_o where_o the_o church_n do_v not_o at_o all_o deliver_v itself_o and_o express_o declare_v what_o its_o sense_n be_v they_o can_v not_o possible_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o desire_n of_o so_o do_v may_v have_v be_v follow_v its_o authority_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o opinion_n wheresoever_o therefore_o they_o treat_v of_o point_n which_o be_v long_o since_o decide_v believe_v and_o receive_v express_o and_o positive_o by_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n either_o of_o their_o own_o age_n or_o of_o any_o of_o the_o precede_a age_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o do_v conform_v to_o what_o be_v believe_v by_o the_o church_n so_o that_o in_o these_o case_n their_o say_v may_v very_o well_o pass_v for_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o judgement_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o they_o can_v be_v either_o ignorant_a what_o be_v the_o public_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n or_o that_o know_v the_o same_o they_o will_v not_o follow_v it_o as_o for_o example_n when_o athanasius_n s._n ambrose_n s._n hierome_n s._n augustine_n and_o other_o discourse_n touch_v the_o son_n of_o god_n they_o speak_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n because_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n have_v then_o be_v clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v upon_o this_o point_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o they_o say_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a may_v safe_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n belief_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v do_v in_o all_o the_o other_o point_n which_o have_v either_o be_v positive_o determine_v in_o any_o of_o the_o general_a council_n or_o deliver_v in_o any_o of_o the_o creed_n or_o that_o any_o other_o way_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o public_a belief_n of_o the_o church_n if_o the_o father_n have_v but_o contain_v themselves_o within_o these_o bound_n and_o have_v not_o take_v liberty_n to_o treat_v of_o any_o thing_n save_o what_o the_o church_n have_v clear_o deliver_v its_o judgement_n upon_o this_o rule_n may_v then_o have_v be_v receive_v as_o a_o general_n one_o and_o what_o opinion_n soever_o we_o find_v in_o they_o we_o may_v safe_o have_v conclude_v it_o to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o time_n but_o the_o curiosity_n of_o man_n nature_n together_o with_o the_o impudence_n of_o the_o heretic_n and_o the_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n whether_o of_o their_o own_o or_o of_o other_o and_o divers_z other_o reason_n perhaps_o have_v partly_o make_v they_o willing_o and_o partly_o force_v and_o as_o it_o be_v constrain_v they_o to_o go_v on_o further_a and_o to_o proceed_v to_o the_o search_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o several_a point_n which_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o universal_a and_o public_a consent_n of_o all_o christian_n it_o can_v not_o be_v avoid_v but_o that_o necessary_o they_o must_v in_o these_o inquiry_n make_v use_v of_o their_o own_o proper_a light_n and_o must_v deliver_v upon_o the_o same_o their_o own_o private_a opinion_n which_o the_o church_n which_o come_v after_o they_o have_v since_o either_o embrace_v or_o reject_v i_o shall_v not_o here_o stand_v to_o prove_v this_o my_o assertion_n since_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o be_v confess_v on_o all_o hand_n and_o whereof_o the_o romanist_n make_v special_a use_n upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o answer_v several_a objection_n bring_v against_o they_o out_o of_o the_o father_n as_o for_o example_n etc._n where_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n excuse_v the_o error_n of_o pope_n john_n xxii_o touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o depart_v soul_n before_o the_o resurrection_n by_o say_v that_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o determine_v any_o thing_n touch_v this_o particular_a and_o so_o likewise_o where_o he_o apply_v the_o same_o plaster_n to_o that_o in_o his_o judgement_n so_o unsound_a opinion_n of_o pope_n nicolas_n i_o who_o maintain_v that_o baptism_n administer_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n only_o without_o express_v the_o other_o person_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n be_v not_o withstand_v valid_a and_o effectual_a his_fw-la this_o be_v a_o point_n say_v bellarmine_n touch_v which_o we_o find_v not_o the_o church_n to_o have_v determine_v any_o thing_n and_o how_o dangerous_a and_o almost_o heretical_a soever_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o man_n seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v who_o hold_v that_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v fall_v into_o heresy_n yet_o do_v he_o permit_v pope_n adrian_n to_o hold_v the_o same_o not_o dare_v to_o rank_v he_o among_o the_o heretic_n because_o that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o clear_o and_o definitive_o deliver_v itself_o touch_v this_o point_n the_o same_o bellarmine_n in_o another_o controversy_n of_o great_a importance_n touch_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n find_v himself_o hardly_o put_v to_o it_o by_o his_o adversary_n urge_v against_o he_o the_o authority_n of_o s._n hierome_n who_o cast_v
from_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n this_o doubt_n i_o say_v of_o his_o manifest_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o at_o that_o time_n embrace_v or_o conclude_v upon_o the_o former_a of_o these_o opinion_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n utter_o improbable_a fatentut_o that_o so_o modest_a a_o man_n as_o s._n augustine_n be_v will_v have_v cast_v off_o the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v take_v up_o a_o particular_a fancy_n of_o his_o own_o but_o the_o passion_n wherewith_o s._n hierome_n be_v at_o that_o time_n carry_v away_o against_o ruffinus_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o time_n be_v also_o of_o the_o say_a opinion_n easy_o wrought_v in_o he_o a_o belief_n that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a judgement_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n from_o the_o same_o root_n also_o spring_v that_o error_n of_o john_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n 〈◊〉_d if_o at_o least_o it_o be_v a_o error_n who_o affirm_v that_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o angel_n be_v not_o whole_o incorporeal_a and_o invisible_a but_o that_o they_o have_v body_n though_o of_o a_o very_a rare_a and_o thin_a substance_n not_o much_o unlike_o those_o of_o the_o fire_n or_o the_o air._n for_o those_o who_o publish_v the_o general_a council_n at_o rome_n conceive_v this_o to_o have_v be_v his_o own_o private_a opinion_n only_o sententia_fw-la and_o if_o so_o neither_o shall_v we_o need_v at_o present_a to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o their_o conceit_n you_o then_o plain_o see_v that_o the_o affection_n this_o author_n bare_a to_o his_o own_o opinion_n carry_v he_o so_o far_o away_o as_o to_o make_v he_o father_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n what_o be_v indeed_o but_o his_o own_o particular_a opinion_n though_o otherwise_o he_o be_v a_o man_n who_o be_v high_o esteem_v by_o the_o vii_o council_n 5._o which_o not_o only_o cit_v he_o among_o the_o father_n but_o honour_v he_o also_o with_o the_o title_n of_o a_o father_n epiphanius_n must_v also_o be_v excuse_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n where_o he_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o church_n hold_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n the_o custom_n which_o it_o have_v of_o meet_v together_o thrice_o a_o week_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n which_o yet_o 354._o petavius_n make_v evident_o appear_v not_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n the_o mistake_v of_o venerable_n bede_n note_v and_o censure_v elsewhere_o by_o 145._o petavius_n be_v of_o the_o fame_n nature_n also_o catholico_fw-la the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n if_o i_o mistake_v not_o say_v he_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n live_v in_o the_o flesh_n thirty_o three_o year_n or_o there_o about_o till_o the_o time_n of_o his_o passion_n and_o he_o say_v moreover_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n testify_v that_o this_o be_v its_o belief_n by_o the_o mark_n which_o they_o yearly_o set_v upon_o their_o taper_n upon_o good_a friday_n whereon_o they_o always_o inscribe_v a_o number_n of_o tear_n which_o be_v less_o by_o thirty_o three_o than_o the_o common_a aera_fw-la of_o the_o christian_n he_o likewise_o say_v in_o the_o same_o place_n that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o catholic_n to_o doubt_n whether_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v on_o the_o cross_a the_o xv_o day_n of_o the_o moon_n or_o not_o now_o petavius_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a that_o both_o these_o opinion_n which_o beda_n deliver_v unto_o we_o as_o the_o church_n belief_n be_v nothing_o less_o than_o what_o he_o will_v have_v they_o 143._o the_o curious_a reader_n may_v observe_v many_o the_o like_a carriage_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n but_o these_o here_o already_o set_v down_o in_o my_o judgement_n do_v sufficient_o justify_v the_o doubt_n which_o i_o have_v make_v namely_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o receive_v as_o certain_a truth_n the_o testimony_n which_o the_o father_n give_v touch_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n nevertheless_o that_o we_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o make_v a_o breach_n upon_o the_o honour_n and_o reputation_n of_o the_o father_n i_o say_v that_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o all_o their_o deposition_n and_o testimony_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v certain_o and_o undoubted_o true_a yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v they_o be_v of_o little_a use_n to_o we_o as_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n for_o first_o of_o all_o there_o be_v but_o very_o few_o passage_n wherein_o they_o testify_v plain_o and_o in_o direct_a term_n what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o point_n now_o controvert_v among_o we_o this_o be_v the_o business_n of_o a_o historian_n rather_o than_o of_o a_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o office_n be_v to_o teach_v to_o prove_v and_o to_o exhort_v the_o people_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o to_o correct_v their_o vice_n and_o error_n tell_v they_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v or_o believe_v rather_o than_o trouble_v they_o with_o discourse_n of_o what_o be_v do_v or_o believe_v by_o other_o but_o yet_o when_o they_o do_v give_v their_o testimony_n what_o the_o belief_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n be_v this_o testimony_n of_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o extend_v save_o only_a to_o what_o be_v apparent_o such_o and_o which_o beside_o be_v apparent_a to_o themselves_o too_o now_o as_o we_o have_v former_o prove_v they_o can_v not_o possible_o know_v the_o sense_n and_o opinion_n of_o every_o particular_a christian_n that_o live_v in_o their_o time_n nor_o yet_o of_o all_o the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n who_o be_v set_v over_o they_o but_o of_o some_o certain_a particular_a christian_n only_o forasmuch_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v confess_v even_o by_o those_o very_a man_n who_o have_v the_o church_n in_o great_a esteem_n that_o the_o belief_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o infallible_a we_o may_v very_o easy_o perceive_v that_o such_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n as_o these_o can_n standus_fw-la in_o very_o little_a or_o no_o stead_n see_v they_o represent_v unto_o we_o such_o opinion_n as_o be_v not_o always_o certain_o and_o undoubted_o true_a and_o which_o consequent_o be_v so_o far_o from_o confirm_v and_o prove_v we_o as_o that_o they_o rather_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o be_v examine_v and_o prove_v themselves_o but_o yet_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v hold_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v infallible_a which_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o yet_o will_v not_o this_o make_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o against_o the_o protestant_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o clean_a contrary_a opinion_n now_o it_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o proof_n ought_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v confess_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o your_o adversary_n who_o you_o endeavour_v to_o convince_v otherwise_o you_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o move_v he_o or_o make_v he_o quit_v his_o former_a opinion_n see_v therefore_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o farther_n touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n of_o their_o time_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o remain_v that_o we_o now_o consider_v their_o other_o discourse_n wherein_o they_o have_v deliver_v themselves_o not_o as_o witness_n depose_v what_o they_o have_v see_v but_o as_o doctor_n instruct_v we_o in_o what_o they_o believe_v and_o certain_o how_o holy_a and_o able_a soever_o they_o be_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o be_v still_o man_n and_o consequent_o be_v subject_n to_o error_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o business_n so_o much_o transcend_v humane_a apprehension_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n only_o be_v able_a to_o direct_v their_o understanding_n and_o their_o pen_n in_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o withhold_v they_o from_o fall_v into_o any_o error_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o it_o direct_v the_o holy_a prophet_n and_o apostle_n while_o they_o write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n now_o we_o can_v be_v any_o way_n assure_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v present_a always_o with_o they_o to_o enlighten_v their_o understanding_n and_o to_o make_v they_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n whereof_o they_o write_v they_o neither_o pretend_v to_o this_o themselves_o nor_o yet_o do_v any_o one_o that_o i_o know_v of_o attribute_n unto_o they_o this_o assistance_n unless_o it_o be_v perhaps_o the_o author_n of_o the_o gloss_n upon_o the_o decree_n iota_fw-la who_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o stand_v to_o all_o that_o the_o father_n have_v write_v even_o to_o the_o least_o tittle_n who_o yet_o be_v very_o just_o call_v to_o a_o round_a account_n for_o this_o by_o 7._o alphonsus_n à _fw-fr
to_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o set_v down_o here_o the_o whole_a passage_n at_o length_n reprehenditur_fw-la as_o for_o these_o kind_n of_o book_n say_v he_o speak_v of_o those_o book_n which_o we_o write_v not_o with_o authority_n of_o command_v but_o only_o out_o of_o a_o design_n of_o exercise_v ourselves_o to_o benefit_v other_o we_o be_v so_o to_o read_v they_o as_o not_o be_v bind_v necessary_o to_o believe_v they_o but_o as_o have_v a_o liberty_n leave_v we_o of_o judge_v of_o what_o we_o read_v yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o we_o may_v not_o quite_o shut_v out_o these_o book_n and_o deprive_v posterity_n of_o the_o most_o profitable_a labour_n of_o exercise_v their_o language_n and_o style_v in_o the_o handle_n and_o treat_v of_o hard_a question_n we_o make_v a_o distinction_n betwixt_o these_o book_n of_o late_a writer_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v be_v confirm_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n have_v since_o by_o the_o bishop_n who_o succeed_v they_o and_o the_o church_n which_o have_v be_v propagate_v throughout_o the_o world_n be_v place_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o a_o high_a throne_n there_o to_o be_v reverence_v and_o adore_v by_o every_o faithful_a and_o godly_a understanding_n and_o if_o we_o chance_v here_o to_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o trouble_v we_o and_o seem_v absurd_a we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o truth_n but_o rather_o that_o either_o our_o copy_n be_v false_a or_o the_o interpreter_n be_v mistake_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n or_o else_o that_o we_o understand_v not_o he_o aright_o and_o as_o for_o the_o write_n of_o those_o other_o author_n who_o have_v come_v after_o they_o the_o number_n whereof_o be_v almost_o infinite_a though_o come_v very_o far_o short_a of_o this_o most_o sacred_a excellency_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n a_o man_n may_v sometime_o find_v in_o they_o the_o very_a same_o truth_n though_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n and_o therefore_o if_o by_o chance_n we_o here_o meet_v with_o such_o thing_n as_o seem_v contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n by_o reason_n perhaps_o of_o our_o not_o understand_v they_o only_o we_o have_v our_o liberty_n either_o in_o read_v or_o hear_v the_o same_o to_o approve_v of_o what_o we_o like_v and_o to_o reject_v that_o which_o we_o conceive_v not_o to_o be_v so_o right_a so_o that_o except_o all_o such_o passage_n be_v make_v good_a either_o by_o some_o certain_a reason_n or_o else_o by_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o the_o thing_n assert_v either_o real_o it_o or_o else_o at_o least_o that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v he_o that_o shall_v reject_v or_o not_o assent_v to_o the_o same_o ought_v not_o in_o any_o wise_a to_o be_v reprehend_v 21._o and_o thus_o far_o have_v we_o s._n augustine_n testify_v on_o our_o side_n as_o well_o here_o as_o in_o many_o other_o place_n which_o will_v be_v too_o long_o to_o be_v insert_v here_o that_o those_o opinion_n which_o we_o find_v deliver_v by_o the_o father_n in_o their_o write_n be_v ground_v not_o upon_o their_o bare_a authority_n but_o upon_o their_o reason_n and_o that_o they_o bind_v not_o our_o belief_n otherwise_o than_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o be_v consonant_a either_o to_o the_o scripture_n or_o to_o reason_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o as_o proceed_v from_o person_n that_o be_v not_o infallible_a but_o possible_o may_v have_v err_v so_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o course_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n observe_v in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o of_o sufficiency_n enough_o for_o the_o discovery_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o we_o be_v now_o in_o doubt_n suppose_v what_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n be_v of_o such_o a_o piece_n of_o scripture_n here_o shall_v you_o present_o have_v the_o judgement_n of_o a_o father_n bring_v upon_o the_o say_a place_n quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n s_o augustine_n give_v we_o who_o will_v have_v we_o examine_v the_o father_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o not_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o father_n certain_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o this_o father_n the_o protestant_n though_o a_o passage_n as_o clear_v and_o express_v as_o any_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n shall_v be_v bring_v against_o he_o out_o of_o any_o of_o the_o father_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v if_o he_o shall_v answer_v that_o he_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n assent_v unto_o it_o unless_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v first_o prove_v unto_o he_o either_o by_o some_o certain_a reason_n or_o else_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o that_o then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o he_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o assent_v unto_o it_o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o account_n we_o be_v to_o allege_v not_o the_o name_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o book_n to_o take_v notice_n not_o of_o the_o quality_n of_o their_o author_n but_o of_o the_o solidity_n of_o their_o proof_n to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v they_o give_v we_o and_o not_o the_o face_n or_o hand_n of_o he_o that_o give_v it_o we_o and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o reduce_v the_o dispute_n from_o person_n to_o thing_n and_o s._n jerome_n also_o seem_v to_o commend_v unto_o we_o this_o manner_n of_o proceed_v where_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o second_o commentary_n upon_o hosea_n he_o have_v these_o word_n then_o say_v he_o that_o be_v after_o the_o author_n of_o book_n be_v once_o depart_v this_o life_n we_o judge_v of_o their_o worth_n judicabitur_fw-la and_o part_n only_o not_o consider_v at_o all_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o name_n and_o the_o reader_n have_v regard_n only_o to_o what_o he_o read_v and_o not_o to_o the_o author_n who_o it_o be_v so_o that_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n or_o a_o layman_n a_o general_n and_o a_o lord_n or_o a_o common_a soldier_n and_o a_o servant_n whether_o he_o lie_v in_o purple_a and_o in_o silk_n or_o in_o the_o vile_a and_o course_v rag_n he_o shall_v be_v judge_v not_o according_a to_o his_o degree_n of_o honour_n but_o according_a to_o the_o merit_n and_o worth_n of_o his_o work_n now_o he_o here_o speak_v either_o of_o matter_n of_o right_n or_o of_o fact_n and_o his_o meaning_n be_v that_o either_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v this_o course_n in_o our_o judgement_n or_o else_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a affirmation_n that_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n so_o to_o do_v if_o his_o word_n be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o first_o sense_n he_o then_o clear_o take_v away_o all_o authority_n from_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o writer_n and_o so_o will_v have_v we_o to_o consider_v the_o quality_n only_o and_o weight_n of_o their_o write_n that_o be_v to_o say_v their_o reason_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n they_o use_v if_o he_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o second_o sense_n he_o seem_v not_o to_o speak_v truth_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v more_o take_v with_o the_o title_n and_o name_n of_o book_n than_o with_o the_o thing_n therein_o contain_v but_o suppose_v however_o that_o this_o be_v s._n hieroms_n meaning_n we_o may_v notwithstanding_o very_o safe_o believe_v that_o he_o approve_v of_o the_o say_a course_n for_o as_o much_o as_o have_v this_o occasion_n of_o speak_v of_o it_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o reprehend_v it_o if_o therefore_o thou_o have_v any_o mind_n to_o stand_v to_o his_o judgement_n lay_v i_o aside_o the_o name_n of_o augustine_n and_o of_o hierome_n of_o chrysostome_n and_o of_o cyril_n and_o forget_v for_o this_o once_o the_o rochet_n of_o the_o first_o and_o the_o chair_n of_o the_o second_o together_o with_o the_o patriarchal_a robe_n of_o the_o two_o last_o and_o observe_v what_o they_o say_v and_o not_o what_o they_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o not_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o person_n but_o that_o which_o make_v i_o very_o much_o wonder_n be_v that_o some_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v the_o most_o conversant_a in_o antiquity_n shall_v trouble_v themselves_o in_o stuff_v up_o their_o book_n with_o declamatory_n expression_n 20._o in_o praise_n of_o the_o author_n they_o produce_v not_o forbear_v to_o recount_v to_o you_o so_o much_o as_o the_o nobleness_n of_o their_o extraction_n the_o choiceness_n of_o their_o education_n the_o gallantry_n of_o their_o part_n the_o eminency_n of_o their_o see_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o state_n this_o manner_n of_o writing_n may_v perhaps_o suit_v well_o enough_o with_o
which_o amount_v in_o all_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o two_o only_a without_o make_v any_o mention_n at_o all_o of_o those_o other_o book_n which_o cardinal_n perron_n call_v posthumous_n namely_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n the_o maccabee_n judith_n and_o tobit_n all_o the_o canon_n of_o this_o council_n be_v afterward_o insert_v into_o the_o code_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a where_o you_o have_v this_o very_a canon_n also_o num._n 163._o that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v they_o be_v receive_v as_o rule_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n who_o will_v believe_v now_o but_o that_o this_o declaration_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v at_o that_o time_n receive_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o you_o have_v the_o church_n of_o africa_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o synod_n at_o 47._o carthage_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 397._o and_o ordain_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o former_a resolution_n of_o laodicea_n that_o among_o those_o book_n which_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v read_v in_o church_n the_o maccabee_n judith_n tobit_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la and_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n which_o two_o last_o they_o also_o reckon_v among_o the_o book_n write_v by_o solomon_n shall_v be_v take_v into_o the_o number_n who_o know_v not_o the_o difference_n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n betwixt_o the_o eastern_a and_o the_o western_a church_n touch_v the_o 359._o fast_n upon_o saturday_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v it_o be_v lawful_a and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n account_v it_o unlawful_a whence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o have_v that_o so_o 〈◊〉_d bold_a canon_n pass_v in_o the_o council_n at_o constantinople_n in_o trullo_n in_o these_o word_n understanding_n that_o in_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o holy_a fast_o of_o lent_n they_o fast_o on_o saturday_n contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o this_o holy_a council_n that_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n they_o inviolable_o also_o observe_v that_o canon_n which_o say_v that_o whosoever_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o fast_o either_o upon_o the_o lord_n day_n or_o upon_o the_o saturday_n except_v only_o that_o one_o saturday_n if_o he_o be_v a_o clergyman_n he_o shall_v be_v depose_v but_o if_o be_v be_v of_o the_o laity_n he_o shall_v be_v excommunicate_v who_o know_v not_o after_o how_o many_o several_a way_n the_o fast_a of_o lent_n be_v ancient_o observe_v in_o divers_a church_n a_o account_n whereof_o be_v give_v you_o by_o irenaeus_n in_o that_o pious_a 26_o epistle_n of_o he_o which_o he_o write_v to_o victor_n part_v whereof_o eusebius_n set_v down_o in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a history_n who_o do_v not_o also_o know_v that_o the_o opinion_n and_o expression_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n touch_v freewill_n and_o predestination_n be_v extreme_o different_a from_o what_o the_o church_n believe_v and_o teach_v in_o s._n augustine_n time_n and_o so_o downward_o and_o as_o concern_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n do_v but_o hear_v anastasius_n bibliothecarius_n upon_o the_o vi_o canon_n of_o the_o vii_o general_n council_n which_o enjoin_v all_o metropolitan_o to_o hold_v provincial_a synod_n once_o a_o year_n dignoscitur_fw-la neither_o let_v it_o at_o all_o trouble_n thou_o say_v he_o that_o we_o have_v not_o this_o decree_n see_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o find_v among_o the_o canon_n who_o authority_n nevertheless_o we_o not_o admit_v of_o for_o some_o of_o they_o be_v in_o force_n and_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o other_o again_o in_o certain_a other_o province_n only_o as_o for_o example_n the_o xvi_o and_o xvii_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n be_v observe_v only_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o vi_o and_o the_o viii_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o africa_n be_v receive_v by_o none_o but_o the_o african_n only_o i_o can_v here_o produce_v divers_a other_o example_n but_o these_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o the_o opinion_n and_o custom_n which_o have_v be_v receive_v in_o one_o part_n of_o the_o church_n have_v not_o always_o be_v entertain_v in_o all_o the_o rest_n whence_o it_o evident_o follow_v that_o all_o that_o be_v acknowledge_v as_o the_o opinion_n or_o observation_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o therefore_o present_o to_o pass_v for_o a_o universal_a law_n the_o protestant_n allege_v for_o the_o justify_v his_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n before_o mention_v thou_o answer_v he_o perhaps_o that_o this_o indeed_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v only_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o enter_v into_o a_o examination_n whether_o this_o answer_n be_v well_o ground_v or_o not_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o that_o i_o can_v safe_o then_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o according_a to_o this_o account_n before_o you_o can_v make_v use_n of_o any_o opinion_n or_o testimony_n out_o of_o any_o of_o the_o father_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o you_o first_o make_v it_o appear_v not_o only_o that_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n but_o you_o must_v further_o also_o clear_o demonstrate_v unto_o we_o what_o church_n opinion_n it_o be_v whether_o of_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o else_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n only_o it_o be_v object_v against_o the_o protestant_n that_o epiphanius_n testify_v 1._o that_o the_o church_n admit_v not_o into_o the_o high_a order_n of_o the_o ministry_n any_o save_v those_o that_o be_v virgin_n or_o profess_a continency_n now_o to_o make_v good_a this_o allegation_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o be_v first_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n he_o there_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o church_n universal_a for_o will_n the_o protestant_a reply_n upon_o you_o as_o laodicea_n have_v have_v as_o it_o seem_v a_o particular_a opinion_n touch_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n possible_o also_o cyprus_n may_v in_o like_a manner_n have_v have_v its_o particular_a resolution_n touch_v the_o ordination_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o other_o observation_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n now_o how_o difficult_a a_o business_n it_o will_v be_v to_o clear_v these_o matter_n which_o be_v so_o full_a of_o perplexity_n and_o to_o distinguish_v of_o antiquity_n at_o this_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n of_o time_n sever_a that_o which_o be_v public_a from_o what_o be_v particular_a and_o that_o which_o be_v provincial_a from_o what_o be_v national_a and_o what_o be_v national_a from_o that_o which_o be_v universal_a any_o man_n may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v some_o kind_n of_o guess_n but_o none_o can_v thorough_o understand_v save_v he_o that_o have_v make_v trial_n of_o it_o do_v but_o fancy_n to_o yourselves_o a_o city_n that_o have_v lie_v ruinate_v a_o thousand_o year_n no_o part_n whereof_o remain_v save_v only_o the_o ruin_n of_o house_n lie_v all_o along_o here_o and_o there_o confuse_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v cover_v all_o over_o with_o thorn_n and_o bush_n imagine_v then_o that_o you_o have_v meet_v with_o one_o that_o will_v undertake_v to_o show_v you_o precise_o where_o the_o public_a building_n of_o the_o city_n stand_v and_o where_o the_o private_a which_o be_v the_o stone_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o one_o and_o which_o belong_v to_o the_o other_o and_o in_o a_o word_n who_o in_o these_o confuse_a heap_n where_o the_o whole_a lie_v all_o together_o will_n notwithstanding_o separate_v you_o the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o the_o very_a same_o task_n in_o a_o manner_n do_v he_o undertake_v who_o ever_o shall_v go_v about_o true_o and_o precise_o to_o distinguish_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n this_o antiquity_n be_v now_o of_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n stand_v and_o the_o ruin_n of_o it_o be_v now_o only_o leave_v we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o that_o time_n which_o also_o have_v meet_v with_o none_o of_o the_o best_a entertainment_n in_o their_o passage_n through_o the_o several_a age_n down_o to_o our_o time_n as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o how_o then_o dare_v we_o entertain_v the_o least_o hope_n that_o amid_o this_o so_o great_a confusion_n we_o shall_v be_v able_a yet_o to_o distinguish_v the_o piece_n and_o to_o tell_v which_o of_o they_o honour_v the_o public_a temple_n and_o which_o go_v to_o the_o furnish_n of_o private_a chapel_n only_o especial_o consider_v that_o the_o private_a one_o have_v each_o of_o they_o ambitious_o endeavour_v to_o make_v their_o own_o pass_n for_o public_a for_o where_o be_v the_o province_n or_o the_o city_n or_o the_o doctor_n that_o have_v not_o boast_o cry_v up_o