his_o own_o opinion_n and_o observation_n as_o apostolical_a and_o which_o have_v not_o use_v his_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o gain_v they_o the_o repute_v of_o be_v universal_a s._n hierome_n allow_v every_o particular_a province_n full_a liberty_n to_o do_v herein_o as_o they_o please_v arbitretur_fw-la let_v every_o province_n say_v he_o abound_v in_o its_o own_o sense_n and_o let_v they_o account_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o apostolical_a law_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o he_o speak_v in_o this_o place_n only_o of_o certain_a observation_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a but_o yet_o that_o which_o he_o have_v permit_v they_o in_o these_o matter_n they_o have_v practise_v in_o all_o other_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o trouble_v myself_o to_o produce_v any_o other_o reason_n to_o prove_v the_o difficulty_n of_o this_o inquiry_n because_o i_o shall_v then_o be_v force_v to_o repeat_v a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o which_o have_v be_v already_o deliver_v for_o if_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o attain_v to_o any_o certain_a knowledge_n what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n be_v as_o we_o have_v prove_v before_o how_o much_o more_o difficult_a a_o thing_n will_v it_o be_v to_o discover_v whether_o their_o opinion_n be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n wherein_o they_o live_v or_o else_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a in_o their_o age_n the_o same_o thing_n which_o cause_n obscurity_n in_o the_o one_o have_v as_o much_o or_o rather_o more_o reason_n of_o do_v the_o like_a in_o the_o other_o and_o if_o you_o will_v full_o understand_v how_o painful_a a_o undertake_n this_o be_v do_v but_o read_v the_o disputation_n of_o the_o learned_a of_o both_o party_n touch_v this_o point_n where_o you_o shall_v meet_v with_o so_o many_o doubt_n and_o contradiction_n and_o such_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n that_o you_o will_v easy_o conclude_v that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n that_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v withal_o throughout_o the_o whole_a study_n of_o antiquity_n chap._n xi_o reason_n xi_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v exact_o what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n either_o universal_a or_o particular_a have_v be_v touch_v any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n controvert_v among_o we_o before_o we_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n it_o seem_v not_o impertinent_a to_o give_v the_o reader_n this_o last_o advertisement_n and_o to_o let_v he_o know_v that_o though_o all_o these_o difficulty_n here_o before_o represent_v be_v remove_v yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v it_o still_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o know_v certain_o out_o of_o the_o father_n what_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n whether_o you_o mean_v the_o church_n universal_a or_o but_o any_o considerable_a part_n thereof_o have_v be_v touch_v the_o difference_n which_o be_v now_o on_o foot_n in_o religion_n now_o that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n appear_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v first_o of_o all_o explain_v the_o term_n we_o understand_v common_o by_o the_o church_n especial_o in_o these_o disputation_n either_o all_o those_o person_n in_o general_n who_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o say_a church_n of_o what_o condition_n or_o quality_n soever_o they_o be_v or_o else_o in_o a_o strict_a sense_n the_o collective_a body_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v set_v over_o and_o who_o be_v representative_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o clergy_n so_o that_o whether_o you_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o spain_n or_o of_o carthage_n this_o term_n may_v be_v take_v in_o either_o of_o these_o two_o sense_n for_o by_o the_o church_n universal_a we_o understand_v either_o all_o those_o person_n in_o general_n who_o live_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o the_o laity_n or_o of_o the_o clergy_n or_o else_o those_o person_n only_o who_o be_v ecclesiastici_fw-la or_o churchman_n as_o we_o now_o call_v they_o for_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n all_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n be_v call_v ecclesiastici_fw-la in_o like_a manner_n by_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v mean_v either_o general_o all_o the_o faithful_a that_o live_v in_o the_o particular_a communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o carthage_n or_o else_o particular_o and_o in_o a_o strict_a sense_n the_o bishop_n of_o carthage_n with_o his_o whole_a clergy_n now_o i_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o man_n but_o will_v easy_o grant_v i_o that_o if_o we_o take_v the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v by_o way_n of_o testimony_n give_v of_o the_o same_o what_o the_o sense_n and_o judgement_n of_o it_o have_v be_v in_o each_o several_a age_n touch_v all_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a religion_n we_o may_v indeed_o collect_v by_o way_n of_o discourse_n what_o have_v be_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o there_o be_v some_o certain_a article_n the_o belief_n whereof_o be_v necessary_o requisite_a for_o the_o render_v a_o man_n such_o a_o one_o whosoever_o right_o understand_v which_o these_o article_n be_v he_o may_v certain_o conclude_v that_o the_o true_a church_n whether_o universal_a or_o particular_a have_v believe_v the_o same_o but_o now_o in_o the_o first_o place_n this_o do_v not_o extend_v to_o all_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o only_o to_o those_o which_o be_v necessary_a beside_o which_o there_o be_v divers_a other_o concern_v which_o we_o may_v have_v not_o only_o different_a but_o even_o contrary_a judgement_n too_o and_o yet_o not_o thereby_o hazard_v the_o loss_n either_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o our_o inheritance_n of_o everlasting_a salvation_n so_o then_o this_o ratiocination_n conclude_v not_o save_v only_o of_o those_o who_o be_v the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o as_o for_o those_o who_o make_v but_o a_o outward_a profession_n only_o of_o the_o truth_n it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v there_o be_v in_o like_a manner_n no_o more_o necessity_n of_o their_o embrace_v those_o belief_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o that_o end_n they_o may_v under_o this_o mask_n hide_v all_o manner_n of_o opinion_n how_o impious_a soever_o they_o be_v last_o that_o which_o make_v most_o for_o our_o purpose_n be_v that_o this_o knowledge_n be_v acquire_v by_o discourse_n whereas_o we_o speak_v here_o of_o such_o a_o knowledge_n as_o be_v collect_v by_o the_o hear_n of_o several_a witness_n who_o give_v in_o their_o testimony_n touch_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o will_v know_v now_o the_o father_n have_v write_v with_o a_o purpose_n of_o inform_v we_o not_o what_o each_o particular_a man_n believe_v in_o their_o time_n but_o rather_o what_o they_o think_v fit_a that_o all_o man_n shall_v have_v believe_v we_o must_v needs_o conclude_v that_o certain_o they_o have_v not_o tell_v we_o all_o that_o they_o know_v touch_v this_o particular_a and_o consequent_o therefore_o partly_o their_o charity_n and_o partly_o also_o their_o prudence_n may_v have_v cause_v they_o to_o pass_v by_o in_o silence_n all_o such_o opinion_n either_o of_o whole_a company_n or_o of_o particular_a person_n as_o they_o conceive_v to_o be_v not_o so_o consonant_a to_o the_o truth_n but_o suppose_v that_o they_o have_v not_o any_o of_o these_o consideration_n and_o that_o they_o have_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o give_v we_o a_o just_a account_n each_o man_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o particular_a church_n wherein_o he_o live_v it_o be_v evident_a however_o that_o they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v able_a to_o have_v attainend_n to_o the_o end_n of_o this_o their_o design_n for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v able_a to_o have_v learn_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o every_o single_a person_n be_v among_o so_o vast_a a_o multitude_n which_o consist_v of_o so_o many_o several_a person_n who_o be_v of_o so_o different_a both_o capacity_n and_o disposition_n who_o will_v believe_v that_o s._n cyprian_n for_o example_n know_v all_o the_o several_a opinion_n of_o each_o particular_a person_n in_o his_o diocese_n so_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o same_o who_o can_v imagine_v but_o that_o among_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o people_n as_o live_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o his_o church_n there_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v very_o many_o who_o differ_v in_o opinion_n from_o he_o in_o divers_a point_n of_o religion_n even_o
salvation_n because_o i_o conceive_v with_o viri_fw-la cassander_n that_o all_o those_o passage_n may_v and_o indeed_o aught_o to_o be_v understand_v with_o respect_n have_v to_o the_o scope_n and_o drift_n of_o these_o author_n who_o business_n there_o be_v to_o confute_v those_o heretic_n of_o their_o time_n who_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v a_o fatal_a necessity_n in_o the_o action_n of_o man_n by_o this_o mean_n deprive_v they_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o election_n or_o judgement_n neither_o have_v the_o great_a learning_n of_o 〈◊〉_d clemens_n alexandrinus_n keep_v he_o from_o fall_v inâ—o_v very_o many_o the_o like_a error_n as_o for_o instance_n where_o in_o divers_a place_n he_o say_v plain_o that_o the_o heathen_a who_o live_v before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n be_v justify_v by_o philosophy_n 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v then_o necessary_a for_o they_o whereas_o it_o be_v now_o only_o useful_a unto_o they_o and_o that_o this_o philosophy_n be_v thoâ—â—_n choolmister_n of_o â—he_n gentiles_n which_o bring_v they_o to_o christ_n or_o serve_v to_o guide_v they_o till_o the_o time_n of_o his_o come_v in_o like_a manner_n as_o the_o law_n do_v the_o jew_n and_o that_o the_o greek_n be_v justify_v by_o iâ—_n aloneâ—_n and_o that_o it_o be_v give_v unto_o they_o as_o their_o 〈◊〉_d covenant_n be_v a_o step_n to_o and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o foundation_n lay_v for_o christian_a philosophy_n he_o be_v of_o opinion_n also_o in_o order_n to_o this_o fusè_fw-la that_o our_o saviour_n go_v down_o into_o hell_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o depart_v soul_n and_o that_o he_o save_v many_o of_o they_o that_o be_v all_o that_o believe_v and_o that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d apostle_n also_o after_o their_o death_n descend_v likewise_o into_o the_o same_o place_n and_o for_o the_o same_o purpose_n conceive_v that_o god_n otherwise_o shall_v have_v be_v unjust_a and_o a_o accepter_n of_o person_n if_o so_o be_v he_o shall_v have_v condemn_v all_o those_o who_o die_v before_o the_o come_v of_o his_o son_n for_o say_v he_o if_o 〈◊〉_d he_o preach_v to_o the_o live_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v not_o be_v condemn_v unjust_o why_o shall_v â—e_n not_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n preach_v also_o to_o those_o who_o be_v depart_v this_o life_n before_o his_o come_v from_o these_o and_o the_o like_a consideration_n he_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o all_o the_o dead_a as_o well_o gentile_n as_o jew_n shall_v have_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o preach_a of_o our_o saviour_n 〈◊〉_d and_o shall_v have_v have_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o same_o dispensation_n which_o he_o use_v towards_o other_o here_o upon_o earth_n in_o order_n either_o to_o their_o salvation_n through_o repentance_n or_o their_o just_a condemnation_n for_o their_o impenitency_n he_o plain_o maintain_v also_o in_o several_a place_n of_o his_o work_n that_o all_o the_o punishment_n which_o god_n inflict_v upon_o mâ—n_z tend_v to_o their_o salvation_n and_o be_v send_v they_o for_o their_o instiuction_n and_o amendment_n comprehend_v also_o within_o this_o number_n even_o those_o very_a pain_n which_o the_o damn_a endure_v in_o hell_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o he_o somewhere_o also_o affirm_v that_o wicked_a man_n be_v to_o be_v purge_v by_o fire_n and_o hereto_o do_v he_o refer_v the_o conflagration_n speak_v of_o by_o the_o stoic_n allege_v also_o to_o this_o purpose_n certain_a passage_n out_o of_o plato_n 227._o and_o out_o of_o a_o certain_a philosopher_n of_o ephesus_n which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v heraclitus_n by_o all_o which_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o he_o have_v the_o same_o belief_n touch_v the_o pain_n of_o hell_n that_o his_o scholar_n origen_n have_v who_o maintain_v in_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o place_n up_o and_o down_o his_o work_n that_o the_o pain_n of_o hell_n be_v purgative_n only_a and_o consequent_o be_v not_o eternal_a but_o be_v to_o have_v a_o end_n when_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o damn_a be_v once_o thorough_o cleanse_v and_o purify_v by_o this_o fire_n etc._n he_o believe_v also_o with_o justin_n martyr_n that_o the_o angel_n fall_v in_o love_n with_o the_o first_o woman_n and_o that_o this_o love_n of_o they_o transport_v they_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v they_o indiscreet_o to_o discover_v unto_o they_o many_o secret_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v conceal_v but_o now_o quite_o contrary_a to_o irenaeus_n who_o maintain_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n live_v upon_o earth_n to_o the_o age_n of_o fifty_o year_n clemens_n will_v have_v he_o to_o have_v preach_v in_o the_o flesh_n but_o one_o year_n only_o 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o have_v die_v in_o the_o thirty_o first_o year_n of_o his_o age._n but_o since_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o both_o party_n that_o there_o be_v very_o many_o absurd_a tenet_n in_o this_o author_n i_o shall_v not_o meddle_v any_o further_a with_o he_o as_o for_o tertullian_n i_o confess_v his_o very_a turn_a montanist_n have_v take_v off_o indeed_o very_o much_o of_o the_o repute_n which_o he_o before_o have_v in_o the_o church_n both_o for_o the_o fervency_n of_o his_o pâ—ety_n and_o also_o for_o his_o incomparable_a learning_n but_o yet_o beside_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o work_n be_v write_v while_o he_o be_v yet_o a_o catholic_n we_o be_v also_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o his_o montanism_n put_v no_o separation_n at_o all_o betwixt_o he_o and_o other_o christian_n save_v only_o in_o point_n of_o discipline_n which_o he_o according_a to_o the_o severity_n of_o his_o nature_n will_v have_v to_o be_v most_o harsh_a and_o rigorous_a for_o as_o for_o his_o doctrine_n it_o be_v very_o 1._o evident_a that_o he_o constant_o keep_v to_o the_o very_a same_o rule_n and_o the_o same_o faith_n that_o the_o catholic_n do_v whence_o proceed_v that_o tart_a speech_n of_o he_o nubere_fw-la that_o people_n reject_v montanus_n maximilla_n and_o priscilla_n not_o because_o they_o have_v any_o whit_n depart_v from_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o rather_o because_o they_o will_v have_v we_o to_o fast_o often_o than_o to_o marry_v and_o this_o be_v evident_a enough_o out_o of_o all_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o he_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o be_v a_o montanist_n wherein_o he_o never_o dispute_v or_o contend_v about_o any_o thing_n save_v only_o about_o discipline_n and_o this_o be_v ingenuous_o confess_v also_o by_o the_o learned_a 1628._o nicalaus_fw-la rigaltius_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o those_o ix_o book_n which_o he_o have_v late_o publish_v now_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a repute_n which_o this_o father_n have_v in_o the_o church_n and_o his_o not_o depart_v from_o it_o in_o any_o thing_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n yet_o how_o many_o wild_a opinion_n and_o fancy_n do_v we_o meet_v withal_o in_o his_o book_n i_o shall_v here_o speak_v only_o of_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a of_o they_o pass_v by_o his_o so_o dangerous_a expression_n touch_v the_o person_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o have_v touch_v upon_o this_o particular_a before_o but_o how_o strange_a be_v his_o manner_n of_o discourse_n touch_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n 16._o who_o he_o seem_v to_o render_v subject_a to_o the_o like_a passion_n that_o we_o be_v as_o namely_o to_o anger_n hatred_n and_o grief_n he_o attribute_n also_o to_o he_o a_o est_fw-la corporeal_a substance_n and_o do_v not_o believe_v as_o he_o say_v himself_o that_o any_o man_n will_v deny_v but_o that_o god_n be_v a_o body_n so_o that_o we_o need_v the_o less_o to_o wonder_v that_o he_o so_o confident_o affirm_v cujusque_fw-la that_o there_o be_v no_o substance_n which_o be_v not_o corporeal_a or_o that_o with_o justin_n martyr_n and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n he_o make_v the_o etc._n angelical_a nature_n obnoxious_a to_o the_o carnal_a love_n of_o woman_n which_o occasion_v those_o word_n in_o that_o book_n of_o he_o de_fw-fr virginibus_fw-la velandis_fw-la where_o he_o say_v est_fw-la that_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o so_o dangerous_a a_o face_n shall_v be_v veil_v which_o have_v scandalize_v even_o heaven_n itself_o we_o need_v no_o after_o this_o think_v strange_a of_o his_o doctrine_n touch_v the_o etc._n nature_n of_o man_n soul_n which_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v corporeal_a and_o endue_v with_o form_n and_o figure_n and_o to_o be_v propagate_v and_o derive_v from_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o father_n to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o son_n and_o sow_v and_o engender_v with_o the_o body_n increase_v and_o extend_v itself_o together_o with_o it_o and_o many_o other_o the_o like_a dream_n in_o the_o maintain_n whereof_o he_o use_v so_o much_o subtlety_n strength_n of_o reason_n and_o eloquence_n as_o that_o you_o will_v hardly_o meet_v with_o throughout_o the_o whole_a stock_n of_o antiquity_n a_o more_o excellent_a and_o more_o elegant_a piece_n than_o that_o
all_o this_o it_o have_v not_o only_o be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o have_v be_v even_o utter_o condemn_v also_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o consent_n of_o many_o father_n together_o although_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v have_v upon_o all_o the_o point_n now_o in_o debate_n will_v yet_o be_v no_o sufficient_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o but_o i_o shall_v pass_v on_o to_o the_o rest_n we_o have_v before_o hear_v how_o that_o tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n who_o be_v both_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o martyr_n firmilianus_n metropolitan_a of_o cappadocia_n dionysius_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n together_o with_o the_o synod_n of_o bishop_n both_o of_o africa_n cappadocia_n cilicia_n 759._o and_o bythinia_n hold_v all_o that_o the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n be_v invalid_a and_o null_a st._n basil_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a eastern_a church_n hold_v also_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o very_a same_o opinion_n and_o that_o a_o long_a time_n too_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o amphilochius_n which_o be_v also_o put_v in_o among_o the_o public_a decree_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o greek_a canonist_n and_o yet_o this_o opinion_n be_v now_o confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v erroneous_a many_o in_o like_a manner_n of_o the_o father_n as_o namely_o 8._o tertullian_n 6._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 10._o lactantius_n and_o 1147_o africanus_n believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n keep_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n but_o once_o only_o after_o his_o baptism_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o consent_n of_o they_o the_o opinion_n be_v know_v to_o be_v very_o false_a as_o 203._o petavius_n also_o testify_v and_o beside_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o text_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o passim_fw-la st._n chrysostom_n 15._o st._n hierome_n 155._o st._n basil_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o etc._n constantinople_n under_o the_o patriarch_n flavianus_n who_o seem_v all_o to_o have_v hold_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v utter_o unlawful_a for_o christian_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o shall_v i_o take_v any_o notice_n in_o this_o place_n of_o that_o conceit_n of_o athanasius_n st._n basil_n and_o methodius_n as_o he_o be_v cite_v by_o 5._o john_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n who_o all_o believe_v that_o the_o angel_n have_v body_n to_o who_o we_o may_v also_o add_v as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o st._n hilary_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o very_o many_o more_o of_o the_o father_n who_o will_v all_o of_o they_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o angel_n to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o passion_n of_o carnal_a love_n of_o which_o number_n be_v even_o 10._o st._n augustine_n also_o whosoever_o shall_v now_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o this_o fancy_n of_o they_o which_o yet_o be_v of_o no_o small_a importance_n be_v a_o truth_n will_v he_o not_o be_v as_o sharp_o reprove_v for_o it_o by_o the_o romanist_n as_o by_o those_o of_o geneva_n but_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v that_o beside_o st._n cyprian_n st._n augustine_n and_o pope_n innocent_n i._n who_o testimony_n we_o have_v give_v in_o 8._o before_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o doctor_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o the_o first_o age_n maintain_v that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v necessary_a for_o young_a infant_n if_o at_o least_o you_o dare_v take_v maldonat_n word_n 53._o who_o affirm_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v in_o great_a request_n in_o the_o church_n during_o the_o first_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 747._o cassander_n also_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v often_o observe_v this_o practice_n in_o the_o ancient_n as_o indeed_o be_v also_o witness_v by_o carolus_n magnus_n and_o by_o ludovicus_n pius_n who_o live_v a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o six_o century_n both_o 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they_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n certain_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n controvert_v among_o us._n chap._n v._n reason_n v._o that_o the_o father_n have_v strong_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o have_v maintain_v different_a opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o very_a great_a importance_n bessarion_n a_o greek_a bear_v who_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o dignity_n of_o cardinal_n by_o pope_n eugenius_n iv._o as_o a_o reward_n of_o his_o earnest_a desire_n to_o and_o the_o great_a pain_n he_o take_v in_o endeavour_v a_o reconciliation_n betwixt_o the_o eastern_a and_o the_o western_a church_n in_o a_o book_n which_o he_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a to_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n conc._n will_v have_v the_o whole_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n to_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o the_o father_n and_o for_o as_o much_o as_o he_o know_v that_o unless_o the_o judge_n do_v all_o agree_n and_o be_v of_o one_o opinion_n the_o cause_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n necessary_o remain_v undecided_a he_o strong_o labour_v to_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v all_o the_o father_n consent_v not_o only_o with_o he_o but_z which_o be_v yet_o much_o hard_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n also_o among_o themselves_o insomuch_o that_o he_o command_v we_o when_o ever_o there_o appear_v any_o contrariety_n in_o their_o write_n that_o we_o shall_v accuse_v our_o own_o ignorance_n rather_o than_o blame_v they_o for_o contradict_v each_o other_o we_o may_v conclude_v therefore_o from_o what_o be_v here_o lay_v down_o by_o this_o author_n who_o be_v both_o as_o acute_a and_o as_o learned_a a_o man_n as_o any_o be_v at_o this_o council_n that_o to_o render_v the_o father_n capable_a of_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o our_o controversy_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v
what_o canon_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n those_o single_a mass_n which_o be_v now_o celebrate_v and_o say_v every_o day_n where_o none_o communicate_v but_o the_o priest_n alone_o who_o consecrate_v the_o host_n be_v institute_v or_o permit_v and_o withal_o how_o that_o respect_n which_o they_o pretend_v they_o bear_v to_o antiquity_n can_v stand_v with_o that_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o say_v sit_v whosoever_o shall_v say_v that_o those_o mass_n wherein_o the_o priest_n alone_o communicate_v sacramental_o be_v unlawful_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v abolish_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v see_v that_o these_o kind_n of_o mass_n be_v utter_o unknown_a to_o the_o ancient_a church_n as_o 33._o cassander_n prove_v at_o large_a in_o his_o consultatio_fw-la de_fw-la articulis_fw-la religionis_fw-la write_v to_o the_o emperor_n ferdinand_n but_o that_o which_o most_o of_o all_o give_v offence_n to_o those_o that_o be_v devote_v to_o aâ—â—tiqâ—ity_n be_v the_o custom_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v introduce_v and_o establish_v by_o the_o express_a decree_n and_o canon_n of_o two_o of_o their_o general_a council_n the_o one_o hold_v at_o 13._o constance_n and_o the_o other_o at_o 2._o trent_n of_o not_o allow_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o cup_n to_o any_o save_v only_o to_o the_o priest_n who_o consecrate_v the_o same_o exclude_v by_o this_o mean_n first_o of_o all_o all_o the_o laity_n and_o second_o all_o the_o priest_n also_o and_o other_o of_o the_o clergy_n who_o have_v not_o the_o consecrate_v of_o it_o whereas_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n for_o the_o space_n of_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n admit_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o bless_a cup_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o consecrate_a bread_n as_o those_o of_o these_o two_o council_n themselves_o confess_v in_o the_o etc._n preface_n to_o this_o new_a constitution_n and_o this_o be_v still_o the_o practice_n also_o at_o this_o day_n among_o all_o christian_n throughout_o the_o world_n both_o russian_n wiâ—emb_v greek_n armenian_n sangue_fw-fr ethiopian_n 12._o protestant_n and_o all_o other_o in_o general_n except_o the_o latin_n only_o who_o be_v of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o beside_o that_o the_o ancient_n permit_v this_o communion_n under_o both_o kind_n as_o they_o use_v to_o speak_v it_o seem_v which_o be_v yet_o much_o more_o that_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o permit_v the_o communicate_v under_o one_o kind_a only_a for_o otherwise_o why_o shall_v pope_n etc._n leo_n give_v this_o very_a thing_n as_o a_o mark_n to_o distinguish_v the_o manichee_n from_o the_o catholic_n when_o they_o sometime_o be_v present_a at_o our_o mystery_n say_v he_o that_o so_o they_o may_v hide_v their_o infidelity_n they_o so_o order_v the_o matter_n in_o their_o participate_v of_o these_o mystery_n as_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n into_o their_o unworthy_a mouth_n but_o will_v noâ—_n take_v into_o it_o one_o drop_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o he_o further_o add_v that_o he_o give_v his_o auditory_a this_o advertisement_n that_o thâ—y_o may_v know_v these_o man_n by_o this_o mark._n shall_v this_o pope_n now_o arise_v from_o his_o grave_n and_o come_v into_o the_o world_n again_o he_o will_v certain_o believe_v that_o all_o those_o who_o adhere_v to_o his_o see_n be_v turn_v manichee_n except_o the_o consecrate_v priest_n only_o how_o besides_o will_v you_o be_v able_a without_o this_o hypothesis_n to_o explain_v that_o decree_n of_o pope_n provenire_fw-la gelasius_n which_o say_v we_o be_v inform_v that_o there_o be_v some_o who_o have_v take_v a_o small_a portion_n of_o the_o sacred_a body_n only_o forbear_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o cup_n of_o the_o consecrate_a blood_n do_v this_o as_o we_o hear_v out_o of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o 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of_o our_o saviour_n for_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o make_v they_o to_o give_v over_o their_o business_n because_o there_o be_v no_o more_o wine_n if_o so_o be_v it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n lawful_a to_o distribute_v the_o bread_n alone_o without_o the_o other_o kind_a of_o wine_n if_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o of_o constance_n have_v account_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n to_o have_v be_v supreme_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o abolish_v that_o which_o have_v for_o so_o long_a time_n and_o so_o constant_o be_v observe_v by_o they_o and_o how_o again_o do_v this_o other_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n suit_n with_o that_o respect_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o bear_v towards_o antiquity_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o sit_v whosoever_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n have_v not_o be_v induce_v by_o just_a cause_n and_o reason_n to_o communicate_v to_o the_o laity_n and_o even_o to_o the_o priest_n too_o who_o do_v not_o consecrated_a under_o the_o kind_a of_o bread_n only_o or_o that_o it_o have_v err_v in_o this_o point_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v for_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o very_o easy_a matter_n to_o be_v able_a to_o acquit_v the_o modern_a church_n without_o condemn_v the_o ancient_n see_v their_o practice_n have_v be_v manifest_o contradictory_n to_o each_o other_o the_o modern_a church_n forbid_v that_o which_o the_o ancient_n permit_v and_o the_o ancient_a church_n seem_v to_o have_v express_o forbid_v that_o which_o the_o modern_a command_v how_o can_v you_o say_v that_o the_o one_o have_v just_a reason_n for_o what_o it_o do_v unless_o you_o withal_o grant_v that_o the_o other_o in_o do_v the_o contrary_a have_v either_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o or_o else_o but_o very_o unjust_a one_o see_v it_o be_v most_o clear_a that_o neither_o the_o world_n nor_o the_o time_n be_v any_o whit_n change_v within_o this_o two_o hundred_o year_n from_o what_o they_o be_v before_o for_o it_o 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this_o error_n we_o see_v that_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n and_o also_o tertullian_n who_o follow_v not_o long_o after_o he_o be_v both_o of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n no_o one_o man_n all_o this_o while_n that_o we_o hear_v of_o offer_v to_o contradict_v they_o 39_o eusebius_n and_o papia_n s._n hierome_n and_o divers_a other_o author_n inform_v we_o that_o papias_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n who_o flourish_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n cx_o be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o opinion_n it_o follow_v then_o from_o hence_o that_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o father_n that_o be_v now_o extant_a who_o live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n and_o maintain_v all_o the_o same_o opinion_n be_v no_o infallible_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o if_o you_o go_v down_o â—ower_n you_o will_v
at_o this_o very_a day_n that_o we_o may_v not_o trouble_v ourselves_o to_o look_v so_o high_a we_o see_v by_o experience_n that_o there_o be_v scarce_o that_o parish_n to_o be_v find_v how_o small_a soever_o it_o be_v where_o there_o be_v not_o particular_a person_n that_o maintain_v in_o many_o point_n of_o religion_n different_a opinion_n from_o those_o of_o their_o minister_n but_o if_o we_o take_v a_o whole_a diocese_n together_o and_o pass_v by_o all_o those_o who_o trouble_v themselves_o not_o at_o all_o with_o the_o difference_n of_o opinion_n in_o religion_n whether_o it_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o want_n of_o year_n or_o their_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n or_o their_o malice_n and_o take_v notice_n only_o of_o the_o rest_n divide_v they_o according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o opinion_n i_o be_o very_o persuade_v that_o that_o part_n which_o shall_v agree_v in_o all_o point_n with_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o diocese_n will_v many_o time_n be_v find_v to_o 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entire_a see_v therefore_o that_o it_o may_v sometime_o happen_v and_o that_o it_o have_v also_o many_o time_n happen_v that_o the_o clergy_n have_v hold_v erroneous_a opinion_n while_o the_o people_n only_o hold_v the_o true_a it_o be_v very_o evident_a in_o my_o judgement_n that_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n in_o these_o case_n ought_v not_o whole_o to_o be_v neglect_v and_o true_o s._n cyprian_n tell_v we_o in_o divers_a place_n that_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n have_v the_o people_n in_o very_o great_a esteem_n no_o business_n of_o any_o importance_n be_v then_o transact_v without_o communicate_v the_o same_o to_o the_o people_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o any_o one_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o this_o father_n insomuch_o that_o parte_fw-la the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o people_n also_o be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n where_o the_o question_n touch_v the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n be_v debate_v whereof_o we_o have_v already_o speak_v somewhat_o a_o 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to_o give_v we_o a_o account_n what_o the_o opinion_n be_v of_o all_o the_o clergy_n of_o one_o city_n only_o i_o do_v not_o say_v of_o a_o kingdom_n or_o of_o all_o christendom_n touch_v all_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n who_o will_v be_v able_a to_o perform_v this_o if_o he_o shall_v undertake_v it_o never_o be_v there_o more_o exact_a care_n take_v for_o the_o conservation_n of_o uniformity_n in_o judgement_n among_o christian_n than_o be_v now_o at_o this_o day_n when_o there_o be_v use_v make_v not_o only_o of_o the_o censure_n and_o thunderbolt_n of_o the_o church_n but_o even_o of_o the_o fire_n and_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n also_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o how_o many_o ecclesiastical_a person_n be_v there_o to_o be_v find_v even_o in_o those_o very_a place_n where_o these_o rigorous_a course_n be_v observe_v with_o the_o great_a strictness_n even_o at_o rome_n itself_o and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o pope_n own_o bosom_n who_o differ_v very_o much_o in_o judgement_n touch_v point_n of_o religion_n both_o from_o their_o equal_n and_o from_o their_o superior_n in_o france_n where_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n the_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v much_o great_a than_o in_o other_o place_n it_o will_v be_v a_o wonder_n if_o where_o four_o clergy_n man_n of_o the_o more_o learned_a and_o polite_a sort_n be_v meet_v together_o two_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o upon_o some_o point_n or_o other_o of_o the_o faith_n differ_v in_o judgement_n from_o the_o main_a body_n of_o their_o church_n and_o here_o i_o be_o to_o entreat_v all_o those_o who_o follow_v cassander_n in_o great_a number_n adore_v the_o monument_n of_o the_o father_n and_o who_o take_v whatsoever_o they_o find_v in_o he_o for_o the_o general_n sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n but_o to_o