the_o precept_n of_o rhetoric_n but_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o it_o agree_v ill_a enough_o with_o s._n hierom_n rule_n which_o we_o give_v you_o a_o little_a before_o but_o let_v we_o now_o observe_v out_o of_o some_o other_o more_o clear_a and_o express_v passage_n of_o he_o what_o the_o judgement_n of_o this_o great_a aristarchus_n and_o censor_n of_o antiquity_n have_v be_v touch_v this_o point_n errare_fw-la i_o know_v say_v he_o write_v to_o theophilus_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n that_o i_o place_v the_o apostle_n in_o a_o distinct_a rank_n from_o all_o other_o writer_n for_o as_o for_o they_o they_o always_o speak_v truth_n but_o as_o for_o those_o other_o they_o err_v sometime_o like_o man_n as_o they_o be_v what_o can_v he_o have_v say_v more_o express_o in_o confirmation_n of_o our_o assertion_n before_o lay_v down_o defendere_fw-la there_o be_v other_o say_v he_o both_o greek_n and_o latin_n who_o have_v err_v also_o in_o point_n of_o faith_n who_o name_n i_o need_v not_o here_o set_v down_o lest_o i_o may_v seem_v to_o defend_v origen_n by_o the_o error_n of_o other_o rather_o than_o by_o his_o own_o worth_n how_o then_o can_v we_o confide_v in_o they_o unless_o we_o examine_v their_o opinion_n by_o their_o reason_n caeteri_fw-la i_o shall_v faith_n the_o same_o author_n read_v origen_n as_o i_o read_v other_o because_o i_o find_v he_o have_v err_v in_o like_a manner_n as_o they_o have_v do_v and_o in_o another_o place_n speak_v in_o general_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o be_v of_o those_o which_o we_o now_o call_v father_n and_o of_o the_o fault_n and_o error_n that_o be_v find_v in_o their_o book_n declinare_fw-la it_o may_v be_v say_v he_o that_o either_o they_o have_v err_v out_o of_o mere_a ignorance_n or_o else_o that_o they_o write_v in_o some_o other_o sense_n than_o we_o understand_v they_o or_o that_o their_o write_n have_v by_o degree_n be_v corrupt_v through_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o transcriber_n or_o else_o before_o the_o appear_v of_o that_o impudent_a devil_n arius_n in_o the_o world_n they_o let_v some_o thing_n fall_v from_o they_o innocent_o and_o not_o so_o wary_o as_o they_o may_v have_v do_v and_o such_o as_o can_v hardly_o escape_v the_o cavil_n of_o wrangle_a spirit_n which_o passage_n of_o he_o be_v a_o very_a excellent_a and_o remarkable_a one_o and_o contain_v in_o it_o a_o brief_a yet_o a_o clear_a and_o full_a justification_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o what_o we_o have_v hitherto_o deliver_v in_o this_o our_o discourse_n do_v but_o think_v therefore_o with_o how_o much_o circumspection_n we_o be_v to_o read_v and_o to_o weigh_v these_o author_n and_o how_o careful_a we_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o examine_v in_o their_o book_n whether_o there_o be_v not_o either_o some_o fault_n commit_v by_o the_o transcriber_n or_o some_o obscurity_n in_o the_o expression_n or_o some_o negligence_n in_o the_o conception_n or_o last_o some_o error_n in_o the_o proposition_n in_o another_o place_n have_v set_v down_o the_o opinion_n as_o for_o their_o exposition_n he_o resuse_v they_o open_o whensoever_o they_o do_v not_o please_v he_o thus_o do_v he_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o exposition_n which_o be_v give_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o word_n israel_n which_o they_o will_v have_v to_o signify_v a_o man_n see_v god_n saecularis_fw-la notwithstanding_o that_o those_o who_o interpret_v it_o thus_o be_v person_n of_o very_a great_a both_o authority_n and_o eloquence_n and_o who_o very_a shadow_n say_v he_o in_o sufficient_a to_o bear_v we_o down_o yet_o can_v we_o choose_v but_o follow_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o angel_n and_o of_o god_n who_o give_v this_o name_n of_o israel_n rather_o than_o the_o power_n of_o any_o secular_a eloquence_n how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v and_o in_o his_o cxlvi_o epistle_n write_v to_o pope_n damasus_n he_o say_v intelligi_fw-la that_o there_o be_v some_o who_o not_o consider_v the_o text_n conceive_v superstitious_o rather_o than_o true_o that_o these_o word_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o xliv_o psalm_n eâ—â—ctavit_fw-la cor_fw-la meum_fw-la verbum_fw-la bonum_fw-la my_o heart_n be_v indite_v a_o good_a matter_n be_v speak_v in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n and_o yet_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o arius_n and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o understand_v these_o word_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n it_o be_v likewise_o the_o general_n opinion_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o all_o man_n that_o adam_n be_v bury_v upon_o mount_n calvary_n and_o in_o the_o very_a same_o place_n where_o our_o saviour_n christ_n be_v crucify_v and_o yet_o s._n hierome_n mat._n reject_v this_o opinion_n and_o which_o be_v more_o he_o make_v himself_o merry_a with_o it_o without_o any_o scruple_n at_o all_o so_o likewise_o there_o be_v some_o among_o the_o afore-named_n ancient_a father_n who_o out_o of_o a_o pious_a affection_n which_o they_o bear_v to_o s._n peter_n maintain_v 31._o that_o he_o deny_v not_o god_n but_o man_n and_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n of_o his_o denial_n be_v i_o know_v not_o he_o to_o be_v a_o man_n for_o i_o know_v that_o he_o be_v god_n etc._n the_o intelligent_a reader_n say_v the_o same_o s._n hierome_n will_v easy_o perceive_v how_o idle_a and_o frivolous_a a_o thing_n this_o be_v to_o accuse_v our_o saviour_n as_o guilty_a of_o a_o lie_n by_o excuse_v his_o apostle_n for_o if_o s._n peter_n do_v not_o deny_v he_o our_o saviour_n must_v necessary_o then_o have_v lie_v when_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o etc._n etc._n grat._n he_o take_v the_o same_o liberty_n also_o in_o reprehend_v s._n ambrose_n who_o understand_v by_o gog_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o prophet_n ezechiel_n the_o nation_n of_o the_o goth_n neither_o do_v those_o other_o father_n escape_v his_o lash_n who_o please_v themselves_o too_o much_o with_o their_o allegory_n x._o take_v bosra_n in_o isaiah_n for_o the_o flesh_n whereas_o it_o signify_v a_o fortress_n i_o may_v here_o produce_v very_o many_o the_o like_a passage_n but_o these_o few_o shall_v now_o serve_v as_o a_o taste_n only_o for_o who_o see_v not_o by_o this_o time_n that_o these_o holy_a man_n take_v not_o the_o father_n who_o go_v before_o they_o for_o the_o judge_n or_o arbitrator_n touch_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v their_o testimony_n and_o deposition_n as_o oracle_n but_o reserve_v the_o right_n which_o s._n augustine_n allow_v to_o every_o man_n of_o examine_v they_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n and_o of_o the_o scripture_n neither_o be_v we_o to_o take_v any_o notice_n at_o all_o of_o s._n hierome_n when_o he_o seem_v to_o except_v out_o of_o this_o number_n the_o write_n of_o athanasius_n and_o of_o s._n hilary_n write_v to_o laeta_n and_o tell_v she_o that_o her_o daughter_n paula_n may_v walk_v secure_o and_o with_o firm_a foot_n by_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o other_o and_o therefore_o he_o counsel_v she_o sequatur_fw-la to_o take_v delight_n in_o these_o man_n write_n forasmuch_o as_o in_o their_o book_n the_o piety_n of_o faith_n waver_v not_o and_o as_o for_o all_o other_o author_n she_o may_v read_v they_o but_o rather_o to_o pass_v her_o judgement_n upon_o they_o than_o to_o follow_v they_o for_o first_o of_o all_o although_o perhaps_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o piece_n of_o a_o father_n that_o shall_v have_v no_o error_n at_o all_o in_o it_o as_o questionless_a there_o be_v many_o such_o yet_o will_v not_o this_o render_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o infallible_a how_o many_o such_o book_n be_v there_o even_o of_o the_o modern_n wherein_o neither_o the_o one_o party_n nor_o the_o other_o have_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o the_o least_o error_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o i_o suppose_v no_o man_n will_v present_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o admit_v of_o these_o author_n as_o judge_n of_o our_o faith_n a_o man_n may_v there_o find_v of_o several_a author_n touch_v a_o certain_a question_n that_o have_v be_v propose_v unto_o he_o that_o so_o the_o reader_n may_v make_v choice_n of_o the_o best_a he_o give_v this_o reason_n of_o his_o so_o do_v est_fw-la because_o say_v he_o we_o ought_v not_o according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o pythagoras_n his_o scholar_n to_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o prejudicate_v opinion_n of_o the_o proposer_n but_o rather_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n propose_v which_o word_n of_o his_o do_v sufficient_o confirm_v the_o sense_n which_o we_o have_v former_o give_v of_o that_o passage_n of_o he_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o second_o commentary_n upon_o hosea_n he_o present_o afterward_o add_v recedere_fw-la my_o purpose_n be_v
with_o other_o than_o he_o have_v with_o st._n augustine_n wrest_v their_o word_n much_o further_a than_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v but_o sometime_o he_o go_v further_a yet_o and_o speak_v even_o of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n in_o so_o disrespectful_a a_o manner_n as_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o unsatisfy_v with_o these_o his_o do_n as_o for_o example_n where_o he_o say_v in_o plain_a term_n without_o any_o circumlocution_n that_o the_o peregrinis_fw-la inscription_n of_o the_o altar_n at_o athens_n be_v not_o express_v in_o those_o very_a word_n which_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n paul_n in_o the_o act_n chap._n 17._o to_o the_o unknown_a god_n but_o in_o other_o term_n thus_o to_o the_o god_n of_o europe_n asia_n and_o of_o africa_n to_o the_o unknown_a and_o foreign_a go_n so_o likewise_o where_o he_o tell_v we_o and_o repeat_v the_o same_o too_o in_o many_o several_a place_n that_o sermone_fw-la st._n paul_n know_v not_o how_o to_o speak_v nor_o to_o make_v a_o discourse_n hang_v together_o and_o that_o he_o make_v soloecism_n sometime_o and_o that_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o render_v a_o hyperbaton_n nor_o to_o conclude_v a_o sentence_n and_o that_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o express_v his_o own_o deep_a conception_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o good_a utterance_n but_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o deliver_v his_o mind_n and_o again_o in_o another_o place_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o modesty_n but_o it_o be_v the_o plain_a naked_a truth_n that_o he_o tell_v we_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v of_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v imperitus_fw-la sermone_fw-la rude_a in_o speech_n because_o that_o the_o truth_n be_v he_o can_v not_o deliver_v his_o mind_n to_o other_o in_o clear_a and_o intelligible_a language_n and_o he_o say_v moreover_o which_o be_v yet_o much_o worse_a than_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o trivio_fw-la the_o apostle_n dispute_v with_o the_o galatian_n counterfeit_v ignorance_n as_o know_v they_o to_o be_v a_o dull_a heavy_a people_n and_o that_o he_o have_v let_v fâ—ll_o some_o such_o expression_n as_o may_v possible_o have_v offend_v the_o more_o intelligent_a sort_n of_o people_n have_v he_o not_o before_o hand_n tell_v they_o that_o he_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n whosoever_o shall_v have_v have_v but_o the_o least_o taste_n of_o the_o force_n and_o vigour_n and_o of_o the_o candour_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o discourse_n of_o this_o holy_a apostle_n can_v never_o see_v he_o thus_o use_v without_o be_v extreme_o astonish_v at_o it_o especial_o if_o he_o but_o consider_v that_o these_o kind_n of_o speech_n although_o they_o have_v perhaps_o some_o ground_n which_o yet_o they_o have_v not_o must_v needs_o scandalize_v and_o give_v offence_n to_o the_o weak_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v utter_v without_o very_a much_o qualification_n and_o sweeten_v of_o the_o business_n st._n augustine_n i_o confess_v be_v much_o more_o discreet_a in_o this_o particular_a every_o where_o testify_v as_o there_o be_v very_o great_a reason_n he_o shall_v the_o great_a respect_n he_o bear_v to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o never_o speak_v of_o any_o of_o they_o whether_o it_o be_v of_o their_o style_n or_o of_o their_o sense_n but_o with_o a_o singular_a admiration_n but_o as_o for_o his_o own_o private_a opinion_n and_o those_o of_o other_o man_n which_o he_o embrace_v he_o be_v not_o without_o his_o error_n also_o such_o be_v that_o harsh_a sentence_n of_o he_o which_o he_o have_v pronounce_v upon_o all_o infant_n that_o die_v before_o baptism_n who_o he_o will_v have_v not_o only_o to_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o vision_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o punishment_n that_o the_o ordinary_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n condemn_v they_o to_o but_o he_o will_v further_o have_v they_o to_o be_v ap._n torment_v in_o hell_n fire_n wherein_o he_o be_v also_o follow_v by_o gregorius_n armininensis_n 3._o a_o famous_a doctor_n in_o the_o school_n where_o he_o be_v call_v by_o reason_n of_o this_o rigour_n of_o he_o tormentum_fw-la infantium_fw-la he_o maintain_v also_o that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v necessary_a for_o little_a infant_n as_o we_o have_v former_o note_v to_o another_o purpose_n to_o which_o we_o must_v also_o add_v that_o other_o opinion_n to_o which_o he_o evident_o incline_v namely_o 14._o that_o the_o soul_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n and_o be_v engender_v of_o his_o substance_n as_o well_o as_o the_o body_n and_o be_v not_o immediate_o create_v by_o god_n which_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n at_o this_o day_n there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o know_v that_o chapter_n he_o every_o where_o attribute_n to_o the_o angel_n a_o corporeal_a nature_n and_o also_o that_o he_o conceive_v against_o all_o sense_n and_o reason_n 11._o that_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v create_v all_o in_o a_o instant_n of_o time_n and_o refer_v the_o six_o day_n space_n of_o time_n wherein_o the_o creation_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v perfect_v to_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o angel_n he_o believe_v also_o with_o the_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n 74._o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n depart_v be_v shut_v up_o into_o i_o know_v not_o what_o secret_n dark_a receptacle_n where_o they_o be_v to_o remain_v from_o the_o hour_n of_o their_o departure_n till_o the_o resurrection_n but_o we_o need_v not_o trouble_v ourselves_o any_o further_a in_o prove_v that_o he_o also_o may_v err_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n see_v that_o himself_o have_v make_v so_o clear_a and_o so_o authentic_a a_o confession_n hereof_o in_o his_o book_n of_o his_o retractation_n where_o he_o correct_v many_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v former_o write_v either_o beside_o or_o against_o the_o truth_n i_o must_v here_o confess_v also_o that_o in_o my_o opinion_n it_o will_v have_v add_v very_o much_o to_o the_o great_a and_o high_a esteem_n which_o we_o general_o have_v of_o his_o part_n and_o worth_a if_o he_o have_v be_v more_o positive_a and_o more_o resolve_v in_o the_o decision_n of_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v handle_v for_o the_o most_o part_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o academic_n doubt_o and_o waver_o all_o the_o way_n insomuch_o that_o he_o leave_v undecided_a not_o only_o 18._o whether_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o other_o star_n be_v endue_v with_o reason_n but_o also_o 11._o whether_o the_o world_n itself_o be_v a_o live_a creature_n or_o not_o he_o that_o will_v but_o exact_o and_o careful_o read_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n may_v very_o easy_o observe_v in_o their_o write_n divers_a error_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o a_o man_n shall_v scarce_o meet_v with_o any_o one_o father_n of_o any_o note_n or_o repute_v from_o who_o some_o such_o thing_n or_o other_o have_v not_o escape_v as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n who_o have_v take_v upon_o i_o this_o troublesome_a business_n very_o unwilling_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o these_o few_o instance_n already_o set_v down_o see_v they_o do_v in_o my_o judgement_n make_v this_o business_n very_o clear_a the_o discovery_n whereof_o i_o have_v be_v necessitate_v to_o undertake_v though_o i_o wish_v rather_o they_o may_v have_v be_v conceal_v for_o see_v that_o these_o so_o eminent_a person_n who_o be_v of_o the_o great_a repute_n among_o all_o the_o ancient_n have_v through_o humane_a infirmity_n fall_v into_o such_o error_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n what_o ought_v we_o to_o expect_v from_o other_o who_o come_v very_o much_o behind_o these_o both_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o antiquity_n learning_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n since_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n tertullian_n cyprian_n lactantius_n hilary_n ambrose_n hierome_n augustine_n and_o epiphanius_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o most_o eminent_a and_o most_o approve_a person_n that_o ever_o be_v have_v yet_o stumble_v in_o many_o place_n and_o have_v quite_o fall_v in_o some_o other_o what_o have_v cyril_n leo_n gregorius_n romanus_n and_o damascene_fw-la do_v who_o have_v come_v after_o they_o and_o in_o who_o have_v appear_v both_o much_o less_o gallantry_n of_o spirit_n and_o sanctity_n than_o in_o the_o former_a beside_o if_o these_o man_n have_v be_v mistake_v in_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n some_o of_o they_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o point_n touch_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n some_o touch_v the_o humanity_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n other_o touch_v the_o quality_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o some_o touch_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n thereof_o after_o death_n and_o touch_v the_o resurrection_n why_o for_o god_n sake_n must_v they_o needs_o be_v infallible_a when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o point_n now_o debate_v among_o we_o why_o may_v
but_o certain_o not_o on_o their_o side_n who_o maintain_v they_o affirmative_o but_o however_o this_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n that_o throughout_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o genuine_a write_n of_o these_o father_n you_o shall_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n express_o urge_v either_o for_o or_o against_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o opinion_n i_o shall_v most_o willing_o confess_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o every_o wise_a man_n make_v up_o but_o one_o entire_a body_n the_o part_n whereof_o have_v a_o certain_a correspondence_n and_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o in_o such_o sort_n as_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v able_a by_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o deliver_v express_o to_o give_v a_o guess_n what_o his_o opinion_n be_v touch_v other_o thing_n which_o he_o declare_v himself_o not_o at_o all_o in_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n utter_o improbable_a that_o he_o maintain_v any_o one_o position_n which_o shall_v manifest_o clash_v with_o his_o other_o tenet_n or_o that_o he_o reject_v any_o thing_n that_o necessary_o follow_v upon_o they_o but_o beside_o that_o this_o manner_n of_o disputation_n presuppose_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n hang_v all_o close_a together_o no_o one_o position_n contradict_v another_o but_o have_v all_o its_o part_n unite_v and_o depend_v one_o upon_o another_o which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o altogether_o unquestionable_a as_o we_o shall_v show_v elsewhere_o beside_o all_o this_o i_o say_v it_o require_v also_o a_o sharp_a pierce_a wit_n which_o ready_o and_o clear_o apprehend_v the_o connexion_n of_o each_o several_a point_n a_o excellent_a memory_n to_o retain_v faithful_o whatever_o position_n the_o ancient_n have_v maintain_v and_o a_o solid_a judgement_n free_a from_o all_o pre-occupation_n to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o tenet_n maintain_v at_o this_o day_n and_o what_o man_n soever_o be_v endue_v with_o all_o these_o quality_n i_o shall_v account_v he_o the_o fit_a man_n to_o make_v profitable_a use_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o likely_a of_o any_o to_o search_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o they_o but_o the_o mischief_n of_o it_o be_v that_o man_n so_o qualify_v be_v very_o rare_a and_o hard_o to_o be_v find_v i_o shall_v add_v here_o other_o that_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v some_o certain_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n this_o whole_a method_n be_v vain_a and_o useless_a as_o be_v also_o that_o which_o make_v use_v of_o argumentation_n and_o reason_n mean_n which_o be_v insufficient_a and_o unable_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o these_o doctor_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o any_o certainty_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n wherein_o their_o opinion_n be_v we_o be_v to_o rely_v upon_o clear_a and_o express_v text_n only_o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o account_n we_o will_v not_o if_o we_o be_v wife_n believe_v that_o the_o father_n hold_v any_o of_o the_o aforenamed_a point_n unless_o we_o can_v find_v they_o in_o express_a term_n deliver_v in_o their_o write_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o very_a same_o term_n that_o we_o read_v they_o in_o the_o decree_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n see_v then_o that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n those_o testimony_n only_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v which_o be_v express_v and_o likewise_o that_o of_o these_o point_n now_o controvert_v there_o be_v searce_o any_o thing_n find_v express_o deliver_v by_o the_o father_n we_o may_v in_o my_o opinion_n very_o logical_o and_o reasonable_o conclude_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 difficult_a thing_n according_a to_o these_o man_n to_o come_v to_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n touch_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o tenet_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n reject_v by_o the_o protestant_n chap._n iii_o reason_n iii_o that_o those_o write_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v not_o all_o true_o such_o but_o a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o supposition_n and_o forge_v either_o long_o since_o or_o of_o late_a time_n i_o come_v now_o to_o more_o important_a consideration_n these_o two_o former_a though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o to_o be_v despise_v or_o neglect_v be_v yet_o but_o trivial_a one_o in_o respect_n of_o those_o which_o follow_v for_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o confusion_n in_o the_o most_o part_n of_o these_o book_n whereof_o we_o speak_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n true_o to_o find_v out_o who_o be_v their_o author_n and_o what_o the_o mean_v and_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v the_o first_o difficulty_n proceed_v from_o the_o infinite_a number_n of_o forge_v book_n which_o be_v false_o attribute_v to_o the_o ancient_a father_n the_o like_a have_v happen_v also_o in_o all_o sort_n of_o learning_n and_o science_n insomuch_o that_o the_o critic_n at_o this_o day_n be_v sufficient_o trouble_v in_o discover_v both_o in_o philosophy_n and_o humanity_n which_o be_v forge_v and_o supposititious_a piece_n and_o which_o be_v true_a and_o legitimate_a but_o this_o abuse_n have_v not_o reign_v any_o where_o more_o gross_o and_o take_v to_o itself_o more_o liberty_n than_o towards_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n all_o man_n complain_v on_o this_o both_o on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o on_o the_o other_o and_o labour_n all_o they_o can_v to_o deliver_v we_o from_o these_o confusion_n though_o oftentimes_o with_o little_a success_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o eagerness_n of_o their_o passion_n by_o which_o they_o be_v carry_v away_o ordinary_o judge_v of_o book_n according_a to_o their_o own_o interest_n rather_o than_o the_o truth_n and_o reject_v all_o those_o that_o any_o whit_n contradict_v they_o but_o defend_v those_o which_o speak_v of_o their_o side_n how_o good_a or_o bad_a soever_o they_o otherwise_o chance_v to_o be_v so_o that_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n they_o judge_v not_o of_o their_o own_o opinion_n by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n but_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n by_o their_o own_o opinion_n if_o they_o speak_v with_o we_o it_o be_v then_o cyprian_a and_o chrysostome_n if_o not_o it_o be_v some_o ignorant_a modern_a fellow_n or_o else_o some_o malicious_a person_n who_o will_v fain_o cover_v his_o own_o filthiness_n under_o the_o rich_a garment_n of_o these_o excellent_a person_n now_o if_o it_o be_v passion_n only_o that_o render_v the_o business_n obscure_a we_o shall_v be_v able_a easy_o to_o quit_v our_o hand_n of_o it_o by_o strip_v it_o and_o lay_v it_o open_a to_o the_o world_n and_o all_o moderate_a man_n will_v find_v enough_o to_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o it_o be_v that_o this_o obscurity_n oftentimes_o fall_v out_o to_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a and_o sometime_o a_o impossible_a thing_n to_o clear_v they_o whether_o it_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o error_n or_o else_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o near_a resemblance_n of_o the_o â—alse_a to_o the_o true_a for_o these_o forgery_n be_v not_o new_a and_o of_o yesteryesterday_o but_o the_o abuse_n have_v be_v on_o foot_n above_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n it_o be_v the_o complaint_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o father_n that_o the_o heretic_n to_o gain_v their_o own_o dream_n the_o great_a authority_n 22._o vent_v they_o under_o the_o name_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a writer_n in_o the_o church_n and_o even_o of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o amphilochius_n bishop_n of_o iconium_n who_o be_v so_o much_o esteem_v by_o the_o great_a s._n 552._o basil_n archbishop_n of_o caesarea_n write_v a_o particular_a tract_n on_o this_o subject_a allege_v by_o the_o father_n of_o the_o seven_o council_n against_o a_o certain_a passage_n produce_v by_o the_o iconocla_v out_o of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o idle_a treatise_n entitle_v the_o travel_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o i_o will_v to_o god_n that_o tract_n of_o this_o learned_a prelate_n be_v now_o extant_a if_o it_o be_v it_o will_v perhaps_o do_v we_o good_a service_n in_o discover_v the_o vanity_n of_o very_a many_o ridiculous_a piece_n which_o now_o pass_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o most_o ancient_a christian_n s._n c._n hierome_n reject_v divers_a apocryphal_a book_n which_o be_v publish_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o their_o first_o disciple_n as_o namely_o of_o s._n peter_n of_o barnabas_n and_o other_o the_o gospel_n of_o s._n thomas_n and_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o laodicean_n 6._o be_v put_v in_o the_o same_o rank_n by_o the_o seven_o council_n now_o if_o these_o wretched_a knave_n have_v be_v thus_o saucy_a with_o the_o apostle_n as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o
the_o truth_n when_o as_o in_o his_o old_a age_n take_v pen_n in_o hand_n he_o review_v and_o correct_v all_o that_o he_o have_v ever_o write_v during_o his_o whole_a life_n faithful_o and_o ingenuous_o note_v whatsoever_o he_o think_v worthy_a of_o reprehension_n and_o give_v we_o all_o those_o his_o animadversion_n collect_v together_o in_o the_o book_n of_o his_o retractation_n which_o in_o my_o judgement_n be_v the_o most_o glorious_a and_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o those_o many_o monument_n which_o he_o have_v leave_v to_o posterity_n whether_o you_o consider_v here_o the_o learning_n or_o the_o modesty_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o man._n etc._n s._n hierome_n report_v that_o origen_n also_o long_o before_o have_v in_o his_o old_a age_n write_v a_o epistle_n to_o fabianus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n wherein_o he_o confess_v that_o he_o repent_v he_o of_o many_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v teach_v and_o write_v neither_o be_v there_o any_o doubt_n but_o that_o some_o such_o like_a thing_n may_v have_v happen_v to_o most_o of_o the_o other_o father_n and_o that_o they_o may_v have_v sometime_o disallow_v of_o that_o which_o they_o have_v former_o believe_v as_o true_a now_o from_o this_o consideration_n there_o fall_v in_o our_o way_n a_o new_a difficulty_n which_o we_o be_v to_o grapple_v with_o in_o this_o our_o inquiry_n into_o the_o true_a genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o father_n touch_v our_o present_a controversy_n for_o see_v that_o the_o condition_n and_o nature_n of_o their_o write_n be_v such_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o when_o we_o will_v make_v use_n of_o any_o of_o their_o opinion_n it_o will_v concern_v we_o to_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o they_o have_v not_o only_o sometime_o either_o hold_v or_o write_v the_o same_o but_o that_o they_o have_v moreover_o persevere_v in_o they_o to_o the_o end_n common_n whence_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n in_o that_o passage_n of_o he_o which_o be_v so_o often_o urge_v for_o the_o make_v use_n of_o the_o ancient_a author_n in_o decide_v our_o present_a controversy_n think_v it_o not_o fit_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v bind_v to_o receive_v whatsoever_o they_o have_v say_v for_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n unless_o they_o have_v assure_v and_o confirm_v it_o unto_o we_o by_o their_o perseverance_n in_o the_o same_o as_o he_o there_o speak_v cardinal_n perron_n also_o evident_o show_v we_o the_o same_o way_n by_o his_o own_o practice_n for_o dispute_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v always_o the_o very_a same_o in_o the_o western_a church_n with_o that_o which_o be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o iii_o council_n of_o carthage_n where_o the_o maccabee_n be_v reckon_v in_o among_o the_o rest_n and_o find_v himself_o hardly_o press_v by_o some_o certain_a passage_n allege_v by_o the_o protestant_n out_o of_o s._n hierome_n to_o the_o contrary_a he_o answer_v the_o objection_n by_o say_v among_o other_o thing_n 50._o that_o this_o father_n when_o he_o write_v the_o say_v passage_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v to_o the_o ripeness_n of_o his_o judgement_n and_o perfection_n of_o his_o study_n whereas_o afterward_o when_o he_o be_v now_o more_o full_o instruct_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n he_o change_v his_o opinion_n and_o retract_v as_o this_o cardinal_n say_v both_o in_o general_n and_o in_o particular_a whatsoever_o he_o have_v before_o write_v in_o those_o three_o prologue_n where_o he_o have_v exclude_v the_o maccabee_n out_o of_o the_o canon_n ibid._n and_o so_o likewise_o to_o another_o objection_n bring_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n out_o of_o the_o commentary_n of_o s._n gregory_n the_o great_a he_o give_v the_o like_a answer_n say_v that_o s._n gregory_n when_o he_o write_v that_o piece_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v to_o be_v pope_n but_o be_v a_o plain_a deacon_n only_o be_v at_o that_o time_n employ_v at_o constantinople_n as_o the_o pope_n nuncio_n to_o the_o greek_n now_o these_o answer_n of_o his_o be_v either_o insufficient_a or_o else_o it_o will_v necessary_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o rest_v certain_o satisfy_v in_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o father_n except_o we_o first_o be_v assure_v that_o not_o only_o he_o never_o afterward_o retract_v that_o opinion_n of_o he_o but_o that_o beside_o he_o write_v it_o in_o the_o strength_n and_o ripeness_n of_o his_o judgement_n and_o see_v now_o how_o we_o be_v fall_v into_o a_o new_a labyrinth_n for_o first_o of_o all_o from_o whence_o and_o by_o what_o mean_n may_v we_o be_v able_a to_o come_v true_o and_o certain_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o secret_a when_o as_o we_o can_v hardly_o meet_v with_o any_o light_a conjecture_n tend_v to_o the_o make_n of_o this_o discovery_n namely_o whether_o a_o father_n have_v in_o his_o old_a age_n change_v his_o opinion_n touch_v that_o point_n for_o which_o it_o be_v produce_v against_o we_o or_o not_o if_o they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o be_v either_o able_a or_o willing_a to_o have_v imitate_v the_o modesty_n of_o s._n augustine_n we_o shall_v then_o have_v have_v little_o leave_v to_o trouble_v we_o but_o you_o will_v hardly_o find_v any_o either_o of_o the_o ancient_n or_o of_o those_o of_o late_a time_n that_o have_v follow_v this_o example_n unless_o it_o be_v cardinal_n bellarmine_n who_o have_v late_o think_v good_a to_o revive_v this_o piece_n of_o modesty_n which_o have_v lie_v dead_a and_o bury_v for_o the_o space_n of_o so_o many_o age_n together_o by_o write_v a_o book_n of_o retractation_n which_o book_n of_o he_o be_v very_o diverse_o receive_v by_o the_o learned_a as_o well_o of_o the_o one_o as_o of_o the_o other_o religion_n but_o yet_o if_o you_o will_v stand_v stiff_a upon_o it_o with_o cardinal_z perron_n and_o not_o allow_v the_o say_n of_o a_o father_n to_o be_v of_o any_o value_n unless_o it_o be_v write_v by_o he_o after_o the_o ripeness_n of_o his_o study_n i_o shall_v then_o despair_v of_o our_o ever_o make_v any_o progress_n so_o much_o as_o one_o step_n forward_o by_o this_o mean_n in_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n for_o will_n the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o party_n say_v upon_o every_o testimony_n that_o shall_v be_v produce_v against_o they_o how_o do_v we_o know_v whether_o this_o father_n have_v yet_o arrive_v to_o the_o ripeness_n of_o his_o judgement_n when_o he_o write_v this_o book_n or_o not_o who_o can_v tell_v whether_o or_o no_o those_o day_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o enjoy_v after_o the_o write_n hereof_o may_v not_o have_v bestow_v as_o well_o clearness_n on_o his_o understanding_n as_o whiteness_n on_o his_o head_n and_o have_v change_v his_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o his_o hair_n we_o suppose_v here_o that_o no_o such_o thing_n appear_v in_o any_o of_o his_o other_o write_n how_o many_o author_n be_v there_o who_o have_v change_v their_o opinion_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o retract_v what_o they_o have_v former_o write_v but_o suppose_v now_o that_o we_o shall_v have_v lose_v that_o particular_a tract_n wherein_o the_o author_n have_v give_v testimony_n of_o the_o change_n of_o his_o opinion_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v in_o this_o cafe_z if_o time_n shall_v have_v deprive_v we_o of_o s._n augustine_n retractation_n and_o some_o other_o of_o his_o late_a write_n as_o it_o have_v of_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o other_o piece_n both_o of_o he_o and_o other_o of_o the_o father_n which_o will_v have_v be_v of_o as_o great_a importance_n to_o we_o we_o must_v certain_o have_v think_v that_o he_o have_v believe_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o predestination_n be_v the_o prescience_n or_o foresee_v of_o the_o faith_n of_o man_n read_v but_o what_o he_o say_v in_o one_o of_o the_o book_n which_o he_o first_o write_v namely_o etc._n that_o god_n have_v not_o elect_v the_o work_n of_o any_o man_n according_a to_o his_o prescience_n see_v that_o it_o be_v he_o himself_o that_o give_v the_o same_o to_o a_o man_n but_o that_o he_o have_v elect_v his_o faith_n by_o his_o prescience_n that_o be_v he_o have_v elect_v those_o who_o he_o foresee_v will_v believe_v his_o word_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o make_v choice_n of_o they_o to_o bestow_v his_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o that_o so_o by_o do_v good_a work_n they_o may_v attain_v everlasting_a life_n now_o will_v the_o pelagian_n and_o semipelagian_o have_v bring_v this_o passage_n as_o a_o infallible_a argument_n that_o s._n augustine_n be_v of_o their_o opinion_n but_o that_o his_o retractation_n and_o his_o other_o book_n which_o be_v write_v afterward_o in_o his_o late_a time_n clear_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o argument_n be_v of_o no_o force_n at_o all_o forasmuch_o as_o this_o learned_a father_n have_v afterward_o better_o consider_v of_o this_o point_n whole_o alter_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 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castro_n and_o 4._o melchior_n canus_n two_o spanish_a doctor_n for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n save_o that_o which_o be_v true_a it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o we_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o believe_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n till_o such_o time_n as_o they_o appear_v to_o we_o to_o have_v be_v certain_o true_a now_o we_o can_v be_v certain_o assure_v of_o this_o by_o their_o single_a authority_n see_v that_o they_o be_v but_o man_n who_o be_v not_o always_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n from_o above_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o make_v use_v of_o some_o other_o guide_n in_o this_o our_o inquiry_n namely_o either_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o of_o reason_n or_o of_o tradition_n or_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o present_a church_n or_o of_o some_o other_o such_o mean_n as_o they_o themselves_o have_v make_v use_n of_o so_o that_o it_o hence_o follow_v that_o their_o bare_a assertion_n be_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o we_o to_o build_v any_o of_o our_o opinion_n upon_o they_o only_o serve_v to_o incline_v we_o before_o hand_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o same_o the_o great_a opinion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o they_o cause_v we_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o will_v never_o have_v embrace_v such_o a_o opinion_n except_o it_o have_v be_v true_a which_o manner_n of_o argumentation_n how_o ever_o be_v at_o the_o best_a but_o probable_a so_o long_o as_o the_o person_n we_o have_v here_o to_o do_v withal_o be_v only_a man_n and_o no_o more_o and_o in_o this_o particular_a case_n where_o the_o question_n be_v touch_v point_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v allow_v of_o since_o that_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v ground_v not_o upon_o probability_n but_o upon_o necessary_a truth_n the_o father_n be_v like_a to_o other_o great_a master_n in_o this_o point_n and_o their_o opinion_n be_v more_o or_o less_o valid_a in_o proportion_n to_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n whereon_o they_o be_v ground_v only_o they_o have_v this_o advantage_n that_o their_o very_a name_n beget_v in_o we_o a_o readiness_n and_o inclination_n to_o receive_v whatsoever_o come_v from_o they_o while_o we_o think_v it_o very_o improbable_a that_o so_o excellent_a man_n as_o they_o be_v shall_v ever_o believe_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a thus_o in_o humane_a science_n the_o say_n of_o a_o aristotle_n be_v of_o a_o far_o different_a value_n from_o that_o of_o any_o other_o philosopher_n of_o less_o account_n because_o that_o all_o man_n be_v beforehand_o possess_v with_o a_o opinion_n that_o this_o great_a philosopher_n will_v not_o maintain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o consonant_a to_o reason_n but_o this_o be_v prejudice_n only_o for_o if_o upon_o better_a examination_n it_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v otherwise_o his_o bare_a authority_n will_v then_o no_o long_o prevail_v with_o we_o what_o himself_o have_v sometime_o gallant_o say_v will_v then_o here_o take_v place_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n always_o to_o prefer_v the_o truth_n 〈◊〉_d before_o friendship_n let_v the_o father_n therefore_o if_o you_o please_v be_v the_o aristotle_n in_o christian_n philosophy_n and_o let_v we_o have_v a_o reverent_a esteem_n of_o they_o and_o their_o write_n as_o they_o deserve_v and_o not_o be_v too_o rash_a in_o conclude_v that_o person_n of_o so_o eminent_a both_o learning_n and_o sanctity_n shall_v maintain_v any_o erroneous_a or_o vain_a opinion_n especial_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v we_o bind_v withal_o to_o remember_v that_o they_o be_v but_o man_n and_o that_o their_o memory_n understanding_n or_o judgement_n may_v sometime_o fail_v they_o and_o therefore_o consequent_o that_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v their_o write_n by_o those_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o draw_v their_o conclusion_n and_o not_o to_o sit_v down_o upon_o their_o bare_a assertion_n till_o such_o time_n as_o we_o have_v discover_v they_o to_o be_v true_a if_o i_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o any_o other_o person_n than_o of_o the_o father_n i_o shall_v not_o add_v any_o thing_n more_o to_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v it_o have_v be_v already_o in_o my_o judgement_n clear_o enough_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o themselves_o of_o authority_n enough_o to_o oblige_v we_o necessary_o to_o follow_v their_o opinion_n but_o see_v the_o question_n here_o be_v touch_v these_o great_a name_n which_o be_v so_o high_o honour_v in_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n that_o no_o man_n may_v accuse_v we_o of_o endeavour_v to_o rob_v they_o of_o any_o of_o the_o respect_n which_o be_v due_a unto_o they_o i_o hold_v it_o necessary_a to_o examine_v this_o business_n a_o little_a more_o exact_o and_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v by_o consider_v the_o thing_n itself_o that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o more_o authority_n neither_o in_o themselves_o nor_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o than_o have_v be_v already_o by_o we_o attribute_v unto_o they_o chap._n ii_o reason_n 2._o that_o the_o father_n themselves_o testify_v against_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v absolute_o and_o upon_o their_o own_o bare_a word_n in_o what_o they_o deliver_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v none_o so_o fit_a to_o inform_v we_o what_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v as_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o who_o in_o all_o reason_n must_v needs_o know_v this_o better_a than_o we_o let_v we_o therefore_o now_o hear_v what_o they_o testify_v in_o this_o particular_a and_o if_o we_o do_v indeed_o hold_v they_o in_o so_o high_a esteem_n as_o we_o make_v profession_n of_o let_v we_o allow_v of_o their_o judgement_n in_o this_o particular_a attribute_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o unto_o the_o ancient_n than_o they_o themselves_o require_v at_o our_o hand_n st._n augustine_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a light_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n be_v enter_v into_o a_o contestation_n with_o st._n hierome_n touch_v the_o interpretation_n beforementioned_a of_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o galatian_n and_o find_v himself_o hardly_o press_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o six_o or_o seven_o greek_a writer_n which_o be_v urge_v against_o he_o by_o the_o other_o to_o rid_v his_o hand_n of_o they_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v open_a profession_n in_o what_o account_n he_o hold_v that_o sort_n of_o writer_n est_fw-la i_o confess_v say_v he_o to_o thy_o charity_n that_o i_o only_o owe_v to_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v now_o call_v canonical_a that_o reverence_n and_o honour_n as_o to_o believe_v steadfast_o that_o none_o of_o their_o author_n ever_o commit_v any_o error_n in_o write_v the_o same_o and_o if_o by_o chance_n i_o there_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v the_o truth_n i_o present_o 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this_o day_n it_o be_v believe_v and_o defend_v by_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o of_o all_o those_o who_o make_v profession_n of_o stand_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n who_o have_v reject_v it_o save_v only_o the_o latin_n 584._o who_o have_v express_o also_o establish_v the_o contrary_a at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n hold_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1439._o which_o be_v not_o above_o two_o hundred_o and_o twelve_o year_n ago_o do_v but_o fancy_n now_o to_o yourselves_o a_o vicentius_n lirinensis_n stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o this_o council_n and_o lay_v before_o they_o his_o own_o oracle_n before_o mention_v which_o be_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o hold_v for_o most_o certain_o and_o undoubted_o true_a whatsoever_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o the_o ancient_n unanimous_o and_o by_o a_o common_a consent_n and_o do_v but_o think_v whether_o or_o no_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v hiss_v 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recourse_n to_o some_o other_o way_n of_o proof_n if_o they_o intend_v to_o prevail_v upon_o their_o adversary_n to_o receive_v the_o aforesaid_a article_n but_o what_o will_v you_o say_v now_o if_o we_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o you_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o do_v not_o allow_v that_o the_o father_n have_v any_o such_o authority_n i_o suppose_v that_o if_o we_o be_v able_a to_o do_v this_o there_o be_v no_o man_n so_o perverse_a as_o not_o to_o confess_v that_o this_o proceed_v of_o they_o in_o ground_v their_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o the_o say_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o only_o very_o insufficient_a but_o very_o inconvenient_a also_o for_o how_o can_v it_o ever_o be_v endure_v that_o a_o man_n that_o will_v persuade_v you_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n shall_v for_o that_o purpose_n make_v use_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o some_o such_o person_n as_o neither_o you_o nor_o himself_o believe_v to_o be_v infallible_o true_a and_o so_o fit_a to_o 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a_o new_a exposition_n of_o any_o passage_n of_o scripture_n under_o pretence_n that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o what_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n give_v but_o let_v he_o rather_o diligent_o examine_v the_o text_n and_o the_o contexture_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o he_o find_v that_o it_o accord_v well_o therewith_o let_v he_o praise_n god_n who_o have_v not_o tie_v the_o exposition_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n but_o to_o the_o whole_a scripture_n itself_o under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n melchior_n canus_n bishop_n of_o the_o canary_n island_n have_v before_o declare_v himself_o according_a as_o st._n augustine_n have_v do_v say_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n only_o be_v exempt_a from_o all_o error_n he_o further_o add_v labitur_fw-la but_o there_o be_v no_o man_n how_o holy_a or_o learn_v soever_o he_o be_v that_o be_v not_o sometime_o deceive_v that_o do_v not_o sometime_o dote_v that_o do_v not_o sometime_o slip_v and_o then_o allege_v some_o of_o those_o example_n which_o we_o have_v before_o produce_v he_o conclude_v in_o these_o word_n judicio_fw-la let_v we_o therefore_o read_v the_o ancient_a father_n with_o all_o due_a reverence_n yet_o notwithstanding_o for_o as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v but_o man_n with_o choice_n and_o judgement_n and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o say_v that_o the_o father_n sometime_o fail_v and_o bring_v forth_o monster_n beside_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n naturae_fw-la and_o in_o the_o same_o place_n he_o say_v that_o to_o follow_v the_o ancient_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o to_o tread_v every_o where_o in_o their_o step_n as_o little_a cbildren_n use_v to_o do_v in_o play_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o disparage_v our_o own_o part_n and_o to_o confess_v ourselves_o to_o have_v neither_o judgement_n nor_o skill_n enough_o for_o the_o search_n into_o the_o trutâ—_n no_o let_v we_o follow_v they_o as_o guide_n but_o not_o as_o master_n assensum_fw-la it_o be_v very_o true_a say_v ambrose_n catharinus_n in_o like_a manner_n that_o the_o say_n and_o write_n of_o the_o father_n have_v not_o of_o themselves_o any_o so_o absolute_a authority_n as_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v to_o they_o in_o all_o thing_n the_o jesuit_n also_o themselves_o inform_v we_o sufficient_o in_o many_o place_n that_o they_o do_v not_o reckon_v themselves_o so_o tie_v to_o follow_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o father_n in_o all_o thing_n as_o people_n may_v imagine_v petavius_n in_o his_o annotation_n upon_o epiphanius_n confess_v free_o debemus_fw-la that_o the_o father_n be_v man_n that_o they_o have_v their_o fail_n and_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o malicious_o to_o search_v after_o their_o error_n that_o we_o may_v lay_v they_o open_v to_o the_o world_n but_o that_o we_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o note_v they_o when_o ever_o they_o come_v in_o our_o way_n to_o the_o end_n that_o none_o be_v deceive_v by_o they_o and_o that_o we_o ought_v no_o more_o to_o maintain_v or_o defend_v their_o error_n than_o we_o ought_v to_o imitate_v their_o vice_n if_o at_o least_o they_o have_v any_o and_o again_o videbuntur_fw-la that_o many_o thing_n have_v slip_v from_o they_o which_o if_o they_o be_v examine_v according_a to_o the_o exact_a rule_n of_o truth_n can_v not_o be_v reconcile_v to_o any_o good_a sense_n and_o that_o himself_o have_v observe_v 285._o that_o they_o be_v out_o sufficient_o whensoever_o they_o speak_v of_o such_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v not_o at_o all_o call_v in_o question_n in_o their_o time_n and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n he_o often_o reject_v both_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o exposition_n also_o and_o sometime_o very_o uncivil_o too_o as_o we_o have_v touch_v 4._o before_o speak_v of_o his_o note_n upon_o epiphanius_n and_o in_o one_o place_n the_o authority_n of_o some_o of_o the_o