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 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prophet_n or_o apostle_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o who_o write_n as_o be_v exempt_a from_o all_o error_n we_o may_v not_o in_o any_o wise_a doubt_n and_o have_v afterward_o oppose_v some_o other_o the_o like_a authority_n against_o those_o allege_a by_o st._n hierome_n he_o add_v that_o he_o have_v do_v so_o dubitem_fw-la notwithstanding_o that_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n he_o account_v the_o canonical_a scripture_n only_o to_o be_v the_o book_n to_o which_o as_o he_o say_v before_o he_o owe_v that_o ingenuous_a duty_n as_o to_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o never_o err_v or_o deceive_v the_o reader_n in_o any_o thing_n this_o holy_a man_n account_v this_o advice_n to_o be_v of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o that_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o repeat_v it_o again_o in_o another_o place_n and_o i_o must_v entreat_v my_o reader_n
the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o that_o all_o that_o go_v before_o they_o have_v both_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o the_o consideration_n whereof_o be_v both_o please_a and_o useful_a unto_o they_o for_o what_o can_v more_o delight_v a_o faithful_a heart_n than_o to_o find_v that_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o eminent_a person_n in_o the_o church_n have_v long_o since_o hold_v the_o same_o opinion_n touch_v our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o grace_n that_o we_o now_o hold_v at_o this_o day_n but_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o hence_o present_o follow_v that_o though_o these_o holy_a man_n shall_v have_v meet_v with_o these_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o the_o write_n of_o their_o predecessor_n only_o without_o find_v any_o foundation_n of_o they_o in_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n they_o will_v notwithstanding_o firm_o have_v believe_v and_o embrace_v the_o same_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o their_o predecessor_n s._n augustine_n profess_v plain_o that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n they_o may_v better_o have_v reject_v they_o and_o not_o be_v blame_v for_o so_o do_v neither_o than_o have_v receive_v they_o unless_o they_o will_v incur_v the_o imputation_n of_o be_v over_o credulous_a for_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o too_o much_o credulity_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n without_o reason_n and_o he_o further_o affirm_v that_o where_o man_n speak_v without_o either_o scripture_n or_o reason_n their_o bare_a authority_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v what_o they_o propose_v unto_o we_o so_o that_o it_o hence_o appear_v that_o humane_a testimony_n be_v allege_v not_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o faith_n but_o only_o to_o show_v the_o clearness_n of_o it_o after_o it_o be_v once_o well_o ground_v now_o the_o question_n at_o this_o day_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o concern_v the_o clearness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o article_n they_o believe_v and_o press_v 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age_n against_o the_o arrian_n deal_v with_o they_o whole_o in_o a_o manner_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o certain_o those_o holy_a man_n beside_o their_o christian_a candour_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v take_v a_o very_a wise_a course_n in_o so_o do_v for_o if_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a writer_n i_o know_v not_o how_o any_o man_n shall_v have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a that_o which_o this_o gallant_a so_o confident_o affirm_v in_o the_o place_n aforecited_a namely_o that_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_n ever_o say_v that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v any_o beginning_n of_o his_o generation_n consider_v those_o many_o strange_a passage_n that_o we_o yet_o at_o this_o day_n meet_v with_o touch_v this_o particular_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o father_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n also_o why_o the_o arrian_n alâ—ledged_v their_o testimony_n as_o we_o see_v they_o do_v in_o the_o book_n of_o athanasius_n hilary_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n who_o write_v against_o they_o but_o what_o need_v we_o insist_v so_o long_o upon_o a_o story_n which_o be_v reject_v by_o cardinal_n 〈◊〉_d baronius_n as_o be_v a_o idle_a tale_n devise_v by_o zozomene_n who_o be_v a_o novatian_a 383._o in_o favour_n of_o those_o of_o his_o own_o sect._n the_o counsel_n of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n which_o he_o give_v we_o in_o a_o certain_a little_a discourse_n of_o he_o which_o be_v very_o high_o prise_v by_o hieron_n gennadius_n be_v account_v by_o many_o man_n much_o more_o worthy_a of_o our_o consideration_n for_o have_v first_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o any_o author_n pp_n save_v only_o of_o such_o who_o have_v holy_o wise_o and_o constant_o live_v preach_v and_o persevere_v in_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o communion_n obtain_v the_o favour_n at_o length_n either_o to_o die_v faithful_o in_o christ_n or_o else_o have_v the_o happiness_n of_o be_v 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judge_n these_o consideration_n join_v to_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o this_o particular_a by_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o eminent_a among_o themselves_o as_o we_o have_v former_o show_v do_v make_v it_o in_o my_o judgement_n evident_o enough_o appear_v that_o their_o own_o will_n and_o desire_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o embrace_v their_o opinion_n as_o oracle_n or_o receive_v they_o as_o definitive_a sentence_n but_o that_o we_o shall_v rather_o examine_v they_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o by_o reason_n as_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o doctor_n who_o be_v indeed_o very_o able_a and_o excellent_a man_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v still_o man_n subject_n to_o error_n and_o who_o have_v not_o always_o the_o good_a fortune_n to_o light_v upon_o what_o be_v true_a and_o sound_a and_o who_o peradventure_o even_o in_o this_o very_a case_n in_o hand_n have_v not_o always_o do_v what_o they_o may_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o employ_v either_o less_o time_n or_o 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so_o charitable_a admonition_n we_o shall_v still_o believe_v all_o they_o say_v without_o examine_v any_o thing_n sonant_fw-la i_o take_v it_o for_o a_o favour_n say_v s._n ambrose_n when_o any_o one_o that_o read_v my_o write_n give_v i_o a_o account_n of_o what_o doubt_v he_o there_o meet_v withal_o first_o of_o all_o because_o i_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o those_o very_a thing_n which_o i_o know_v and_o beside_o many_o thing_n escape_v we_o and_o some_o thing_n sound_v otherwise_o to_o some_o than_o perhaps_o they_o do_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v further_o here_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o take_v notice_n how_o careful_a the_o ancient_n be_v in_o advise_v those_o who_o live_v in_o their_o own_o time_n to_o take_v a_o strict_a examination_n of_o their_o word_n as_o for_o example_n where_o origen_n advise_v veritatis_fw-la that_o his_o auditor_n shall_v prove_v whatsoever_o he_o deliver_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v attentive_a and_o receive_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n 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bishop_n confessor_n or_o martyr_n which_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o this_o proposal_n of_o his_o according_a to_o his_o own_o maxim_n ought_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o public_a determination_n and_o to_o be_v account_v of_o only_a as_o his_o own_o particular_a private_a opinion_n let_v we_o therefore_o in_o this_o business_n rather_o follow_v the_o judgement_n of_o s._n augustine_n which_o be_v ground_v upon_o evident_a reason_n a_o person_n who_o authority_n whenever_o it_o shall_v be_v question_v will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v incomparable_o great_a than_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n his_o and_o let_v we_o not_o henceforth_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o any_o say_n or_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n save_v only_o such_o the_o truth_n whereof_o they_o shall_v have_v make_v appear_v evident_o unto_o we_o either_o by_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n or_o else_o by_o some_o probable_a reason_n chap._n iii_o reason_n iii_o that_o the_o father_n have_v write_v 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the_o same_o according_a as_o we_o see_v good_a and_o thus_o have_v s._n hierome_n express_o deliver_v his_o mind_n as_o we_o show_v before_o where_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o manner_n of_o commentary_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o certain_o if_o they_o have_v have_v any_o other_o design_n or_o intention_n they_o will_v never_o have_v trouble_v themselves_o as_o they_o ordinary_o do_v in_o gather_v together_o the_o several_a opinion_n of_o other_o men._n this_o diligence_n i_o confess_v be_v laudable_a in_o a_o teacher_n but_o it_o will_v be_v very_o ridiculous_a in_o a_o judge_n their_o style_n also_o shall_v then_o be_v quite_o of_o another_o kind_n than_o now_o it_o be_v and_o those_o obscurity_n which_o we_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o treatise_n proceed_v either_o from_o the_o rhetorical_a ornament_n or_o the_o logical_a subtlety_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o shall_v have_v no_o place_n here_o for_o what_o use_n will_v there_o be_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o pronounce_v a_o sentence_n of_o judgement_n or_o indeed_o in_o give_v one_o bare_a testimony_n only_o to_o any_o thing_n but_o that_o which_o make_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o our_o assertion_n more_o clear_o to_o appear_v than_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v the_o little_a care_n and_o diligence_n that_o they_o take_v in_o compose_v the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o write_n of_o they_o which_o we_o now_o will_v so_o very_o fain_o have_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n if_o these_o man_n who_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o exquisite_a sanctity_n have_v have_v any_o intention_n of_o prescribe_v to_o posterity_n a_o true_a and_o perfect_a tenor_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v it_o probable_a that_o they_o will_v have_v go_v careless_o to_o work_v in_o a_o business_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n will_v they_o not_o rather_o have_v go_v upon_o it_o with_o their_o eye_n open_v their_o judgement_n settle_v their_o thought_n fix_v and_o every_o faculty_n 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the_o other_o side_n ruffinus_n have_v some_o name_n in_o the_o church_n though_o nothing_o near_o so_o great_a a_o one_o as_o cyprian_n have_v and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o afore-named_n merchant_n have_v inscribe_v with_o s._n cyprian_n name_v that_o treatise_n upon_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o be_v write_v by_o ruffinus_n beside_o the_o avarice_n of_o these_o librarii_n their_o own_o ignorance_n or_o at_o least_o of_o those_o who_o they_o consult_v have_v in_o like_a manner_n produce_v no_o small_a number_n of_o these_o spurious_a piece_n for_o when_o either_o the_o likeness_n of_o the_o name_n or_o of_o the_o style_n or_o of_o the_o subject_a treat_v of_o or_o any_o other_o seem_a reason_n give_v they_o occasion_n to_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o anonymous_n book_n be_v the_o work_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o ancient_a author_n they_o present_o copy_v it_o out_o under_o the_o say_v author_n name_n and_o thus_o it_o come_v from_o thenceforth_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o world_n for_o such_o and_o by_o they_o to_o be_v deliver_v for_o such_o over_z to_z posterity_n but_o all_o the_o blame_n be_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o transcriber_n only_o in_o this_o particular_a the_o author_n themselves_o have_v contribute_v very_o much_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o this_o kind_n of_o imposture_n for_o there_o have_v be_v find_v in_o all_o age_n some_o that_o have_v be_v so_o sottish_o ambitious_a and_o so_o desirous_a at_o what_o rate_n soever_o to_o have_v their_o conception_n publish_v to_o the_o world_n as_o that_o find_v they_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o please_v and_o get_v applause_n abroad_o of_o themselves_o they_o have_v vent_v they_o under_o the_o name_n of_o some_o of_o the_o father_n choose_v rather_o to_o see_v they_o receive_v and_o honour_v under_o this_o false_a habit_n than_o disdain_v and_o slight_v under_o their_o own_o true_a one_o these_o man_n according_a as_o their_o several_a ability_n have_v be_v have_v 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entitle_v 17._o the_o act_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o of_o tecla_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o s._n john_n he_o plain_o confess_v that_o the_o love_n that_o he_o bear_v to_o s._n paul_n be_v the_o only_a cause_n that_o move_v he_o to_o do_v it_o such_o be_v the_o boldness_n also_o of_o ruffinus_n 2._o a_o priest_n of_o aquileia_n who_o s._n hierome_n just_o reprehend_v so_o sharp_o and_o in_o so_o many_o place_n who_o to_o vindicate_v origen_n honour_n write_v a_o apology_n for_o he_o under_o the_o name_n of_o pamphilus_n a_o holy_a and_o renown_a martyr_n although_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v he_o have_v take_v it_o partly_o out_o of_o the_o first_o and_o six_o book_n that_o eusebius_n have_v write_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o partly_o make_v use_n of_o his_o own_o invention_n in_o it_o some_o such_o like_a fancy_n it_o be_v that_o move_v he_o also_o to_o put_v forth_o the_o life_n of_o one_o sextus_n a_o pythagorean_n 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innocent_a than_o the_o other_o the_o spread_a abroad_o of_o so_o many_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o sibylls_n which_o be_v do_v by_o some_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n only_o to_o prepare_v the_o pagan_n to_o relish_v this_o doctrine_n the_o better_a 7._o as_o it_o be_v object_v against_o they_o by_o celsus_n in_o origen_n but_o that_o which_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n yet_o be_v that_o even_o the_o father_n themselves_o have_v sometime_o make_v use_n of_o this_o artifice_n to_o promote_v the_o interest_n either_o of_o their_o own_o opinion_n or_o their_o passion_n we_o have_v a_o notable_a example_n hereof_o which_o be_v object_v against_o the_o latin_n by_o the_o greek_n 457._o above_o two_o hundred_o year_n since_o of_o two_o bishop_n of_o rome_n zozimus_n and_o boniface_n who_o to_o authorise_v the_o title_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v of_o be_v universal_a bishop_n and_o head_n of_o 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of_o the_o pope_n as_o that_o of_o dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la who_o publish_v his_o latin_a collection_n of_o they_o about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 525._o nor_o in_o any_o other_o either_o ancient_n or_o modern_a for_o at_o for_o that_o authentic_a copy_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o one_o friar_n john_n 20._o at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v the_o only_a copy_n that_o have_v escape_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o arrian_n and_o have_v for_o this_o cause_n be_v always_o keep_v under_o lock_n and_o key_n at_o rome_n with_o all_o the_o safety_n and_o care_n that_o may_v be_v out_o of_o which_o copy_n they_o have_v transcribe_v the_o say_a canon_n i_o confess_v this_o copy_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o very_o close_a under_o lock_n and_o seal_n see_v that_o three_o of_o their_o pope_n namely_o zozimus_n boniface_n and_o celestine_n can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v it_o for_o the_o justification_n of_o their_o 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which_o be_v of_o the_o same_o stamp_n that_o even_o the_o father_n themselves_o therefore_o have_v not_o be_v able_a always_o to_o make_v a_o true_a discovery_n of_o these_o false_a ware_n no_o man_n can_v doubt_v consider_v that_o of_o those_o many_o necessary_a qualification_n which_o we_o reckon_v up_o before_o as_o requisite_a in_o this_o particular_a they_o may_v oftentimes_o have_v fail_v in_o some_o s._n hierome_n himself_o the_o most_o know_a man_n among_o all_o the_o latin_a father_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n sometime_o let_v they_o pass_v without_o examination_n as_o there_o where_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o certain_a tract_n against_o mathematician_n 2._o attribute_v to_o minutius_n foelix_n if_o at_o least_o say_v he_o the_o inscription_n represent_v unto_o we_o the_o right_a author_n of_o the_o book_n and_o in_o another_o place_n whatsoever_o his_o reason_n be_v 1._o he_o deliver_v to_o we_o for_o legitimate_a piece_n the_o epistle_n that_o go_v about_o 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of_o opinion_n that_o s._n hierome_n for_o example_n will_v never_o have_v take_v the_o pain_n nor_o have_v undergo_v the_o envy_n in_o lay_v open_a the_o forgery_n of_o ruffinus_n if_o the_o misunderstanding_n that_o happen_v to_o be_v betwixt_o they_o have_v not_o engage_v he_o to_o it_o neither_o do_v i_o believe_v that_o the_o african_a father_n will_v ever_o have_v trouble_v themselves_o in_o convince_a the_o false_a allegation_n of_o zozimus_n but_o for_o their_o own_o interest_n which_o be_v thereby_o call_v in_o question_n for_o wise_a and_o sober_a man_n never_o use_v to_o fall_v at_o variance_n with_o any_o body_n till_o they_o needs_o must_v neither_o do_v they_o quick_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o injury_n or_o abuse_v offer_v they_o unless_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a one_o and_o such_o as_o have_v evident_a danger_n in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o at_o all_o perceive_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o at_o first_o in_o these_o forgery_n which_o nevertheless_o have_v at_o length_n by_o little_a and_o little_a in_o a_o manner_n bear_v down_o all_o the_o good_a and_o true_a book_n these_o consideration_n in_o my_o opinion_n make_v it_o clear_o appear_v that_o the_o title_n of_o a_o book_n be_v not_o sufficient_o justify_v by_o a_o passage_n or_o two_o be_v cite_v out_o of_o it_o by_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n and_o under_o the_o same_o name_n as_o for_o the_o other_o way_n which_o render_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n doubtful_a by_o the_o ancient_n not_o have_v make_v any_o mention_n of_o it_o i_o confess_v it_o be_v no_o more_o demonstrative_a than_o the_o other_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a that_o any_o one_o or_o divers_a of_o the_o father_n may_v not_o have_v meet_v with_o such_o a_o certain_a writer_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a or_o else_o perhaps_o that_o they_o may_v omit_v some_o one_o of_o those_o very_a author_n which_o they_o know_v yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v this_o the_o much_o sure_a way_n of_o the_o two_o there_o be_v less_o danger_n in_o this_o case_n in_o reject_v a_o true_a piece_n than_o in_o receive_v a_o forge_v one_o the_o want_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o one_o be_v doubtless_o much_o less_o prejudicial_a than_o the_o receive_n the_o opposite_a falsehood_n of_o the_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o less_o sin_n to_o omit_v the_o good_a than_o to_o commit_v the_o evil_a that_o be_v opposite_a to_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n be_v it_o a_o less_o error_n not_o to_o believe_v a_o truth_n than_o to_o believe_v the_o falsehood_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o and_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o confusion_n there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o what_o defect_n in_o the_o mean_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o distinguish_a the_o false_a from_o the_o true_a insomuch_o that_o as_o it_o often_o fall_v out_o it_o be_v much_o easy_a to_o judge_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o reject_v than_o to_o resolve_v upon_o what_o we_o may_v safe_o receive_v let_v the_o reader_n therefore_o now_o judge_n whether_o or_o no_o these_o write_n have_v come_v down_o along_o through_o so_o many_o age_n and_o pass_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n which_o be_v either_o know_v to_o have_v be_v notorious_o guilty_a or_o at_o least_o strong_o suspect_v of_o forgery_n the_o truth_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n have_v make_v on_o its_o part_n but_o very_o weak_a resistance_n against_o these_o imposture_n it_o be_v not_o a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o discover_v amid_o the_o infinite_a number_n of_o book_n that_o be_v now_o extant_a and_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n which_o be_v those_o that_o true_o belong_v to_o they_o and_o which_o again_o be_v those_o that_o be_v false_o impose_v upon_o they_o and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o hard_a a_o matter_n to_o discover_v in_o gross_a only_a which_o be_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n how_o much_o more_o difficult_a a_o business_n will_v it_o be_v to_o find_v out_o what_o their_o opinion_n be_v touch_v the_o several_a controversy_n now_o in_o agitation_n for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n from_o which_o of_o the_o father_n such_o a_o opinion_n have_v spring_v so_o that_o it_o come_v from_o any_o one_o of_o they_o for_o there_o be_v altogether_o as_o much_o difference_n among_o these_o ancient_a doctor_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o authority_n learning_n and_o goodness_n as_o among_o the_o modern_a beside_o that_o a_o age_n be_v high_o or_o low_a either_o raise_v or_o lessen_v the_o repute_n of_o these_o write_n in_o the_o esteem_n both_o of_o the_o one_o party_n and_o of_o the_o other_o as_o it_o be_v so_o many_o grain_n as_o year_n and_o certain_o not_o altogether_o without_o good_a reason_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o have_v be_v but_o the_o least_o verse_v in_o the_o
in_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o father_n and_o this_o defect_n proceed_v from_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o passion_n only_o and_o not_o from_o any_o design_n or_o purpose_n that_o they_o have_v of_o speak_v thus_o rather_o than_o otherwise_o for_o see_v that_o all_o manner_n of_o passion_n do_v disturb_v and_o in_o some_o small_a measure_n as_o it_o be_v confound_v the_o judgement_n and_o see_v it_o be_v hard_o for_o a_o man_n how_o holy_a soever_o he_o be_v to_o go_v through_o with_o a_o disputation_n without_o some_o alteration_n in_o his_o temper_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v of_o any_o importance_n as_o all_o those_o touch_a religion_n be_v we_o be_v not_o to_o wonder_v at_o it_o if_o in_o these_o case_n we_o sometime_o find_v the_o language_n of_o the_o father_n something_a mix_v and_o appear_v of_o several_a colour_n such_o as_o passion_n usual_o die_v both_o the_o countenance_n and_o the_o word_n withal_o of_o such_o person_n as_o it_o have_v seize_v on_o but_o beside_o this_o confusion_n which_o be_v cause_v mere_o by_o the_o agitation_n of_o the_o spirit_n without_o the_o father_n so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o it_o we_o be_v here_o further_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o proper_a design_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o method_n that_o be_v observe_v in_o disputation_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o encounter_v with_o so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a difficulty_n for_o their_o opinion_n be_v that_o in_o this_o kind_n of_o write_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o say_v and_o make_v use_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v advance_v their_o cause_n although_o it_o be_v otherwise_o but_o light_n and_o trivial_a or_o perhaps_o also_o contrary_a to_o what_o themselves_o believe_v and_o so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o conceal_v and_o reject_v whatsoever_o may_v prejudice_v their_o cause_n though_o otherwise_o true_a and_o allowable_a now_o that_o this_o observation_n may_v not_o seem_v strange_a and_o incredible_a as_o come_v out_o of_o my_o mouth_n let_v we_o hear_v what_o they_o themselves_o say_v in_o this_o particular_a and_o first_o let_v we_o hear_v s._n hierome_n who_o be_v the_o great_a critic_n of_o they_o all_o and_o who_o by_o often_o exercise_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o admirable_a wit_n both_o by_o himself_o and_o with_o other_o have_v observe_v more_o touch_v the_o style_n method_n natural_a disposition_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n than_o any_o other_o accusasse_fw-la we_o have_v learn_v together_o say_v he_o write_v to_o pammachius_n that_o there_o be_v divers_a sort_n of_o discourse_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o way_n of_o disputation_n and_o another_o thing_n to_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o way_n of_o instruction_n in_o the_o former_a of_o these_o the_o dispute_n be_v free_a and_o ramble_v where_o in_o answer_v a_o adversary_n and_o propose_v one_o while_n one_o thing_n and_o another_o while_o another_o a_o man_n argue_v as_o he_o please_v speak_v one_o thing_n and_o do_v another_o show_v bread_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o proverb_n and_o hold_v a_o stone_n in_o his_o hand_n whereas_o in_o the_o second_o kind_n a_o open_a forehead_n and_o that_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v ingenuity_n be_v necessary_o require_v it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o make_v inquiry_n and_o another_o to_o deâ—ine_v in_o the_o one_o we_o must_v fight_v in_o the_o other_o we_o must_v teâ—ch_v thou_o see_v i_o in_o a_o combat_n and_o in_o peril_n of_o my_o life_n and_o do_v thou_o come_v with_o thy_o grave_a instruction_n like_o some_o reverend_a schoolmaster_n do_v not_o wound_v i_o by_o stealth_n and_o from_o whence_o i_o lest_o expect_v it_o let_v thy_o sword_n strike_v direct_o at_o i_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n for_o thou_o to_o wound_v thy_o enemy_n by_o guile_n and_o iâ—t_v by_o strength_n as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o piece_n of_o the_o great_a mastery_n in_o fight_v to_o threaten_v one_o part_n but_o hit_v another_o i_o beseech_v you_o read_v demosthenes_n read_v tully_n and_o lest_o perhaps_o you_o shall_v refuse_v orator_n who_o profession_n it_o be_v to_o propose_v thing_n rather_o probatâ—e_v thâ—n_o true_a read_v plato_n theophrastus_n xenophon_n aristoâ—le_n and_o other_o who_o spring_v all_o from_o socrates_n his_o fountain_n as_o so_o many_o several_a rivulet_n run_v several_a way_n what_o can_v you_o find_v in_o they_o that_o be_v clear_a and_o open_a what_o word_n in_o they_o but_o have_v its_o design_n and_o what_o design_n but_o of_o victory_n only_o origen_n methodius_n eusebius_n apollinaris_n have_v write_v large_o against_o celsus_n and_o porphyry_n do_v but_o observe_v what_o manner_n of_o argument_n and_o how_o slippery_a problem_n they_o make_v use_v of_o for_o the_o subvert_v of_o those_o work_n which_o have_v be_v wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o how_o that_o be_v sometime_o force_v to_o speak_v they_o allege_v against_o the_o gentile_n not_o that_o which_o 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thus_o have_v i_o deliver_v unto_o you_o my_o sense_n in_o brief_a but_o if_o any_o one_o produce_v that_o which_o be_v more_o exact_a and_o true_a take_v his_o exposition_n rather_o than_o i_o and_o so_o likewise_o upon_o the_o prophet_n zephaniah_n he_o say_v ducatur_fw-la we_o have_v now_o do_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n in_o give_v a_o allegorical_a exposition_n of_o the_o text_n but_o if_o any_o other_o can_v bring_v that_o which_o be_v more_o probable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v deliver_v let_v the_o reader_n be_v sway_v by_o his_o authority_n rather_o than_o by_o we_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n in_o these_o word_n acquiescimus_fw-la this_o we_o have_v deliver_v according_a to_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o poor_a ability_n and_o have_v give_v you_o a_o short_a touch_n of_o the_o divers_a opinion_n both_o of_o our_o own_o man_n and_o of_o the_o jew_n yet_o if_o any_o man_n can_v give_v i_o a_o 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of_o the_o doctrine_n nor_o yet_o the_o resplendency_n of_o their_o holy_a life_n which_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v to_o have_v shine_v forth_o very_o eminent_o in_o the_o primitive_a father_n be_v able_a so_o to_o dazzle_v the_o eye_n of_o those_o that_o come_v after_o they_o as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o distinguish_v betwixt_o that_o which_o be_v sound_a and_o true_a in_o their_o write_n and_o that_o which_o be_v trivial_a and_o false_a let_v not_o therefore_o the_o excellency_n of_o those_o who_o come_v after_o they_o hinder_v we_o either_o from_o pass_v by_o or_o even_o reject_v their_o opinion_n when_o we_o find_v they_o build_v upon_o weak_a foundation_n you_o see_v they_o confess_v themselves_o that_o this_o may_v very_o possible_o be_v we_o shall_v therefore_o be_v leave_v utter_o inexcusable_a if_o after_o this_o their_o
than_o a_o thousand_o and_o twenty_o five_o or_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o so_o likewise_o when_o locum_fw-la epiphanius_n write_v that_o moses_n be_v but_o thirty_o year_n old_a when_o he_o bring_v forth_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n whereas_o the_o scripture_n clear_o testify_v that_o he_o be_v fourscore_o year_n of_o age_n and_o so_o where_o he_o affirm_v 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o take_n of_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n happen_v sixty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n and_o true_o the_o chronology_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_n be_v general_o very_o strange_a and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n very_o far_o wide_a of_o the_o truth_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v and_o also_o prove_v at_o large_a by_o all_o the_o modern_n as_o scaliger_n petavius_n and_o other_o but_o these_o matter_n be_v so_o very_o nice_a and_o ticklish_a that_o oftentimes_o the_o most_o diligent_a inquirer_n into_o they_o may_v chance_v to_o mistake_v i_o shall_v therefore_o forbear_v to_o insist_v any_o long_o upon_o this_o particular_a and_o shall_v now_o lay_v before_o you_o some_o example_n of_o another_o nature_n and_o such_o as_o shall_v most_o evident_o discover_v the_o security_n and_o negligence_n of_o these_o author_n justin_n martyr_n speak_v of_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o lxx_o interpreter_n say_v 〈◊〉_d that_o ptolemy_n king_n of_o egypt_n send_v his_o ambassador_n to_o herod_n king_n of_o judaea_n whereas_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n be_v that_o he_o send_v to_o eleazar_n the_o high_a priest_n two_o hundred_o forty_o and_o odd_a year_n before_o herod_n come_v to_o be_v king_n of_o judaea_n 133._o epiphanius_n tell_v we_o in_o two_o or_o three_o place_n that_o the_o peripatetic_n and_o pythagorean_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o sect_n of_o heathen_a philosopher_n which_o yet_o be_v as_o much_o different_a one_o from_o the_o other_o as_o the_o stoic_n and_o epicurean_o be_v as_o every_o child_n know_v the_o same_o 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his_o schism_n clean_o otherwise_o than_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v justin_n martyr_n likewise_o assure_v we_o for_o a_o certain_a truth_n 〈◊〉_d that_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n claudius_n there_o be_v erect_v at_o rome_n a_o statue_n to_o simon_n magus_n in_o the_o river_n tiber_n betwixt_o the_o two_o bridge_n with_o this_o inscription_n to_o the_o holy_a god_n simon_n whereas_o as_o our_o learned_a tertuk_n critic_n now_o inform_v we_o it_o be_v only_o a_o inscription_n to_o one_o of_o the_o pagan_a demigod_n in_o these_o word_n â—semoni_fw-la deo_fw-la sanco_n which_o this_o good_a father_n mistake_v instead_o of_o semoni_n read_v simoni_n and_o for_o sanoo_o read_v sancto_n 250._o eusebius_n say_v and_o eustoch_n st._n hierome_n divers_a time_n repeat_v it_o after_o he_o that_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n report_v that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n passion_n the_o heavenly_a power_n forsake_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o 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sect_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o 1._o scaliger_n and_o by_o divers_a other_o after_o he_o we_o have_v touch_v how_o gratian_n st._n ambrose_n without_o give_v we_o any_o account_n of_o his_o reason_n why_o he_o do_v so_o understand_v by_o gog_n and_o magog_n mention_v in_o 33._o ezckiel_n the_o nation_n of_o the_o goth_n who_o in_o his_o time_n overrun_v all_o christendom_n he_o tell_v we_o in_o another_o place_n with_o the_o very_a same_o confidence_n that_o luc._n zacharias_n the_o father_n of_o john_n baptist_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o yet_o 69._o baronius_n have_v clear_o prove_v to_o be_v false_a thus_o you_o see_v how_o little_a the_o late_a writer_n be_v behold_v to_o those_o that_o go_v before_o they_o as_o to_o this_o particular_a 〈◊〉_d epiphanius_n affirm_v that_o pison_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o four_o river_n that_o water_v the_o terrestrial_a paradise_n mention_v by_o moses_n be_v the_o same_o that_o the_o indian_n and_o ethiopian_n call_v ganges_n and_o the_o greek_n indus_n which_o river_n pass_v at_o length_n through_o ethiopia_n discharge_v itself_o at_o last_o into_o the_o ocean_n at_o cales_n what_o wonderful_a strange_a geography_n have_v we_o get_v here_o if_o at_o least_o we_o may_v call_v it_o by_o this_o name_n which_o jumble_v together_o the_o east_n and_o the_o west_n and_o confound_v and_o make_v all_o one_o place_n which_o be_v very_o near_o a_o whole_a hemisphere_n distant_a from_o each_o other_o etc._n st._n basil_n also_o who_o be_v otherwise_o a_o excellent_a author_n have_v mistake_v likewise_o though_o not_o so_o much_o the_o course_n of_o the_o river_n danubius_n for_o he_o have_v only_o make_v it_o to_o spring_v out_o of_o the_o pyrenean_n mountain_n the_o speak_n of_o these_o river_n put_v i_o in_o mind_n that_o alii_fw-la all_o the_o father_n do_v unanimous_o understand_v by_o gihen_n one_o of_o the_o river_n of_o paradise_n the_o river_n nilus_n which_o have_v so_o deceive_v cardinal_n â—50_n perron_n also_o as_o that_o he_o so_o deliver_v it_o to_o we_o as_o the_o express_a text_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o this_o mean_n make_v it_o guilty_a of_o a_o manifest_a absurdity_n how_o innocent_a soever_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v and_o free_a from_o intend_v any_o such_o thing_n see_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o neither_o in_o the_o hebrew_n greek_a nor_o latin_a text_n it_o be_v ever_o say_v that_o the_o river_n nile_n water_v the_o land_n of_o paradise_n it_o be_v only_o a_o dream_n of_o the_o father_n that_o one_o of_o these_o river_n of_o paradise_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o nile_n though_o this_o fancy_n of_o they_o as_o 371._o scaliger_n make_v it_o appear_v and_o as_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o †_o petavius_n also_o be_v build_v upon_o no_o ground_n or_o reason_n at_o all_o neither_o have_v their_o philosophy_n also_o be_v sometime_o less_o wonderful_a than_o their_o geography_n as_o for_o example_n when_o 19_o tertullian_n maintain_v that_o plant_n be_v endue_v both_o with_o sense_n and_o understand_v too_o so_o likewise_o where_o 90._o epiphanius_n hold_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o dead_a man_n to_o return_v to_o life_n again_o without_o the_o reunion_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o the_o body_n as_o also_o where_o sumpserit_fw-la s._n ambrose_n say_v that_o the_o sun_n to_o the_o end_n he_o may_v allay_v his_o extreme_a heat_n refresh_v himself_o with_o the_o nourishment_n which_o he_o draw_v up_o from_o the_o water_n and_o that_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o sometime_o see_v he_o appear_v as_o it_o be_v all_o over_o wet_a and_o drop_v with_o dew_n and_o so_o again_o where_o you_o have_v some_o of_o they_o entertain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o spherical_a figure_n of_o the_o heaven_n with_o very_o great_a scorn_n and_o autolye_a maintain_v that_o it_o be_v only_o as_o it_o be_v a_o arch_n which_o be_v
that_o a_o man_n may_v safe_o build_v upon_o they_o and_o make_v they_o the_o judge_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n by_o which_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o they_o all_o agree_v upon_o as_o far_o as_o i_o have_v either_o read_v or_o know_v as_o any_o man_n may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o calvin_n bucer_n melancthon_n luther_n beza_n and_o the_o rest_n who_o all_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o admit_v not_o of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n whereon_o to_o build_v any_o article_n of_o their_o belief_n it_o be_v true_a i_o confess_v that_o some_o of_o their_o first_o author_n as_o namely_o bucer_n peter_n martyr_n and_o j._n jewel_n bishop_n of_o salisbury_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n all_o the_o late_a writer_n also_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n but_o if_o you_o but_o mark_v 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