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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n faith_n matter_n 4,045 5 5.7347 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A35787 A treatise concerning the right use of the Fathers, in the decision of the controversies that are this day in religion written in French by John Daille ...; Traité de l'employ des saints Pères pour le jugement des différences qui sont aujourd'hui en la religion. English Daillé, Jean, 1594-1670. 1675 (1675) Wing D119; ESTC R1519 305,534 382

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what_o degree_n of_o faith_n we_o be_v to_o hold_v each_o particular_a point_n of_o doctrine_n and_o their_o leave_v we_o in_o doubt_n whether_o what_o they_o teach_v be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n or_o their_o own_o private_a opinion_n only_o and_o whither_o if_o it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v of_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n only_o now_o the_o least_o of_o these_o objection_n be_v sufficient_a to_o render_v their_o testimony_n invalid_a and_o again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o it_o may_v be_v of_o force_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o be_v clear_o and_o evident_o free_a from_o all_o these_o defect_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n be_v here_o touch_v the_o christian_a faith_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v ground_v on_o nothing_o save_o what_o be_v sure_a and_o firm_a whosoever_o therefore_o will_v make_v use_n of_o any_o passage_n out_o of_o a_o father_n he_o be_v bind_v first_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o author_n out_o of_o who_o he_o cit_v the_o say_a passage_n live_v and_o write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n and_o beside_o that_o the_o say_a person_n be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o book_n out_o of_o which_o the_o say_a passage_n be_v quote_v and_o moreover_o that_o the_o passage_n cite_v be_v sincere_a and_o no_o way_n corrupt_v nor_o alter_v and_o likewise_o that_o the_o sense_n which_o he_o give_v of_o it_o be_v the_o true_a genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n and_o also_o that_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o author_n when_o he_o be_v now_o come_v to_o ripon●●s_n of_o judgement_n and_o which_o he_o change_v not_o or_o retract_v afterward_o he_o must_v also_o make_v it_o appear_v in_o what_o degree_n he_o hold_v it_o and_o whether_o he_o maintain_v it_o as_o his_o own_o private_a opinion_n only_o or_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o last_o whether_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n only_o which_o inquiry_n be_v a_o business_n of_o so_o vast_a and_o almost_o infinite_a labour_n that_o it_o make_v i_o very_o much_o doubt_n whether_o or_o no_o we_o can_v be_v ever_o able_a to_o attain_v to_o a_o full_a and_o certain_a assurance_n what_o the_o real_a positive_a sense_n of_o the_o ancient_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o controversy_n now_o debate_v in_o this_o our_o age._n hence_o therefore_o our_o principal_a question_n seem_v to_o be_v decide_v namely_o whether_o the_o allege_v of_o the_o father_n be_v a_o sufficient_a and_o proper_a mean_n for_o the_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o article_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n maintain_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o reject_v by_o the_o protestant_n or_o not_o for_o who_o do_v not_o now_o see_v that_o this_o kind_n of_o proof_n have_v as_o much_o or_o more_o difficulty_n in_o it_o than_o the_o question_n itself_o and_o that_o 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only_o as_o witness_n and_o testify_v what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o their_o time_n in_o the_o other_o they_o propose_v to_o you_o like_o doctor_n their_o own_o private_a opinion_n now_o there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o thing_n for_o in_o a_o witness_n there_o be_v require_v only_a faithfulness_n and_o truth_n but_o in_o a_o doctor_n learning_n and_o knowledge_n the_o one_o persuade_v we_o by_o the_o opinion_n we_o have_v of_o his_o veracity_n the_o other_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o argument_n the_o father_n be_v witness_n only_o when_o they_o bare_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n hold_v such_o or_o such_o opinion_n and_o they_o be_v then_o doctor_n when_o get_v up_o as_o it_o be_v into_o the_o chair_n they_o propose_v unto_o we_o their_o own_o opinion_n make_v they_o good_a either_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n or_o out_o of_o reason_n now_o as_o concern_v the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v touch_v the_o faith_n hold_v by_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n i_o know_v not_o whether_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v all_o they_o bring_v for_o certain_a truth_n or_o not_o but_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o that_o though_o they_o shall_v deserve_v to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o for_o such_o yet_o nevertheless_o will_v they_o stand_v we_o in_o very_o little_a stead_n as_o to_o the_o business_n now_o in_o hand_n the_o reason_n which_o move_v i_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v because_o i_o observe_v that_o those_o very_a man_n who_o be_v the_o great_a admirer_n of_o the_o father_n do_v yet_o confess_v that_o although_o they_o err_v very_o little_a or_o not_o at_o all_o in_o matter_n of_o right_n yet_o nevertheless_o they_o be_v often_o out_o and_o have_v their_o fail_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n because_o that_o right_o be_v a_o universal_a thing_n which_o be_v every_o way_n uniform_a and_o all_o of_o one_o sort_n whereas_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v mix_v and_o as_o it_o be_v enchase_v with_o divers_a particular_a circumstance_n which_o may_v very_o easy_o escape_v the_o knowledge_n of_o or_o at_o least_o be_v not_o so_o right_o understand_v by_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o pierce_a wit_n now_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n belief_n in_o every_o particular_a age_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o not_o of_o right_a and_o a_o point_n of_o history_n and_o not_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o it_o follow_v hence_o that_o possible_o the_o father_n may_v have_v err_v in_o give_v we_o a_o account_n hereof_o and_o that_o therefore_o their_o testimony_n in_o such_o case_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o as_o infallible_o true_a neither_o yet_o may_v we_o be_v think_v hereby_o to_o accuse_v the_o father_n of_o falshood_n for_o how_o often_o do_v the_o honest_a person_n that_o be_v innocent_o testify_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v they_o have_v see_v which_o it_o afterward_o appear_v that_o they_o see_v not_o at_o all_o for_o goodness_n render_v not_o man_n infallible_a the_o father_n therefore_o be_v but_o man_n may_v both_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o such_o thing_n and_o may_v consequent_o also_o deceive_v those_o who_o have_v confide_v in_o they_o though_o innocent_o and_o without_o any_o design_n of_o do_v so_o but_o beside_o all_o this_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v whole_o free_a from_o passion_n neither_o and_o there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o know_v that_o passion_n very_o o●ten_o disguise_v thing_n and_o ma●●●h_v they_o appear_v even_o to_o the_o honest_a man_n that_o may_v be_v much_o otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v insomuch_o that_o sometime_o they_o be_v affectionate_o carry_v away_o with_o one_o opinion_n and_o do_v as_o much_o abhor_v another_o which_o secret_a passion_n may_v easy_o make_v they_o believe_v that_o the_o church_n hold_v that_o opinion_n which_o they_o themselves_o be_v most_o take_v with_o and_o that_o it_o reject_v that_o which_o they_o themselves_o dislike_v especial_o if_o there_o be_v but_o the_o least_o appearance_n or_o shadow_n of_o reason_n to_o incline_v they_o to_o this_o belief_n for_o man_n be_v very_o easy_o persuade_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o desire_v i_o conceive_v we_o may_v hereto_o impute_v that_o testimony_n of_o s._n hierome_n where_o he_o affirm_v cessat_fw-la that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n hold_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v immediate_o create_v by_o god_n at_o the_o instant_n of_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o body_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o doubt_n which_o s._n augustine_n be_v in_o touch_v this_o particular_a and_o his_o incline_n manifest_o to_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n which_o be_v that_o the_o soul_n be_v propagate_v together_o with_o the_o body_n and_o descend_v down_o
from_o the_o controversy_n now_o in_o hand_n p._n 8._o iii_o the_o write_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o all_o true_o such_o but_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o supposititious_a and_o forge_v either_o long_o since_o or_o of_o late_a time_n p._n 11._o iv._o those_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n which_o be_v legitimate_a have_v be_v in_o many_o place_n corrupt_v by_o time_n ignorance_n and_o fraud_n both_o pious_a and_o malicious_a both_o in_o the_o former_a and_o late_a age_n p._n 34._o v._o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o language_n and_o idiom_n they_o write_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o write_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n encumber_v with_o figure_n and_o rhetorical_a flourish_v and_o nice_a logical_a subtlety_n and_o the_o like_a and_o also_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o term_n which_o they_o for_o the_o most_o part_n usedin_a a_o far_o different_a sense_n from_o what_o they_o now_o bear_v p._n 69._o vi_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o a_o opinion_n clear_o deliver_v in_o the_o write_n of_o any_o of_o the_o father_n we_o must_v not_o from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o the_o say_a father_n hold_v that_o opinion_n see_v that_o we_o often_o find_v they_o speak_v those_o thing_n which_o themselves_o have_v not_o believe_v whether_o it_o be_v when_o they_o report_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o other_o without_o name_v the_o person_n as_o they_o frequent_o do_v in_o their_o commentary_n or_o in_o dispute_v against_o a_o adversary_n in_o which_o kind_n of_o write_v they_o take_v liberty_n to_o say_v one_o thing_n and_o believe_v another_o or_o whether_o it_o be_v that_o they_o conceal_v their_o own_o private_a opinion_n purposely_o as_o they_o have_v do_v in_o their_o homily_n mere_o in_o compliance_n to_o such_o a_o part_n of_o their_o auditory_a p._n 100_o vii_o suppose_v that_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o a_o father_n have_v clear_o deliver_v his_o opinion_n in_o any_o point_n we_o ought_v notwithstanding_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o time_n wherein_o he_o write_v that_o opinion_n of_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v before_o or_o after_o he_o arrive_v to_o ripeness_n of_o judgement_n for_o we_o see_v that_o they_o have_v sometime_o retract_v in_o their_o old_a age_n what_o they_o have_v write_v when_o they_o be_v young_a p._n 117._o viii_o but_o suppose_v that_o a_o father_n have_v constant_o hold_v one_o opinion_n it_o will_v nevertheless_o concern_v we_o to_o inquire_v how_o he_o hold_v it_o and_o in_o what_o degree_n of_o belief_n whether_o as_o necessary_a or_o probable_a only_o and_o then_o again_o in_o what_o degree_n of_o necessity_n or_o of_o probability_n he_o place_v it_o belief_n be_v not_o all_o equal_o either_o necessary_a or_o probable_a p._n 123._o ix_o after_o all_o this_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v whether_o or_o no_o he_o deliver_v this_o as_o his_o own_o particular_a opinion_n only_o for_o this_o can_v necessary_o bind_v our_o faith_n or_o whether_o he_o deliver_v it_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n p._n 136._o x._o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o will_v concern_v we_o to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o deliver_v it_o for_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n only_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o major_a part_n have_v not_o always_o notwithstanding_o be_v receive_v by_o some_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o church_n p._n ●4●_n xi_o and_o after_o all_o this_o whether_o you_o take_v the_o church_n for_o the_o collective_a body_n of_o christian_n or_o only_o for_o the_o body_n of_o the_o clergy_n or_o pastor_n it_o be_v notwithstanding_o impossible_a to_o know_v what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o any_o age_n have_v be_v for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o frequent_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n who_o have_v appear_v to_o the_o world_n have_v not_o only_o not_o be_v receive_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_n have_v also_o be_v oppose_v and_o contradict_v by_o th●se_a member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n who_o have_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n who_o notwithstanding_o both_o for_o their_o learning_n and_o piety_n deserve_v perhaps_o to_o have_v have_v as_o much_o or_o more_o esteem_n and_o authority_n than_o the_o other_o p._n 151._o the_o second_o book_n the_o second_o reason_n namely_o that_o neither_o the_o testimony_n nor_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o father_n be_v altogether_o infallible_a be_v prove_v by_o these_o follow_a consideration_n p._n 1._o ii_o the_o father_n themselves_o witness_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 p._n 11._o iii_o it_o appear_v plain_o by_o their_o manner_n of_o write_v that_o they_o never_o intend_v that_o their_o write_n shall_v be_v our_o judge_n p._n 40._o iv._o they_o have_v err_v in_o divers_a point_n not_o only_o single_o but_o also_o many_o of_o they_o together_o p._n 60._o v._o they_o have_v very_o much_o contradict_v one_o the_o other_o and_o have_v maintain_v different_a opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n p._n 112._o vi_o last_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n neither_o party_n allow_v they_o for_o judge_n but_o reject_v they_o bold_o and_o without_o any_o scruple_n both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o maintain_v divers_a thing_n which_o the_o father_n be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o reject_v other_o which_o be_v maintain_v by_o they_o the_o protestant_n in_o those_o thing_n where_o the_o father_n have_v go_v either_o against_o or_o beside_o the_o scripture_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n where_o they_o oppose_v against_o they_o the_o resolution_n of_o their_o pope_n or_o of_o council_n see_v therefore_o that_o both_o party_n attribute_v the_o supreme_a authority_n to_o some_o other_o judge_n the_o father_n though_o perhaps_o their_o resolution_n shall_v be_v ground_v 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of_o this_o tract_n have_v be_v oft_o attempt_v and_o often_o de●●●ed_v by_o many_o noble_a personage_n of_o this_o and_o other_o nation_n among_o other_o by_o sir_n lucius_n cary_n late_a lord_n viscount_n faulkland_n who_o with_o his_o dear_a friend_n mr._n chillingworth_n make_v very_o much_o use_v of_o it_o in_o all_o their_o write_n against_o the_o romanist_n but_o the_o paper_n of_o that_o learned_a nobleman_n wherein_o this_o translation_n be_v half_o finish_v be_v long_o since_o involve_v in_o the_o common_a loss_n those_o few_o which_o have_v escape_v it_o and_o the_o press_n make_v a_o very_a honourable_a mention_n of_o this_o monsieur_n who_o acquaintance_n the_o say_a lord_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v be_v worth_a a_o voyage_n to_o paris_n pag._n 202._o of_o his_o reply_n he_o have_v these_o word_n this_o observation_n of_o i_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o consideration_n of_o
lawful_a and_o also_o very_o useful_a to_o pray_v to_o saint_n depart_v and_o to_o angel_n that_o our_o soul_n after_o death_n before_o they_o enter_v into_o heaven_n be_v to_o pass_v through_o a_o certain_a fire_n and_o there_o to_o endure_v grievous_a torment_n thus_o satisfy_v for_o their_o sin_n that_o one_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o receive_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n without_o have_v first_o confess_v himself_o in_o private_a to_o a_o priest_n that_o none_o but_o the_o priest_n himself_o that_o consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n be_v bind_v by_o right_a to_o receive_v it_o in_o both_o kind_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o opinion_n which_o their_o adversary_n protest_v plain_o that_o they_o can_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n believe_v and_o these_o point_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o whole_a difference_n betwixt_o they_o the_o one_o party_n pretend_v that_o they_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n as_o reveal_v by_o he_o and_o the_o other_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a now_o see_v that_o none_o of_o these_o tenet_n have_v any_o ground_n from_o any_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a rule_n of_o christianity_n the_o maintainer_n be_v fain_o to_o fly_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o live_v within_o the_o four_o or_o five_o first_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v common_o call_v the_o father_n my_o purpose_n be_v in_o this_o treatise_n to_o examine_v whether_o or_o no_o this_o be_v a_o good_a and_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o decision_n of_o these_o difference_n and_o for_o this_o purpose_n i_o must_v first_o presuppose_v two_o thing_n which_o any_o reasonable_a person_n will_v easy_o grant_v i_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o question_n be_v here_o about_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o certain_a article_n of_o faith_n upon_o the_o testimony_n or_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o the_o passage_n which_o be_v produce_v out_o of_o they_o be_v clear_a and_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o that_o be_v to_o say_v such_o as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o scruple_n at_o either_o touch_v the_o author_n out_o of_o who_o they_o be_v allege_v or_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n whether_o it_o signify_v what_o be_v pretend_v to_o for_o a_o deposition_n of_o a_o witness_n and_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n be_v of_o no_o value_n at_o all_o save_v only_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o witness_n or_o judge_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o if_o either_o proceed_v from_o person_n unknown_a or_o suspect_v they_o be_v invalid_a and_o prove_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o like_a manner_n if_o the_o deposition_n of_o a_o witness_n or_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n be_v obscure_a and_o in_o doubtful_a term_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o in_o this_o case_n the_o business_n must_v rest_v undecided_a there_o be_v another_o doubt_n first_o to_o be_v clear_v namely_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o either_o of_o they_o be_v the_o second_o point_n that_o i_o shall_v here_o lay_v down_o for_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n be_v no_o less_o evident_a than_o the_o former_a namely_o that_o to_o allow_v a_o sufficiency_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n for_o the_o decide_n of_o these_o controversy_n we_o must_v necessary_o attribute_v to_o their_o person_n very_o great_a authority_n and_o such_o as_o may_v oblige_v we_o to_o follow_v their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o this_o authority_n be_v want_v how_o clear_a and_o express_v soever_o their_o opinion_n be_v in_o the_o article_n now_o controvert_v it_o will_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o towards_o their_o decision_n we_o have_v therefore_o here_o two_o thing_n to_o examine_v in_o this_o business_n the_o first_o be_v whether_o or_o not_o we_o may_v be_v able_a now_o certain_o and_o clear_o to_o know_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n 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hitherto_o make_v use_n of_o be_v very_o insufficient_a and_o that_o therefore_o they_o of_o necessity_n ought_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o some_o other_o more_o proper_a and_o solid_a way_n in_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a opinion_n which_o the_o protestant_n will_v not_o by_o any_o mean_n receive_v the_o first_o book_n chap._n i._n reason_n i._o touch_v the_o difficulty_n of_o know_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o father_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a controversy_n in_o religion_n draw_v from_o hence_o namely_o because_o there_o be_v very_o little_a extant_a of_o their_o write_n for_o the_o three_o first_o century_n if_o we_o shall_v in_o this_o particular_a take_v the_o same_o course_n which_o some_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v use_n of_o against_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a easy_a matter_n to_o bring_v in_o question_n and_o render_v very_o doubtful_a and_o suspect_v all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n for_o 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of_o rome_n to_o allege_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n be_v to_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o tenet_n by_o the_o antiquity_n which_o they_o reckon_v as_o a_o mark_n of_o it_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o most_o ancient_a aught_o to_o be_v the_o most_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o question_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v more_o pure_a and_o without_o mixture_n in_o its_o beginning_n and_o infancy_n than_o it_o be_v afterward_o in_o its_o growth_n and_o progress_n it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n to_o contract_v corruption_n more_o or_o less_o according_a as_o they_o be_v more_o or_o less_o remove_v from_o their_o first_o institution_n as_o we_o see_v by_o experience_n in_o state_n law_n art_n and_o language_n the_o natural_a propriety_n of_o
so_o many_o eminent_a and_o wise_a man_n have_v approve_v and_o confirm_v this_o mistake_n of_o they_o not_o perceive_v it_o at_o all_o what_o can_v we_o or_o indeed_o what_o ought_v we_o to_o expect_v from_o any_o other_o hand_n who_o soever_o they_o be_v as_o touch_v the_o point_n now_o controvert_v betwixt_o we_o in_o comparison_n of_o which_o a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o say_v that_o all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o this_o matter_n now_o speak_v of_o yield_v be_v nothing_o at_o all_o wherein_o notwithstanding_o this_o whole_a council_n mistake_v itself_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v a_o m_n that_o after_o this_o their_o failing_n can_v have_v the_o courage_n to_o adventure_v upon_o so_o difficult_a and_o so_o intricate_a a_o undertake_n who_o can_v promise_v himself_o success_n there_o where_o so_o great_a a_o council_n have_v fail_v the_o very_a hope_n of_o effect_v so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n can_v hardly_o be_v excuse_v from_o the_o guilt_n of_o high_a presumption_n for_o first_o of_o all_o the_o father_n tell_v we_o very_o seldom_o in_o what_o degree_n either_o of_o necessity_n or_o probability_n they_o hold_v their_o opinion_n and_o even_o when_o they_o do_v tell_v we_o their_o expression_n be_v such_o as_o we_o have_v observe_v of_o they_o we_o ought_v not_o present_o to_o conclude_v any_o thing_n from_o they_o without_o first_o examine_v they_o thorough_o for_o many_o t●mes_n when_o they_o will_v recommend_v unto_o we_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o account_v profitable_a for_o we_o they_o will_v speak_v of_o they_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v necessary_a and_o so_o again_o to_o take_v off_o our_o belief_n of_o and_o to_o divert_v our_o affection_n from_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o conceive_v either_o to_o be_v simple_o false_a or_o otherwise_o unprofitable_a for_o we_o they_o represent_v they_o as_o the_o most_o detestable_a and_o pernicious_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v 〈◊〉_d whosoever_o fast_v upon_o the_o lord_n day_n or_o upon_o any_o saturday_n except_o that_o one_o saturday_n he_o mean_v easter-eve_n he_o be_v a_o murderer_n of_o christ_n say_v s._n ignatius_n who_o will_v not_o think_v hear_v these_o so_o tragical_a expression_n of_o he_o that_o certain_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o the_o business_n he_o there_o speak_v of_o be_v only_o the_o observation_n of_o a_o certain_a part_n of_o a_o positive_a law_n and_o which_o yet_o as_o most_o be_v of_o opinion_n be_v at_o that_o time_n receive_v but_o by_o a_o part_n only_o of_o the_o church_n the_o belief_n and_o observation_n whereof_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v reckon_v among_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o be_v scarce_o place_v in_o the_o first_o degree_n of_o probability_n and_o be_v now_o at_o length_n utter_o abolish_v too_o this_o manner_n of_o discourse_v be_v very_o frequent_o use_v by_o tertullian_n s._n ambrose_n and_o especial_o by_o s._n hierome_n who_o be_v all_o so_o eager_a for_o the_o side_n which_o they_o take_v to_o that_o you_o will_v think_v in_o read_v they_o that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o commend_v be_v very_a angel_n and_o all_o those_o other_o who_o they_o speak_v against_o arrant_a devil_n that_o whatsoever_o they_o maintain_v be_v the_o very_a foundation_n and_o groundwork_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o whatsoever_o they_o refute_v be_v mere_a atheism_n and_o the_o high_a impiety_n that_o may_v be_v 1._o certain_o s._n hierome_n write_v to_o a_o certain_a roman_a matron_n name_v furia_n who_o be_v a_o widow_n and_o dissuade_v she_o from_o marry_v again_o discourse_v of_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n as_o he_o will_v have_v do_v in_o dissuade_v she_o from_o the_o commit_n of_o murder_n and_o here_o be_v we_o to_o call_v to_o mind_n again_o the_o divers_a reason_n of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o father_n and_o particular_o that_o of_o their_o rhetoric_n all_o which_o have_v place_n in_o this_o particular_a rather_o than_o in_o any_o other_o so_o that_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v but_o one_o only_a certain_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o discover_v in_o what_o degree_n they_o place_v the_o proposition_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n namely_o their_o creed_n and_o exposition_n of_o their_o faith_n whether_o they_o be_v general_n or_o particular_a one_o and_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o council_n and_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n for_o we_o may_v very_o well_o believe_v that_o they_o hold_v as_o necessary_a all_o such_o point_n as_o they_o make_v profession_n of_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n anathematise_v all_o such_o as_o shall_v deny_v the_o same_o and_o by_o this_o rule_n we_o may_v indeed_o assure_v ourselves_o that_o they_o hold_v as_o necessary_a the_o great_a part_n of_o all_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o at_o this_o day_n agree_v among_o ourselves_o and_o some_o of_o these_o we_o have_v former_o set_v down_o in_o our_o preface_n for_o they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o either_o deliver_v 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appear_v neither_o in_o the_o two_o follow_a council_n namely_o the_o second_o council_n of_o constantinople_n which_o condemn_v certain_a write_n of_o theodorus_n theodoretus_n and_o ibas_n as_o we_o have_v touch_v before_o nor_o yet_o in_o the_o iii_o council_n of_o constantinople_n which_o anathematise_v the_o monothelite_n and_o be_v hold_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n dclxxxi_o and_o yet_o have_v these_o six_o first_o council_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v the_o father_n of_o the_o vii_o establish_v and_o confirm_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v teach_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n 〈◊〉_d down_o from_o the_o primitive_a time_n whether_o by_o write_v or_o by_o unwritten_a tradition_n so_o that_o it_o will_v hence_o follow_v that_o these_o point_n which_o appear_v not_o here_o in_o the_o say_v six_o first_o council_n at_o all_o be_v not_o deliver_v from_o the_o beginning_n neither_o in_o write_v nor_o otherwise_o only_o about_o the_o eight_o century_n and_o so_o 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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 al●ledged_v their_o testimony_n as_o we_o see_v they_o do_v in_o 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council_n of_o nice_a and_o this_o they_o do_v according_a to_o that_o maxim_n which_o be_v in_o force_n with_o those_o of_o former_a time_n and_o be_v not_o utter_o lay_v aside_o even_o in_o our_o own_o namely_o that_o for_o the_o advance_n of_o a_o good_a and_o godly_a cause_n it_o be_v lawful_a sometime_o to_o use_v a_o little_a deceit_n and_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o your_o piae_fw-la fraud_n they_o therefore_o firm_o believe_v as_o they_o do_v that_o the_o supremacy_n of_o their_o see_n over_o all_o other_o church_n be_v a_o business_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o will_v be_v very_o profitable_a to_o all_o christendom_n we_o be_v not_o to_o wonder_v if_o for_o the_o establish_n this_o right_a on_o themselves_o they_o make_v use_v of_o a_o little_a legerdemain_n allege_v sardica_n for_o nice_a reckon_v with_o themselves_o that_o if_o they_o bring_v their_o design_n about_o this_o small_a fail_v of_o they_o will_v in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v abundant_o satisfy_v for_o by_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 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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
certain_a word_n of_o his_o only_o to_o render_v he_o odious_a 〈◊〉_d object_v against_o he_o that_o he_o say_v that_o the_o carnal_a form_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v change_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o deity_n whereas_o all_o that_o he_o say_v be_v that_o it_o be_v change_v by_o the_o deity_n dwell_v in_o i●_n whence_o it_o appear_v how_o much_o credit_n we_o be_v to_o give_v to_o these_o man_n when_o they_o allege_v here_o and_o there_o divers_a strange_a and_o unheard_a of_o piece_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a scornful_o reject_v whatever_o their_o adversary_n bring_v as_o for_o example_n they_o do_v a_o remarkable_a passage_n allege_v by_o they_o out_o of_o epiphanius_n which_o passage_n they_o refuse_v as_o supposititious_a because_o say_v they_o if_o epiphanius_n have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o judgement_n with_o the_o iconoclast_n 〈◊〉_d he_o will_v then_o in_o his_o panarium_n have_v reckon_v the_o reverence_v of_o image_n among_o the_o other_o heresy_n and_o may_v not_o a_o 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the_o one_o out_o of_o that_o piece_n of_o epiphanius_n 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v entitle_v ancoratus_fw-la the_o other_o out_o of_o s._n basils_n write_n against_o eunomius_n but_o that_o that_o piece_n of_o epiphanius_n have_v be_v long_o since_o corrupt_v and_o so_o likewise_o of_o that_o other_o passage_n out_o of_o s._n basil_n that_o some_o one_o or_o other_o who_o favour_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o latin●s_n have_v accommodate_v that_o place_n to_o their_o sense_n withal_o 20._o protest_v that_o in_o all_o constantinople_n there_o be_v but_o four_o copy_n only_o of_o the_o say_a book_n that_o have_v that_o passage_n allege_v by_o the_o latin_n but_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o say_a city_n above_o a_o thousand_o other_o copy_n wherein_o those_o word_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v at_o all_o then_o have_v the_o latin_v nothing_o to_o return_v upon_o they_o more_o ready_o than_o that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o ordinary_a practice_n not_o of_o the_o west_n but_o of_o the_o east_n to_o corrupt_a book_n and_o for_o proof_n hereof_o they_o present_o cite_v a_o passage_n out_o of_o s._n cyrill_n which_o we_o have_v former_o set_v down_o where_o notwithstanding_o he_o speak_v not_o any_o thing_n save_v only_o of_o the_o heretic_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o nestorian_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v falsify_v the_o epistle_n of_o athanasius_n to_o epictetus_n but_o not_o a_o word_n there_o of_o all_o the_o eastern_a man_n much_o less_o of_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n the_o greek_n than_o charge_v back_o upon_o the_o latin_n the_o story_n of_o pope_n zozimus_n mention_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n and_o thus_o do_v they_o bandy_v stiff_o one_o against_o the_o other_o each_o of_o they_o as_o may_v be_v easy_o perceive_v have_v much_o more_o appearance_n of_o reason_n and_o of_o truth_n in_o their_o accusation_n of_o their_o adversary_n than_o in_o excuse_v or_o defend_v themselves_o i_o shall_v here_o give_v you_o also_o another_o the_o like_a answer_n make_v by_o one_o gregorius_n a_o greek_a monk_n a_o strong_a maintainer_n of_o the_o union_n make_v at_o florence_n council_n to_o a_o passage_n cite_v by_o mark_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n out_o of_o a_o certain_a book_n of_o john_n damascene_fw-la affirm_v that_o the_o father_n only_o be_v the_o cause_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o trinity_n these_o word_n say_v this_o monk_n be_v not_o find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a copy_n which_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n that_o it_o have_v be_v afterward_o foist_v in_o by_o the_o greek_n to_o bring_v over_o this_o doctor_n to_o their_o opinion_n epiphan_n petavin●_n have_v in_o like_a manner_n late_o quit_v his_o hand_n of_o a_o objection_n take_v out_o of_o the_o 68_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n against_o the_o fast_n on_o saturday_n which_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n pretend_v that_o the_o greek_n have_v falsify_v this_o canon_n but_o whosoever_o desire_v to_o see_v how_o full_a of_o uncertainty_n the_o write_n of_o this_o late_a antiquity_n be_v let_v he_o but_o read_v the_o viii_o council_n which_o be_v pretend_v by_o the_o western_a church_n to_o be_v a_o general_a council_n and_o but_o compare_v the_o latin_a and_o the_o greek_a copy_n together_o withal_o take_v especial_a notice_n of_o the_o preface_n of_o anastasius_n bibliothecarius_n who_o after_o he_o have_v very_o sharp_o reprove_v the_o ambition_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o accuse_v the_o canon_n which_o they_o produce_v of_o the_o three_o general_n council_n as_o forge_v and_o supposititious_a to_o make_v short_a work_n with_o they_o he_o say_v in_o plain_a term_n that_o the_o greek_n have_v corrupt_v all_o the_o council_n except_o the_o first_o what_o then_o have_v we_o now_o leave_v we_o to_o build_v upon_o see_v that_o this_o corruption_n have_v prevail_v even_o as_o far_o as_o on_o the_o council_n which_o be_v the_o very_a heart_n of_o the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o yet_o have_v the_o nicene_n creed_n which_o have_v be_v 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and_o the_o monothelite_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o father_n have_v speak_v very_o obscure_o of_o these_o matter_n before_o the_o controversy_n be_v start_v as_o person_n that_o speak_v accidental_o only_o thereof_o and_o not_o of_o set_a purpose_n it_o be_v now_o a_o good_a while_n since_o that_o s._n declinare_fw-la hierome_n say_v that_o before_o that_o arius_n that_o impudent_a devil_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o father_n have_v deliver_v many_o thing_n innocent_o and_o without_o take_v so_o much_o heed_n to_o their_o word_n as_o they_o may_v have_v do_v and_o indeed_o some_o thing_n that_o can_v hardly_o escape_v the_o cavil_n of_o wrangle_a spirit_n and_o this_o have_v also_o be_v observe_v by_o some_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a among_o the_o modern_n as_o namely_o cardinal_n 5._o perron_n and_o the_o jesuit_n consentiant_fw-la petavius_n a_o man_n high_o esteem_v by_o those_o of_o his_o own_o party_n who_o write_v upon_o epiphanius_n and_o endeavour_v to_o clear_a lucian_n 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kind_n of_o small_a satisfaction_n forasmuch_o as_o if_o in_o such_o case_n they_o shall_v have_v be_v utter_o filent_a it_o will_v questionless_a have_v much_o amaze_v their_o auditor_n and_o in_o some_o sort_n also_o have_v scandalize_v and_o give_v they_o offence_n to_o satisfy_v therefore_o their_o expectation_n and_o yet_o to_o keep_v these_o mystery_n still_o conceal_v from_o they_o they_o wave_v the_o business_n handsome_o lay_v before_o they_o that_o which_o they_o account_v not_o the_o best_a and_o true_a but_o the_o fit_a for_o their_o purpose_n and_o design_n thus_o do_v we_o sometime_o please_v little_a child_n with_o a_o apple_n or_o some_o little_a toy_n to_o take_v they_o off_o the_o desire_n they_o have_v to_o something_o of_o great_a value_n those_o therefore_o who_o take_v all_o that_o the_o father_n deliver_v in_o the_o like_a place_n for_o good_a and_o solid_a exposition_n and_o such_o as_o they_o themselves_o real_o believe_v do_v very_o much_o deceive_v 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the_o whole_a xxvi_o tract_n there_o be_v not_o one_o period_n but_o have_v in_o it_o some_o elusion_n diversion_n or_o diminution_n of_o the_o true_a and_o solid_a definition_n of_o this_o article_n thus_o do_v he_o interpret_v the_o bread_n which_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1._o our_o saviour_n say_v he_o purpose_v to_o send_v down_o the_o h._n ghost_n sai_z that_o it_o be_v the_o bread_n which_o descend_v from_o heaven_n you_o may_v if_o you_o please_v believe_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o this_o father_n that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n but_o yet_o the_o cardinal_n make_v it_o appear_v out_o of_o calvin_n that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o he_o likewise_o contradict_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o which_o the_o same_o father_n say_v a_o little_a after_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o purpose_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o let_v we_o understand_v that_o this_o meat_n and_o drink_n whereof_o he_o 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and_o ●●ight_a the_o sacrament_n than_o to_o fear_v lest_o they_o shall_v adore_v it_o as_o indeed_o the_o father_n be_v much_o more_o careful_a in_o conceal_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o sacrament_n the_o outward_a appearance_n whereof_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v it_o disesteem_v than_o they_o be_v in_o conceal_v the_o form_n which_o be_v of_o so_o venerable_a a_o nature_n say_v often_o and_o in_o express_a term_n that_o it_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n but_o ordinary_o forbear_v to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v or_o that_o it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o bread_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o three_o sort_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n wherein_o the_o father_n dispute_n against_o the_o adversary_n of_o their_o faith_n namely_o the_o pagan_n jew_n and_o heretic_n we_o have_v former_o touch_v how_o much_o obscurity_n the_o earnestness_n and_o heat_n of_o spirit_n have_v cause_v
we_o have_v a_o synodical_a epistle_n of_o sophronius_n ii_o patriarch_n of_o jerusalem_n wherein_o as_o the_o usual_a custom_n be_v he_o explain_v the_o faith_n in_o a_o very_a large_a and_o particular_a manner_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o you_o shall_v no_o there_o meet_v with_o any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v now_o controvert_v among_o we_o those_o that_o shall_v search_v more_o narrow_o into_o the_o business_n will_v be_v apt_a positive_o to_o conclude_v from_o this_o their_o silence_n that_o these_o point_n be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n any_o part_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n and_o certain_o this_o their_o way_n of_o argumentation_n seem_v not_o to_o want_v reason_n but_o as_o for_o my_o own_o particular_a it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o that_o it_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o assertion_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v if_o not_o a_o impossible_a yet_o at_o least_o a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o discover_v in_o what_o degree_n either_o of_o necessity_n or_o probability_n the_o ancient_a father_n hold_v each_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v now_o debate_v among_o we_o see_v that_o they_o appear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o in_o the_o exposition_n of_o their_o faith_n nor_o yet_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o council_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o point_n which_o they_o account_v necessary_a chap._n ix_o reason_n ix_o we_o ought_v to_o know_v what_o have_v be_v the_o opinion_n not_o of_o one_o or_o more_o of_o the_o father_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n which_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o be_v find_v out_o those_o who_o make_v most_o account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o who_o urge_v they_o the_o often_o in_o their_o disputation_n do_v inform_v we_o that_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o say_n in_o these_o matter_n proceed_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o be_v as_o so_o many_o testimony_n of_o the_o general_n sense_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o alone_o these_o man_n attribute_v the_o supreme_a power_n of_o judge_v in_o controversy_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o we_o shall_v consider_v they_o several_o each_o by_o himself_o and_o as_o they_o stand_v by_o their_o own_o strength_n only_o they_o confess_v that_o they_o may_v chance_v to_o err_v so_o that_o it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v whether_o such_o or_o such_o say_n be_v true_o they_o and_o if_o so_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o be_v but_o we_o ought_v further_o also_o to_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o in_o a_o court_n of_o judicature_n the_o opinion_n of_o any_o single_a person_n of_o the_o bench_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n at_o all_o as_o to_o the_o pass_v of_o judgement_n unless_o it_o be_v 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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 author_n confident_o affirm_v also_o though_o contrary_a to_o the_o say_v of_o all_o ancient_a history_n 1._o that_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o opinion_n in_o philosophy_n spring_v from_o some_o certain_a mystery_n bring_v to_o athens_n by_o orpheus_n 5._o and_o other_o and_o that_o the_o stoic_n believe_v the_o immortality_n and_o transmigration_n of_o soul_n both_o which_o be_v as_o false_a the_o one_o as_o the_o other_o and_o likewise_o 1._o that_o nebuchadonosor_n send_v a_o colony_n into_o the_o country_n about_o samaria_n after_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n whereas_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v salmanassar_n who_o have_v so_o do_v long_o before_o the_o other_o time_n what_o can_v you_o think_v of_o he_o when_o you_o find_v he_o mistake_v in_o such_o thing_n as_o happen_v not_o many_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v as_o namely_o when_o he_o say_v num_fw-la that_o arius_n die_v before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o when_o he_o relate_v the_o story_n of_o meletius_n and_o 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 ●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 there_o be_v a_o great_a noise_n hear_v and_o a_o voice_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o depart_v hence_o and_o yet_o nevertheless_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n be_v that_o josephus_n report_v this_o to_o have_v happen_v at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o the_o city_n be_v besiege_v that_o be_v to_o say_v above_o thirty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n eccles_n the_o same_o author_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n all_o other_o after_o they_o have_v constant_o deliver_v as_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o philo_n judaeus_n in_o that_o book_n of_o he_o entitle_v de_n vitâ_fw-la contemplatiuâ_fw-la describe_v unto_o we_o the_o manner_n of_o life_n of_o the_o christian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o monk_n and_o yet_o that_o book_n of_o philo_n which_o we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n under_o this_o title_n proclaim_v loud_a enough_o that_o he_o there_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o christian_n but_o of_o the_o essenes_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o three_o 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 ●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
book_n of_o his_o de_fw-fr anima_fw-la he_o also_o with_o irenaeus_n shut_v up_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n after_o they_o be_v depart_v this_o life_n into_o a_o certain_a subterraneous_a place_n where_o they_o be_v to_o remain_v till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n the_o heaven_n not_o be_v to_o be_v open_v to_o any_o of_o the_o faithful_a till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n only_o he_o allow_v the_o martyr_n their_o entrance_n into_o paradise_n which_o he_o fancy_v to_o be_v some_o place_n beneath_o the_o heaven_n and_o here_o he_o will_v have_v they_o continue_v till_o the_o last_o day_n clausâ_fw-la it_o be_v thy_o blood_n say_v he_o which_o be_v the_o only_a key_n of_o paradise_n and_o this_o place_n whither_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o dead_a go_v be_v to_o continue_v close_o shut_v up_o till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o he_o who_o beside_o be_v of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a opinion_n from_o that_o of_o justin_n martyr_n speak_v of_o before_o and_o maintain_v that_o all_o apparition_n of_o dead_a man_n be_v only_o mere_a illusion_n and_o deceit_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o that_o this_o enclosure_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v continue_v till_o such_o time_n as_o the_o city_n of_o the_o resurgentium_fw-la new_a jerusalem_n which_o be_v to_o be_v all_o of_o precious_a stone_n shall_v descend_v miraculous_o from_o heaven_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o shall_v there_o continue_v a_o thousand_o year_n the_o saint_n so_o long_o live_v in_o it_o in_o very_o great_a glory_n and_o that_o during_o this_o space_n the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v to_o be_v accomplish_v by_o degree_n some_o of_o they_o rise_v up_o soon_o and_o some_o late_a according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o merit_n and_o hence_o be_v we_o to_o interpret_v that_o which_o he_o say_v in_o another_o place_n to_o wit_n that_o luendum_fw-la small_a sin_n shall_v be_v punish_v in_o man_n by_o the_o lateness_n of_o their_o resurrection_n and_o that_o etc._n when_o the_o thousand_o year_n be_v expire_v and_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o conflagration_n of_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v past_a we_o shall_v all_o be_v change_v in_o a_o moment_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o angel_n i_o pass_v by_o his_o invective_n against_o second_a marriage_n and_o also_o his_o evil_a opinion_n of_o all_o marriage_n in_o general_n these_o fancy_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o montanus_n his_o paraclete_n but_o as_o for_o his_o opinion_n touch_v the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n he_o have_v many_o fellow_n among_o the_o father_n who_o hold_v the_o same_o namely_o that_o their_o admittitur_fw-la baptism_n signify_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o they_o never_o receive_v any_o heretic_n into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o they_o first_o rebaptise_v he_o cleanse_v he_o say_v he_o both_o in_o the_o one_o and_o in_o the_o other_o man_n that_o be_v to_o say_v both_o in_o body_n and_o soul_n by_o the_o baptism_n of_o the_o truth_n account_v a_o heretic_n to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o or_o rather_o in_o a_o worse_a condition_n than_o any_o pagan_a and_o as_o for_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o press_v man_n to_o the_o baptise_v of_o their_o child_n while_o they_o be_v young_a which_o yet_o be_v the_o present_a custom_n of_o these_o time_n that_o he_o allow_v and_o indeed_o persuade_v the_o contrary_a not_o only_o in_o child_n but_o even_o in_o person_n of_o riper_n year_n counsel_v they_o to_o defer_v it_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o etc._n condition_n disposition_n and_o age._n and_o as_o his_o opinion_n touch_v this_o particular_a be_v not_o much_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o anabaptist_n of_o our_o time_n so_o do_v he_o not_o much_o dissent_n from_o they_o neither_o in_o some_o other_o for_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v no_o more_o than_o they_o do_v that_o a_o christian_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o or_o execute_v any_o office_n of_o judicature_n or_o discinxit_fw-la that_o he_o shall_v condemn_v or_o bind_v or_o imprison_v or_o examine_v any_o man_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v war_n upon_o any_o or_o serve_v in_o war_n under_o any_o other_o say_v express_o that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n by_o disarm_v s._n peter_n have_v from_o henceforth_o take_v off_o every_o soldier_n belt_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n allow_v not_o of_o the_o profession_n of_o soldiery_n so_o that_o i_o can_v but_o extreme_o wonder_v at_o the_o confidence_n shall_v i_o say_v or_o rather_o the_o inadvertency_n of_o 7._o some_o who_o will_v needs_o persuade_v we_o from_o a_o certain_a passage_n of_o this_o author_n which_o themselves_o have_v very_o much_o mistake_v that_o this_o so_o innocent_a and_o peaceable_a father_n maintain_v that_o heretic_n be_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o to_o be_v suppress_v by_o inflict_v upon_o they_o temporal_a punishment_n which_o rigorous_a proceed_n be_v as_o far_o from_o his_o thought_n as_o heaven_n be_v from_o earth_n i_o shall_v add_v here_o before_o i_o go_v any_o further_a that_o etc._n he_o hold_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n suffer_v death_n in_o the_o thirty_o year_n of_o his_o age_n which_o be_v manifest_o contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o he_o think_v also_o that_o the_o 10._o heavenly_a grace_n and_o prophecy_n end_v in_o st._n john_n baptist_n the_o fullness_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v from_o henceforth_o transfer_v unto_o our_o saviour_n christ_n st._n cyprian_n who_o be_v tertullia_n very_o great_a admirer_n call_v he_o absolute_o the_o master_n and_o significans_fw-la who_o never_o let_v any_o day_n pass_v over_o his_o head_n without_o read_v something_o of_o he_o have_v confident_o also_o maintain_v some_o of_o the_o aforesaid_a opinion_n as_o namely_o among_o other_o that_o of_o the_o nullity_n of_o baptism_n by_o heretic_n passim_fw-la which_o he_o descend_v every_o where_o very_o stiff_o have_v also_o the_o most_o eminent_a man_n of_o his_o time_n consent_v with_o he_o in_o this_o point_n as_o namely_o cypr._n firmilianus_n metropolitan_a of_o cappadocia_n eccles_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n together_o with_o the_o council_n of_o africa_n cappadocia_n pamphilia_n and_o bythinia_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o anger_n and_o the_o excommunication_n also_o of_o stephen_n bishop_n of_o rome_n etc._n who_o for_o his_o part_n hold_v a_o particular_a opinion_n of_o his_o own_o allow_v of_o the_o baptism_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n without_o rebaptise_v any_o of_o they_o as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o lxxiv_o epistle_n of_o st._n cyprian_n whereas_o the_o church_n about_o some_o lxv_o year_n after_o at_o the_o 〈◊〉_d council_n of_o nice_a declare_v null_a the_o baptism_n of_o the_o samosatenian_o by_o permit_v as_o it_o seem_v that_o all_o other_o heretic_n whatsoever_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n without_o be_v rebaptise_v but_o the_o father_n of_o the_o *_o ii_o general_a council_n go_v yet_o further_o rebaptise_v all_o those_o no_o otherwise_o than_o they_o will_v have_v do_v pagan_n who_o come_v in_o from_o the_o communion_n either_o of_o the_o eunomian_o montanist_n phrygian_n or_o sabellian_o or_o indeed_o any_o other_o heretic_n whatsoever_o save_v only_o the_o arrian_n macedonian_n sabbatians_n novatian_o quartodecimani_n and_o apollinarian_o all_o which_o they_o receive_v without_o rebaptization_n as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o greek_a copy_n of_o the_o say_a council_n and_o the_o vii_o canon_n which_o canon_n you_o also_o have_v in_o the_o greek_a code_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a num._n clxx_o and_o thus_o you_o see_v that_o stephen_n and_o cyprian_n maintain_v each_o of_o they_o their_o own_o particular_a opinion_n in_o this_o point_n the_o one_o of_o they_o admit_v and_o the_o other_o utter_o reject_v the_o baptism_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o heretic_n whereas_o the_o two_o aforenamed_a general_n council_n neither_o admit_v nor_o reject_v save_v only_o the_o baptism_n of_o some_o certain_a heretic_n only_o but_o st._n cyprian_n however_o seem_v to_o have_v deal_v herein_o much_o more_o fair_o than_o his_o adversary_n see_v that_o amoventés_fw-fr he_o patient_o endure_v and_o be_v not_o offend_v with_o any_o of_o those_o who_o be_v of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n as_o it_o appear_v clear_o by_o the_o synod_n of_o carthage_n and_o as_o it_o be_v also_o prove_v by_o etc._n st._n hierome_n whereas_o stephen_n according_a to_o his_o own_o hot_a choleric_a temper_n 204._o declare_v public_o against_o firmilianus_n his_o opinion_n and_o firmil_n excommunicate_v all_o those_o that_o dissent_v from_o himself_o the_o same_o bless_a putares_fw-la martyr_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n be_v carry_v away_o with_o that_o error_n also_o of_o his_o time_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n to_o all_o person_n when_o they_o be_v baptise_a and_o
find_v that_o the_o very_a same_o error_n be_v defend_v by_o several_a doctor_n of_o very_a great_a repute_n in_o the_o church_n s._n hierome_n who_o in_o divers_a place_n of_o his_o commentary_n have_v excellent_o and_o solid_o refute_v this_o foolish_a fancy_n say_v 984._o that_o many_o among_o the_o learned_a christian_n have_v maintain_v the_o same_o and_o to_o those_o who_o we_o have_v already_o mention_v sit_fw-la he_o add_v lactantius_n victorinus_n severus_n and_o apollinaris_n who_o be_v follow_v in_o this_o point_n say_v he_o in_o another_o place_n by_o great_a multitude_n of_o christian_n about_o we_o insomuch_o that_o i_o already_o foresee_v and_o presage_v to_o myself_o how_o many_o folk_n anger_v i_o shall_v incur_v hereby_o namely_o because_o he_o every_o where_o speak_v against_o this_o opinion_n whence_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o in_o his_o time_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o century_n it_o be_v still_o in_o great_a request_n in_o the_o church_n and_o indeed_o how_o fierce_a soever_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v in_o his_o onset_n yet_o he_o dare_v not_o condemn_v this_o opinion_n absolute_o reserventur_fw-la although_o we_o embrace_v not_o this_o opinion_n say_v he_o yet_o can_v we_o not_o condemn_v it_o for_o as_o much_o as_o there_o have_v be_v divers_a eminent_a personage_n and_o martyr_n in_o the_o church_n who_o have_v maintain_v the_o same_o let_v every_o man_n abound_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o let_v we_o leave_v the_o judgement_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o god_n whence_o you_o see_v as_o we_o may_v observe_v by_o the_o way_n that_o the_o father_n have_v not_o always_o hold_v a_o opinion_n in_o the_o same_o degree_n that_o we_o do_v for_o st._n hierome_n conceive_v this_o to_o be_v a_o pardonable_a error_n which_o yet_o we_o at_o this_o day_n will_v not_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o if_o it_o be_v here_o answer_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n follow_v condemn_v this_o opinion_n as_o erroneous_a this_o 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and_o other_o conceive_v not_o themselves_o bind_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n lactantius_n victorinus_n severus_n and_o other_o so_o neither_o be_v we_o any_o more_o bind_v to_o submit_v to_o they_o for_o their_o posterity_n owe_v they_o no_o more_o respect_n than_o they_o themselves_o owe_v to_o their_o ancestor_n it_o seem_v rather_o that_o in_o reason_n they_o shall_v owe_v they_o less_o because_o that_o look_v how_o far_o distant_a in_o time_n they_o be_v from_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o spring_n and_o original_a of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n so_o much_o do_v the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n lose_v and_o grow_v less_o if_o antiquity_n as_o we_o will_v have_v it_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o truth_n then_o certain_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a be_v also_o the_o most_o venerable_a and_o the_o most_o considerable_a and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o argument_n but_o this_o against_o the_o authority_n of_o many_o father_n unanimous_o consent_v in_o any_o opinion_n yet_o will_v it_o clear_o serve_v to_o lessen_v the_o same_o but_o there_o be_v yet_o behind_o many_o other_o some_o whereof_o we_o shall_v here_o produce_v we_o have_v hear_v before_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n and_o st._n augustine_n affirm_v all_o of_o they_o that_o heaven_n shall_v not_o be_v open_v till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o that_o during_o this_o space_n of_o time_n the_o soul_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_a be_v shut_v up_o in_o some_o subterraneous_a place_n except_o some_o small_a number_n of_o those_o who_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o go_v immediate_o to_o heaven_n the_o author_n of_o those_o question_n and_o answer_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o justin_n martyr_n maintain_v the_o same_o opinion_n as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o lx_o and_o lxxiv_o question_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o unprofitable_o spend_v both_o time_n and_o paper_n in_o bring_v in_o all_o the_o particular_a passage_n i_o say_v in_o general_n that_o both_o the_o major_a part_n and_o also_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n among_o the_o ancient_a father_n hold_v this_o opinion_n either_o absolute_o or_o at_o least_o in_o part_n for_o beside_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n and_o st._n augustine_n and_o the_o author_n of_o those_o question_n and_o answer_v we_o before_o mention_v which_o be_v a_o very_a ancient_a piece_n indeed_o though_o false_o father_v upon_o justin_n martyr_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o origen_n lactantius_n victorinus_n st._n ambrose_n st._n chrysostome_n theodoret_n oecumenius_n aretas_n prudentius_n theophylact_fw-mi st._n bernard_n and_o among_o the_o pope_n clemens_n romanus_n and_o john_n xxii_o be_v all_o of_o this_o opinion_n as_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o neither_o be_v this_o so_o admirable_a and_o general_a consent_n of_o they_o contradict_v by_o any_o declaration_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o space_n of_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n neither_o yet_o do_v any_o one_o of_o the_o father_n so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v discover_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o refute_v this_o error_n as_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n and_o st._n hierome_n do_v to_o refute_v the_o millenaries_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n be_v either_o utter_o silent_a as_o to_o this_o particular_a and_o so_o by_o this_o their_o silence_n go_v over_o in_o a_o manner_n into_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o major_a part_n or_o else_o content_v themselves_o with_o declare_v sometime_o here_o and_o there_o in_o their_o book_n that_o they_o believe_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o saint_n shall_v enjoy_v the_o sight_n of_o god_n till_o the_o resurrection_n never_o formal_o deny_v the_o other_o opinion_n but_o that_o which_o do_v further_o show_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v both_o very_a ancient_n and_o have_v be_v also_o very_o common_a among_o the_o christian_n be_v because_o that_o even_o at_o 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 out_o by_o these_o reverend_a father_n as_o one_o that_o make_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v holy_a and_o immutable_a to_o depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n for_o these_o man_n regard_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o the_o multitude_n nor_o the_o antiquity_n nor_o the_o learning_n nor_o the_o sanctity_n of_o the_o author_n of_o this_o foolish_a opinion_n but_o find_v it_o to_o be_v false_a without_o any_o more_o ado_n reject_v it_o as_o they_o think_v they_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o do_v and_o withal_o ordain_v the_o contrary_n now_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o point_n of_o faith_n among_o all_o those_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v have_v the_o protestant_n receive_v for_o which_o there_o can_v be_v allege_v either_o more_o or_o more_o clear_a and_o evident_a testimony_n out_o of_o the_o father_n than_o for_o this_o for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o that_o after_o
all_o this_o it_o have_v not_o only_o be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o have_v be_v even_o utter_o condemn_v also_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o consent_n of_o many_o father_n together_o although_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v have_v upon_o all_o the_o point_n now_o in_o debate_n will_v yet_o be_v no_o sufficient_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o but_o i_o shall_v pass_v on_o to_o the_o rest_n we_o have_v before_o hear_v how_o that_o tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n who_o be_v both_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o martyr_n firmilianus_n metropolitan_a of_o cappadocia_n dionysius_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n together_o with_o the_o synod_n of_o bishop_n both_o of_o africa_n cappadocia_n cilicia_n 759._o and_o bythinia_n hold_v all_o that_o the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n be_v invalid_a and_o null_a st._n basil_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a eastern_a church_n hold_v also_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o very_a same_o opinion_n and_o that_o a_o long_a time_n too_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o amphilochius_n which_o be_v also_o put_v in_o among_o the_o public_a decree_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o greek_a canonist_n and_o yet_o this_o opinion_n be_v now_o confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v erroneous_a many_o in_o like_a manner_n of_o the_o father_n as_o namely_o 8._o tertullian_n 6._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 10._o lactantius_n and_o 1147_o africanus_n believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n keep_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n but_o once_o only_o after_o his_o baptism_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o consent_n of_o they_o the_o opinion_n be_v know_v to_o be_v very_o false_a as_o 203._o petavius_n also_o testify_v and_o beside_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o text_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o passim_fw-la st._n chrysostom_n 15._o st._n hierome_n 155._o st._n basil_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o etc._n constantinople_n under_o the_o patriarch_n flavianus_n who_o seem_v all_o to_o have_v hold_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v utter_o unlawful_a for_o christian_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o shall_v i_o take_v any_o notice_n in_o this_o place_n of_o that_o conceit_n of_o athanasius_n st._n basil_n and_o methodius_n as_o he_o be_v cite_v by_o 5._o john_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n who_o all_o believe_v that_o the_o angel_n have_v body_n to_o who_o we_o may_v also_o add_v as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o st._n hilary_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o very_o many_o more_o of_o the_o father_n who_o will_v all_o of_o they_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o angel_n to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o passion_n of_o carnal_a love_n of_o which_o number_n be_v even_o 10._o st._n augustine_n also_o whosoever_o shall_v now_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o this_o fancy_n of_o they_o which_o yet_o be_v of_o no_o small_a importance_n be_v a_o truth_n will_v he_o not_o be_v as_o sharp_o reprove_v for_o it_o by_o the_o romanist_n as_o by_o those_o of_o geneva_n but_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v that_o beside_o st._n cyprian_n st._n augustine_n and_o pope_n innocent_n i._n who_o testimony_n we_o have_v give_v in_o 8._o before_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o doctor_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o the_o first_o age_n maintain_v that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v necessary_a for_o young_a infant_n if_o at_o least_o you_o dare_v take_v maldonat_n word_n 53._o who_o affirm_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v in_o great_a request_n in_o the_o church_n during_o the_o first_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 747._o cassander_n also_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v often_o observe_v this_o practice_n in_o the_o ancient_n as_o indeed_o be_v also_o witness_v by_o carolus_n magnus_n and_o by_o ludovicus_n pius_n who_o live_v a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o six_o century_n both_o of_o which_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o custom_n continue_v in_o the_o west_n even_o in_o their_o time_n as_o they_o be_v cite_v by_o cardinal_n 1001._o perron_n and_o the_o trace_n of_o this_o custom_n do_v yet_o remain_v to_o this_o day_n among_o those_o christian_n who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n for_o baptismus_fw-la nicolaus_n lyranus_fw-la who_o live_v somewhat_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n since_o observe_v that_o the_o greek_n account_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n so_o necessary_a as_o that_o they_o administer_v it_o to_o little_a child_n also_o as_o well_o as_o baptism_n and_o even_o in_o our_o father_n time_n the_o patriarch_n germ._n jeremias_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a creek_n church_n say_v we_o do_v not_o only_o baptise_v little_a child_n but_o we_o also_o make_v they_o partaker_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o a_o little_a after_o we_o account_v say_v he_o both_o sacrament_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n for_o all_o person_n namely_o baptism_n and_o the_o holy_a communion_n the_o ethiopia_n abyssine_n also_o make_v their_o child_n in_o like_a manner_n communicate_v of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o be_v baptise_a which_o be_v most_o evident_a argument_n that_o this_o false_a opinion_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o eucharist_n have_v be_v of_o old_a maintain_v not_o by_o three_o or_o four_o of_o the_o father_n only_a but_o by_o the_o major_a part_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n by_o all_o of_o they_o for_o we_o do_v not_o hear_v of_o so_o much_o as_o one_o among_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o reject_v it_o in_o express_a term_n as_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v do_v in_o these_o late_a time_n to_o conclude_v the_o jesuit_n 23._o pererius_n have_v inform_v we_o and_o indeed_o the_o observation_n be_v obvious_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o be_v never_o so_o little_a conversant_a in_o the_o write_n of_o those_o author_n who_o 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