Aphorisme 1.

THat true Antiquity is to bee sought after , and magnified , is the Common Tenent of all Pious People .

( 2. )

For it is manifest that the Christian Religion is the most Ancient , as deriving it Testimonies from the very beginning of the world .

( 3. )

But this is not to be esteemed true Antiquity , to understand Quid hic , aut ille ante nos fecerit , aut docuerit : sed quid is qui ante omnes est , Christus , et qui solus via est , veritas , et vita , à cujus praeceptis nullo modo recedendum est : What this , or that man did , or taught before us , but what he did who was before all , even Christ himselfe , who onely is the Way , the Truth , and the Life , from whose Precepts wee ought not to digresse , as saith Saint Cyprian ad Caecil . lib. 2. epist. 3.

( 4. )

Omnis quippe Antiquitas , ct consuctudo sine veritate nihil aliud nisi Err●ris vetustas censenda est : So that all Antiquity , and Custome , not grounded on the Truth , is to bee accounted no other than an Ancient Errour , as the same Saint Cyprian piously writeth to Pomp. against the Epistle of Stephanus .

( 5. )

But the Ancient Truth God taught us by his Prophets and Apostles , who though in condition they were men , and , indeed , sinners , yet in Doctrine which was revealed to them supernaturally by the holy Ghost , not by the will of man , wee know them rightly to bee fellow-Witneffes , Ephes. 2. 20. 2 Pet. 1. 20.

( 6. )

The Perfection of the Scriptures is easily proved by these two Arguments : First , That they are sufficient to instruct in those things that belong to salvation , and to the full knowledge of the Truth . Iohn 5. 39. Iohn 20. 30. 2 Tim. 3. 15 , 16. Secondly , Because in Temptations Faith onely finds rest in the Testimonies of the sacred Scriptures ; having alwayes for its Object the Word of God revealed by the Prophets and Apostles , which cannot bee said of any other Writings or Bookes whatsoever .

( 7. )

To recall us therefore from the manifest Testimonies of the Scriptures to the Writings of the Fathers , or other men , were injustice , and contumely against the holy Ghost himselfe ; especially since our Faith doth not consist in wisedome , or in the words of men , but in the power of God , or in the evident proofes of the holy Ghost . , 1 Cor. 2.

( 8. )

Wherefore Saint Austine writeth thus against the Donausts , lib. 2. cap. 3. Quis nescit sanctam Scripturam Canonicam tam veteris quam novi Testamenti omnibus posterioribus Episcoporum literis ita praeponi , ut de illa omnino dubitari , et disceptari non possit : Episcoporum autem literis , quae post confirmatum Canonem vel scriptae sunt , vel scribuntur a doctioribus libere reprehendi , et particularia Concilia a plenariis , et haec quoque a posterioribus emendari ? Who knoweth not the holy Scripture Canonicall , as well of the old as New Testament , so farre to excell all the writings of the later Bishops , as that there needs no doubt , or dispute thereof : and that the workes of Bishops which have beene , or are now written after the confirmed Canon , may bee freely reprehended by the more learned , and that particular Councels may be amended by Generall , and these also by the Successive .

( 9. )

Moreover , Whereas many complaine of the obscurity of the Scriptures wee ought to make no scruple thereof , there being greater obscurity , lesse purity , and certainety in the writings of men , as plainly manifest the almost infinite Commentaries upon Peter Lombard , and not a few animadversions of the Sorbonists upon him ; Cum it a sit temperata Scripturae obscuritas , ( they be the words of Saint Austine , lib. 3. de Doct. Christ . ) ut facile quis se possit expedire , modo cum similibus , et apertioribus locis Scripturae locum obscuriorem conferamus , et imprimis oculos a scopo non dem●veamus , et quod in uno idiomate non intelligimus , ex alio cognoscere studeamus : Whereas the obscurity of the Scriptures is so temper'd that wee may easily explaine it , if we conferre the obscure place with places more open , and perspicuous ; especially if wee move not our eyes from the scope ; and what wee understand not in one tongue , wee study to know by another .

( 10. )

Lastly , the Fathers have often erred , as also the Schoolemen , as the Papists themselves confesse : but that the Scriptures are voyd of all error , no Christian doubteth .

( 11. )

It is enquired therefore whether there bee any need of reading the Fathers , and ancient Doctors ; and , if it bee needfull , how much wee ought attribute to them .

( 12. )

To read the Fathers profitably no man forbiddeth , but it is not necessary to reade them all , neither are they promiscuously to bee read by all persons ; neither to the same proper end that wee read the Scriptures .

( 13. )

They are not presently to bee accounted the writings of the Fathers that are fathered on them . As for example ; Some things passe under the name of one Dionissius Areopagita , others under that of Origen , whereof part were forged by idle Monks , part were falsly attributed to those Fathers ; as also many Legends of Saints : Neither hath every man such light , and knowledge of the Scriptures , as may enable him to judge of the Fathers , whom wee reade not as Foundations of our Faith .

( 14. )

Civitas Dei ( saith Austin , lib. 19. de Civit . Dei . c. 18. ) dubitatîonem Academicoram tanquam Dementiam detestatur : credit Scripturis sanctis veteribus , et novis , quas Canonicas appellamus , unde fides ipsa concepta est , qua justus vivit , per quam sine dubitatione ambulamus : The City of God detests all the doubts of the Academicks as meere madnesse : She beleeves the sacred Scriptures both old , and new , which are called Canonicall , from whence Faith it selfe is derived , wherby the Just shall live , by which wee walke with full assurance .

( 15. )

Wherefore Christ , and the Apostles , when they taught , did not cite the Rabins , nor any Father before them but Moses , and the Prophets : nor was it in vaine decreed in the third Councell of Cartharge , that nothing should be read in the Church but the Canonicall Scriptures .

( 16. )

But the Fathers are read , and are often cited in the Schooles , partly that wee may see the consent of the ancient Church concerning the principall Heads of Doctrine after they were first constituted by the sacred Scriptures ; and partly that we may know the History of the Church and discerne her inclination , who ( as witnesseth Eusebeus lib. 3. Hist. cap. 29. ) after the Apostles times remained not long a Virgin , nor long retained her faith incorrupted : partly also , that wee may accommodate to our use the many pious admonitions , and consolations savouring of the very spirit of Martyrdome , together with the many elegant similitudes , & comparisons , as somewhere saith Erasmus .

( 17. )

And wee reade so that wee may try all , as admonisheth Saint Hierom , in epist. ad Minerium . Meum est prepositum Antiquos legere , probare singula , retinere quae bona sunt , et a fide verae Ecclesiae Catholicae non recedere ; It is my purpose to reade the Aneients , to prove every particular , to retaine that which is good , and not to fall from the Faith of the true Catholike Church .

( 18. )

The same , in a manner , writes Saint Austine to Bishop Fortunatianus . Neque enim , inquit , quorumlibet Disputationes , quamvis Catholicorum , et laudatorum hominum , velut Scripturas Canonicas habeee debemus , ut nobis non liceat , ( salva honorificentia quae illis debetur hominibus ) aliquid in eorum Scriptis reprobare , atquerespuere , si forte inveniamus quod aliter senserint , quam veritas habet : Talis ego sum in Scriptis aliorum , tales volo esse inttllectores meorum . Neither , saith he , ought wee to have the Disputations of any in the same esteeme with the Canonicall Scriptures , although they bee men truly Catholike , and praise-worthy ; nor to lose the freedome ( paying the reverence due to them ) of censuring their writings , if wee finde any thing in them not consonant to Truth : Such am I in the workes of others ; such would I have the understanders of mine .

( 19. )

Wherefore the madnesse of them is great , who without choyce would simply admit all the sayings of the Fathers , which often contradict each other , and as often digresse from the Truth .

( 20. )

Lapsus est a fide , et crimen maximae Superbiae ( saith Saint Basil , in oration de confession . fidei ) velle a Scripturis recedere , veleas solas , cum agitur de side , molle admittere . Christus enim ait , suas oves , suam vocem audire , non alterius : It is a falling from the faith , and a crime of the highest Arrogancy , to forsake the Scriptures ; or , when Faith is our Theme , not to receive them onely . For Christ saith , His Sheepe heare his voyce , not anothers .

( 21. )

Wherefore Saint Austine ( when Cyprians authority was urged against him concerning Baptisme of Heretickes ) answered , that hee held not the Epistles of Saint Cyprian for Canonicall ; and ( when Saint Hierome had cited three , or foure Fathers touching the reprehension of Saint Peter by Saint Paul ) hee replyed , that hee also could quote the Fathers , but hee had rather appeale to the sacred Scriptures .

( 22. )

For it is certaine that Saint Cyprian dissented from the Church about the Baptisme of Heretickes ; and that Tertullian being bewitch'd by the Montanists , wrote some Tracts against the Tenents of the Church : as also that Saint Lactantius , and others , were too much addicted to the opinions of the Chiliasts , and Platonists : and as true it is , that many things are ascribed to the Fathers falsely , which savour neither of their stile , faith , nor piety , as shall bee shewed in its proper place .

( 23. )

Moreover , it is most sure that Councels have often erred , and that those things which had beene well constituted by some Councels , were overthrowne by others : Yea , and in the Nicene Councell it selfe , an unjust sentence had beene pronounced against the marriage of Priests , had not one Paphnutius , an old man , opposed it . In that Councell also there was an over-hard Canon written against them , who , after a Confession of faith once made , did fight for their Princes .

( 24. )

Not without reason therefore is that of Panormitanus , a Doctor of the Common Law , De Elect. cap. significasti . Magis credendum Laico , si Scriptaras adferat quam Papae et toti Concilio , si absque Scripturis agant : We owe a greater beleefe to a Lay man producing the Scriptures , than to the Pope , and a whole Councell , if they determine any thing without them .

( 25. )

They erre therefore who would have the common opinion passe for a Law , preferring the multitude of humane Testimonies before the Scriptures .

( 26. )

But some will say , Heretickes beleeve not the Scriptures , and therefore we must have recourse to the authority of the Fathers : To which I answer , that they will lesse beleeve the Fathers , and the Church , as appeareth in the Ecclesiasticall History by the Arians , and Nestorians , who after the Councels of Nice , and Ephesus , and the crees of the Fathers , became more obstinate than before .

( 27. )

Whereas therefore the Evangelicall Divines of Wormes , anno 57. when they affirmed the holy Writ onely to bee the Judge of Controversie , being asked thereupon , whether or no thereby they meant to take away all authority from the Fathers ? answer'd , that they willingly would receive the Fathers which lived in the first 500. yeares after Christ ; it is not so to be understood as if they did simply approve them in all things , which the very Papists themselves doe not ; but comparatively , that the corruption of Doctrine was lesse in those times than in the Ages following ; although there were not wanting who after those 500. yeares retained the Apostolicall Doctrine in many points : as Fulgentius , Vigilius , Leo Bishop of Rome , Bernard , and Damascene himselfe , especially if you consider the Doctrine of the person of Christ .

( 28. )

It remaineth that we answer them who demand what is to be done when places are produced out of those first Fathers which seeme somewhat to confirme the opinions of the Papists , or the errors of others , as in prayer for the dead , the sacrifice of the Masse , Free-Will , &c. To this I answer , First , that proofes of opinions are to be derived from the Scriptures , and the rule of Saint Paul to bee strictly observed . 2 Cor. 13. Wee can doe nothing against the Truth , but all for the Truth . Secondly , wee must compare many places together . Thirdly , wee must consider how , and secundum quid , any thing is spoken by the Fathers . Fourthly , we must distinguish the Authenticke books from the Bastard and supposed , or suspected ; as are the bookes Hypognosticon of S. Austin , and of Questions of the old , and new Testament , of a blessed life , and many more not rellishing like the doctrine , or stile of S. Austin , as Erasmus , and Iacobus Hermerus rightly observe .

CHAP. I. Of the Canons , which they call the Apostles Canons , and are wont to bee inserted in the first Tome of Councels , in the beginning .

THere are certaine Canons publisht in the Greeke Tongue , which they call the Apostles Canons ; some maintaining , that they were collected by Clement the Successor of Saint Peter : but it is manifest that Rapsody to have beene written long after the times of the Apostles ; for there are many things spoken of utterly unknowne to the Apostles dayes , As of celebrating the Paschall Feast before the Vernall Aequinoctiall ; of gold and silver vessels sanctified ; of Clergy men , and Lay-men , &c. Withall , it is unjust , that the Papists should object against , and impose upon us those Canons which they themselves in many things observe not ; as the Canon of Clergy men taken in Tavernes to bee denyed the Communion : of all the faithfull entring the Church , who are commanded to heare , and communicate the Scriptures : as also the Canon that no Bishop , or Priest , put away his wife under the pretext of Religion , &c. Lastly , in Gratianus himselfe , Dist 16. those Canons by the authority of one Isidorus are numbred amongst the Apocripha although in another place , by the authority of one Zephirinus , they are simply received : which contradiction the glosse cannot otherwise reconcile than by distinction of those Canons , whereof some are Apostolicall , and some suspected .

It stands otherwise with the Apostles Creed , which hath authority above , and is received before all other Confessions , because almost all of it consists of the words of the Scripture it selfe , and comes to us by Apostolicall Tradition . See Cyprian , and Ruffin . in Symbol . That Creed also is the Fountaine and Originall of all other Creeds .

For ( as Irenaeus rightly admonisheth , lib. 3 cap. 1. ) Doctrina Apostolorum simpliciter pendemus , nec cogitandum est alios doctiores , aut sapientiores successisse Apostolis : Wee meerely depend upon the Doctrine of the Apostles ; neither ought wee to thinke that any more wise , or learned than they have succeeded them .

CHAP. II. Of Councels ,

AFter the Apostles time there were Synods often assembled to decide Ecclesiasticall controversies , and that before the Nicene Councell ; as about the Controversie concerning the Paschall Feast in the yeare of Christ , 198. in Palestine , and at Rome : also against the Novatians at Rome , and in Africa : and against Paulus Samosatenus , anno 278. to confute whose errour , and blasphemy , there is extant an excellent confession of Gregorius Neocaesariensis . But those Synods before the Nicene , were accounted but particular , and provinciall , because the persecution being so hot , they could not conveniently call Generall Councels . The Generall , or Oecumenicall ( as Saint Augustine calls them ) are chiefly foure .

The first Nicene in the time of Constantine the great , about the yeare 332.

The first Constantinopolitane by Gratianus , and Theodosius the elder , anno 386. assembled against Macedonius , and men of pneumaticall spirits .

The first Ephesine , anno 435. called by Theodosius the younger , against Nestorius .

The Chalcedonian in the reigne of the Emperour Martianus , anno 456. In which were condemned Eutyches , Abbot of Constantinople , and Dioscorns , Bishop of Alexandria .

To these foure universall Councels , Beda , and some others adde two more , not of much lesse Authority , but in which almost nothing but the Decrees of the former Councels were establisht : as that of Constantinople the fourth , and sixth , about the yeere 680. which condemned the errors of the Monothelites , who averred that the Deity & Humanity of Christ had onely one will , and operation .

But Gregory the first Bishop of Rome erred , who , lib. 2. epist. 10. writeth thus , Quatuor Synodos sanctae universalis Ecclesiae , sicut quatuor libros sancti Evangelii recipimus : Wee receive the foure Synods of the holy universall Church , as wee doe the foure Evangelists , Gratianus writeth somewhat better in Decreto , Canon . 3. Sancta Romana Ecclesia post veteris , et novi Testamenti Scripturas , quas regulariter suscipit , etiam quatuor Synodos suscipi non prohibet : The holy Roman Church , saith hee , after the Scriptures of the old , and new Testament , which it regularly receives , doth not forbid the admittance of the foure Synods .

Moreover , these rules are to be observed concerning those foure Oecumenicall Councels .

Wee must beleeve the Scriptures for themselves , because they have never erred in matters , words , or sentences , but we beleeve the Councels not for themselves , but for the Scriptures .

The certainety of the Symbols , and confessions of Faith made by those Councels , doth not consist in the authority of the men , or the places , but in the perpetuall consent of the whole Church from the time of the Apostles .

Councels have no power of making new Articles of Faith , but onely to explaine them by Scripture , and produce them against Hereticks .

Councels may bee ex●mined , and searched what is in them agreeable to the Divine Word , and what not . For if to those of Beraea it were lawfull to examine the Doctrine of Saint Paul , and conferre it with the Scriptures , why may not wee examine the Councels , since many of them contradictone another ; as the Nicene and the Ariminensian ; the Chalcedonian , and the second Ephesian ; the sixt at Constantine-Poole touching the pulling down of Images , and the second Nicene under Irenes against the defacers of Images . Also many have erred , as that of Carthage before the Nicene , of the re-baptizing of Heretickes ; the Nicene concerning warfare ; the second Ephesian , in defending Euryches , although some great and famous men were present . Leo , Bishop of Rome , epist. 30. 31. saith , that hee doth approve of the decrees of the Chalcedon Synod as farre as they concerne Doctrine , but not those which were acted with Anatholius . And the saying of Saint Austin , lib. 3. cont. Maximinus , is very remarkeable : Nec ego tibi Nicoenum Concilium , nec tu mihi Arimin●●●e tanquam praeiudicaturus proferas : nec ego huius authoritate , nec tu illius detineris : Scripturarum authoritatibus , non quorumlibet propriis , sed utrisque communibus testibus certemus : res cum re , ratio cum ratione decertet : Neither , saith hee , will I with prejudice urge against thee the Nicene Councell , neither doe thou prejudice against mee the Ariminensian : neither am I tyed to the Authority of the one , nor thou of the other : Let us both submit our selves to the Authority of the Scriptures , witnesses not proper to one , but common to both : Let one matter , one reason contest with another .

But some Councels deliberated onely upon those things which appertained to the Ecclesiasticall policy ; as that of Spain , and the Laodicenian . Other Councels decreed partly some things holy , partly many impious : as the Lateran celebrated at Rome under Innocent the third , where the prophane Doctrine of Transubstantiation was ranked with the Articles of our faith . And so in the following Councels ( the state of the Church alwayes declining ) many Idolatries were established ; so that not without cause , the Evangelical Churches have rejected their Authority , and have appealed from them to the Antiquity of the Apostolicall Age.

CHAP. III. Of the private Writings of the Fathers .

BEfore the Nicene Councell there flourished in the Church the two Disciples of the Apostles , Polycarpus . Ignatius . Polycarpus and Ignatius , in their youth Auditors of Saint Iohn the Apostle . But of these there are no writings extant , except certaine fragments of the Epistles of Ignatius .

To them succeeded Irenaeus , Irenaeus . Bishop of Lions , and Iustinus the Philosopher , surnamed Martyr , in the reigne of Antonius the Emperour . Hierom in his Catalogue of the Ecclesiasticall Writers , testifieth Irenaeus to have written many things , but now there is only one Volume remaining , consisting of five bookes against the Heresie of Valentinus , and the like ; wherein there are excellent sayings of the cunning Arguments of Heretickes ; as also of the authority , and consent of the Ecclesiastical Doctrine . Among others , this saying is very rife , lib. 3. cap. 21. Christum pro nobis passum requiesconte verbo , at crucifigi , et mori posset : The Word resting , Christ suffer'd for us , that he might be crucified , and dye . Irenaeus , anno 70. was set forth at Geneva with the notes of Nicholas Gelasius , who hath explained certaine things unfitly spoken ; as that in his third Booke , Filium hominis commixtum verbo Dei ; . Sayings of his not iustifiable The sonne of man is mixt with the word of God : Also , Mariam sibi , et universo generi humano factam causam salutis : Mary was made the cause of salvation to her selfe , and all mankind : which to say is blasphemy , unlesse we consider her as the Organ through which our Saviour passed into the world .

There are extant both deserving , Iustinus Martyr . and learned writings of Iustinus Martyr , in Greeke ; Questions , and Answers against the Gentiles about true faith , and an Apology for the Christians to Antoninus . In the second booke there is a memorable place of the Liturgy of the Ancient Christians ; out of which may bee proved how much the Papists degenerate from the custome of the ancient Church ; for thus hee saith , Die , qui Solis dicitur , omnes , tum qui in opidis , tum qui in agris morantur , in unum convenimus , et ex Commentariis Apostolorum , et Prophetarum Scriptis recitatur quantam licet . Deinde ubi destitit qui recitat , antistes orationem habet , quae admonet , hertaturque ad pulchrarum illarum rerum imitationem . Postea omnes una surgimus , et precamur . Postquam autem à precibus destitimus profertur panis , et vinum , et aqua . Tum antistes rursus precatur , et gratias agit quanta potest contentione , populusque acclamat , dicens , Amen : et iis , super quibus actae sunt gratiae unusquisque participat . On the day called Sunday , wee assemble together as well they which are in the Townes , as those that dwell in the fields ; when as much as is convenient is recited out of the Commentaries of the Apostles , and writings of the Prophets . When the Reciter hath ended , the chiefe Priest maketh an Oration , which admonisheth , and exhorts to the imitation of those faire things . After this we rise altogether , and pray : prayers being ended , there is brought forth bread , wine , and water . Then the chiefe Priest prayeth againe , and gives thankes with as great ardency as he can , and the people cry , Amen . Then every one participates of those things already consecrated by prayer and thanksgiving .

This , What is lesse approveable in Iustinus Martyr . among other things , some approve not of in Iustinus Martyr , that while hee labours to convince the Gentiles out of the writings of the Philosophers , hee sometimes attributes too much to the later , whose subtilty certainely did not penetrate to these mysteries of the kingdome of heaven .

At that time flourished the Alexandrian an Schoole ( Commodus being Emperour ) and namely the famous Clemens Alexandrinus , The Alexandrian School . Clemens Alexandrinus . anno 195. many of whose writings are yet extant in Greeke : as the adhortatory booke against the Gentiles , called Protrepticos : three bookes of the Schoolemaster , wherein hee teacheth the Sonne of God to be our Tutor , and what ought to bee the manners of Christians ; Commentaries of the divers and manifold literature required to institute a Christian Philosopher . Lib. 3. strom . hee makes mention of a Gospell according to the Egyptians , wherein there is a saying of Christ to Solon , Veni ad dissolvendum opera foeminae ; I came to dissolve the workes of the woman : But they are fabulous . That in his second booke of the Schoole-master seemeth to some harsh , and may bee wrested to a more hard construction ; Harsh saying of his . Duplicem esse Sanguinem Domini , alterum carnalem quo redempti sumus , alterum spiritualem quo uncti : et hoc essebibere sanguinem Domini , incorruptionis eius esse participem : That there is a two-fold blood of our Lord , the one carnall , whereby wee are redeemed ; the other spirituall , wherewith wee are anointed ; and this is to drinke the blood of our Lord , to be a partaker of his Incorruption . Where the blood of Christ is improperly put for the effect , or fruit thereof .

Origen was the Disciple of Clement under Severus the Emperour , Origen . ann. 200. after Christ , who being from his Infancy throughly grounded in al kind of learning , had also an incredible zeale in comforting the Martyrs , as also industry , and acutenesse in confuting the Philosophers , and those Arrabians , who would have soules to dye with their bodies ; as also Berillus the Hereticke , who denyed the eternity of Christ , whom at length hee reduc'd into the right way . See Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 2. and 4. But as the sharpest , and best metled Knives easily grow dull , or are broken ; so oftentimes the most acute wits , either by too much confidence , or inconstancy , are soone overthrowne . So it befell Origen , The errors of Origen . who for his many errours , ( as of all soules created at once : of the Resurrection of new bodies according to substance : of the salvation of the Divels at last : of the possibility of the Law against the Doctrine of Iustification ) is ranked rather with the Heretickes than the Fathers .

Of the Origenists , Heretickes , see Saint Augustine , cap 43. de haeresib . and Epiphanius , who with a strong endevour of minde , opposed Origen ; and Hieram , Tom. 6. confuteth some of his errours . Yet wanteth hee not his defenders , who excuse him , and thinke many things to be falsly imputed to him ▪ as Pamphi●us the Priest , Ruffinus , and Chrysostome . Some of his books are yet extant , as eight bookes of Principles against Celsus , The five books of Moses . and Commentaries upon Pentateucham , and the Epistle to the Romans .

At the same time lived S. Tertullian , Tertullian . whom the Historians make somewhat ancienter than Origen . His writings are extant in Latine , in a stile harsh , and rough enough , although in some places ( as the Learned affirme ) it is mutilated , and misplaced , especially in what he wrote against Marcia and Praxea . He wrote many things not to be dispised , of praescriptions against Heretickes : of Patience : of the flesh of Christ : of the resurrection of Christ : of the Trinity : of Baptisme : but above all , his Apology against the Gentiles deserves prayse ( which ( as Saint Hierome affirmes ) containes the learning of all Ages . His blemishes In other of his books he is either too pure , or too crabbed and severe : as in his booke touching flight in persecution , which hee simply dis-allowes : also in his booke of Fasting ; of the Cloke ; of the Crowne of a Souldier ; of Virgins to be veyled . But in his bookes to his Wife , and of having one onely Wife ; Monogamy ; and of the exhortation to Chastity , he seemes to embrace the errors of Montanus . Saint Hierome thinkes Tertullian to have beene provoked to this by the Roman Clergie . B. Rhenanus excuseth him thus , That in the time of Persecution , and the day of Judgement ( as most of the Ancients then thought ) being at hand , hee judged Mariage not greatly to be desired . Hee was addicted to the opinion of the Chiliasts , as is collected out of his third booke against Marcio . In his booke against Praxea , are many dangerous phrases : as , Patrem tota substantia Deum esse , Filium derivatione , et portione aliqua Deitatis : That the Father is God according to the whole substance , the Sonne by derivation , and some part of the God-head . Saint Augustine , de Genes. ad literam , lib. 10. cap. 25. notes also this errour in Tertullian , that he beleeved the soule to be a body , for no other cause , saith the same Father , then that hee could not thinke it to be incorporeall , fearing lest it should be nothing if it were not a body . Neither could hee conceive otherwise of God himselfe , to whom he gave a body . Which notwithstanding S. Augustine elsewhere so interprets , as if he there understood by a body , a Nature , or Substance . Curiosities of speech . Yet are these Acurologiai to be avoyded .

These things considered , who seeth not how preposterous the judgements of the Papists are , who complaine of the obscurity of the Scriptures , and tye us to the Fathers ; that is , lead us from certainties to uncertainties ; from things simply true , to doubtfull ; from cleare , to troubled and perplexed ? For whether or no they did it out of weakenesse , or out of policy to draw and allure the heathen to them , it is incredible to be spoken ▪ sometimes how wittily , and sometimes againe how simply the Fathers of those times have Philosophiz'd concerning things Divine . To omit Ceremonies , many of which the Papists themselves have changed ; as that in the time of Tertullian , milke and wine were given to the Baptized : that Christians abstained from Sawsiges and Puddings : that they offer'd sacrifices for the dead , and on birth dayes .

In the yeare of Christ , Cyprianus . 250. ( Decius , and Valerianus being Emperours ) flourished Coecilius Cyprianus , an Affrican . Hee was first a Rhetorician , then a Priest , next a Bishop , and at length a Martyr of Christ , whom Lactantius commends for perspicuity and elegancy of phrase . Erasmus gives him this Testimony , Si omnia Cypriani opera haberemus , quae magna ex parte interciderunt , cum unum , multorum instar haberi posse , sive Eloqu●ntiam , sive Doctrinam , sive Apostolici Spiritus vigorem spectes : If we had all Cyprians workes , whereof many are lost , hee alone would in value counterpoize many , either in respect of Eloquence , Doctrine , or the vigour of the Apostolicall spirit . Gratianus in 1 parte Decreti , Dist. 15. can . 3. when he numbreth the Fathers received in the Church , beginneth with Saint Cyprian .

Except his Epistles , and some other short Tracts , as of Patience , of Mortality , of the lapsed ; also against Demetrianus , and the Iewes , scarce anything of Saint Cyprian is left us , although I cannot deny some other Sermons are inserted . The explication of the Creed is rather made by Ruffinus than Saint Cyprian . The Treatise of the Lords Supper seemes also to have another Author . After the Frobenian , and Lugdunensian Edition , his workes were printed , and revised by Turnebus at Paris , and after that at Colen , with an addition of some fragments . Hee confuted Novatus the Hereticke , whom in his Epistles hee stiles an importunate Innovat●r , and a murtherer of penitence .

The staines of Saint Cyprian were , His blemishes that hee contended too obstinately , that they were to be re-baptized who were baptized by Heretickes ; or who , leaving Heresie , repented . Although the Affrican Councell assented to him , yet Stephanus , a Roman Bishop , opposed him . Saint Augustine , lib. 2. contra Crescon . Grammat . saith thus , Nos nullam Cypriano facimus iniuriam , cum eius quaslibet literas a Canonica Divinarum Scripturarum anthoritate distinguimus . Non teneor authoritate Epistolae Cypriani ad Iubaianum , et cum eius pace , quod cum Scripturis non convenit , respuo : Wee doe no wrong to Cyprian , if we distinguish any of his letters from the Canonicall Authority of the Divine Scriptures . I am not tyed to the authority of Cyprians letter to Iubaianus , and by his leave I refuse that which agrees not with the Scriptures . Saint Cyprian also in his Epistles , over-carefully , and superstitiously urgeth water to be mixed with wine in the Administration of the Lords Supper , because water and blood flowed from the side of Christ . Also , Epist. 8. lib. 3. hee affirmes , Infantes statim esse baptizandos ne pereant , quòd eis misericordia non sit deneganda ; That Infants must forthwith be baptized , lest they perish ; because mercy is not to be denied them . Where hee seemes to confine mercy to the Signes .

Anno 260. Gregorius Neocaesariensis . Gregorius Neocaesariensis , the Disciple of Origen , a learned , and pious man , confuted Samosatenus ; of whose workes there is nothing extant , save a confession of his in the Councell of Antioch against Samosatenus .

To these times may be referred Arnobius , Arnobius . an Affrican ; of whose composing , eight bookes are extant against the Gentiles ; as also his Commentaries on the Psalmes , but they are very briefe , and falsified by the Monkes .

About the yeare after Christ , Lactantius . 317. flourished Lactantius Firmianus , in the beginning of the reigne of Constantine the great , to whom hee dedicated his bookes of Divine Institutions against the Gentiles . Hee lived at Nicodemia , and excelled in Elegancy , and lustre of Language , all the Writers of the Church . His staines . But hee seemed little to understand the proper Doctrine of the Gospell concerning the Benefits of Christ , and of Faith : For hee expresly writeth , that Christ was therefore sent , that by his Word , and Example , hee might invite us to vertue , and suffered onely to be a president of Patience .

And when in his 5. and 6. booke hee expresly , and of purpose handles the point of Christian Justice , he onely disputes of the Justice of the Law , and mentions very sparingly the Justification by Faith . But the first part of his Institutions which taxeth the heathenish Idolatries , and Philosophicall opinions of God , and the Chiefe Good ; as also his booke of the Workemanship of God in the structure of man , may be read with great profit and pleasure .

The Fathers in the time of the Nicene Councell , which was held , anno Christi , 330. whose Writings are extant .

Athanasius , Athanasius . although in the time of the Councell he were not a Bishop , yet was he alwayes a faithfull assistant of Alexander the Bishop of Alexandria , whom hee afterward succeeded , and deservedly obtaines the first place amongst the Fathers of that time : For although hee were exposed to innumerable Calumnies , yet with an incredible constancy he frustrated all the endevours of his adversaries , and is stiled the Bulwark of Faith in the Ecclesiastical History : neither was there any other cause that more whetted the bitter hatred of the Arians against him ( as saith Theodoret , lib. 1. hist. ) than that they perceived the sharpnesse of his wit , and industry , in confuting of Heretickes in the Nicene Councell . His Creed , or his explication of the Apostolical Creed is in the Church among other Creeds received .

There are yet some of his most grave , The works of Athanasius . and excellent Treatises extant at Basill , set forth heretofore by the Frobenii , and Episcopii , but more lately at Paris by Nivellius , Petrus Nannius , an eloquent man , being his Interpretour : as an oration against Idols : of the Incarnation of the Word : an Epistle against Heretickes to Epictetus Bishop of Corinth : an Exposition of Faith : foure Orations against the Arians : a double Apology for his flight against the Calumnies of the Arians : of divers questions of the Scripture to Antiochus , and many others of the same Argument , which our Divines usually object against the Neorians , and Vbiquitarians .

The life of S. Anthony the Abbot is father'd on him , but there are in it many things fabulous , which savour not of the gravity and simplicity of S. Athanasius . Most true it is , 〈◊〉 Defects . that both S. Athanasius , and those ancient Fathers were too fervent in commending the signe of the Crosse , and the miracles wrought by that signe , and by Martyrs , thinking by this meanes to authorize the Evangelicall Doctrine . While wee give these cautions touching the blemishes of the Fathers , we are not lyable to that censure which the Papists lay upon us , derived from the Authority of the same Father , who in his first Oration complaines that the Arians accused the Fathers : for he speakes not there of all the writings of the Fathers , but of the Nicene Creed gathered out of the Scriptures by the Fathers of that Councell to confute the Arians . For hee there diligently admonisheth us to try the Spirits , which may be easily done by those who are conversant in the Scriptures .

There are some memorable speeches of Athanasius to be observed ; Memorable sayings of his . First , against the Lutherans , out of the second Oration against the Arians . Nunquam populus Christianus ab Episcopis suis , sed a Domino , in quem creditum suit , nomen accepit . Ne ab

Apostolis quidem appellationes adepti sumus , sed a Christo . Illi qui aliundè originem suae fidei ducunt , ut haeretici meritò authorum suorum cognomenta praese ferunt : The Christian people never tooke their Name from the Bishops , but from the Lord , in whom they beleeved . Neither have wee our appellations from the Apostles , but from Christ himselfe . They who derive their Faith from any other Originall , as heretickes , deservedly beare the surnames of their Authors . Then against the Vbiquitaries upon that saying , Omnia mihi tradita sunt , &c. All things are given mee . Tradita sunt illi omnia , ut medico , qui sanaret morsum serpentis , ut vitae , qui vivificaret , ut luci illuminanti ( id est , ratione officii ) Dedit , inquit , Deus , ut quemadmodum per eum facta sunt omnia , ita in eo omnia refici possint . Quid quod filio Dei quaedam tradita sunt quae non habeat , ut homo fieret : All things are given him as a Physician that should heale the biting of the Serpent ; as to the life that quickeneth , as to a light illuminating ( this is spoken in regard of his office ) God , saith hee , hath granted that as by him all things are made , so by him all things may be refreshed . What if wee say , that some things are given to the Sonne of God that he had not before , that he should be made man ? Moreover , against Schwenckfeld in the same Treatise ; Vtrumque de Christo est credendum , illum esse Deum , et omnia creasse , et esse hominem , et ita creatum , et creaturam , qualis est homo . Hominum enim proprium est creari : Both , saith he , are to be beleeved of Christ , that he was a God , and created all things ; and that he was a man , and so created , and a creature , such as manis : for it is proper to men to be created . Also against the Papisticall canonization of impious men , in his Epistle , To all the godly founded , and sanctified in Christ . Hinc quoq , Heresis agnosci et convinci potest , quòd quisquis ipsis charus est , et eiusdem impietatis socius , etiam si aliis delictis , et infinitis sceleribus obnoxius , et adversus se habeat argument a scelerum suorum , probus apud eos , et in pretio habetur : quin imo statim Imperatoris amicus efficitur , commendabilis scilicet sua impietate . Qui vero corum impietatem redarguit , et quae Christi sunt sincere procurant , isti , tametsi puri in omnibus , modo crimen in eos confingatur , in exilium abripiuntur : Hence may Heresie be knowne , and convinced , that whosoever is deare to them , and a companion in the same Impiety , although he be guilty of sundry crimes , and infinite vices , and hath arguments against himselfe of his owne hainous acts , yet he is approved and had in great esteeme amongst them , yea , and is forthwith made the Emperours friend , and is commendable for his Impiety . But those who reprove their wickednesse , and teach the things sincerely which are of Christ , such , though pure in all things , upon any feigned crime layd to their charge , are presently hurried into banishment .

To Athanasius we may joyne Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine , Eusebius . who got the sir-name of Pamphilus from his friend Pamphilus the Martyr , and in the Nicene Synod joyned himselfe to the Orthodox , although in the beginning he wavered a little , as saith Sozomen . lib. 1. hist. cap. 20. He was very learned in the Languages , History , and Philosophy . Hee wrote a History from the Nativity of Christ to the time of Constantine the great inclusively , which Socrates the Schooleman , and Hermias Sozomenus continued from Constantine to Theodosius the first , and Honorius : and Evagrius to the time of Maurice the Emperour ; vulgarly called the Tripartite History . Eusebius wrote also a Chronicle which is yet extant ; and a booke of Evangelicall demonstration , and preparation ; in which he compares the Evangelicall Doctrine with Philosophy , and other Religions , and solidly demonstrates no Doctrine to be more perfect than the Evangelicall , as also that in the Gospell many things better , and more certaine , are contained , than in any other Doctrine whatsoever .

He was suspected , His blemishes indeed , by some to have privily favoured Arius : but an Apology for him is extant in Socrates , lib. 2. cap. 17. Yet in the beginning of the same History , Socrates doth not dissemble this fault of Eusebius , that writing the life of Constantine , which is comprehended in foure bookes , he lightly blamed the deeds of Arius ; and that hee predicated the vertues of that Emperour , concealing his vices ; and that he studied more to render his Oration illustrious ( wherein he highly praised him ) and to adorne it with Majesticall words , than diligently to explaine the things done . He had another blemish common with him and many Greeke Authors , which Bodin , not undeservedly , imputes to him in his method of History ; which is , that ( retaining somewhat of the Grecian vanity ) hee relates not a few fabulous things , which have little , or no appearance of Truth : As , of an Epistle of Aglarus , King of the Edisseni , to Christ , and of Christs answer to him : of Saint Iohn the Apostle , and a certaine young man by him recalled from the society of Theeves : also of the finding out of the Woodden Crosse , and of its vertue : of Saint Peter , who desired a certaine kinde of death , to wit , Crucifying ; and governd the Roman Church 25. yeares , which how farre it is from Truth , Calvin , amongst others , sheweth , lib. 4. Instit. cap. 6. sect. 14. But as Gelasius admonisheth in cap. 3. lib. 3. Irenaei , it is very likely those great men were deceived by a certaine vulgar opinion , not enquiring into things diligently ; neither could they imagine what Engines Satan was then preparing to raise up the kingdome of Antichrist .

After Eusebius , Hilarius . and Athanasius , ( who died under Valentinianus in the yeare 379 ) Hilarius is rightly placed . He was Bishop of the Picts in France , and lived in the time of Constantine the sonne of Constantine the Great ; and his life extended even to the reigne of Valentinian . Saint Hierom preferres him before other Doctors of the Church , and , although younger , was his familiar friend . His stile is such ( as rightly warnes Erasmus ) that it is hard to be understood , easie to be deprav'd : yet Saint Hierom calls him the Trumpet of the Latine tongue ; perhaps because hee was the first that confuted the Arians in that Language . His workes are extant , publish'd at Basil , anno 70. by Eusebius Episcopius , and are partly controversiall , partly expository . He wrote 12. bookes of the Trinity against the Arians ; also an Epistle against Constantine being then dead , who was the chiefe favourer of the Arian Faction ; and against Auxentius the Millanist , a fautor of the Arian party , as also of divers Synods against the Arians ; which booke hee translated for the most part out of Greeke from the Synodicall decrees . His expository bookes are a Commentary upon Matthew , but a short one , as also upon many Psalmes , all which are comprehended in one Tome .

Hee hath many faults : For , first , hee hath many hard , His blemishes and unusuall words ; as disfrocit for degenerate ; Zabolus for Diabolus , and many more of the like kind . Next he affirmes the holy Ghost to be from the Father by the Sonne , lib. 10. de Trinit. and upon the 8. Psalme , he attributes a soule , and a body to Christ , not subject to any molesting affections , and averres , that thirst and hunger were not natural in him . He seemes to maintaine the body of Christ to bee borne , and brought forth by the Virgin Mary , not to be made of her substance , lib. 10. de Trinit. In his commentary upon Saint Matthew , he too much inclines to the Allegories of Origen .

Next Hilarius wee may rightly place Saint Ambrose , S. Ambrose . Bishop of Millan , who lived in the times of Valentinianus , Gratianus , Theodosius , and Honorius , Emperors ; and when he was Proconsul in Liguria in the time of Valentinianus , he was called to the Bishopricke of Millan with the full consent of the people . It is reported that he baptized Saint Austine . Hee was endued with great zeale , as appeares in the Ecclesiasticall story , and by his demeanour in his Bishopricke .

The writings of Saint Ambrose extant , His writings . are divided into foure Tomes , and are partly morall , as the three bookes of the offices of a Christian ; an institution , and exhortation to Virgins ; of Widowes ; of Repentance ; of the worlds volubility ; of the good wee receive by death : Also they are partly Doctrinall , Tom. 2. of the vocation of the Gentiles ; of faith to Gratianus ; of the holy Ghost to the same ; of Faith against the Arians ; of the Sacrament of the Dominicall Incarnation .

But it is to bee observed , that the more learned have judged Saint Ambrose not to bee the Author of the Treatise of the calling of the Gentiles ; 1. Because he speaks no where so purely of the Predestination of God . 2. By reason there is mention made of Pelagius , who lived after Saint Ambrose . 3. In that Saint Augustine , who cites many things out of Saint Ambrose against Boniface the Pelagian , mentions not this b●●ke , which inveighes most of all against the Pelagians . 4. The dissimilitude of phrase . But it is certaine the Author of that booke to have beene a learned man , and well exercised in the Scriptures : which makes Erasmus not unaptly wish , that many such were mixed with the workes of Saint Ambrose .

Amongst many excellent sayings contained in those books , these golden words are extant , making directly against the Papists , lib. 1. cap. 5. where hee disputes the reason why to one man grace is given , to another denyed . Quid Calumniamur , inquit , iustitiam occultam , qui gratias debemus misericordiae manifestae ? Laudemus , et veneremur quod agitur , quia tutum est nescire quod tegitur . Hic nec praeterita , nec futura merita censeri possunt : vilesceret Redemptio Christi , neo misericordiae Dei humanarum operum praerogativa succumberet , si iustificatio quae fit per gratiam meritis praecedentibus deberetur : ut non munus largientis , sed merces esset operantis : Why doe we calumniate , saith hee , the hidden Justice , who owe thankes for the manifested Mercy ? Let us prayse and adore what is done , because it is safe not to know what is hid . Here , neither past , nor future merits are to bee reckoned . The Redemption of Christ would be abased , neither would the prerogative of humane workes give place to the mercy of God , if Iustification , which is by grace , were due to precedent merits : so that it should not be the gift of the distributer , but the reward of the worker . The Writings of Saint Ambrose are partly also Homileticall , as Tom. 3. Orations , Epistles , Sermons : partly againe Expository : as Tom. 4. lib. * * The workes of the six days Hexaemeron , and a Treatise of the Patriarchs , which belong to Genesis . He wrote also copiously on the 119. Psalme ; and of the Sacraments of the Church ; also a glosse upon Saint Luke ; and Commentaries upon the Epistles of Saint Paul . Where againe it is to be noted against the Papists , that S. Ambrose upon the fourth Chapter to the Romans , useth the particle ( onely ) when he averreth Gratiam Dei solam fidem poscere ad salutem : The grace of God doth require faith onely to salvation . Saint Augustine quotes his Commentaries upon Esay , and the 48. Psalme , but they are not extant .

By reason of his ignorance in the Greeke , His defects . and Latine Tongues , he erred often in his Expositions , which is common to him , together with Saint Austin , and some others . But although he be over-vehement in the commendations of Virginity , yet is that memorable against the Papists , which he writes in his first booke of Virgins , Non debere imperari virginitatem , nec necessitatem imponendam , nec castam esse quae metu cogitur : Virginity , saith he , ought not to be commanded , neither of necessity to bee imposed ; nor is shee chaste , who is compelled by feare .

In his bookes of the Sacraments there are some things ambiguous , othersome superstitious : as of Unction in Baptisme , which notwithstanding was not done altogether without cause by those of riper yeares : also of water to bee mixed with the Wine in the Cup at the Lords Table . Yet is it remarkeable against the Papists , that in his booke of Sacraments hee onely acknowledgeth two , Baptisme , and the Supper of the Lord . And when , lib. 6. he disputes how the bread is made the body of the Lord , hee speaketh nothing at all of Transubstantiation , but hee confesseth , that there seemeth to be a similitude onely , not true flesh and blood , and that wee must beleeve the operatory word of Christ , that is , the efficacious ; that the Sacrament is taken outwardly , Grace and Vertue inwardly . Hee plainely distinguisheth bread from Grace ; Tu , inquit , qui accipis panem , in illa alimento Divinae participas Substantiae ; quia idem Christus est particeps corporis , et Divinitatis : Thou , saith hee , who takest bread , in that nourishment participatest of the Divine Substance , because the same Christ is partaker of a body , and Divinity : which is as much to say ; wee communicate the whole Christ , and communicating his flesh , have communion also with God .

Neither did the Greeke Churches want excellent Doctors ; Basilius Gregorius Nazianzenus . for in those times , namely , under Valentinian , Basilius Magnus , of Caesaria Cappadocia , and Gregory , Bishop of Nazianzena were famous , of whom as yet some worthy monuments are extant . Wee linke them together , because they were companions in Studies , and most intimate friends . Yet Gregory lived longest , even to the yeare 400. and wrote a Monody , or Funerall Oration , which containes the life of S. Basil . There are extant of this S. Gregory , eloquent Orations , and Epistles , as also Greeke Poems , which are in the hands of all men . There lived also in those times Gregorius Nissenus , brother of Basilius , who wrote eight bookes of Man . There is a learned Epistle extant written to him by S. Basil , of the difference betweene the Essence and Subsistence .

Moreover , Saint Basil . S. Basil , as hee himselfe somewhere writeth , was diligently instructed in the Christian Religion from a child . He was indued with so much Eloquence , that Erasmus doubts not to call him the Christian Demosthenes . The worth ● sayings of S. Basil . Amongst others , that saying which is extant in his Sermon of Humility is eminent , and is often cited by our Divines against the Papists : Haec est perfecta , et integra gloriatio , quando non propter iustitiam suam aliquis ●ffertur ; sed agnoscit sibi deesse veram iustitiam : fide autem sola in Christum iustificari : This is , saith he , perfect and entire glory , when a man is not puffed up with his owne Iustice , but acknowledgeth himselfe to want true Iustice , and that Iustification is onely by faith in Iesus Christ . Also in his Epistle of the sacred Scripture to Eustathius the Physician ; Non consuetudinem , sed sacras Scripturas nermam debere esse : The sacred Scriptures , and not Custome , ought to be our rule . Also in his definitions , quaest. 98. Eos qui praesunt , extra Scripturae Canonem nihil praecipere debere , ne falsi Dei testes et sacrilegi inveniantur : They , saith he , who rule the people , ought to command nothing beyond the Canon of the Scriptures , lest they befound false witnesses of God , & sacrilegious . And in his Epistle of Apostasie to the Bishops of the West , he complaines , Semen Apostasiae spargi in illis ipsis Ecclesiis inquibus Evangelii doctrina primum per orbem manavit : that the seed of Apostacy was sown in those very Churches , whence the Doctrine of the Gospell was first spread through the world . His works extant at this day are comprehended in three Tomes , and are either doctrinall ; as Hexameron , or of the world made in six daies ; eleven Homilies ; of the Divinity of the Sonne , and that the holy Ghost is not a creature , against Eunomius . Where is to be understood , that there were three Families of the Arians . Arius held the Son to be equall to the Father , but by grace , not by Nature . The Macedonians , companions of the Arians , affirmed the Sonne to bee like the Father , but not the holy Ghost . Eunomius held the Sonne to bee totally unlike the Father , because the creature can by no meanes be like the Creator . Saint Basil also wrote Sermons of the humane generation of Christ ; also of Baptisme . Or his workes are expository ; as Sermons upon some of the Psalms ; a glosse upon the whole Psalter , and the sixteene first Chapters of Esay . Other of his works are Morall ; as his Sermons against drunkennesse ; of Wrath ; of Humility ; of Envy : Also his Sermons called Asceticos , or of the manners of Monks , & of those who aspire to an Angelicall Life . The errours of S. Basilius , His blemishes are , that hee too Hyperbollically extols fasting , and a Monkish life ; though , indeed , hee describes such Monks as peculiarly exercise themselves in piety , and good workes ; to whom the Monkes of our times are as much unlike as Crowes to Swans .

By the singular providence of God it came to passe that the heresies of the Arians , and Pelagians beginning to spring up , in the same time , almost , there arose famous Doctors to confute them . ●ieronymus . For Hieronymus Stridonensis Pannonius lived in part of the time of Saint Ambrose and Saint Basil . He was brought up at Rome , and was famous in the yeare 390. He travelled over the greatest part of Europe to conferre with learned men , and at length chose himselfe a place of abode in Iudaea , in the fields of Bethlem , where he wrote many of those things which at this day wee enjoy . Hee is painted with a Cardinals Hat , whereas hee rather led a Monasticke life , and those red Hats were given in ages long after to some certaine Priests of the Roman Church by Pope Paul the second , ann. 1460. as Platina testifieth . The stile of S. Hierome is elegant ; for he was learned , and a great Linguist . Hee wrote many things , whereof some are Expositions upon the Psalms , and upon the greater and the lesser Prophets : also upon Saint Matthew , and some Epistles of Saint Paul ; as to the Galatians and Ephesians . For the Commentary ( which goes under his name ) upon the Epistle to the Romans , savours too much of Pelagianisme , which hee ever opposed . Other of his writings are Controversiall and Apologeticall : as against Helvidius ; concerning the perpetuall Virginity of the Virgin Mary , against Iovinianus and Vigilantius : Also against the Pelagians , and an Apology against Ruffinus . Some againe are Paraeneticall , or instructive ; as of the life of Clergy men , and concerning the Institution of a mother of the Family .

Hee seemeth to have a wit somewhat Arrogant and fiery ; His errours . which appeareth not onely by his sharpe writings and Epistles against Saint Austin , but also that sometimes hee accuseth the Apostle Saint Paul himselfe of rudenesse of stile , and ignorance in the Greeke tongue . Beza often complaines of his wresting the Scriptures , especially against Wedlocke . See the Annotations of Beza on 1 Cor. 7. 1 Tim. 3. 1 Pet. 3.

But it is remarkeable , that although hee was an enemy to Wedlocke , yet in his Age both Bishops and Priests were married ; for so he writeth in cap. 6. ad Ephes. Legant haec Episcopi , et Presbyteri , qui filios suos saecularibus libris erudiunt : Let those Bishops , and Priests , saith hee , read these things , who instruct their children in secular bookes . But he often with too much bitternesse inveighes against Vigilantius , and Iovinianus , for contending with him , that Wedlocke , and single Life were of equall merit ; as also that the Rewards of the Just were alike in that life ; and that no choyce was to be made of Meats , if they were received with thankes-giving ; that the ashes of Martyrs were not to be adored , nor the Vespers to bee celebrated at their Scpulchers ; that the Saints deceased pray not for us . Hee contended unseasonably with Saint Austin concerning Saint Peter , that he never erred , and that hee was reprehended by Saint Paul , not seriously , but in jest , Gal. 2.

How much the state of the Church was disturb'd in those Times , appeares by that Learned booke of Epiphanius , Bishop of Cyprus , which he wrote against 80 Heresies , which worke is worthy the perusall for the variety of story contained in it . Then also lived Theodoret , Theodoretus . Bishop of the City Cyrus in Persia , who wrote five bookes of the history of the Church ; and Polymorphum , where in three Dialogues most worthy the reading , he defends the truth of both Natures in Christ against the Hereticks of his time .

In the time of Arcadius , Chrysostomus . and Honorius , Emperours , lived Iohannes Chrysostomus , whose Eloquence and Zeale farre exceeded his knowledge in the Scriptures . Wherefore he excels more in morals than in Doctrines and Expositions : For oftentimes hee philosophizeth too subtilly . Yet is hee often cited by our Divines in the interpretation of Greeke words , especially in the Epistles of Saint Paul . Vulgarus Theophilactus was afterward his imitator , and abreviator , Theophilactus . but an Authour lesse pure .

It was reprehensible in Saint Chrysostome , that hee was too chollericke , The errors of S. Chrysostome and free of speech , by which hee incurred the great displeasure of many .

Aurelius Augustinus , S. Augustinus . by Nation an African , ought not to be accounted the last amongst the Doctors of the Church . Hee was instructed in Rhetoricke at Carthage , and was a follower of the Maniches nine yeares together . Hee relates a great part of his owne life in his Confessions . Afterward being often admonished by Saint Ambrose , or rather converted by God upon the abundant teares and prayers of his mother , hee turned into the right way , and succeeded Valerius , Bishop of Hippona in Africa , about the yeare 390. He sustained many sharpe Conflicts with the Maniches , Arians , Donatists , and Pelagians , whom he confuted by learned writings ; and personally , by word of mouth . Hee dyed a little before the first Ephesine Councell , when Hippone was besieged , in the yeare of his Age , 76.

Gregory 1. Bishop of Rome had his workes in so great esteeme , that hee thus writes , lib. 8. epist. 38. Si delitioso cupitis pabulo saginari , B. Augustini opuscula legite , et ad comparationem siligimis illius nostrum furfur em non quaeratis : If you desire , saith he , to be fatned with delicious fa●● ▪ read the workes of Saint Austine , and having ●●sted his flowre , you will not seeke after our Branne . Which is to be noted against the Papists , who preferre that Gregory the first before all others .

The workes of Saint Austine are distributed into ten Tomes ; The workes of S. Austin . some of them are Philosophicall , and of no great moment ; as of Grammar , Rhetoricke , Logicke , Musicke ; of Order ; of the quantity of the soule . In his bookes of Confessions , wherein he describes his owne life , hee often useth too much simplicity and copiousnesse , yet may they be read cursorily . But the Students in Divinity meaning to read Saint Augustine , ought to beginne at his Doctrinals ; and first at his foure books of Christian Doctrin , in which he instructs a future Divine . Next , hee must read his Enchiridion to Laurentius , and the booke of Faith to Peter ; of the spirit , and the letter , and of the Ecclesiasticall opinions . The Epistles of Saint Augustine , and the bookes of the City of God , are of a mixt kind , partly . Doctrinall , partly Historicall , but full of various learning . Thence let him proceed to his Polemicall , or Controversiall , which hee wrote against the Maniches , the Arians , Donatists , &c. His expository bookes , as upon the Psalmes , and Saint Iohns Gospell , containe more piety than solid Interpretation ; partly by reason of his small insight in the Hebrew and Greeke Tongues ; partly because in those Interpretations hee accommodated his writing to those times , as also that sometimes he makes digressions ; but his Commentary on Saint Iohn is excellent above the rest .

The Palmary , or Master-peece of Saint Austin , was , that above all the other Fathers , and almost alone , being provoked by the Pelagians , hee discusseth diligently the Doctrine of Originall sinne , and Predestination .

But as in Saint Austin it is very laudable that he only of all the Ancients , His errors . wrote bookes of Retractations ( for in his seventh Epistle hee professeth himselfe to bee of their number who write by profiting , and profit by writing ) so there remaine some things which require a censure . Yet is there no doubt but many things are inserted in his workes , of which hee is not the Author . For he being yet alive , sixteene Articles were falsly father'd on him , to which hee replyed . But chiefly this was his errour , that as hee wrote much , so hee often varies , nor is alwayes consonant to himselfe . Hee hath also many Acurologia's , as Danaeus , a most learned Divine , observes in his Annotations upon the Enchiridion of Saint Austin . Then he erred , in that he precisely included the salvation of Infants in the sacrament of Bap●isme . But whereas in some places hee cals the Eucharist a Sacrifice , hee thus interpreteth himselfe , lib. 10. Civit. Dei cap. 20. that it is the Sacrament of the Sacrifice of Christ . In another place hee seemes to affirme , that the pious soules of the deceased are helped by the Almes and prayers of the living , but without the warrant of the Word of God ; especially in his booke entituled , The ●are for the dead , where he handles this question , Whether or no it profiteth to be b●ried neere the Monument of any Saint . But that Booke ( as Calvin admonisheth , lib. 3. Instit. cap. 5. Sect. 10. ) conteines so many doubts , that the coldnesse of it is able to extinguish the heate of any foolish zeale , and there is no doubt but that Booke hath beene depraved by many Monkish additions ; for in another place , as lib. 2. question . Evangeli● . c●p 38. hee affirmes , Nullum auxilium a justis praeberi defunctorum animabus : that the soules of the deceased receive no helpe from just men .

Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria flourished about the yeere 433. Cyrillus . in the reigne of Theodosius the younger . He expelled the Iewes out of his Diocesse , and killed not a few of them in the Synagogues by the hands of his Souldiers . Being much incensed against Nestorious , he excommunicated him by his owne proper authority , which was not approved of by the Fathers , although he defended a good cause , and that Nestorius was a little after condemned in the Ephesine Councell . Cyrillus wrote in Greeke , and many things which are extant in Latine . They were publisht at Basill , apud Hervag . anno 66. with an addition . In the first Tome are found Commentaries upon Leviticus , in which he insists too much upon the Anagogicall sense . He also wrote Commentaries upon Saint Iohn , but imperfect . His second Tome is Doctrinall , as the booke which he calleth a Treasure . There , in 14. bookes he defends the Consubstantiallity of the Sonne , and the holy Ghost against the Arians . In the third Tome , he disputes against Iulian for the Christian Religion ; also touching the right Faith to Theodosius , and the Queene . The fourth Tome conteines Epistles , Homilies , and an Apologie to Theodosius ; also an Exposition of the Nicene Creed , and Synodicall Epistles , together with other things against the Nestorians . The fift Tome is a Commentary upon Esay , not long since added to his Works , and Translated by Laurence Humfre an Englishman .

Vigilius Bishop of Trent flourished in those times , Vigilius of whose Workes but a few are extant , printed at Colen in Octavo : as a disputation against the Arians , and five books against Eutyches , both pious and learned , which are often objected against the Vbiquitaries .

The Hearers of Saint Austin who reteined his Doctrine were anno 440. Primasius , who wrote upon all the Epistles of Saint Paul . Primasius . Prosper . Prosper Aquitanic . anno 454. Helychius anno 490. Helychius . Fulgentius . hee wrote upon Leviticus . Fulgentius a Bishoppe in Africa about the yeere five hundred , under Thrasymund King of the Vandals ; hee wrote three bookes of diverse questions to Monimus , seven bookes to King Thrasymund , and other things worthy the reading . His Workes were most accurately Printed at Antwerpe by Plantin , anno 74.

After the time of Saint Austin , and his Disciples ▪ the purity of Doctrine began with the Roman Empire very much to decline , by reason of the accumulated superstitions of the Munkes ; wherefore the succeeding Fathers cannot be in the same esteeme with the first , and more ancient ; yet had the following their peculiar gifts , not to be contemned , & wrote many things which are read with great profit . Leo 1. Leo the first of that name , Bishop of Rome about the yeere 444. in the time of Attila . Hee was the Author of gathering together a Synod against Eutyches , and Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria , who would oppresse Flavianus an orthodox Bishop of Constantinople . His Workes ; as his Sermons & Epist. are imprinted at Colen by Birkmannus Amongst his Epistles that to Flavianus against the Blasphemies of Eutyches is most eminent , the authority of which Epistle was of great force in the Chalcedonian Councell , wherein amongst the rest this speech is remarkeable , Agit vtraque forma , id est , natura cum alterius communione quod proprium est , verbo operante quod verbi est , & carne exequente quod carnis est : unum horum coruscat miraculis , alterum succumbit inivriis . Non est ejusdem naturae flere Lazarus , & resuscitare . Either forme workes that which is proper to it with the communion of the other , the word working what is of the word , and the flesh executing what is of the flesh . The one of these shines with Miracles , the other is subject to injuries . To bewaile Lazarus , and to raise him proceede not from the same nature . This saying also is memorable , and makes against the Papists , Serm. 2. de Petro , on that place of Matthew 16. Tu es Petrus ; thou art Peter , &c. Soliditas ejus fidei quae in Apostolorum principe laudata est perpetua est . Haec fides diabolum vincit , portaeque inferi adversus eam praevalere non possunt . The solidity , saith he , of that faith which is praised in the chiefe of the Apostles is perpetuall . This Faith shall vanquish the Divell , and the gates of hell cannot prevaile against it .

About the yeere 591. Greg. 1. Gregory the first lived , Bishop of Rome , surnamed the great , who in his youth was a Munke of the Benedictine Order . He instituted the Masse , and most of the Psalmodies which are in the Papacy . His Workes are extant printed at Basill by the Frobenij , anno 51. Stella a Venecian Priest , who wrote his life , saith , he was a most humble man , and the first of the Popes that out of his humility would be called the servant of servants . Nullum , inquit , ex successoribus habuit , aequalem , aut pa●em . None of his successours , saith he , were equall , or like to him . Hee laboured much to call the Gothes to the true Faith . Hee wrote morall Expositions upon Iob ; also on the seven Psames which wee call Poenetetiall ; and upon Ezechiel ; the Bookes of the Kings ; and forty Homilies upon the Gospels . In his Expositions he is pure enough Tom. 1. l. 25. c. 15. he writes thus , Sciunt , inquit , pij quod omnis justitia humana injustitia esse deprehenditur si divinitus districte iudicetur : The godly know , saith he , that all humane Justice appeares injustice if it be strictly examined from above . In his Epistles also are found many excellent admonitions , as that which he writes in his second Tome to Serenus the Massilliensian Bishop , Ad nos per venit quod fraternitas vestra quosdam imagenum admiratores adspiciens , easdem Ecclesiae imagenes confregit . Eum quidem Zelum ne quid manu factum adorari possit laudavimus , sed frangere easdem non debuisse judicamus . Idcirco enim pictura in Ecclesijs adhibetur , vt hi qui literas nesciunt saltem in parietibus videndo legant . It is told that your Fraternalshippe seeing certaine admirers of Images hath broken the said Images belonging to the Church . Wee commend that zeale , indeede , which would have nothing made by hands to be adored ; but we judge that you ought not to have broken them , for therefore are Pictures admitted into Churches , that they who are ignorant of good letters may read by looking on the wals . Hee wrote a Treatise of the Pastorall Cure , not unprofitable ; but in his Dialogues hee seemes to dote in relating I know not what feined Miracles ; as Stephano cuidam Presbytero Diabolum coactum obedire ad extrahendas caligas : The dotage of S. Gregory . Bonifacium quendam orando duodecim aureos a Maria imputrasse . Fortunatum quendam signo crucis equum furiosum mansuetum reddidisse . That the Divell by constreint obeyed one Stephan a Priest to pull off his hose . That one Boniface by prayer obtained twelue crownes from the Virgin Marie . That one Fortunatus made a fierce horse tame with the signe of the Crosse . Concerning the fire of Purgatory hee writes doubtfully , lib. 1. Dial. 10. Qualis hinc quisque egredietur talis in judicio praesentabitur . Sed de quibusdam levibus culpis Purgatorium esse ignem ante judicium credendum est . Such as every one departeth hence , such shall hee be presented at the day of judgement . But it is to be beleeved that there is a Purgatory fire before the day of Judgement for some light crimes . Tome 2. ep●st . 58. lib. 4. he complaines grievously that the peace of the whole Church is disturbed by one Iohn Bishoppe of Constantinople , by assuming the name of Universall Bishop . And lib. 7. epist. 39. to Mauritius the Emperour , hee thus writes ; Ego fidenter dico , quod quisquis se universalem Sacerdotem vocat , vel vocare desiderat , in elatione sua Antichristum praecurrit . I confidently affirme , saith hee , that whosoever calleth , or desireth to call himselfe an universall Priest , is by this his pride marked for a forerunner of Antichrist : Yet for all this , presently after Gregory Phocas successour of Maurice , in the yeere 660. granted to Boniface the third , that Rome should be the head of all other Churches . Yet all the Churches never simply consented to it , especially the Greeke , and the Frence .

In the yeere 727 ▪ in the time of Leo Isaurus Iconomachus , Damascenus . Iohannes Damascenus lived . At first hee was Secretary to the Duke of the Sarazens , but after that hee became a Munke . His chiefe writings are foure Bookes of the Orthodoxe Faith , which Faber Stapulensis translated out of Greeke . Lib. 1. he discourses of the Essence of God , and of the three Persons . Lib. 2. of the workes of God ; of the Angels , of Man , of the Fabricature of the World . Lib. 3. of the dispensation of the mystery of our Salvation ; where he learnedly disputes of the vnion of Natures , and the actions Theandricall ; also of the twofold Will of Christ : but he addes many things supersticious , as of the adoration of Images , &c.

Anno 1116. Bernhardus . Saint Bernhard Abbot of Clarovall was in great repute , for his sanctity of life and Doctrine , and was admitted to compose differences between Kings and Princes . At that time there was such a disturbance of all things , as saith Calvin lib. 4. instit. cap. 7. Sect. 22. that it was not much unlike our times , if we consider the Papacy . But Saint Bernhard makes grieuous complaints and admonitions of the corruption of the Papall Court in his Book of Consideration to Pope Eugenius . Many excellent sayings also of his are to be read , in Sermonib . in Cantic . Cantecor . and on the 91 Psalme ; which Sermons are worthy the perusall ; yet many things fabulous are intermingled , as of Saints , and he numbers the washing of feet amongst the Sacraments .