But S. Paul saith unto the Romans, Your Faith is spoken of throughout the world. And S. Cyprian saith, The agreeing with the Bishop of Rome was the Unity of the Catholic Church. And yet it may please you, to be remembered by the way, that the same S. Cyprian reproved Cornelius, and Stephanus, both Bishops of Rome: and told them, they were both deceived: and therefore would not agree unto them. Nevertheless, hereof ye conclude thus, Ergo the Holy Ghost hath signified, that the Church of Rome cannot err. It pitieth me, M. Harding, in your behalf, to see, into how strait, and miserable holes ye are fain to creep. For, what if the Faith, and the Constancy of the Romans in old times, for the Nobility of that Empire and City, were then published throughout the ⟨p. 437⟩whole world? Yet where did the Holy Ghost ever tell you, that therefore the Church of Rome should never err? By what Word? By what Promise? By what Revelation? Ye say, The Faith of the Romans was heard of throughout the whole World. So was the Great capitol there: So was the beauty of their Princely buildings. Which, notwithstanding are now made smooth, and even with the ground.1 So likewise is it written of Hierusalem, De Sion exibit Lex, & Verbum Domini de Hierusalem: The Law shall come forth from Zion, and the Word of God from Jerusalem. So in the City of Antioch the Faithful were first called Christians: 2And therefore Chrysostom calleth the same City Caput totius orbis, The Head of the whole world. Thus was Eusebius Samosatensis called Regula Fidei, The Rule, and Standard of the Faith: Thus was Athanasius called Orbis oculus: & Fundamentū Fidei: The Eie of the world, and the Foundation of the Faith. Would ye hereof conclude, M. Harding, that therefore the Faith of these Churches can never fail? Ye know, that all this notwithstanding, the Churches as well of Jerusalem, and Antioch, as also of Asia, Syria, Graecia, and of all the East, are now subject to the Turk, and scarcely a few left there, that dare to profess the name of Christ.
But S. Paule saithe vnto the Romaines, Youre Faithe is spoken of throughout the worlde. And S. Cyprian saithe, The agreeing with the Bishop of Rome was the Vnitie of the Catholique Churche. And yet it maie please you, to be remembred by the waie, that the same S. Cyprian reproued Cornelius, and Stephanus, bothe Bishoppes of Rome: and tolde them, they were bothe deceiued: and therefore woulde not agree vnto them. Neuerthelesse, hereof ye conclude thus, Ergo the Holy Ghoste hath signified, that the Churche of Rome cannot erre. It pitieth me, M. Harding, in youre behalfe, to see, into howe streite, and miserable holes ye are faine to creepe. For, what if the Faithe, and the Constancie of the Romaines in olde times, for the Nobilitie of that Empiere and Cittie, were then published throughout the ⟨p. 437⟩whole worlde? Yet where did the Holy Ghoste euer tel you, that therefore the Churche of Rome shoulde neuer erre? By what Woorde? By what Promisse? By what Reuelation? Yee saie, The Faithe of the Romaines was heard of throughoute the whole Worlde. So was the Greate capitol there: So was the bewtie of their Princely buildinges. Whiche, notwithstanding are nowe made smoothe, and euen with the grounde.1 So likewise is it written of Hierusalem, De Sion exibit Lex, & Verbum Domini de Hierusalem: The Lawe shal comme foorth from Sion, and the Woorde of God from Hierusalem. So in the Cittie of Antioche the Faithful were firste called Christians: 2And therefore Chrysostome calleth the same Cittie Caput totius orbis, The Head of the whole worlde. Thus was Eusebius Samosatensis called Regula Fidei, The Rule, and Standerde of the Faithe: Thus was Athanasius called Orbis oculus: & Fundamentū Fidei: The Eie of the world, and the Fundation of the Faithe. Would ye hereof conclude, M. Harding, that therfore the Faithe of these Churches can neuer faile? Ye knowe, that al this notwithstandinge, the Churches as wel of Hierusalem, and Antioche, as also of Asia, Syria, Graecia, and of al the Easte, are nowe subiecte to the Turke, and scarcely a fewe leafte there, that dare to professe the name of Christe.
- 1Isaiah. 2.Esai. 2.
- 2Chrysostom. ad Popul. Antio. Homi. 3. Nazian. epist. 74. Nazian. ad Heronem.
