A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago…A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe…

The same Austen in his 48. Epistle to Vincent, ¹against the Donatists, concerning the restraining of heretics by force, saith: I have been of opinion heretofore that no man is to be compelled to the unity of Christ: but that we must deal with them by the word, fight with them by disputation, and overcome them by reason, least we might make them feigned Catholics, whom we knew to be open heretics. But this opinion of mine was vanquished, not by the words that were spoken against it, but by the examples that were showed against it. For first there was alleged against me, mine own City [Hippo] which being erst whole upon Donates side, was turned to the Catholic unity by fear of the Emperors laws, and now we see it so detesteth the poison of this your stoutness, as a man would think it had never been in it. And so were many more, which were rehearsed to me by name, that I might perceive by the matters themselves, how that even in this case also might well be understood that which is written,² Give a wise man an occasion and he will be the wiser. And again, Not every one that spareth is a friend, nor every one that beateth,³ an enemy. Better are the wounds of a friend, then the friendly kisses of an enemy. It is better to love with sharpness, then to deceive with gentleness. He that tieth up a mad man, and he that waketh a sluggard, is trouble some to them both, and yet he loveth them both. Who can love us more then God doth? and yet he ceaseth not as well to fray us healthfully, as also to teach us pleasantly. Think you that no man ought to be compelled to righteousness, when you read that the householder said to his servants, whomsoever ye find, make them to come in? or when you read that he which was first Saul and afterward Paul, was with great violence and compulsion enforced by Christ to know the truth, and to hold it whether he would or no?

The same Austen in his 48. Epistle to Vincent, ¹against the Donatistes, concernyng the restreinyng of heretikes by force, sayth: I haue bene of opinion heretofore that no man is to be compelled to the vnitie of Christ: but that we must deale with them by the word, fight with them by disputation, and ouercome them by reason, least we might make them feyned Catholikes, whom we knew to be open heretikes. But this opinion of mine was vanquished, not by the wordes that were spoken agaynst it, but by the examples that were shewed agaynst it. For first there was alledged against me, myne owne Citie [Hippone] which beyng erst whole vpon Donates side, was turned to the Catholik vnitie by feare of the Emperours lawes, and now we sée it so detesteth the poyson of this your stoutnesse, as a mā would thinke it had neuer bene in it. And so were many mo, which were rehearsed to me by name, that I might perceiue by the matters themselues, how that euen in this case also might well be vnderstode that which is written,