Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

§. 7. And because these Audians rose about that time, I think it worth the labour to add the sum of their History out of Epiphanius, that the World may better perceive what spirit the Hereticating Prelates were then of, and how some called Heretics were made such, or defamed as such, and who they were that did divide the Churches and break their peace.

§. 7. And because these Audians rose about that time, I think it worth the labour to add the sum of their History out of Epiphanius, that the World may better perceive what spirit the Hereticating Prelates were then of, and how some called Hereticks were made such, or defamed as such, and who they were that did divide the Churches and break their peace.

Epiph. l. 3. Tom. 1. p. 811. Of the Schism of the Audians, which is the 50th or 70th Heresy: The Audians live in Monasteries, in Solitudes, &c. Audius their Founder arose in Mesopotamia, famous for his integrity of life, and ardent zeal of Divine Faith. Who oft seeing things ill carried in the Churches, feared not to their faces to reprove and admonish the Bishops and Priests, and say, These things should not be so done: You should not thus Administer: As a Lover of Truth, he used to do such things as these, which are familiar with men of exquisite honesty, who through their excellent study of Godliness, use this great liberty of Speech: Therefore when he saw things ill carried in the Churches, he sometimes spake his thoughts, and could not forbear blaming them. As if he saw any of the Clergy over covetous of Money, be it Bishop or Priest, he would reprehend them: or if any abounded in luxury and pleasures; or if they corrupted any part of the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church, he would not bear with them, but blame them. Which was troublesome to ⟨p. 51⟩men of a dissolute life: And therefore he underwent the greatest contumelies, being exagitated by the hatred and malicious words of them all. But he being thus tossed about, and beaten and reproached, did bear it all with an equal mind; and thus long continued in the Communion of the Church; Till some that were more vehemently offended with him for these Causes, cast him out: But yet he patiently bore all this, but being more earnestly intent for the promoting of the Truth, he still studied not to be drawn away from the Conjunction and Society of the Catholic Church. But when he and his friends were still beaten, and suffered unworthy usage, groaning under these evils, he took Counsel of the violence of these calamities and contumelies: And so he separated himself from the Church, and many falling away with him, a new Divorce was hereby made. For he did not in any thing depart from the right faith, but he with his partakers held in all things sincere Religion. Though in one small matter they are too stiff. About the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost they judg excellently, and as the Catholic Church, and swerve not a jot: and the rest of the order of their Lives is truly most excellent and admirable;