Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 14 But wherein doth it in the least appear that Eusebius reports the Judgement of Caius, or the Roman Church, in compliance with the Arians; He himself evidently admits the Epistle to be Canonical, and confirms it by the testimonies of Clemens, Origen, and others. What would it advantage him or the cause which some pretend he favoured, by reporting the opposition of others to a part of divine writ which himself accepted! Besides they were not the Arians of the first rank or edition, for an inclination unto whom Eusebius is suspected, but some of their off-spring which fell out into such Sacrilegious opinions and practices as the first leaders of them owned not that are accused in this matter; much less can he be thought to design the reproach of the Roman Church. Nay these answers are inconsistent, as any one may perceive. He could not at the same time design the rejecting of the Epistle in compliance with the Arians, and the calumniating of them by whom it was rejected, and on whose Authority his intentions must be founded. But indeed his words plainly manifest that he gives us a naked account of matter of fact, without either prejudice or design: It is yet more incredible, that Hierome in this matter should suffer himself to be imposed on by Eusebius. That he was the most eminently learned and knowing person of the Roman or Latin Church in those days, will, I suppose, not be greatly questioned. Now to suppose that he knew not the customs, opinions, and practice of that Church, but would suffer himself to be imposed on by a stranger, destitute of those advantages which he had to come unto an unquestionable certainty in it, is a very fond thing. Besides he doth not any where speak as one that reported the words and Judgement of another, but in three or four places expressly affirms it as of his own knowledge; when at the same time in opposition thereunto, he contends that it was received by all other Churches in the world, and all Writers from the days of the Apostles.

§ 14 But wherein doth it in the least appear that Eusebius reports the Judgement of Caius, or the Roman Church, in complyance with the Arians; He himself evidently admits the Epistle to be Canonical, and confirms it by the testimonies of Clemens, Origen, and others. What would it advantage him or the cause which some pretend he favoured, by reporting the opposition of others to a part of divine writt which himself accepted! Besides they were not the Arians of the first rank or edition, for an inclination unto whom Eusebius is suspected, but some of their off-spring which fell out into such Sacrilegious opinions and practices as the first leaders of them owned not that are accused in this matter; much less can he be thought to design the reproach of the Roman Church. Nay these answers are inconsistent, as any one may perceive. He could not at the same time design the rejecting of the Epistle in complyance with the Arians, and the calumniating of them by whom it was rejected, and on whose Authority his intentions must be founded. But indeed his words plainly manifest that he gives us a naked account of matter of fact, without either prejudice or design: It is yet more incredible, that Hierome in this matter should suffer himself to be imposed on by Eusebius. That he was the most eminently learned and knowing person of the Roman or Latine Church in those dayes, will, I suppose, not be greatly questioned. Now to suppose that he knew not the customes, opinions, and practice of that Church, but would suffer himself to be imposed on by a stranger, destitute of those advantages which he had to come unto an unquestionable certainty in it, is a very fond thing. Besides he doth not any where speak as one that reported the words and Judgement of another, but in three or four places expresly affirms it as of his own knowledge; when at the same time in opposition thereunto, he contends that it was received by all other Churches in the world, and all Writers from the dayes of the Apostles.