We allow the Ancient Fathers the same credit, that they them selves have ever desired. S. Augustine hereof writeth thus: Neque quorumuis Disputationes, quantumuis Catholicorum,1 & laudatorum hominum, velut Scripturas Canonicas habere debemus, ut nobis non liceat, salua reverentia, quae illis debetur, aliquid in illorum Scriptis improbare, aut respuere, si fortè inuenerimus, quòd aliter senserint, quàm Veritas habet. Talis sum ego in scriptis aliorum: tales volo esse intellectores meorum: We receive ⟨p. 19⟩not the Disputations or Writings of any men, be they never, so Catholic, or praiseworthy, as we receive the Canonical Scriptures: but that, saving the reverence dew unto them, we may well reprove or refuse some things in their writings, if it happen we find, they have otherwise thought, then the Truth may bear them. •utche am I in the writings of others: and such would I wish others to be in mine. Likewise he writeth to S. Hierome, Non puto,2 Frater, te veil Libros tuos legi, tanquam Apostolorum, aut Prophetarum: I reckon not, my Brother, that ye would have us so to read your Books, as if they were written by the Apostles, or Prophets. It is certain, Tertullian, Eeyprian, Clemens Alexandrinus, Papias, Irenaeus, Victorinus, Lactautius, Hilarius, & other Ancient Fathers were oftentimes much deceived, S. Hierome s••ffeth at S. Ambroses Commentaries upon Luke, and calleth them, Nugas, trifles, and nicknameth S. Ambrose, 3sometime calling him Corvus, sometime Cornicula Likewise S. Augustine saith, Ecclesiastici Judices, ut homines, plaerunque falluntur: The Judges, or Doctors of the Church, as being men, are often deceived. And Thomas of Aquine saithe, Non tenemur de necessitate Salutis, credere non solùm Doctoribus Ecclesiae, ut Hieronymo, aut Augustino, sed ne ipsi quidem Ecclesiae, nisi in his quae pertinent ad substantiam Fidei:4 We are not bound upon the necessity of Salvation to believe not only the Doctors of the Church, as Hierome, or Augustine, but also neither the Church it self, saving only in matters concerning the substance of Faith.
Wée allowe the Auncient Fathers the same credite, that they them selues haue euer desired. S. Augustine hereof writeth thus: Neque quorumuis Disputationes, quantumuis Catholicorum,1 & laudatorum hominum, velut Scripturas Canonicas habere debemus, vt nobis non liceat, salua reuerentia, quae illis debetur, aliquid in illorum Scriptis improbare, aut respuere, si fortè inuenerimus, quòd aliter senserint, quàm Veritas habet. Talis sum ego in scriptis aliorum: tales volo esse intellectores meorum: We receiue ⟨p. 19⟩not the Disputations or VVritinges of any menne, be they neuer, so Catholique, or praisewoorthy, as wee receiue the Canonical Scriptures: but that, sauinge the reuerence dewe vnto them, wee may wel reproue or refuse some thinges in theire writinges, if it happen wee finde, they haue otherwise thought, then the Truthe may beare them. •utche am I in the writinges of others: and sutche would I wishe others to be in mine. Likewise he writeth to S. Hierome, Non puto,2 Frater, te velle Libros tuos legi, tanquam Apostolorum, aut Prophetarum: I recken not, my Brother, that ye would haue vs so to reade your Bookes, as if they were written by the Apostles, or Prophetes. It is certaine, Tertullian, EEyprian, Clemens Alexandrinus, Papias, Irenaeus, Victorinus, Lactautius, Hilarius, & other Ancient Fathers were oftentimes mutch deceiued, S. Hierome s••ffeth at S. Ambroses Commentaries vpon Luke, and calleth them, Nugas, trifles, and nicknameth S. Ambrose, 3sometime callinge him Coruus, sometime Cornicula Likewise S. Augustine saithe, Ecclesiastici Iudices, vt homines, plaerunque falluntur: The Iudges, or Doctours of the Churche, as beinge men, are often deceiued. And Thomas of Aquine saithe, Non tenemur de necessitate Salutis, credere nō solùm Doctoribus Ecclesiae, vt Hieronymo, aut Augustino, sed ne ipsi quidem Ecclesiae, nisi in his quae pertinent ad substantiam Fidei:4 Wee are not bounde vpon the necessitie of Saluation to beleue not onely the Doctours of the Churche, as Hierome, or Augustine, but also neither the Churche it selfe, sauinge onely in maters concerninge the substane of Faithe.
- 1August. and Fortunatianum, •pist. III.
- 2August. ad Hieronym. Epist. 19.
- 3Picus Mirandula in Apologia. August. contra Cross. onium, li. 2. cap. 21.Picus Mirandula in Apologia. August. contra Cros. onium, li. 2. cap. 21.
- 4Picus Mirandula in Apologia Thomas in
