But we tell you,1 Christ was the true Samaritan in deed,2 that is to say, the Keeper, as he that is Keeper of mankind: and therefore he shunned not the name. Yet was he not a Samaritan as the Jews meant. Paul likewise, (who was not as ye say, to speak properly, called before the Judges to make answer to a matter of Heresy) being accused to Felix by Tertullus that he was of the sect or Heresy of the Nazarenes (so were the Christians first called) did not only not deny,3 but openly confessed, that according to that way or state of life, which the Jews called a sect or Heresy, he worshipped God.4 For it is to be considered that in those times the name of Heresy was not so infamous, as it may be judged by the place of the Acts, cap. 5. onlesse somewhat be added whereby it may be understanded to be taken in rate of a vice, as, 1. Cor. 11. Galat. 5. So the word was then indifferent, and might be taken in good part, or evil part. Tertullian useth it in good part, where speaking of the Christians, he calleth them Sectam, 5a Sect, into which Latin word the Greek word Heresy is turned. Now these examples of Christ, Paul, and the first Christians, serve not your defence. Christ was called of the Jews a Samaritan unworthily after the sense of their thought: Ye are called Heretics, worthily. Paul burdened with the name of Heresy, for as much as thereby was signified the kind of life of those that believed in Christ, the word being indifferent, was honoured rather then reviled. And Tertullian calleth the Christian people a Sect (as he might) without blemish or note of any evil, Your case is not like: For ye are charged with Heresy, as it is taken in the worst part.
But we tel you,1 Christ was the true Samaritane in deede,2 that is to say, the Keeper, as he that is Keeper of mankinde: and therefore he shunned not the name. Yet was he not a Samaritane as the Iewes ment. Paule likewise, (who was not as ye say, to speake properly, called before the Iudges to make ausweare to a mater of Heresie) being accused to Felix by Tertullus that he was of the secte or Heresie of the Nazarens (so were the Christians first called) did not onely not denie,3 but openly confessed, that according to that way or state of life, which the Iewes called a secte or Heresie, he worshipped God.4 For it is to be considered that in those times the name of Heresie was not so infamous, as it may be iudged by the place of the Actes, cap. 5. onlesse somewhat be added whereby it may be vnderstanded to be taken in rate of a vice, as, 1. Cor. 11. Galat. 5. So the woorde was then indifferent, and might be taken in good part, or euil part. Tertullian vseth it in good part, where speaking of the Christians, he calleth them Sectam, 5a Secte, into which Latine woord the Greeke woorde Heresis is turned. Now these examples of Christ, Paule, and the first Christians, serue not your defence. Christ was called of the Iewes a Samaritane vnwoorthely after the sense of their thought: Ye are called Heretikes, woorthely. Paule burdened with the name of Heresie, for as muche as thereby was signified the kinde of life of those that beleeued in Christ, the woorde being indifferent, was honoured rather then reutled. And Tertullian calleth the Christian people a Secte (as he might) without blemishe or note of any euil, Your case is not like: For ye are charged with Heresie, as it is taken in the worst part.
- 1Samaritan.Samaritane.
- 2Johan. 8.Iohan. 8.
- 3Act. 24.
- 4Heresy.Heresie.
- 5Apologeti. C•. 21. Secta.
