w 140 SILENCE OFTHE FATHERS. unheard of before.' The Creed of Pope Pius IV., formed the other day, is the first, as I take it, which contained this article of faith.* 10. It is much that this point of faith should not be delivered in any of those ancient expositions of the [Apostles] Creed (made by St Augustine, Ruffin,-- &c.), which enlarge it to necessary points of doctrine connected with the articles therein, especially with that of the catholic church, to which the pope's authority has so close a con- nection ; that it should not be touched in the catechetical discourses of Cyril, Ambrose, &c. ; that in the systems of divinity composed by St Augustine, Lactantius, &c., it should not be treated on. The world is now changed, for the Catechism of Trent does not overlook so material a point; and it would pass for a lame body of theology which should omit to treat on this subject. 11. It is more wonderful that this point should never be defined, in downright and full terms, by any ancient synod, it being so notoriously in those old times opposed by divers who dissented in opinion and discorded in practice from the pope; it being also a point of that consequence, that such asolemn declaration of it would have much conduced to the ruin of all particular errors and schisms, which were maintained then in opposition to the church. 12. Indeed, had this point been allowed by the main body of orthodox bishops, the pope could not have been so drowsy or stupid as not to have solicited for such a definition thereof, nor would the bishops have been backward in compliance thereto, it, being, in our adversaries' conceit, so compendious and effectual a way of suppress- ing all heresies, schisms, and disorders; although, indeed, later expe- rience has shown it no less available to stifle truth, justice, and piety. The popesafter Luther were better advised; and sowere the bishops adhering to his opinions. 13. Whereas, also, it is most apparent that manypersons disclaimed this authority, not regarding either the doctrines or decrees of the popes, it is wonderful that such men should not be reckoned in the large catalogues of heretics, wherein errors of less obvious considera- tion, and of far less importance, placed men. If Epiphanius, Theo- doret, Leontius, &c., were so negligent and unconcerned, yet St Augustine, Philastrius, western men, shouldnot have overlookedthis sort of desperate heretics. Aërius, for questioning the dignity of bishops, is set among the heretics; but who got that name for dis- c Conc. Lat. iv., cap. 5, an. 1215. * This Creed, which is the great standard summary of the popish religion, bears date November, 1564; which, in regard to the era of primitive Christianity, may be justly said even now, as well as in 1677, when Barrow wrote, to be only " the other day." En. t Ruffin, more generally known by his Latin name Rufinus, a presbyter of Aquileia, and a commentator, flourished in the fourthcentury, and wasa contemporaryof Jerome, with whom he was involved in a bitter feud. En.
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