On the Difficulty of ascertaining the Opinions of the Fathers in reference to the present Controversies in Religion, deduced from the fact that there is very little of their Writings extant of the Those Writings which we have of the Fathers of the first Centuries, treat of matters far different from the present Controversies in ine wings vi ne racers, we are considereu been in many places corrupted by time, ignora pious and malicious, both in the early and later CHAPTER V. The Writings of the Fathers are difficult to be und count of the Languages and Idioms in which they manner of their Writing, which is encumbered flourishes, and logical subtleties, and with terms far different from what they now bear.... CHAPTER VI. The Fathers frequently conceal their own private say what they did not believe; either in reporti of others, without naming them, as in their Co disputing against an Adversary, where they mak ever they are able; or accommodating themselves tory, as may be observed in their Homilies...... CHAPTER VII. The Fathers have not always held the same doct changed some of their Opinions, according as t has become matured by study or age.. It is necessary, CHAPTER VIII. but nevertheless difficult, to disc Fathers held all their several Opinions; whether a as probable only; and in what degree of necessit ity.... CHAPTER IX. We ought to know what were the Opinions, not of o the Fathers, but of the whole ancient Church; wh difficult matter to discover..... CHAPTER X. It is very difficult to ascertain whether the Opinions of the Fathers, as to the Controversies of the present day, were received by the Church Universal, or only by some portion of it; this being necessary to be known, before their sentiments can be adopted... 184 CHAPTER XI. It is impossible to know exactly what was the belief of the ancient Church, either Universal or Particular, as to any of those points which are at this day controverted amongst us.. 192 BOOK II. THE FATHERS ARE NOT OF SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY FOR DECIDING CONTROVERSIES IN RELIGION. CHAPTER I. The Testimonies given by the Fathers, on the Doctrines of the Church, are not always true and certain.. CHAPTER II. 206 The Fathers testify themselves, that they are not to be believed absolutely, and upon their own bare Assertion, in what they declare in matters of Religion... CHAPTER III. 216 The Fathers have written in such a manner, as to make it clear that when they wrote they had no intention of being our authorities in matters of Religion; as evinced by examples of their mistakes and oversights.... 247 The Fathers have erred in divers points of Reli singly, but also many of them together...... CHAPTER V. The Fathers have strongly contradicted one ano maintained different Opinions in matters of very ance....... CHAPTER VI. Neither the Church of Rome nor the Protestants ad Fathers for their Judges in points of Religion; rejecting such of their Opinions and Practices as to their taste; being an answer to two Objection made against what is delivered in this Discourse.. |