The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, To the reader
The Authors Epistle to the Reader.
IT was admired of old,Theod, l. 4. c. 26. that Aphraates, who lived in the Cottages of the wildernesse all his time, yet once was found in the streets of Antiochia, in the dayes of the Emperour Valens: He excused the change of his former behaviour, by the similitude of a modest Virgin, lurking quietly in the secret corners of her fathers house, so long as it is in safety, but if it be set on fire, it is a hurtfull modestie to lurke any longer; necessity forceth her to runne abroad, that shee may giuegive warning of the imminent danger. This example of Aphraates might sufficiently excuse mine vnaccustomed boldnesse, to set forth my head, which hath beene lapped vp so long in hurtfull silence. For now the power of darkness increaseth, and (as the Prophet sayth): Woe vntounto vsus,Ier, 6.4. for the day declineth, and the shadowes of the evening are stretched out, yea the shadowe of Mount Athos reacheth to the Isle Lemnos, a sure fore-running token, of the going downe of the Sun. And therefore now it is time to creepe out of our subterraneall caues, that wee may giuegive notice to quence the fire in time, before it spread further, and bring greater desolation to the house of our God. Papists are become insolent of late dayes (like vntounto Serpents in summer weather, taking courage, and byting the heeles of horses that the riders may fall) not sparing both in word and writ, to reproch our religion, as not countenanced by An iquity; and our Ministrie as altogether naked and voyd of the knowledge of ancient learning: Shall wee now stand still (as idle men in the market-places) one looking vponupon another? I had rather (then wee should sustaine such apparent damage and hurt, through vntimely silence) step forth with the Lacedemonian souldier, impotent of his legs, and neither apt to fight, nor able to flie; having this comfort (as he had) that happily I may blunt the edge of the enemies sword, and make others ashamed, who are more fit for fighting then I am. And although those who hauehave vndertaken to write Compends, hauehave found therein great difficulty, being so invironed with straits, that they finde it very hard, either to satisfie themselues or others (for if the Compends bee short, they seeme obscure; if written at length, they seeme to hauehave need of other Compends, to abridge their prolixity) yet notwithstanding of all these difficulties, it is better to set forward by doing some good, either to our selues or others, then to spend our time in idlenesse, left our cogitations (like vntounto the vpper and lower mill-stones,Simile. which lacking good graine to grinde vponupon, rub violently one vponupon another, vntill both be broken) not being well exercised, but spent vponupon vaine things, become hurtfull to both our soules, and bodies.
In the 1. 2. and 3. Centuries; I hauehave made no mention of Councels, either Provinciall, or Nationall; for during that time, as they were few in number, by reason of the rage of persecuting Emperours; so most part of those which were gathered, were obscure, and the lesse regarded in respect of their contradiction one to another. There was a Councell gathered at Rome, another in Caesarea Palestinae, Euseb. l. 5 c. 23.another in France, the fourth in Pontus, and one in Asia; all for one, and to the selfe same purpose: viz. to deliberate concerning the keeping of Easter. In Rome, Victor was of one opinion; Polycrates in Asia held another; Iraeneus in France, was wiser then the rest, and was more carefull to keepe vnity in the Church of Christ,Euseb. l. 6. c. 37. then to dispute con…entiously about the keeping of dayes: A National Councel of Philadelp. in Arabia, was gathered against Artemon & Beryllus, wherein Origen was present. Another at Rome, by Cornelius, for the suppressing of the error of Novatus. Cypr. epist. lib. 1. epist. 2. Euseb. l. 5. c. 29.Another at Antiochia, against Paulus Samo satenus, a pernicious Heretique. Others were gathered by Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, for rebaptizing of those who were baptized by Heretiques: which weaknes both in Cyprian, and in other Bishops of Africk, was after corrected by the Church.
Take in good part the Goats-haire, and Rammes-skins, which I present to cover the Tabernacle of our God. I referre the ornaments of gold, silver, and precious-stones, for beautifying the inner parts of the Tabernacle, to others, vponupon whom God hath vouchsafed greater gifts. The house of God is large and ample, and as it hath neede of bright-shining torches, for the Hauls, Parlors, and Chambers; so it hath need of smaller lights, for Cellers, and office-houses: if my farthing candle giuegive light in the lowes Celler of the house of God, my heart is fully content. Farewell.
Thine in the Lord: P. Symson.