Titus — Chapter 3

Let our Protestants behold them selues in this glasse, and vvithal let them marke al other propreties that old Heretikes euer had, and they shal finde al definitions and markes of an Heretike to fall vpon them selues. And therfore they must not maruel if vve vvarne al Catholike men by the vvordes of the Apostle in this place, to take heede of them, and to shunne their preachings, bookes, conuenticles and companies. Their bookes, seruice, and preaching must be auoided. Neither neede the people be curious to knovv vvhat they say, much lesse to confute them: but they must trust Gods Church, vvhich doth refute and condemne them. And it is ynough for them to knovv that they be condemned, as S. Augustine noteth in the later end of his booke de heresibus. And S. Cyprian saith notably to Antonianus demaunding curiously vvhat heresies Nouatianus did teach: No matter, saith he, What heresies he hath or teacheth, vvhen he teacheth vvithout. that is to say, out of the Church. Ep. 52. nu. 7.

10. A man that is an Heretike.) Who is properly an Heretike, and who is not. Descriptions or markes how to know an Heretike. Not euery one that erreth in religion, is an Heretike, but he onely that after the Churches determination, vvilfully and stubburnely standeth in his false opinion, not yelding to decree of Councel or the cheefe Pastors of the Church therein. They (saith S. Augustine ep. 162.) that defend their sentence (though false and peruerse) vvith no stubburne stomake or obstinate hart, specially if it be such as them selues by bold presumption broched not, but receiued it of their deceiued parents, and do seeke the truth vvarily and carefully, being ready to be reformed if they finde it, such are not to be reputed among Heretikes. And againe, li. 18 de Ciuit. c. 51. They that in the Church of Christ haue any crased or peruerse opinion, if being admonished to be of a sound and right opinion, they resist obstinatly, and vvil not amend their pestiferous opinions, but persist in defense of them, are thereby become Heretikes, and going forth out of the Church, are counted for enimies that exercise vs. Againe li. 4 de Bapt. cont. Donat. c. 16. He is an Heretike that, vvhen that doctrine of the Catholike faith is made plaine and manifest vnto him, had rather resist it, and choose that vvhich him self held &c. And in diuers places he declareth that S. Cyprian, though he held an errour, yet vvas no Heretike, because he vvould not haue defended it after a general Councel had declared it to be an errour. li. 2 de bapt. c. 4. So Possidonius in the life of S. Augustine reporteth, hovv, after the determination of the See Apostolike that Pelagius opinion vvas heretical, al men esteemed Pelagius an Heretike, and the Emperour made lavves against him as against an Heretike. Againe S. Augustine saith, He is an Heretike in my opinion, that for some temporal commoditie, and specially for his glorie and principalitie, coineth or els folovveth false or nevv opinions. de vtilit. credendi cap. 1. vit. Aug. c. 18. The former markes agree to the Protestants. Let our Protestants behold them selues in this glasse, and vvithal let them marke al other propreties that old Heretikes euer had, and they shal finde al definitions and markes of an Heretike to fall vpon them selues. And therfore they must not maruel if vve vvarne al Catholike men by the vvordes of the Apostle in this place, to take heede of them, and to shunne their preachings, bookes, conuenticles and companies. Their bookes, seruice, and preaching must be auoided. Neither neede the people be curious to knovv vvhat they say, much lesse to confute them: but they must trust Gods Church, vvhich doth refute and condemne them. And it is ynough for them to knovv that they be condemned, as S. Augustine noteth in the later end of his booke de heresibus. And S. Cyprian saith notably to Antonianus demaunding curiously vvhat heresies Nouatianus did teach: No matter, saith he, What heresies he hath or teacheth, vvhen he teacheth vvithout. that is to say, out of the Church. Ep. 52. nu. 7.

11. Subuerted.) The Church seeketh the amendement of the most obstinate Heretikes. Heretikes be often incorrigible, yet the Church of God ceaseth not by al meanes possible to reuoke them. therfore S. Augustine saith ep. 162. The Heretike him self though svvelling vvith odious and detestable pride, and madde vvith the frovvardnes of vvicked contention, as we admonish that he be auoided lest he deceiue the vveaklings and litle ones, so vve refuse not by al meanes possible to seeke his amendment and reformation.