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learned, nor more profitable to posterity, for conserving the record of
times in true supputation; than when he corrected the Calendar, and
ordered the year according to the course of the Sun; and yet this was
imputed to him for novelty, and arrogance, and procured to him great
obloguy. So the first Christened Emperor [Constantine] (at the least-
wise that openly professed the faith himself, and allowed others to do
the like) for strengthening the Empire at his great charges, and pro-
viding for the Church, as he did, got for his labour the name Pupillus,
as who would say, a wasteful Prince, that had need of a Guardian or
overseer [Aurel. Victor]. So the best Christened Emperor [Theodosius],
for the love that he bare unto peace, thereby to enrich both himself
and his subjects, and because he did not see war but find it, was
judged to be no man at arms [Zosimus], (though indeed he excelled in
feats of chivalry, and showed so much when he was provoked) and con-
demned for giving himself to his ease, and to his pleasure. To be
short, the most learned Emperor of former times [Justinian], (at the
least, the greatest politician) what thanks had he for cutting off
the superfluities of the laws, and digesting them into some order and
method? This, that he had been blotted by some to be an Epitomist,
that is, one that extinguishes worthy whole volumes, to bring his
abridgments into request. This is the measure that hath been rendered
to excellent Princes in former times, even, Cum bene facerent, male
audire, For their good deeds to be evil spoken of. Neither is there
any likelihood, that envy and malignity died, and were buried with
the ancient. No, no, the reproof of Moses taketh hold of most ages;
"You are risen up in your fathers' stead, and increase of sinful men."
[Num 32:14] "What is that that hath been done? that which shall be
done; and there is no new thing under the Sun," saith the wiseman:
[Ecc 1:9] and S. Stephen, "As your fathers did, so do you." [Acts 7:51]
HIS MAJESTY'S CONSTANCY, NOTWITHSTANDING CULMINATION,
FOR THE SURVEY OF THE ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
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This, and more to this purpose, His Majesty that now reigneth (and long,
and long may he reign, and his offspring forever, "Himself and children,
and children's always) knew full well, according to the singular wisdom
given unto him by God, and the rare learning and experience that he hath
attained unto; namely that whosoever attempteth anything for the public
(especially if it pertain to Religion, and to the opening and clearing
of the word of God) the same setteth himself upon a stage to be gloated
upon by every evil eye, yea, he casteth himself headlong upon pikes, to
be gored by every sharp tongue. For he that medleth with men's Religion
in any part, medleth with their custom, nay, with their freehold; and
though they find no content in that which they have, yet they cannot
abide to hear of altering. Notwithstanding his Royal heart was not
daunted or discouraged for this that colour, but stood resolute, "as a
statue immovable, and an anvil not easy to be beaten into plates," as one
[Suidas] saith; he knew who had chosen him to be a Soldier, or rather a
Captain, and being assured that the course which he intended made for the
glory of God, and the building up of his Church, he would not suffer it
to be broken off for whatsoever speeches or practices. It doth certainly
belong unto Kings, yea, it doth specially belong unto them, to have care
of Religion, yea, it doth specially belong unto them, to have care of
Religion, yea, to know it aright, yea, to profess it zealously, yea to
promote it to the uttermost of their power. This is their glory before
all nations which mean well, and this will bring unto them a far most
excellent weight of glory in the day of the Lord Jesus. For the Scripture
saith not in vain, "Them that honor me, I will honor," [1 Sam 2:30] neither
was it a vain word that Eusebius delivered long ago, that piety towards God
was the weapon and the only weapon, that both preserved Constantine's person,
and avenged him of his enemies [Eusebius lib 10 cap 8].
THE PRAISE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
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But now what piety without truth? what truth (what saving truth)
without the word of God? What word of God (whereof we may be sure)
without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are commanded to search.
John 5:39. Isa 8:20. They are commended that searched and studied
them. Acts 17:11 and 8:28,29. They are reproved that were unskilful
in them, or slow to believe them. Matt 22:29. Luke 24:25. They can
make us wise unto salvation. 2 Tim 3:15. If we be ignorant, they will
instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of
order, they will reform us; if in heaviness, comfort us; if dull,
quicken us; if cold, inflame us. Tolle, lege; Tolle, lege, Take up
and read, take up and read the Scriptures [S. August. confess. lib 8
cap 12], (for unto them was the direction) it was said unto S. Augus-
tine by a supernatural voice. "Whatsoever is in the Scriptures,
believe me," saith the same S. Augustine, "is high and divine; there
is verily truth, and a doctrine most fit for the refreshing of men's
minds, and truly so tempered, that everyone may draw from thence
that which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a devout
and pious mind, as true Religion requireth." [S. August. de utilit.
credendi cap. 6] Thus S. Augustine. and S. Jerome: "Ama scripturas,
et amabit te sapientia etc." [S. Jerome. ad Demetriad] Love the
Scriptures, and wisdom will love thee. And S. Cyril against Julian;
"Even boys that are bred up in the Scriptures, become most religious,
etc." [S. Cyril. 7 contra Iulianum] But what mention we three or
four uses of the Scripture, whereas whatsoever is to be believed or
practiced, or hoped for, is contained in them? or three or four sen-
tences of the Fathers, since whosoever is worthy the name of a Father,
from Christ's time downward, hath likewise written not only of the
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