That whereas the Guides of the Church, many years before this Council were divided in their opinion, Alexander Patriarch of Alexandria, and Hosius a Favorite of the Emperor heading one party; and Arius and the Bishops adhering to him, whom I mentione ... Read more

That whereas the Guides of the Church, many years before this Council were divided in their opinion, Alexander Patriarch of Alexandria, and Hosius a Favorite of the Emperor heading one party; and Arius and the Bishops adhering to him, whom I mentioned formerly43, heading another, and whereas afterward, in the prosecution of this difference, both the foresaid Alexander in one Provincial Council held in Egypt, and Hosius sent thither by the Emperor in another, had there condemned Arius, and his Confederates; yet so it was ordered, that in this General Council assembled for an equal hearing and decision of this Controversie of these two professed Enemies to the other party, the one (Hosius) was appointed to sit as President of this Council; and the other (Alexander) held in it the next place to him; and poor Arius excluded; and the Bishops who favoured him in the Council, though at first freely declaring their dissent, yet at last over-awed to a subscription; as also was Arius himself chiefly by the Emperor Constantine's overbearing authority; who, before somewhat indifferent in the contest, yet upon Arius his undutiful and too peremptory Letters, had some years before taken great offence at him; and also (as he was very eloquent) publickly written against him44. ...I pray you consider a little better what you said last; for since Heresie as you grant it, is an obstinate defence of error only against some necessary point of Faith; and all truth delivered in Scripture is not such; unless you can also distinguish, in Scripture, these points of necessary Faith from others, you can have no certain knowledge of Heresie, and the believing all that is delivered in Scripture, though it may preserve you from incurring Heresie, yet cannot direct you at all for knowing or discerning Heresie, or an error against a fundamental or a necessary point of Faith, from other simple and less dangerous errors, that are not so: Less