Ordo rerum quae in hoc tomo continentur

and concerning the accusation of bishops; and concerning the concord of unanimity between the metropolitan and the other bishops; and that robbers and takers away, invaders, and alienators of ecclesiastical property be anathematized as thieves and sacrilegious persons. 1007

I. That a bishop always have with him presbyters and deacons as witnesses. 1008

II. Concerning accusations of bishops or elders, and that a hearing be not denied to those appealing to greater persons. 1009

III. That the metropolitan do nothing without the counsel of the bishops, nor they without his, save what pertains to their own churches. 1009

IV. That the metropolitan without the bishops hear not their cause. 1009

V. That later bishops prefer not themselves before earlier ones, nor do anything without consulting them. 1010

VI. Concerning those who take away the property of the Church or the offerings of the faithful, and those who consent to them. 1012

DECREES OF POPE LUCIUS. 1013

SAINT STEPHEN I, POPE AND MARTYR.

PROEM. From the Liber Pontificalis of Pope Damasus. 1015

NOTICE OF THE NON-EXTANT EPISTLES WHICH PERTAIN TO STEPHEN, BY COUSTANT. 1017

EPISTLES WHICH PERTAIN TO SAINT POPE STEPHEN I. 1023

EPISTLE OF SAINT CYPRIAN, BISHOP OF CARTHAGE, TO POPE STEPHEN. — That by a letter sent to the bishops of the Gauls he take care that Marcianus, Bishop of Arles, who has devoted himself to Novatian, boast no longer that he has not yet been excommunicated; and at the same time take pains, by another letter written into the Province and to the people of Arles, that another bishop be substituted in his place. 1023

APPENDIX. Decretal epistles ascribed to St. Stephen. 1033

EPISTLE I OF POPE STEPHEN I TO BISHOP HILARIUS. 1033

I. Who are infamous, or who are not to be admitted to ecclesiastical degrees or to accusation. 1034

II. Concerning the reverence to be shown to superiors. 1036

III. Concerning ecclesiastical vestments. 1036

Epist. II. OF POPE STEPHEN I. — Concerning the expulsion of bishops, and that whatsoever is unjustly done in things consecrated to God and in bishops shall be reputed for sacrilege; and that the accusation of no one be received in writing, and concerning many other and useful causes. 1037

I. Concerning accusations of priests. 1038

II. Concerning bishops despoiled of their property, or driven from their see. 1038

III. How anyone is to be punished if he presumes to accuse bishops or agents or defenders of the Church before he charitably meets with them. 1038

IV. Who ought not to be admitted to accusation. 1038

V. That an accusation in writing is not to be received, and that an absent person cannot be accused or accuse, nor ought he before he receives opportunity of defending (or reporting). 1039

VI. Concerning primates and metropolitans, and concerning the affairs of bishops to be referred to them. 1039

VII. That an accused bishop be heard by all the comprovincial bishops. 1040

VIII. That every accusation be terminated within the province, unless an appeal has been made to the Apostolic See; and concerning persons entangled in criminal accusations, or who have willingly confessed, or were formerly enemies. 1040

IX. If a cleric accuses or plots against a bishop. 1040

X. Whether laymen ought to administer ecclesiastical property. 1040

XI. Concerning the persons of accusers. 1041

XII. Concerning accusations of teachers, or that those condemned by the divine voices cannot accuse bishops or testify against them. 1041

ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF THE MOST FAMOUS DISPUTATION CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS.

FIRST PART. — THE PRINCIPAL MONUMENTS OF THE ANCIENTS which remain concerning the Baptism of heretics. 1043

Decretory sentences of St. Stephen, pope and martyr. 1045

Roman Council celebrated under St. Stephen. 1045

COUNCILS OF CARTHAGE. PROEM. THIRD COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE UNDER CYPRIAN. 1047

Concerning the baptizing of infants. 1047

PROEM. 1047

Epist. of St. Cyprian to Fidus, in the name of the council. — The African Fathers decree that the peace rashly granted by Therapius is ratified. — The Baptism of newly born infants is

established by the same. — The superstitious custom of not admitting infants to the kiss before the eighth day is censured. — No one is to be hindered from Baptism. 1047

FOURTH COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE UNDER CYPRIAN. Concerning Basilides and Martialis, Libellatic bishops of Spain. 1055

PROEM. 1055

SYNODICAL EPISTLE OF SAINT CYPRIAN TO THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE OF THE SPAINS, concerning Basilides and Martialis. 1057

FIFTH COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE UNDER CYPRIAN, THE FIRST CONCERNING BAPTISM. 1071

PROEM. 1071

SYNODICAL EPISTLE OF SAINT CYPRIAN TO JANUARIUS AND OTHERS. 1073

SIXTH COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE UNDER CYPRIAN, THE SECOND CONCERNING BAPTISM. 1081

SYNODICAL EPISTLE OF SAINT CYPRIAN TO SAINT POPE STEPHEN. He signifies that he has decreed in council that those who have been dipped among heretics or schismatics, when returning to the Church, should be baptized; and that those who, having been ordained presbyters or deacons in the Church, have slipped down into schism, or who have been promoted by heretics, when returning should communicate as laymen—saving nevertheless the bond of concord with bishops who should think otherwise. 1083

SEVENTH COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE UNDER CYPRIAN, THE THIRD CONCERNING BAPTISM. 1089

PROEM. 1089

VOTES OF EIGHTY-SEVEN BISHOPS CONCERNING THE BAPTIZING OF HERETICS. 1089

ANIMADVERSIONS OF THE BOLLANDISTS. 1117

The Erring Synod under Cyprian, Most Holy Bishop of Carthage and Martyr.

PREFACE OF JOHN ZONARAS. 1119

FRAGMENT OF AN EPISTLE OF DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA, TO POPE STEPHEN. 1119

EIGHTH COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE. 1145

FRAGMENT OF AN EPISTLE OF DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA, TO POPE STEPHEN. 1147

EPIST. OF SAINT CYPRIAN TO QUINTUS, concerning the baptizing of heretics. 1149

EPISTLE OF SAINT CYPRIAN TO JUBAIANUS. — In the year of Christ 256, shortly after the Seventh Council of Carthage, Cyprian wrote a long epistle to Bishop Jubaianus; he had consulted Cyprian concerning Baptism, and at the same time had sent an epistle, written not by himself, but by another, against the opinion of Cyprian. Cyprian refutes this epistle, and with the highest zeal collects whatsoever he thought availed for the defence of his cause. He sends also to Jubaianus a copy of the epistle to the Numidians and to Quintus, and perhaps the decrees of the latest synod. 1153

Epist. of St. Cyprian to Pompeius, against the epistle of Stephen. — The subject of this Epistle is as follows in St. Augustine, book 5 Against the Donatists, chap. 23: "To Pompeius also," says he, "Cyprian writes concerning this same matter; wherein he openly indicates that Stephen, whom we have learned to have been at that time bishop of the Roman Church, not only did not agree with him as to those things, but even wrote and commanded to the contrary." Concerning which again in chap. 25: "Now those things which in anger he poured forth against Stephen, I am unwilling to handle again, because there is no need either. For the very same things are said which have already been sufficiently discussed; and it is better to pass over those things which involved the danger of a pernicious dissension. Now Stephen had thought that those also ought to be excommunicated who endeavoured to pluck up the ancient custom regarding the receiving of heretics. Whereas this man, moved by the difficulty of the question itself, and most bountifully endowed with the holy bowels of charity, judged that they ought to remain in unity with those who thought differently. Thus, although he is indignant with some excitement, yet fraternally, nevertheless the peace of Christ conquered in their hearts, so that in such a disagreement no evil of schism arose between them." Thus far he: which things we have cited at greater length, because they serve in place of an antidote against those who strive hence to confirm their own schism from the Roman Pontiff. 1173

EPISTLE OF SAINT CYPRIAN TO MAGNUS. — A reply is given to Magnus inquiring whether those coming from Novatian are to be baptized anew. And first from the testimony of the Holy Scriptures unity is established. Legitimate succession in the chair of Peter is a sure mark of unity. The sacrament of unity sanctioned not only by admonitions and examples, but also by punishments inflicted upon offenders. Schismatics, although they acknowledge the words of the Creed, deny the faith itself. By examples it is shown with how great danger the peace of the Church is violated, even though the faith remain intact. Cyprian digresses to the Baptism of heretics, who he denies are able to give the Holy Spirit; then he replies concerning the dipping of clinics, concerning sprinkling for taking away uncleannesses, and concerning the grace conferred in Baptism, as being either diminished or increased by our act. 1183

COUNCIL OF ICONIUM against the Cataphrygians. 1199

EPISTLE OF FIRMILIAN, BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN CAPPADOCIA,

TO CYPRIAN, AGAINST THE EPISTLE OF STEPHEN. — It is of altogether the same subject as the preceding, but written a little more vehemently and bitterly than becomes a bishop, for that reason above all, so far as I suspect, that Stephen had written another epistle also to Firmilian, Helenus, and the other bishops of those parts, declaring that he would not communicate with them so long as they persisted in that opinion concerning the baptizing of heretics. 1201

ANONYMOUS.

BOOK CONCERNING REBAPTISM.

PROLEGOMENA. 1225

Art. I. Who was the author of the work, and in what century he flourished. 1225

Art. II. Analysis of this little work. 1227

Art. III. Certain observations upon this treatise, and the editions of the same. 1230

SUBJECT OF THE BOOK CONCERNING REBAPTISM. — That those ought not to be baptized anew who have once been dipped in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1231

HERE BEGINS THE BOOK CONCERNING REBAPTISM. 1231

ANOTHER ANONYMOUS AUTHOR.

TREATISE AGAINST THE HERETIC NOVATIAN. — That the hope of pardon is not to be denied to the lapsed. 1253

SECOND PART OF THE DISPUTATION CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS. — PRINCIPAL EXCURSUSES OF MORE RECENT SCHOLARS. 1267

DISSERTATION OF LOUIS THOMASSIN ON THE SYNODS GATHERED UNDER POPE STEPHEN IN THE CAUSE OF THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS AT CARTHAGE, ROME, AND ELSEWHERE, IN THE YEARS OF CHRIST 256, 257, etc. 1267

Synopsis. 1267

I. The contention of Pope Stephen and Cyprian. Calumny of the innovators against Stephen. Twofold controversy against them to be decided here. 1267

II. That Stephen did not err in receiving the Baptism of all heretics, is proved from Firmilian. 1269

III. And the same from the same. 1270

IV. Other arguments from the same. 1270

V. And again others. 1271

VI. The same is proved incontrovertibly from Cyprian. 1271

VII. From the same. 1271

VIII. From the Council of Carthage. 1272

IX. From Tertullian. 1272

X. Likewise from the Council of Arles. 1273

XI. From Eusebius. 1273

XII. From the words of Stephen himself. 1273

XIII. The argument of Stephen against Cyprian is defended. 1274

XIV. Likewise from Jerome it is shown that Stephen did not err. 1274

XV. Again from the same. 1275

XVI. From the same again. 1276

XVII. From the same. 1276

XVIII. The same is made out from Basil. 1277

XIX. From Siricius, Innocent, and Leo, Roman Pontiffs. 1278

XX. Likewise from Augustine. 1279

XXI. How unspeakable to say that the whole Church ever erred even in this matter. 1280

XXII. Likewise from Vincent of Lérins. 1280

XXIII. From Hincmar of Rheims and Augustine again. 1281

XXIV. The second controversy is touched upon: whether after the decree of Stephen there was still need of a plenary council, as Augustine seems to intimate. 1282

XXV. On the contrary, from the same Augustine, even before the council both the power of Stephen was supreme and the error of Cyprian needed to be expiated, not excused. 1282

XXVI. From the same, Cyprian is compared to Peter erring, yet listening to his rebuking colleague. 1283

XXVII. How Cyprian cannot be excused according to the same, as being uncompliant towards apostolic tradition and the universal Church. 1283

XXVIII. The same things are confirmed from Jerome, Vincent of Lérins, and Facundus of Hermiane. 1284

XXIX. Again from Augustine. 1284

XXX. Stephen did not rage beyond threats, and at length acquiesced in a dispensation, and thus himself suspended the execution of his decree. 1285

XXXI. That Cyprian ought to have yielded to weightier authority, from Augustine. 1286

XXXII. Both Cyprian and others of his mind perhaps came to a better mind. 1286

XXXIII. Another way of solving this controversy is opened, from the distinction between questions concerning faith and concerning customs. 1287

XXXIV. Various proofs of this distinction. 1288

XXXV. That this question was handled courteously, as one bearing on customs, not on the faith, is proved first from Firmilian. 1288

XXXVI. Likewise from Cyprian. 1289

XXXVII. Likewise from Stephen, from the synods of Arles and Nicaea, from Optatus. 1289

XXXVIII. Likewise from Basil. 1290

XXXIX. From Amphilochius. 1291

XL. From Athanasius. 1291

XLI. From Epiphanius. 1292

XLII. From Cyril of Jerusalem. 1292

XLIII. From the Second Ecumenical Synod. 1293

XLIV. From the Trullan Synod. 1293

XLV. From the consensus of the Greeks, above all of Theodore the Studite. 1294

XLVI. From Gennadius. 1294

XLVII. From Augustine. 1295

XLVIII. Augustine frequently calls for plenary councils to regulate customs. 1295

XLIX. By no means for questions of faith. 1297

L. Summary of this latter controversy. 1298

DISSERTATION IN WHICH STEPHEN'S TRUE OPINION ON THE RECEPTION OF HERETICS IS EXPLAINED, BY DOM PIERRE COUSTANT. 1299

I. That Stephen's opinion was not devoid of reason. 1299

II. Whether Stephen admitted Baptism conferred by heretics under any form whatever. 1302

III. Whether by those whom Stephen said were baptized in the name of Jesus he understood those baptized in the name of the Trinity. 1304

IV. Whether Stephen does not attribute to the baptism of heretics greater power and efficacy than is fitting. 1306

V. Whether Stephen wished a hand to be laid on those returning from heresy so that the sacrament of confirmation might be conferred on them. 1309

VI. Stephen is praised by the ancients as the defender of the apostolic tradition, and is accused of error by no one except those who rejected the baptism of any heretics whatever. 1316

VII. Whether Stephen struck the rebaptizers with excommunication. Whether he behaved too severely towards holy men. 1219

PONTIFICAL AUTHORITY, FIERCELY ATTACKED BY CERTAIN MODERNS ON THE STRENGTH OF CYPRIAN'S WELL-KNOWN ACTION, BUT SOUNDLY VINDICATED BY THE MOST LEARNED THEOLOGIANS OF FRANCE: A HISTORICO-DOGMATIC DISSERTATION. 1325

PREFACE. 1325

APPENDIX TO THE LIFE OF ST STEPHEN, ROMAN PONTIFF AND MARTYR, in which his manner of acting against St Cyprian and the other rebaptizers is vindicated by the testimonies of the ancients from the calumnies of certain moderns. 1337

FIRST PART OF THE HISTORICO-DOGMATIC DISSERTATION. 1365

Argument. The argument that is hammered out and pressed from St Cyprian's action against the supreme and irreformable authority of the Roman Pontiff in defining controversies of faith is shown by the most learned theologians of France to be empty and vain, and is utterly overthrown. 1365

Chapter I. According to the universal teaching of the theologians and writers of France, St Cyprian judged that the question raised in his age about rebaptizing heretics belonged not to faith but to mere discipline. 1367

Chap. II. According to the universal teaching of the theologians and writers of France, St Cyprian knew well that the custom which St Stephen asserted was not peculiar to the Roman Pontiff, but was at that time the universal custom of the Church, and had been kept from antiquity by all the bishops. 1373

SECOND PART OF THE DISSERTATION. 1377

ARGUMENT. — Solid and unconquerable are the things adduced by the most learned theologians of France to rout and overturn the moderns' argument, drawn from St Cyprian, against pontifical inerrancy. 1377

Chapter I. The grounds are set out by which it is proved that the case of the baptism of heretics seemed to Cyprian a matter not of faith but of mere discipline. 1377

The objections are answered. 1391

Chap. II. The grounds are brought forward by which it is proved that St Cyprian knew well that the custom which St Stephen, the Roman Pontiff, was defending was at that time the universal custom of the Church, and had been kept from antiquity by all the bishops. 1400

TWO DISSERTATIONS OF FR. M. MOLKENBUHR ON FIRMILIAN, BISHOP OF CAESAREA. 1411

PREFACE. 1411

SURVEY OF BOTH DISSERTATIONS ON FIRMILIAN. 1415

DISSERTATION I. — Nos. 1, 2, 3. Two rules of criticism are set down first, from Du Pin. 1415

Proposition I. — Nos. 4–12. The letter that circulates under Firmilian's name appears to have been fabricated by a Latin. 1415

Proposition II. — Nos. 13–17. At least St Firmilian did not compose it. 1420

Nos. 18–77. The letter itself is reported part by part and examined critically; where, at no. 41: whether St Stephen the pope declared valid baptism conferred under any form whatever. 1422

Proposition III. — Nos. 78–87. It is more likely that some African Donatist, or another heretic, fabricated the said Letter after the fourth century. 1458

Proposition IV. — Nos. 88–91. St Firmilian published no books in public writing. 1465

DISSERTATION II. — On the year of St Firmilian's death, in which Paul of Samosata was condemned in the most celebrated synod of Antioch, in which the word homoousion too is said to have been rejected. 1467

Proposition. — Nos. 93–100. Those things did not happen before the year 272. 1467

ANNALS OF THE AFRICAN CHURCH IN CYPRIAN'S TIMES. 1475

ST PONTIUS, DEACON OF CARTHAGE.

PROLEGOMENA. 1537

Art. I. History of Pontius's life. 1537

Art. II. His writings. 153⟨8⟩

Art. III. On the acts appended to Pontius's history, and what care was given by learned men in editing both. 1540

ON THE LIFE AND PASSION OF ST CYPRIAN, BY PONTIUS. 1541

Chapter I. The author sets out his reasons for writing. He states that the Acts of the Martyrs were formerly committed carefully to writing. 1541

Chapter II. He relates what Cyprian did after his baptism. Continence necessary. Cyprian's other virtues. 1541

Chap. III. He is quickly promoted to sacred orders. He sets the saints before himself continually for imitation. 1543

Chap. IV. Cyprian brought to the faith by Caecilius. 1544

Chap. V. While still a neophyte, he is compelled to take up the episcopate. 1545

Chap. VI. He shines with episcopal virtues. 1546

Chap. VII. Proscribed and demanded for the lion, he prudently withdraws. 1546

Chap. VIII. And this happened by the counsel of divine Providence. 1547

Chap. IX. While a dreadful plague rages, he leads his people by effective speech to succour those infected with it, even the heathen. 1548

Chap. X. On the same subject. 1549

Chap. XI. He is driven into exile at Curubis. 1551

Chap. XII. He is visited by many. Refreshed by a heavenly vision, he is divinely forewarned of the martyrdom he is to undergo and of its postponement. 1551

Chap. XIII. The author interprets this vision and proves it to have been truthful. 1552

Chap. XIV. With persecution imminent, Cyprian refuses to flee, and exhorts his people to martyrdom. 1553

Chap. XV. He is seized. The people keep watch through the night before the doors. 1554

Chap. XVI. The next day he is led to the proconsul's tribunal. 1555

Chap. XVII. Sentence having been passed, he is beheaded. 1555

THE PROCONSULAR ACTS OF ST CYPRIAN.

I. St Cyprian's first confession before Paternus the proconsul. He refuses to betray the presbyters. 1557

II. He is sent into exile at Curubis. Recalled thence by Galerius, he is arrested. 1560

III. He is set before the proconsul. His second confession. 1561

IV. Sentence having been passed on him, he is ordered to be beheaded. 1562

V. He is beheaded before a great crowd of the people. His body, taken up by the faithful by night, is buried. 1564

APPENDIX. THE PASSION OF ST CYPRIAN. 1565

END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.

Saint-Amand (Cher). — From the press of Destenay.