PREFACE.

This fifth volume is a complete work in itself, simplex et unum original: "simple and one" (a single, unified work).. At first, it might appear otherwise. The formation of Latin Christianity in the North African school seems interrupted by the insertion—between Tertullian and his great student Cyprian—of a Western bishop and doctor who writes in Greek. However, a little reflection will suggest to the thoughtful student that even if our chronological plan allowed for it, we would be depriving Cyprian's works of a great advantage if we denied them the new and crucial light shed upon Cyprian and his conflicts with Stephen Stephen I, Bishop of Rome (c. 254–257), who clashed with Cyprian over the rebaptism of heretics. by the discovery of the Philosophumena of Hippolytus. That discovery, as Dr. Bunsen reminds us more than once, has doubled our information concerning the Western Church of the pre-Nicene period. It provides overwhelming evidence on many points previously misunderstood and confirms the guesses of learned and fair-minded authors who have tried to untangle certain historical complications. It addresses some questions of our own day with conclusive testimony and likely influenced the ultimate conclusions of Döllinger and the rise of the Old Catholic school among the Latins. We cannot fail to observe in all this the hand of a wise and paternal Providence, which never fails the faithful in times of trial. "I believe, with Niebuhr," says Dr. Bunsen, "that Providence always provides every generation with the necessary means of arriving at the truth and resolving its doubts." This thought has inspired me with great hope for the publication of this series in America, where the aggressions of an alien element are forcing us to renew our study of that original antiquity which is so fatal to its claims. I can adopt the words of Bunsen with a grateful heart when he adds: original: "I cannot help thinking it of importance that we have just now so unexpectedly got our knowledge of facts respecting early Christianity doubled."

To show some signs of this new light on old difficulties, I will be obliged to present one or two of my Elucidations Elucidation: an explanatory note or commentary used to clarify complex passages. almost in the form of dissertations. It will become clear as we proceed that we have reached a critical point in pre-Nicene history, one upon which that entire period depends for its full explanation. Let me provide conclusive evidence of this by referring to two fundamental facts, which need only be mentioned to be admitted:

1. The Council of Nicaea did not claim to be setting forth a new creed or making anything doctrine that was not already doctrine. Therefore, the period we are now studying must be interpreted by the testimony of the Nicene Fathers, who were able to state historically—and with great skill, using terms gradually developed by Alexandrian theologians—the precise intent and meaning of their teaching. The learned Bishop Bull has demonstrated this, demolishing both the sophistry of Petavius the Jesuit and the efforts of those who are religiously indifferent to make use of certain obiter dicta original: "things said in passing." of orthodox Fathers, which, like certain passages of Holy Scripture, can be twisted into contradictory and self-defeating declarations. Note, therefore, that the Nicene Creed must be studied not so much in the controversialists of the fourth century as in the doctors of preceding ages, whom we are reviewing in these pages.