Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

To the Westerns.
worship of the Law, be circumcised, keep the Sabbath, abstain from meats, offer sacrifices
to God, worship in the Temple at Jerusalem, and be altogether turned from Christians into
Jews. What could be more ridiculous? Or, rather, what could be more contrary to the
doctrines of the Gospel? Then, further, he has made such confusion among the brethren
about the incarnation, that few of his readers preserve the old mark of true religion; but the
more part, in their eagerness for novelty, have been diverted into investigations and quarrelsome
discussions of his unprofitable treatises.
5. As to whether there is anything objectionable about the conversation of Paulinus,
you can say yourselves. What distresses me is that he should shew an inclination for the
doctrine of Marcellus, and unreservedly admit his followers to communion. You know,
most honourable brethren, that the reversal of all our hope is involved in the doctrine of
Marcellus, for it does not confess the Son in His proper hypostasis, but represents Him as
having been sent forth, and as having again returned to Him from Whom He came; neither
does it admit that the Paraclete has His own subsistence. It follows that no one could be
wrong in declaring this heresy to be all at variance with Christianity, and in styling it a corrupt
Judaism. Of these things I implore you to take due heed. This will be the case if you will
consent to write to all the Churches of the East that those who have perverted these doctrines
are in communion with you, if they amend; but that if they contentiously determine to abide
by their innovations, you are separated from them. I am myself well aware, that it had been
fitting for me to treat of these matters, sitting in synod with you in common deliberation.
But this the time does not allow. Delay is dangerous, for the mischief they have caused has
taken root. I have therefore been constrained to dispatch these brethren, that you may learn
from them all that has been omitted in my letter, and that they may rouse you to afford the
succour which we pray for to the Churches of the East.
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