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The works of Nathaniel Lardner - The Christian Researcher - Home

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332 Credibility <strong>of</strong> the Gospel Ilislonj.<br />

Thus Fortuuatus; who likewise just before had pr<strong>of</strong>essed<br />

his belief and expectation'' <strong>of</strong> the future judgment <strong>of</strong> the<br />

just judge Jesus Christ: and Secundiiius, in his letter to<br />

Augustine, remindsy him <strong>of</strong> the just tribunal <strong>of</strong> the Great<br />

Judge; and asks him if^ it be not true which Paul says,<br />

" that every one must give an account <strong>of</strong> his <strong>works</strong>'?" Rom.<br />

xiv. 12.<br />

III. Before we proceed to a more particular examination<br />

<strong>of</strong> Maui's principles, it may be proper to consider what were<br />

his pretensions, or upon what grounds he recommended his<br />

peculiar doctrines; whether upon the foot <strong>of</strong> reason only, or<br />

<strong>of</strong> a peculiar revelation.<br />

We have already seen how Eusebiu^ and some other catholic<br />

writers express themselves. Eusebius in particular<br />

•says, ' he^ made an appearance <strong>of</strong> being" Christ, and some-<br />

' times said he was the Comforter, and the Holy Ghost<br />

' himself; and that like Christ he chose himself twelve<br />

' apostles.' Epiphanius says that*^ he presumed sometimes<br />

to say he Avas the Holy Ghost, and at other times that he<br />

was an apostle <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ. According to Cyril, Mani*^<br />

said he m as the Comforter, and the defender <strong>of</strong> truth : and<br />

in another place that*^ he said he was the Holy Spirit.<br />

In the Acts <strong>of</strong> Archelaus, at the beginning <strong>of</strong> the con-<br />

ference at Caschar, he is made to say :<br />

' I,^ brethren, am a<br />

' disciple and apostle <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ. I am the comforter,<br />

' promised to be sent by Jesus, " to convince the world <strong>of</strong><br />

' sin, and <strong>of</strong> righteousness," John xvi. 8; as also Paul sent<br />

' before me said, " We know in part, and prophecy in<br />

' part;" 1 Cor. xiii. 9, 10; reserving to me that which is<br />

' perfect, that I might " do away that which is in part:"<br />

' receive therefore this third testimony by me, and own me<br />

" et in fiitura justi judicis Christi examinatione.—ib. n. 3.<br />

> Quis igitur tibi patronus erit ante justum tribunal judicis, cum et de<br />

sermone et opere cceperis te teste convinci. Secund. ad Aug. n. 3.<br />

^ An fahum in Paulo est, quod operura singuli suorum non erunt reddituri<br />

rationem ? ib. ^ See before, p. 2G0.<br />

'' EXfyt £( kavrov 6 Mrtv?jc "vat to irvivjia to -rta^aKKriTov, Kai iroTe fiiv<br />

airo'^oXov (paffKu iavTov Xpcra, ttote Is Tn/ivfia irapaKKr]TOV. Epiph. H. 66.<br />

n. 12. p. 629. B. Conf. n. 19. p. 635. C.<br />

TraoaKKrjTov, Kai ttjq aXriOtiac ayojwrjjv. k. X. Cyr. Cat. 6. n. 26.<br />

*=<br />

6 yap Xtyoiv iavTov<br />

''<br />

*<br />

Mrtv//c ^> tavTOv HTTioi' TO TTVtvfia TO ayiov. Cat. 16. n. X. p. 248. D.<br />

Ego, viri tratres, Christi quidem sum discipulus, apostolus vero Jesu.—Sum<br />

qiiidem ego Paracletus, qui ab Jesu mitti praedictus sum, ad argucndum mun^<br />

duin de peccato, et de injustitia, sicut et qui ante me missus est Paulus, ex parte<br />

scire et ex parte prophetare se dixit ; mihi rescrvans quod perfectum est, ut hoc<br />

quod ex parte est destruam. Tertium ergo testimonium accipitc, apostoluni<br />

me esse Christi electum. Et si vultis mea verba accipere, invenietis salutem j.<br />

nolentes autem, vos aeternus ignis absumere habet. Arch. n. 13. p. 24.

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