The Commonitory

Saint Vincent of Lérins · the golden age of the Fathers · 36 parts

Parts

• The Commonitory — Appendix I. Note on Section 41, Page 143. (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThere is so close an agreement, both in substance and often in the form of expression, between the preceding sections (36–42) and the so-called…
• The Commonitory — Appendix II. Note on Section 69, Page 149. (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThat Vincentius had Augustine and his adherents in view in this description will hardly be doubted by any one who will compare it with the following…
• The Commonitory — Appendix III. Note on Section 85, Page 156. (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsCelestine’s letter was addressed to certain Bishops of Southern Gaul, who are particularized by name. It appears that Prosper and Hilary had made a…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 1 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsFor the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies. The Object of the Following Treatise. [1.] I,…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 2 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsA General Rule for distinguishing the Truth of the Catholic Faith from the Falsehood of Heretical Pravity. [4.] I have often then inquired earnestly…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 3 (Vincent of Lerins) · 1 paragraphWhat is to be done if one or more dissent from the rest. [7.] What then will a Catholic Christian do, if a small portion of the Church have cut…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 4 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThe evil resulting from the bringing in of Novel Doctrine shown in the instances of the Donatists and Arians. [9.] But that we may make what we say…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 5 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsThe Example set us by the Martyrs, whom no force could hinder from defending the Faith of their Predecessors. [12.] But it may be, we invent these…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 6 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsThe example of Pope Stephen in resisting the Iteration of Baptism. [15.] Great then is the example of these same blessed men, an example plainly…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 7 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsHow Heretics, craftily cite obscure passages in ancient writers in support of their own novelties. [19.] This condemnation, indeed, seems to have…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 8 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsExposition of St. Paul’s Words, Gal. i. 8. [21.] When therefore certain of this sort wandering about provinces and cities, and carrying with them…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 9 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsHis warning to the Galatians a warning to all. [24.] But, possibly, this warning was intended for the Galatians only. Be it so; then those other…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 10 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsWhy Eminent Men are permitted by God to become Authors of Novelties in the Church. [27.] But some one will ask, How is it then, that certain…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 11 (Vincent of Lerins) · 4 paragraphsExamples from Church History, confirming the words of Moses,—Nestorius, Photinus, Apollinaris. [29.] Here, perhaps, some one will require us to…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 12 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsA fuller account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and Nestorius. [32.] Here, possibly, I may be asked for some account of the above mentioned…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 13 (Vincent of Lerins) · 4 paragraphsThe Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation explained. [36.] In these ways then do these rabid dogs, Nestorius, Apollinaris, and…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 14 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsJesus Christ Man in Truth, not in Semblance. [38.] But when we use the word “Person,” and say that God became man by means of a Person, there is…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 15 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThe Union of the Divine with the Human Nature took place in the very Conception of the Virgin. The appellation “The Mother of God.” [40.] This unity…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 16 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsRecapitulation of what was said of the Catholic Faith and of divers Heresies, Chapters xi–xv. [41.] But now that we may refresh our remembrance of…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 17 (Vincent of Lerins) · 5 paragraphsThe Error of Origen a great Trial to the Church. [42.] We said above that in the Church of God the teacher’s error is the people’s trial, a trial by…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 18 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsTertullian a great Trial to the Church. [46.] The case is the same with Tertullian. For as Origen holds by far the first place among the Greeks, so…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 19 (Vincent of Lerins) · 1 paragraphWhat we ought to learn from these Examples. [47.] It behoves us, then, to give heed to these instances from Church History, so many and so great, and…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 20 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsThe Notes of a true Catholic. [48.] This being the case, he is the true and genuine Catholic who loves the truth of God, who loves the Church, who…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 21 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsExposition of St. Paul’s Words.—1 Tim. vi. 20. [51.] Such being the case, when I think over these things, and revolve them in my mind again and…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 22 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsA more particular Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20. [53.] But it is worth while to expound the whole of that passage of the apostle more fully, “O…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 23 (Vincent of Lerins) · 5 paragraphsOn Development in Religious Knowledge. [54.] But some one will say, perhaps, Shall there, then, be no progress in Christ’s Church? Certainly; all…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 24 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsContinuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. vi. 20. [60.] But let us return to the apostle. “O Timothy,” he says, “Guard the deposit, shunning profane…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 25 (Vincent of Lerins) · 4 paragraphsHeretics appeal to Scripture that they may more easily succeed in deceiving. [64.] Here, possibly, some one may ask, Do heretics also appeal to…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 26 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsHeretics, in quoting Scripture, follow the example of the Devil. [68.] But some one will say, What proof have we that the Devil is wont to appeal to…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 27 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsWhat Rule is to be observed in the Interpretation of Scripture. [70.] But it will be said, If the words, the sentiments, the promises of Scripture,…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 28 (Vincent of Lerins) · 5 paragraphsIn what Way, on collating the consentient opinions of the Ancient Masters, the Novelties of Heretics may be detected and condemned. [71.] And here I…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 29 (Vincent of Lerins) · 3 paragraphsRecapitulation. [76.] This being the case, it is now time that we should recapitulate, at the close of this second Commonitory, what was said in that…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 30 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThe Council of Ephesus. [79.] These then are the men whose writings, whether as judges or as witnesses, were recited in the Council: St. Peter,…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 31 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThe Constancy of the Ephesine Fathers in driving away Novelty and maintaining Antiquity. [81.] After the preceding we added also the sentence of…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 32 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThe zeal of Celestine and Sixtus, bishops of Rome, in opposing Novelty. [84.] The foregoing would be enough and very much more than enough, to crush…
• The Commonitory — Chapter 33 (Vincent of Lerins) · 2 paragraphsThe Children of the Catholic Church ought to adhere to the Faith of their Fathers and die for it. [86.] Whoever then gainsays these Apostolic and…