Cap. XX - Divers things premised … Binius opened
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2022
Summary
Divers things premised in order, first to the Establishment, and then to the Refutation of Constantine's Donation; the first by Binius, and the latter by the Author. The Forgeries of Marcellus, Pope Eusebius, and Binius opened.
Marcellus a Roman sate five years, six moneths, and twenty one days, saith the Pontifical. He succeeded Marcellinus. There are two Decretal Epistles ascribed to him, and both counterfeit: The one is concerning the Primacy and Authority of the Roman Church: the other is written to Maxentius the Heathen Emperour, and a Tyrant. Concerning which last, Binius (in his Notes upon it) saith, Hanc Epistolam, Anno 308. Scriptam, Additamentum aliquod accepisse, Res Scriptæ hic parùm sibi cohærentes indicant. He holdeth it for a good Record; but there are so many things inconsistent in it, that he fears it has taken a Dose, and confesseth that some things were put in, by way of Forgery.
This is an easy way of defending. There was never any Deed forged, wherein the larger half, being directed purely according to form of Law, was not Good. But if for that cause, when it comes to be Scanned, the forger at every Detection should say, This was forged indeed, but the rest is good; the Court would laugh at him: And this is Binius his present Case.
In the time of Marcellus there was a Council called at Eliberis, An. 305. where they forgot Binius his Council of Apostles at Antioch; and among other Canons decreed this for one, Placuit Picturas in Ecclesiâ esse non debere. Ne quod colitur & adoratur, in Parietibus depingatur. They think it unlawful to put any Picture of what is adored, in the Church on the Walls. He takes much pains to pick this Thorn out of the Popes foot: but we leave him at his work, and proceed to
THE LIFE, EPISTLES, AND DE–CREES OF EUSEBIUS POPE, Out of the Pontifical of Pope Damasus.
Eusebius a Grecian sate nine years, four moneths, and three days. Binius proveth, he could sit but two years, some moneths, &c.
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- The Works of Thomas Traherne VII<i>Christian Ethicks</i> and <i>Roman Forgeries</i>, pp. 453 - 458Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2022