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Chap. I. Of the Rise of Socinianisme. (Book 1)
THe Socinians have raked many sinkes, and * 1.1 dunghils for those ragges and that filth, wherewith they have patched up and de∣filed that leprous body which they account a compleat body of pure Religion. Ever since the world was possessed with the spirit of Antichrist some Malignant He∣retikes have been ever and anon desperately striking at the Person, the Natures, the offices, the grace and Spirit of Christ. Cerinthius and Ebion began to blaspheme Christ, even in the Apostles time. I need say nothing of Theodot us Byzont in us, Paulus Samosatenus, Arius and the a 1.2 rest; yet it will not be amisse to shew wherein the Socinians have refined or enlar∣ged the ancient heresies, which have been long since con∣demned to hell. Ostorodus would not have the name of Ebi∣onites imposed upon the Socinians, quia vox Ebion Hebraicé egenum significat, Praef. Iust. pag. 10. 11. it seemes they would not be counted mean conditioned men: and there are some indeed and those no beggers (unlesse it beat Court) who are too much addicted to Socinian fancies; and yet if that be true, which Ostorodus cites out of Eusebius, that the Ebionites were so called because they had a mean and beggerly opini∣on of Christ, sure the Socinians might well be called Ebionites, for none have baser and cheaper thoughts of Christ, then they. If Ostorodus had thought it worth while to have con∣sulted Eusebius his Ecclesiasticall history, lib. 3. cap. 24. or Epi∣phanius