I.
THat great Council of Nice called by Constantine, besides their Definition of Faith and Canons Ecclesiastical, set forth certain 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Forms of Ecclesiastical Doctrine, according to which all Teachers in the Church were to frame their Discourse and direct their opinions. Some of these 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; or Formulae doctrinae Ecclesiasticae are recorded by Gelasius Cyzicenus in his Historia Acto∣rum Concilii Niceni. Amongst these there is this Formula for the Doctrine of the State of the Resurrection.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. i. e. Minutior (i. vilior seu imperfectior) fact us est Mundus propter praecognitionem:* 1.1 praeviderat enim Deus peccaturum esse hominem. Ideirco novos coelos & novam terram exspecta∣mus, juxta Sacras literas, quando illuxerit Apparitio & Regnum magn•• Dei & Sal∣vatoris nostri Iesu Christi: Et tunc (ut aita 1.2 Daniel) accipient Regnum Sancti Altissimi. Et erit terra pura, sancta, terra viventium & non mortuorum, (quam oculis fidei praevidens David, clamat,b 1.3 Credo videre bona Domini in terra viventium) terra mansuetorum & humilium. Beati enim (c 1.4 inquit) mites, quoniam ipsi possi∣debunt terram: Etd 1.5 Propheta, & calcabunt ipsam (ait pedes mansuetorum & humi∣lium.
- 1. Iudge by this (notwithstanding 50 years opposition) how powerful the Chi∣liastical party yet was at the time of that Council. By some of whom if this For∣mula were not framed and composed, yet was it thus moderated as you see, that both parties might accept it, Salvâ cuique interpretatione suâ, as being delivered in the Terms and Language of Scripture.
- 2. Iudge secondly, whether in my Explication of the Millennium I have not kept within the compass of this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and not swerved one jot therefrom.