A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

VICTOR CARTENNENSIS.

VICTOR Bishop of Cartenna, a City of Mauritania, wrote a Treatise against the A∣rians, which he caused the Orthodox to present to King Gensericus, as the Pre∣face * 1.1 makes me think. He also composed a Tract upon the Repentance of the Publican, wherein he lays down Rules for Penitents about the manner how they may live conformable to the mind of Holy Scripture. He sent also a Book to one named Basil, in which he com∣forts him for the Death of his Son by the Hopes of the Resurrection. This Work is full of solid Instructions. Lastly, he hath composed many Homilies, which have been carefully kept, and divided into several Books by those who have been diligent to collect Works of Piety. Let the Reader consider what Gennadius saith of this Author. We have none of his Works

under his own Name, but there is among the Works of S. Basil a Latin Treatise, entituled, Consolation in Adversity, which hath also been put among the Works of S. Eucherius, which in all likelihood is that which Gennadius speaks off. Because it was written to Basil, 'twas thought S. Basil's, but 'tis plain it belongs to a Latin Author, and what Gennadius speaks of Victor's Treatise, agrees to this, for therein he speaks of the Resurrection, and the Book is full of Authorities and Examples of Holy Scripture. There is also a Treatise of Repen∣tance among the Works of S. Ambrose, which is certainly Victor's, for it ends with these words, Remember Victor in your Prayers. This, together with the Testimony of Gennadius, puts it out of all doubt, that this Treatise of Repentance is Victor's of Cartenna. But F. Labbe ob∣serves, That in two ancient MSS. this Tract is attributed to Victor Bishop of * 1.2 Tunna, Author of the Chronicon, and not Victor of Cartenna. Nevertheless I believe 'tis more likely to be this Victor's; for, 1. Gennadius assures us, That this last made a Book of Repentance. 2. That he prescribes Rules of Repentance in it conformable to Holy Scripture, which absolutely a∣grees to this Book, for he gives very useful Rules and Instructions to Penitents, which he confirms by several Texts of Holy Scripture. Lastly, this Treatise is in the same Stile, and written after the same manner as the Treatise of Consolation to Basil, which can't be attri∣buted to any other Victor but this. We have nothing particular of these two Books. In the Discourse of Consolation he demonstrates, by Examples taken out of Holy Scripture, That God permits Men to be oppressed by Misfortunes and Afflictions, either to punish them for their Faults, or to try them, or to heal them of their Sins and Passions, yea, for what Rea∣son soever he sends them, 'tis always for our good. He derides the Opinion of those who afflict themselves for their Diseases, or for the loss of their Members, because they imagine that they shall be raised in the same condition that they died, One-ey'd, Lame or Leprous, &c. This is a silly Thought, the Resurrection shall deliver us from all our Maladies. In the Treatise of Repentance he exhorts Sinners to acknowledge their Sin before God, desire Par∣don of him, to be touched with sincere Regret, and to do Penance. He discourages no Man, but invites the greatest Sinners to Repentance. He confirms all he says with Testimonies and Examples of Holy Scripture, as in the other Treatise.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Victor Car∣tennensis.
• * 1.2

  [Tunnua in Africa. Cave.]