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Cyprian
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Introductory Notice to Cyprian.
[2577] [Exod. xxiii. 2. The best comment on Cyprian’s system is to be found in the Commonitory of Vincent of Lerins (a.d. 450), who lays down the rule, that if the whole Church revolts from the faith save only a few, those few are the Catholics.]
[2578] Ecclesiasticus 16.1,2. The words in parenthesis are not found in many editions.
[2579] [See vol. ii. pp. 15, 22. And for this ecclesiastical “remission,” 2 Cor. ii. 10, which Cyprian imitates.]
[2580] [What a contrast to the hierarchical spirit of the Middle Ages, this primitive compassion for penitents! Think of Canossa.]
[2582] [Cyprian’s love for the people is always thus conspicuous. Here the majesty and dignity of the Catholic Church is identified with all estates of men therein.]
[2583] [Phil. iii. 2. The apostle calls the Judaizers a concision, the particle cut off and thrown away in the rite of circumcision; a rejected schism. See Joel iii. 14, Eng., margin. Elucidation XII.]
[2584] [Note this significant language. Our author has no conception of a pontifical system excluding the presbytery from its part and place in the councils and regimen of the Church.]
[2585] [Elucidation XV.; also Elucidation XIII.]
[2589] Ecclesiasticus 28.24 (Vulg. 28).
[2591] [It must be seen what all this implies as to the position of Cornelius and (“our brotherhood there”) his comprovincial bishops, i.e., in their relations to Cyprian.]
[2593] 2 Thess. iii. 6. [Cyprian virtually commands Cornelius, through the Apostle, what course to take. Elucidation XIII.]
[2594] 3 [Had such a letter been sent by Cornelius to Cyprian,—so full of warning, advice, and even direction,—what would not have been made of it as a “Decretal”? a.d. 252.]
Epistle LV. To the People of Thibaris, Exhorting to Martyrdom.
[2595] Oxford ed.: Ep. lviii.
[2596] Hence are suggested illustrations of good men from the beginning of the world who have suffered martyrdom, especially that which surpasses all examples, the passion of our Lord. What excitement is afforded to the endurance of martyrdom by the brave and ready enduring of the contests of the stadium and the theatre. Finally, let the reward be considered, which now, moreover, animates and influences us to sustain everything.
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