<<  The Catechism of the Catholic Church Today!

2. "It is fitting that you should, by all means, glorify Jesus Christ, who hath glorified you; that by a uniform obedience ye may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, and may all speak the same about the same thing, and that, being subject to the bishop and the presbyters, ye may be sanctified in all
things. . . .

3. "I exhort you that you would all concur in the mind of God; for Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is the mind of the Father; like as the bishops, who have their stations at the utmost bounds of the earth, are after the mind of Jesus Christ.

4. "Wherefore it becomes you to concur in the mind of your bishops, as, also, ye do. For your famous presbytery, worthy of God, is knit as closely to the bishop as strings to the harp.

16. "Be not deceived, my brethren: those that corrupt families shall not inherit the kingdom of God.... If, therefore, they who do these things according to the flesh, have suffered death, how much more he who, by bad doctrine, corrupts the faith of God for which Jesus Christ was crucified? Such a one being defiled shall depart into unquenchable fire, and likewise he that hears him."

Ep. ad Ephesians
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 121-122

7. "As, therefore, our Lord, being united (with the Father), did nothing without Him, neither by Himself nor by His Apostles, so neither do you do anything apart from the bishops and the presbyters. Neither attempt ye anything that seems good to your own judgment; but let there be, in the same place, one prayer, one supplication, one mind, one hope, in love, in joy undefiled. There is one Jesus Christ, than whom nothing is better. Wherefore haste ye all together, as unto the temple of God, as unto one altar, as unto one Jesus Christ, who proceeded from one Father, and is in one and to one returned."

Ad Maynes.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 122

1. "Of whose fruit are we, through this divinely blessed Passion; that He may, by His resurrection, raise a sign forever for His holy and faithful ones, whether among Jews or Gentiles, in one body of His Church."

Ep. ad Smyrnaeos, n. 1.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 122

3. "In like manner let all men give heed to the deacon, as Jesus Christ, as also the bishop being the Son of the Father, and to the presbyters, as a council (Sanhedrim) of God, and a band of apostles. Apart from these it is not called a church: on which points I am persuaded that you so hold."

4. "I exhort you, therefore (yet not I, but the love of Jesus Christ), to use only the Christian nourishment, and to abstain from the strange herb, which is heresy.". . .
7. "Guard against such men: and guarded you will be if you are not puffed up, nor separated from Jesus Christ our God, and from the bishop, and from the regulations of the Apostles. He that is within the altar is pure; that is, he who does anything apart from the bishop and presbytery, and deacon, he is not clean in conscience."

Ep. ad Trall.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 122

2. "Do ye, then, being children of light and of truth, flee division and corrupt doctrines; but where the shepherd is, thither follow ye as sheep. For there be many wolves held worthy to be trusted, who take captive those that are running a godly course: but in your unity they shall have no place."

3. "Abstain from the evil herbage which Jesus Christ dresseth not, forasmuch as they are not the Father's planting. Not that I have found a division among you, but rather purity from defilement. For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ, these are with the bishop, and as many as shall repent and turn to the unity of the Church, these also shall be of God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ. Be not deceived, my brethren; whosoever follows one that creates schism, will inherit not the kingdom of God. Whosoever walks by another man's opinion, will not assent to the Passion."

8. "Wherefore I did my part as a man fitted for the preserving of unity. For where is division and wrath God dwelleth not. The Lord forgiveth all who repent, if their minds be turned unto God's unity and the council of the bishop."

Ep. ad Philadelph.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 122-123

Commenting on Psalm 44: he says, — "And these words also proclaim that the Word of God (addresses Himself) to those that believe on Him, as being one soul, and one synagogue, and one Church, as to a daughter, to the Church, that is, which is derived from, and partakes of, His name; for we are all called Christians."

Dial, cum Tryphone, p. 160, n. 63, Ed. Ben. Paris. 1742.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 123

"And the words spoken as it were in the name of many — we have announced before Him — together with what is added, as a child. (Isaiah 53:1), foreshow, that the wicked, having become heedful of Him, would be subject to His command, and become as one child. Just as, also, may be seen in the body: though many members may be counted, they are called, and are, one body. For both the people and a Church, though they consist numerically of many individuals, are called and designated by one name, as being one thing."

Dial, cum Tryphone, p. 138, n. 42.
See also Dial, cum Tryphone, p. 138, n. 116.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 123-124

"And the church of Corinth, he tells us,"says Eusebius, "continued in the right teaching (word), until the episcopacy of Primus; with them I lived familiarly, on my way to Rome; and I passed a considerable number of days with the Corinthians, during which we were mutually gladdened by the right teaching. Having reached Rome, I took up my abode with Anicetus, to whom Eleutherus was deacon. To Anicetus succeeded Soter, and to him Eleutherus. But in each succession (of bishops), and in each city, it is just as the law proclaims, and the prophets and the Lord."

[He then notices the martyrdom of St. James the Just, and adds:]

"They called the Church a virgin, for it had not been corrupted by hearkening to folly. Thebutis, because he was not made bishop, was the first to begin to corrupt it.

[He proceeds to name several heretics and their sects, as Simon, Menander, Marcion, Valentinus; and observes:]

Each of these introduced of himself, and different from all the rest, his private opinion. From these sprang false Christs, false Prophets, false Apostles, who severed the unity of the Church with counterfeit teaching against God and His Christ."

Gallandius Bibl. PP. t. ii. p. 64, ap. Euseb. H. E. l. iv. c. 22.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 128

1. "The Church, though spread over the whole world, to the earth's boundaries, having received, both from the Apostles and their disciples, the faith in one God, the Father Almighty . . . and in one Christ Jesus, that Son of God who was made flesh for our salvation, and in the Holy Spirit . . . having, as I have said, received that preaching and this faith, the Church, though spread over the whole world, guards (it) sedulously, as though dwelling in one house; and these truths she uniformly holds, as having but one soul, and one and the same heart; and these she proclaims and teaches, and hands down, uniformly, as though she had but one mouth. For though, throughout the world, the languages are various, still the force of the tradition is one and the same. And neither do the churches founded in Germany, nor those in Spain, in Gaul, in the east, in Egypt, in Africa, nor in the regions in the middle of the earth, believe or deliver a different faith; but as God's handiwork, the sun, is one and the same throughout the universe, so the preaching of the truth shines everywhere, and enlightens all men that wish to come to the knowledge of the truth. Nor does he who, amongst the rulers in the churches, is more powerful in word, deliver a different doctrine from the above (for no one is above his teacher); nor does he who is weak in speech weaken the tradition. For the faith being one and the same, neither he who has ability to say much concerning it, hath anything over, nor he who speaketh little, any lack.". . .

3. "The whole Church has one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have explained above"

Adv. Hæres. l. i. c. x. n. 1-3, pp. 48-50.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 124-125

1. "And giving to the disciples the power of regeneration unto God, He said to them, "Going, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.". . .

2. "This spirit David prayed for, for the human race, saying, "and strengthen me with Thy sovereign Spirit." Who also, Luke saith, descended, after the Lord's ascension, upon the disciples, in the Pentecost, with power over all nations unto the entrance to life, and the opening of the New Testament: whence, too, uniting together, in every tongue they raised a hymn to God, the Spirit reducing to unity the distant tribes, and offering to the Father the first-fruits of all nations. Whence, also, the Lord promised that He would send a Paraclete, who might unite us to God. For, as of dry wheat one mass cannot be formed without moisture, nor one bread, so neither could we, being many, become one in Christ Jesus, without the water which is from Heaven. And as the arid earth, if it receive not moisture, brings not forth fruit, so we also being originally dry wood, should not bring forth fruit unto life, without gratuitous rain from above. For our bodies through the laver, but our souls through the spirit, received that unity which is unto incorruption. Whence also both are necessary, since both avail unto the life of God."

Adv. Hæres. l. iii. c. 17, n. 1,2, p. 208.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 125

"We have exhibited all those who introduce wicked opinions concerning our Creator and Maker, who also built up this world, above whom there is no other god; and having, by manifest proofs, overcome those who teach erroneously respecting the substance of our Lord, and the arrangement which He made for the sake of His own (creature) man; but the public teaching of the Church (is) everywhere uniform, and equally enduring, and testified unto by prophets and by Apostles, and by all the disciples, as we have demonstrated, through the first and intermediate and final period, and through the whole economy of God, and that accustomed operation relative to the salvation of man, which is in our faith, which, having received from the Church, we guard; and which, by the spirit of God, is ever in youthful freshness, like something excellent deposited in a beautiful vase, making even the very vase, wherein it is, seem newly formed, (fresh with youth). For this office of God has been entrusted to the Church, as though for the breathing of life into His handiwork, unto the end that all the members that partake (of this office) may be vivified; in this (office), too, is disposed the communication of Christ, that is, the Holy Spirit, the pledge of incorruption, the ladder whereby to ascend unto God. "For in the Church, saith he, God hath placed Apostles, prophets, doctors", and every other work of the Spirit, of which all they are not partakers who do not hasten to the Church, but by their evil sentiment and most flagrant conduct, defraud themselves of life. For where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God, and where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church and every grace: but the Spirit is truth. Wherefore, they who do not partake of that (Spirit), are neither nourished unto life from a mother's breasts, nor see the most clear spring which proceeds from Christ's body; but dig unto themselves broken cisterns out of earthy trenches, and out of the filth drink foul water, fleeing from the faith of the Church, lest they be brought back; but rejecting the spirit that they may not be instructed.

2. "But being alienated from the truth, they deservedly wallow in every error, tossed about by it; at intervals thinking first one thing and then another respecting the same matters, and never having a settled opinion; preferring to be cavillers about words, rather than disciples of the truth. For they are not based upon the one rock, but upon sand, which contains within it many stones, and, on this account, they both invent many gods, and have always, as an excuse, that they are seeking, (for they are blind) but they never can find."

Adv. Hæres. l. iii. c. 24, n. 1, 2, pp. 222,223.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 125-127

"He will also judge those who cause schisms; men destitute of the love of God, and who have in view their own interest, but not the oneness of the Church; and who, on account of slight and exaggerated causes, rend and divide, and as far as in them lies, destroy the great and glorious body of Christ; men who have peace on their lips, but war in their actions; who truly strain at a gnat, but swallow a camel. But no correction can be effected by them so great as is the perniciousness of schism. But He will also judge all those who are out of the truth, that is, who are out of the Church: but He will be judged by none. . . ."

8. "(This is) true knowledge, the teaching of the Apostles, and the long-established (ancient) system of the Church throughout the whole world; and the mark of Christ's body according to the successions of the bishops, to whom they (the Apostles) delivered that Church, which is in every place; the most perfect treatment of the Scriptures which has come down even to us without deception in the guardianship, admitting neither addition nor diminution; both the reading unfalsified, and the exposition according to (as regards) the Scriptures legitimate and careful, and without danger, and without blasphemy."

Adv. Hæres. l. iv. c. 33, n. 7, 8, p. 272.
See also t. iii. c. 12, n. 7, p. 196: Lib. iv. c. xxi. n. 3, col. 2, p. 255.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 127

"Wherefore are there contentions, and swellings, and dissensions, and schisms, and war, amongst you? Have we not one God and one Christ, and one Spirit of grace poured out upon us, and one calling in Christ? Wherefore do we rend and tear in pieces the members of Christ, and raise a sedition against our own body, and come to such a height of folly as to forget that we are members one of another (Remember the words of our own Lord Jesus, how He said, "Woe to that man, it were better for him had he never been born, than to scandalize one of my elect: it were better that a millstone should be hanged on him, and that he should be cast into the sea, than that he should scandalize one of my little ones." Your schism hath perverted many; hath cast many into dejection; many into doubt; and all of us into grief; and yet your sedition continues.

47. "Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle. What did he first write to you at the beginning of the Gospel? Verily he did by the spirit admonish you, both concerning himself, and Cephas and Apollos, because that even then ye had formed partialities amongst yourselves; though that your partiality led you into less sin, for you were partial to tried Apostles, and to another who had been approved by them. But now consider who they are who have led you astray, and have lessened the majesty of your much spoken of brotherly love. It is shameful, my beloved, it is most shameful, and unworthy of your Christian profession, that it should be heard that the most firm, and the ancient church of the Corinthians, on account of one or two persons, is in a sedition against the priests."

Ep. i. ad Corinth, n. 46-47.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 120-121

"The way of truth is one; but other streams run into it from various quarters, as into a perennial river."

Strom. l.i.p. 331.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 128

"There is in truth one covenant of salvation, extending from the foundation of the world to our time, which, according to the difference of generations and seasons, is supposed to be given in different forms. For it is fitting that there should be one unchangeable gift of salvation, proceeding from one God, through one Lord, conferring its benefits in different ways. On this account the middle wall which separated the Greek from the Jew is removed, so as to form a peculiar people; and thus both have attained to the unity of the faith, and there is one election from both."

Strom. l. vi. p. 793.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 128-129

Speaking of the origin of the heretical sects, he says:

"From what has been said, it is, I think, plain, that the true church is one, that which is truly ancient, in which are enrolled .all who are just according to (God's) purpose. For as there is one God, and one Lord, on that account also that which is most highly precious is praised because it is one, being an imitation of the one principle. The one Church then is associated to the nature of the One; which Church these men violently attempt to divide into many heresies.

In substance, in sentiment, in origin (or principle), in excellence, we say that the ancient and Catholic Church is alone; collecting through one Lord into the unity of the one faith, (modified) according to the peculiar covenants, or rather to the one covenant at different times, by the will of one God, all the preordained whom God predestined, having known, from the foundation of the world, that they would be just. But the excellence of the Church, like .the principle of everything concrete, is in unity, surpassing all other things, and having nothing similar or equal to itself."

Strom. l. vi. p. 899.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 129

"The Apostles having obtained the promised power of the Holy Ghost for miracles and utterance, first having throughout Judaea borne witness to the faith in Christ Jesus, and established churches, next went forth into the world, and promulgated the same doctrine of the same faith to the nations, and forthwith founded churches in every city, from which (churches) the other churches thenceforward borrowed the tradition of the faith, and the seeds of doctrine, and are daily borrowing them that they may become churches: and for this cause they are themselves also accounted apostolical, as being the offspring of apostolical churches. The whole kind must needs be classed under their original. Wherefore these churches, so many and so great, are but that one primitive Church from the Apostles, whence they all sprang. Thus all are the primitive, and all apostolical, whilst all being one, prove unity; whilst there is between them communication of peace, and the title of brotherhood, and the token of hospitality, which rights no other principle directs than the unity of the tradition of the same mystery (sacrament)."

De Praescr. n. 20.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 129-130

41. "The heretics will have the overthrow of discipline to be simplicity; and the care of it amongst us they call pandering. They huddle up a peace also with all everywhere. For it makes no matter to them, although they hold different doctrines, so long as they conspire together in their siege against the one truth. All are puffed up; all promise knowledge. The catechumens are perfect, before they are taught. . . .

42. "But what shall I say concerning the ministry of the word; seeing that their business is, not to convert the heathens, but to subvert our people? This is the glory which they rather catch at, if, per chance, they may work the fall of those who stand, not the raising up of those that are fallen; since their very work comes not of the building of their own, but of the pulling down of the truth. They undermine ours, that they may build their own. Take from them the law of Moses and the prophets, and God the Creator, they have no cause to complain; so it comes to pass that they more easily effect the ruin of standing buildings than the building up of fallen ruins. In these works alone do they act humbly, and smoothly,. and submissively; but they know no reverence even towards their own chiefs. And this is why there are commonly no schisms amongst heretics; because when there are any, they appear not; for schism is their very unity. I speak falsely, if they do not differ among themselves, even from their own rules, seeing that each forthwith moulds, according to his own pleasure, the things which he hath received, even as he, who delivered them to him, framed them according to his own pleasure. The progress of the matter is a confession of (or, true to) its nature, and of the manner of its birth. The same thing was allowed to the Valentinians as to Valentinus, the same to the Marcionites as to Marcion, — to change the faith according to their own pleasure. Finally, all heresies are found, when thoroughly examined, differing in many things from their own founders. Most of these have not even churches; without a mother, without a see, destitute of a faith, outcasts, homeless, they wander to and fro."

De Prescript. Haer. pp. 217, 218.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 130-131

Speaking of the agreement between the eastern and western churches, he says:

"We cannot reject that custom which we cannot condemn, not being alien, as not pertaining to aliens; inasmuch as we share with them the rights of peace, and the name of brotherhood. We, and they, have one faith, one God, the same Christ, the same hope, the same sacraments of baptism. To say all at once, we are one Church. So, then, whatever is of ours, is ours; but thou dividest the body."

De Virginilus Velandis, n. 2, p. 173.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 131

"We say that the divine words declare the whole Church of God to be Christ's body, animated by the Son of God, and that all they who are believers are members of that same body, as of a whole: since, as the soul gives life to, and moves, the body, which is not born so as to have vital motion of itself, so the Word moving to what is needful, and acting inwardly on the whole body, the Church, moves also each member of those who pertain to the Church, in such wise that they do no one thing without the Word."

T. 1, Contr. Cels. l. vi. n. 48, p. 670.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 131-132

"If thou eatest the words of God in the church, and eatest also in the synagogue of the Jews, thou transgressest the commandment which says: "In one house shall it be eaten. (Exodus 12) But if thou partakest of the words of God in one house, the church; then, having left it, thou undertakest to partake of God in an heretical synagogue, though the command says: "In one house shall it be eaten", thou doest not eat in one house. Wherefore understand by one house, the church; eat not therefore by any means of the Lamb out of the church."

"And ye shall not carry forth from the house of the flesh. (Exodus 12) The ecclesiastical word ought not to be heralded out of the church, as neither is the flesh to be carried out of the house: I mean into the synagogue of Jews, or heretics. For it is like to casting "pearls before swine"

T. ii. Select, in Exodus p. 123.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 132

Explaining Joshua 2:17,18, he says:

"Whosoever would be saved, let him come into this house of her who once was faithless. Let him come to this house, in which the blood of Christ is the sign of redemption. Let no one persuade, let no one deceive himself; out of this house, that is, out of the Church, no one is saved. For should any one go out of it, he becomes guilty of his own death."

T. ii. Hom. iii. in Lib. Jos. n. 6, page 414
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 132

"Let us go into walled cities." (Jeremiah 4:5) The word of God does not wish us to go into a city without a wall, but into one that has been walled round: The Church of the living God is walled round by the truth of the Word. Whosoever should be found not to have hastened, nor gone into the walled cities, (that is) not in the churches of God, but standing without; that man when taken by the enemy will be slain."

T. iii. Hom. v. in Jerem. n. 16, p. 161.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 132-133

"Christians are not one nation, but out of all nations one people; and therefore did Moses, as the highest honor, designate them as, not a nation (Deuteronomy 32:21); but if the expression be allowable, a nation of all the nations."

T. iv. l. viii. in Ep. ad Rom. n. 6, p. 628.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 133

"They now offer peace, who themselves have it not. They promise to restore and recall the lapsed into the Church, who have themselves receded from the Church. God is one, and Christ one, and the Church one, and the chair one, founded, by the Lord's word, upon a rock. Another altar, or a new priesthood, besides the one altar and the one priesthood, cannot be set up. Whosoever gathereth elsewhere, scattereth. It is adulterous, it is impious, it is sacrilegious, whatsoever, by human frenzy, is instituted so as to violate a divine arrangement. Far from the contagion of such men depart, and by flying shun their discourse as a cancer and a plague; according to God's warning word: "They are blind leaders of the blind. But if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit." (St. Matthew 15)

Ep. xl. ad Plebem. de Quinque Presbyteris, pp. 120, 121.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 133

"And as if there were to be no end to their frantic audacity, they are here too endeavoring to draw the members of Christ into their schismatical party, and to divide and mangle the body of the Catholic Church. ... To whom we have given this answer once for all, nor do we cease requiring that, abandoning their pernicious dissension and strife, they be aware that it is impiety to abandon their mother; and may acknowledge and understand, that when a bishop has once been made, and approved by the testimony and judgment of his colleagues and of the people, another can in no way be set up."

Ep. xli. ad Cornelium de Novatiano, p. 126.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 133-134

"We lately sent our colleagues, Caldonius and Fortunatus, that, not merely by the persuasions of my letters, but also by their own presence, and your unanimous council, they might use their best endeavors and strive effectually to reduce the members of the divided body to the unity of the Catholic Church, and unite them with the bond of Christian charity. But since the obstinate and unbending perverseness of the opposite party has not merely rejected the bosom and embrace of (her who is) the mother and the root, but even with increasing, and renewed, and more fatal discord, that party has set up a bishop for itself, and, contrary to the mystery of the divine appointment and of Catholic unity, once delivered, has made an adulterous and opposed head, without the Church, upon the receipt of your letter and of that of our colleagues, as also upon the arrival of Pompeius and Stephanus, men of worth, and colleagues most dear to us, by whom all these transactions have been, to our common joy, with firmness maintained and approved, according as the holiness, as well as the truth, of divine tradition and ecclesiastical institution required, we have sent this letter to you. . . . This is, my brother, and ought to be, our special study, to seek and to secure, as far as in us lies, the unity delivered by the Lord, and through the Apostles to us (their) successors; and, as far as we are able, to gather into the Church the straying and wandering sheep which the perverse factiousness and heretical efforts of certain persons have separated from the mother, those alone remaining without, who have sunk completely down under their obstinacy or madness, and will not return to us; men who will have to give an account to God of the rupture and separation caused by them, and of their abandonment of the Church."

Ep. xlii. ad Cornelium.pp. 127, 128.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 134-135

"It grieves and pains me ... to learn that, contrary to ecclesiastical regulation, contrary to the evangelical law, contrary to the unity of Catholic institution, you have consented that another bishop (besides Cornelius) be made; that is, — a thing which it is neither right nor lawful to do, — that another church be established, that Christ's members be torn asunder, that the one mind and body of the Lord's flock be rent by divided rivalry. Wherefore, I beseech you, let not this unlawful division of our brotherhood be persevered in, at least by you, but, mindful of your confession and of the divine tradition, return to the mother from whom you have gone forth, from whom, and to whose joy, you have come to so glorious a confession. Think not that you thus maintain Christ's Gospel, as long as you separate yourselves from Christ's flock, and from His peace and concord; whereas it rather beseems good and gallant soldiers to remain within their own encampment, and, stationed within, to do and give heed to those things which are to be performed in common. For since our unanimity and concord ought not on any account to be broken, and we cannot leave the Church and go forth from it to come over to you, we beg and entreat of you, by every motive that may avail with you, that you would rather return to your mother the Church, and to our brotherhood."

Ep. xliv. ad Confessores Romanes, pp. 131, 132.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 135

"And to give you their very words: "we", they say, "acknowledge Cornelius bishop of the most holy Catholic Church, chosen by Almighty God, and by Christ our Lord. We confess our error; we have suffered from imposture; we were circumvented by the ensnaring words of a faction. For though we appeared to hold as it were some sort of communion with a schismatic and a heretic, yet our mind was always sincerely in the Church. For we are not ignorant that God is one, and Christ, our Lord, is one, Him whom we have confessed; one Holy Ghost; and that there ought to be one bishop in a Catholic Church."

Ep. xlvi. Cornelii ad Cypr. p. 136.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 135-136

"If the lapsed be harshly and cruelly separated from the Church, he may be take himself to the ways of the Gentiles, and to the works of the world; or, if rejected by the Church, he may pass over to the heretics or schismatics, where, though he should afterwards be slain for the name, being placed without the Church, and cut off from unity and charity, he could not be crowned in death."
:
Ep. lii. ad Antonianum, p. 153.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 136

"Novatian, after the manner of apes, which, though not men, yet imitate the actions of men, wishes to claim to himself the authority and truth of the Catholic Church, though he is not himself in the Church, yea, is moreover a rebel to the Church, and an enemy. For, knowing that there is but one baptism, this one baptism he claims to himself, to be able to say that with him is the Church, and to make us heretics. But we, who hold the head and root of the one Church, know for certain and are confident, that to him who is out of the Church nothing is lawful, and that baptism, which is one, is with us, amongst whom he too was originally baptized, when he held fast the real nature and truth of divine unity."

Ep. lxxiii. ad Jubaianum, p. 278.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 136-137

If, as thou sayest, (Novatian), thou hast come to this pass against thy will, thou wilt prove this if thou returnest of thine own will. For it behooved thee to suffer anything whatever, in order not to divide the Church of God; and martyrdom suffered on account of not sacrificing to idols were not more glorious than martyrdom endured in order not to cause a schism; yea, in my opinion, the latter is more glorious; for in one case martyrdom is endured for the sake of one's own soul, but, in the other, for the sake of the universal Church. But if thou, even now, persuade or compel thy brethren to return to unity, thy good deed will be greater than thy fault; and this will not be set against thee, and that praised. But if thou canst not gain over the obstinate, save thine own soul."

Ep. ad Novati. pp. 122, 130.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 147

"Know, brother, that all the eastern churches, and those beyond, which were previously in schism, are now united; and that all those who are set over (the churches) are everywhere of one mind, rejoicing beyond measure at the peace which, beyond all expectation, has taken place.

[He then names several bishops, and concludes:]

And to speak briefly, all, giving glory to God, are everywhere filled with joy at this unanimity and love amongst the brotherhood."

Ep. ad Steph. Papam, pp. 150, 153.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 147-148

"Firmilian twice, on coming to Antioch, repudiated the novelties introduced by Paul of Samosata, as we who were present know and testify, and as many others are equally certified of. . . . But since Paul, having seceded from the rule (of faith), has passed to adulterate and spurious teachings, there is no need to judge the acts of one who is without (the Church)."

Epist. ex persona Synod. Antioch. pp. 558, 559, Galland. t. iii.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 148

"As the body of the Church is one, and as it is a precept of the divine writings to keep the bond of unanimity and of peace, it is in accordance with this that we should write and make known to each other what has been done by each; in order that whether one member suffer, or rejoice, we may mutually suffer or rejoice with each other."

De Arian. Hæres. n. i. t. iv. Galland. p. 451.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 148-149

Explaining Revelation 1:4, he says:

"In these seven churches are the faithful of the one Catholic Church, because, by the nature of faith and election, there is one in seven."

Scholia in Apoc. Galland. t. iv. p. 53.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 148

Speaking of those ordained by Meletius, the synodal epistle says,

"They shall have no authority to designate those persons that please them, or to propose their names, or to do anything at all apart from the opinion of those bishops of the Catholic and Apostolic Church who are living under Alexander; but the authority both to designate and nominate those worthy of the clerical office, and in fine, to do all things agreeably to the law and custom of the Church, shall be theirs who, by the grace of God, and your prayers, have been found in no schism, but who are spotless in the Catholic and Apostolic Church."

Epist. Synod, pp. 249, 251, t. ii. Labbe.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 149

Speaking of the martyrs of Lyons, he says:

"Having ever loved peace, and ever recommended peace, they went to God with peace; leaving behind them, not grief to the mother, not faction and war to the brethren, but joy and peace, and oneness of mind and love."

H. E. l. v. c. 2.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 149

"The twelve Apostles are one; and the seventy, and the five hundred, one; and think not that I am reducing what is divine to the level of what is human: I am but using comparisons which will meet with indulgence amongst brethren, and let God remain as He is. Yet, should we say, even as the entire Church, which is everywhere, is one body, let no one blame me, for God lies not, who has said, "I in them, and thou in me." (St. John 17)

Lib. ii. de Fide contra Sabell. Galland, t. iv. p. 476.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 149-150

"Do not separate from the Church. If I am mad, what is that to thee? If I utter things that are alien, judge me, and lose me not. Seek not an opportunity for schisms. A sheep which is without the Church is the wolf's share. Even of one is a sheep of greater strength, it is more expedient to be within than without the walls of the fold. If you are strong, bear with my weakness: if you are infirm, accept a cure from the common Church. One drop does not make a torrent. Even if it falls, it is absorbed by the earth even before it reach it, but drop upon drop overturns mountains. One reed is easily broken, but many are stronger than iron. The eye by itself is not an eye. It is the blending of the members together that makes a whole that is excellent. For if though were an eye, taken from the body, it would be blind, or rather dead. Let us come together in the Church under a mother's wings, in the Church where the adornments are those of a bride, and the members are Christ's, not for the purpose of schisms or of heresies. . . . This house is not mine or yours. Why withdraw on my account from the Lord's house? Why assume to ourselves that we are wiser than the rest? Next, why give the devil what he so much wishes? If I am weak, you who are strong by not withdrawing, confirm the Church. If I utter things that are alien, why do you, who speak what is right, withdraw yourselves, in order that my words may seem to be deprived of force? . . . Brethren, let us not make conventicles nor caves. For the Apostles perhaps founded these things: I do not mean the stones of the buildings, but the matters treated within the Church. You go forth from the Church, and abandon your mother for me. But what am I, or what is Paul, or Apollos?"

Lib. ii. de Fide Adv. Sabell.; Galland. t.iv.p. 478.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 150

Having noticed the frequent variations made in their creeds by the Arians, he says:

"This, as the pastor has said, is the offspring of the Devil, and is the mark of vintners rather than of teachers. For that, as the Fathers have handed down, is truly teaching, and this the mark of those who teach truly, to confess mutually the same things, and not to have any controversy either amongst themselves, or with their Fathers. For they who are not thus disposed, are rather to be called wicked than truthful teachers. Whence the Gentiles, who confess not the same things, but are at variance with each other, possess not the true doctrine. But the holy and veritable heralds of truth are of one mind with each other, and differ not amongst themselves. For, though they lived at different periods, yet do they conspire together for the same object, being prophets of the one God, and evangelizing harmoniously the same word."

De Decretis Nicaen. n. 4, t. l, p. 166.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 153-154

"As for you, remaining on the foundation of the Apostles, and holding to the traditions of the Fathers, pray that now at length all contention and emulation may cease, and that all the insane questions, and logomachies of the heretics may be condemned, and that the nefarious and homicidal Arian heresy may disappear, and the truth shine in every heart, so that all may everywhere speak the same thing, and think the same thing, and that, no Arian blasphemies remaining, there may be proclaimed and confessed throughout every church one Lord, one faith, one baptism, in Christ Jesus our Lord."

De Synodis, n. 54, t. l, p. ii. p. 612.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 154

"Invent not, says he, for me your own courts and synagogues; the holy court of God is one."

In Ps. 28. t. iii. p. 66, in Montfaucons Nov. Collect, t. ii. p. 89.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 154

He thus applies the history of Solomon's judgment:

"The king of peace settled the dispute, not by dividing, but by bringing together the children of each of these mothers: so that, of Jews and Gentiles there should be composed but one body, of which Christ is the head. Further, both mothers are said to dwell in one house, because the Church and the synagogue inhabit the world with their tents united. Again, the opposite wishes of these women declare to us the opposite desires of the Church and of each of the sects. For all heresies delight in division; on the other hand, the true mother, and the alone Church of Christ, avoids dissensions and schisms, careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

T. 1, P. ii. Comm. in Lib. 1 (Al. iii.) Regn. p. 452.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 161

"Grant, I beseech Thee, to the whole world, that most desirable result, peace and tranquillity. Tear up by the roots, and extirpate schisms, and those most ruinous disputes which are utterly opposed to the holiness of Thy Church, and to the unity of its members, and we will celebrate the praises of Thy clemency."

T. iii. Syr. Paraen. 47 ,p. 510.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 161

"If it be not a carnal motive, my lord, but, as I think, a spiritual call, that has led you to inquire from us the credibility of Catholic truth, it was your first duty (as you hold not to the source and fountain of the parent (principal) Church, but have sprung, as far as I can see, at some time or other, from a mere rivulet) to state what your opinions are, or in what you differ from us, and thus discover what was the cause that especially separated you from the unity of our body."

Galland. t. vii. Epist. i. n. 1, p. 257.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 165

"Grant that Novatian suffered somewhat, yet he was not put to death; and had he been put to death, he would not therefore have been crowned. Why? Because he was out of the peace of the Church, out of concord, out of that mother of whom he ought to be a part, who is a martyr. Hearken to the Apostle: "And if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."

Galland t. vii. Ep. ii. n. 7, p. 261.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 165-166

"Moses and Solomon established a tabernacle; and then the Apostles set up many tabernacles, and in every part of the earth that can be penetrated to — yea, even in the islands of the ocean did they prepare unto God many dwelling-places. To the glory of these the Holy Spirit testifies: "How lovely are Thy tabernacles, God of hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord." (Psalm 83:23) Not therefore one tabernacle, whether that of leaves by Moses, or that desired by David, or that adorned by Solomon with every human labor, does the prophet seek after, but many yea, countless tabernacles; because, though in the universe there be but one Church, yet has every city its own church; and though there be many churches, there is one Church in them all, because there is one in many. For those, therefore, who are ascending to heavenly things, it is the first and greatest step to dwell in this tabernacle, and there, day and night, to pass the whole period of this life, aloof from the cares of the world, and relinquishing the affairs of it; like unto many saints who have never left the tabernacle, as is written of Joshua, who whilst a youth went not forth from the tabernacle, and Anna the prophetess departed not from the temple, by fasting and prayers serving night and day. (St. Luke 2:3) After this there will be rest in the mountain of the Lord; for they that go forth from the tabernacle journey toward that place, and there is no road thither except through this dwelling."

Tract, in Psalm 14. n. 3, 4, t. i. pp. 70, 71.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 151

Having quoted 1 Timothy 1:20, he says:

"For they who are cast forth from the body of the Church, which is the body of Christ, are delivered over to be ruled by the devil, as strangers and aliens from the body of God."

Tract, in Psalm cxviii. (Littera xvi.), n. 5, t. i. p. 379.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 151-152

"But since the body of the Church is one, not a body made up by a kind of confused mixture of bodies, nor by each of them being gathered together into an undistinguishable heap and shapeless mass, but through unity of faith, through the brotherhood of charity, through the concord of deeds and wills, through the gift of that sacrament which is one in all (of us), are we all one body, to which Paul exhorts us, saying, "I beseech, you, brethren, that ye be all of one mind, exercising the same charity." And when it shall be according to what is written, "And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul." (Acts 4:32) then shall we be the city of God, then the holy Jerusalem, because "Jerusalem is built as a city, whose participation is of the self-same thing." (Psalm 122:3) But dissenters from the assembly of the saints, and they who, urged on by their sins, separate themselves from the body of the Church, have no participation in this holy house, because the participation of this city is of the self-same thing. For they who are of one mind from the fellowship of a perfect city, cannot have participation in what is different, but in what is the same. Wherefore all who are one (body), will be in that (city), as the psalm testifies, for it says, "For thither did the tribes, the tribes go up — not one tribe, but many."

Tract, in Ps. 131. n. 5, p. 434.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 152

"Great is the power of truth, which, though it is capable of being understood by its own merits, yet does it shine forth by the very opposition raised against it; so that, whilst remaining in its nature immovable, when attacked, it daily adds to the firmness of its nature. For this is the peculiarity of the Church, that when it is wounded, it then conquers; when accused, it is then understood; when abandoned, it then gains. She could wish indeed all men to abide with her, and in her, and (wishes) not to cast off some, or to drop others, from her most tranquil bosom, when they become unworthy of the dwelling-place of so excellent a mother; but, whether heretics leave her, or are cast from her, as much as she loses in the way of opportunity of bestowing salvation from her bounty, so much does she gain in the way of faith that blessedness is to be sought from her. For the means of knowing this are at hand from the very devices of the heretics. For whereas the Church, instituted by the Lord, and settled by the Apostles, is one for all men, from which the frantic error of divers impieties has severed itself; and it is undeniable that difference of faith has arisen from the evil of a bad comprehension (incorrect interpretation), seeing that what is read is made to tally rather with their sentiments, than their sentiments made to obey what is read; yet, seeing that all these parties are mutually opposed to each other, she may be known not only by her own doctrines, but by those of her adversaries; even so as, while all are adverse to her, to confute the impious erroneousness of them all, by the fact of being alone and one. All heretics, then, advance against the Church; but whilst all heretics mutually overthrow each other, their victory brings them nothing for themselves. For their victory over each other is the Church's triumph over all (or, out of all), since heresy combats in some other heresy just so far as that which the faith of the Church condemns in that other heresy; for there is nothing that is common to (all the heretics); and, in the midst of all this, they assert our faith, while opposing one another."

[He then proceeds to exemplify this, in a singularly acute manner, from the heresies of the day]

De Trinitate, l. vii. n. 4, t. ii. pp. 177, 178.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 152-153

"If you, heretics, and indeed men of all sects, are to be admitted as witnesses against Christians, then ought the heathens also and the Jews; since, whether Jews, or heathens, or you heretics that are without the Church, ye are without God, as once were all who were not in holy Noah's ark. For as they, being out of the ark, could not be saved, so neither can you: but like them will you perish, unless, believing in the only Son of God, ye be found remaining together with us in the holy Church."

Pro. S. Athanas. l. ii. n. 28. Galland. t. vi. p. 190.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 161

"Ninive represents the Church, wherein even then our people of the Gentiles dwelt, which God has not vainly called a great city; for it was to come to pass that by the people of all nations believing in Christ, the whole universe should become one people unto God."

L. ii. Tract. xvii. n. 3, Galland, t.v.p. 144.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 154-155

"One faith, most illustrious brethren, commends all of us who are Christians to Almighty God. . . . Before the Son of God ascended into Heaven, whence He had descended, He left behind Him, through the Apostles, to all Christians, triumphant peace, a peace which, for fear lest He might seem to have left it to the Apostles only, therefore said: "What I say to one of you, I say to all." (Mark 13:27)

2. "Had this peace continued whole and inviolate as it was given, and not been disturbed by the authors of schism, there would not now be any dissension between us and our brethren. . . . Neither should we be lamenting the overthrown, or slaughtered souls of the innocent.". . .

6. "You, Parmenianus, have said that the Church is one, to the exclusion of heretics; but you have not chosen to acknowledge where that Church is.". . . . .

7. "It is for me to state, which, or where, is that one Church; which is the Church, since besides that one, there is none other.". . . . .

10. "You have said that with heretics the marks of the Church cannot be; and you say truly; for we know that the churches of every one of the heretics are prostituted; are without any lawful sacraments; and without the rights of an honorable marriage; churches which Christ repudiates as unnecessary, He being the spouse of one Church; as in the Canticles Himself testifies; who, in that He praises one, condemns all others; because, besides the one, which is the true Catholic (Church), others are reckoned as being amongst heretics, though they exist not, agreeably to that which He points out, as has been said, in the Canticle of Canticles, that one is His dove; and that same one His chosen spouse; the same, a garden enclosed, and a fountain sealed up; as none of the heretics either has the keys which Peter alone received; or the ring with which the fountain is said to be sealed up; nor is there any of them to whom that garden belongs, wherein God plants His shoots. Concerning which heretics, though this belongs not to the matter before me, what you have some time ago said was abundantly enough. But, I wonder what you were at, to join yourselves also to them, you who are manifestly schismatics, and yet to deny the marks (gifts) of the Church, both to heretics and to yourselves who are schismatics. For you have, amongst other things, said, that schismatics are like branches cut off from the vine; that, doomed to punishment, they are reserved, like dry wood, for the fire of Hell. But I perceive that you are ignorant that a schism was made by your leaders, at Carthage. Seek into the origin of these things, and you will find that you have pronounced this sentence against yourselves, when you united heretics with schismatics. For it was not Caecilianus that went out from your ancestor Majorinus, but Majorinus from Caecilianus; neither did Caecilianus withdraw from the chair of Peter, or of Cyprian, but Majorinus did, whose chair you occupy, which chair, antecedently to Majorinus himself, had no original. And as it is most plainly certain that these things were thus transacted, it evidently appears that you are the heirs of traitors and schismatics.". . .

15. "And as it has been demonstrated that your leaders were guilty of delivering up the sacred books, the proof will follow that the same were the authors of the schism. That this may be made plain and manifest to all men, it will be for me to show out of what root the branches of error have, even unto the present hour, spread themselves out; and out of what fountain-head this rivulet of hurtful water, secretly gliding, has flowed on even unto these our days. I shall have to narrate whence, and where, and from whom, it is undeniable that this evil has originated; what were the concurrent causes, what persons influenced, who were the authors of this evil, and who its abettors; by whom judgment between the parties was required of an emperor; who the judges that presided; where the council was held; what the sentence passed. The matter now to be treated is the separation (the departure). In Africa, too, as in the other provinces, there was but one Church, prior to its being divided by the ordinations of that Majorinus, in whose chair you sit as heir. We have to see who remained in the root with the whole world; who went out; who established another chair, which until then had no existence; who set up altar against altar; who gave ordination, whilst the one already ordained was still living; who lies under the sentence of John the Apostle; who said that many antichrists would go out, because, says he, "they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us." He, therefore, that would not continue as one with the brethren, having followed heretics, he went forth as an antichrist.". . .

21. "Acknowledge then at length that, as it is undeniable that your predecessors were the authors of this other crime (of schism), so you also are striving to follow in their wicked footsteps: that what they were the first to do in the matter of schism, that you have also done, and are yet visibly doing. They, in their day, broke the peace; you utterly annihilate unity; of your forefathers and of you it may be said with justice, "If the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the pit." A frantic envy blinded the eyes of your predecessors; a spirit of rivalry has put out yours. That schism is the very greatest of evils even you cannot possibly deny. And yet have you fearlessly imitated your abandoned masters, Dathan and Abiron and Core; and would riot set before your eyes that this evil is both forbidden by the words of God, and when committed is grievously punished.

[He then narrates the punishment of Dathan and Abiron and Core and makes this application.]

And because there is now no such vengeance taken, do you claim for yourself, and for your party, impunity from guilt? God has, in individual cases, made examples, thereby to fix on all imitators their guilt; a present punishment, to serve as a warning, crushed the first instance of each kind of sin; all that follow He will reserve unto the judgment. What will you say to this, you who, after usurping the name of the Church, both secretly feed, and shamelessly defend, a schism? . . .

L. ii. n.

1. "Having shown wherein heresy differs from schism, we have next to point out which is that one Church which Christ calls the dove and spouse. The Church then is one of which the holiness is gathered from the sacraments, and not computed by the pride of individuals. This Church then alone Christ calls His dove and beloved spouse. This cannot be amongst all that are heretics and schismatics. It remains, therefore, that it be in one place. You, Parmenianus, have said that it is with your party only . . . consequently, for it to be with you, in a small portion of Africa, in a corner of a small district, will it not be with us in an other part of Africa? Will it not be in Spain, in Gaul, in Italy, where your party is not? If it be your pleasure that it be with you only, will it not be in the three districts of Pannonia, in Dacia, Maesia, Thrace, Achaia, Macedonia, and in the whole of Greece?

[Having enumerated almost every country of the then known world, he continues:]

Then where will be the propriety of the name Catholic, since the Church is called Catholic from this, that it is according to reason, and is everywhere diffused? For if you thus, at your pleasure, narrow the Church into so straitened limits, if you withdraw from it all nations, where will that be which the Son of God merited? Where that which the Father freely of His bounty bestowed on Him, saying in the second Psalm, "I will give Thee the nations for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession"

De Schism. Donat. l. 1, n. 1, 2, 7, 10, 15, 21, and Lib. ii. n. 1.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 155-159

[A little after the extracts given above, he continues:]

"Understand then at last, that you are undutiful children; that you are tendrils cut off from the vine; that you are a stream separated from its fountain-head. For a stream that is small, and does not spring from itself, cannot be a fountain-source; nor a lopped branch be a tree; since a tree flourishes resting on its own roots; and if a branch be cut off, it withers. Seest thou now, Parmenianus, that, in thine arguments, thou hast fought against thyself? Since it has been shown . . . that through the chair of Peter, which is ours, that through it the other marks (gifts) are also with us."

De Schism. Donat. l. ii. n. 9. 3
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 159-160

"We see that Christ Himself preferred this unity to His vengeance, in that He wished all His disciples to be in one, in preference to inflicting punishment after being offended: desirous not to be denied, He warned that whosoever should deny Him, He would deny before the Father: and though this is written, yet, for the good of unity, blessed Peter, for whom, after his denial, it were enough if he obtained pardon, merited both to be preferred to all the Apostles, and he alone received of the kingdom of Heaven the keys to be communicated to the others. ... If the love of innocence were to be set above the advantage of peace and unity, the Apostles would have said that they ought not to hold communion with Peter, who had denied their Master and their Lord, the Son of God. They might have not communicated with Peter; they might have quoted against him the words of Christ, who had declared that He would deny before the Father, whomsoever should deny Him before men. . . . The head of the Apostles might so have governed himself as not to incur a crime of which he would have to repent; but his various errors are therefore seen under one head, that it might be shown that, for the good of unity, everything ought to be endured for God. . . . There stand so many without guilt, and a sinner receives the keys, that there might be a pattern in the matter of unity. It was provided that a sinner should open to the innocent, lest the innocent might shut the door against the guilty, and that unity, which is necessary, be not."

De Schis. Donat. l. vii. n. 3.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 160

"We would next say something concerning the Holy Ghost, not to declare with precision His substance, for that is impossible; but to state the various errors of some concerning Him, lest we may at any time from ignorance fall into them; and to cut off the ways of error, that we may journey on the one royal road."

Catech. xvi. n. 5, p. 245.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 155

"This discord it is that has split the one Church into many parts; and has banded us, not to side with one Paul, or Cephas, or Apollos, or with some one that plants, or some one that waters, but has produced many Pauls, and Apollos, and Cephases, after whom we take our names, instead of that great and common name, Christ, and we are said to belong to these men."

T. 1, or. 26, p. 445.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 162-163

"Adore ye the Lord in His holy court." (Psalm 28:2) Adoration is necessary, but adoration which is not out of the Church, but is offered in the very court of God. Invent not, He says, your own courts and synagogues for me. One is the holy court of God. The synagogue of the Jews was formerly that court, but, after their sin against Christ, their house became desolate. Hence does the Lord also say, "And other sheep I have that are not of this fold." (St. John 10:16), where speaking of those that are pre-ordained out of the Gentiles unto salvation, He points out a court of His own, besides that of the Jews. Wherefore out of that holy court, God is not to be worshipped, but in that court; lest he that is out of it, or is drawn out of it by those that are without, cease to be in the Lord's court."

T. 1, par. 1, Hom.in Ps. xxviii. pp. 165, 166.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 163

"Since the only-begotten Son of God, and Lord and God Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made, cries aloud, "I came down from Heaven not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me, even the Father (St. John 6:38), and, of myself I do nothing (St. John 8:28), and, I have received a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak" (St. John 12:49); and as the Holy Ghost, who distributes gifts great and wonderful, who worketh all in all, speaketh nothing of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear from the Lord that He speaks; how can it fail but be much more necessary for the whole Church of God, careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, to fulfill what is said in the Acts, "And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul" (Acts 4:32); no one, that is, setting up his own will, but all in common seeking, in one Holy Ghost, the will of that one Lord Jesus Christ, who says, "I came down from Heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of my Father." (John 6:38); and who says to the Father, "not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word believe in me, that they all may be one." (St. John 17:20) I am thus clearly, and past all debate, fully convinced by these, and many other (testimonies) which I pass over in silence, that concord, agreeably to the will of Christ in the Holy Ghost, throughout the whole Church of God together, is necessary."

Procaem. de Judico. Dei, t. ii. p. 1, n. 4, p. 302.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 163-164

"Since all who have hoped in Christ are one people, and they who are Christ's are now one people, though the people be named after different places, your country rejoices and is gladdened at the dispensation of the Lord, and accounts not itself to have lost one man (by Amphilochius being chosen bishop), but by one man to have entered into possession of all the churches."

Ep. clxi. ad Amphil. p. 364.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 164

"It is more just that we be judged, in what regards ourselves, not by one or two who walk not according to truth, but by the multitude of bishops, who, by the favor of Christ, are united with us. Let the question be put to those of Pisidia, Lycaonia, of the Isauris, of both Phrygias, of that part of Armenia that borders on your country, of Macedonia, of Achaia, of Illyricum, of Gaul, Spain, the whole of Italy, Sicily, Africa, the sound districts of Egypt, and what is left of Syria; they all both send letters to me, and receive mine: from which letters, whether sent by them or received from us, you may learn that we are all unanimous, and think the same thing. So that it will not escape your accuracy, that whosoever flies from communion with us, severs himself from the whole Church. ... It were better that we should be cast aside, and the churches be of one mind with each other, than that, through our puerile narrowness of mind, so great an evil should be brought upon the people of God."

T. iii. p. 2 Ep. cciv. ad Neocaesarienses, n. 1, pp. 444, 445.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 164-165

"We are indeed little and lowly, but, by God's grace, we are always the same, and are not molded by the changes of things. For our faith is not different in Seleucia, different in Constantinople, and different at Zelis, at Lampsacus different, and another at Rome, but always one and the same. For as we received of the Lord, so are we baptized; as we were baptized, so do we believe; as we believe, so is our doxology."

T. iii. p. 2 Ep. 251, n. 4, Evcesenis, p. 562.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 165

Having stated that Marcion was, on account of his crimes, excommunicated by his own father, he gives the following as having taken place at Rome, where Marcion applied to be received into communion:

"Why will you not receive me? And then they told him that they could not do it without the concurrence of his venerable father, for one is the faith, and one our unanimity, neither can we act in opposition to our excellent fellow-minister, thy father. But he, being moved with envy, and excited to great rage and pride, brought about a schism; and secretly adding heresy, he declared, "I will divide your Church, and cast a schism into it that shall endure forever"; and in truth he did originate a no slight schism, not rending the Church, but himself, and those that sided with him."

T. i. Adv. Hæres. 42, p. 303.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 167

Having named five great trunks, or sources of heresy, he says,

"Hence the separated heresies have, as branches, been torn off; called indeed after Christ's name, yet not His, but are, some of them, at a very great distance from Him; whilst others, on account of some very slight matter, are disinherited, and have made themselves and their children aliens unto Him; they are not within the boundaries, but have established themselves without, and have nothing of Christ but the name. There but remains for us to show forth the truth, and the oneness of that dove which is praised by the bridegroom."

Adv. Hæres. 80, pp. 1076, 1077.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 167

"The Church is begotten from one faith, and brought forth by means of the Holy Ghost, the only child of her that is but one, the only child of her mother. And as many as have come after her, or have been before her, are called concubines; which though they may not have become utterly aliens from the covenant and inheritance, yet they have no dowry from the Word, and no indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

[Having enumerated the heresies, he adds:]

There remains the one, to wit, the holy Catholic Church, called also, with just cause, from the first, Christianity; and by Adam, and before Adam, before even all ages with Christ, by the will of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, believed in, and at His advent in the world clearly revealed, and by us now, after all these heresies, yea concubines, again celebrated, as the order of our discourse requires."

Adv. Hæres. 80, pp. 1083, 1084.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 167-168

"You that have gone through this whole work of mine, or part of it, pray for me that God may vouchsafe unto me a portion in that holy and one Catholic and Apostolic Church, the true, the life-giving, and the saving."

Adv. Hæres. (Exp. Fid.), p. 1102.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 168

"How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thine eyes are dove's eyes." (Song of Songs 4:1) The whole Church is the one body of Christ, though in this one body, as the Apostle observes, there are many members, but all the members have not the same office, . . . and it is perfectly clear to those who hear me, to what members of the Church the praise bestowed on "the eyes" belongs. Samuel, the Seer, for so he was called, was "an eye", so was Ezekiel, . . . they, too, who were appointed to lead the people were all of them "eyes", whom the men of those days called seers. And they who now occupy this same post in the body of the Church, and who have been appointed overseers (bishops), are properly called "eyes", if they carefully look unto the Sun of Justice, being in no way blinded by works of darkness."

T. 1, Hom. vii. in Canticle of Canticles pp. 576, 577.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 162

"Whosoever has learned that Christ is the head of the Church, let him, before all things, bear this in mind, that the head is ever of the same nature and substance as the body beneath it; and that there is a certain coherence of each of the limbs with the whole. . . . Whence if any part be out of the body, it is utterly disconnected with the head."

T. iii. De Perfect. Chris, form. p. 289.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 162

"The sea saw and fled." The water, at the Lord s command, knew both to gather together, to fear and to fly. Let us be likened unto this water, and we shall know the one congregation of the Lord, the one Church. Time was that the water here was gathered out of every valley, marsh, and lake. The valley is heresy, is Gentilism, because God is the God of the hills, not of the valleys. In fine, in the Church there is exultation; in heresy and Gentilism, weeping and mourning. Whence he says, "He hath set it in the vale of tears." Out of every valley therefore is the Catholic people gathered. And now the congregations are not many; but there is one congregation, one Church."

Hexaemer. lib. 3, c. i. n. 2, 3, p. 34.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 166

"He (Christ) also declares that they who divide the Lord's Church are moved by a devilish spirit; that thus He might at once comprise the heretics and schismatics of all times, to whom to deny forgiveness; for as much as every (other) sin has for its object individuals, whilst this is against all men. For they alone who tear in pieces the members of the Church, for which the Lord Jesus suffered and the Holy Ghost has been given unto us, seek to render void the grace of Christ."

T. ii. l. ii. de Paenitent, c. iv. n. 24 ,pp. 421, 422.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 166

"Learn from this that all heretics and schismatics are separated from the kingdom of God, and from the Church; and it is therefore manifest that all assemblies of schismatics and heretics are not of God, but of the unclean spirit."

T. i. Expos. Ev. St. Lucae, n. 95, p. 1432.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 166-167

"It has been arranged by apostolic discipline, that one ought to be the confession (of faith) of the Catholic bishops. Wherefore, if the faith be one, one also ought the tradition to continue. If one the tradition, one ought to be the discipline observed throughout all the churches. The churches are indeed founded in different countries, but, by the oneness of the Catholic faith, through out the whole world has (the Church) been called one. For thus also do we read: "One is my dove, my perfect one is but one, she is the only one of her mother"

Galland, t. vii. Ep. viii. seu Canon. Synod. Rom. ad Episcopos. Gall. n. 9, p. 547.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 168-169

The Apostle says of the Church:

"We being many, are one bread (1 Corinthians 10); because, as one bread is formed out of many grains, so one church is congregated out of many nations."

Galland. t. vii. Incert. Auct. Brev. Fidei, p. 596.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 169

"Great the labor, but great the reward, to be what the martyrs, to be what the Apostles are, to be what Christ is. All which, indeed, is then of benefit, when done in the Church; when we celebrate the Passover in one house; if we go into the ark with Noah. ... As to virgins, such as are amongst divers heresies, and such as there are said to be in the party of the most impure Manichaens, they are to be accounted harlots, not virgins."

T. i. Ep. xxii. ad Eustochium, n. 38, col. 121.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 169

"She, — that with a firm root is planted upon the rock Christ, the Catholic Church, the one dove, she stands, the perfect one, and nighest to Him on His right hand; for she has nothing sinister in her; she stands in gilded robes, passing from the words to the meaning of the Scripture; and she is filled with every virtue, or, as we have translated it, with a diadem of gold. For she is a queen, and reigns together with the king; whose daughters we may understand to be the souls of believers in general, and of the choirs of virgins in particular."

T. i. Ep. lxv. ad Principiam, n. 15, col. 384.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 169-170

"Let one Eve be the mother of all the living, and one Church the parent of all Christians."

T. i. Ep. cxxiii. ad Agronchiam. n. 12, col. 902.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 170

"Through luxury and voluptuousness, and its profitableness, they are at discord with each other about the people, and one heresy becomes two, and they are again subdivided, that so they may lead away their distinct flocks, and may devour the houses of widows, and of sinful women, who are ever learning, and never attain to the knowledge of the truth."

T. iv. l. iv. Comm. in Is. col. 140.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 170

"That there is one altar in the Church, and one faith, and one baptism, the Apostle teaches; which altar the heretics having abandoned, They have built for themselves many altars, not to render God propitious, but to the multiplication of sins. For which cause they deserve not to receive the laws of God, seeing that the laws which they had received, they despised; and should they say anything concerning the Scriptures, it is not to be likened to the words of God, but to the sentiments of Gentiles. These men immolate numerous victims and eat their flesh, deserting the one victim of Christ; neither do they eat His flesh, whose flesh is the food of believers. Do they what they may whether simulating the order and rite of the sacrifices, or giving of alms, or promising chastity, or affecting humility, and with feigned kindness deceive the simple; the Lord will receive no part of these their sacrifices."

T. vi. l. ii. Comm. in Osee, col. 88, 89.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 170

Commenting on Osee 10:1, 2:

"That the hearts of heretics are divided, and that they oppose each other with opposite opinions, even themselves do not deny, seeing that their sentiments are conflicting. Therefore shall they be dispersed, and the Lord shall break down, or dig up, their idols or altars, which they have devised out of their own hearts, and He shall destroy their titles by which they are each called after their own names, and have imposed their own names upon their own lands, so as to be said to belong not to the Church of Christ, but to this man or that."

T. vi. l. ii. Comm. in. Osee, col. 107.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 170-171

"To the Church of God that is at Corinth: . . . He calls it the Church of God, showing that it ought to be united. For if it be of God, it is united, and is one, not in Corinth only, but also in all the world. For the name of the Church, is a name not of separation, but of unity and concord . . . For though these words were written to the Corinthians, yet does he also make mention of all the faithful throughout the whole world, showing that the Church, though dispersed in diverse places, ought to be, throughout the whole world, one, and much more that which is at Corinth. For though places divide, yet the Lord binds them together, being common to them all."

T. x. Hom. i. in Ep. ad Cor. n. i. pp. 4, 5.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 171

"If it were not right to call themselves by the names of Paul and of Apollos and of Cephas, much less of any others. If under the teacher and the first of the Apostles, and one that had instructed so much people, it was not right to be enrolled, much less under those who were nothing."

T. x. Hom. iii. n. 1, p. 18.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 171

Commenting on 1 Corinthians 12:12:

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. "

Seest thou the accurate comprehension? He points out the same thing as both one and many. Wherefore also he adds, striving more earnestly with the subject before him, "And all the members of that one body, whereas they are many, yet are one body." He said not, "being many are of that one body", but that "the one body itself is many, and those so many members are this one thing." If, therefore, one is many, and many are one, where is the difference? . . . And having said this, and having clearly demonstrated it from the common judgment of all, he added, "So also is Christ". And he ought to have said, "So also is the Church", for this came next in order; yet he does not say this, but instead of the Church he puts Christ, carrying the discourse on high, and moving the hearer to greater shame. But what he means is this: "So also is the body of Christ, which is the Church." For as both body and head are one man, so he declared the Church and Christ to be one. Therefore did he put Christ instead of the Church, designating in this way His body. As then, he says, "our body is one thing, although it be composed of many, so also in the Church we all are one thing. Yea, for though the Church be composed of many members, yet these many form one body."

[Having explained how by baptism we are made one body, he continues]:

And why do I speak, says he, of the Jews? for even the gentiles, who were so far distant from us, He has brought into the perfectness of one body. Wherefore, having said, "We all", he did not stop there, but added, "whether Jews or gentiles, whether bond or free." (verse 13). Now if, having before this been so separated, we have been united and become one, much more after having become one, we should not do right to grieve and despond: for the difference has no existence. For if He has accounted both gentiles and Jews, both bond and free, worthy of the same (blessings), how, after having so deemed them worthy, should He divide them, after having vouchsafed a greater perfection of unity by the bestowal of His gifts?"

T. x. Hom. xxx. in Ep. i. ad Cor. n. 1, 2, pp. 314-316.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 171-172

Commenting on 1 Corinthians 12:27:

"As he had said the body, and the whole body was, not the church of the Corinthians, but that which is everywhere throughout the world, for this cause did he say in part; that is, the Church that is among you is a part of the Church spread everywhere, and of the body which is constituted by means of all the churches; so that not only with each other, but also with all the Church throughout the world should you have peace, if at least ye be members of the whole body."

T. x. Hom. xxxii. n. 1, p. 333.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 172-173

"Nothing so provokes God as the division of the Church. Even though we may have done ten thousand good things, yet shall we, if we cut to pieces the fullness of the Church, suffer no less a punishment than they that mangled His body. For that happened for the benefit of the world, though not done with that intention, but this has no advantage in any case; but much is the injury. This do I say not to the governors only, but also to the governed. A certain holy man (St. Cyprian) said something that seems to be a bold thing, but yet he spoke it out. Now what is this? He declared, that not even the blood of martyrdom was able to blot out this sin. . . . Let these remarks be for those who give themselves up indiscriminately to those that rend the Church. For if they have doctrines also opposed (to ours), even for this cause it was not fitting to be mixed up with them; whereas if they hold the same opinions, the reason is much stronger. Why so? Because the disease is that of lust of power. Do you not know what Core, Dathan and Abiron suffered? What they alone? Did not those who were with them suffer the same? What sayest thou? The faith is the same, these men also are orthodox. Why, then, are they not with us? One Lord, one faith, one baptism. If their cause is good, ours is evil; but if ours is good, theirs is evil. "Children, says he, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine." Tell me if you think it suffices to say, that they are orthodox; and that ordination has then passed away, and perished? And what is the advantage of the rest, if this be not accurately observed. Like the faith, we must also contend for this. Since, if it is lawful for each one to fill his hands, according to the phrase of those of old, and to become priests, let all approach; in vain has this altar been built, in vain the fullness of the Church, in vain the number of the priests. . . . Wherefore do I declare and testify, that the making a schism in the Church is not a less evil than the falling into heresy.

T. xi. Horn. xi. in Ep. ad Ephes. n. 3, 4, 5, pp. 96, 99-101.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 173-174

This second ecumenical council added to the creed of Nicaea the articles relative to the Church:

"We believe ... in (into) one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."

And in the synodal epistle addressed to the Western Church, which received the enlarged creed, they say:

"The word of faith being thus uttered as with one mouth, and Christian love being confirmed in us, let us cease from saying that which was condemned by the Apostles, "I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos, and I of Cephas", but all seen to be of Christ, who in us is not divided, we shall, God vouchsafing it, preserve the body of the Church undivided, and we shall stand with confidence at the tribunal of the Lord."

Ep. Synod. Damaso et Aliis, p. 966, t. ii. Labbe.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 168

"It is certain that all the men of that age perished in the deluge, save those who were found worthy to be within the ark, which was a type of the Church. For in like manner also now, they cannot be anyway saved who are aliens from the apostolic faith, and from the Catholic Church."

Serm. viii. De Lect. Evang. p. 955, t. v. Bib. Max. PP.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 174

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

The peacemakers are they who, keeping aloof from the scandal of dissension and discord, preserve the love of brotherly charity, and the peace of the Church, under the unity of the Catholic faith; a peace which the Lord in the Gospel especially commends to His disciples to keep, saying, "Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you"; a peace which David of old testified that the Lord would bestow upon the Church. (Psalm 85) . . . For there is not anything so necessary to God's servants, so salutary to the Church, as to keep charity and to love peace, without which the Apostle says (writing) to the Hebrews, that no man can see God. Wherefore, it behooves us with all zeal and diligence to keep the peace of the Church, and to bring back, as far as in us lies, from zeal for peace and the faith, those who dissent from peace, unto the love of the Church; following in this the prophet, who says, "With them that hated peace I was peaceful."

Galland, t. viii. Tract, in Matt. n. 7, pp. 336,337.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 176-177

"If the Church should address you (Donatists) gently, and say, Oh my children, what complaint do you bring against your mother? I wish now to hear from you why you have deserted me. You accuse your brethren, and I am sorely lacerated. When the Gentiles persecuted me, I endured many things in grief; many abandoned me, but they did it through fear; but no one has compelled you to rebel against me thus. You say that you are with me, but you see that it is false. I am called the Catholic Church, and you are on the side of Donatus."

T. ix. Psal. Contr. part. Donat. col. 51.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 174

"These testimonies do we produce from the Holy Scriptures, that it may be seen that it is not easy for anything to be more grievous than the sacrilege of schism: because there is no just necessity for severing unity, since the good may therefore tolerate the wicked, who will be of no spiritual injury to them, lest they be themselves spiritually separated from the good, when the consideration of preserving peace restrains or delays the severity of discipline; a severity however which a state of safety brings out, when it is seen that something may, by ecclesiastical judgment, be subjected to wholesome correction, without the wound of schism."

T. Lib ii. Contr. Ep. Parmeniani, n. 25, p. 103.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 174-175

The Apostle says, "I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2)

We have, therefore, to inquire here, who has charity: you will find it is they alone who love unity. . . . And as we are inquiring where the Church of Christ is, let us hear Him, who redeemed it with His own blood, declaring, "You shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) With this Church which is diffused throughout the whole earth, whosoever communicates not, with whom he communicates not thou seest, if thou dost but understand whose words these are. But what is more mad than to be partakers of the sacraments of the Lord, and not to be partakers of the words of the Lord? These in truth will have to say, "In Thy name have we eaten and drunk"; and they will have to hear, "I know you not": they eat and drink His body and blood in the sacrament, and they recognize not in the gospel, His members diffused over the whole world, and for this cause they are not numbered amongst them at the judgment."

T. L. ii. Contr. Litter. Petiliani, n. 126, p. 413, 414.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 175

"The question between us undoubtedly is, where is the Church? whether with us or with them (Donatists)? That Church assuredly is one, which our ancestors called the Catholic, that they might show, by the name itself, that it is through out the whole. For throughout (or, according to) the whole is expressed in Greek by (Catholic get Greek from Google). But this Church is the body of Christ, as the Apostle says, "For His body, which is the Church." (Colossians 1:24) Whence, assuredly, it is manifest, that he who is not in the members of Christ cannot have Christian salvation. Now the members of Christ are united to each other by the charity of unity, and, by the same, cohere to their own head, which is Christ Jesus."

Note: The writings of this father, those especially against the Donatists, are replete with arguments in support of the unity of the Church.

De Unitate Ecclesim, n. 2, pp. 538, 539.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 175-176

"By denying Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, you have denied all the rest. For this is the nature of the sacrament of the Church and of the Catholic faith, that the man who denies a part of the divine sacrament is disabled from confessing other part. For the whole is so connected and incorporated together, that one part cannot stand without the other; and whosoever has denied one point out of the whole, it profits him nothing to have believed all the rest."

L. vi. De Incarn. t. vii.p. 92, Bib. Max. SS. PP.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 182

"God, who is one, delivered one faith, spread one Church over the whole world: this Church He regards, this He loves, this He defends. Let a man hide himself under whatever name he pleases, if he be not associated with this Church, he is an alien; if he assail it, he is an enemy."

Histor. l. vii. c. 33, p. 4-13, t. vi. Bib. Maxim. SS. PP.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 177

"We are all brethren, and one body in Christ, under one head which is Christ, and under one Church, which is Christ."

De Libert. Arbitr. lb. p. 457.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 177

"Therefore do we say that the mystery of Christ must be celebrated in the churches of God, as in holy tabernacles. . . . In one house shall it be eaten, neither shall ye carry forth of the flesh thereof out of the house (Exodus 12) The many-minded heretics violate this will of God, fixing up for themselves, as they do, another tabernacle, besides that which is truly the holy tabernacle, and sacrificing the lamb without, and carrying it forth somewhere to a very great distance from that one house, and dividing the indivisible. For Christ is one, and perfect in all."

T. i. l. x. De Ador. in Sp. et Ver. p. 355.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 180

Applying Leviticus 17:3:

"It is therefore unlawful and a profanation, and an act the punishment of which is death, to love to associate with unhallowed heretics, and to unite one's self to their communion; for they sacrifice out of the holy tabernacle the victim which is offered for sins, and do not perform the sacred sacrifice within the holy places. For the Church is one, even as there was also one tabernacle of old, and one tabernacle which pointed out in a type the beauty of the Church."

T. i. Glaphyr. in Lev. l. i. p. 551.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 180-181

"Wherefore, as some beginning and way whereby we also might be partakers of the Holy Spirit, and of union with God, there was the mystery of Christ; for we are all therein sanctified, after the manner that has been already explained. Whence that we may have union with God and with each other, and be thoroughly blended together though kept distinct by that separation which is seen in our individual bodies and souls the only-begotten Son contrived a certain way, which was invented by that wisdom which befits Him, and by the will of the Father. For, by means of the mystic participation, blessing those who believe in Him with one body, His own, to wit, He makes them one body with Himself, and with each other."

T. iv. Comm. in Joan. l. xi.p. 998.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 181

"Concerning the intellectual Jerusalem, that is, the Church, it is written, "Whose participation is of the same thing." (Psalm 121) For all believers being one body and one spirit, one city in conversation, coming together unto the same place (or, agreeing in the same thing), in the bond of peace and of love, we partake in unanimity of the gifts of the Holy Ghost."

L. i. Epist. cclviii. p. 97.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 179

"But I, as a fruitful olive-tree in the house of the Lord." (Psalm 51), have never been stripped of blessed hope. Where fore, let us be a fruitful olive-tree, not in any other place— not in Gentilism, not in Judaism, not in an evil heresy,— but in the house of God, that is, in faith and godliness; for the ungodly in vain bring forth fruits without the Church."

L. iii. Ep. xxviii p. 304.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 179

"These heretics, abandoning the apostolic tradition, have followed teachers of a false faith (perfidy), and have, with the doctrines, changed the name of religion. For just as each of them took it into his fancy to lead astray the ignorant by his deceits and by this crime to gain honor for himself, was God taught to be believed in part, or to be totally denied: besides this, they called after their own names men who previously bore the name of Christ, that thus they who, after abandoning the name of Christ, took the name of their religion from a man, might in no particular be free from, sacrilege. For what difference does it make whether a man, who ceases to be called a Christian, take his designation from an idol or from a man? Accordingly, each heresy is now designated by the name of the individual through whom as its author it prevaricated; and to such a degree are they pleased with their peculiar nomenclature, as not even by this to perceive that they are cut off from the unity of religion, though even in name they have lost the faith. Hence, from Manes, the Manichees, etc. . . . They cease not to assail the Church and Christ. But as nothing is ever stronger than truth, the mighty ponderous mass remains immovable in the midst of the assaulting waves, which break tormented with their mutual violence; and the purpose of these apostates merely attains to this, that differing as they do from each other, while each desires to destroy our faith, they as a whole establish it."

L. ii. Consult. Zacc. et Apollon. c. xi. Galland. t. ix. p. 231.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 179-180

"Wherefore, because the faith, as the Apostle says, is one, that faith which has triumphantly prevailed, let us believe what it behooves us to teach, and teach what it behooves us to hold. Let nothing further be allowed to novelty, because it is fitting that nothing be added to antiquity. Let not the belief of our ancestors be troubled by any admixture of filth."

Ep. viii. ad Joan. Antioch. n. 7, t. ix. Galland, p. 529.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 182-183

"Bless the Lord, my soul" (Psalm 103:1) As in the preceding psalm, so also in this, which follows it, the voice is that of the members of Christ. It is one individual, with one heart and one soul, in one faith, moving and exciting itself to praise God."

In Ps. 103. col. 382.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 177

"By the animals of every kind gathered together in the ark of Noah, and by the vessel, seen in Peter's vision, let down from Heaven by four cords, filled with all manner of living things, nothing else is signified but that men from out the whole human race are to be gathered together in the unity of the Church."

In Ps. 103. col. 386.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 177

"O Lord, I am thy servant; I thy servant and the son of thy handmaid." (Psalm 115:16) As if he said, many call themselves martyrs, many profess themselves Thy servants, because they have Thy name, in the midst of vices, heresies, and errors. But because they are without Thy Church, they are not "the sons of Thy handmaid".

In Ps. 115, col. 430.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 177-178

"These men withdrawing, through pride, from the unity of the Church— who, as though scandalized by the mixture of chaff abandon the wheat before the fan of separation— shall receive their cities in vain (Psalm 118:20); that is, they shall assemble together into a reprobate fellowship, and into vain councils; for whosoever uses not Catholic charity, is scattered by heretical vanity."

In Psalm 118. col. 502.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 178

"Although the universal Church of God be ordered with distinct ranks, that so the integrity of the sacred body may subsist of divers members, yet all we, as the Apostle says, "are one (body) in Christ". Neither is anyone so divided from the office of another, as that the lowliness of any part whatsoever should cease to pertain to the connection of the head. In unity, therefore, of faith and baptism, is our fellowship undivided."

T. i. Serm. iv. De Natali. ordin. c. 1, pp. 14, 15.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 184

"A great safeguard is entire faith, true faith, in which neither anything whatever can be added by anyone, nor anything taken away: for unless faith be one, it is not faith, the Apostle saying, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism". . . in us all (Ephesians 4:4-6). To this unity, my beloved, adhere with unshaken minds; and in this pursue all holiness, in this obey the precept of the Lord, because without faith it is impossible to please God: and without it there is nothing holy, nothing pure, nothing living, for the just man lives by faith; which (faith) whosoever, deceived by the devil, shall have lost, while living he is dead."

T. i. Serm. xxiv. In Nativ. Dom. iv. c. 6,p. 82.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 184

"Wherefore, as, out of the Catholic Church, there is nothing perfect, nothing undefiled, the Apostle declaring that "all that is not of faith is sin", with those who are divided from the unity of the body of Christ we are in no way likened, we are by no communion commingled; which in fact is for us the fast, the most salutary and the most important. For there is nothing which more primarily pertains to the virtue of abstinence, than to abstain from error, because then do we at length walk well, when we journey in the way of truth."

T. 1, Serm. cxxix. De Jejun. Pent. ii. c. 2, p. 317.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 184-185

"The whole world shares in all the holy solemnities, and the piety of one faith demands that whatsoever is commemorated as having done for the salvation of all, be celebrated with joy by all. Yet is this day's festival (St. Peter and St. Paul), besides that reverence which it has deserved from the whole universe, to be venerated with special and peculiar exultation by this city, that, where the departure (death) of the chief Apostles was made glorious, there, on the day of their martyrdom, be pre-eminent gladness. For these, oh Rome! are the men through whom the Gospel of Christ shone upon thee, and thou that was the teacher of error, hast become the disciple of truth. . . . These are they who have advanced thee to this glory, to be a holy nation, a chosen people, a priestly and royal city; that by the See of blessed Peter, made the head of the universe, thou mightest rule more widely by divine religion, than by earthly empire. For although, enlarged by many victories, thou hast extended thy right of empire by land and sea, yet, what the toil of war has subdued to thee is less than what Christian peace has subjected to thee. . . For when the twelve Apostles, having received through the Holy Spirit the gift of speaking in all tongues, had, with the districts of the world distributed amongst them, undertaken to embrace the world with the Gospel, the most blessed Peter, the prince of the apostolic order, is assigned to the capital of the Roman empire, that the light of truth, which was being manifested for the salvation of all nations, might more effectually diffuse itself from that head throughout the whole body of the world. For of what nations were there not individuals then present in this city? or, what nations were ever ignorant of what Rome had learnt?"

T. 1, Serm. lxxxii. c. 1-3 (In Natal. App. Petri et Pauli), pp. 321-323.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 185-186

"For the connection of our union cannot be firm, unless the bond of charity bind us together into an inseparable solidness. . . . The connectedness of the whole body produces one healthfulness, one beauty; and this connection requires indeed the unanimity of the whole body, but demands especially concord amongst priests, whose dignity, though it be common to them all, yet is not their order uniform; since even amongst the most blessed Apostles, in likeness of honor there was a certain diversity of power; and whereas the election of them all was equal, to one, nevertheless, was it given to be pre-eminent over the rest. Out of which pattern also has arisen the distinction also amongst bishops, and by a mighty regulation has it been provided against, that all claim not all things to themselves, but that there be individuals in individual provinces, whose sentence should amongst the brethren be accounted the first: and again, that certain others, constituted in the greater cities, should take upon them a wider solicitude, through whom the universal Church might flow together to the one chair of Peter, and no part be anywhere at variance with its head."

Ep. xiv. ad Anastasium Thessalon. Episc. c. xi. pp. 691, 692.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 186

"Truth, which is simple and one, admits of no variety."

Ep. clxxii. ad Presby. et Diaconos Eccl. Alex. p. 1437.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 186

"For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11) For that Church is a virgin, the bride of one husband Christ, which (Church) allows not herself to be violated by any error; that, throughout the whole world there may be for us one uncorruptedness of one chaste communion, wherein we embrace the fellowship of your friendliness."

Ep. lxxx. ad Anatol. Ep. CP. n. 1, p. 1039.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 186-187

Commenting on 1 Corinthians 1:

"To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in every place of theirs and ours."

All the words here set down are remedies for that under which they suffered, for they reconcile that division which had miserably taken place. And first of all he calls them one Church, and the Church of God, and adds, "in Christ Jesus", not in this or that other individual. He likewise calls them [both elect and] saints, and joins them with those who had believed throughout the universe: teaching, that not only they ought to think alike, but that all they also who have believed the Gospel, have one mind, as having been perfected in the body of Christ our Lord."

T. iii. in Ep. ad Corinthians c.i. pp. 165, 166.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 181

"From the truth-teaching unity of which Fathers, that none dissent, the same Apostle very earnestly entreats, saying: "But I beseech you, brethren, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you, but be you perfect, in the same mind, and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10) But if any separate from the communion of the judgment of those men, let him hear that of the same Apostle, "He is not the God of dissension, but of peace"; that is, not the God of him who falls away from the unity of consent, but of those who abide in the peace of consent,— "As I teach", saith he, "in all the churches of the Saints", that is, of the Catholics; which (churches) are therefore saintly, because they persevere in the communion of the faith. And lest any should, haply, overlooking the rest, arrogate to himself that he alone be heard, he alone be believed, he adds a little after, "Did the Word of God come out from you? or came it only unto you? (1 Corinthians 14:36) And lest this might be taken, as it were, slightly, he added: "If any", he says, "seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord." What commandments indeed, but that if any man be a prophet, or spiritual, that is, a teacher of spiritual things, let him be, with the utmost zeal, a cultivator of equality and unity, so that, to wit, he neither prefer his own opinions before others, nor recede from the sentiments of all men. "The commandments of which things whosoever knows not", he says, "he shall not be known"; that is, he who learns not when he knoweth them not, or contemns them when known, "he shall not be known," that is, he shall be held unworthy to be one regarded of God amongst those united by faith, and equalled by humility; than which evil I know not whether anything can be conceived more grievous."

Comm. ad Hæres. n. xxviii.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 183-184

"Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, confirming the knowledge of the faith in His disciples, said, "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." (John 14), to the end that none may speak differently from his neighbor in the doctrines of true religion, but set forth alike to all the preaching of the truth. But since the wicked one does not cease from endeavoring by his tares to sow over the seeds of the true religion, and is ever finding out something new against the truth, for this cause the Lord, as is His wont, in His providence for the human race, has raised up to an (opposite) zeal, this religious and most faithful sovereign, and has called together unto Himself the chiefs of the priesthood from every side, in order that the charity of Christ, the Lord of us all, operating, they may remove every plague of falsehood from the sheep of Christ, and may fatten them with the fruits of truth."

Ep. Synod. Labb. t. iv. p. 562.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 187

"That by this spectacle it may be manifest to all men that the Church of Christ is truly one throughout all its parts, and indivisible; a Church which, knit together by the bond of concord, and the admirable woof of charity, might be shown to be the alone coat of Christ, seamless throughout, which not even the soldiers who crucified Christ would dare divide. And if this unity be violated and rent, through the perfidy of Peter (of Alexandria), and the tyrannical pride and impious presumption of Acacius, see, and wisely consider, into how grave a danger our conscience is cast, when breaking through so important an observance as this of our fathers. For will not each one act as seems fit to himself, if once a corrupt order pass into a custom? But if even the very thought of this is sacrilege, why should not the pattern left us by our fathers be adhered to with the most scrupulous observance, seeing that there is in this their method of acting, the evident and mighty mystery of an ineffable and undoubted unity? Are there two churches, and two pastors? God forbid. For He is one who hath made both one, removing the partition-wall of enmities, in His own body. . . . Let not then the names of Peter (of Alexandria) and of Acacius be interposed, to divide those whom the precious blood of so great a mediator has united."

Ep. viii. Galland. t. x. p. 677.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 187-188

"The Church of God is one. One is the Church in Heaven, the same also upon earth; in this Church the Holy Spirit abides. The heresies, which men hold, that are without this Church, are not the doctrines of our Saviour, or of the Apostles, but are Satan's, and of their father, the Devil."

Histor. Concil. Nicaen. c. xxx. p. 235.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, Page 188