account of their proceedings to the Western Church, conclude in these words: “The doctrine of faith being thus established by common consent, and Christian charity ruling within us, let us hence cease to say what was censured by the Apostle: (1 Cor. i. 12.) I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos, and I of Cephas; and having shewn that we are all of Christ, who in us is not divided, we shall preserve inviolate, by the grace of God, the body of the Church, and stand with confidence before the tribunal of the Lord.” Ep. ad Damasum, &c. Conc. Gen. T. ii. p. 965. Ed. Lutetiæ Parisiorum, 1671.
St. OPTATUS OF MILEVIS,[1] L. C. “ The Church is one,” he says to Parmenianus, the schismatical Bishop, to whom he writes, “ which Jesus Christ calls his dove, his spouse; and this one Church cannot be among all heretics and schismatics.(j) It must then be in one place; and this, you pretend, is where you would have it to be, that is, in one corner of Africa; not with us who occupy the remaining portion; nor, if we pass over all the regions of the earth, can the Church, it seems, be found, but where you are. Then where is the propriety of the word Catholic, which has been given to the Church? And if it must be confined to your narrow limits; if you exclude all nations from it, where is the truth of the promise made to Christ in the psalm : (Ps. ii.) I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession? Allow the Son to enjoy his inheritance; allow the Father to fulfil his promise. Why will you put boundaries, lay down limits? You can-
- ↑ Milevis was a city of Africa, of which St. Optatus was Bishop, about the middle of the fourth century. The work I quote was written against the Donatists, in seven books, addressed to Parmenianus, a Bishop of that sect. It abounds with innumerable passages in favour of the Unity and other marks of the true Church.
