who say to me-Believe the Gospel ; so why should I not obey them when they say-Believe not the Manicheans ?” Contra Ep. Fundam. Ep. liii. T. ii. p. 120. See also Ep. clxv. ad Generosum, T. viii. p. 153. In this he gives the succession of Roman Bishops from St. Peter to Anastasius.
ST. VINCENT OF LERINS, L. C.-“ This was ever practised in the Church, that whoever was most attached to Religion, the same was most active in opposing novelties. Examples are numberless. One may suffice, taken from the Roman See, from which it will evidently be seen, with what earnestness and zeal, that apostolical succession of Bishops maintained the integrity of the Faith, which they had once received." He recounts the circumstance of the African bishops, among whom was St. Cyprian, introducing the novel opinion, that heretics returning to the Church should be rebaptised, “ against the rule of the Universal Church, the sentiments of their fellow ministers, and the established maxim of their ancestors. While a general reclamation was raised against the novelty, Pope Stephen of blessed memory, and bishop of the Apostolic See, together with his colleagues, deeming it just, that he who was above others by the authority of his chair, should be foremost in attachment to the Faith, addressed an epistle to the African Church, and defined; That no innovation be made; that what had been delivered down should be followed :(a) rightly judging, that it belonged to Christian prudence, not to impose our opinions on posterity, but to hold what had been received. And what ensued? Antiquity was upheld; novelty was exploded.”(6) Common. n. vi. p. 322, 323.
St. LEO, L. C. “So should priests and people be instructed by you, shewing them that you teach nothing new; but instilling into their breasts what our venerable Fathers
