AN INQUIRY INTO THE HERESIES, OF THE APOSTOLIC AGE, IN EIGHT SERMONS PREACHED BEFORE THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, IN THE YEAR MDCCCXXIX. AT THE LECTURE FOUNDED BY THE REV. JOHN BAMPTON, M. A. CANON OF SALISBURY. BY THE REV. EDWARD BURTON, D.D. REGIUS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY AND CANON OF CHRIST CHURCH. P OXFORI PRINTED BY SAMUEL COLLINGWOOD, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY, FOR THE AUTHOR. SOLD BY J. PARKER; AND BY C. AND J. RIVINGTON, LONDON, MDCCCXXIX. CONTENTS. Subject proposed. An investigation into the early heresies will illustrate passages and expressions in the New Testament. The orthodoxy of these heretics has sometimes been maintained. Definition of the term Heresy, and its meaning as used by the Fathers. Not unreasonable that heresies should appear so early. Length of time which elapsed before the apostles quitted Ju- dæa. Brief sketch of the first propagation of Christianity, and LECTURE II. Means of ascertaining the doctrines of the early heretics. Necessity and utility of consulting the Fathers. The early here. tics were Gnostics. Outline of the Gnostic philosophy. It has been traced to three sources. Examination of two of them, the Eastern doctrine of two Principles, and the Jewish Cabbala. Col. ii. 8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. - 29. LECTURE III. Examination of the third and principal source, the Platonic eclectic philosophy and of Gnosticism. Peculiar use of the term O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. 57. Simon Magus the parent of Gnostic heresies. His history. Tertullian mistaken concerning Elements. Opinion of the Fatal effect of their licentiousness upon Chris- Opinions of the Gnostics concerning Jesus Christ. Docetæ. Alluded to in the New Testament, and specially refuted by St. Gospel of St. John. That apostle accused of corrupting the These are irritten, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, tie Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through |