AN INQUIRY INTO THE HERESIES OF 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. OXFORD, 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 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 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and 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 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 Gospel. Justin Martyr defended from the charge of introducing Platonism. Peculiar use of the term Logos by St. John. The term not so used in other parts of scripture, nor in the Targums. Date of St. John's writings. The term itself was borrowed from the Platonists or the Gnostics. St. John's intention in writing These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through |
