3:1 If we will descend to later times, we shall find many the like examples of such kind, or rather unkind, acceptance. 3:2 The first Roman emperor [C. Cๆsar. Plutarch] did never do a more pleasing deed to the learned, nor more profitable to posterity, for conceiving the record of times in true supputation, than when he corrected the Calendar, and ordered the year according to the course of the sun: and yet this was imputed to him for novelty, and arrogancy, and procured to him great obloquy. 3:3 So the first christened emperor [Constantine.] (at the leastwise that openly professed the faith himself, and allowed others to do the like) for strengthening the empire at his great charges, and providing for the Church, as he did, got for his labour the name pupillus, [Aurel. Victor.] as who would say, a wasteful prince, that had need of a guardian, or overseer. 3:4 So the best christened emperor, [Theodosius.] for the love that he bare unto peace, thereby to enrich both himself and his subjects, and because he did not seek war but find it, was judged [Zosimus.] to be no man at arms, (though indeed he excelled in feats of chivalry, and shewed so much when he was provoked) and condemned for giving himself to his ease and to his pleasure. 3:5 To be short, the most learned emperor of former times, [Justinian.] (at the least, the greatest politician) what thanks had he for cutting off the superfluities of the laws, and digesting them into some order and method? 3:6 This, that he hath been blotted by some to be an epitomist, that is, one that extinguished worthy whole volumes, to bring his abridgements into request. 3:7 This is the measure that hath been rendered to excellent princes in former times, even, cum ben่ facerent, mal่ audire, for their good deeds to be evil spoken of. 3:8 Neither is there any likelihood that envy and malignity died and were buried with the ancient. 3:9 No, no, the reproof of Moses taketh hold of most ages: 3:10You are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men. [Num.32:14] 3:11What is that that hath been done? that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun, [Eccl.1:9] saith the wise man. 3:12 And S.Stephen, As your fathers did, so do you. [Acts 7:51]
Section 3 Footnotes --
#f12obloquy. = reproach
#f13AV Num.32:13 And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. AV Num.32:14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.
#f14AV Ecclesiastes 1:9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
AV Eccl.1:10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
#f15AV Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.#f1calumniated = slandered - knowingly and falsely accused of a crime.
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