Section 326
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.13% accurate
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 205 out a name. But the more holy and pious emperor, surviving the seventh year, is now in the ninth, in which we are about to celebrate the festival." CHAPTER XXIV. Of Nepos, and his schism. BESIDES these, there are two works of his on the Promises ; the occasion of which was ftjejpps a bishop in Egypt. He taught, that the promises given to holy men in the Scriptures, should be understood more as the Jews understood them, and supposed that there would be a certain millennium of sensual luxury on this earth. Thinking, therefore, that he could establish his own opinion by the Revelation of John, he composed a book on this subject, with the title, Refutation of the Allegorists. This, there fore, was warmly opposed by Dionysius, in his work on the Pro mises. In the former, indeed, he gives his own opinion on the subject; in the other he enters into a discussion on the Revelation of John, where, in the introduction, he makes mention of Nepos, as follows : " But they produce a certain work of Nepos, upon which they lay great stress, as if he advanced things that are irrefragable, when he asserts that there \vill be an earthly reign of Christ. In many other respects T accord with and gieatly love Nepos, both on account of his faith and industry, and his great study in the Scriptures ; as also for his great atten tion to psalmody, by which many are still delighted. I greatly reverence the man also, for the manner in which he has departed this life. But the truth is to be loved and honoured before all. It is just, indeed, that we should applaud and approve whatever is said aright, but it is also a duty to examine and correct what ever may not appear to be written with sufficient soundness. If, in deed, he were present, and were advancing his sentiments orally, it would be sufficient to discuss the subject without writing, and to commence and confirm the opponents by question and answer. But as the work is published, and as it appears to some, is calcu