Section 518
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.80% accurate
86 COUNCIL OF NICE. rather questioned them in regard to a point of useless debate ; and that you, Arius, advanced that which should either not have entered into your mind at first, or after having gained admission, should have been locked up in silence ; and that dissensions ari sing among you in consequence, communion has been refused, and the most holy people, rent into two factions, have departed from the harmonious union of the common body. Therefore, let each of you, mutually pardoning the other, embrace what your fellow-servant most reasonably advises. But what is this ? It was improper at first that questions should be asked on subjects of this kind, and then for the person interrogated to reply. Ques tions of this nature, which no law compels us to discuss, but which are suggested by a fondness for disputation in an hour of unprofitable leisure, may indeed be permitted as an exercise of the intellectual faculties. We ought however, to confine them with in our own bosoms, not readily bringing them forward at public meetings, nor rashly confiding them to the ears of every one. For how eminently gifted must be the man, who can accurately understand the true nature of such great and difficult matters, or explain them in a manner worthy of their importance ? But if any one should be supposed capable of performing this with ease, what portion of the common people would he be likely to con vince ? or who, in the subtle management of such questions, could avoid the danger of falling into serious mistakes ? In matters of this description, therefore, one should restrain a talkative disposi tion, lest, either through the weakness of his understanding, he should fail to explain what is proposed ; or his hearers, being un able, from slowness of perception, to comprehend what is said, should necessarily fall into blasphemy or schism. Let, therefore, an unguarded question and an inconsiderate reply be set against each other, and mutually overlooked. This contention has not arisen respecting any important command of the law, nor has any new opinion been introduced with regard to the worship of God ; but you both entertain the same sentiments, so that you may join in one communion. It is thought to be not only in decorous, but altogether unlawful, that so numerous a people of God should be governed and directed at your pleasure, while you