Academic Exercise on the Abstinence of the Early Christians from Reading Profane Books

...matter, while we attempt to express the thoughts of the mind, we commend ourselves to your usual, that is, your remarkable favor, Benevolent Reader. original: "B. L." is an abbreviation for "Benevole Lector," a common address to the reader in early modern academic texts.

Thesis II.

The nature and condition of the Eastern Church The "Eastern Church" refers to the early Christian communities in regions such as Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt. cannot be unknown to those who have not found it burdensome to turn the pages of the histories of those times with a diligent hand. The Church Fathers original: "Patres", the influential early Christian theologians and leaders who shaped doctrine. illuminated those centuries with their distinguished learning. They left no stone unturned original: "omnem moverunt lapidem", a classical idiom meaning they used every possible resource or effort. so that the true knowledge of things divine and human, and the true worship of the Supreme Deity, might become known to everyone.

But, as it is in human nature to hold fast to an opinion once it has taken hold, even if that opinion is wrong; so many among the pagans, serving only their own fame and reputation, hindered the beautiful efforts of these Teachers original: "Doctorum" as much as they could. And when they saw that true doctrine enjoying a wonderful success beyond their expectations, they were moved by anger and indignation. They unleashed all the plagues of the underworld original: "orci peſtes," referring to Orcus, a Roman god of the dead. The author uses this to describe demonic or hellish opposition. against the Chri-