An Ecclesiastical Dictionary; Containing Definitions of Terms, and Explanations and Illustrations of Subjects Pertaining to the History, Ritual, Discipline, Worship, Ceremonies, and Usages of the Christian Church: With Brief Notices of

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861 edition. Excerpt: ... officio, if required by the bishop, to commit the unhappy victim to the flames, without waiting for the consent of the crown. This writ remained in force, and was actually executed on two Anabaptists, in the seventh of Elizabeth, and on two Arians in the ninth of James I. It is now formally taken away by statute 29 Car. II., cap. 9.--Buck. HERMAS, sometimes called the Pastor, or Shepherd, from the title of a book which bears his name, is usually ranked among the Apostolical Fathers. Many are of opinion that he was the disciple of S. Paul, of whom mention is made in Romans xvi. 14; and in that opinion they are supported by Ircnaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome. Others have maintained that he was the same person with one Hermes, brother of Pius, bishop of Rome, who flourished about the year 141. The Pastor, or Shepherd, of Hermas, is a book, concerning the antiquity and genuineness of which there is abundant evidence. It was received in some ancient churches as canonical, and Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and even Tertullian, before he became a Montanist, quoted it as if it were inspired; but it was rejected by others, and placed by the Church among the uninspired books. Eusebius, Athanasius, Jerome, and Ruffinus concurred in that judgment, while they allowed that it was, notwithstanding, a work of great merit, which might be useful for the instruction of Christians.--Roue. HERMENEUTE. Gr. ipfj.7jvevu, to interpret. Persons in the ancient Church, whose business it was to render one language into another, as there was occasion, both in reading the Scriptures, and in the homilies that were made to the people; an office which was very important in those Churches where the people spoke different...