the entire body of the Ignatian literature was at that time
viewed with distrust by the leaders of thought in the English
universities. But when the doctrine of the Divine Right of
Episcopacy began to be promulgated, the seven letters rose in the
estimation of the advocates of the hierarchy; and an extreme desire
was manifested to establish their pretensions. So great was the
importance attached to their evidence, that in 1644--in the very
midst of the din and confusion of the civil war between Charles I.
and his Parliament--the pious and erudite Archbishop Ussher
presented the literary world with a new edition of these memorials.
Two years later the renowned Isaac Vossius produced a kindred
publication. Some time afterwards, Daille, a learned French
Protestant minister, attacked them with great ability; and
proved, to the satisfaction of many readers, that they are utterly
unworthy of credit. Pearson, subsequently Bishop of Chester, now
entered the arena, and in a work of much talent and research--the
fruit of six years' labour--attempted to restore their reputation.
This vindication was not permitted to pass without an answer; but,
meanwhile, the dark prospects of the Reformed faith in England and
the Continent directed attention to matters of more absorbing
interest, and the controversy was discontinued. From time to time,
however, these Epistles were kept before the eyes of the public
by Archbishop Wake and other editors; and more recently the
appearance of a Syriac copy of three of them--printed under
the supervision of the late Rev. Dr. Cureton--reopened the
discussion. Dr. Cureton maintained that his three Epistles are the
only genuine remains of the pastor of Antioch. In a still later
publication, [3:1] Bishop Lightfoot controverts the views of
Dr. Cureton, and makes a vigorous effort to uphold the credit of
the seven letters quoted by Eusebius and supported by Pearson.