COROLLARY IV.
We are taught by ancient and recent history that heretical sects dissent no more from the Catholic Church than from themselves, and rage no more violently against it than they rave against themselves. Therefore it ought in no way to seem wonderful if—
—although some of these conspired with the Catholic Church in one and the same profession of faith concerning the salvific will of God and the universal order of restoration, others on the contrary arose who resisted and strove against it with all their powers. And indeed they arose, and in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth centuries declared a most bitter war upon both heads of the profession. But with what outcome, or with what fruit? None other than what was to be expected, and whereby the Catholic persuasion and consensus would shine forth more fully and clearly. For while sects of this kind were raging, not only did the orthodox Fathers and writers remain unmoved in the ancient faith, but they also vindicated it ἀγωνιστικῶς, by contest, through published works1 and assembled synods2. Therefore, by the contentions and combats of the heretics it was brought about that the Catholic faith and persuasion, which had been propagated εἰρηνικῶς, peacefully, from its origins to subsequent ages, was asserted more forcefully and shone more illustriously.