From John Dryden’s Religio Laici
[Of the role of patristic interpretations of Scripture]
That Antient Fathers thus expound the Page,
Gives Truth the reverend Majesty of Age:
Confirms its force, by biding every Test;
For best Authority’s next Rules are best.
And still the nearer to the Spring we go
More limpid, more unsoyl’d the Waters flow.
(…)
In doubtful questions ’tis the safest way
To learn what unsuspected Antients say:
For ’tis not likely we shou’d higher Soar
In search of Heav’n, than all the Church before: