Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

Chap. 1. What Order and Government Christ and his Spirit settled in the Churches; and what was the appointed work of Bishops. That particular Churches, that had every one a Bishop, were associated for personal Communion of neighbours: That none on earth for about two hundred years, and none but Rome and Alexandria for longer time, can be proved to be more numerous than our greater Parishes, no nor half so big. The Case even of Rome and Alexandria examined, and the like proved even of them against the contrary arguments. How the change was made; and what change it is. How Prelacy became the diseasing tumour of the Church. Many Reasons against an ill use of the History of Councils and Prelates usurpations; that no man thence dishonour Christ, Christianity, the Ministry or Church. Chap. 2. Of Heresies: What Errors are not damning, and what are. How the most Erroneous come to cry out against Errors: Instanced in all wicked Men, and in Papists, Arians, Nestorius, Dioscorus, &c. What horrid Work blind Zeal against Error hath made, many instances, even good Men, as Hillary and Popes and Councils. The History of all the Councils begun. The first Councils about Easter contrary to each other. The second being at Carthage erroneous, and Tertullian, Novatus and Novatian. The Roman Presbyters govern the Church and call a Council, having no Bishop, and are said by Binius to have the care of the universal Church. Cyprian's Council condemneth a dead man Victor, for making Faustinus a Presbi•iter, Guardian of his Sons, and so entangling him in worldly business. The Council Iconie•se is said to err, and all those Oriental Bishops excommunicated by the Pope (about Heretics Baptism). Many other Councils for rebaptizing, with Cyprian's pleading Tradition. Bishops of Bishops there censured. Cyprian's Conversion. A sad Hereticating Council at Cirta against Traditions. The Concilium Eliber Novatiani: And against Images in Churches, &c. approved by ⟨image 11⟩Pope Innocent. The beginning of the Donatists Schism for a Bishop. Constantine's reproof of Alexander and Arius silencing their disputes. Concil. Laodic. Silvester's strange Roman Council. Chap. 3. The Council of Nice: Constantine keepeth them in peace. The strange Schism between Peter Alex. and Meletius: Two Bishops and Churches in the same Cities.

Chap. 1. WHat Order and Government Christ and his Spirit settled in the Churches; and what was the appointed work of Bishops. That particular Churches, that had every one a Bishop, were associated for personal Communion of neighbours: That none on earth for about two hundred years, and none but Rome and Alexandria for longer time, can be proved to be more numerous than our greater Parishes, no nor half so big. The Case even of Rome and Alexandria examined, and the like proved even of them against the contrary arguments. How the change was made; and what change it is. How Prelacy became the diseasing tumour of the Church. Many Reasons against an ill use of the History of Councils and Prelates usurpations; that no man thence dishonour Christ, Christianity, the Ministry or Church. Chap. 2. Of Heresies: What Errors are not damning, and what are. How the most Erroneous come to cry out against Errors: Instanced in all wicked Men, and in Papists, Arrians, Nestorius, Dioscorus, &c. What horrid Work blind Zeal against Error hath made, many instances, even good Men, as Hillary and Popes and Councils. The History of all the Councils begun. The first Councils about Easter contrary to each other. The second being at Carthage erroneous, and Tertullian, Novatus and Novatian. The Roman Presbiters govern the Church and call a Council, having no Bishop, and are said by Binius to have the care of the universal Church. Cyprians Council condemneth a dead man Victor, for making Faustinus a Presbiiter, Guardian of his Sons, and so entangling him in worldly business. The Council Iconiese is said to erre, and all those Oriental Bishops excommunicated by the Pope (about Hereticks Baptism). Many other Councils for rebaptizing, with Cyprian's pleading Tradition. Bishops of Bishops there censured. Cyprian's Conversion. A sad Hereticating Council at Cirta against Traditions. The Concilium Eliber Novatiani: And against Images in Churches, &c. approved by