A33359:143
Diocesan churches not yet discovered in the primitive times
Diocesan churches not yet discovered in the primitive times, or, A defence of the answer to Dr. Stillingfleets allegations out of antiquity for such churches against the exceptions offered in the preface to a late treatise called A vindication of the primitive church, where what is further produced out of Scripture and ancient authors for diocesan churches is also discussed.Diocesan churches not yet discovered in the primitive times, or, A defence of the answer to Dr. Stillingfleets allegations out of antiquity for such churches against the exceptions offered in the preface to a late treatise called A vindication of the primitive church, where what is further produced out of Scripture and antient authors for diocesan churches is also discussed.
London: printed for Thomas Parkhurst, 1682
Diocesan Churches not yet discovered in the Primitive times.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
All that was undertaken to be proved by the passage in question, was, that the main body of Christians in Alexandria adhering to Athanasius could, and did meet in that one Church. If this be granted nothing is denied that he intended to prove. As for a Diocese in the ⟨p. 40⟩Country, if he will show us what, or where it was, and that it had no other Bishop in it, he will do something that may be considered; yet nothing at all against what this Testimony was made use of to evince.
All that was undertaken to be proved by the passage in question, was, that the main body of Christians in Alexandria adhereing to Athanasius could, and did meet in that one Church. If this be granted nothing is denied that he intended to prove. As for a Diocess in the ⟨p. 40⟩Countrey, if he will shew us what, or where it was, and that it had no other Bishop in it, he will do something that may be considered; yet nothing at all against what this Testimony was made use of to evince.
He says 2dly, Suppose this great great Church could receive all the multitude, yet if that multitude was too great for Personal Communion it is insignificant.
He sayes 2dly, Suppose this great great Church could receive all the multitude, yet if that multitude was too great for Personal Communion it is insignificant.
Upon this supposition it might be too great for an ordinary meeting in the Congregational way, yet not big enough for a Diocesan Church. But the supposition is groundless and contradicts Athanasius who says they had Personal Communion, they all prayed together, and did not only meet within the Walls, but concurred in the worship, and said, Amen.