A33359:202
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.
But this signifies nothing for his purpose, if those in Alexandria thus divided could all meet in one place, as Athanasius declares they did; and that so plainly that any one will judge so, whose interest is not too hard for his judgment. Valesius (who had no bias unless what might lead him the other way) understood it as I do; and expresses it in these words. (deciding the matter so long insisted on, against our Author) Afterwards in the times of Athanasius, when there were more Churches built by diverse Bishops of Alexandria, the Citizens assembled in several Churches severally and in parcels, as Athanasius says in his Apology to Constantius; but on the great Festivals, Easter and Pentecost, no particular assemblies were held, sed universi in majorem Ecclesiam conveniebant, ut ibidem testatur Athanasius, but all of them assembled together in the great Church as Athanasius testifies.
But this signifies nothing for his purpose, if those in Alexandria thus divided could all meet in one place, as Athanasius declares they did; and that so plainly that any one will judge so, whose interest is not too hard for his judgment. Valesius (who had no byass unless what might lead him the other way) understood it as I do; and expresses it in these words. (deciding the matter so long insisted on, against our Author) Afterwards in the times of Athanasius, when there were more Churches built by diverse Bishops of Alexandria, the Citizens assembled in several Churches severally and in parcels, as Athanasius sayes in his Apology to Constantius; but on the great Festivals, Easter and Pentecost, no particular assemblies were held, sed universi in majorem Ecclesiam conveniebant, ut ibidem testatur Athanasius, but all of them assembled together in the great Church as Athanasius testifies.
So that there can be no pretence that the Church in Alexandria was Diocesan at this time, unless those who could meet together in one place might make such a Church. Yet this was then the greatest Church in the Empire save that at Rome, and what he adds makes that at Rome very unlike such Diocesan Churches, as are now asserted.