A33359:215
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.
However since he says that Father judged of other Ages by his own, when Dioceses were exceedingly multipliedc, we may suppose he will grant there were many thousand Bishops in the 4th. Age. Yet among so many thousand Bishops I do not expect that any can show me 20 (if I may not say 10.) who had so many Churches in their Diocese, as some Pluralists amongst us may have, who yet never pretend to have a Diocesan Church. Those therefore who will make proof of such Diocesan Churches as are in question, must show us some in the primitive times something like ours in largeness and extent. Amongst the instances produced for this purpose by former or later Writers, I find none any thing near to ours, save that only of Theodoret in the 5th. Age. But this in the former Discourse was showed to be so insufficient to serve the ends it is alleged for, that I may hope it will be pressed no more for this Service.
However since he sayes that Father judged of other Ages by his own, when Dioceses were exceedingly multiplyedc, we may suppose he will grant there were many thousand Bishops in the 4th. Age. Yet among so many thousand Bishops I do not expect that any can shew me 20 (if I may not say 10.) who had so many Churches in their Diocess, as some Pluralists amongst us may have, who yet never pretend to have a Diocesan Church. Those therefore who will make proof of such Diocesan Churches as are in question, must shew us some in the primitive times something like ours in largeness and extent. Amongst the instances produced for this purpose by former or later Writers, I find none any thing near to ours, save that only of Theodoret in the 5th. Age. But this in the former Discourse was shewed to be so insufficient to serve the ends it is alledged for, that I may hope it will be prest no more for this Service.
- cPag. 535.
More particularly. 1st. It proves not a Church to be Diocesan because it consists of more than can meet together in one place, for there are Parishes in this Land that contain many hundreds or thousands more than can meet in the Parish Church, and yet are but counted single Congregations. Though multitudes in such Churches be far from proving them to be Diocesan, yet I think two instances cannot be given in the third Age of more in one Church than are in some single Congregations amongst us; nor many afterwards, till Arianism and Donatism were suppressed; which the latter was not in Africa till after the famous Conference at Carthage, Anno 410; nor the former in other parts during the 4th. Age; for though Theodosius made some sharp Declarations against them and other Heretics, yet none but the Eunomians were prosecuted, if we believe Socrates