A33359:218
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.
Our Author from these Oratorical expressions sticks not to conclude, that it is evident that the Christians were the major part every where, but in Rome more eminently so, and Dr. Downham signifies that Tertullian speaks chiefly of the City of Romeg, this Gentleman says, that by his account it is made very probable, that they were the better half of the Roman Empire, and tells us, it is 2certain that the number of Christians at Rome was proportionably greater than in any part of the Empire. Now how far the Christians at Rome were from being the major part of the Inhabitants, we may judge by the vast disproportion between the poor in the Church at Rome, and those in the whole City. Cornelius near 50 years after Tertullian (when it was of more growth by half an Age) reckons the poor of his Church to be 1500; whereas out of Suetonius and others, the poorer sorts of Citizens, quae è publico victitabat, are computed to be 320000h.
Our Author from these Oratorical expressions sticks not to conclude, that it is evident that the Christians were the major part every where, but in Rome more eminently so, and Dr. Downham signifies that Tertullian speaks chiefly of the City of Romeg, this Gentleman sayes, that by his account it is made very probable, that they were the better half of the Roman Empire, and tells us, it is 2certain that the number of Christians at Rome was proportionably greater than in any part of the Empire. Now how far the Christians at Rome were from being the major part of the Inhabitants, we may judge by the vast disproportion between the poor in the Church at Rome, and those in the whole City. Cornelius near 50 years after Tertullian (when it was of more growth by half an Age) reckons the poor of his Church to be 1500; whereas out of Suetonius and others, the poorer sorts of Citizens, quae è publico victitabat, are computed to be 320000h.