A33359:22
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.
2. He says, many more Presbyters may be ordained in a City, than is necessary for the first beginning of a Church, with respect to future increase. &c.
2. He sayes, many more Presbyters may be ordained in a City, than is necessary for the first beginning of a Church, with respect to future increase. &c.
And who will question, but the many Presbyters in the Church of Carthage were for future increase both in City and Country? So that herein the case is not different; And the design of that number of Officers might partly be for other Congregations, (Episcopal Churches, though not Diocesan) to furnish them with Officers. This is apparent afterwards in the practice of the African Churches, who when a new Church was erected, supplied it with a Bishop or other Assistants from places better stored with Officers; And it is exemplified particularly (as we shall see hereafter) in the provision which St. Austin made for Fussala.
And who will question, but the many Presbyters in the Church of Carthage were for future increase both in City and Country? So that herein the case is not different; And the design of that number of Officers might partly be for other Congregations, (Episcopal Churches, though not Diocesan) to furnish them with Officers. This is apparent afterwards in the practice of the African Churches, who when a new Church was erected, supplyed it with a Bishop or other Assistants from places better stored with Officers; And it is exemplyfied particularly (as we shall see hereafter) in the provision which St. Austin made for Fussala.
He says further, the multitude of Presbyters belonging to one Congregational Church, might be occasioned by the uncertain abode of most of the Apostles and their Commissioners, who are the Principal, if not the only Ordainers of Presbyters mentioned in Scripture.