A33359:257
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 suppose he speaks truth, what is it he says? Nero put an infinite multitude of them to death, but ingens multitudo, which are his words, may be far less than an infinite multitude. Two or three hundred may pass for a great multitude, and extraordinarily great, when that which is spoke of them is extraordinary. The Martyrs burnt in Queen Mary's days were a great multitude; and few may be accounted very many, to ⟨p. 80⟩suffer in such a manner, as these did by Nero's Cruelty, Ferarum tergis contecti ut laniatu canum interirent, aut crucibus affixi, aut flammandi, atque ubi defecisset dies in usum nocturni luminis uterentur, in the words of Tacitus.
But suppose he speaks truth, what is it he sayes? Nero put an infinite multitude of them to death, but ingens multitudo, which are his words, may be far less than an infinite multitude. Two or three hundred may pass for a great multitude, and extraordinarily great, when that which is spoke of them is extraordinary. The Martyrs burnt in Queen Mary's dayes were a great multitude; and few may be accounted very many, to ⟨p. 80⟩suffer in such a manner, as these did by Nero's Cruelty, Ferarum tergis contecti ut laniatu canum interirent, aut crucibus affixi, aut flammandi, atque ubi defecisset dies in usum nocturni luminis uterentur, in the words of Tacitus.
To this he adds the general account which Eusebius gives of the success of the Christian faith immediately after the first discovery of it, that presently in all Cities and Villages Churches abounding with innumerable multitudes were assembled, &c. pag. 459.
If he will not deal unkindly with Eusebius he must not set his expressions upon the Rack, nor stretch them beyond his intention, nor forget what is observed to be usual with him; Oratorem more rem amplificare. These Churches consisting of innumerable multitudes are said to be not only in all Cities, but Villages; now I believe it will be an hard matter for our Author to show us any Villages, even in Constantine's time, where there were a Thousand, yea, or 500 Christians. Those who will not abuse themselves or their Readers must give great allowance to such expressions, and not rely on them in strict arguing.