A33359:274
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.
Yet this is certain, it cannot be in the time of Diocletian's Persecution, for the Schism of the Donatists did not break out till Majorinus was ordained (who was the first Bishop of the Faction made in Africa or elsewhere) and this was sometime after the Persecution was there ended, as Optatus and Valcsius after him, and others declarez; and sometime must be allowed after this for the Donatists settling in Rome, and such an increase of them there as to need a Bishop. Baronius makes this Victor to be Bishop in Sylvester's time, which might be long enough after Diocletian's Persecution, for he lived till 335. All which our Author hath to allege for the more early date of Victor's Bishopric, is that there were two or three Donatist Bishops between Victor and Optatus; but this will scarce serve his turn. For there were four Bishops of Rome in the former part of that very age wherein we are now concerned, who held not the Chair ten years among them, Marcellus, Eusebius, Melchiades and Marcus. But we may allow the three Donatist Bishop at Rome near ten years a piece from the time of Optatus, 378 (as both Blondel and Valesius agree) and yet Victor Garbiensis may not be Bishop till Anno 350 and so nearer to Optatus his time, than Dioclesians.
Yet this is certain, it cannot be in the time of Dioclesian's Persecution, for the Schisme of the Donatists did not break out till Majorinus was ordained (who was the first Bishop of the Faction made in Africa or elsewhere) and this was sometime after the Persecution was there ended, as Optatus and Valcsius after him, and others declarez; and sometime must be allowed after this for the Donatists settling in Rome, and such an increase of them there as to need a Bishop. Baronius makes this Victor to be Bishop in Silvester's time, which might be long enough after Dioclesian's Persecution, for he lived till 335. All which our Author hath to alledge for the more early date of Victor's Bishoprick, is that there were two or three Donatist Bishops between Victor and Optatus; but this will scarce serve his turn. For there were four Bishops of Rome in the former part of that very age wherein we are now concerned, who held not the Chair ten years among them, Marcellus, Eusebius, Melchiades and Marcus. But we may allow the three Donatist Bishop at Rome near ten years a piece from the time of Optatus, 378 (as both Blondel and Valesius agree) and yet Victor Garbiensis may not be Bishop till Anno 350 and so nearer to Optatus his time, than Dioclesians.