A33359:307
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 his greatest argument, (in comparison of which his other Allegations, he tells us, are but accidental hints,z.) which he most insists on, and offers many times over; so that it makes a great part of his discourse on this subject. aIt is drawn from the number of Bishops in Councils, by which he would evince the largeness of ancient Dioceses, when it no way proves Diocesan Churches of any size. He proceeds upon this supposition that there were great numbers of Christians in all parts and Cities, bin the first age: And that the Bishops were fewer in former times than afterwards. The former part of his Hypothesis, if he understands the numbers of Christians to be any thing comparable to what ⟨p. 104⟩they were after Constantine, when Bishops were much multiplied; (as he must understand it, if he expect any service from it) wants proof, and he offers none but some passages in Tertullian, strained far beyond what is agreeable to other ancient Authors, of which before. Let me add that Nazianzen comparing the numbers of Christians in former times, with those in Julian's Reign, says, they were not many in former Persecutions, (Christianity had not reached many, [Greek or Hebrew],) no, not in that of Diocletian, &c. (though they were at that time, far more numerous, than in Tertullian's age) but that Christianity was found only in a few [Greek or Hebrew]c. The other part which needs no proof, since it is granted, (and may be without any advantage to him) he attempts to prove largely and industriously; but by such a medium as makes that which is granted to be questionable, such a one which as it is ordered may conclude backward, and prove the contrary to what he designs. That this may be manifest, let it be observed, that he will have us take an account of the number of Bishops in the Church by their appearing in Councils, more or fewer; and accordingly judge in several periods, whether they were less numerous, and consequently their Dioceses larger in former times than afterwards. And to this purpose we need view no other instances than himself produces. At Lambese in Africa there were 90 Bishops against Privatus; but not so many in any Council after (though not a few are mentioned in that Country) till the Donatists grew numerous