A33359:40
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.
If no argument is to be drawn from this number, why did the Learned Dean draw one from it? 2ly. This seems scarce consistent with the former Period: there, these Presbyters were for 3 or 4 Churches, here they are but for one Collegiate Church of which they were Canons, and this said to be evident in the Preface, where I cannot see it. 3ly. Since no measure is to be taken from hence concerning the numbers of Presbyters belonging to a Diocese; it seems there may be this number of Presbyters in a place which cannot be counted a Diocese, (as this one great Church never was, nor can be) and then no argument drawn from the number of Presbyters at Rome, Carthage, Edessa, &c. will prove a Diocesan Church; for here was the greatest number, which any where we meet with.
If no argument is to be drawn from this number, why did the Learned Dean draw one from it? 2ly. This seems scarce consistent with the former Period: there, these Presbyters were for 3 or 4 Churches, here they are but for one Collegiate Church of which they were Canons, and this said to be evident in the Preface, where I cannot see it. 3ly. Since no measure is to be taken from hence concerning the numbers of Presbyters belonging to a Diocess; it seems there may be this number of Presbyters in a place which cannot be counted a Diocess, (as this one great Church never was, nor can be) and then no argument drawn from the number of Presbyters at Rome, Carthage, Edessa, &c. will prove a Diocesan Church; for here was the greatest number, which any where we meet with.
Dr. St. to prove Diocesan Churches from the numerousness of Presbyters, mentioned 60 in C. P. in Justinian's time; from hence on the by, I thought it reasonable to suppose they were numerous in Constantine's time, when yet Theodoret says, all the Brethren met together with the Bishop. That the number of Presbyters is no ⟨p. 7⟩proof of a Diocesan Church was evinced sufficiently before: this fell in occasionally, and was added ex abundanti; Yet upon this supernumerary straggler he turns his main force, spending about 12 Pages on it. I am little concerned what becomes of it, since the main Hypothesis is already secured by the premisses; but that this Gentleman may not quite loose all his labour, I am willing to loose a little, in taking some notice of it.