A33359:63
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.
He does not say an infinite multitude, the words of the Letter are [Greek or Hebrew], that there was a very great multitude of Christians is not denied, nor that he intended to build more Churches; but this confirms what is signified before, that these very many Churches were not yet built, but only in design, and that with a prospect of Christians there still increasing. And the Bibles, if they were intended only for C. P. might be for the future Churches, not the present only.
He does not say an infinite multitude, the words of the Letter are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that there was a very great multitude of Christians is not denied, nor that he intended to build more Churches; but this confirms what is signified before, that these very many Churches were not yet built, but only in design, and that with a prospect of Christians there still increasing. And the Bibles, if they were intended only for C. P. might be for the future Churches, not the present only.
His Conclusion is, where Christians were so multiplied that it was necessary to build more Churches, and to make such provisions for the multitude of their Assemblies, it could not be that they should all make but one Congregation.
He should have concluded that which is denied, otherwise all he hath premised will be insignificant, and to no purpose: it is granted that all the Christians at C. P. did make more than one Congregation, and for their conveniency met at other times in several Churches. That which is denied is, that the main Body or generality of Christians there could not meet in one Assembly, or did not so meet at this time with their Bishop Alexander, as to this he hath proved nothing, and therefore did well to conclude nothing against that which is affirmed to be the plain import of Theodoret's expression.