A33359:67
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.
It would swell this Preface to too great a Bulk▪ if I should answer the rest so particularly.
Since he designed to be so brief, and to have so short a Preface, I wish he had employed more of it against that which is the strength of the Discourse he opposes, and of more consequence to the main Cause; and not have spent so many leaves upon a by-passage, for which we have little reason to be concerned: for if he could make it appear, that the Christians at C. P. in Constantine's time were more than could meet in one Congregation, yea, or in two either; that would be far from proving it a Diocesan Church, unless some one or two of our Parishes can be counted so.
Since he designed to be so breif, and to have so short a Preface, I wish he had employed more of it against that which is the strength of the Discourse he opposes, and of more consequence to the main Cause; and not have spent so many leaves upon a by-passage, for which we have little reason to be concerned: for if he could make it appear, that the Christians at C. P. in Constantine's time were more than could meet in one Congregation, yea, or in two either; that would be far from proving it a Diocesan Church, unless some one or two of our Parishes can be counted so.
Let me add in fine, that our Author has done just nothing towards the disproving of what Theodoret was alleged for; unless he show, that C. P. exceeded old ⟨p. 19⟩Rome, was furnished with such an infinite number of Christians, so many (more than two) magnificent Churches there erected, the 50 Bibles thought needful to be provided, and almost all the Heathen besides many Jews converted; before Alexander (who is said to hold this Assembly with all the brethren) deceased; and so unless he prove that all this was done (which himself I think can scarce believe) in less than a year. For Valesius (upon whose authority this Gentleman takes much) proves at large (making it the business of one of his Books) that Alexander died (and yet must live some while after this panegyrical Assembly) in the year 331.