A33359:88
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.
We are little concerned about this, yet it may be they began before this time, for there is no account at all in Church History, that the Novatians began there in, or after Athanasius his time.
I had produced evidence that many African Bishops declared, in the case of Valerius and Austin, that it was usual in all parts, to have two Bishops in a City at once; to this he answers, but suppose all this true, that this might be maintained by the Examples of several Churches, what is it that two Bishops may be in one Church? no, that is not the matter, but that a Bishop when he grows old, may appoint or ordain his Successor, to prevent the mischiefs, that are usually produced by popular Elections.
I had produced evidence that many African Bishops declared, in the case of Valerius and Austin, that it was usual in all parts, to have two Bishops in a City at once; to this he answers, but suppose all this true, that this might be maintained by the Examples of several Churches, what is it that two Bishops may be in one Church? no, that is not the matter, but that a Bishop when he growes old, may appoint or ordain his Successour, to prevent the mischiefs, that are usually produced by popular Elections.
If what the African Bishops did allege, were restrained to that particular case he contends for; yet this is enough to make good all I intend, viz. that usually in the ancient Church, there were two Bishops together in one place. For when one is ordained Bishop in the same place, when another is still living; with whatever design, upon what occasion soever this is done, yet there are two Bishops at once in the same place.
If what the African Bishops did alledge, were restrained to that particular case he contends for; yet this is enough to make good all I intend, viz. that usually in the antient Church, there were two Bishops together in one place. For when one is ordained Bishop in the same place, when another is still living; with whatever design, upon what occasion soever this is done, yet there are two Bishops at once in the same place.