A discourse concerning liturgies

But, if they were not known (as is manifest by the premisses they were not) for so many Ages; then, neither were they extant, and so, owe not their Original to the Apostles, or any near their times. For it is impossible, that, if they had been extant, and composed by the Apostles, for the constant and daily use of the Churches, they should not be known to the generality of Christians, supposed to have so used them: Or, if any will say, the Churches used them not, he must condemn them as highly impious, living in wilful disobedience to the Apostles orders, and open contempt of their Authority, from Generation to Generation: And further, if they were not known to be Apostolical, before the Seventh or Eighth Ages, there's no way left to know it after. Innate Arguments there are none, in those pieces, to evidence it, but many which show the contrary; no features or lineaments truly Apostolical, but much of the scurf and luxuriousness of corrupt and decrepit Ages. So that there is nothing but testimony to rely on; and he that will admit writings to be Apostolical, upon the testimony of times, wherein delusion and degeneracy prevailed, without the least attestation of the First Churches, and so many intermediate Ages, is well disposed to be deluded, or delude others.

But, if they were not known (as is manifest by the premisses they were not) for so many Ages; then, neither were they extant, and so, owe not their Original to the Apostles, or any near their times. For it is impossible, that, if they had been extant, and composed by the Apostles, for the constant and daily use of the Churches, they should not be known to the generality of Christians, supposed to have so used them: Or, if any will say, the Churches used them not, he must condemn them as highly impious, living in willful disobedience to the Apostles orders, and open contempt of their Authority, from Generation to Generation: And further, if they were not known to be Apostolical, before the Seventh or Eighth Ages, there's no way left to know it after. Innate Arguments there are none, in those pieces, to evidence it, but many which shew the contrary; no features or lineaments truly Apostolical, but much of the scurf and luxuriousness of corrupt and decrepit Ages. So that there is nothing but testimony to rely on; and he that will admit writings to be Apostolical, upon the testimony of times, wherein delusion and degeneracy prevailed, without the least attestation of the First Churches, and so many intermediate Ages, is well disposed to be deluded, or delude others.