An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

That which is first in any kind, gives the Measure of what follows in the same kind, and Light into the Nature of them. Whereas therefore the Schism that was among the Churches about the Observation of Easter, was the first that fell out unto the Disturbance of their Communion, I shall give a brief account of it, as far as the Question in hand is concerned in it.

That which is first in any kind, gives the Measure of what follows in the same kind, and Light into the Nature of them. Whereas therefore the Schisme that was among the Churches about the Observation of Easter, was the first that fell out unto the Disturbance of their Communion, I shall give a breif account of it, as far as the Question in hand is concerned in it.

It is evident that the Apostles did with care and diligence teach the Doctrine of Christian Liberty, warning the Disciples to stand fast in it, and not submit their Necks unto any Yoke of Bondage, in the things of the Worship of God; especially the Apostle Paul had frequent Occasions to treat of this subject. And what they taught in Doctrine, they established and confirmed in their Practice. For they enjoined nothing to be observed in the Church but what was necessary, and what they had the Command of Christ for; leaving the Observation of things indifferent, unto their Original Indifferency. But whereas they had decreed by the Direction of the Holy Ghost some necessary Condescensions in the Gentile Believers, towards the Jews, in case of Offence or Scandal; they did themselves make use of their Liberty to comply with the same Jews, in some of their Observances, not yet unlawful. Hereon there ensued in several Churches different Observations of some Rites and Customs, which they apprehended were countenanced by the Practise of the Apostles, at least as it had been reported unto them. For immediately after the Decease of the Apostles, very many Mistakes and Untruths were reported concerning what they said, did, ⟨p. 55⟩and practised, which some diligently collected from Old Men, (it may be almost delirant) as Eusebius gives an Instance in Papias, lib. 3. cap. 36. And even the great Irenaeus himself, was imposed upon, in a Matter directly contrary to the Scripture, under a Pretence of Apostolical Tradition. Among those Reports was that of the Observation of Easter. And for a while the Churches continued in these different Observances, without the least disturbance of their Communion, each one following that which it thought the most probable Tradition, for Rule of Scripture they pretended not unto. But after a while they began to fall into a Contest about these things, which began at Laodicea, which Church was as likely to strive about such things as any other. For Eusebius tells us, that Melito the Bishop of Sardis, wrote two Books about Easter, beginning the first with an Account that he wrote them, when Servilius Paulus was Proconsul, there being then a great stir about it, at Laodicea. Euseb. lib. 4. cap. 25.