Further to increase absurdities, he saith, by these words, per Ecclesias, is meant, not the material Church, but the people of the Church: that is to say in plainer terms, Ecclesia, 1is not a Church, but a private house. I grant the Greek ⟨p. 55⟩word [Greek or Hebrew], out of which our English word, Parish, [Greek or Hebrew] seemeth to have been taken, signifieth a Congregation, or meeting of neighbours, or a company dwelling within some space together, whether it be in compass more or less. So saith Eusebius:2 Dionysius writeth unto Basilides the Bishop of the divisions of Pentapolis. aAthanasius saith, that Demetrius took upon him the Bishopric of Alexandria, and, [Greek or Hebrew], of the divisions in Egypt. In these places and certain others, that might be alleged out of Basil, Nazianzene, and other Greek fathers, this word, [Greek or Hebrew] seemeth to signify a Bishopric, or a Diocese, and not a several parish.b And therefore Irenaeus thus writeth unto Victor Bishop of Rome, The Priests of Rome, meaning thereby the Bishops there, sent the Sacrament [Greek or Hebrew], to them that came out of other dioceses or divisions. And Eusebius thus writeth of Hippolytus: [Greek or Hebrew]. He being Bishop of an other division. Thus much touching this word [Greek or Hebrew], being moved thereto by the strange interpretation of M. Harding. Certainly, I think, he him self will say, that sithence the Church was once in peace, neither this word Ecclesia, nor this word Parochia ever signified a private house, in any kind of writer, or in any time.
Further to increase absurdities, he saithe, by these woordes, per Ecclesias, is meante, not the material Churche, but the people of the Church: that is to saie in plainer termes, Ecclesia, 1is not a Churche, but a priuate house. I graunte the Gréeke ⟨p. 55⟩woorde 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, out of whiche our Englishe woorde, Parishe, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 séemeth to haue bene taken, signifieth a Congregation, or méetinge of neighbours, or a companie dwellinge within some space togeather, whether it be in compasse more or lesse. So saithe Eusebius:2 Dionysius writeth vnto Basilides the Bishop of the diuisions of Pentapolis. aAthanasius saithe, that Demetrius tooke vpon him the Bishoprike of Alexandria, and, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, of the diuisions in Egypte. In these places and certaine others, that might be alleged out of Basile, Nazianzene, and other Gréeke fathers, this woorde, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 séemeth to signifie a Bishoprike, or a Diocese, and not a seueral parishe.b And therefore Irenaeus thus writeth vnto Uictor Bishop of Rome, The Priestes of Rome, meaninge thereby the Bishoppes there, sent the Sacrament 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to them that came out of other dioceses or diuisions. And Eusebius thus writeth of Hippolytus: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. He beyng Bishop of an other diuision. Thus much touchinge this woorde 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, beyng moued therto by the straunge interpretation of M. Hardinge. Certainely, I thinke, he him selfe will say, that sithence the Churche was once in peace, neither this woorde Ecclesia, nor this woorde Parochia euer signified a priuate house, in any kinde of writer, or in any time.
- 1Ecclesia, a private house.Ecclesia, a priuate house.
- 2Eusebius. ll. 7. ca. 26. [Greek or Hebrew]Eusebius. ll. 7. ca. 26. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- aAthanasius in Epist. de sententia Dionysii aduersus Arian.Athanasius in Epist. de sententia Dionysii aduersus Arrian.
- bEusebius Hist li. 5. ca. 26.
