A Defense of the Sermon Preached at the Consecration of the Bishop of Bath, Book 2 · Chapter 1
The First Chapter entreating of the diuers acceptations of the words foreign, Church, Diocesse, and that which is translated, Parish.
IN this second conflict I find the Refuter very confident, like the men of Ai, (though not vponupon the like occasion) as though my forces were not able to stand before him. But forasmuch as in the former assault I hauehave taken the Acropolis & chiefe hold of the Presbyterian Discipline, I doubt not, but that when he shall with the men of Ai looke backe, and see the chiefe Tower of his defence, I meane the Presbytery, vanishing as it were a smoake, his courage will bee abated. For the Presbytery being downe, what hath he wherewith to hold out Bishoppes? For seeing the Primitiue Churches were gouerned eyther by Diocesan Bishoppes, as we hold, or by Pastors of Parishes, assisted with Lay-Elders as they imagine, who seeth not that vponupon the ouerthrow of the Presbyteries, the gouernment by Bishops is necessarily inferred? Hauing therefore proued the first point of the fiue, with such euidence of truth, as I am wel assured all the gainesayers thereof will neuer bee able soundly and substantially to confute, I need not doubt of preuailing in the rest. As for the 2. next points which I handle, concerning Dioceses, and Diocesans; the refuter thinketh they be the weakest of all the fiue, Pag. 53.and the worst appointed , and thereupon would take occasion to cauill at my order, (as if I were to learne Methode of him) whereas indeed his imputation of weakenesse to these 2. parts, if it were true, would commend my disposition of them as Homericall, seeing I hauehave marshalled them Nestorio more, after the manner of Nestor, in medio infirma, placing the weakest in the middest. The chiefest points in my estimation being the first, and the two last. The truth is, I did more lightly passe ouer these two then the rest, but not out of an opinion of weakenes in the points themselues, but partly in a conceit of their euidence, and partly in consideration that they were not either so worthie or so needfull to be insisted vponupon as the rest. For first, I supposed them to be so euident, that howsoeuer T. C. in whose steppes our new Disciplinarians tread, vponupon weaker grounds then a man of learning & iudgement should hauehave stood vponupon, doth deny them; yet scarsly any other man of learning & iudgement besides him would gain-say them. Secondly, that the three weightiest points which are most contradicted, and in which these 2. are presupposed, were most worthy in that breuity (whereto I was confined) to be stood vponupon. And thirdly, that J needed not to bee so carefull in prouing of them, seeing the chiefest patrones of the pretended Discipline, as Caluin and Beza, &c. doe herein ioin with vsus against our new sect of Disciplinarians, as hath already beene proued.
Now whereas I brought forth these forces, intending only a light skirmish, & velitationem quandam tanquam leuis armaturae; my aduersary bringeth his maine battel into the field, as if the euent of this whole warfare depended vponupon this encounter. I will therefore not onelyonly bring a new supply like those of the Israelites which came vponupon the men of Ai, as they were pursuing the other companies of Israel; but also cause these Arguments, which now like the troupes of Israel seem in his conceit to flie before him, to returne vponupon him a fresh.
And forasmuch as here we are to entreat of Churches,§. 2. How the word Ecclesia is taken in the Scriptures. Parishes, and Dioceses, it shall not bee amisse to beginne with the names which are diuersly taken. And first with the word Ecclesia; which signifying generally aAct. 19.32.39.40. Psal. 22.23. & 26.5.12. & 149.1. Nehem. 5.7. in the Greeke translation., any assembly, company or congregation of men whatsoeuer, ciuill or ecclesiasticall, holy or prophane, is in all the places of the new Testament (excepting Act. 19.) appropriated to the Companies of the faithfull. For whereas all mankind is to be diuided into two Companies; the one is the world, which is the kingdome of darkenesse, containing manie particular companies which are all the Synagogues of Sathan, the other, the Kingdome of God; this latter is called Ecclesia, signifying a Company of men as redeemed, so also called out of the world,foreign as the Greeke word importeth. Ecclesia therefore is a company of men called out of the world vntounto saluation by Christ, that is to say more brieflie, the Church doth signifie a companie of Christians.
And thus it is vsed in the Scriptures either more
Generally, to signifie eyther the
Vniuersal company of them that are elected in Christ, or called to be Saints, as Ephes. 1.22. & 3.21. & 5.23. 24.25.27.29, 32. Act 2.47. Colos. 1.18.24.
The two main parts of the vniuersall Church
Triumphant in heauen, as Heb. 12 23.
Militant on earth, as Mat. 16.18. 1. Cor. 12.28. Eph. 3.10. 1. Tim. 3.15, and that eyther
dispersed in diuers nations and Countries throughout the world, 1. Cor. 10.32. & 15 9. Act. 8.3. Gal 1.13. Phil. 3.6.
Congregated in an vniuersall or O…cumenicall Synode
Particularly, & that either
Definitely, to signifie the Church of a
Nation in the nūber
Singular. Act. 7 38.
Plural. Rom. 16.4. 1. Cor. 16.1.19. 2. Co. 8.1. Ga. 1.2.22
And these either dispersed or cōgregated into a
Synode or consistory.
Mat. 18.17
Act. 15.22
Congregation, whether set: or vncertain as
Act. 11.26. & 14.27. 1. Cor. 11 18 22. & 14.5.12.19 23.28.34.35.3. Ioh. 6.
City and Country adioyning. Act. 5.11. & 8.1. & 11.12. & 12.1.5. & 13.1. & 14.23. & 20. 17.28. 1. Cor. 1.2. 2 Co. 1.1. & 8.23. Col 4.16. 2. Thes. 1.1. 1. Tim. 5.16. Iam. 5.14. Apoc. 1.4. 11.20. & 2.1.7.8.12.18. & 3.1.7.14.
Village or towne. Rom. 16 1.
Family, Rom. 16.5. 1. Cor. 16 9. Col. 4.5. Philem. 2.
Indefinitely, signifying any company of Christians, not defining either the
Place, Society, whether of a Nation, City, &c. quantity, whether an entire church or but a part, as
Act. 9.…1. & 15 3.4.41. & 18.22. Rom. 16.16 23.1. Co. 4.17. & 6.4. & 11.16. & 14. 33. 2. Cor. 8.18.19.24. & …1 8.28. & 12.13. Phil. 4.15. 1. Thes. 2.14. 2. Thes. 1.4. …. Tim. 3.5.3. Iohn. 9. 10. Apoc. 2.7.17.23.29. & 3.6.13.22. & 22.16.
The significations of the word Church being so manifold in the Scriptures,§. 3. What is to be called a Church. it may bee demanded what is truly and properly a Church vponupon earth. Whereunto I answer by warrant of the word, that eueryevery company of men professing the true faith of Christ, is both truly a Church, and also a true Church. So is the whole company of the faithfull vponupon earth the true Church and spouse of Christ, the piller and ground of truth.
So is the company of Christians professing the true faith of Christ in any Nation or part of the world to bee termed by the name of a Church. For euen as the whole people of Israel professing the true religion, were one Church, though containing verie many particular Congregations or Synagogues, which also were so many Churches: euen so the whole people of England, professing through Gods mercy, the true Catholike and Apostolicke faith, is to bee called the Church of England. For whereas some alleage, that the Church of the Iewes was one, because it was vnderunder one high Priest, who was a figure, and therefore ceased: it is euident that it was one Church, because it was one people or commonwealth, ruled by the same lawes, professing the same religion, both before there was one high Priest, and after there were through corruption more then one. Neither was the high Priest in respect of his preeminence and gouernment ouer the priests and people a type of Christ (for then had he, as well as Melchisedeck, been a type of Christs gouernment and kingly office, as well as of his priesthood, and consequently Christ might hauehave bin a priest of the order of Aaron, as well as of Melchisedeck but in respect of his sacrifice for the whole people, and intercession for them, and his entrance alone within the sanctuary, bearing the names of the twelue Tribes: for Christs gouernment appertaineth to his kingdome, and not to his priesthood.
Likewise the Christian people of any Citie and Country adioyning, whether that which wee call a prouince or diocesse, though consisting of many particular congregations, is rightly termed a Church, as the Church of Ierusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardes, Philadelphia, &c.
Jn like manner, the Christian people of one Towne or Village, containing but one congregation, which we call a parish, is truly called a church, as perhaps that of Cenchreae. And to conclude, the company of faithfull in one familie doe deserue the name of a Church, as hath bin shewed. Indeed that any particular Chruch of a whole Nation, Citie and Country, Towne, Parish, or family, (family I say being alone, and not a part of a congregation, but as an entire Church or parish by itselfe) may bee accounted a true visible Church, there is required besides the profession of the true faith, wherein the life and being of a Church consisteth, the ministery of the word and sacraments, and eutaxy, or some good order of gouernment. Not that all gouernours are to be placed in eueryevery society or Church, but that the effect and benefit of the gouernment is to redound to eueryevery particular. For as well might an high Councell of State, or Parliament, such as was the synedrion of the Iewes, which was but one for the whole Nation, be required in eueryevery Citie, and a Maior and Aldermen (such as be in London and other chiefe Cities) in eueryevery village, as a Bishop and Presbytery in eueryevery parish.
§ 4. Visible Churches not parishes only, H. I. pag. 6.All which J hauehave the rather noted, because some hauing first strongly conceited, that there is no true visible Church but a parish, nor lawfull church-officers but parishionall, hauehave haled the places of Scripture, where Ecclesia is mentioned, to the confirmation of their conceit: and thereupon, as their chiefe foundation, hauehave built their newfound parish discipline.Of the Iewes there may, so oft as there is mention of their synagogues. Whereas in very truth, scarce any one testimony of such a congregation of Christians, as we call a parish, can be alleaged out of the Scriptures. Indeed at the very first conuersion of Cities, the whole number of the people conuerted (being sometimes not much greater then the number of the Presbyters placed among them) were able to make but a small congregation. But those Churches were in constituting, they were not fully constituted, vntill their number being increased, they had their Bishoppe or Pastor, their Presbytery and Deacons; without which Ignatius saith, there was no Church: meaning no accomplished or fully constituted Church. Neither was the Bishop and the Presbytery, which at the first was placed in any Citie, prouided onelyonly for that set number which was already conuerted; but they were there placed for the conuersion of the whole Citie and country thereto belonging: their ministery being like to the leuen put into three pecks of meale, which by degrees seasoneth the whole lumpe. Neither was it meant, that the whole number of Christians of each Citie and territory, being much increased, should continue but one particular ordinary congregation assembling in one place; but that vponupon the multiplication of Christians, diuision should be made of the whole Church into diuers particular congregations, which after happened in all Churches accordingly. But vponupon this diuision, there was not to eueryevery seuerall congregation allotted a Bishop and a Presbytery, but only seuerall Presbyters assigned, singuli singulis, some of the Presbyters continuing with the Bishop. The Bishop himselfe remaining, as it was first intended, and as the Church of God eueryevery where throughout the world expounded that intent, by their practise, the Pastor or Superintendent of the whole Citie and country adioyning. Neither are all the Disciplinarians in the world able to shew, that there were, or ought to hauehave been, after the diuision of parishes and assignement of seuerall Presbyters vntounto them, any more then one Bishop and one Presbytery for a whole diocesse. But of this more hereafter.
In the meane time,§ 5. The acceptation of the words, ecclesia, &c. in the antient Writers. hauing shewed that the vse of the word Ecclesia in the Scriptures doth not sauour their conceit, who imagine there is no true Church, but a parish, the word signifying (according to the vsuall phrase of the holy Ghost) any company of Christians, whether great or small; I am now to declare the vse of the word Ecclesia, paroecia, dioecesis, (which are commonly translated, Church, parish, diocesse,) in antient Writers. Where I am to note, that setting aside the general significatiō of the word Ecclesia, signifying either the whole Church in general, or the two maine parts of it in heauen and earth: in which sense paroecia and dioecesis are not vsed, as also the largest signification of dioecesis, containing the whole circuit of a patriarchall and archiepiscopall iurisdiction, (as the diocesse of the Patriarch of Alexandria contained all Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis, the diocesse of Antioch, the East Countries, &c.) In which sense, the word paroecia is not vsed, setting aside I say these large significations of ecclesia and dioecesis: otherwise these three words, ecclesia, paroecia, and dioecesis, are for the most part vsed as words of the same signification. For as in the singular number, commonly each of them doth signifie a diocesse, excepting wherein the distribution of the diocesse paroecia is opposed to foreign, for then onelyonly it signifieth the citie and suburbs, and excepting where some addition restraineth the word paroecia or ecclesia, to the signification of a parish, as ecclesia or paroecia cui presbyter praest: so in the plurall, if they be referred to one diocesse, they signifie parishes, or some parts of the diocesse (though with this difference, that dioceses doe note Parishes onelyonly in the Country, but ecclesia and paroecia, commonly, as well those in the Citie, as in the country) but referred to whole Nations, or larger parts of the world, they signifie dioceses.
But I will speake of them seuerally,The acceptations of the word foreign, paroecia. beginning with foreign paroecia: the rather because our Refuter, and others of his feather, finding in Eusebius the Churches of Ierusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, &c. to bee termed paroeciae, straightwaies conclude, that they were such Churches as we call parishes. Which, if they write as they thinke, is a very vnlearned collection. For whereas the word foreign, is diuersly vsed, sometimes with reference to a Bishoppe, sometimes with relation to a Presbyter; in the signification of a parish, it is neuer vsed as the whole Church, subiect to the Bishoppe, but in that sense is either referred to one Presbyter, as his proper charge: or if it be referred to the Bishoppe, it doth signifie but one parish among many belonging to his Bishopricke. But most vsually, and almost alwaies in antient Writers, yea and many times, both in those of the middle, and also of the latter age, it is taken either for the whole diocesse, or for the citie and suburbs; whereto as the Bishops see, the rest of the diocesse doth appertaine.
And because my aduersary shall not say I speake without booke,§. 6. Paroecia be…okening a Bishop's charge, doth signifie a diocesse. I will bring pregnant testimonies to make good my assertion. First therefore, whereas one aCan. Apost. 14.of the ancient Canons, called the Apostles, forbiddeth a Bishop to leaue foreign, his owne charge, and to leape into another: and wh…reas Eusebius the author of the ecclesiasticall history, being the Metropolitan Bishop of Caesarea, and much importuned to remoue to Antioch, which at that time was the seat of the third patriarch, refused that offer: Constantine bEuseb. l. 3. de vit. Constantini, pag. 146.the great doth greatly commend him for keeping foreign, the Apostolik… canon. Which canon the Council of Nice hath reference vntounto, when it saith cConc. Nic. c. 15.that Bishops remouing from one City to another, or as wee speake, from one See to another, did foreign, contrary to the Canon. The meaning therefore of the Canon forbidding a Bishop to remoue from one paroecia to another, was to forbidde him to remoue from one Diocesse to another. The councill of Antioch, speaking to the same purpose, retayneth the same words, forbidding a Bishop dConc. Antioc. c. 21.foreign, to bee translated from one paroecia to another ▪ Where it were absurd to vnderstand the councell as speaking of a parish, because this councell being latter then the councell of Nice, it is euident that at that time, there were not onelyonly Bishops of Dioceses, and Metropolitanes ouer Prouinces▪ but also patriarches diuiding among them the Christian world. And to the same purpose, the councill of Sardica eEpist. synod. Sardic. apud Theodor. l. 2. c. 8.noting the breach of these canons, among other vnlawfull practises of the Arians, expresseth it in these words, foreign, translations from lesse Cities to greater paroecias, that is, dioceses, or Bishoprickes In the same Councell it is decreed fCon. Sard. c. 15., that if any Bishoppe will ordaine in any degree of the clergy, foreign, out of another paroecia, foreign, a Minister belonging to another Bishop, without the consent of his owne Bishop, the ordination shall be voide. The councels gConc. Ancyr. c. …8. Conc. Antioch. c. 18. Martin. Brac c…a…, Capi…. synod. gr. c. 10. e…. 12.of Ancyra and Antioch speaking of Bishops, the one, not receiued foreign, of the paroecia, or diocesse, the other, not accepting foreign, the paroecia or bishopricke vntounto which he was ordained, most plainely by paroecia vnderstand the charge of a Diocesan Bishop. Epiphanius hEpiph. epist. ad Ioan. Hierosol. apud Hieronym. t. 2.excusing himself to Iohn the Bishop of Ierusalem, who was offended with him, for that he had, as was supposed, ordained a Presbyter in his diocesse, answereth among other things, that diuers Bishops had ordained in his diocesse, without his offence. Yea, he had exhorted Philo & Theoprobus, two Bishops, that in the Churches of Cyprus, which were neer to them, ad mea autem paroeciae videbātur ecclesiā pertinere, eo quod grandis esset et lat a prouincia, ordinarēt presbyteros, et Christs ecclesiae prouiderent, but seemed, faith he, to belong to the Church of my paroecia, that is, Bishopricke, they would, because it was a great and large prouince, ordaine Presbyters, and prouide for the Church of Christ. Where it is testified, that the Churches throughout a large Prouince, were but part of his paroecia, that is, diocesse.
§ 7. The like vse of the word in later times.But I will descend to latter times, wherein it was prouided, that a Bishop of another City iConc. Aruern tempore Pelag. c. 9., should not contrary to the canons, inuade parochiam cuiuslibet episcopi, the paroeciae, mening diocesse of any other Bishop. The third Councell of Toledo kConc. Toletā. 3 tempore Pelag. c. 3.hath these words; Si quid episcopi ecclesiis ad suā parochiam pertinentibus dederint, &c. If Bishops shall giuegive any thing to Churches belonging to their paroecia, that is, Bishopricke. Gregory the Great when he would signifie, that the antient canons commanded that prouinciall synods should be held twice a yeere, saith lLib. 7. epist. 110., they had taken order, de habendis per parochias concilijs. The synod held in EnglandmApud Bedā. in b…st. Angl. l. 4 c. 5. can. 2. &.6. An. 673. decreed, that no Bishop should inuade the paroecia of another: and that Bishops and other clergy men, being strangers, may not exercise any priestly function without the leaue of the Bishop, in cuius paroecia, in whose diocesse they are knowne to remaine. In the Councell of ArlesnCon. Arelat. sub Carolo Mag c. 17., it was ordained, that once a yeere eueryevery Bishop should goe about parochiam suam, that is, his diocesse. The Councell of Mentz oConc. Mogunt. c. 31.appoint, that eueryevery Bishoppe in sua parochia, that is, in his owne diocesse, should make diligent inquirie, whether there were any Presbyters or Deacons therein, that belonged to another Bishop, that they might be returned to him. In the Councell of RhoanpConc. Rotho▪ mag. c. 6., the Bishop is forbidden principalem cathedram s…ae parochia negligere, to neglect the Cathedrall Church or chiefe seat of his paroecia, that is, Bishoprick. To conclude, the Councel held at WormesqVorm…tien…. c. 62., forbiddeth Bishops, qu… parochias non habent, which hauehave no charge of their owne, to exercise their function, or to ordaine in alterius parochia, in the paroecia of another Bishop, without the appointment of the Bishop in …uius parochia, in whose diocesse they be. Whereby it doth euidently appeare, that the word paroecia, being attributed to a Bishop, as his whole charge or circuit of his episcopall iurisdiction, doth signifie a diocesse, consisting of many parishes. And that in Eusebius it is so to bee vnderstood, it is most manifest, because hee calleth great Churches, after the diuision of them into many parishes, not onelyonly in the Country, but euen in the Cities, by the name of Paroecia. To which purpose,That in Eusebius foreign paroecia signifieth the Diocesse. let vsus conferre a few places in Eusebius, concerning the Church of Alexandria: whereby his meaning, when he speaketh of this argument, wil easily appeare. For hauing said, lib. 6. cap. 1. that Laetus was the president of Alexādria & the rest of Aegypt, he addeth rEuseb. l. 6. c. 1.foreign, but the Bishoprick of the paroecia or Churches there (in Alexandria and Aegypt) Demetrius had lately receiued. In the eight chaptersL. 6. c. 8. he saith, that Demetrius was foreign, the president or Bishop of the paroecia, that is, the Church there. For so he explaneth himself tLib. c. 26.chap. 26. calling him foreign, the Bishop of the Church of the Alexandreans: and what he meaneth by that speech he sheweth uL. 6. c. 3….chap. 35. Where speaking of Dionysius his next successor but one, hee vseth these words, foreign, hee taketh vponupon him the Bishopricke or charge of being president of the Churches belonging to Alexandria. So that when he saith Bishop foreign, of the paroecia, or church, his meaning is all one as if hee had said foreign, or foreign, that is, of such a Bishopricke as contained many Churches. And in the same sense he speaketh (though in the plurall number) when hee mentioneth foreign &c.Euseb li. 4. c. 15. & l. 5. c. 23 The 2. signification of Paroecia betokening the city or chiefe seat of the Bishop the paroeciae or churches of Pontus, the churches of Asia, the paroecia of the holy catholike church. Thus then wee see, that in antient writers the word foreign in Greeke, and paroecia (corruptly parochia) in Latine, is vsually taken for the whole diocesse consisting of many parishes, when it betokeneth a Bishops whole charge.
§. 8. Sometimes it signifieth but a part of the Bishoprick, as whē the whole diocesse is diuided into foreign or foreign, signifying the city or chiefe seate, or see of the Bishop: and foreign or foreign the rest of the diocesse in the countrie or countries thereto belonging. For manifestation whereof, those two places mentioned in the sermon are sufficient. The former is one of the ancient Canons called the Apostles, in these words xCan. apost. 34foreign, &c. The Bishops of eueryevery nātion it behoueth to agnize him that is Primate or first among them, and to esteeme him foreign as their head or chief, and to do foreign nothing that exceedeth the bounds of their owne charge or iurisdiction, without his consent, and that eueryevery one doe deale in those things alone, foreign which belong to his owne Paroecia, that is, see or Church & the coū …ries which be subiect onto it. Neither may he (that is, the Metropolitan,) do any thing without the consent of all. So shall there bee concorde, and God shall bee glorified through the Lord in the Holy Ghost: Which canon is renued and explained in the councill of Antioch, the canons whereof were part of the ancient code yIn the Coūcel of Chalcedō Act. 11. the 16. & 17. Canōs of the coū cell of Antioch are out of the booke of the Canōs of Coūcels quoted as the 96. & 97. Canon, which sheweth that the ancient book agreeth with the edition of Til…us, which reckoning the Apostles Cano…s by thē selues alloweth 20. Canōs to the Councell of Nice, 25. to that of Ancyra, 15. to the Counc. of Neocesaria & 20. to the counc. of Gangra, all which arise to 80. Whereto if you adde the canons of the councill of Antioch the 16. of that councell will be the 96. & the 17. the 97.or book of canons receiued in the ancient church, recited some of them in the great councell of Chalcedon, and ratified all of them in the generall councell of Constantinople held in Trullo the Emperours Palace. The canon is this: It zConc. Antioch. c. 9.behooueth the BB, of eueryevery Prouince to acknowledge the Metropolitane B. and that he taketh vpō him the cure of the whole Prouince because there is a concourse of all men who hauehave businesse from all places vntounto the Metropolis on mother Citie. Wherefore it hath beene thought good or decreed, that he should excell in honour, and that without him the rest of the Bishops should doe foreign, nothing exceeding the bounds of their owne charge, foreign, according to the ancient receiued Canon of our Fathers, (meaning the afore cited Canon of the Apostles, which it reciteth, as you see, word for word) but those things alone which concerne his owne Pa…oecia, that is, his owne See or Citie, and the Countries which be vnderunder it. For eueryevery Bishop hath authoritie ouer his owne Paroecia, and doth foreign, administer according to the feare (of God) wherewith he is endued, and hath a prouident care, foreign, of the whole region (or countrey) which is vnderunder his Citie (vsing the word foreign and foreign, that is, Paroecia and Citie, indifferently) so that hee may ordaine Presbyters and Deacons, and order all things with iudgement: foreign, but beyond his bounds hee may doe nothing without the Bishop of the Mother Citie: neither may he without …he consent of the rest. Then which testimonies, nothing can bee alleged more pregnant, either for the signification of the word, or for the proofe of our assertion, that the Churches or charges of Bishops were not parishes, but dioceses.
Sometimes indeede the word Paroecia doth signifie that which we call a parish:§ 9. The third signification of paroecia. but then either it is vsed with such reference to a Bishop, as it is plainely noted to bee but one among many belonging to his charge, and is commonly vttered in the plurall number;C. Tolet. 3▪ c. 20. or else it is referred to a Presbyter as his proper charge. To which purpose consider these testimonies. The Councell of Carthage, aCarth. 4. c. 102.which is so much alleged by the Disciplinarians, speaketh, as of the Bishop of the diocesse, so of a Presbyter, qui Parochiae praeest, who is set ouer a parish. The bConc. Tolet. 4. c. 25. & 26.Councell of Toledo speaketh of Presbyters ordained in parochijs & per parochias. Innocentius cInn. …. ep. 8. ad Flor.the first writing to Florentius a Bishop, blameth him for vsurping a parish which belonged to the diocesse of Vrsus another Bishop. And elsewhere dEpist. l. ad. Decent. c. 5,he speaketh
§. 11. The significations of Dioecesis.As for foreign, or dioecesis, I hope I shall not neede to prooue, that it also signifieth a diocesse. Neither do I greatlie neede to shew, that in the signification of a diocesse, it is giuen to Bishops; seeing the sense of it being diuersified according to the varietie of the persons to whom it is attributed; in the sense of a diocesse, as we tearme it, it is properly ascribed to Bishops. The word indeede seemeth generally to signifie the circuit of any mans charge or administration, who hath gouernment in the Church. For as there is Ecclesia, a Church of a Patriarch, and of a Metropolitan, of a Bishop,Sozom l. 8. c. 3. Ius Graecorom p. 89. and of a Presbyter; so there is foreign, or dioecesis, of a Patriarch, which we may call a Patriarchall diocesse; of an Archbishop, which we call a Prouince; of a Bishop, which we call a Diocesse; and of a Presbyter, which we call a Parish.
For the two first, these few examples may suffice. The Emperour Iustinian aCod. lit. tit. 4. de Episcopali audientia.appointeth,The Diocesse of a Patriarch. that a Clergy man should not be accused at the first before the Patriarch of the Diocesse; but first, according to the sacred constitutions, before the Bishop of the City, in which the Clergy man liueth: then, if he be suspected as partiall, let him bring the party accused before the Metropolitane Bishop. But if he also shall not allow of the accusation,§. 29. Sancimus, graece foreign, & Nouell. 123. c. 22. let him bring him before the Synode of that prouince but if still hee thinke himselfe wronged, let him appeale to the Patriarch of the Diocesse, from whose sentence there lieth no appeale &c. Afterwards he addeth this exception; that wheras there are two sorts of Patriarches, some, who in the Prouinces wherein they are, beare the office of Metropolitanes, (their See being of ancient time the Metropolis of the Prouince, such were the Bishops of Antioch, Rome, and Alexandria,) others per totam Diocesin, throughout the whole Diocesse, doe ordaine the Metropolitanes and other Bishops who are vnderunder them, as the Bishop of Constantinople bH…rcalea was the Metropolis of Thracia, vntounto which Byzantium had beene subiect., and perhaps Ierusalem;cCesarea was the Metropolis of Palestina.) therefore the causes, which happen in the Prouinces of the former sort, are immediately from the Bishops to be brought to them as to Metropolitanes.
In the foreign dIns Graecor…m. p. 100., or disposition of the Churches, subiect to the Patriarch of Constantinople, made by the Emperour Leo the Philosopher, it is noted, that seuen Metropolitane Churches, were withdrawn from eforeignthe Romane Diocesse, with the Bishops vnderunder them, & one also, viz. Sele…cia in Pamphylia from fforeignthe Diocesse of the East, (meaning of the Bishop of Antioch, for he, as Theodoret gTheod. l. 4. c. 23.saith, was foreign, the ruler or chiefe of the Bishops in the East,) together with 26. Bishopricks subiect thereto. Epiphanius hEpiph. haer. 68., as you heard before, testifieth this to hauehave beene the custome, that the Bishop of Alexandria should hauehave the Ecclesiastical foreign Diocesse, or Administration of all Egypt & Thebais, Mareot, Libya, Ammoniace, Maraeotis, and Pentapolis. It is said of Gregory the Great iIoan. Diac. in vit. Greg. l. 3. c. 13. The Diocesse of an Archbishop., that vntounto the Bishopricks of his Diocesse, hee inuited Bishops of another Diocesse, vacantes, being voided of their Bishoprickes, as the Bishop of Smyrna, hee inuited to a Bishopricke in Sicilia.
The circuit also of an Archbishops iurisdiction is sometimes called foreign and Dioecesis, and the Archbishop himselfe kConc. Chalc…. 8. & 17., foreign, as in the Councell of Chalcedon, where Archbishops are reckoned as a middle degree, betweene Metropolitanes and Patriarches; the name of Patriarch being also giuen sometimes vntounto them. If any hauehave a controuersie with the Metropolitane of the Prouince, let him goe vntounto, either foreign, the Primate of the Diocesse, or to the patriarch of Constantinople. The same Councell lChalc. c. 28.appointeth the Metropolitanes of the Dioceses of Pontus, Asia, and Thracia to bee ordained by the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the BB. of eueryevery prouince in those Dioceses to bee, as they were wont, according to the Canons, to bee ordained of their Metropolitans. So that according to this sense a prouince is but part of a Diocesse. Socrates speaking of the first Councell of Constantinople, saith mSocrat. l. 5. c. 8.that they established Patriarches, meaning Archbishops, diuiding vntounto them prouinces. Thus of the Diocesse of Pontus, Helladius the Bishoppe of Cesarea, Gregorius the Bishoppe of Nyssa, Otreius the B. of Metileno obtained the Patriarchship. The Patriarchship of the Diocesse of Asia was assigned to Amphilochius of Iconium, and Optimus of Antioch in Pisidia and Gregory nLib. 3. Epist. 3.writing to Constantius the Archbishop of Millaine, mentioneth diuers BB. of his Diocesse, as you heard oLi. 1. c. 7. §. 9 § 12. The Diocesse of a Bishop.before.
But we are briefly also to shew that a Bishops charge is called Dioecesis. The first Councell of Constantinople decreeth pConc. Const. 1. c. 2., as it is commonly vnderstood, that BB. should not goe out of their Diocesse vntounto Churches without their bounds, and that they should not qforeign.confound the Churches. Where a Diocesse is attributed to a Bishop, as the circuit and bounds of his iurisdiction; and Churches, which the Councell forbiddeth to be confounded, are confounded with Dioceses. Againe, that BB. rforeign. &c.being not called, may not goe without their Diocesse, to ordaine Ministers, or to exercise other ecclesiasticall administrations.
In the Councell of Africke sConc. Afric. c. 65. Carth. Graec. c. 101.it was decreed that those people which neuer had a Bishop of their owne, should not hauehave a Bishop but by the decree of the whole Synode of the prouince, and the Primate, and by the consent of him in whose Diocesse the said Church is. Againe, that one Bishop tConc. Carth. 2 c. 11. Dioecesis taken for the country, and parts of the Diocesse therein.doe not inuade the Diocesse of another. Thus Dioecesis signifieth the whole Diocesse. But where we find it opposed to the City, or to the Cathedral church, then doth it signifie the rest of the Diocesse; as in the Africane Councell uCon. Afric. c. 84. Conc. Carth. grae. c. 118.it was ordained that the Churches in the Diocesse conuerted from Donatisme, should belong to the Cathedra or See of the Catholicke B. Againe, *Con. Afric. c. 38. & Carth. graec. 72. Carth. 5. c. 5.the BB are forbidden to leaue their chiefe seat or See, & to remoue themselues to another church in their Diocesse.
Thus in the plural number, it signifieth sometimes al the churches in the Diocesse, meaning the coūtry, & somtimes any of thē seuerally. It was concluded vponupon in the Councel of Carthage, xCarth. grae. c. 14.that the BB. which liue in the vnity & cōmunion of the Church, foreign, that hee should not onelyonly iustly retaine his owne See, but also possesse such Dioeceses, that is parts of the Diocesse, as had gotten to themselues a a schismaticall Bishop of their owne. Againe, it was decreed yConc. Carth. 2. c. 5.that Dioceses (that is, parts of the Diocesse in the country) which neuer had a Bishop, should not hauehave any: and that Diocesse which sometimes had, should hauehave their owne B. And if in processe of time, the faith increasing, the people of God being multiplied, shall desire to hauehave a peculiar gouernour, with the consent or liking of him, in whose power the Diocesse is, let them hauehave a Bishop. Wee hauehave heard it ordained zConc. Carth. graec. c. 57 siue Cart. 3. c. 46. Afric. c. 23.(saith Honoratus and Vrbanus in the 3. Councell of Carthage,) that Dioceses (meaning but parts of the Diocesse in the Country) should not obtaine a Bishop, but with the consent of him vnderunder whom they are placed. But perhaps some in our Prouince when they hauehave beene ordained Bishops in such a Diocesse, foreign, by the grant of the B. who originally holdeth the Dioceses, hauehave challenged other Dioceses, this ought to be amended. Epigonius answered, that which is meet, is reserued to eueryevery Bishoppe, foreign, that out of the company or combination of Parishes iointly possessed, no part should bee taken to hauehave a Bishoppe of her owne, but by the consent of him, who hath authority, meaning the Bishoppe of the City, vntounto which the Country belongeth. But if he shall grant that the Diocesse (meaning part of his owne Diocesse) permitted shall enioy a Bishop of their owne; hee that is so preferred may not encroch vponupon other Dioceses, (that is, other parts of the Diocesse,) because that one being taken foreign, out of the body of many was vouchsafed alone to receiue a Bishopricke of their owne. The which sentence when Aurelius the Bishop of Carthage, and president of that Councell had consented vntounto, was decreed by the whole Councell.
And that wee may know the Parishes in the Country together with the seuerall Presbyters set ouer them, belong to the Diocesan Bishop, euen they also sometimes are called by the name of Diocesse. In the councell aConc. Tolet. 4. c. 35.of Toledo Bishops are required, per cunctas Dioeceses parochiasque suas, to goe yearely through all their Dioceses and Parishes. And againe bIbid. c. 32., so to rule their Dioceses, that is, Parishes, that they doe not presume to take any thing from their right, but (according to the authority of former Councels) they take onelyonly a third part of the offerings and tithes. But in an other Councell cConc. Braccar. 2. c. 2it was determined, that no B. walking per suas Dioeceses, through his Dioceses, shall take any thing besides the honour of his chaire, that is, 2… shillings, or require the third part of the oblations in the parish churches. Sometimes it is vsed for a parish Church. In which sense, a parish Presbyter is said in the Councell dConc. Agat. c. 53. & 54.of Agatha, Dioecesin tenere. In the Councell of Orleans eAurelian. 3. c. 18.dioecesis & Basilica are vsed promiscuously, as Synonyma. To which purpose it is said fAurel. 4. c. 32., that if any man hath, or desireth to hauehave Dioecesin, that is, a Church, in his ground, he must assign sufficient land vntounto it, & prouide a Clerke for it.