The Fundamentals of the Hierarchy Examined and Disproved, Treatise · Part 2 · Section 1
Section I.
Of the Author and his Work.
IT is evident and clear to the more thinking and ingenuous part of the Christian World, how Rome's Advocats, while they Agent her Cause from the truly Canonical Writings of the Apostles and Prophets, after some few struglings, sorry evasions and feeble resistance, are compell'd to give back, and, in reality, abandon their Posts: but were they permitted to use Apocryphal Writings, which, they say are Ancient enough, and written not long after the Holy Scriptures; were not these also pull'd out of their hands by demonstrating the spuriousness thereof; they should perhaps make a greater appearance, and keep the fields somewhat longer.
The same also is the fate of other Hierarchicks pleading the Cause of Episcopacy: for while they manage it from Scripture-grounds, you may perceive them to make so wide and incoherent Deductions, so slender and pitifull Defences, so wild and unbottom'd Distinctions, as loudly proclaim that, except they procure Auxuliaries from some other where, they must also defert their Cause, and leave the Field to their Adversaries. But let them descend somewhat lower to Ecclesiastick Antiquities, we shall find their confidence stronger: for they then bring a multitude of great Names, as so many arm'd Champions marshell'd in Rank and Order. Among these there be some, wherewith, as with so many Elephants, they threaten to make vast lanes among their Adversaries: but there's no great cause of terror; for if they be but boldly confronted we shall then find them either, like these Elephants Ctesias and Diodore fable to have been us'd by their fictitious Semiramis, deceitfull Images and hobgoblings to strike a vain fear in their Enemies: or like the African Elephants in Polybius, which, in stead of destroying the adverse Party, frequently turn'd back, dissipated and overthrew these who brought them to the Battel. The greatest of these, and whom they with most confidence produce, is their Epistolick Ignatius, who is to them as one of the Hee-goats and Rams before the Flock, of whom they boast as if nothing should stand before him. It shall not therefore be amiss if (as we promis'd) we look more narrowly into this their bold Assertion, and examine if their Grounds be equal to their Confidence.
§. 2. Ignatius, as Eusebius aHist. Eccles. Lib. 3. Cap. 36.relates, was a Bishop or Pastor of Antioch, and being brought to Rome in the time of Trajan the Emperour, gloriously laid down his Life for the Cause of Christianity. He is said to have written in his Journey to Rome, several Epistles, viz. To the Smyrneans, to Polycarp, to the Ephesians, to the Magnesians, to the Philadelphians, to the Trallians and Romans, all which are either mention'd or cited by Eusebius. There are other Epistles also by Writers of a much later date, ascribed to Ignatius; but in the first seven only do our Adversaries place the weight of their Cause; and therefore with them alone we shall be concerned.
§. 3. Of these Epistles in the former Century, first in Latine and then in Greek, appeared at the first but two or three only; afterward they amounted to fifteen, all which they Father'd upon Ignatius: these were greedily hugg'd by the Romanists; and reason they had so to do, most of these Epistles being fraughted with stuff that savour'd of the Romish Innovations, and proclaim'd them several Centuries posteriour to Ignatius his Age, and accordingly these Editions were scarce born while they were condemn'd and stigmatiz'd by the most learn'd of the Reform'd viz. Calvin, the Magdeburgick Centuriators, and afterwards by Whittaker, Perkins, Scultet, Rivet, and others, as the issue of a quite other Parent than him of whom they boasted.
§. 4. Notwithstanding hereof the Advocats for Prelacy, such as Whitgift, Bilson, Dounam, Heylyn, Taylor and the rest of the Party, lean'd on these Epistles as firm propes of their Caufe, giving severals of 'em the Epithets of Learned and Pious without the least exception. Thus, for a long time, were these Epistles condemn'd by many, yet applauded by a few.
§. 5. But at length the most learn'd and famous Dr. Vshher lighted on two Latine Manuscripts, much differing from the former Editions, and containing many passages cited by the Ancients, that were wanting in the former. And soon after Isaacus Vossius produc'd a Greek Coppy out of the Duke of Tuscanie's Library, in many things agreeing with Vsher's Manuscripts. These Coppies bred a wonderfull confidence in the minds of the Episcopal Party: after which every one of them gave his loud foreign, and therewith pleas'd themselves, as if the Controversie concerning Prelacy had been already determin'd by a Divine Oracle. But in the mean while, and by this very Action of imbracing and extolling this new Edition, as the only genuine Coppy of Ignatius. They publish'd to the World that they had all along (while in conjunction with Romanists and in opposition to Protestants they so passionatly propugn'd the former Editions) either been lamentably shallow in their knowledge of Ecclesiastick Antiquity, notwithstanding their great boast thereof, as if all Men beside were Dwerfs herein: or, which is little better, exceedingly partial in favours of their Cause and Interest. However, maugre all such Impeachments, they alter their Judgements as they see fit, reject what they had but the other day warmly hugg'd, and applaud their new Ignatius.
§. 6. Yet also they were their alone herein: for the most learn'd, and these of the reform'd Churches who were most able to give Judgement concerning such Controversies, as Blondel, Salmasius and others continu'd in their former Sentiment, believing that these new Copies did as really ly under just suspicion as the Old. After divers Re-encounters amongst learn'd Men concerning these Epistles, Dallaeus a learn'd French Minister wrote more largely and directly to evince them spurious, but was oppos'd by Dr. Beverige, and D. Pearson who wrote his Vindiciae Ignatianae, a large and laborious Work, to prove that these Epistles were the genuine product of Ignatius, in which his Party triumphed not a little, apprehending that this Matter was decided; so as there was no more Dispute or Opposition to be feared. But 'twas not long till Daill's Defence was undertaken by Monsieur L'arroque another learn'd Pastor of the French Church: and being again oppos'd by Pearson and Beverge, wrote a second time concerning the same Subject.
§. 7. But such Arts were us'd as suppress'd and stiffl'd the Work of this learn'd Author: of which Book L'arroque's Son, in his Life, prefix'd to his Adversaria Sacra gives us this account,aTypis mandavit Observationes in Ignatianas Pearsonii vindicias nec non in Beverigii Annotationes—cui responsum pa…ins, quodque prae manibus ferme absolutum habemus, Autor noster, instantibus quibusdam Amicis, alio subito divertit. Sed autem &c. He publish'd his Observations on Pearson's vindiciae Ignatianae, and Beverige's Annotations, which came to the light by this occasion: John Daille being departed this Life, two great Englishmen who had procur'd to themselves a perpetual Fame, of whom the one lately deceas'd, had the Name of the Bishop of Chester, the other was adorn'd with the Title of Dr. but deserv'd a greater Dignity, exploded what Daille had written concerning Ignatius his Epistles. But L'arroque in favours of his deceas'd Friend, undertook the Patrociny of this Hero; and except Fame be altogether false, has fortunatly defended his Judgement. These Observations were again assaulted by the famous Beverige, to whom our Author preparing an Answer, which we have by us, almost perfected, thro' the Importunity of some Friends was suddenly turn'd another way. This he did the more willingly, both because he had done enough in favours of his dead Friend, and also that he might make it appear, that seeing while he was yet fresh, he sounded a retreat, he had unwillingly entred the Lists with the English Protestants. Thus he, and who these Friends were, we are inform'd by another Author, a Man of the Episcopal Perswasion, and therefore may the better be believ'd in this Matter, viz. Jos. Walker Translator of L'arroque's History of the Eucharist, who, describing the Life of L'arroque, which he prefixes to his Translation, tells us, that at the request of some Persons favouring Episcopacy, he did not finish this his second Piece. From these Authors it's sufficiently evident, that the issue of this Debate concerning Ignatius his Epistles, was neither advantagious nor honourable to the Favourers of Episcopacy; seeing by such doings they acknowledg'd their Adversary so formidable that, except by powerfull Sollicitations and charms the Storm were diverted, nothing less than the utter ruine of their Cause was to be feared. Now, by these their dealings so dishonest both first and last, judge if such Men don't at once bewray extream want of candour and diffidence in their Cause. And this much was meet here to be premis'd in favours of many, who may have been …umbled at the great Name of Ignatius, and yet altogether Strangers to the thoughts of the more learn'd, and ingenuous concerning the Epistles that bear his Name.
§. 8. In this Ignatius the Patrons of the Hierarchy wonderfully please themselves, and triumphbPearson. Prooem. ad vind. Ignat. Cap. 1. In ea autem tract and a magni ponderis merito habita esse Sancti Ignatii Viri Apostolici, & Martyris Autori…as, &c. Burnet's Conferences. Page 314. as if from thence Prelacy receiv'd a most sufficient support and proof, well nigh infallible, of its divine Institution, and that if these Epistles be his, Presbytrie's undone. For, if we believe them, Ignatius is for foreign or genuinness of these Epistles above the smallest suspicion of Forgery, for Antiquity and Vicinity to the Apostles, above possibility of being mistaken: and finally, for clearness in the Episcopal Cause, above doubt or scruple. Now seeing, so far as I know, little or nothing of this Subject is yet in English, and the ears of many who know no other Tongue, are perpetually beaten & deafned with a mighty noise, as if all the lofty Titles and Honours of Prelacy were adopted by a genuine and Apostolick Ignatius; it shall neither be improfitable nor unacceptable, if with a convenient brevity we ouerthrow the principal Pillars of so proud a Structure; and render the Weapons, in the estimat of our Adversaries so keen and weighty, compleatly unserviceable to their Cause.
§. 9. I therefore with no less confidence deny what they so boldly affirm. I deny that the Epistles ascribed to Ignatius, whether of the elder or later Editions, are throughly genuine, and so free of Forgeries, that no chaff hath been thrown into, and hudl'd amongst the grains of Wheat that may remain therein. I deny that the Antiquity of the true Ignatius was able to secure him from all Lapses and Mistakes; or that in his time some Churches might not be itching after several Novelties. I deny finally that he is so clear and positive in the Matter of Episcopacy, as to denude Presbyterians of all rational Defence, should they acquiesce in his Judgement, and herein join with their Adversaries, who still appeal to Ignatius his Bar. But I shall not rest in Denials, but shall turn them to so many contrary Positions, and demonstrat each of 'em in particular.