CHAPTER I.

Of those titles and appellations which Christians own-

ed, and distinguished themselves by.

SECT. 1. Christians at first called Jesseans, Therapeuta,

Electi, &c.-2. Christ called by a technical name,

Ixore; and Christians, Pisciculi, from that. -3.

Christians, why called Gnostici by some authors.-4.

Theophori, and Christophori.-5. Sometimes, but very

rarely, Christi.-6. Christians great enemies to all

party names and human appellations. Christian, the

name they chiefly gloried in.-7. Of the name catholic,

and its antiquity.-8. In what sense the name ecclesi-

astics given to all Christians.-9. The Christian religion

called Δόγμα, and Christians οἱ τοῦ Δόγματος.—10.

Christians called Jews by the heathen.-11. Christ

commonly called Chrestus by the heathen; and Chris-

tians, Chrestians. .

CHAPTER II.

1

Of those names of reproach, which Jews, infidels, and

heretics cast upon the Christians.

SECT. 1. Christians commonly called Nazarens by Jews

and heathens.-2. And Galilæans.-3. And atheists.-

4. Greeks and impostors.-5. Magicians.-6. The new

superstition.-7. Sibyllists.-8. Biothanati.-9. Para-

bolarii, and Desperati.-10. Sarmentitii, and Semaxii.

-11. Lucifugaz natio.-12. Plautina prosapia.-13.

Christians called Capitolins, Synedrians, and Aposta-

tics, by the Novatians.-14. Psychici, by the Montan-

ists and Valentinians.-15. Allegorists, by the Mille-

naries.-16. Chronite, by the Aetians; Simplices, by

the Manichees; Anthropolatræ, by the Apollinarians.-

17. Philosarce, and Pilosiota, by the Origenians.-

18. The synagogue of Satan and antichrist, by the

Luciferians.

CHAPTER III.

5

Of the several orders of men in the Christian church.

SECT. 1. Three sorts of members of the Christian church,

the ἡγούμενοι, πιστοί, and κατηχούμενοι; rulers, be-

lievers, and catechumens. -2. The name believers

strictly taken for the baptized laity, in opposition to

the catechumens.-3. Catechumens owned as imper-

fect members of the church.-4. Heretics not reputed

Christians.-5. Penitents and energumens ranked in

the same class with catechumens.

9

CHAPTER IV.

A more particular account of the moroi, or believers,

and their several titles of honour, and privileges

above the catechumens.

SECT. 1. Believers otherwise called pwróμevo, the

illuminate.-2. And of μeμvnμévot, the initiated.-3.

And Tλo, the perfect.-4. Chari Dei, äytoi, &c.—

5. The privileges of believers. First, To partake of

the eucharist.-6. Secondly, To stay and join in all

the prayers of the church.-7. Thirdly, Their sole

prerogative to use the Lord's prayer. Whence that

prayer was called εixη TσTv, the prayer of believers.

-8. Fourthly, They were admitted to hear discourses

upon the most profound mysteries of religion. All

which privileges were denied to the catechumens. 11

CHAPTER V.

Of the distinction of believers from the rulers. Where,

of the distinction observed in the names and offices

of laity and clergy; and of the antiquity of these

distinctions.

SECT. 1. Believers otherwise called laici, laymen, to dis-

tinguish them from the clergy.-2. The antiquity of

this distinction in the names proved against Rigaltius,

Salmasius, and Selden.-3. The objection from 1 Pet.

v. 3, answered.-4. A distinction in the offices of laity

and clergy always observed.-5. Laymen otherwise

called BiwTiKoi, seculars.-6. Also lowrat, private

men.-7. What persons properly called clerici.-8.

The name clerici sometimes appropriated to the in-

ferior orders.-9. The reason of the name clerici.—

10. All the clergy anciently called canonici; and the

reason of it.—11. Also τάξις τοῦ βήματος, the order

of the sanctuary.

13

CHAPTER I.

Of the original of bishops; and that they were a dis-

tinct order from presbyters in the primitive church.

SECT. 1. What the ancients mean by different orders of

bishops and presbyters.-2. The order of bishops al-

ways owned to be superior to that of presbyters.-3.

The order of bishops reckoned by all ancient writers

to be of apostolical and Divine institution.-4. A list

or catalogue of bishops ordained by the apostles. 17

CHAPTER II.

Of the several titles of honour given to bishops in the

primitive church.

SECT. 1. All bishops at first called apostles.-2. After

that, successors of the apostles.-3. Whence every

bishop's see called sedes apostolica.-4. Bishops called

princes of the people.-5. Præpositi, πρоεTшTES, πρÓ-

εopol, popol.-6. Principes sacerdotum, summi sacer-

dotes, pontifices maximi, &c.—7. Every bishop an-

ciently called papa, father, or pope.-8. Pater patrum,

and episcopus episcoporum, a title given to others be-

side the bishop of Rome.-9. Bishops sometimes call-

ed patriarchs.-10. All bishops styled vicars of Christ.

-11. And angels of the churches.

21

CHAPTER III.

Of the offices of bishops, as distinct from presbyters.

SECT. 1. A threefold difference between bishops and
presbyters, in the discharge of their office and function.

2. First, In the common offices that might be per-

formed by both; the bishop acted by an independent

power, but presbyters in dependence upon, and subor-

dination to him.-3. This specified in the offices of

baptism and the Lord's supper.-4. And in the office

of preaching.-5. Secondly, Some offices never in-

trusted in the hands of presbyters; such as the office

and power of ordination.-6. Instances of ordinations

by presbyters disannulled by the church.-7. Some

allegations to the contrary examined. Where, of the

difference made between the ordinations of schismati-

cal bishops, and those of mere presbyters.-8. A third

difference between bishops and presbyters was, that

presbyters were always accountable to their bishops,

not bishops to their presbyters.-9. Yet bishops'

power not arbitrary, but limited by canon in various

respects.

CHAPTER IV.

25

Of the power of bishops over the laity, monks, subor-

dinate magistrates, and all persons within their dio-

cese; and of their office in disposing of the revenues

of the church.

SECT. 1. No exemption from the jurisdiction of the bi-

shop in the primitive church.-2. All monks subject

to the bishop of the diocese where they lived.-3. As

also all subordinate magistrates in matters of spiritual

jurisdiction.-4. Of the distinction between temporal

and spiritual jurisdiction. Bishops' power wholly con-

fined to the latter.-5. The bishop's prerogative in

granting the litera formate to all persons. 6. Of

the bishop's power in disposing of the revenues of the

church.

-

30

CHAPTER V.

Of the office of bishops, in relation to the whole catholic

church.

SECT. 1. In what sense every bishop supposed to.be bi-

shop of the whole catholic church.-2. In what re-

spect the whole world but one diocese, and but one

bishopric in the church.-3. Some particular instances

of private bishops acting as bishops of the whole uni-

versal church.

33

CHAPTER VI.

Of the independency of bishops; especially in the

Cyprianic age, and in the African churches.

SECT. 1. What meant by the independency of bishops

one of another, and their absolute power in their own

church.-2. All bishops had liberty to form their own

liturgies.-3. And to express the same catholic creed in

different forms, as to what concerned method or ex-

pression.-4. And to appoint particular days of fast-

ing in their own churches.-5. The independency of

bishops most conspicuous in the African churches;

proved by several instances out of Cyprian... 35

CHAPTER VII.

Of the power of bishops in hearing and determining

secular causes.

SECT. 1. Bishops commonly chosen arbitrators of men's
differences in the primitive church.-2. The original
of this custom. Where, of the true meaning of those
words in St. Paul, τοὺς ἐξεθενημένες ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ,
1 Cor. vi. 4.-3. This power of bishops confirmed by
the imperial laws.-4. Yet not allowed in capital or
criminal causes; nor in any causes, but when the
litigants both agreed to take them for arbitrators.-5.
Bishops sometimes made their presbyters and dea-
cons, and sometimes laymen, their substitutes in this
affair. A conjecture about the original of lay chan-
cellors.

CHAPTER VIII.

37

Of the privilege of bishops to intercede for criminals.

SECT. 1. Several instances of bishops interceding for

criminals to the secular magistrate.-2. The reasons

why they interceded for some criminals, and not

others.-3. That they never interceded in civil mat-

39

ters, and pecuniary cases.

CHAPTER IX.

Of some particular honours and instances of respect,

showed to bishops by all persons in general.

SECT. 1. Of the ancient custom of bowing the head, to

receive the benediction of bishops. 2. Of kissing

their hand.-3. The custom of singing hosannas to

them sometimes used, but not approved.-4. What

meant by the corona sacerdotalis, and the form of sa-

luting bishops per coronam.-5. Whether bishops an

ciently wore a mitre ?-6. Of the titles ayıŴTαTOL,

beatissimi, &c., most holy and most blessed fathers,

common to all bishops.-7. Bishops distinguished by

their throne in the church.

40

CHAPTER X.

Of the age, and some other particular qualifications
required in such as were to be ordained bishops.

SECT. 1. Bishops not to be ordained under thirty years

of age, except they were men of extraordinary worth.

-2. To be chosen out of the clergy of the same

church, or diocese, to which they were to be ordained.

-3. Some exceptions to this rule, in three special

cases.-4. Bishops ordinarily to be such as had re-

gularly gone through the inferior orders of the church.

5. This to be understood of the orders below that

of deacon; for deacons were qualified to be ordained

bishops, without being made presbyters.-6. In cases

of necessity, bishops chosen out of the inferior or-

ders.-7. And in some extraordinary cases, ordain-

ed immediately from laymen. The custom of going

through all the orders of the church in five or six

days' time, a novel practice never used in the primi-

tive ages.

CHAPTER XI.

43

Of some particular laws and customs observed about

the ordination of bishops.

SECT. 1. Bishoprics not to remain void above three

months.-2. In some places, a new bishop was al-

ways chosen before the old was interred.-3. Some

instances of longer vacancies, in times of difficulty

and persecution.-4. Three bishops ordinarily required

to a canonical ordination of a bishop.-5. Yet ordi-

nations by one bishop allowed to be valid, though not

canonical.-6. The bishop of Rome not privileged to

ordain alone, any more than any other single bishop.

-7. Every bishop to be ordained in his own church.

-8. The ancient manner of ordaining bishops.-9.

One of the forms of prayer used at their consecration.

-10. Of their enthronement; their homilia enthro-

nistice, and literæ enthronisticæ, otherwise called sy-
nodice, and communicatoriæ.

CHAPTER XII.

46

Of the rule which prohibits bishops to be ordained in

small cities.

SECT. 1. The reason of the law against placing bishops

in small cities.-2. Some exceptions to this rule in

Egypt, Libya, Cyprus, Arabia, and especially in the

provinces of Asia Minor.-3. Reasons which engaged

the ancients sometimes to erect bishoprics in small

places. .

51

CHAPTER XIII.

Of the rule which forbids two bishops to be ordained

in one city.

SECT. 1. The general rule and practice of the church to

have but one bishop in any city.-2. Yet two bishops

sometimes allowed by compromise to end a dispute,

or cure an inveterate schism. Where of the famous

offer made by the catholic bishops to the Donatists in

the collation of Carthage.-3. The opinions of learned

men concerning two bishops in a city in the apostoli-

cal age, one of the Jews, and the other of the Gentiles.

-4. The case of coadjutors.

52

CHAPTER XIV.

Of the chorepiscopi, Eplodevrai, and suffragan bishops:

and how these differed from one another.

SECT. 1. Of the reason of the name chorepiscopi, and
the mistake of some about it.-2. Three different
opinions about the nature of this order. The first

opinion, that they were mere presbyters.-3. The

second opinion, that some of them were presbyters,

and some bishops. 4. The third opinion most pro-

bable, that they were all bishops.-5. Some objec-

tions against this answered.-6. Of the offices of the

chorepiscopi. First, they were allowed to ordain the

inferior clergy, subdeacons, readers, &c., but not pres-

byters or deacons, without special licence from the

city bishop.-7. Secondly, they had power to minis-

ter confirmation.-8. Thirdly, power to grant letters

dimissory to the country clergy.-9. Fourthly, they

might officiate in the presence of the city bishop.

-10. Fifthly, they might sit as bishops and vote in

councils.-11. The power of the chorepiscopi not the

same in all times and places.-12. Their power first

struck at by the council of Laodicea, which set up

TEPLOCEUTai, or visiting presbyters, in their room.

Their power wholly taken away in the Western church

in the ninth century.-13. Of the attempt made in

England to restore this order under the name of suf-

fragan bishops.-14. That suffragan bishops in the

primitive church were not the chorepiscopi, but all

the bishops in any province under a metropolitan.

-15. Why the suffragan bishops of the Roman pro-

vince were particularly called by the technical name,

libra.

56

Of primates or metropolitans.

SECT. 1. The original of metropolitans, by some derived

from apostolical constitution. -2. By others, from

the age next after the apostles.-3. Confessed by all

to have been long before the council of Nice.-4.

Proofs of metropolitans in the second century.-5.

By what names metropolitans were anciently called.

-6. In Africa they were commonly called senes,

because the oldest bishop of the province (excepting

the province where Carthage stood) was always the

metropolitan by virtue of his seniority.-7. How the

African bishops might forfeit their title to the primacy,

and lose their right of seniority.-8. A register of or-

dinations to be kept in the primate's church, and all

bishops to take place by seniority, that there might be

no disputes about the primacy.-9. Three sorts of

honorary_metropolitans beside the metropolitans in

power. First, the primates avo.-10. Secondly, titu-

Îar metropolitans.-11. Thirdly, the bishops of some

mother churches, which were honoured by ancient

custom.-12. The offices of metropolitans. First, to

ordain their suffragan bishops.-13. This power con-

tinued to them after the setting up of patriarchs in

all places, except in the patriarchate of Alexandria.

-14. The power of metropolitans not arbitrary in this

respect, but to be concluded by the major vote of a

provincial council.-15. Metropolitans themselves to

be chosen and ordained by their own provincial synod,

and not obliged to go to Rome for ordination.-16.

The second office of metropolitans, to decide con-

troversies arising among their provincial bishops, and

to take appeals from them.-17. Their third office

was to call provincial synods, which all their suf-

fragans were obliged to attend.-18. Fourthly, they

were to publish such imperial laws as concerned the

church, together with the canons that were made in

councils, and to see them executed; for which end

they were to visit any dioceses, and correct abuses, as

occasion required.-19. Fifthly, All bishops were

obliged to have recourse to the metropolitan, and take

his formata, or letters of commendation, whenever

they travelled into a foreign country.-20. Sixthly, It

belonged to metropolitans to take care of vacant sees

within their province.-21. Lastly, They were to cal-
culate the time of Easter, and give notice of it to the
whole province.-22. How the power of metropolitans
grew in after ages.-23. The metropolitan of Alex-
andria had the greatest power of any other in the
world.-24. All metropolitans called apostolici, and
their sees sedes apostolicæ. .
60

CHAPTER XVII.

Of patriarchs.

SECT. 1. Patriarchs anciently called archbishops.-2.

And exarchs of the diocese.-3. Salmasius's mistake

about the first use of the name patriarch.-4. Of the

Jewish patriarchs, their first rise, duration, and ex-

tinction.-5. Of the patriarchs among the Montanists.

-6. The name patriarch first used in the proper sense

by Socrates and the council of Chalcedon.-7. Four

different opinions concerning the first rise of patri-

archal power.-8. The opinion of Spalatensis and St.

Jerom preferred. Some probable proofs of patriarchal

power before the council of Nice, offered to consider-

ation.-9. Patriarchal power confirmed in three ge-

neral councils successively after the council of Nice.-

10. The power of patriarchs not exactly the same in

all churches. The patriarch of Constantinople had

some peculiar privileges.-11. As also the patriarch

of Alexandria had his; wherein they both exceeded

the bishop of Rome.-12. The powers and privileges

of patriarchs. First, they were to ordain all the me-

tropolitans of the whole diocese, and to receive their

own ordination from a diocesan synod.-13. Secondly,

They were to call diocesan synods, and preside in
them.-14. Thirdly, They might receive appeals from
metropolitans and provincial synods.-15. Fourthly,
They might censure metropolitans, and their suffragan
bishops, if metropolitans were remiss in censuring
them.-16. Fifthly, They had power to delegate me-
tropolitans, as their commissioners, to hear ecclesias-
tical causes in any part of the diocese.-17. Sixthly,
They were to be consulted by their metropolitans in
all matters of moment. A remarkable instance in
the Egyptian bishops.-18. Seventhly, They were to
notify and communicate to their metropolitans such
imperial laws as concerned the church, in like manner
as the metropolitans were to notify to the provincial
bishops.-19. Lastly, The absolution of greater crimi-
nals was reserved to them.-20. The number of
patriarchs throughout the world reckoned to be about
fourteen, answerable to the number of capital cities in
the several dioceses of the Roman empire; all which
at first were absolute and independent of one another,
till Rome by usurpation, and Constantinople by law, got
some of their neighbours to be subject to them.-21.
The patriarch of Constantinople commonly dignified
with the title of œcumenical, and his church called the
head of all churches; and that he was equal in all re-
spects to the bishop of Rome.-22. What figure the
subordinate patriarchs of Ephesus and Cæsarea made
in the church; and that they were not mere titular
patriarchs, as some in after ages.

CHAPTER XVIII.

67

Of the avroкipado, or independent bishops.
SECT. 1. All metropolitans anciently styled auTOKÉþaλoi.

-2. Some metropolitans independent after the setting

up of patriarchal power, as those of Cyprus, Iberia,

Armenia, and the Britannic church.-3. A third sort

οἱ αὐτοκέφαλοι, such bishops as were subject to no

metropolitan, but only to the patriarch of the diocese.

These in the Greek Notitias dignified with the title,

though they had not the power of archbishops and

metropolitans.-4. Valesius's mistake corrected. 74

CHAPTER XIX.

Of presbyters.

SECT. 1. The meaning of the name presbyter.-2. Apos-
tles and bishops sometimes called presbyters.-3. The
original of presbyters, as taken more strictly for the
second order in the church.-4. The powers and
privileges of presbyters.-5. Presbyters allowed to sit
with the bishop on thrones in the church. Whence
ὁ ἐκ τοῦ δευτέρου Χρόνου, denotes a presbyter, one that
sits on the second throne.-6. The form of their sit-
ting in a semicircle, whence they were called, corona

presbyterii.-7. Presbyters esteemed a sort of eccle-

siastical senate, or council of the church, whom the

bishop consulted and advised with upon all occasions.

-8. Evidences of this prerogative, out of Ignatius,

Cyprian, and others.-9. The power of presbyters

thought by some to be a little restrained in the fourth

century, and not so great in some places as in the

second.-10. Yet still they were admitted to join with

the bishop in the imposition of hands upon those that

were ordained to their own order.-11. And allowed

to sit in consistory with their bishops.-12. As also in

provincial councils.-13. And in general councils like-

wise.-14. An account of the titles of honour given

to presbyters, and how they differed from the same

titles as applied to bishops.-15. In what sense bi-

shops, presbyters, and deacons called priests.-16.

Why priests called mediators between God and men.

-17. The ancient form and manner of ordaining

presbyters.-18. Of the archipresbyteri. That these

were more ancient than the cardinales presbyteri,

which some erroneously confound with them.-19.

Of the seniores ecclesiæ. That these were not lay
elders in the modern acceptation.
76

CHAPTER XX.
Of deacons.

SECT. 1. Deacons always reckoned one of the sacred
orders of the church.-2. Yet not generally called
priests, but ministers and Levites.-3. And for this
reason the bishop was not tied to have the assistance
of any presbyters to ordain them.-4. The first office
of deacons, to take care of the vessels and utensils of
the altar.-5. Secondly, To receive the oblations of
the people, and present them to the priest, and recite
publicly the names of those that offered.-6. Thirdly,
To read the Gospel in some churches.-7. Fourthly,
To minister the cup to the people.-8. But not to con-
secrate the elements at the altar.-9. Fifthly, Deacons
allowed to baptize in some places by the bishop's
authority.-10. Sixthly, Deacons to bid prayer in the
congregation.-11. Seventhly, Allowed to preach upon
some occasions.-12. Eighthly, And to reconcile peni-
tents in cases of extreme necessity.-13. Ninthly, To
attend their bishops in councils, and sometimes repre-
sent them as their proxies.-14. Tenthly, Deacons
empowered to correct men that behaved themselves
irregularly in the church.-15. Eleventhly, Deacons
anciently performed the offices of all the inferior orders
of the church.-16. Twelfthly, Deacons the bishop's
sub-almoners.-17. Deacons to inform the bishop of
the misdemeanors of the people.-18. Hence deacons
commonly called the bishop's eyes and ears, his mouth,
his angels and prophets.-19. Deacons to be multi-
plied according to the necessities of the church. The

Roman church precise to the number of seven.-20.

Of the age at which deacons might be ordained.-21.

Of the respect which deacons paid to presbyters, and

received from the inferior orders.
85