2 2 The Preface. ency in difhinEt Conventions, fupplyed with the Admi- niftration of the Word and Sacrament from the firhí Church, or by Hated Titles, did alter the State ofthe Church. Among thofe Multitudes which were added unto the Churches, efPecially in the fourth Century, many, ifnot the moft, did come fhort inexpreffibly in Knowledge, Gifts, Grace, Holinefs, anduprightnef ofConverfation, ofthe Primitive, Chriftians, as the Writers of that Age complain. And being hereby uncapable ofwalking ac- cording unto the Order, Rule, and Difcipline ofthe A- poTiolical Churches,there feemed tobe a Nece(lìtyofano- ther Rule, ofother ways and means, for their Govern- ment, without their own concurrence or confent, then what was at fink appointed, which were gradually in- troduced ; Whence the original ofa Multitude of thofe Canons, which were arbitrarily invented afterwards for their Rule and Government is to be derived. And it may be made to appear that the Accommodation ofthe Rule, yeaand of the J/Vorfip ofthe Church in the feverai Ages of it, unto the Ignorance, Manners, and Inclina- tions of the People, who were then eafilywon unto the outward ProfefiìonofChritkianReligion, was one means ofthe Ruine of them both,until they iflted in downright Tyranny and Idolatry. But much more of the caufe ofthe Deviation of the Churches from their Primitive Rule and Order, is to be afcribed unto theAmbition and Love ofPreheminence in many of the Clergy, or Rulers of the Churches; But this is no Place nor Seaton to manifeft this by Inftances, befides it hath been done by others. I {hall therefore enquire only intoone or two things in parti- cular, uli
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