The `Preface 57 few things out of the Fragment of his Epistle, as it is recorded by &fib. lib. 5. cap. 23. And (r.) He tells us, that he wrote unto Victor it .tí:e name of thrf `Brethren in France whom he dial writhe a- more. The Cuftom of considering things of this Na- ture with all tie. Brethren of the Church, and writing their Determination, in their Name, was not yet grown out of ufe, though the Prac`tifc of it now would be esteemed (ovel and scI ifì;atical. (2.) He tells J" or, that there were great varieties in this thing, as alto in the Times and 'eafns of Failing, whichdid not, faith he, begin or arise in our days, but long before was introduced byfilch, who being in Places of Rule, reje7ed and changed the common and (imple Cofloms which the Churchhad before. . The Dr. therefore need not think it fo ftrange, that an Alteration in Church Order and Rule should fall out in after Ages, when long before Irenæus's time such Changes were begun. (3.) He gives hereon that excellent Rule, ñ J?a)ravlu. 7ïs. vns'acts .`'thi(,Jvoldv'Tru7risEw cuvís ory 5 the Difference of Fail« ings, ( and confequently things of an alike Nature ) commends the Concord or Agreement ofFaith. This was the first Effect ofa Departure from the only Rule of Unity and Communion among the Churches, which was given by Christ himself and his Apofiles. As hereby. great Confufion and Difòrder was brought upon the Churches, fo it was the first publick inroad that was made on the Doárine of the Scripture, concerning Chrifáian Liberty. And as it was alto the first lnYante I of
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