The genuine epistles of the apostolical fathers, S. Barnabas, S. Ignatius, S. Clement, S. Polycarp, the Shepherd of Hermas, and the matyrdoms of St. Ignatius and St. Polycarp, written by those who were present at their sufferings : being, together with the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, a compleat collection of the most primitive antiquity for about CL years after Christ / translated and publish'd, with a large preliminary discourse relating to the several treaties here put together by W. Wake ...

CHAP. XI. Of the Subject of the follow∣ing Discourses; and of the Use that is to be made of Them.

That in the following Treatises, there is deliver'd to us a good account, both of the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church, in the Apostolical Times. This shewn in several particulars. What they taught concerning God the Father, our Saviour Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Of An∣gels and Spirits. Of the rest of the Ar∣ticles of the Apostles Creed. Concern∣ing the two Sacraments of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. Of the Holy Scri∣ptures, and the Divine Authority of them. What we meet with in these Trea∣tises concerning the Government of the Church. Of the Necessity of Communi∣cating with the Bishops and Pastors of it. Of Schismaticks, Hereticks, and A∣postates. Of their publick Assembling for the Service of God, and what was done by them in those Meetings. Of se∣veral other Instances of their Discipline; particularly, of their Fasting and Con∣fession of Sins. Of the Care which

their Bishops had of the whole Church. Of the Respect that was paid to them. Of their Martyrs; and the Venera∣tion which they thought due to them. Of their Practical Instructions, and how severe their Morality was; shewn in several particulars. That upon the whole, we may here see what the State of Christianity then was, and still ought to be.

1. AND now having shewn in the foregoing Chapter, what Defe∣rence we ought to pay to the Authority of those Holy Men, whose Writings I have here collected; it may not be a∣miss, in the Third place to enquire, What it is which they deliver to us; what ac∣count we find in them, of the Doctrine, and Discipline of the Church, in those Times in which they lived.

2. IT would be endless for me to go about to make a just Catalogue of all the Particulars of this kind that occur in the following Pieces; and I have already in a great measure perform'd it, in the Index which I have for that purpose subjoyn'd to them. I shall therefore here consi∣der only a few particulars, in such Points as may seem most worthy to be remark∣ed; and by them (as by a short Speci∣men shew) How the Judicious Reader may himself improve it, into a more par∣ticular

History of the Faith and Practice of the Church, in the best and most ancient State of it.

3. AND (1st.) for what concerns the Doctrines of those Times; there is hard∣ly any Point that is necessary to be believ∣ed or known by us, that is not very plain∣ly delivered in Some or Other of the fol∣lowing Pieces.

4. HERE we may read what we are to believe concerning the first Article of all of our Creed,* 1.1 God the Father. That he is One, Almighty, Invisible; the Creator and Maker of all things. That he is Omniscient, Immense; Neither to be comprehended within any Bounds, nor so much as to be perfectly conceived by us. That his Providence is over all things: And that we can none of us flee from him, or escape his Knowledg. That we are to believe in him, to fear him, to love him; And fearing him, to abstain from all Evil.

5. IF from thence we go on to the next Person of the Blessed Trinity, Our Saviour Jesus Christ;* 1.2 here we shall find all that either our Creed teaches us to profess concerning him, or that any Christian need to believe. That he Exi∣sted not only before he came into the World, but from all Eternity. That he is not

only the Son of God, but is himself also God. That in the fulness of Time he took upon him our Nature, and became Man: Was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified under Pontius Pilate; That he suffer'd for our Salvation, and was raised again from the dead, not only by the Power of the Father, but by his Own also. That he is our High-Priest and Protectour now, and shall come again at the End of the World, to judge the whole Race of Mankind. That there is no coming unto God but by him: Inso∣much that even the Ancient Fathers, who died before his Appearing, are yet saved by the same means that we are now.

6. AS for what concerns the Holy Spirit, the Third Person in the Glorious Godhead;* 1.3 he is here set out to us not on∣ly as a Person, but as distinct from the Father and the Son. And to shew what kind of Spirit he is; We may here see him joyn'd together in the same Worship with the Father, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

7. AND now I am mentioning the Holy Spirit; let me add,* 1.4 that we may here see what is needful to be known, con∣cerning all the Other Spirits of an infe∣riour Nature. How the Holy Angels mi∣nister unto us; but especially then, when we have most need of them, at the time

of our Death. And that tho' the Devil may attacque us, and use all his Arts to draw us away from our Duty; yet it must be our own Faults if we are overcome by him, and therefore that we ought not to be afraid of him.

* 1.58. BUT to return to our Creed, and the Articles of it: Here we may farther see, both what a great Obligation there lies upon us to keep up a Communion of Saints in the Unity of the Church on Earth, and what is that true Fellowship that we ought to have with those, who are gone before us to Heaven. That it consists not in the Worship of any, tho' never so gloriously exalted by God; but in Love and Remembrance; in Thanks∣giving to God for their Excellencies, and in our Prayers to him, joyn'd with hear∣ty Endeavours of our own, to imitate their Perfections.

9. AND whilst we do this, we are here assured of the Forgiveness of our Sins too,* 1.6 through the Merits and Satis∣faction of Jesus Christ. And that not only of those which we committed be∣fore our Baptism; but of all such as we shall chance to fall into after, if we tru∣ly repent of them.

10. AS for the next Point, the Re∣surrection of the Body;* 1.7 it is not only as∣serted,

but at large proved too, in the following Discourses. There we may see, not only that there shall be a fu∣ture Resurrection; but that we shall be raised in the very same Bodies in which we go down into the Grave. And that being raised, we shall be judged by Christ according to our Works; and be either unspeakably rewarded,* 1.8 or exceeding∣ly punished, and that to all Eternity.

11. IF from the Articles of our Creed, we go on to the Sacraments of the Church:* 1.9 Here we have set out to us the great Benefit of our Baptism, and of what a mighty Concern it is to us in the business of our Salvation. And for the Other Sacrament; Here we are taught,* 1.10 that the Elements of Bread and Wine are the same (as to their Substance) after Con∣secration, that they were before; and are only in a Spiritual Sense, the Flesh and Blood of our Saviour Christ.

12. AND, Lastly; For that great,* 1.11 comprehensive Point of our Religion, the Foundation of our Faith, the Holy Scriptures: Here we may see what Opi∣nion these Holy Men had of the Divine Inspiration of them; what Deferences they paid to them, and how they look∣ed upon them to contain the true Words of the Holy Ghost.

13. SUCH is the Doctrine of Faith, that is here delivered to us. If from thence we pass; 2dly, to what concerns the Publick Order and Government of the Church, in the first Establishment of it: Here we may see by what Persons it was directed;* 1.12 and how exactly our own Church do's in this particular resemble the Primitive, perhaps beyond any other at this day in the World, in the Aposto∣lical Orders, of Bishops, Priests, and Dea∣cons.

* 1.1314. HOW necessarily they esteem'd it their Duty, to keep up a strict Com∣munion with these Governours, and how little they thought the very Name of a Church could belong to those who sepa∣rated from them, we are here likewise taught. And how light soever some may make of the Business of Schism now,* 1.14 yet it is plain these Holy Men had a ve∣ry different Apprehension of it, and hardly thought that such could be saved as continued in it.

* 1.1515. AND the same, or rather much worse, was their Opinion of Hereticks and Apostates. To the latter of which, as they seem even to have deny'd Re∣pentance; so 'tis manifest that without it, they thought the Others must perish. And in the mean time, they declare,

that we ought not to have any Commu∣nication with them: Only we must pray for them, that they may be converted, which yet they supposed would be very hard.

16. AS for those who continued in the Doctrine and Communion of the Church;* 1.16 here we may see how zealous they were in attending all the publick Offices of it. How constantly they assembled together for the Worship of God, notwithstanding all the Malice and Fury of their Enemies against them upon the Account of it. Here we may see, how from the begin∣ning they had their set Times and Places of Worship: And how they look'd upon such Offertories, both as more acceptable unto God, and more prevalent with him, than any Private Addresses that they could make to him.

17. IN these Assemblies, they not on∣ly put up their Prayers to God,* 1.17 but re∣ceived also the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper. And in that part of their Service, none officiated but either the Bishop himself, or he who was appoint∣ed, or allow'd, by him.

18. FOR this purpose they had in every such place of their Assembling,* 1.18 One Table or Altar, at which they per∣form'd this Service. And they com∣municated

after the same manner, that our Saviour Christ had set them the Example; of one common Loaf, which was broken and distributed to them, not of little separate and unbroken Wafers, as some now do.

* 1.1919. NOR was this yet all: In these Assemblies, the Holy Scriptures were read to them; and (as I have before shewn) some of the very Treatises I have here subjoyn'd, together with them. And the Bishop besides, himself instructed the People, and expounded the Doctrine of Christ to them.

* 1.2020. BY the Bishop were the Christians blessed, and joyn'd together in the Holy State of Matrimony. And indeed with∣out him was nothing done of all that pertain'd unto Religion.

* 1.2121. IN those Times the Clergy were marry'd, as well as Laity; nor do we find it esteem'd the least Scandal for them so to be.

* 1.2222. HERE we may see, what the an∣cient manner of Fasting was; and what was thought requisite to render such Ex∣ercises acceptable to God, and profita∣ble to our own Souls.

23. IN short,* 1.23 Here we may perceive what their Opinion was of Repentance for Sins; and how hardly they thought of those who were still Repenting, and yet still continuing to sin on, notwithstand∣ing their frequent Repentance. But es∣pecially, here we are told that we must finish our Repentance before we die; for that there is no place for Repentance af∣ter.

24. AND tho' they prescribe Con∣fession, as one Act of Repentance,* 1.24 and ne∣cessary to be perform'd in order to our Forgiveness; yet we find them advising it to be done to God only, and intimate to us that that alone was sufficient.

25. BUT the Care of their Bishops in those first times was not confin'd with∣in the narrow Bounds of their own Churches,* 1.25 but extended to All the Faith∣ful, wheresoever they were. And they were still ready to look to those who were at the greatest distance from them, whenever they thought their Advice or Authority might be either useful to them, or for the Honour and Benefit of their Religion.

26. FROM this,* 1.26 and from the gene∣ral Piety and Excellence of their Lives, joyn'd to the Greatness of their Cha∣racter

in the Church, came that mighty Respect, that was shewn to the Bishops in those days: And which how great it was, the following Treatises abundantly shew.

* 1.2727. BUT much greater was their Veneration for those, who not only Go∣vern'd well, and adorn'd their Holy Pro∣fession by an Exemplary Life, but con∣firm'd the Truth of it with their Blood. They were indeed of Opinion that no Man ought causelesly to expose himself unto Suffering:* 1.28 But if God called a Man to it, they doubted not but that our Sa∣viour Christ would both support him in his Conflicts, and most gloriously reward him for the enduring of them. Hence was it their Opinion, that Martyrdom blotted out all Sins: That they who suffer'd for the Faith, should have a Degree of Glory peculiar to themselves, above all Other Saints in God's King∣dom. And when God shew'd such re∣gard for them, they concluded that they could never almost do enough, to testifie their Respect to them.

* 1.2928. TO this we must ascribe the Care they took to gather up their Remains, the Honour which they gave to them, and the Solemnities with which they de∣posited them into the Earth. Hence came their Custom, which we here find,

of writing down the particulars of their Conflicts; and sending them abroad to the Churches round about. Hence their Anniversary Meetings at their Tombs and Monuments, Where they recited the Acts of their Martyrdoms, and some∣times made express Discourses in Praise of their Martyrs, and to exhort One Ano∣ther to the like Constancy.

29. BUT not to insist any longer on these Particulars: There is yet a (3d.) sort of Matters contain'd in these Dis∣courses, and those of no less Use to us, than either of the foregoing; and that is, the Practical Rules of Life, that are here deliver'd to us.

30. HERE we may see what Care we are to take,* 1.30 not only not to Sin our selves, but, as far as in us lies, not to let any that belong to us continue in Sin; least we also become Partakers of their evil Doings.

31. HERE we are taught not only to have a care of our Words and Actions,* 1.31 but of our very Thoughts and Desires: Which must not only not be indulged in any Instances of Sin, but not be suffer'd, if it be possible, to wander on any thing that is in the least measure wanton or ir∣regular.

32. IF we will hearken to these Ho∣ly Men; we must learn not only to do the Will of God, (but if it be his Plea∣sure) to endure patiently whatever he shall send upon us. We must consider, that Troubles and Afflictions are not only sent upon us to punish us for our Sins; but as Monitors too, to draw us off from them.

* 1.3233. TO convince us the more effe∣ctually of this; We are here shewn the mighty Danger of Riches, especially where Mens Hearts are in any degree set upon them; and how very hardly such Persons shall be saved. We are taught what Use we should make of our Abun∣dance, that so it may not prove a Snare to us. But especially, we are shewn the great Advantage of Alms-giving to this End; and what mighty Engagements there lie upon us to the Practice of it.

34. AND then, as for our Lives; We are here told,* 1.33 that a Christian must not only be Good, but Exemplary: He must shew the Truth of his Profession by a suitable Conversation; and be known by his Actions, rather than by his Words.

35. HE must pray for all Men, even for his very Enemies; nay, for the very Enemies of the Church; for Hereticks

and Schismaticks; for those of whom there is but little Hope that they will ever come to Repentance, or that God will give them Grace so to do.

36. HE must be kind and charitable to all Men; free from Envy and Con∣tention: He must neither raise any Dif∣ferences among his Brethren, nor follow any in the doing of it. To this End, he must carefully observe those Duties which relate to his Neighbour, as well as those he is to pay to God. He must obey Magistrates; must respect the Aged; must have a due Regard to all Men. Is he a Husband, a Parent, or a Child? He must then be sure to exercise himself in the several Duties becoming those seve∣ral Relations. In short; In the follow∣ing Writings we may see in all the Parts of our Duty towards God, our Neigh∣bour, and our Selves, what we are to do, and what to avoid: And are assured, that God both sees all our Actions now, and will reward or punish us for them hereafter to all Eternity.

37. AND thus have I given a short Prospect, of what is more largely con∣tain'd in the following Collection. I need not say either how useful a Variety of Matter it is, or how worthy to be known by all of us. But sure I am, who∣soever shall take the pains impartially to

compare what is here found, with the Sacred Writings of the New Testament; may be able both with Clearness and Certainty to understand whatever is re∣quisite to his Eternal Salvation: And that with much more Satisfaction and Se∣curity too, than from many Volumes of our later Writers; who for the most part spend a great deal of Time, and take much Pains, to Obscure rather than Ex∣plain, the most easie and intelligible Points of our Religion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See the Index, God.
• * 1.2

  See ibid. in Christ.
• * 1.3

  See ibid. Trinity.
• * 1.4

  See the Index, Angel, De∣vil.
• * 1.5

  See ib. Peace, Unity, Mar∣tyrs, Re∣liques, &c.
• * 1.6

  See Repen∣tance.
• * 1.7

  See ibid. Re∣surrection.
• * 1.8

  Ibid. Punish∣ment.
• * 1.9

  See ibid. Sa∣crament, Ba∣ptism, &c.
• * 1.10

  See ib. Tran∣substantia∣tion.
• * 1.11

  See ibid.
• * 1.12

  See Bishops, ibid.
• * 1.13

  Ibid.
• * 1.14

  Ibid. See Schism.
• * 1.15

  Ibid. Here∣tick, Apo∣state.
• * 1.16

  See Index, Worship, &c.
• * 1.17

  See ibid. Sa∣crament, Bi∣shop.
• * 1.18

  See below, p. 110, 121, 198.
• * 1.19

  See below, p. 220.
• * 1.20

  See the Index, Marriage, Bishop.
• * 1.21

  Ib. See Priest.
• * 1.22

  Ibid. Fast.
• * 1.23

  Ibid. Repen∣tance.
• * 1.24

  Ibid. Con∣fession.
• * 1.25

  See Ignatius's Epistles and Martyrdom, &c.
• * 1.26

  See the Index, Bishop.
• * 1.27

  Ibid. Mar∣tyrs, and be∣low, p. 236.
• * 1.28

  See Index, Suffer.
• * 1.29

  Ibid. See Re∣liques, Mar∣tyrs.
• * 1.30

  See ibid. Sin.
• * 1.31

  See below, p. 321, &c.
• * 1.32

  See Index, Riches, Alms-giv∣ing, &c.
• * 1.33

  Ibid. Chri∣stian.