Book 9780461925944

A Collection Of Original Texts Of Scripture, And Testimonies Of Antiquity That Relate To Christian Discipline: With Notes. As Also, An Humble And Serious Address To The Clergy, The Bishops, Presbyters, And Deacons Of Great-Britain And Ireland, For The Restoration Of The Same Discipline. William Whiston presents a compilation of early Christian writings, including the Apostolic Constitutions and early church canons, with notes explaining their meanings and applications. The volume surveys original texts relating to Christian discipline, governance, and the exercise of church authority, and provides a long, critical address urging revival of primitive discipline within Great Britain and Ireland. It includes scriptural passages on binding and loosing, excommunication, and church censures, reflections on the authority of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, and historical anecdotes (e.g., Ambrose and Theodosius) to illustrate the ancient practice. The work argues that early Christian discipline extended to laity and clergy alike, and calls modern churches to restore those apostolic rules through synods, canons, and a revival of ecclesiastical courts.