A26859:182
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries…
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denieth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendered, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denyeth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendred, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1680
Letter: To the Reverend Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls, &c.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 10. But which of all these it is that you take for the Rule meant in your Text, we must conjecture: 1. You well say, p. 11. [It was such a Rule which they very well knew, which they had given them before.] Therefore it was none that was not then in being, but to be made by Bishops afterward. And, p. 14. you seem to include the Canon made Acts 15. whatever the sense of this Text is, we willingly also stand to that; and to the Holy Ghosts decision, that nothing be imposed but necessary things: And, p. 15. I find you say [that the preserving the Peace of the Church, and preventing Separation, was the great measure according to which the Apostle gave his directions.] And this is all that I can find of your determination what is that Rule. And if Peace be the Rule, we all agree with you in declaiming against the violation of it. But is there no more in your Application?
§. 11. I remember it is said in the Life of Joh. Bugenhagius Pomeranus (the ⟨p. 30⟩Pastor of the Church in Wittenberg, and the Presbyter that ordained the Bishops and Presbyters of Denmark, and many other places) how much John Frederick the Elector of Saxony was pleased to hear him open the Reasons why Magistrates have power to make Laws, but not Pastors [armatum […] potestatem politicam authoritate condendi leges, non pugnantes cum Decalogo; & de his traditam see verissimum praeceptum; necesse est obedire propter conscienti•n: sed pastoribus expresse prohiberi condere proprias leges, eum dicatur, Ne•o […] arguat in cibo, in potu nec posse hanc libertatem ullius creaturae authoritate tolli.] But I had rather stretch my Obedience to the utmost consistent with Conscience and Obedience to God, than speak for any needless Liberty.
§. 11. I remember it is said in the Life of Joh. Bugenhagius Pomeranus (the ⟨p. 30⟩