A26859:208
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.
5. But here you grant that they are several Churches before their Union in one Kingdom. And I suppose they were Churches, 1. of another species than the National described by you, 2. and were of Divine Institution; 3. and continue so after their Union in one Kingdom; 4. and have power to govern and reform themselves still, though not Regal power.
§. 21. Serm. [Just as several Families united make one Kingdom, which at first had a distinct and independent power: but it would make strange confusion in the World to reduce Kingdoms back again to Families, because at first they were made up of them.]
Answ. And are they not several Families still? and have they not still a distinct Family-power to govern and reform themselves, tho not a Regal Power? Doth making a City or Kingdom dissolve Families? You cannot mean it. What mean you then by reducing these Kingdoms back to Families, when they are Families still? Had you said, that dissolving Kingdoms or Cities, and reducing them to be only Families is confusion, it's undeniable. But still as Families in a Kingdom retain Family-power, so particular Churches in a Kingdom retain the Church-power which God by his Institution gave them. And this is that we desire.