A26859:227
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.
Ans. 1. I pray confess first, that your National doth consist of a multitude of such particular Churches of God's Institution, and cannot destroy them or their Power and Privileges: Secondly; And once tell us what you mean by a National Church, whether Regal or Sacerdotal. If you mean a Christian Kingdom, who denies it: If you mean all the Churches of a Kingdom associated for Concord as Equals, we deny it not. If you mean that the Nation must be one Church as united in one Sacerdotal Head, personal or collective, Monarchical or Aristocratical, we must have further satisfaction about this: First, whether it be of Divine or of Humane Institution? Secondly, whether (if humane) its Power be from the Prince, or from the Consent of the particular Churches? Thirdly, what it is empowered to do? 1. Not to make necessary Laws for the Churches of the same sort with Christ's already made. 2. Not to cross any of his Laws. 3. Not to destroy any Privilege of the particular Churches instituted by Christ. 4. But if it be only to determine of such Circumstances as the Christian Prince may determine of, we shall obey them as his Officers.
And now to your [Why not?] I answer. Man is not God. God made the Form of the Universal Church, of which the particular are parts; whose Form also is of his making: And if God hath made National Regent Churches as distinct from Christian Kingdoms and Commonwealths, we will obey them; if not, we must know what Men made them, and by what authority, and whether God authorized them thereto; if not, your [Why not] is answered.
And now to your [Why not?] I answer. Man is not God. God made the Form of the Vniversal Church, of which the particular are parts; whose Form also is of his making: And if God hath made National Regent Churches as distinct from Christian Kingdoms and Commonwealths, we will obey them; if not, we must know what Men made them, and by what authority, and whether God authorized them thereto; if not, your [Why not] is answered.