A26859:229
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.
§. 26. Serm. p. 18. [Nay, if it be mutual Consent and Agreement which makes a Church, then why may not National Societies agreeing together in the same Faith, and under the same Government and Discipline, be as truly and properly a Church as any particular Congregation?
Ans. 1. Is it only de nomine, or de re that you ask? If de nomine, we grant you, that a Parliament, an Army may be truly called Ecclesia; if de re, we grant you that it is truly a Church of another kind. 2. Mutual Consent makes a Church, but God's Consent or Institution must go first to warrant that Consent, and make it a Church which he will own: Else mutual Consent may make it but Jeroboam's Church, or a false and sinful Policy. Prove if you can, that God hath authorized Men to make as many new Church-Species, Policies or Forms as they please; or any against, or above, or equal to those of his Institution, besides Magistracy.
§. 27. Serm. p. 19. Why many of these Cities, united under one Civil Government, and the same Rules of Religion, should not be called one National Church, I cannot understand: which makes me wonder at those who say they cannot tell what we mean by the Church of England: Sacrileg. Desert. p. 35.