A26859:253
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.
3. Constantine's words have hitherto been commonly received, That He (and so Christian Kings) was Bishop without the Church, and the proper Bishop within: that is, That he was the Governor of the Church, by the Sword, as the King is of all Scholars, Physicians, Families, &c. but not the Governor by the Word and Keys; as the King is not a School-Master, Physician, or the formal Specifying Governor of School, College, Family, as such. Bishop Bilson, of Subjection, most clearly openeth the difference, and I think Christians commonly agree to it; between the Office of Governing by the Sword; and by the Word; even about the Church it self.
3. Constantines words have hitherto been commonly received, That He (and so Christian Kings) was Bishop without the Church, and the proper Bishop within: that is, That he was the Governour of the Church, by the Sword, as the King is of all Scholars, Physitians, Families, &c. but not the Governour by the Word and Keys; as the King is not a School-Master, Physitian, or the formal Specifying Governour of School, Colledge, Family, as such. Bishop Bilson, of Subjection, most clearly openeth the difference, and I think Christians commonly agree to it; between the Office of Governing by the Sword; and by the Word; even about the Church it self.
4. Christ settled immediately the Pastoral Office, and did not leave it to Princes to make it: And He settled Churches under the Pastors, when there were no Christian Princes; And when the Emperors became Christians, they never took themselves to be the intrinsic Constitutive Rectors of the Churches, but ⟨p. 44⟩Accidental Heads, as is aforesaid. And all the Councils, and their Canons fully show, that the Bishops were still of this mind. And our greatest Defenders of the Power of Princes, Bilson, Andrews, Buck•ridge, Spalatensis, &c. were of the same mind, and ascribe to them no more.
4. Christ settled immediately the Pastoral Office, and did not leave it to Princes to make it: And He settled Churches under the Pastors, when there were no Christian Princes; And when the Emperours became Christians, they never took themselves to be the intrinsick Constitutive Rectors of the Churches, but