A26859:255
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. Else Heathen, and Infidel Princes might be Essential to the Church in the Gospel-Notion: For they are the Governors of it by the Sword, and may possibly by the Counsel of Christians, make them as good Laws as many Christian Princes do. Julian made no great Change of the Church-Laws.
5. Else Heathen, and Infidel Princes might be Essential to the Church in the Gospel-Notion: For they are the Governours of it by the Sword, and may possibly by the Counsel of Christians, make them as good Laws as many Christian Princes do. Julian made no great Change of the Church-Laws.
But I Labour in vain, in proving that there is a Sacerdotal or Clergy-Church-Form or Species; for I suppose you cannot deny it; and if you do, few others will. I suppose it is only the National Form, which you take to be Constituted by a Lay-Head. But few Christians will deny, That the Sacerdotal or Clergy-Form of a particular Church, is of Divine Institution; and that Men have not power to destroy that Form; or change the Office there, Instituted by the Holy Ghost. Though the Forms of Associated Churches, Diocesan, Metropolitan, Provincial, Patriarchal, are judged by very many, to be of Humane Invention: And what Man may make, Man on good Reason may unmake or alter. But if you Grant us the Divine Form before mentioned; I shall Grant you that a National Church is also of Divine Command; if you mean but a Christian Kingdom. But when one Form is Denominated from the Pastoral Office related to the Flock, and the other from the Magistrates Office: What hath a Man that can understand the State of the Controversy, to do here; but to show what is the Pastoral Office towards the Church, and what is the Magistrates? For sure they are not the same. And yet because that it is the Pastoral Form, which the word [Church] denoteth in the strict and usual Christian Sense; Our Sovereigns in England, to avoid the Papists Exceptions, have forsaken the Title of [Head of the Church] lest they should seem to claim a Constitutive Headship of a Church strictly taken, and use only the Term [Governor.] Even as Christ is said by St. Paul, Eph. 1. to be Head over all things, To the Church [Over and To] much differ.