A26859:359
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. Very true; and the Bishop was their ordinary Preacher, and only pronounced the blessing &c. Therefore till the Species was altered it was like a School, whose Scholars lived in City and Country, but were under a Bishop that Governed them personally in presence. But after they were like many score or hundred Schools that had Teaching Ushers, and one absent Governor (to the most). To Govern as a Schoolmaster in presence specifically differs from Governing as Princes or visitors, by Laws, or extraordinary inspection.
Ans. 1. Very true; and the Bishop was their ordinary Preacher, and only pronounced the blessing &c. Therefore till the Species was altered it was like a School, whose Schollars lived in City and Country, but were under a Bishop that Governed them personally in presence. But after they were like many score or hundred Schools that had Teaching Ushers, and one absent Governour (to the most). To Govern as a Schoolmaster in presence specifically differs from Governing as Princes or visitors, by Laws, or extraordinary inspection.
2. I pray you forget not that by this measure (if you hold to it) you unchurch all our Parish Churches: Every Church then had a Bishop, no Parish now hath a Bishop (proper to it self), or at least not many: Therefore no Parish (by this rule) is a Church. Ecclesia est plebs Episcopo adunata. You make no Church below a Diocese.
2. I pray you forget not that by this measure (if you hold to it) you unchurch all our Parish Churches: Every Church then had a Bishop, no Parish now hath a Bishop (proper to it self), or at least not many: Therefore no Parish (by this rule) is a Church. Ecclesia est plebs Episcopo adunata. You make no Church below a Diocess.
§ 48. Serm. [2. That those Presbyters who rejected the authority of their Bishop or affected Separate meetings, where no fault could be found with the Doctrine of a Church, were condemned of Schism].