A26859:380
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. What you say is uncertain I shall God willing prove certain elsewhere (and have done). All is not uncertain to others which is so to you.
4. Mark this, you that are for the Divine right of Episcopacy as the Primitive form instituted by Christ; As he taketh it for uncertain (as beyond Congregational forms), so were it so, if the Church should cast it out, he seemeth to hold your endeavours to reduce it, to be a sinful breaking of the Churches peace. You are disturbers if in Holland, Geneva, Helvetia, you would reduce them to that which you suppose to be the Primitive form. It may be it was but from the circumstances of the times: And so the head of the Church hath made no particular Church Species, but left all to the better wit of men (who knows to whom).
4. Mark this, you that are for the Divine right of Episcopacy as the Primitive forme instituted by Christ; As he taketh it for uncertain (as beyond Congregational formes), so were it so, if the Church should cast it out, he seemeth to hold your endeavours to reduce it, to be a sinful breaking of the Churches peace. You are disturbers if in Holland, Geneva, Helvetia, you would reduce them to that which you suppose to be the Primitive form. It may be it was but from the circumstances of the times: And so the head of the Church hath made no particular Church Species, but left all to the better wit of men (who knowes to whom).
§ 52 Serm. [It is impossible so to do, if men break all orders in pieces, for the fancy they have taken up of a Primitive Platform].