A26859:409
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.
2. You say [we deny the fact which is evident to all persons] and you speak of me: Is this true? What Sacraments do you mean? I never ordained any: I never confirmed any: I have married very few, if those be Sacraments: I have baptised no one these twenty years: I gave the Lords supper to none for about eighteen years, and rarely since as I told you. But, others do? Ans. And if they have no better reason to justify the forsaking of their Ministry than you give, well may they go on to do it.
2. You say [we deny the fact which is evident to all persons] and you speak of me: Is this true? What Sacraments do you mean? I never ordained any: I never confirmed any: I have married very few, if those be Sacraments: I have baptised no one these twenty years: I gave the Lords supper to none for about eighteen years, and rarely since as I told you. But, others do? Ans. And if they have no better reason to justifie the forsaking of their Ministry than you give, well may they go on to do it.
3. Do you mean here by [Rulers] the same as before by [Laws] ⟨p. 81⟩or what mean you? I suppose it's the Canon and Liturgy that you mean. And if by the [Church] you mean any thing but the King and Parliament you are unintelligible: For the Church hath but two visible essential parts, the Regent and the Subject parts. And of the Regent only the supreme is essential, the rest being also subjects, and but Integrals: And it is a [Requiring] Church which you mention. And so it seemeth that it is but a lay Church: And nothing but a Christian Kingdom.
3. Do you mean here by [Rulers] the same as before by [Laws] ⟨p. 81⟩or what mean you? I suppose it's the Canon and Liturgy that you mean. And if by the [Church] you mean any thing but the King and Parliament you are unintelligible: For the Church hath but two visible essential parts, the Regent and the Subject parts. And of the Regent only the supream is essential, the rest being also subjects, and but Integrals: And it is a [Requiring] Church which you mention. And so it seemeth that it is but a lay Church: And nothing but a Christian Kingdom.