A26859:68
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
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.
1Secondly, Others of your Queries relate to the Qualifications and number of the ejected Ministers, and comparing their Gifts with Ours.
- 1§. 12.
But what is all this to the business of Separation? unless you suppose that the Gospel is not preached by Us; or whether it be or not, that you are bound to preach it still, and so much seems to be implied in your 7th Question, viz. That it is a sacrilege culpably to alienate an Ordained Minister vowed to the sacred Office. And because this comes nearest to the matter in hand, and seems very much to stick with you, I shall desire you to resolve these Queries.
But what is all this to the business of Separation? unless you suppose that the Gospel is not preached by Vs; or whether it be or not, that you are bound to preach it still, and so much seems to be implied in your 7th Question, viz. That it is a sacriledge culpably to alienate an Ordained Minister vowed to the sacred Office. And because this comes nearest to the matter in hand, and seems very much to stick with you, I shall desire you to resolve these Queries.
1. Whether it be not in the power of those who give Orders in a Christian Church to limit and suspend the Exercise of the Ministerial Function without Sacrilege? If not, how could the Christian Church in its best and purest times, pretend to reduce Bishops and Presbyters to a Lay-Communion? of which you may read so often in St. Cyprian's Epistles. Nay what Church is there to be named, that doth not assume this power to it self, without the least suspicion of Sacrilege? And it would be very strange, that this Notion of Sacrilege should never be understood before.