A26865:52
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II. an answer to the accusations urged as reasons for the silencing of about 2000 by Bishop Morley ..., III. reasons proving it the duty and interest of the bishops and conformists to endeavour earnestly their restoration : with a postscript upon oral debates with Mr. H. Dodwell, against his reasons for their silence ... : written in 1668 and 1669, for the most of it, and now published as an addition to the defence against Dr. Stillingfleet, and as an account to the silencers of the reasons of our practice / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst and D. Newman, 1681
AN APOLOGY FOR THE SILENCED MINISTERS, Especially for their not cea… › Part 1
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. That yet the office it self is of Gods own institution; and from that Institution the Authority and Obligation resulteth directly to the persons lawfully ordained. So that God only giveth the office or power, though not without the act of man to fit the person to receive it, and then Ministerially by Investiture to deliver possession. It is not without man, but it is not of or from man, as the possessor of the power given, but only as a servant to give possession in the name of Christ. Even as men first chose (by the preparation and direction of Gods Providence) the line or family that should reign: But God only giveth the King his power. Or as the members of a Corporation may choose their Mayor, and the Steward or Recorder may solemnly give him possession; but his power it self is immediately from the Charter of the King.
3. That yet the office it self is of Gods own institution; and from that Institution the Authority and Obligation resulteth directly to the persons lawfully ordained. So that God only giveth the office or power, though not without the act of man to fit the person to receive it, and then Ministerially by Investiture to deliver possession. It is not without man, but it is not of or from man, as the possessor of the power given, but only as a servant to give possession in the name of Christ. Even as men first chose (by the preparation and direction of Gods Providence) the line or family that should reign: But God only giveth the King his power. Or as the members of a Corporation may chuse their Mayor, and the Steward or Recorder may solemnly give him possession; but his power it self is immediately from the Charter of the King.
4. That though we be not called as the Apostles, yet when we are called, we are bound to fidelity as well as they were.
5. That it is not an office to be taken▪up on trial, and for a limited