A26965:209
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
XL. 8. If Bishops would ordain Presbyters by limiting words, restraining them from any Essential or Integral Part of the Office or Power as instituted by Christ, and yet profess that they ordain them to the Office which Christ hath instituted, it is no Schism for those Presbyters afterward to claim (and execute in season) all the power which by Christ's institution belongeth to their Office, though against the Bishops Wills. Because the Bishops are not the Authors or Donors of the Office Power, but only the Ministerial Deliverers and Investers; And therefore it is Christ and not they, that must describe it.
XLI. 9 No Prince or Prelate hath power from Christ to set over, or impose upon any Church or Christian people, any person as a Pastor who through Ignorance, Heresy, Malignant opposition to piety, or utter defect of Ministerial ability, is uncapable of the Office or unfit to be trusted by the people with the Pastoral care and conduct of their souls. Nor is it Schism in them to refuse to commit their souls to such, nor to choose and use better; when they may do it, without greater hurt to others then their gain will compensate.
XLI. 9 No Prince or Prelate hath power from Christ to set over, or impose upon any Church or Christian people, any person as a Pastor who through Ignorance, Heresie, Malignant opposition to piety, or utter defect of Ministerial ability, is uncapable of the Office or unfit to be trusted by the people with the Pastoral care and conduct of their soules. Nor is it Schism in them to refuse to commit their soules to such, nor to chuse and use better; when they may do it, without greater hurt to others then their gain will compensate.
XLII. 10. Princes or other Magistrates are not appointed by God to be the ordinary Electors and Imposers of Pastors on all the Churches; and the people bound to consent to whomsoever they elect. But Christ hath given the Bishops the power of free ordaining, and the people the power of free consenting, and made Magistrates the Governors of them that have this power. Even as he hath not given power to Princes