A26965:772
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.
§ 24. There is no notice in Church history of any one National Church-power (Priest or Synod) settled, asserted or exercised under Heaven, of above three hundred years. Egypt and Assyria that were prophesied to be Christian Nations, never were distinct Christian Kingdoms, but parts of the Empire; nor had a National Church or Head (being but parts of such a Church:) Nay, when Rome got the National Primacy, it had not such a Priestly Governing Sovereignty as the Jews High-Priest had.
§ 24. There is no notice in Church history of any one National Church-power (Priest or Synod) setled, asserted or exercised under Heaven, of above three hundred years. Egypt and Assyria that were prophesied to be Christian Nations, never were distinct Christian Kingdoms, but parts of the Empire; nor had a National Church or Head (being but parts of such a Church:) Nay, when Rome got the National Primacy, it had not such a Priestly Governing Soveraignty as the Jews High-Priest had.
§ 25. Though there was no Christian King for ⟨p. 260⟩three hundred years (unless he of Edessa, or Lucius of England, of whom we have little certainty; but it's like that both were subjects to others) yet if a Supreme Church-Power had been necessary, the Apostles would have before erected it; which they never did: For even Rome pretendeth to be by them made the Ruler of the whole world, and not a mere National Head (which Constantinople claimed, but not as of Apostolical institution.)
§ 25. Though there was no Christian King for ⟨p. 260⟩three hundred years (unless he of Edessa, or Lucius of England, of whom we have little certainty; but it's like that both were subjects to others) yet if a Supream Church-Power had been necessary, the Apostles would have before erected it; which they never did: For even Rome pretendeth to be by them made the Ruler of the whole world, and not a meer National Head (which Constantinople claimed, but not as of Apostolical institution.)