A26965:835
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.
Obj. But shall all men gather Churches, and teach Heresy, and do what they will?
Obj. But shall all men gather Churches, and teach Heresie, and do what they will?
Answ. 1. The power of Popes, Patriarchs or Councils, did not prevent it, when there were all the Heresies that fill Epiphanius Volumes: And when the far greatest part of the Clergy was long Arian: And when the Nestorians and Futychians so greatly multiplied after the condemnation of the Councils: And when the Novatians lived so many years in reputation: and when the Donatists nor they were not diminished by Prelates or Councils Censures, till the sword dispersed them. And cannot the Sword be drawn without such as have no power of it?
Answ. 1. The power of Popes, Patriarchs or Councils, did not prevent it, when there were all the Heresies that fill Epiphanius Volumns: And when the far greatest part of the Clergy was long Arrian: And when the Nestorians and Futychians so greatly multiplied after the condemnation of the Councils: And when the Novatians lived so many years in reputation: and when the Donatists nor they were not diminished by Prelates or Councils Censures, till the sword dispersed them. And cannot the Sword be drawn without such as have no power of it?
3. And as to the last (and greatest) reason, that the Apostles have successors who must orderly exercise their Government; it is answered 1. The common doctrine of the Church was, that all Bishops are their Successors so far as they have successions; and every Church of one Altar had a Bishop in the days of Ignatius, and long after. 2. The Council of Carthage said, None of us calleth himself Bishop of Bishops. 3. But if any be set as the Bishop of many Bishops and Churches, so be it they use no violence, but govern volunteers as all the old Bishops did, and forbid them nothing commanded of God, nor command them any