A26965:86
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.
But we easily acknowledge, that as Apostles having planted many Churches staid a while in each, when they had settled it, and some time visited it again; so they are by some historians called the first Bishops of those Churches, being indeed the transient Governors of them: In which sense one Church might at once have two or many Bishops, and one Bishop many Churches, and he be Bishop of one Church this week, who was Bishop of another where he came the next.
But we easily acknowledge, that as Apostles having planted many Churches staid a while in each, when they had setled it, and some time visited it again; so they are by some historians called the first Bishops of those Churches, being indeed the transient Governours of them: In which sense one Church might at once have two or many Bishops, and one Bishop many Churches, and he be Bishop of one Church this week, who was Bishop of another where he came the next.
Sect. VI. Christian Community, (prepared to be a Polity) and a Christian family, and a Christian Kingdom, we doubt not may all prove their Divine Right; And if any will call these Churches, let us agree of the definition, and we will not strive about the name.
Sect. VII. We know not of any proof that ever was produced, that many Churches of the first Rank, must (of duty) make one fixed greater compound Church, by Association, whether Classical, Diocesan, Provincial, Patriarchal, or National: and that God hath instituted any such Form: And we find ⟨p. 13⟩the greatest defenders of Prelacy, affirming that Classes, Provincial, Patriarchal, and National Churches, are but humane institutions; of which more anon.