A26965:88
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.
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.
Sect. VIII. We find no proof that ever God determined the Churches should necessarily be individuated by Parish-bounds or limits of ground; and that men in the same limits might not have divers Bishops, and be of divers particular Churches.
Sect. IX. We never saw any satisfactory proof that ever Christ or his Apostles did institute any particular Church (taken in a Political sense as organized, and not merely for a Community) without a Bishop or Pastor, who had the power of Teaching them, Ruling them by the Word and Power of the Church-Keys, and leading them in public Worship.
Sect. IX. We never saw any satisfactory proof that ever Christ or his Apostles did institute any particular Church (taken in a Political sense as organized, and not meerly for a Community) without a Bishop or Pastor, who had the power of Teaching them, Ruling them by the Word and Power of the Church-Keys, and leading them in publick Worship.