A26965:97
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.
2. But we never yet saw the proof produced, that indeed the Bishops had power given them to institute this other Species of Elders. Sure it belonged to the Founders of the Churches (Christ and his Apostles) to institute the Species of Ecclesiastical Officers, though the Bishops ⟨p. 17⟩might make the Individuals afterwards. And where is the proof that the Apostles did institute it? If Ecclesiastical generation imitate natural, the Bishops would beget but their like: men beget men; so Physicians make Physicians, and so Bishops may beget Bishops: But he that saith they could morally first beget this other Species, must prove it.
Sect XVI. When Presbyters were first distinct from Bishops, we see no proof that it was as a distinct Office or Order in specie, and not only as a distinct degree and privilege of men in the same Office: Nor hath the Church of Rome it self thought meet to determine this as de fide but suffereth its Doctors to hold the contrary.
Sect XVI. When Presbyters were first distinct from Bishops, we see no proof that it was as a distinct Office or Order in specie, and not only as a distinct degree and priviledge of men in the same Office: Nor hath the Church of Rome it self thought meet to determine this as de fide but suffereth its Doctors to hold the contrary.
Sect. XVII. It much confirmeth us in our judgment, that no mere Bishop then had more Churches than one (as afore described) when we find that Ignatius (whose authority Dr. Hamond Dissert. cont▪ Blondel: Layeth so much of the cause upon, and whom Bishop Pierson hath lately so industriously vindicated) doth expressly make ONE ALTAR, and ONE BISHOP with the Presbyters and Deacons, to be the note of a Church Unity and Individuation. And that by one Altar is meant one Table of Communion, or place where that Table stood, is past doubt with the judicious and impartial. Whence learned Mr. Joseph Mede doth argue as certain that then a Bishops Church was no other than such as usually communicated in one place. Yea, saith Ignatius, the Bishop must take notice and account of each person, even of Man-servants and Maids (that they come to the Church). And this was the Bishop of a Seat, that after was