A26975:304
Of national churches their description, institution, use, preservation, danger, maladies and cure, partly applied…
Of national churches their description, institution, use, preservation, danger, maladies and cure, partly applied to England / written by Richard Baxter for promoting peace ... and for the fuller explication of the Treaty for Concord in 1660 and 1661, and of the Kings gracious declaration about ecclesiastical affairs ... and for further explication of his treatise of episcopacy ...
London: printed by T. Snowden for Thomas Parkhurst, 1691
Chapter 9: That Christ hath Instituted no true Ecclesiastical Government in Man, of any larger ext…
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.
1. When there was no Christian Magistracy, the Christians by voluntary consent, to avoid Pagan Tribunals, made their Bishops their chosen Arbitrators to decide their differences. And Constantine finding them in possession of it, and having no Lay-men so wise, and good, and meet, continued them in it; yet without the Power of the Sword.
2. The pious Christians were desirous that their own freely chosen Pastors should rule them, having no others so fit.
3. The Princes were so taken up with Wars, and secular things, that they had no leisure to mind it.
4. Princes and Rulers grew so ignorant, wicked and debauched, that themselves and all others almost thought them unmeet for such holy work. They neglected the study of the Word of God, which should have made them wise.
4. Princes and Rulers grew so ignorant, wicked and debaucht, that themselves and all others almost thought them unmeet for such holy work. They neglected the study of the Word of God, which should have made them wise.