A26975:344
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
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.
§ 12. This much presupposed, we must enquire what the Apostles Power was, that we may know how much of it is continued as ordinary.
And, I. Names used by Christ and the Holy Ghost, were not useless to the notifying of the things signified by them. And Apostolus signified much more than Episcopus. To be an Apostle was by Christs own Mouth, or special Revelation from Heaven, to be one sent Indefinitely to be his special Witness and Messenger to publish his Gospel to Infidels, and work Miracles to confirm it, and gather Churches hereby. But a Bishop as such had not this Mission and Power.
§ 13. II. The Apostles Power to speak of Christ, his words and works as Eye and Ear-witnesses, is not continued to Successors; no more than the confirming Power of Miracles.
§ 14. III. The number of Twelve and Seventy two were a National Form fitted to the Jewish State, and not an Universal: And this National Form went before that part of the Apostles Work and Power, which was to be Universal or Indefinite.