A26975:81
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.
It's true, that Queen Elizabeth, and our Kings and Doctors have justly appropriated the Power of the Word, Sacraments, and the Keys of Admission to Christian Communion, and of Excommunication and Absolution, to the Pastoral Office, and have proved that Christ did himself institute that Office, and not leave it to the will or power of Princes to institute, abrogate or alter it: But it is as true, that Princes are the Governors of those Pastors, and may punish them for Male-administration, and dispose of the things circa sacra undetermined by Christ.
It's true, that Queen Elizabeth, and our Kings and Doctors have justly appropriated the Power of the Word, Sacraments, and the Keys of Admission to Christian Communion, and of Excommunication and Absolution, to the Pastoral Office, and have proved that Christ did himself institute that Office, and not leave it to the will or power of Princes to institute, abrogate or alter it: But it is as true, that Princes are the Governours of those Pastors, and may punish them for Male-administration, and dispose of the things circasacra undetermined by Christ.
§ 4. By this mischievous Error also the Clergy have been drawn to tempt Kings and Magistrates to think that they are but Civil Officers, and have not much need to be very studious to understand the Scriptures, but must leave that to Bishops and Priests, and take it on their words: By which they have been perverted and let loose to ungodliness and debauchery, wasting that time in Luxury, and Sports, and Idleness, which should have been spent in studying of the Word of God; and govern by erroneous ungodly Laws, because they know not the Law of the Lord: Whereas God hath commanded Kings and Rulers to study his Law diligently, and keep it always before their eyes and on their hearts, and to govern according to it, and make it the chief work of their Office to promote the obedience of it.
§ 4. By this mischievous Errour also the Clergy have been drawn to tempt Kings and Magistrates to think that they are but Civil Officers, and have not much need to be very studious to understand the Scriptures, but must leave that to Bishops and Priests, and take it on their words: By which they have been perverted and let loose to ungodliness and debauchery, wasting that time in Luxury, and Sports, and Idleness, which should have been spent in studying of the Word of God; and govern by erroneous ungodly Laws, because they know not the Law of the Lord: Whereas God hath commanded Kings and Rulers to study his Law diligently, and keep it alwaies before their eyes and on their hearts, and to govern according to it, and make it the chief work of their Office to promote the obedience of it.