A26982:448
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called The second part of the mischiefs of separation, written by an unnamed author with a preface to Mr. Cantianus D. Minimis, in answer to his letter which extorted this publication.
London: printed for Tho. 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.
68. Whereas therefore the Diocesan Church of England exclusive of all Nonconformists, and such as these Men accuse, is so oft called, The best Church in the World: It must mean that it is best in Constitution and Laws, or in the Men that are Ministers and Members. If the first be their meaning, 1. The best Laws without the best Men never make the best Church. 2. Is one sole Bishop over a Thousand or many Hundred Parishes without any Bishop or Pastoral Church under him a better Form of Government, than the contrary that was continued for many hundred years? *and described by Archbishop Usher and others. 2. Is a Church Governed by Lay Civilians decretive use of the Keys so much better than that which is Governed by the Keys in the hands of the Clergy only? 3. Is a Church Governed by Canons that ipso facto Excommunicate all that affirm any of their Offices, Ceremonies or Forms, to have any thing sinful, better than those that unite in things necessary, and bear with such as these? 4. Are Bishops and Deans chosen by Kings (perhaps Papists) and Incumbents chosen by any that can buy a Presentation, better than those that are chosen by the Clergy and People, and Invested by the Prince and Patron. 5. Is a Church where the ignorant, sinful and unwilling are forced to Communicate, unless they will lye Beggared in Goals, better than those that receive none to Communion but the Desirers?
68. Whereas therefore the Diocesane Church of England exclusive of all Nonconformists, and such as these Men accuse, is so oft called, The best Church in the World: It must mean that it is best in Constitution and Laws, or in the Men that are Ministers and Members. If the first be their meaning, 1. The best Laws without the best Men never make the best Church. 2. Is one sole Bishop over a Thousand or many Hundred Parishes without any Bishop or Pastoral Church under him a better Form of Government, than the contrary that was continued for many hundred years? *and described by Archbishop Usher and others. 2. Is a Church Governed by Lay Civilians decretive use of the Keys so much better than that which is Governed by the Keys in the hands of the Clergy only? 3. Is a Church Governed by Canons that ipso facto Excommunicate all that affirm any of their Offices, Ceremonies or Forms, to have any thing sinful, better than those that unite in things necessary, and bear with such as these? 4. Are Bishops and Deans chosen by Kings (perhaps Papists) and Incumbents chosen by any that can buy a Presentation, better than those that are chosen by the Clergy and People, and Invested by the Prince and Patron. 5. Is a Church where the ignorant, sinful and unwilling are forced to Communicate, unless they will lye Beggar'd in Goals, better than those that receive none to Communion but the Desirers?