Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

Ad 4m. I know not what Bishops you mean. A Congregational Bishop overseeing the People is undoubtedly lawful: so is a Congregational Bishop, being President of a Presbytery which is over that Congregation. Where many Congregational Officers are associated, I do not think that a President for a time, or during his fitness, standing and fixed, is unlawful. The like I may say of a President of many of those Associations again associated, as in a Province or Diocese: And I believe it were a very easy work for wise, godly, moderate men to agree about his Power: And I would not seem so censorious as to proclaim that England wanteth such, further than the actual want of such Agreement, or just endeavours thereto, doth proclaim it. I am satisfied also, that the Apostles themselves have de jure Successors in all that part of their work which is to be perpetuated, or continued till now; though not in their extraordinary Endowments and Privileges. But if the sense of your Question be, Whether one Man may be the standing chief Governor of many particular Churches with their Officers, having either sole power of Ordination and Jurisdiction (as some would have) or a Negative Voice in both (as others) it would seem great arrogancy in me to be the confident Determiner of such a Question, which so wise, learned, godly sober Men, have said so much of on both sides already.

Ad 4m. I know not what Bishops you mean. A Congregational Bishop overseeing the People is undoubtedly lawful: so is a Congregational Bishop, being President of a Presbytery which is over that Congregation. Where many Congregational Officers are associated, I do not think that a President for a time, or during his fitness, standing and fixed, is unlawful. The like I may say of a President of many of those Associations again associated, as in a Province or Diocess: And I believe it were a very easie work for wise, godly, moderate men to agree about his Power: And I would not seem so censorious as to proclaim that England wanteth such, further than the actual want of such Agreement, or just endeavours thereto, doth proclaim it. I am satisfied also, that the Apostles themselves have de jure Successors in all that part of their work which is to be perpetuated, or continued till now; though not in their extraordinary Endowments and Priviledges. But if the sence of your Question be, Whether one Man may be the standing chief Governour of many particular Churches with their Officers, having either sole power of Ordination and Jurisdiction (as some would have) or a Negative Voice in both (as others) it would seem great arrogancy in me to be the confident Determiner of such a Question, which so wise, learned, godly sober Men, have said so much of on both sides already.