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

In the first respect, I conceive that Divine Revelation being the Genus, by word, and by writing, are distinct Species: And as the delivery of the thing revealed is the Genus, so the delivery of the perfect word in Scripture, and of the Sum of the matter in Sacraments and other Means forementioned, are distinct Species. 2. In order of Efficiency I conceive that some Means are Supra-ordinate to Scripture, and some Coordinate and Subordinate in several Respects, and some Subordinate only: of which I shall give Instances anon. 3. In order to the nearer End; those Means are subordinate to Scripture, which are supra-ordinate in Efficiency; and some of those which ab origine are co-ordinate: when yet in order to the more remote End they are co-ordinate. 4. In order of Dignity, some Means are above Scripture, some below it. For Instances in these Cases: 1. Jesus Christ himself, both as the great Prophet of his Church, inditing the Scriptures by his Spirit, and sending the Apostles, and still sending Ministers, and owning his own Word, is one Means of Revealing himself to Mankind: And he is in order of Efficiency and of Dignity, above the Scripture, but subordinate as to the End which is near, but not as to the ultimate End. 2. The Holy Ghost inspiring the Apostles is a Means of Revelation supra-ordinate to the Scripture in Efficiency, and Dignity: And the Holy Ghost as enabling and sending forth Pastors, is co-ordinate in Efficiency, and subordinate as to one of the nearer Ends: The Holy Ghost as Illuminating and so Revealing by the Instrumentality of the Word, is in Efficiency and Dignity above the Word. 3. The Apostles themselves were in order of Efficiency, above the Writing or Letter of the Word, though in order of Dignity the Scripture is above them. 4. The Ministry and Teaching of Parents, is as to the Original both subordinate to Scripture, as commanded by it, and co-ordinate, as instituted and enjoined before it by verbal Precept; and doth still acknowledge this double obligation. But it is subordinate to Scripture in Dignity, and as to the nearer End. 5. The same is true of Baptism and other Ordinances mentioned already. 6. The delivery of the Scriptures down to our hands, 1. As to acquaint us with the Canonical Books; 2. And that these are all; 3. And that they are uncorrupted in Matters of moment, is in efficiency a co-ordinate Means of Revelation;

In the first respect, I conceive that Divine Revelation being the Genus, by word, and by writing, are distinct Species: And as the delivery of the thing revealed is the Genus, so the delivery of the perfect word in Scripture, and of the Sum of the matter in Sacraments and other Means forementioned, are distinct Species. 2. In order of Efficiency I conceive that some Means are Supra-ordinate to Scripture, and some Coordinate and Subordinate in several Respects, and some Subordinate only: of which I shall give Instances anon. 3. In order to the nearer End; those Means are subordinate to Scripture, which are supra-ordinate in Efficiency; and some of those which ab origine are co-ordinate: when yet in order to the more remote End they are co-ordinate. 4. In order of Dignity, some Means are above Scripture, some below it. For Instances in these Cases: 1. Jesus Christ himself, both as the great Prophet of his Church, inditing the Scriptures by his Spirit, and sending the Apostles, and still sending Ministers, and owning his own Word, is one Means of Revealing himself to Mankind: And he is in order of Efficiency and of Dignity, above the Scripture, but subordinate as to the End which is near, but not as to the ultimate End. 2. The Holy Ghost inspiring the Apostles is a Means of Revelation supra-ordinate to the Scripture in Efficiency, and Dignity: And the Holy Ghost as enabling and sending forth Pastors, is co-ordinate in Efficiency, and subordinate as to one of the nearer Ends: The Holy Ghost as Illuminating and so Revealing by the Instrumentality of the Word, is in Efficiency and Dignity above the Word. 3. The Apostles themselves were in order of Efficiency, above the Writing or Letter of the Word, though in order of Dignity the Scripture is above them. 4. The Ministry and Teaching of Parents, is as to the Original both subordinate to Scripture, as commanded by it, and co-ordiante, as instituted and enjoyned before it by verbal Precept; and doth still acknowledge this double obligation. But it is subordinate to Scripture in Dignity, and as to the nearer End. 5. The same is true of Baptism and other Ordinances mentioned already. 6. The delivery of the Scriptures down to our hands, 1. As to acquaint us with the Canonical Books; 2. And that these are all; 3. And that they are uncorrupted in Matters of moment, is in efficiency a co-ordinate Means of Revelation;