A27035:477
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease public worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease publick worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.
London: printed for Nevil Simons, 1681
AN ANSWER TO Dean STILINGFLEETS, &c. › Chapter 7: The Reply to his Third Part: The beginning.
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.
Sect. 13. 1. He tells us that the Presbyters are the lower house in the Convocation, and so have their Votes in passing all the Rules of Discipline, Articles of Doctrine and Forms of divine Service.] Ans. 1. According to his description the Church of England hath no one Ecclesiastical Government, either Monarchical or Aristocratical or Democratical: And therefore the Acts of the Convocation are no Acts of governing the Church of England, but mere Agreements. Therefore this proveth not the Presbyters power of governing it. 2. If this be a part of Government it is the Legislative Part or the Executive. The later it is not. The former the Lawyers say it is not; King and Parliament only being Legislators. But if this be Legislation, we deny it to be any of the power of the Keys, in question, which is but to judge who is fit or unfit for Church communion, to Admonish, Absolve or Excommunicate according to Christs Law; and is the execution of Christs Law, and not the making of new Laws. 3. It is lis sub judice whether the things here named be any part of true lawful Church-Government: Rules of Discipline Christ hath made enough, except about mere mutable Accidents. Articles of Doctrine man must not otherwise make, than to declare what he believeth Christ hath made. Forms of Divine Service commanded to all others, the Apostles never made, nor that we find appointed any others to make them. If these be lawful by way of agreement of many Churches, this is none of the Power we speak of. Yet he calls this [one of the greatest Rights of Government, viz. making Rules for the whole body; which he denieth to have any constitutive Government.
Sect. 13. 1. He tells us that the Presbyters are the lower house in the Convocation, and so have their Votes in passing all the Rules of Discipline, Articles of Doctrine and Forms of divine Service.] Ans. 1. According to his description the Church of England hath no one Ecclesiastical Government, either Monarchical or Aristocratical or Democratical: And therefore the Acts of the Convocation are no Acts of governing the Church of England, but meer Agreements. Therefore this proveth not the Presbyters power of governing it. 2. If this be a part of Government it is the Legislative Part or the Executive. The later it is not. The former the Lawyers say it is not; King and Parliament only being Legislators. But if this be Legislation, we deny it to be any of the power of the Keys, in question, which is but to judge who is fit or unfit for Churchcommunion, to Admonish, Absolve or Excommunicate according to Christs Law; and is the execution of Christs Law, and not the making of new Laws. 3. It is lis sub judice whether the things here named be any part of true lawful Church-Government: Rules of Discipline Christ hath made enough, except about meer mutable Accidents. Articles of Doctrine man must not otherwise make, than to declare what he believeth Christ hath made. Forms of Divine Service commanded to all others, the Apostles never made, nor that we find appointed any others to make them. If these be lawful by way of agreement of many Churches, this is none of the Power we speak of. Yet he calls this [one of the greatest Rights of Government, viz. making Rules for the whole body; which he denyeth to have any constitutive Government.