A27035:478
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. 14. He saith, [In this main part of Government our Church falls behind none of the ancient Churches—only there they were taken singly in every City, &c. Ans. That is, 1. When the Ministers of a Diocese choose four, out of whom the Bishops take two, And 2. This only to make agreements, without any governing power over the Church of England. 3. And this only about general Regulation. 4. In either unlawful or doubtful Impositions on others about mere Accidents or Circumstances of Order; This is the same or as good as, when every true Church hath present Pastors ⟨p. 107⟩personally to exercise the executive Church-Government called the Keys, by the Laws of Christ already made, in judging the case of each particular Person, as to his Title to Church-communion and the Kingdom of Heaven. For that is the thing which by us is pleaded for.
Sect. 14. He saith, [In this main part of Government our Church falls behind none of the ancient Churches—only there they were taken singly in every City, &c. Ans. That is, 1. When the Ministers of a Diocess choose four, out of whom the Bishops take two, And 2. This only to make agreements, without any governing power over the Church of England. 3. And this only about general Regulation. 4. In either unlawful or doubtful Impositions on others about meer Accidents or Circumstances of Order; This is the same or as good as, when every true Church hath present Pastors ⟨p. 107⟩personally to exercise the executive Church-Government called the Keys, by the Laws of Christ already made, in judging the case of each particular Person, as to his Title to Church-communion and the Kingdom of Heaven. For that is the thing which by us is pleaded for.
Sect. 15. Next he tells us of four that are to join in Ordination and Examination; when 1. It is not the making or governing of Pastors which I am speaking of, but the Government of the Flocks. 2. He knoweth that it is no strange thing for our Bishops to say, that both in Convocations and Ordination, the Presbyters act only as the Bishops Council, and the Bishops only act by governing authority. 3. I never disputed for Presbyters Power to ordain as essential to them (nor did I ever meddle in any Ordination.) 4. If four Presbyters have such power that proveth not that four hundred have it, that never exercise it, in the same Diocese. 5. If by all this you mean that really Presbyters have the governing Power of the Keys, it condemneth those the more that give it to four and deny it to four hundred or one thousand. 6. When I was ordained none examined us but the Bishops Chaplain, and two or three City Ministers called by the Bishop that never saw us before, merely pro formâ laid hands on us with him. But it's well that you give such a power to ordain.