A27035:498
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 8: What the National Church of England is?
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.
But in a loose sense many other things may be called a Church. As 1. a Community prepared for a governing Form, not yet received. 2. An occasional Congregation about Religion (as Prisoners that pray together; Men that meet about a Religious Consultation or Dispute, &c.) 3. Many Churches as under one Christian Magistrate as an accidental Head. 4. Many Churches associated for mutual help and concord, without any governing Head: Either of one Kingdom or of many. 5. Many Churches as merely agreeing in Judgment and Love, in distant parts of the World. None of these are Churches in the political Sense, but are equivocally so called.
But in a loose sense many other things may be called a Church. As 1. a Community prepared for a governing Form, not yet received. 2. An occasional Congregation about Religion (as Prisoners that pray together; Men that meet about a Religious Consultation or Dispute, &c.) 3. Many Churches as under one Christian Magistrate as an accidental Head. 4. Many Churches associated for mutual help and concord, without any governing Head: Either of one Kingdom or of many. 5. Many Churches as meerly agreeing in Judgment and Love, in distant parts of the World. None of these are Churches in the political Sense, but are equivocally so called.
But Politically. 1. All the Christian World is one Church as formed by their Relation to Christ the Head. 2. All single Churches that have Pastors to guide them in the Essentials of the Pastoral Office, are true Churches, formed by this mutual Relation. These two are undoubted.
3. The now Roman▪ Catholic Church is one by Usurpation, as informed by one Usurping head.
3. The now Roman▪ Catholick Church is one by Usurpation, as informed by one Usurping head.