A27045:192
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far heretics are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far hereticks are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
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 I must say, that it is doleful case that professors are so ungrounded, that such vanities should carry them away from Catholic verity and unity, to a faction that usurps the name of Catholics. To be free with you, I think it is that pride and levity that brings them first to separation from our Churches into Sects, and the guilt which they there incur, that prepareth professors to be so far forsaken of God, as to be given up to believe a lie, and to turn Papists.
But I must say, that it is doleful case that professors are so ungrounded, that such vanities should carry them away from Catholike verity and unity, to a faction that usurps the name of Catholikes. To be free with you, I think it is that pride and levity that brings them first to separation from our Churches into Sects, and the guilt which they there incur, that prepareth professors to be so far forsaken of God, as to be given up to believe a lie, and to turn Papists.
O dreadful case! that one Bishop cannot ⟨p. 70⟩swell in pride, but men must make a Religion of his pride! yea and make a Catholic Church of it! yea and plead for it, and make the sin their own; yea condemn all Christians that list not themselves under this Prince of pride. He is culpably, if not wilfully blind, that hath read Scripture and Church history, and knoweth not, that the Pope for three hundred years after Christ, was not the creature that now he is; nor had for most of that time any more Government over other Bishops, then I have over neighbour Pastors: and after that time, he was no more an universal Head, or Governor, or Vicar of Christ, then the Archbishop of Canterbury was▪ having indeed a far larger Diocese then he, but never was more then the swelled Primate of one National (Imperial) Church. When Synods began to be gathered out of a Principality (the Emperors desiring that means of unity within their Empire), the pride of the Prelates set them presently a striving for superiority, who should sit highest, and write his name first, and have the largest Diocese, &c! And now men make a Religion of the fruits of this abominable pride. What are all their disputings for, and all this stir that they