A27045:193
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.
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 ⟨p. 71⟩make in the world, but to set up one man over all the earth? and that to do a spiritual work, which consisteth not with force, but is managed on conscience: One wretched man must govern the Antipodes on the other side of the earth, that is indeed uncapable of truly and justly Governing the City of Rome it self. Popes, that their own Councils have condemned for ravishing maids and wives at their doors, for Murders, Simony, Drunkenness, Heresy, denying the Resurrection and the life to come (that is, being no Christians) these forsooth must be the universal Governors, or we are all undone; and we are damned if we believe it not: O how dreadful are the effects of sin; and how great a judgement is a blinded mind! This comes of falling into Sects and parties, which leads men into the gulf of the most odious Schism (even Popery) in the world.
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 Catholike 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 Governour, or Vicar of Christ, then the Archbishop of Canterbury was having indeed a far larger Diocess 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 Emperours 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 Diocess, &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