A27045:576
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.
And here I must in Justice expect, that you give us such a Definition as you will stand to through the dispute, 1. Of [the Church] 2. Of [the Pope] and 3. [Of the Subjects of the Pope] or [Papists.] The term [Roman Catholics] would but divert and elude: For it is not as [Roman] that we oppose you, that is, as inhabitants ⟨p. 286⟩of Rome, or as subject to him as a Bishop of Rome: Nor is it as [Catholics] that is, as of the Universal Christian Church: but as [Papists] that is, [subjects of the Pope as universal Sovereign, or Bishop.] To dispute of terms not agreed on, is lost labour: Define first, or you do nothing. I find of your Writers, some by the [Church] mean [the Pope] as Gretser Defens. cap. 10. lib. 3. de Verbo Dei, pag. 1450, 1451. [By the Church (saith he) we mean the Pope of Rome] and [per Ecclesiam Papam interpretantur: Non abnuo.] Some by [the Church] mean [a Council] and what they mean by [a Council] I know not well. And some mean [the Roman Clergy] i. e. of that Diocese: And some mean [all the Clergy under the Pope:] And some mean [all the people that are his subjects.] I have given you the Reason of my doubting of your meaning in these terms, in a Book come out of the Press since your last to me, where I have answered most of yours.
And here I must in Justice expect, that you give us such a Definition as you will stand to through the dispute, 1. Of [the Church] 2. Of [the Pope] and 3. [Of the Subjects of the Pope] or [Papists.] The term [Roman Catholicks] would but divert and elude: For it is not as [Romane] that we oppose you, that is, as inhabitants ⟨p. 286⟩of Rome, or as subject to him as a Bishop of Rome: Nor is it as [Catholicks] that is, as of the Universal Christian Church: but as [Papists] that is, [subjects of the Pope as universal Soveraign, or Bishop.] To dispute of terms not agreed on, is lost labour: Define first, or you do nothing. I find of your Writers, some by the [Church] mean [the Pope] as Gretser Defens. cap. 10. lib. 3. de Verbo Dei, pag. 1450, 1451. [By the Church (saith he) we mean the Pope of Rome] and [per Ecclesiam Papam interpretantur: Non abnuo.] Some by [the Church] mean [a Council] and what they mean by [a Council] I know not well. And some mean [the Roman Clergy] i. e. of that Diocess: And some mean [all the Clergy under the Pope:] And some mean [all the people that are his subjects.] I have given you the Reason of my doubting of your meaning in these terms, in a Book come out of the Press since your last to me, where I have answered most of yours.