A27045:595
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.
2. Your word [Properly so called] is ambiguous; referring either to the Etymology, or to some definition in an authentic ⟨p. 295⟩Canon; or to custom and common speech. Of the first, we have no reason now to enter controversy: For the second, I know no such stablished Definition that we are agreed on: For the third, custom is so variable here, not agreeing with it self, that what is to be denominated Proper or Improper from it, is not to be well conjectured. However all this is but de nomine; and What is the proper, and What the improper use of the word Heretic, is no Article of Faith, nor necessary for our debate. Therefore again you must accept of my distinguishing, and give me leave to fly confusion.
2. Your word [Properly so called] is ambiguous; referring either to the Etymologie, or to some definition in an authentick ⟨p. 295⟩Canon; or to custom and common speech. Of the first, we have no reason now to enter controversie: For the second, I know no such stablisht Definition that we are agreed on: For the third, custom is so variable here, not agreeing with it self, that what is to be denominated Proper or Improper from it, is not to be well conjectured. However all this is but de nomine; and What is the proper, and What the improper use of the word Heretick, is no Article of Faith, nor necessary for our debate. Therefore again you must accept of my distinguishing, and give me leave to fly confusion.
1. The word [Heretic] is either spoken of one that corrupteth the Doctrine of Faith (as such), or of one that upon some difference of Opinion, or some personal quarrels, withdraweth from the Communion of those particular Churches that before he held communion with, and gathereth a separated party: such are most usually called Schismatics; but of o•d, the name [Heretics] was oft applied unto such.