A27045:693
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.
R. B. Reply. Qu. 2. Repl. But is it necessary for every Christian, to be able to weigh the credit of contradicting parties, when one half of the world faith one thing, and the other another thing? what opportunity have ordinary Christians to compare them, and discern the moral advantages on each side? As in the case of the Popes Sovereignty, when two or three parts of the Christian world is against it, and the rest for it, can private Christians try which party is the more credible? Or is it necessary to their salvation? If so, they are cast upon unavoidable despair. If not, must they all take the words of their present Teachers? Then most of the world must believe against you, because most of the Teachers are against you: And then it seems mens faith is resolved into the authority of the Parish-Priest or their Confessors. The Laws of a Kingdom may be easier known, then Christian ⟨p. 345⟩doctrines can be known, (especially such as are controverted among us) by mere unwritten Tradition. Kingdoms are of narrower compass then the world: And, though the sense of Laws is oft in question, yet the being of them is seldom matter of controversy; because men conversing constantly and familiarly with each other, may plainly and fully reveal their minds; when God that condescendeth not to such a familiarity, hath delivered his mind by inspired persons long ago, with much less sensible advantages, because it is a life of faith that he directeth us to live.
R. B. Reply. Qu. 2. Repl. But is it necessary for every Christian, to be able to weigh the credit of contradicting parties, when one half of the world faith one thing, and the other another thing? what opportunity have ordinary Christians to compare them, and discern the moral advantages on each side? As in the case of the Popes Soveraignty, when two or three parts of the Christian world is against it, and the rest for it, can private Christians try which party is the more credible? Or is it necessary to their salvation? If so, they are cast upon unavoidable despair. If not, must they all take the words of their present Teachers? Then most of the world must believe against you, because most of the Teachers are against you: And then it seems mens faith is resolved into the authority of the Parish-Priest or their Confessors. The Laws of a Kingdom may be easier known, then Christian ⟨p. 345⟩doctrines can be known, (especially such as are controverted among us) by meer unwritten Tradition. Kingdoms are of narrower compass then the world: And, though the sense of Laws is oft in question, yet the being of them is seldom matter of controversie; because men conversing constantly and familiarly with each other, may plainly and fully reveal their minds; when God that condescendeth not to such a familiarity, hath delivered his mind by inspired persons long ago, with much less sensible advantages, because it is a life of faith that he directeth us to live.