A27045:698
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. Qu 2. Must it not represent all the Catholic Church? Doth not your Definition agree to a Provincial, or the smallest Council?
R. B. Qu 2. Must it not represent all the Catholike Church? Doth not your Definition agree to a Provincial, or the smallest Council?
Mr. J. Answ. Yes, my Definition speaks specifically of Bishops and chief Prelates, as contradistinct from inferior Pastors and Clergy, and thereby comprises all the Individuums contained in the Species; and consequently makes a distinction from National, or particular Councils, where some Bishops only are convened, not all; that being only some part, and not the whole Species, or specific Notion applied to Bishops of every age. And yet I said not all Bishops, but Bishops and chief Prelates; because though all are to be called, yet it is not necessary that all should come. Whence appears what I am to answer to the next two Questions.
Mr. J. Answ. Yes, my Definition speaks specifically of Bishops and chief Prelates, as contradistinct from inferiour Pastors and Clergy, and thereby comprises all the Individuums contained in the Species; and consequently makes a distinction from National, or particular Councils, where some Bishops only are convened, not all; that being only some part, and not the whole Species, or specifical Notion applied to Bishops of every age. And yet I said not all Bishops, but Bishops and chief Prelates; because though all are to be called, yet it is not necessary that all should come. Whence appears what I am to answer to the next two Questions.
R. B. Reply. Qu. 2. Repl. 1. Then you have had no General Councils; much less can have any more: For you have none to represent the greatest part of the Church, unless by a mock representation. 2. If all must be called, your Councils have not been General, that called not a great part of the Church. 3. If most are necessarily detained (as by distance, the prohibition of Princes, &c.) the call made it not their duty to be there, and so makes it not a General Council; which is so called from the generality of the meeting and representation, and not of the invitation: no more then a Call would make it a true Council if none came.