A27045:724
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.
4. Nothing in Church History more certain, then that the Church of Rome hath had no continued succession of a truly elected, or ordained Pope according to their own Canons. 1. If Infidelity or Heresy judged by a Council (in the case of Honorius, Joh. 23. Eugenius, &c.) will not prove a nullity and intercision. 2. If Simony, Murder, Adultery, &c. will not prove it. 3. If about forty years Schism at once will not prove it: none knowing who was the true Pope, but by the prevalency of his secular power; and their writers confessing that it is known to none but God. 4. If intrusion without any just election will not prove it; Then there is no danger to those Churches that are liable to no such accusations. But if any or all of these will prove it, the Roman intercision is beyond dispute, as I shall further manifest on any just call, if it be denied.
4. Nothing in Church History more certain, then that the Church of Rome hath had no continued succession of a truely elected, or ordained Pope according to their own Canons. 1. If Infidelity or Heresie judged by a Council (in the case of Honorius, Ioh. 23. Eugenius, &c.) will not prove a nullity and intercision. 2. If Simony, Murder, Adultery, &c. will not prove it. 3. If about fourty years Schisme at once will not prove it: none knowing who was the true Pope, but by the prevalency of his secular power; and their writers confessing that it is known to none but God. 4. If intrusion without any just election will not prove it; Then there is no danger to those Churches that are lyable to no such accusations. But if any or all of these will prove it, the Roman intercision is beyond dispute, as I shall further manifest on any just call, if it be denyed.
5. The standing Law and Institution of Christ, is it that gives the Power (by imposing the duty) of Ministration: and Ordination only determineth of the person that shall receive it (together with election,) and solemnizeth it by Investiture: as Coronation ⟨p. 358⟩to a King, that is a King before.