A27045:729
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.
8. The Nullity which they suppose to make the Intercision, is either the Ordination we had from the Papist Bishops before our Reformation, or the Ordination that we received since. If the former be a nullity, then all the Papists Ordinations are null; and so they nullify their Church and Ministry. That the latter is no nullity, we are ready to make good against any of them all.
8. The Nullity which they suppose to make the Intercision, is either the Ordination we had from the Papist Bishops before our Reformation, or the Ordination that we received since. If the former be a nullity, then all the Papists Ordinations are null; and so they nullifie their Church and Ministry. That the latter is no nullity, we are ready to make good against any of them all.
Object. But if you own your Ordination as from the Church of Rome, you own their Church.
Answ. We consider them, 1. As Christian Pastors. 2. As Popish Pastors; As Christian Pastors in the Catholic Church, their Ordination is no more a nullity than their Baptizing, (which we count valid.) But as Popish, they have no authority for either. Object. But they gave both Baptism and Ordination as Papists, and it must be judged of by the intention of the giver, and receiver. Answ. It is the Baptism and Ordination of Christs Institution, as such, which was pretended to be given and received: Could we prove that they Administered any other or otherwise, they say they would disown it: As such therefore we must take it, till we can prove that they destroy the very essence of it. If it be given and taken secondarily as Popish the scab of their corruption polluteth it, but not nullifieth it. So they profess themselves first Ministers of Christ, and but subordinately (as they think) of the Pope: so much therefore as belongs to them in their first and lawful relation may be valid; though so much as respecteth their usurped relation be sinful. Had I been baptized or ordained by one of their Priests,