A27050:1416
A treatise of episcopacy confuting by Scripture, reason, and the churches testimony that sort…
A treatise of episcopacy confuting by Scripture, reason, and the churches testimony that sort of diocesan churches, prelacy and government, which casteth out the primitive church-species, episcopacy, ministry and discipline and confoundeth the Christian world by corruption, usurpation, schism and persecution : meditated in the year 1640, when the et cætera oath was imposed : written 1671 and cast by : published 1680 by the importunity of our superiors, who demand the reasons of our nonconformity / by Richard Baxter.A treatise of episcopacy confuting by Scripture, reason, and the churches testimony that sort of diocesan churches, prelacy and government, which casteth out the primitive church-species, episcopacy, ministry and discipline and confoundeth the Christian world by corruption, usurpation, schism and persecution : meditated in the year 1640, when the et cætera oath was imposed : written 1671 and cast by : published 1680 by the importunity of our superiours, who demand the reasons of our nonconformity / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1681
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.
3. The Diocese doth not signify Consent to a Church relation, by the Churchwardens or accused persons coming to the Chancellors or Bishops Courts. For 1. It is but a small number comparatively that do so. 2. They are compelled, and are well known to come full sorely against their wills: They are undone if they refuse: And submission and patience, are not subjection nor consent. 3. They most commonly profess to come to these Courts in obedience to the King, and as they are empowered by him, and strengthened by his sword: And not at all as Church-Pastors empowered by Christ: For who taketh the Chancellor to be such?
3. The Diocese doth not signifie Consent to a Church relation, by the Churchwardens or accused persons coming to the Chancellors or Bishops Courts. For 1. It is but a small number comparatively that do so. 2. They are compelled, and are well known to come full sorely against their wills: They are undone if they refuse: And submission and patience, are not subjection nor consent. 3. They most commonly profess to come to these Courts in obedience to the King, and as they are empowered by him, and strengthened by his sword: And not at all as Church-Pastors empowered by Christ: For who taketh the Chancellor to be such?
4. The appearance of the Clergy at the Bishops Visitation, and their Conformity, is no proof of the peoples consent. For the Ministers are distinct persons, and have a distinct interest, and are no way empowered to signify the peoples consent.
4. The appearance of the Clergy at the Bishops Visitation, and their Conformity, is no proof of the peoples consent. For the Ministers are distinct persons, and have a distinct interest, and are no way empowered to signifie the peoples consent.
5. Yea, they show their dissent, 1. By being so backward to be made Church-wardens: 2. So backward to take their Oaths: 3. So backward to present: 4. So backward to appear at their Courts. 5. Doing it on a civil account as obeying the Kings Officers. 6. So few of them ever coming to a Bishop to be instructed, resolved, yea or for the ceremony of Confirmation.