A27050:1429
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.
Obj. But he hath other Bishops under him, therefore he is not ejusdem speciei as a Diocese. Answ. But the Abuna hath no Ordainers under him. And the Bishop hath Chancellors, Deans, Arch-deacons, Surrogates, Officials, and sometimes in the days of old had Suffragans too, under him. (Quest. Was a Diocese then, One Church, or two?) And what if a Patriarch or Pope put down all Bishops under him, and exercise his power only by other sorts of officers? (They that can demise, grant, let, what parts they please of their own office, may devise enow.)
And seeing it would not alter the species, what if it should please the King and Parliament to put down all the Bishops of England save One? I hope the Bishops would not take that to be against the Canon of 1640. nor against the Oxford Oath [of never endeavouring to Consent or Alter the Church Covernment] (if it could have been past to be taken by the Parliament) Because the species is not altered: And they tell us Nonconformists to draw us to Swear, that they mean but the species. I make no doubt but at the rates of our present Ordinations, One Bishop or Abuna with Chaplains enow, may Ordain Priests enow, (and too many of all conscience) for all the Kings Dominions; and may silence preachers enow, and may set up Chancellors, Surrogates, and Arch-deacons enow to do the present work. And it's pity that the land should be troubled with so many when one would serve. I confess I would either have more or fewer had I my wish.
And as for my Minor proposition, let him that thinketh it wanteth proof, when he hath considered what is beforesaid, and how personal present Communion in all Gods Church-worship, differeth from the Communion of associated Congregations by messengers, &c. think so still, if he be able so egregiously to err.