A27050:1430
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.
CHAP. X. Whether any form of Church Government be instituted by God as necessary? or all left to humane prudence?
Obj. But Doctor Stillingfleet hath invincibly proved that God hath made no one form of Church Government necessary, but left the choice to humane prudence.
Obj. BUt Doctor Stillingfleet hath invincibly proved that God hath made no one form of Church Government necessary, but left the choice to humane prudence.
Answ. I. If so, Why should we all swear to this one form, that we will never endeavour to alter it? or (as the & caetera Oath) never consent to the alteration of it, when we know not but the King may alter it, or command us to endeavour it? Must there be such swearing to the perpetuating an alterable unnecessary thing?
II. The word [Form] signifieth either the essentials of Church policy, or the Integrals, or accidents which Christ himself hath settled: Or else it signifieth only some mutable accidents or modes, which God hath left to humane prudence. Of the first we deny mans power to change them. Of the later we grant it.1