A27050:186
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.
2. Some things are under Christ as Utensils, viz, Inanimates and Brutes; some are under him as mere enemies subdued, as Devils; some are under him as generally Redeemed, and subjects de jure, or quoad obligationem, to be Ruled and used upon terms of Mercy; And so are all Mankind in general, till the day of life and grace is past: some are under him as Visible Consenters, and Professed subjects; so are the Baptized and visible professors of Christianity: And some are under him as sincere Heart-Covenanters, Justified and Sanctified, and to be Glorified by him.
2. Some things are under Christ as Utensils, viz, Inanimates and Braites; some are under him as meer enemies subdued, as Devils; some are under him as generally Redeemed, and subjects de jure, or quoad obligationem, to be Ruled and used upon terms of Mercy; And so are all Mankind in general, till the day of life and grace is past: some are under him as Visible Consenters, and Professed subjects; so are the Baptized and visible professors of Christianity: And some are under him as sincere Heart-Covenanters, Justified and Sanctified, and to be Glorified by him.
3. As Nature it self is now delivered up to Christ, and the Law of Nature is now part of his Law, and the Instrument of his Government, both for the common good and order of the Redeemed World, and also as sanctified to the special good and order of his Church; Even so is the Office of Magistracy now under him, and derived from him, and dependant on him, in both these forementioned respects. (Notwithstanding all the vain arguments which Mr. Brown a Scotch Divine, Cont. Velthusium hath written to the contrary; which need no confutation to an intelligent Reader.)
4. But the Office of the Sacred Ministry is much of Grace and Institution, and less of Natural original than Magistracy. For though it be of Natural obligation, that one man teach another, and that there be some fitter persons than the multitude to instruct the people and guide them in Gods Worship; Yet that in specie there should be Preachers of the Gospel, and Administrators of this instituted worship and Church-discipline, this is it self of Christs Institution, as the Doctrine, worship and discipline which are their Office-work are of his Institution.