A27050:195
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.
11. During the time of Christ's abode among them in the flesh, they were but as Pupils and Learners while they were Teachers; and their Abilities, Commissions, Office and Work, and so their success were all yet imperfect: They were not yet authorized openly and commonly so much as to declare Christ to be the Messiah and Saviour, but only to prepare men for that belief: Because those works were not yet done, which must be the Evidences of their Doctrine and the Instruments of mens Conviction, viz. Christ's Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and his sending the miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost.
12. When Christ was risen before his Ascension, he perfected their Commission, both as to their Work and Province; but appointed them to stay till the descent of the Holy Ghost upon them, (as the sealing and full delivery of it, giving them full ability for their work) before they set themselves about the solemn performance of it.
13. Their Commission and Office was, 1. to Teach men and make them Christians (or Christ's Disciples,) 2. and then to Baptize them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and so to take them into his Covenant and Church; and, 3. to Teach them as Covenanted and en-Churched persons, to observe all his commands; The first part of their work was to be exercised unlimitedly on all the World, as far as they were able; The second part on the new Converted Believers (and their infant seed;) And the third part on the Baptized (that were adult.) And he added the promise of his presence with them to the end.