A27050:222
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.
37. But it is most desirable that a Church be as numerous or great, as will consist with that sort of Communion which is the end of the Society; and consequently that they have many Pastors; Because this tendeth to their strength and beauty, and it is a joyful thing to worship God in full Assemblies.
38. The work of a Bishop or Pastor of a single Church is, (to mention it more particularly) to Teach the Church the meaning of the Scriptures, especially of all the Articles of Faith, and the things to be Desired in Prayer, and the matters and order of Obedience to all the commands of Christ. To instruct the Children in the Catechistical or Fundamental ⟨p. 35⟩verities. To Baptize, to Pray in the Assembly, to praise God, to celebrate the Lords Supper, to visit the Sick, and pray for them: To visit the several Families, or personally instruct those ignorant ones, that understand not public Preaching, as far as he hath opportunity: To watch over the Conversations of the several Members, and to receive informations concerning them: To resolve the doubts of those that seek resolutions, and to offer help to them that are so senseless as not to seek it, when their need appeareth: To comfort the sad and afflicted: To reprove the scandalous: To admonish the obstinate before all: To censure and cast out the impenitent that continue to reject such admonition: To absolve the penitent: To take care of the Poor: And to be exemplary in holiness, sobriety, justice and charity. I pass by Marriage, Burials, and such other particular Offices. And I meddle not here with Ordination, or any thing that concerneth other Churches; but only with the work of a Bishop or Pastor to the People of his proper Flock.
38. The work of a Bishop or Pastor of a single Church is, (to mention it more particularly) to Teach the Church the meaning of the Scriptures, especially of all the Articles of Faith, and the things to be Desired in Prayer, and the matters and order of Obedience to all the commands of Christ. To instruct the Children in the Catechistical or Fundamental ⟨p. 35⟩