A27050:236
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.
51. But being in such doubt, and being uncertain whether such Arch-Bishops or Apostolical Successors in the points of Ordination and oversight of many Churches, be of Divine right or not, I resolve not to contend against any such Order, nor to disobey any just commands of such, nor to reproach the custom of the Churches.
51. But being in such doubt, and being uncertain whether such Arch-Bishops or Apostolical Successors in the points of Ordination and oversight of many Churches, be of Divine right or not, I resolve not to contend against any such Order, nor to disobey any just commands of such, nor to reproach the custome of the Churches.
52. And though I know that Pastors should not unnecessarily be diverted by any alien works, yet if it please the Magistrate to commit some of his power of Church-government by the Sword, (about things extrinsic, to the Pastoral Office) into the hands of some Ministers as his Officers, and if he call them Bishops, and command us to obey them, and if he make them Barons, and endow them with Lordships and great revenues, though I see the great peril to the Church from hence, by reason of mens pride and worldliness; yet will I not reproach this Order, nor deny any just obedience to any such Officers of the King.
52. And though I know that Pastors should not unnecessarily be diverted by any aliene works, yet if it please the Magistrate to commit some of his power of Church-government by the Sword, (about things extrinsick, to the Pastoral Office) into the hands of some Ministers as his Officers, and if he call them Bishops, and command us to obey them, and if he make them Barons, and endow them with Lordships and great revenues, though I see the great peril to the Church from hence, by reason of mens pride and worldliness; yet will I not reproach this Order, nor deny any just obedience to any such Officers of the King.