A27050:249
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.
64. This Communion of Churches is to be held internally by Concord in the same Faith and Love and Religion, and externally by the same profession, and instrumentally, 1. by Messengers and Letters, and, 2. by Delegates and Synods when there is need; (which as is said, for Time, Place, Numbers, Provinces, Orders, are left to humane Prudence.)
65. If any that divide the Country into Provinces, will settle Synods accordingly, and settle over them Presidents for the ordering of their proceedings, and will give power to one above others, to call such Synods, and will call these Provinces, or Nations, or Empires, by the name of Provincial, National, or Imperial Churches, and the Bishops so exalted by the name of Metropolitans, Primates, Patriarchs, &c. We contend not against this as unlawful in it self (though we easily see the accidental danger, being taught it by long and sad experience;) so be it, 1. that none of these be pretended to be of Divine Institution, but of humane determination; 2. and that they meddle with nothing but such accidentals as are left to humane prudence; 3. and that they equal not their humane Association with the Christian Worshipping Churches, which are of Christ's Institution, 4. and that much less they do not oppress their brethren, and tyrannize, nor deprive the particular Pastors and Churches of their proper privileges and work. But alas when were these Rules observed by humane Churches?
65. If any that divide the Country into Provinces, will settle Synods accordingly, and settle over them Presidents for the ordering of their proceedings, and will give power to one above others, to call such Synods, and will call these Provinces, or Nations, or Empires, by the name of Provincial, National, or Imperial Churches, and the Bishops so exalted by the name of Metropolitans, Primates, Patriarchs, &c. We contend not against this as unlawful in it self (though we easily see the accidental danger, being taught it by long and sad experience;) so be it, 1. that none of these be pretended to be of Divine Institution, but of humane determination; 2. and that they meddle with nothing but such accidentals as are left to humane prudence; 3. and that they equal not their humane Association with the Christian Worshiping Churches, which are of Christ's Institution, 4. and that much less they do not oppress their brethren, and tyrannize, nor deprive the particular Pastors and Churches of their proper priviledges and work. But alas when were these Rules observed by humane Churches?