A27050:265
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.
79. By all this it is evident that we grant all these following disparities in the Church: 1. The disparity of Age, standing, and Gifts among Ministers of the same Order: 2. A kind of paternal priority where one was the Teacher, Educator, or Ordainer of the other. 3. An accidental disparity, when one only by the Patron or Magistrate hath the sole possession of the Maintenance and power of the Temple. 4. We will not unpeaceably contend against the guiding power or negative Vote of One Bishop in a particular Church over the rest of the Pastors of the same Office; Nor do we take such a power to make a distinct Office. 5. We do not strive against the Presidency of one, in Synods, as Moderator; No though it were durante vitâ (which Bishop Hall thought would serve to heal us.) 6. We do not deny Obedience to any Bishop, who is Commissioned by the King, to exercise as a Church-Magistrate, his part of the Church-Government. 7. Much less do we strive against the Power of Kings and Lawful Magistrates Circa Sacra, (of which Grotius hath excellently written de Imper.) But we take the Magistrate to be the necessary and only Ruler by the Sword, to keep Peace and Order among Church▪men, as well as among men of all other Professions. 8. Yea, I do not contend against the Divine Right of General Bishops, (or Archbishops) such as Timothy and Titus, nor will deny Obedience to them, who take care as Visitors of Many Churches, which have every one their proper Bishop, one or more, with true plenary Pastoral power of the Keys, to guide the people of their charge. 9. We refuse not to receive Ordination from such General Bishops. 10. Nor do we refuse to be responsible to them, when we are accused of any male Administration, or to admit of Appeals from us to them.
79. By all this it is evident that we grant all these following disparities in the Church: 1. The disparity of Age, standing, and Gifts among Ministers of the same Order: 2. A kind of paternal priority where one was the Teacher, Educater, or Ordainer of the other. 3. An accidental disparity, when one only by the Patron or Magistrate hath the sole possession of the Maintenance and power of the Temple. 4. We will not unpeaceably contend against the guiding power or negative Vote of One Bishop in a particular Church over the rest of the Pastors of the same Office; Nor do we take such a power to make a distinct Office. 5. We do not strive against the Presidency of one, in Synods, as Moderator; No though it were durante vitâ (which Bishop Hall thought would serve to heal us.) 6. We do not deny Obedience to any Bishop, who is Commissioned by the King, to exercise as a Church-Magistrate, his part of the Church-Government. 7. Much less do we strive against the Power of Kings and Lawful Magistrates Circa Sacra, (of which Grotius hath excellently written de Imper.) But we take the Magistrate to be the necessary and only Ruler by the Sword, to keep Peace and Order among Churchmen, as well as among men of all other Professions. 8. Yea, I do not contend against the Divine Right of General Bishops, (or Archbishops) such as Timothy and Titus, nor will deny Obedience to them, who take care as Visitors of Many Churches, which have every one their proper Bishop, one or more, with true plenary Pastoral power of the Keys, to guide the people of their charge. 9. We refuse not to receive Ordination from such General Bishops. 10. Nor do we refuse to be responsible to them, when we are accused of any male Administration, or to admit of Appeals from us to them.