A27050:40
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.
14. And lastly we hold the Magistrate the only Governor by the Sword, as well of Pastors as of Physicians and all ⟨image 7⟩others: And though he may not take the work of our proper calling out of our hands no more than the Physicians, yet he may (by justice and discretion) punish us for male-administration, and drive us to our duty, though not hinder us from it; And we consent to do all under his Government: Judge now whether we set up Popes or Tyrants.
14. And lastly we hold the Magistrate the only Governour by the Sword, as well of Pastors as of Physicians and all ⟨image 7⟩others: And though he may not take the work of our proper calling out of our hands no more than the Physicians, yet he may (by justice and discretion) punish us for male-administration, and drive us to our duty, though not hinder us from it; And we consent to do all under his Government: Judge now whether we set up Popes or Tyrants.
By all this it is apparent that it is none of the design of this Treatise to overthrow or weaken the Church of England; but to strengthen and secure it against all its notorious dangers. 1. By reforming those things, which else undoubtedly will cause a succession of dissenters in all generations, though all we the present Nonconformists are quickly like to be past troubling them, or being troubled by them, even of themselves many will turn upon the same reasons which have convinced us. 2. By uniting all Protestants, and turning their odious wrath and contentions, into a reverence of their Pastors, and into mutual Love and help.
By all this it is apparent that it is none of the designe of this Treatise to overthrow or weaken the Church of England; but to strengthen and secure it against all its notorious dangers. 1. By reforming those things, which else undoubtedly will cause a succession of dissenters in all generations, though all we the present Nonconformists are quickly like to be past troubling them, or being troubled by them, even of themselves many will turne upon the same reasons which have convinced us. 2. By uniting all Protestants, and turning their odious wrath and contentions, into a reverence of their Pastors, and into mutual Love and help.