A27050:408
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.
And p. 359. He showeth that where there is no Bishop, Presbyters may Ordain, as Altisiodorensis saith among the Schoolmen. And questioneth again whether the Presbyters that have no Bishops over them be not rather Bishops than mere Presbyters; citing Ambrose's words [He that had no one above him, was a Bishop] (what would he have said of our City and Corporation Pastors that have divers Chapels and Curates under them: Or of our Presidents of Synods: or such as the Pastor of the first Town that ever I was Preacher in (Bridgnorth in Shropshire) who had six Parishes in an exempt Jurisdiction, four or five of them great ones, and kept Court as ordinary like the Bishops, being under none but the Archbishop.)
And p. 359. He sheweth that where there is no Bishop, Presbyters may Ordain, as Altisiodorensis saith among the Schoolmen. And questioneth again whether the Presbyters that have no Bishops over them be not rather Bishops than meer Presbyters; citing Ambrose's words [He that had no one above him, was a Bishop] (what would he have said of our City and Corporation Pastors that have divers Chapels and Curates under them: Or of our Presidents of Synods: or such as the Pastor of the first Town that ever I was Preacher in (Bridgnorth in Shropshire) who had six Parishes in an exempt Jurisdiction, four or five of them great ones, and kept Court as ordinary like the Bishops, being under none but the Archbishop.)
And §. 12. He showeth that there was great cause for many Churches to lay by Episcopacy for a time.
And §. 12. He sheweth that there was great cause for many Churches to lay by Episcopacy for a time.
And p. 360. he saith [Certainly Christ gave the Keys to be exercised by the same men, to whom he gave the power of Preaching and Baptizing. That which God hath joined let no man separate.] (But then how should Satan have used the Churches as he hath done?) And he showeth of mere ruling Elders (as he had done of Bishops) that they are not necessary, but are lawful; and that it may be proved from Scripture that they are not displeasing to God; and that formerly the Laity joined in Councils. Only he puts these Cautions (which I consent to) 1. That they be not set up as by God's command. 2. That they meddle no otherwise with the Pastoral Office, or Excommunication, than by way of Counsel. 3. That none be chosen that are unfit. 4. That they use no coactive power, but what