A27050:461
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.
But had it been by a Voluntary settling themselves in twelve Provinces to the neglect of all the rest, the Case had been otherwise. But whilst they did their best for the whole World themselves, and Ordained others to do the rest, they performed their Office.
But had it been by a Voluntary setling themselves in twelve Provinces to the neglect of all the rest, the Case had been otherwise. But whilst they did their best for the whole World themselves, and Ordained others to do the rest, they performed their Office.
There needeth no more to be said as to those Ancients that name the Apostles Bishops: Nor is their Episcopacy, if proved, any thing to our Case, as shall be manifested.
Cap. 5. He thought he had proved that Power in the Church is given by the Apostles to the Bishops only. Whereas (with Spalatensis, and most Christians) we hold it given to Christ's Ministers, as such, and therefore to them all, though in an Eminency the Apostles only had it. And, 1. Whereas he denieth the Power of the 70, because they were not Apostles, but Disciples: We Answer, 1. That Evangelists and other Ministers that were not Apostles, had the Power of the Keys. 2. That to deny that the 70 were at least Temporary Apostles limited to the Jews, and had the power of Preaching and working Miracles, would be to deny the letter of the Text. And the Apostles themselves could not Govern Churches, till they were gathered.
Cap. 5. He thought he had proved that Power in the Church is given by the Apostles to the Bishops only. Whereas (with Spalatensis, and most Christians) we hold it given to Christ's Ministers, as such, and therefore to them all, though in an Eminency the Apostles only had it. And, 1. Whereas he denyeth the Power of the 70, because they were not Apostles, but Disciples: We Answer, 1. That Evangelists and other Ministers that were not Apostles, had the Power of the Keys. 2. That to deny that the 70 were at least Temporary Apostles limited to the Jews, and had the power of Preaching and working Miracles, would be to deny the letter of the Text. And the Apostles themselves could not Govern Churches, till they were gathered.