A27050:487
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.
His Proofs of the Civil or Jewish distinction of Metropolitans, §. 4, 5, &c. let them mind that think it pertinent: But § 9. we have a great word, that [It may be proved by many examples, that after this Image the Apostles took care every where to dispose of the Churches, and constituted a subordination and dependence of the lesser on the more eminent Cities, in all their Plantations.] Answ. This is to some purpose, if it be made good. The first Instance is Acts 14. 26. 16. 4. and 15. 2, 3, 22, 23, 30. Not a word else out of Scripture. And what's here? Why, Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem ⟨p. 93⟩from Antioch, to the Apostles and Elders, about the Question, and were brought on their way by the Church, and passed through Phenice and Samaria: Chosen men are sent to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas and Silas, with Letters from the Apostles, Elders, and Brethren, even to the Brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: And when they came to Antioch they delivered the Letters; and Paul and Timothy as they went through the Cities delivered them the Decrees to keep, that were ordained by the Apostles and Elders that were at Jerusalem.] Doth not the Reader wonder where is the Proof? And wonder he may for me, unless this be it: The Apostles and Elders were at Jerusalem when they wrote this Letter, and thence sent it to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Ergo, They established the Bishop of Jerusalem to be the Governor and Metropolitan of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. The Apostle Paul went from Antioch to other Cities, and delivered them these Decrees: Ergo, Antioch is the governing Metropolis of those Cities. I think the major Propositions are, [Every City from which Apostles send their Letters to other Cities, and every City from which an Apostle carrieth such Letters or Decrees to other Cities, is by those Apostles made the Governing Metropolis of those other Cities.] What dull Heads are the Puritans, to question such a Proposition as this! But it is not given to all Men to be wise: And we ignorant Persons are left in doubt, Q. 1. Whether the Universal Headship or Papacy of the Bishop of Jerusalem be not of Apostolical Institution? and that more than by one Apostle, even by all of them that were then at Jerusalem? Q. 2. Whether the Apostles did not this as they did other parts of Church-settlement, by the Spirit of God?
His Proofs of the Civil or Jewish distinction of Metropolitans, §. 4, 5, &c. let them mind that think it pertinent: But § 9. we have a great word, that [It may be proved by many examples, that after this Image the Apostles took care every where to dispose of the Churches, and constituted a subordination and dependence of the lesser on the more eminent Cities, in all their Plantations.] Answ. This is to some purpose, if it be made good. The first Instance is