A27050:495
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.
Two probable Arguments I object against his improbable Expositions of this Text and that Acts 20. before mentioned: 1. Where did he ever read that all the Province of Macedonia was called Philippi; and the Saints said to dwell at Philippi that dwelt all over Macedonia? 2. Where did he ever read in Scripture many Episcopal Churches under one Metropolitan, called One Church in the singular Number, as in Acts 20. 28. or One Flock either? 3. Will any knowing man deny that he contradicteth not only Hierom and Theodoret, but the common Exposition of the Fathers, by this his odd Opinion? And is it not gross partiality for the same man that can so easily cast off the judgment of almost all the Ancients at once, to lay so much of the whole stress of his Diocesan and Metropolitan Cause upon the Fathers assertions, yea doubtful reports; and to take it for so immodest a thing in others, to deny belief to them in such uncertain matters?
But he setteth Epiphanius his words against Aerius against them all▪ Even that Epiphanius who ordained in the Bishop of Jerusalem's Diocese to his displeasure, and that combined with that Theophilus Alexand. (of whom Socrates writeth such horrid and unchristian practices) to root out Chrysostom, and raise a flame in the Church of Constantinople; who liker a mad man than a sober Bishop, came from Cyprus not only into the City, but the Church where Chrysostom used to officiate, to inflame his people, and declaim against, and censure their Bishop, to whom he was an inferior; and that parted with him in a wrathful Prognostic, and dyed by the way home: And yet even this one man saith nothing to his advantage, but that the Apostles placed Bishops only with Deacons in some Churches that had not fit men to make Presbyters of: which we not only grant, but doubt whether ever they made any but Bishops, (though in great Cities there were many of them.)
But he setteth Epiphanius his words against Aerius against them all▪ Even that Epiphanius who ordained in the Bishop of Jerusalem's Diocess to his displeasure, and that combined with that Theophilus Alexand. (of whom Socrates writeth such horrid and unchristian practices) to root out Chrysostom, and raise a flame in the Church of Constantinople; who liker a mad man than a sober Bishop, came from Cyprus not only into the City, but the Church where Chrysostom used to officiate, to inflame his people, and declame against, and censure their Bishop, to whom he was an inferiour; and that parted with him in a wrathful Prognostick, and dyed by the way home: And yet even this one man saith nothing to his advantage, but that the Apostles placed Bishops only with Deacons in some Churches that had not fit men to make Presbyters of: which we not only grant, but doubt whether ever they made any but Bishops, (though in great Cities there were many of them.)