A27050:522
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.
4. Lastly he noteth here that this was done by the Revelation of the Spirit, whereby they examined and tried who was worthy of that Dignity. And, 1. What use for examination who was worthy, where there was no other to stand in Competition, and where the first Convert still was taken? Election is è multis. And if he be compelled to grant that there were more Christians over whom the Bishop was set, it is a Contradiction to say that a Bishop and his Flock, though small, is no Church. 2. It is hard to believe that the multitude of ignorant Lads, and wicked Men that are now set over Churches, are Constituted by this Apostolical choice and Trial, by the Holy Ghost.
4. Lastly he noteth here that this was done by the Revelation of the Spirit, whereby they examined and tryed who was worthy of that Dignity. And, 1. What use for examination who was worthy, where there was no other to stand in Competition, and where the first Convert still was taken? Election is è multis. And if he be compelled to grant that there were more Christians over whom the Bishop was set, it is a Contradiction to say that a Bishop and his Flock, though small, is no Church. 2. It is hard to believe that the multitude of ignorant Lads, and wicked Men that are now set over Churches, are Constituted by this Apostolical choice and Tryal, by the Holy Ghost.
Cap. 5. §. 5. He now acknowledgeth that where many were at first Converted, not always the first but the fittest was chosen Bishop. And how prove you that he and his Flock were no Church? The same he maintaineth, §. 11. And after from the choice usually made by suffrages and other reasons, well confuteth the former conceit, when he took it to be Blondels; but sure he could not believe that they were Ecclesiae nondum nat•, or future Believers that chose Bishops by Suffrages? But having so fully in this Chapter confuted his former, as Blondel's opinion, I doubt not but Blondel is in this as easily reconciled to him as he to himself, and meant no more, but, 1. That the Apostles used (not to make Bishops of the first Converts simply, but) to choose them out of the ancient, grown, and proved Christians. 2. And that being so chosen (not he that was first Baptized, but) he that was first ordained, had the presidence in the Conessus of their Presbyters: Which the Dr. might easily have seen, and spared his insulting upon the contrary supposition.