A27050:625
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.
7. Because else many persons should be necessitated to choose a bad or very weak man, if not a heretic for their Bishop, when they may have far better and abler men. For it hath been known that a bad Minister, and a heretical Minister, much more a very weak Minister hath converted men. But God doth not allow such converts therefore to cast their Souls under the danger and disadvantage of such a ones Ministry, or oversights when much fitter may be had.
7. Because else many persons should be necessitated to choose a bad or very weak man, if not a heretick for their Bishop, when they may have far better and ablermen. For it hath been known that a bad Minister, and a heretical Minister, much more a very weak Minister hath converted men. But God doth not allow such converts therefore to cast their Souls under the danger and disadvantage of such a ones Ministry, or oversights when much fitter may be had.
8. Because both nature and Scripture example direct men to another course; that is, 1. To be members of the Church where they are cohabitants, if there be a worthy Pastor; 2. And to get the best they can. For cohabitation or proximity or vicinity is necessary to Church ends, both to public and private communion and mutual help. But the Minister that converteth them may dwell far off that.
8. Because both nature and Scripture example direct men to another course; that is, 1. To be members of the Church where they are cohabitants, if there be a worthy Pastor; 2. And to get the best they can. For cohabitation or proximity or vicinity is necessary to Church ends, both to publick and private communion and mutual help. But the Minister that converth them may dwell far off that.
Therefore indeed the Reasons why all in a City and vicinity were wont to be of the same Church (if there were room) was not because that Minister converted them, but because they were fit for such Communion by cohabitation.