A27050:806
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.
And 1. Seeing the Diocesan as such hath not the Sword, it is certain that he silenceth no further than he prevaileth with the Conscience, either of the Minister to be silent, or of the people not to hear him, or of the Magistrates to silence him by force.
And 1. Seing the Diocesan as such hath not the Sword, it is certain that he silenceth no further than he prevaileth with the Conscience, either of the Minister to be silent, or of the people not to hear him, or of the Magistrates to silence him by force.
Now to do this, either he must prove to them from the word of God, by argument, that each of these are thus far obliged by God; or else that God hath made him as Diocesan the Judge, and they are bound to do it, because he bids them do it.
For the first, as is said, it belongeth to every Minister, even with office-authority to tell both Magistrates, Minister and people their duty, in the name of Christ: Thus [God hath commanded Adulterers, Heretics, &c. To forsake their sins or forbear the Ministry, and commanded me to publish this in his name, even to particular persons: But thou art an Adulterer, Heretic &c. go &c. Or [God commandeth me to tell the people that it is their duty to avoid a Heretic, and the Magistrate that it is his duty to silence him by force: Therefore I require this of you in his name].
For the first, as is said, it belongeth to every Minister, even with office-authority to tell both Magistrates, Minister and people their duty, in the name of Christ: Thus [God hath commanded Adulterers, Hereticks, &c. To forsake their sins or forbear the Ministery, and commanded me to publish this in his name, even to particular persons: But thou art an Adulterer, Heretick &c. go &c. Or [God commandeth me to tell the people that it is their duty to avoid a Heretick, and the Magistrate that it is his duty to silence him by force: Therefore I require this of you in his name].