A27050:958
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 Pag. 95, 96, 97, 98, 99. he showeth out of Justin Martyr, first, [That all things in the sacred Assemblies and Sacraments were done by the Bishop alone; and that he was the Curator and Moderator both of the Sacraments to be administered, and of teaching the people, and of the Churches money. The Bishop consecrated the Sacraments, and by the Deacons administered them to the people. He prayeth and preacheth. He had the care of the Church-moneys, and kept them with it; he relieved the Orphans, Widows, Sick, Prisoners, Travellers, &c. And from Tertullian, that the Christians received not the Sacrament from the hands of any but the Bishops. (Were there not then as many Bishops as Church-Assemblies?) And that they chiefly did baptize.
And Pag. 95, 96, 97, 98, 99. he sheweth out of Justin Martyr, first, [That all things in the sacred Assemblies and Sacraments were done by the Bishop alone; and that he was the Curator and Moderator both of the Sacraments to be administred, and of teaching the people, and of the Churches money. The Bishop consecrated the Sacraments, and by the Deacons administred them to the people. He prayeth and preacheth. He had the care of the Church-moneys, and kept them with it; he relieved the Orphans, Widows, Sick, Prisoners, Travellers, &c. And from Tertullian, that the Christians received not the Sacrament from the hands of any but the Bishops. (Were there not then as many Bishops as Church-Assemblies?) And that they chiefly did baptize.
And p. 112. he citeth the Can. 7. &. 8. Concil. Gangrensis, which anathematizeth those that without the Bishops consent durst give or receive the Church Oblations, &c. And p. 141. out of Prosper de vita contempl. c. 20. that a Bishop must excel in knowledge, that he may instruct those that live under him. And p. 144, 145, 147. he citeth Can. 3. Concil. Arelat. 3. an. 813. [That every Bishop in his own Parish do perfectly and studiously teach the Presbyters and all the people, and not neglect to instruct them.] And Concil. Turonens. 3. Can. 4. Let every Bishop diligently study by sacred preaching to inform the flock committed to him, what they must do, and what they must avoid. And Concil. Rhemens. 2. Can. 14. That Bishops preach the Word of God to all. And Concil. Cabilonens. 3. Can. 1. [That Bishops be diligent in reading, and search the mysteries of Gods Word, that they may shine by the brightness of Doctrine in the Church, and cease not to satiate the souls subject to them, by nutriment of Gods Words.] And p. 147. That in the formula by which the Kings of France committed Episcopacy to any, it is said, You shall study by daily Sermons to edify, or polish, the people committed to you, according to Canonical Institution.