A27050:973
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.
In his Annot. in Act. 11. 30. he saith, [Although this Title of [Greek or Hebrew] Elders, have been also extended to a second Order in the Church, and now is only in use for them under the name of Presbyters, yet in the Scripture times it belonged principally, if not alone to Bishops, there being no evidence that any of the second order were then instituted; though soon after before the writing of Ignatius Epistles there were such instituted in all Churches.
In his Annot. in Act. 11. 30. he saith, [Although this Title of 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Elders, have been also extended to a second Order in the Church, and now is only in use for them under the name of Presbyters, yet in the Scripture times it belonged principally, if not alone to Bishops, there being no evidence that any of the second order were then instituted; though soon after before the writing of Ignatius Epistles there were such instituted in all Churches.
(Though so sudden a change be unlikely, I pass it by.) In his Dissert. p. 208, 209, 211. cap. 10. sect. 19, 20, 21. & 11. sect. 2. &c. he saith, [Prius non usquequaque verum esse quod pro concesso sumitur (in una civitate non fuisse plures Episcopos.) Quamvis enim in una Ecclesia aut coetu plures simul Episcopi nunquam fuerint, nihil tamen obstare, quin in eadem civitate duo aliquando disterminati coetus fuerint, a duobus Apostolis ad fidem adducti, &c. as I have before more largely cited him.
(Though so suddain a change be unlikely, I pass it by.) In his Dissert. p. 208, 209, 211. cap. 10. sect. 19, 20, 21. & 11. sect. 2. &c. he saith, [Prius non usquequaque verum esse quod pro concesso sumitur (in una civitate non fuisse plures Episcopos.) Quamvis enim in una Ecclesia aut coetu plures simul Episcopi nunquam fuerint, nihil tamen obstare, quin in eadem civitate duo aliquando disterminati coetus fuerint, a duobus Apostolis ad fidem adducti, &c. as I have before more largely cited him.