A27054:616
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness of it, and the detection of false dividing terms / opened by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
§. 5. 1. How the Popes formerly chose and yet choose where it is in their power, I need not tell them that know history and the world: nor yet what Presbyters such Bishops chose: nor is it any wonder that such choosers served their own interest, nor that the chosen serve it.
2. How Princes, and Patrons and Prelates have chosen, history tells us: And Christ who saith, How hard it is for the Rich to enter into the Kingdom of heaven, teacheth us to expect that ordinarily Rich men should not be the best (to speak softly). And the Rich will rule; and will choose according to their interests and their appetites.
3. And when the people had their choice, in some places they chose heretics or ignorant men: In other places they chose vicious men: In most places they followed the Court or Great men, whenever they interposed: and too often divided from each other by disagreement, or caused tumults in the choice. And then what wonder if the sacred office was corrupted to the doleful detriment and danger of the Churches, when the choosers were but such as these?
3. And when the people had their choice, in some places they chose hereticks or ignorant men: In other places they chose vitious men: In most places they followed the Court or Great men, whenever they interposed: and too often divided from each other by disagreement, or caused tumults in the choice. And then what wonder if the sacred office was corrupted to the doleful detriment and danger of the Churches, when the choosers were but such as these?