A27058:107
The true history of councils enlarged and defended against the deceits of a pretended…
The true history of councils enlarged and defended against the deceits of a pretended vindicator of the primitive church, but indeed of the tympanite & tyranny of some prelates many hundred years after Christ, with a detection of the false history of Edward Lord Bishop of Cork and Ross in Ireland ... and a preface abbreviating much of Ludolphus's History of Habassta : written to show their dangerous error, who think that a general council, or college of bishops, is a supreme governor of all the Christian world ... / by Richard Baxter ... ; to which is added by another hand, a defence of a book, entitled, No evidence for diocesan churches ...The true history of councils enlarged and defended against the deceits of a pretended vindicator of the primitive church, but indeed of the tympanite & tyranny of some prelates many hundred years after Christ, with a detection of the false history of Edward Lord Bishop of Corke and Rosse in Ireland ... and a preface abbreviating much of Ludolphus's History of Habassta : written to shew their dangerous errour, who think that a general council, or colledge of bishops, is a supream governour of all the Christian world ... / by Richard Baxter ... ; to which is added by another hand, a defence of a book, entituled, No evidence for diocesan churches ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1682
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.
3. I thought with myself if such godly Christians, as much value the Interest of Religion had lived in such times and places, where Rulers were Persecutors of the Truth, how glad would they have been to have had the Power of Church-matters put into the hands of their Chosen Pastors, what would they have desired more?
4. And I read that till Riches and honours were annexed to the Office, the People had still the Choice of their own Pastors, and therefore could not choose but wish their Estates and Lives, and all, as well as their Religion, to be as much as might be in their hands. And so no doubt when the Bishops were advanced to great Dioceses, and Power, it was by the desire of the most Religious Christians, who valued most the Interest of the Church.
4. And I read that till Riches and honours were annexed to the Office, the People had still the Choice of their own Pastors, and therefore could not chuse but wish their Estates and Lives, and all, as well as their Religion, to be as much as might be in their hands. And so no doubt when the Bishops were advanced to great Diocesses, and Power, it was by the desire of the most Religious Christians, who valued most the Interest of the Church.
5. And I could not but observe, that though Christ gave his Apostles no Power of the Sword, he set them above other Ministers, not only in Miraculous Gifts, and Infallible testifying and recording his Commands and works, but in some sort of oversight, which seemeth a thing appointed for Continuance as well as preaching.