A27058:330
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.
5. Whether if the Bishops had been willing when they had the King's Commission to make necessary alteration, or were but to this day willing to prefer things necessary before things hurtful or indifferent, we might not live in happy and holy Love and Peace in England?
6. Whether he can blame a man that believes in Christ, for lamenting the doleful corruption and division of the Christian world, and for enquiring of, and lamenting the sinful causes.
7. If that Church Prelacy which they justly call the best in all the world can endure no more Parish Discipline than we have, nor can endure such a Ministry as are silenced by hundreds or thousands (than whom no Nation on Earth abroad that I can hear of hath better) can you blame us for suspecting that somewhat is amiss with them, and more with others?
8. I hope you will yet remember that I did not appear as an accuser of Prelacy or Conformity, but as importuned by your selves to give the reasons why I dare not take your Covenant and Oath never to endeavour any alteration of your Church Government: and that after seventeen years silence. My prayers ⟨p. 41⟩