A64644:12
Episcopal and Presbyterial government conjoined proposed as an expedient for the compromising of the…Episcopal and Presbyterial government conjoyned proposed as an expedient for the compremising of the…
Episcopal and Presbyterial government conjoined proposed as an expedient for the compromising of the differences, and preventing of those troubles about the matter of Church-Government / written in the late times by ... Ja. Usher ...Episcopal and Presbyterial government conjoyned proposed as an expedient for the compremising of the differences, and preventing of those troubles about the matter of Church-Government / written in the late times by ... Ja. Usher ...
London : s.n., 1679
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
The expedient here proposed by this Learned and Pious Prelate, for Composing the Controversies and contentions about Ecclesiastical Government, will not make the wounds wider I hope, I do not see how it can. And if it bring with it a healing virtue to unite and consolidate Parties discontinued, in any measure, I shall not repent me of acting the Empiric in applying this Sovereign Receipt, (which came fortunately to my hands) to the curing all those fretting ailments have so long troubled the Church.
The expedient here proposed by this Learned and Pious Prelate, for Composing the Controversies and contentions about Ecclesiastical Government, will not make the wounds wider I hope, I do not see how it can. And if it bring with it a healing virtue to unite and consolidate Parties discontinued, in any measure, I shall not repent me of acting the Empyrick in applying this Sovereign Receipt, (which came fortunately to my hands) to the curing all those fretting ailments have so long troubled the Church.
Nor will this attempt of mine be insecure, if the Learned and Pious Guides of either Party be consulted. It is Dr. Hammond's judgment, That a moderate Episcopacy, with a standing 1assistant Presbytery, as it will certainly satisfy the desires of those whose pretensions are regular and moderate, (craving nothing more, and in some things less than the Laws of the Land,) so it will appear to be that, which all Parties can best Tolerate: and which next himself, both Presbyterian, Independent and Erastian, will make no question to choose and prefer, before any of the other Pretenders. And Mr. Baxter, (no friend to modern Episcopacy) earnestly inculcating ⟨p. 5⟩2the Pastoral care and oversight of Souls: I speak not this, says he, against any Bishops, that acknowledge the Presbyters to be true Pastors to Rule and Teach the Flock, and take themselves only to be the Chief, and Presidents among Presbyters, yea, or the Rulers of Presbyters that are Rulers of the Flock. But of them that Null the Presbyters Office, and the Churches Government and Discipline, by undertaking it alone as their sole Prerogative. Me thinks, (as Agrippa said