A69533:1171
Five disputations of church-government and worship
Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659
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.
§. 16. If any think that this doth too much favour the Congregational way, I must tell him that it is so true and clear, that the Episcopal men that are moderate acknowledge it. For instance: the Reverend Bishop Usher did, without asking, of himself profess to me that it was his judgement [that certainly Councils or Synods are not for Government but for Unity, and that a Bishop out of Council hath the same Governing Power as all the Council, though their vote may bind him for Unity to consent.
§. 16. If any think that this doth too much favour the Congregational way, I must tell him that it is so true and clear, that the Episcopal men that are moderate acknowledge it. For instance: the Reverend Bishop Vsher did, without asking, of himself profess to me that it was his judgement [that certainly Councils or Synods are not for Government but for Vnity, and that a Bish•p out of Council hath the same Governing Power as all the Council, though their vote may bind him for Vnity to consent.
§. 17. This being so, it must needs follow that an Archbishop, or the President of a National, Provincial, Diocesan, or Classical Assembly, or of any Association of the Pastors of many Churches, hath no superior Governing power over the Parochial or Congregational Bishop of one Church; but only in concurrence with the Synod, a Power of Determining by way of Agreement, such points as he shall be obliged for Unity and Communion to consent to and perform, if they be not contrary to the word of God. This evidently follows from this Reverend Archbishops doctrine, and the truth.
§. 17. This being so, it must needs follow that an Archbishop, or the President of a National, Provincial, Diocesan, or Classicall Assembly, or of any Association of the Pastors of many Churches, hath no superiour Governing power over the Parochial or Congregational Bishop of one Church; but only in concurrence with the Synod, a Power of Determining by way of Agreement, such points as he shall be obliged for Unity and Communion to consent to and perform, if they be not contrary to the word of God. This evidently follows from this Reverend Archbishops doctrine, and the truth.